1. All objects are ideas. The mind utilizes a collection of ideas about the object - characteristics of the apple (red, round, hard, etc) - and calls this aggregate of characteristics "apple". If the characteristics change, then the aggregate can change (replace "red" with "orange" and "apple" becomes something else). The object (apple) does not cause the thought “apple”. The subject (me) does not choose the thought “apple”.
The object can’t be distinct or separate from the idea itself.
“The object, like the tomato, would be just a word we give a collection of these ideas…So the ideas don't represent a tomato, they're not caused by a tomato, they ARE the tomato.”
2.The object is not separate from the sensing or experience.
a. “The cup is not separate from the form”
b. “Form is not separate from seeing”
c. “Seeing is not separate from witnessing awareness”
3. Everything ‘known’ is a reflection of the objects perceived. All thoughts are a reflection of objects. Everything I see, touch, taste, hear, is merely a reflection of those objects. The thoughts are not separate from the objects. I truly don’t “know” ( in a possessive sense, or any retainment of the substance of the objects) anything without the experience of those objects. All of my experiences, those things that we think make us who we are, aren’t really ‘mine’, just as a mirror can’t own or possess the reflection any more than it can own or possess the object. I don’t really “know” anything.
This intuitive realization imparts a ‘feeling’ of ‘emptiness’ upon the realization that I (the subject) am merely reflecting that which is seen (the object). The subject is in no possession of any knowledge, but is merely reflecting “experience”.
But who feels this sense of emptiness?
4. The “me” or “Matt” is also only a thought. Continuing with the same logic, if all objects are ideas, then the perception I have of myself is also a thought. But if all objects are merely reflections or ideas, then what is this sense of 'me'? The "I" ,too, is a reflection- the primary reflection in regards to "me". An object and an idea. The object and the idea being the same.
5. Without objects there aren't thoughts, without thoughts there aren’t objects (or experiences). In deep sleep there aren’t any thoughts, and any experiences aren’t perceived. If there weren’t any objects, then there wouldn’t be anything to perceive, and there wouldn’t be any experiences either. The subject and the object are completely interdependent. One cannot exist without the other. Therefore, there is no separation and no distinction between the thoughts, objects and experiences. They are the same.
a. “The cup is not separate from the form”
b. “Form is not separate from seeing”
c. “Seeing is not separate from witnessing awareness”
6. Both life and death are only ideas, concepts.
Everything seems to be an idea. What else is an idea? Who or what is having these 'realizations'? Are these 'realizations' also ideas..that are just arising in awareness?
a. “The cup is not separate from the form”
b. “Form is not separate from seeing”
c. "Seeing is not separate from thought
d. “Thought is not separate from Consciousness”
