The practice
Whatever you are attending to, let a portion of attention rest on yourself attending. Not a thought about yourself — the bare noticing that there is someone here doing the noticing. Keep it running underneath ordinary activity.
What it works on
The verse defines what this whole family means by awareness. Perceiving objects is common to every living thing; what is being trained is the second strand, continuously present alongside the first.
Notes
- It does not need to be half your attention. One per cent, continuously, is the practice.
- The moment you notice it has lapsed, it has resumed.
Practise gently
Shoonyaka offers educational and contemplative material, not medical, psychological or religious authority. Nothing here diagnoses or treats any condition. Stop any practice that leaves you dizzy, frightened or unwell, and treat a strong reaction as a reason to rest rather than to push on.