Clarity & Subtle Flirting
Energy & Clarity
At rare occasions, I play music during sitting meditation. When awareness stays in itself - as distinct from its content - then any inner/outer phenomena is energy that brings more wakefullness, clarity and spaciousness. This evening, I played Magazine with Jaga Jazzist and then sat in silence for a while afterwards.
Outer sounds can be a very helpful support for alertness. In the situations where there are few sounds, music - especially the unpredictable and rough type - can be a useful occasional antidote.
Subtle Flirting
I also noticed something that I have been aware of for a long time. I can relatively easily sit in awareness throughout the period and let all inner/outer phenomena arise, unfold and dissolve within spacious and clear awareness.
And in the midst of this, there is a subtle flirting with what comes up. I give a small amount of energy to whispers of thoughts or emotions that come up, and then let it go again (only the whispers, the gross thoughts/emotions mostly unfold without engaging). And I repeatedly do this throughout the session, with some phases where I access nonseeking mind and just sit in awareness without the flirting.
Awareness is playing a game with itself. There is a knowing and seeing of what is going on, what to do about it, and that awareness often is not willing to do it. Although it seems to run out of facination now - there is a readyness for something else. For more clarity.