Seeing & Discernment
I notice that when I do an inquiry into composites I can just look (apparently) with no layer of abstractions on top. But when there is this seeing, there is also no discernment. There is just what is, as a whole, with no discernment of any particular aspect of it. So it appears to not quite work for this inquiry.
If there is a layer of abstractions added to what is, then there is the possibility for discernment. Now, the focus of attention can be discerned into many different aspects, for instance sensations, feelings, emotions, thoughts, attention itself, and the awareness of it all. Through this, there is also the recognition that there seems to be no "I" inherent in any of these components nor in their combinations. They all just happen. There is no doer, only the doing and the activity.
In this case, the layer of abstraction is (again apparently) consciously called up for the purpose of discernment. None of what comes out of it is believed in, because it is so clearly constructed on top of what is. Although the realization of no "I" still seems to have an effect.
The sense of "I" is recognized as itself coming from a belief in an idea of "I", added on top of segments of what is. And when it is believed in, it seems very real. It has real consequences, brings about real ups and downs, drama and suffering.
At least that is how it all appears right now, and this too is subject to change.