From Content to Context
In many practices, we use content (the world of phenomena) as a springboard into context (a sense of I or realization of selflessness). We explore content, which leads us into exploring context.
This seems to be the case for...
- Process Work
Typically with an emphasis of content, but within a - yet slightly fuzzy - context of selflessness (it seems that the selflessness part is more coming into focus). - The Big Mind Process
This approach uses explorations of content (personal voices) to see that they are inherently without any I. And we also go directly to an exploration of selflessness (Big Mind) to familiarize ourselves with that, and have a taste of it. - The Work
Byron Katie's inquiry process is content focused (examining our beliefs, the effects of their presence and absence, and turning it around), yet brings us into a taste and then realization of selflessness. It seems that from exploring typical surface beliefs - such as she should ..., I need ... and so on, we move to exploring the more core beliefs - the initial stories spawning all the other stressful ones - such as I am a human being and I am.
Directly to context
Of course, we are already at the context of selflessness as well, although we don't notice it. So some practices focus on this as well, such as Headlessness and some Dzogchen practices. Here, we just notice what is already there - the absence of any I anywhere. We notice, gradually become more familiar with it, gradually learn to trust it, gradually allow the realization to dawn.
Labels: big mind process, content and context, headlessness, process work, the work