Any map is supposed to help you find out
where you are and help you get where you are going. Orientations
is no different except that it deals with "being" -
that is, who you might be and what you might want. If you are not
sure about any feelings that have emerged through your constancy
practice, compare them to the schema below. This map is a
technique of Praxis like any other.
There is no such thing as a random
feeling. By comparing your real feeling to an abstract
description of a feeling in the map, you may open up what is
going on for you. If this "opening" happens, it will
usually take the form of more feelings emerging.
Let go of the feeling you were troubled by and watch where these
new feelings take you. This is how the map works, it is a
catalyst and no more. Its is not a description of real feelings,
do not fall into the trap of thinking that you are having an
"inner" feeling, or a "journey" feeling.
It is best to try and think of the nine
orientations as potentialities, or, as launch pads. Do not focus
on the launch pad, look at the rocket, when one takes off. If a
rocket, or a feeling, does not take off, try something else or
comeback later. An orientation should trigger more feelings that
lead you on. Feelings are rarely just one thing, or, on closer
examination, can become a symphony of feelings perhaps relating
to more than one orientation. If in doubt, if it gets too
complicated, let it all go and just watch the feelings . . . . .
.
Orientations involves 3 core questions
that group nine orientations:
Who am I ?
What is that feeling ?
Why is this happening ?
Some background to the map and
its use
1. . . .Who am I ?
These 3 are about process, about the
changes you go through.
Inner : seeing the "you" inside, finding
truth, you have a "life" inside you - some feelings are
just to do with that. Some feelings mostly point to interior
needs and expectations.
Location : seeing where this "you " lives.
Nobody is really alone, the world changes you and is changed by
you. Some feelings mostly point to this interaction.
Journey : Some feelings do not sit comfortably with just
"Inner" or "Location". Some feelings are
about where you have been and where you might be going, they are
not to do with needs, they will not change you or the world, they
point to a deeper treasure, a kind of summary . . . .
2 . . . .what is that feeling ?
These 3 are idealised descriptions for
purposes of contrast only. Don't let that process of labelling
detract from the feeling itself.
World : everyday mundane feelings. Some feelings
mostly point to the familiar world you know, have always known
and will always know in this life.
Edge : some feelings point towards
the unexplained and to dreams. Some feelings can seem familiar
but looking closer, become strange. A very typical edge feeling
is one that is tinged with fear for no rational reason you can
pinpoint. The deeper the "edge" feeling, the more fear
there will be .
Silence : gateway to deeper feelings. The Silence is
just my word, these feelings are not "silent" or
soundless, but they are profound beyond description. Silence
feelings are a gateway, when you have gone through enough times,
you need no more help from anyone.
3 . . . .why is this happening ?
Why questions are always fraught with
difficulty, it is too easy for the mind to manufacture
descriptions and explanations whilst avoiding deeper feelings.
Even though there is danger here, they should not be avoided
altogether.
Responsibility : everyone must pass through this gate. The
issue of responsibility is subtle and complicated . . . . .where
does blame begin and end? Are you innocent? Responsibility here
points to potentiality not just attribution.
Connection : some feelings point to a connection between
things - don't get carried away ! These feelings are themselves
gateways . . . . . . .
Light : all cultures on earth associate light with
spirituality. maybe it's just a coincidence, or, spasms of the
optic nerve common to all brains, or, fluctuations in the brain's
serotonin levels. . . . .
maybe . . . . .
To sum up, Orientations is a map, a technique to move you on if you get stuck.
Compare your stuck feeling with one of the nine orientations. If you
get a "match" - a resonance, then watch for whatever feeling
emerges. If this works, watch the new feeling with
Constancy as usual. Or, describe the new feeling as a question
and use Holding to look at it. There is a map of
Orientations below to help.
