Examine the nature of unborn awareness.

Photo from Planetden.com

          Salar de Uyrini, found in southwestern Bolivia, is the world's largest salt flat. As one of the most level places on earth, it becomes a liquid mirror during the rainy season. Before the photographer took the magnificent photo above, there was a brief moment when he was aware of the scene without any any analysis or speculation. It was pure awareness, untouched by definitions, labels or categories. This natural awareness is always there in everyone. I'm sure it was only a split second in the photographer's mind before a running commentary started about choosing the right lens to capture such a fantastic image of land and sky. Created awareness (as opposed to natural awareness) is filled with dualistic, discursive thought. I liken it to a mirror that should accurately reflect back reality but can't, because I've covered the surface with Post-it notes. Unconcerned with just noticing what's there, these notes separate things into groups such as pleasant/unpleasant, same/different and you/me. Yet natural awareness can be found in meditation; it is what notices I'm narrating a story instead of focusing on the breath. It's that gap of clarity, and this slogan tells me to pay attention to it.  

For more information on the third slogan, go here.