Non-Opposition and the Transience of iStates: A Resource for the Inner Critic Journey
The Non-Oppositional Stance
The Mi-iMind Framework emphasizes a foundational principle: do not be over against instinctive or reactive responses. These responses, whether instinctive survival mechanisms or bindings tied to societal norms, are natural and transient arising's within the human Me-Mind. To oppose or resist them is not only unnecessary but counterproductive, as it reinforces the patterns we aim to transcend.
Why Opposition is Absurd
1. Natural Arisings:
Instinctive responses, such as fear, shame, or anger, emerge from biological and social conditioning. They are not intrinsic truths but rather transient phenomena.
To oppose them would be akin to resisting the rain—a futile act that only heightens frustration.
2. No Need for Forgiveness:
These responses had no control over their arising. They are products of conditioned patterns, not deliberate choices.
Forgiveness implies wrongdoing, but in this context, there is nothing to forgive.
3. Transience in Time Forward:
No Me-Mind steps into the same iState twice. Each moment is a new synthesis of conditions, making any reactive pattern inherently fleeting.
Opposition anchors the Me-Mind to past arisings, preventing it from engaging fully with the present.
The Transience of iStates
What are iStates?
• Evanescent iStates are time-bound cycles of awareness, arising and dissolving within the flow of the present moment.
• They are shaped by the interaction of internal conditions (thoughts, emotions) and external stimuli (environment, context).
Implications of Transience
1. Every iState is Unique:
The Me-Mind’s experience in the present is never exactly the same as in the past.
This uniqueness underscores the futility of clinging to or opposing any single iState.
2. Freedom Through Observation:
By observing an iState without judgment or opposition, the Me-Mind creates space for recalibration and adaptation.
This practice fosters resilience and openness, essential for navigating emergent knowledge.
3. Dissolving Reactive Patterns:
Reactive patterns lose their power when seen as transient and contingent rather than permanent and intrinsic.
The Mi-iWitness role allows the Me-Mind to engage with iStates without conflating them with identity.
The Role of EmptiSelf
Non-Opposition in Practice
• The EmptiSelf conception arises from emptiness, enabling the Me-Mind to observe without attachment or opposition.
• From this stance, instinctive or reactive responses are seen as data points, not determinants of self or reality.
Creating Empty Paving
• Empty paving refers to the process of clearing mental space in the present to allow new, adaptive iStates to arise.
• This practice involves disengaging from the narrative bindings of the I from We and embracing the openness of zero vantage awareness.
Practical Steps for Non-Opposition
1. Observe Without Imputation
• When a feeling or reaction arises, practice observing it as it is, without assigning meaning or judgment.
• Reflect: “This response is not me; it is a transient arising.”
2. Reframe Opposition
• Recognize that opposition to a response reinforces its presence.
• Shift focus to curiosity: “What can this moment teach me about my current iState?”
3. Embrace Transience
• Remember that every iState is unique and fleeting. Allow it to arise and dissolve naturally.
• Affirm: “No Me-Mind steps into the same iState twice.”
4. Cultivate Zero Vantage Awareness
• Adopt a stance of non-gaining, beginner’s mind. Approach each moment with openness and neutrality.
• Practice “rest” within the present, creating the space for clarity and recalibration.
Weak Will Residues and Emotional Neutrality
What are Weak Will Residues?
• Residues of reactive emotions, such as pride, shame, or schadenfreude, that linger and influence the Me-Mind’s judgement.
• These residues are often subtle but can significantly distort self-perception and decision-making.
Marking Residues as Transient
1. Observe and Label:
Use the flattened hierarchy of good/bad/indifferent to classify the emotional residue without attaching significance.
2. Winnowing Meaning:
Recognize these residues as artefacts of past arising’s, not as intrinsic truths or permanent markers of identity.
3. Emphasize Non-Opposition:
Neither suppress nor inflate these feelings. Simply acknowledge their presence and allow them to pass.
Conclusion: The Middle Way of Non-Opposition
The Mi-iMind Framework guides participants to cultivate a non-oppositional stance rooted in the transience of iStates. By observing arising’s without judgment, creating empty paving, and embracing the EmptiSelf conception, the Me-Mind gains the clarity and flexibility needed to engage with emergent knowledge.
Non-opposition is not passivity; it is an active, intentional practice of resilience, recalibration, and openness. In this way, participants can transcend inherited constraints and engage fully with the dynamic potential of the present.