In ordinary thinking, the mind always has an objective, something it's going to get. If we're caught in that wanting, then our awareness of reality is gone. We've substituted a personal dream for awareness. Awareness doesn't move, doesn't bury itself in dreams; it just stays as it is.
At first, the distinction between ordinary thinking and awareness seems subtle and elusive. As we practice, however, the distinction gradually becomes clearer; we begin to notice more and more how our thoughts are occupied with trying to get somewhere and how we become caught in them so that we fail to notice what's really present in our lives.
My own meditation teacher, Rob Nairn, has said that meditation is "knowing what's happening while it's happening no matter what it is." This is awareness. Thinking about what is happening, however, is different. Letting go of thoughts that arise and bringing the mind back to the meditative support over and over trains the mind in simple awareness so that we do, indeed, notice what is really present.
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