1.1 No‑Mind: That Thought‑Free Awareness

1.1 No‑Mind: That Thought‑Free Awareness

【Insight】
We usually think that "I" is the collection of thoughts, emotions, and stories. We say "I am thinking," "I am hurt," "I want to succeed." But look closely: behind all these coming‑and‑going mental activities (mind at work), is there not a "background" that has never been involved?

【Reality】
When your thoughts are racing, is that which knows you are thinking---itself a thought? When emotions surge, is the awareness that notices the surging---itself fluctuating?

This "knowing‑aware" background has no content, no story, not even a boundary between "me" and "not‑me." It is like a clear mirror: objects appear and are reflected, objects leave and it is empty---yet the mirror itself is never stained by the images. This is your original nature (the body of No‑Mind).

Spiritual practice is not about creating a thought‑free state, but recognizing that you have always been the space of awareness that holds all thoughts without being moved by them.

【Practice】
Next time anxiety or anger strikes, do not try to fight those thoughts.

Try an experiment: gently step back inwardly---no longer be the "person who is anxious," but become the vast awareness that knows anxiety is happening. You will find that the moment you stop identifying with those thoughts and emotions (stop "mind at work"), their oppressive force immediately loosens. For the ocean never identifies itself as an angry wave.