All the states and views that I have described in this chapter are continuously available now. The attention just has to turn toward the void, or toward the unitive experience, or the nondual, or the unfolding universe, or the discontinuity of consciousness, or pervasive love, for it to come to the foreground. Or all of them at once. Of course, these views still affect the experience of the world unconsciously, even when they remain in the background.
This does not mean that unending bliss is present. Old habits die hard. Patterns of response that are inborn or conditioned and reinforced throughout one’s lifetime take a long time to eradicate, if they can be eradicated at all. My experience is that it helps greatly to prolong mindfulness throughout the day to become aware of situations where an unskillful response might arise, or has arisen, and letting go of it, especially any story associated with them. Even more importantly, there is an okayness with whatever arises.
In order to help mindfulness stay strong throughout the day, since the beginning of 2020 I have gone back to meditating about three hours a day. It certainly makes a difference to the ability of the mind to keep dwelling in the nondual view during the time between sits. I am also curious to explore the farther reaches of human experience made available through deepening Samatha.
I have started focusing attention on the feeling of being conscious. This is a feeling that is always present whenever we are conscious, so is always available. Also, because being conscious, and being conscious that we are conscious, are such precious and rare events in the universe, it generates awe and joy and gratitude.