(10-25-2013, 12:56 AM)peregrine Wrote: Yes, and with a mind stuck in a neutral, non-thinking place, does one not risk treading close to the spongy edge of the dread sinkhole of indifference to life?
Perhaps that depends upon...what, exactly?
Could the quotes above amount to counsel not to be swayed by ripples upon the surface of the mind, but by the deeper currents? The purpose of observing silence is to deepen perceptivity, no?
In that case, is the neutralizing of immediate approval/disapproval simply a way of trying to get out of the way of your own immediate reflection in the mirror?
The change to move away from approval/disapproval, like many things on the spiritual path, must flow naturally and organically from one's being. Forcing oneself to repress or bury or deaden one's approval/disapproval mechanism is not the way and only adds further distortion.
Seeking love in the moment is a most important exercise in coming to that state. Finding those balanced beliefs that let the approval/disapproval naturally fall away is the key. Most importantly is green ray acceptance of the moment. But also to list incompletely, red (no survival concern), orange (truly self-accepting and loving oneself), yellow (having power in one's future) rays as well. And blue (honesty with selves, most importantly the self) and indigo (faith, wisdom) cannot be forgotten. It is when balance comes that your approval/disapproval falls away organically.
A highly balanced being does not approve or disapprove; it does not follow that one who does not approve or disapprove is automatically a highly balanced being. A Buddha-like character may willingly retreat into the forest to meditate for a year; it does not follow that one retreats to a forest to meditate possess a Buddha-like character.
The key is the search for a level of vibration where the things referred to in the OP flow naturally. That is the 'secret'.