At the very moment a thought occurs, the brain's first reaction is to allow that thought to capture its attention, and with this movement of attention, awareness is drawn externally, giving the world of form a sense of reality. At that very moment the mind's vibrational frequency is diminished and consciousness shifts to the gross material dimension of ego. The mind is now found to be identifying with ego, which is nothing but a solidified illusory thought form-based structure – a structure that also maintains an inter-connectedness with other thought forms which have accumulated within the mind as latent tendencies. As long as these latent tendencies are sustained in the mind, the ego will persist. This is the condition that underlies the necessity to incarnate into a physical body.
These latent tendencies present the primary obstacle to self-realization, as they create a world of form identities, which in turn bind the spirit to this plane of physicality. These latent tendencies need to be removed from consciousness in order for the realization of self to prevail; this is achieved through the illuminating power of awareness.
Awareness itself exhibits the same luminous quality throughout the ascending stages of spiritual practice. What varies from stage to stage is the duration of this state of awareness. Therefore the process of freeing oneself from these latent tendencies is simply a matter of remaining awake and aware in the moment; there should not be any concern about the ultimate achievement of a state of permanent awareness, as awareness can only be experienced moment by moment. Notions of a completely refined consciousness are mere concepts, projections into a future that does not exist. So as long as one remains alert, the latent tendencies do not represent any issues. From a totally awakened perspective, the latent tendencies do not exist, nor does the idea of getting to a place of permanent realization of self.
Transformation of consciousness
Suzuki Roshi has said that it is wisdom that is seeking wisdom, and you have said the same in other words. You have also said that the thing that perpetuates dualistic consciousness is actually the universal self, for this is the source of all the mind's activity. So since ignorance and wisdom come from the same place, is there not a point where ignorance and wisdom meet?
The only purpose for
The only purpose for ignorance is to attract wisdom so that ignorance may be transformed by wisdom. However, wisdom does not need ignorance for its existence. In fact, when ignorance is no more, wisdom appears. But wisdom stands on its own, independent of ignorance. If wisdom were dependent on ignorance, it wouldn't be of the quality of infinite being, and pure wisdom is expressed from that very source: infinite being. In the same way, the external seeking of dualistic consciousness does not lead to unity, though the mind’s futile struggles in the dualistic realm eventually lead to a dead end, and so it is ultimately obliged to turn within to seek unification with the totality of being. Anything dualistic only appears as such from the mind's point of view. The projections of mind are the external expressions of the infinite; they assume the semblance of reality due to the distorted perspective of the mind that projects them. But from a place of wholeness, nothing but the totality is real and the totality prevails no matter what.
The world assumes a dualistic dimension when the mind comes into play. From the mind's point of view, the totality can only be witnessed as a polarity of phenomenon, whereas, in actuality, the totality can only be one and non-dualistic. Because the totality is all-inclusive, it cannot be said that dualism is conflicted with the totality's design. We live in a world of complementary opposing forces and elements where any element of this so-called duality is inherently linked to its opposite - which is to say that everything abides by the rules of polarity. And so ignorance can only culminate in wisdom, for the only way that ignorance can adjust to the permanency of reality is to resolve itself into wisdom. However, wisdom is not the opposite of ignorance, for wisdom is of the nature of the totality, which is essentially intelligence. Ignorance may be viewed as any other illusory manifestation in the world of form, for the purpose of ignorance is to indirectly lead to wisdom.
Wisdom is a quality we generally attribute to so-called enlightened beings, but the truth of the matter is that wisdom may only express itself through any being who is open to and directly connected with the totality. Because the mind is caught up in dualistic consciousness, it is obliged to follow a path of ignorance. This indirectly compels self-inquiry, thereby opening the door to wisdom. At that moment of genuine inquiry, the ignorance of mind loosens its grip, giving way to wisdom, which shines forth like the rays of the sun that suddenly burst through the clouds...
Ignorance is necessary for the mind’s awakening. Ignorance is intrinsic to dualistic consciousness; it is the mental aspect of the manifestation process. Dualism may be seen as part of an evolutionary process; it is complemented by an equivalent state of consciousness which strives for union. Dualism implies an external perspective in which the mind projects outwardly, whereas wisdom can only spring from within, from an internal point of view.
In regard to the path of spirit's ascendancy, ignorance is essential, for without it the mind would not be compelled to bear the fruits of its thoughts and actions. This is the major impetus for the course of self-inquiry. Dualistic consciousness is the mind’s troublesome inheritance. It attracts challenging circumstances throughout the course of its existence, for the dualistic consciousness can only exist within polarities. Therefore, the mind is forced to deal with the consequences of its decisions and actions, and what follows from this experience is the will to establish a sense of balance.
Wisdom is at the heart of ignorance, but it is in a dormant state. By indirect means, ignorance obliges the spirit to inquire about the consequences of a dualistic existence, for life can only move towards a sense of union in which wisdom assumes predominance. This is the course of destiny - the destiny of the entire cosmos, which cannot possibly be avoided. Ignorance is merely the superficial game of wisdom, a game that wisdom uses to perfect itself in the totality through the play of forms.
When inquiring as to whom that ignorance may belong, the mind can only revert to its true identity, and it is in the realm of the true identity that the quality of being uses wisdom as its language. Infinite Intelligence employs ignorance as the terrain for the propagation of wisdom. Wisdom is the blossom of consciousness.
Identification with ego
The mind tends to mistake ego for itself; it identifies with ego. When it stops identifying with ego, it stops creating ego. So the act of self-realization is merely a matter of undoing this process of identification. But this is easier said than done. Can you explain the precise mechanics of this phenomenon, of the mind identifying with ego? What is actually going on?
The world - a reflexion of the light over the mind
The mind is like a prism within consciousness. As the light of universal consciousness meets the mind, it is refracted from it, thus generating the world of forms. So it could be said that the mind stands between universal consciousness and the world of form, the mind is the intermediary in the process of the creation of this world. Since the mind has always functioned in this capacity, it knows no other way to function. When it is faced with the issue of self-realization, the mind looks for its definition in the world of form, a world it has created in conjunction with universal consciousness. This is the only world it knows, the only world with which it can identify. The mind persists in identifying with ego because form appears to be the only thing it can rely on for meaning.
But the forms perceived are only reflections and not the light itself. And since they are only reflections, they are of the nature of transitory phenomenon. Therefore, the mind can only pursue a vain search when attempting to define itself through the mere reflections of the light.
The mind needs to find a sense of existence, without which it would have no purpose. The identification with forms is at the basis of ego existence. As long as the mind's attention is drawn externally, there will be an ego that strives incessantly to consolidate a permanent sense of existence within the context of an impermanent reality, which amounts to an exercise in self-deception.
However, when the same attention of mind is turned inwardly, the self is found to be the light itself, which is the only reality, the permanent reality. The practice, thus, is to revert the attention of the mind to its source. This is self-realization – the beginning and the end of the journey, regardless of the play of consciousness.
You have said that the drive
You have said that the drive for self-realization persists until all sense of false identity is purged from consciousness. At a certain point, one comes to know that the ego identity is derived from something, from thoughts associated with a so-called past, whereas the true identity just is. When one is aware of this undeniable truth, but still embraces the false identity, it could be said that one is consciously engaged in self-deception. This act of self-deception cannot be attributed to the false identity itself, as this is something that has no life of its own and no creative power, as the ego identity is constructed of dead thoughts. So there is some aspect of mind that is choosing to give life to this false identity, this amalgamation of dead thoughts. Why is it that we choose to give life to something we know to be false?
The mind is unconsciously
The mind is unconsciously attributing to itself a false sense of self as a result of identification with the thought process. The mind cannot be in a state of awareness when it is identified with thoughts. In a state of awareness, there would be no thoughts to elicit any action or perception.
Simply knowing that the true identity resides within is not enough to actualize the true state of self-awareness! We must become one with this state, which entails more than simply knowing. All knowing is from the mind, from a mental perspective. The mind can only point the way, but one must take those crucial steps beyond the mind to achieve unification with that center of being which is the true self. One must become whole in order to embody the true identity.
It is certainly not enough to know all about it, nor to talk about it in a sophisticated manner. That becomes another deluded way of sustaining identification with the mind, while remaining unaware of it. In fact, all knowing must lead to not-knowing; this not-knowing eventually becomes a state of being. The state of not-knowing is achieved when one no longer listens to the mind and remains detached from all thinking, paying attention to whatever is going on in the moment without any word. As one starts functioning independently from the mind, the true being is found to be at the core of all mind's activities or non-activity. A sense of genuine existence and consciousness is found to prevail in that moment of stillness of mind. In that place of silence, one is no longer following any particular knowing nor any direction whatsoever. One becomes whole and all-encompassing.
If becoming one with being were just about knowing, it would be too easy. Self-knowledge based on pure intellect can only lead to delusion, for one cannot simultaneously follow the mind and transcend the mind. The knowledge of self must be replaced by being the self - and this can only be put into practice.
If knowing were the only thing required in order to embrace a state of being, one would still be trapped by the limitations of the mind and would still, as a consequence, identify itself with the mind, from which springs the false sense of identity. One would mistake the mind for being and this is what is actually taking place for most of us, including most of those who are recognized as spiritual authorities. Thus, as long as there is a knower, there will be this false identification with the mind, which is delusion. This is why, in spite of advanced spiritual “knowledge”, one persists in living within the prison of the false self. One must remain in a state of absolute presence until there isn't one single thought that has not come into the light of consciousness; this is to assume unification with the pure and infinite being.