Base, Part 1

The theme for today is Base.

We have talked about this in the past
but it's an enduring and important theme

In a previous session, Darren introduced the idea of Base:

Base is something that gives us a fundament
that can make us show what is beneficial and what isn't
a base is a structure,
something that gives trust, and connects

but a base is also flexible,
open, transparant, changing

as the house moves, the base moves with it,
that would be something !

base and house in complete connection with each other

Base:
what is it,
that gives us our fundaments?
what is it,
that gives us the right direction?
what is it,
that we can trust?

Let's explore this further.

What does "base" mean
and how can we become aware of it?

To become aware of base
is to notice form,
and how it arises,
what it depends on

Every object
is embodied
this is not an abstract idea
it means it has an actual body
and the body has a form
(though it might be moving and changing)

A person
a cup, a chair, a bed,
a river,
a mountain,
a planet,
even something as invisible as an idea
or a "self"
is a body.

Every body has a head on the top or front
a face that points in the direction that the body goes
feet on the bottom to hold it up and move it
something like arms and legs to reach out
and something in between,
which contains the center,
the heart and the power plant
which we also call a "body".

That which is __not__ the object,
that which it depends on
stands upon
arises from
and is supported by
is called its base.

The base of a wave is the ocean
the base of the ocean is the earth
water in a river seeks its base in the earth
When things seek their base
energy flows.
Things naturally seek their base
and then having done so, seeking ceases
until the cycle of energy turns again.

Ancient Taoists understood this
and Taoism has been called
the Watercourse Way.

Modern physics understands also
potential energy turns to kinetic energy
or vice versa.

If you are restless
don't try to hold the river,
or push it:
let your energy flow
and find its base.

Many practices and activities
have "finding the base"
as a fundamental principle.

because if that's not happening
whatever comes next
cannot arise genuinely
and carries some pretense
some illusion of being
other than what it is.

If you want to build a stable house
or hit a good golf shot
or make a good soup
or express an idea well,
find the base first.

The principle for finding the base
is simply to relax
and be aware of what happens.

Then something really interesting happens
when we relax
and find the base:

all the unorganized parts
find their relationship
become connected
and reveal the whole:
the object "as it is"
and its place in the world.

This is called wu wei, or non-doing.

Sitting meditation is a process of finding base
and noticing all the vertebrae find theirs
and pile up into a form
that extends in two directions
connecting heaven and earth.

Walking meditation is an embodied practice
with a focus
on our feet
and on the ground
that is always there supporting us
and on how that frees us.

Embodied practices
give a direct experience
of base and other principles
tacit knowledge
that transfers to other areas of life.

All practices, though are embodied.
That is why posture and form
are important aspects of, for example, sitting meditation.

Empty space meditation
is a focus
passing through all the layers of base
down to the place where they stand
arising from, and settling to,
emptiness.

It's interesting to notice
or seek to be aware
of the "base" for each area of our life.
Doing so can help dispel illusions
and contact the vitality
of how things arise from emptiness.

But sometimes it's frightenng:
settling into a base
might feel more like going out on a limb.
or falling into a hole.

If we let go of concepts and beliefs
what is still true
is the base of knowing.

If we let go of pretense and identification
of preferences for things to be other than they are
what is still true
is the base of self.

Awareness can help us notice base.

But base doesn't thrive on awareness;
It doesn't need a name.
It is implicit.

Base is unassuming:
it doesn't ask anything of you
except that you be yourself.

It prefers to be invisible
It prefers to be ignored.

It is still there even when we are not aware of it.

Sometimes people define Reality
in a way that sounds like "base":

Reality is what won't go away,
what is true
when you're not looking at it
not trying to understand it
or make it be a certain way.

In practical terms
ideas and striving
tend to put us off-base
as a cost of accomplishment
and we need to return to base frequently.

This rejuvenating process
is the purpose of many practices
and observances.

Let's consider
some of the many ways
base appears in our lives

honor them with awareness
and observation
perhaps strengthen or clarify them.

Pick any aspect of life.
Can you notice the base in it
and how it supports you
to be what you are?