Expert: Justin Choo - 3/29/2009

Question
Hello, I just have a quick question on consciousness or awareness (I hope you
don't mind).

How is it exactly that one can see that it changes? I can, for example, see
thoughts change, I can see them arise and die, and I can see sensations
change, I can see them arise and die, but I cannot see awareness change, I
cannot see it arise and die.

Of course, I can see that it might change, for example now I am aware of a
computer screen, but later I will be aware of something else. The consciousness changes, but nowhere do I see that it arises and dies.

I have read on many websites (buddhanet, for example, which you pointed
out to me - thank you), and I have looked up in some books, but they do not
seem to have this information. I believe they are called uppada, thiti, and
bhanga, arising, being, and cessation, but I cannot see any of these.

I see awareness only as a line, continuous, not as a line composed of a near
infinite amount of infinitely small dots.

Is there a way to see awareness change, and arise, and die, or is this not
possible?

Thank you,

Nicolaas

Answer
Hi Nicolaas,

Welcome back.

Since this is a "quick" question, let me give you a quick answer.

If you can see thoughts change, then you see awareness, for thought is a form of awareness.  To put a difficult question in a simpler term, imagine "air" and "wind".  Can you see them?  But you know they are there.  

Take care.

Justin Choo