A.H. Almaas Diamond Approach
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y

 

Self-Boundaries

Self-boundaries determine even what one is able to think. While it is true that different impressions stimulate different thoughts in the same person, still these thoughts are pretty much determined by the person’s sense of who he is, that is, his self-image. So the thoughts that go through a person's mind are not really accidental, chaotic, or disconnected, although they may sometimes appear so. They appear chaotic because a large segment of the self-image is unconscious or preconscious, and thus shapes thoughts and experiences in a way that the conscious mind cannot be aware of. This fact makes it possible for a person, by careful observation of the patterns and trends in his thoughts, to gain much information concerning his sense of identity. (The Void, pg 15)

self boundaries

 

Self-Boundaries and grades of space

The grades of space, we will observe, are each connected generally with one of these sets of boundaries. The first kind of space, for instance, acts to dissolve the boundaries of the external self-image. However, it will not have what is needed to penetrate more deeply to affect the deeper sets of boundaries. However, other spaces may emerge, each capable of penetrating more deeply into the subtle boundaries of the self. (The Void, pg 146)

 

self boundaries

 

The following table has been compiled from (The Void, pg 146)

Image

Related Space

Characteristics

Associations
External
self-image
Clear space
Clear, empty, and light spaciousness. It is related generally to the external self-image, which is the closest set of boundaries to our normal consciousness...
Associated fear is of disintegration
Internal
self-image
Black space
This is an empty, light, but black spaciousness. Its phenomenological relation to the clear space is like the relation of night to day.
The loss of this deeper boundary is usually experienced as a loss of identity; associated fear is one of disintegration... the fear is of not knowing who one is.
External body-image (the nucleus of the external self-image)
Clear dense space
Dealing with the boundaries of the external body image will lead to a clear kind of space, different from the above clear space in that it will paradoxically be experienced as full. It will have a fullness and a Presence, like the body. But at the same time it will be space. It is a compact and dense space experienced at the same time as openness.
That openness is immense and powerful... The experience of this space allows the perception that the boundaries of the body are themselves space, and hence are not real boundaries.
Internal body-image (the nucleus of the internal self-image)
Black dense space
Dealing with the boundaries of the internal body image will precipitate the experience of a dense space like the preceding one, but black instead of clear. This space arises when the individual lets go of the sense of identity stemming from inner bodily sensations...
The loss of this set of boundaries will usually bring the fear of loss of the body itself. So in dealing with this particular set of boundaries, the individual comes across the fear of death.