Appreciated that post
@Rex . One reason I enjoy your posts, other than for their intelligence is your intent towards 'truth'. Seeing what Is , clearly.
That 'unconditioned' "enquiry" or "attention" mode you refer to reminds me of some conceptions spiritual practitioners commonly use, especially Buddhist based ones.
Your thoughts share an interesting parallel.
The famous forest Thai Buddhist Theravadian monks (influencing schools Australia, too) in particular use an '
Observation' technique (Vipasana) that becomes deeper & deeper, starting with observation of breath, awareness of ones inner body workings, thoughts, feelings - as starting points. It gets mind blowing after that.
Tibetan Mahayana & Tantric Buddhism schools (more 'mantra' & intent based as opposed to Theravadian Vipasana practices) take it much further, conceiving a stream of 'unconditioned' consciousness ("pure light") that acts, say, like a blank canvas or background, which forms the basis for 'conditioned' thoughts & feelings to arise out of, much like bubbles arising out of water or waves from the ocean.
Anyway, that stuff interests me.