Awakening pointers

[Anastacia42]

Great, John. Mostly clesr.. Let's look at a couple of things.

Here is an exercise that makes it even clearer that labels are not the things they refer to. They are merely the content of thought that we made up.

Label-Reality Correlation

There is a belief that labels have a one-to-one correspondence with something called "reality." But there isn’t. Just like it is a generally accepted belief that labels like "good" and "bad" are inherent characteristics of "things." But actually, they are not.

When you look at the word label ‘GREEN’, what is the actual experience?

Is the red color "experienced" or is color green "experienced" as the label suggests?

Do the labels have a one-to-one correspondence with "reality?"

Or do the labels suggest something else other than what is here now (red color)?

Is green-ness an inherent attribute of the "experience" of the red color; or is green just a word label on the experience of the red color?

If the label ‘GREEN’ is replaced with the label ‘GOOD’ or ‘BAD’, is the redness affected in any way as the labels suggests?

Does redness become "good" or "bad," or do the labels have no effect whatsoever on ‘reality’?


Loving,

[WabbaJack]

When you look at the word label ‘GREEN’, what is the actual experience?

The actual experience is of the word Green and the color red, as well as a thought of the color green.

Is the red color "experienced" or is color green "experienced" as the label suggests?

The red color is experienced.

Do the labels have a one-to-one correspondence with "reality?"

No. The labels are thoughts.

Or do the labels suggest something else other than what is here now (red color)?

The labels suggest that color "Green" is there, but it isn't. Just the color red and words.

Is green-ness an inherent attribute of the "experience" of the red color; or is green just a word label on the experience of the red color?

Green is just a label on the experience of Red. There is no inherent green-ness to the experience.

If the label ‘GREEN’ is replaced with the label ‘GOOD’ or ‘BAD’, is the redness affected in any way as the labels suggests

No, now there is just the words "Good" and "Bad" with the color red

Does redness become "good" or "bad," or do the labels have no effect whatsoever on ‘reality’?

No, the redness simply stays red and is not affected by the labels "good" or "bad"

Thank you,
John

[Anastacia42]

Good. That's the answer to #3 above. Labels have no effect.

Now this:

Here is how to distinguish truth from lies.

We often lie every day & don't realize it.

For example, the grocery clerk asks, "How are you?" You reply, "I'm fine." While, yes. there is a sense in which we are always fine, even in the middle of suffering, at that moment, you were grieving the death of your dog, you had a slight sore throat & you had a headache, but you didn't feel like sharing all of that with the grocery clerk, so you lied, "I'm fine."

Also, it matters none at all how "distant" the remembered lie is. Besides the fact that time itself is fictional, a kind if lie, as we recall the lie it becomes present in this moment, as if it were happening now. This brings the body Sensation that accompanies lying.

Lies can be intentional or unintentional, conscious or unconscious, even so automatic that we ourselves are fooled.

The story of a separate "self" is a lie.

This is the lie you came here to see through. Therefore, it is helpful to notice the body Sensation of lying as one of the tools for finding the truth of no self.

You want to be in touch with body Sensations & able to clearly express them in words. This will help.

Lies are usually felt in the heart or solar plexus as a contraction that we may label as tight, heavy or tense.

In contrast, truth is usually expansive. We may call it loose, light or relaxed.

First, can you remember a time when you lied to someone you loved?

Here we count anything, lies we think of as "big" or "small" that "matter" or don't "matter."

How are you? I'm fine. No, your knee hurts, but you don't feel like discussing it with the grocery clerk.

It's a lie. A seemingly "bigger" one will work better for this exercise.

Find the lie. I don't need the whole story, just a few key words to refer to it.

Then scan your body for any Sensation (DE or Direct Experience), particularly in the gut or maybe the heart. Check very closely.

What is found?

If you think the memory you used wasn't clear enough, find another one or lie to yourself right now, make something up.

1 + 1 = 14 is a lie.

I love eating worms is (probably) a lie.

Or call up a video of a lying politician & notice what Sensations arise as you listen.

I will give you a clue: it is not that peaceful Sensation you felt before when you omitted "I." (refers to an exercise I gave before this one)

Please report back with what body Sensations (not interpretations) you feel. Bodies can feel hot or cold, heavy or light, contraction or expansion, etc.

"Peaceful" is an interpretation of a body Sensation, not the Sensation itself, for example.

Do you see that?

Loving,

[WabbaJack]

First, can you remember a time when you lied to someone you loved?

I had a big lie which I still remember very well which involved lying to my parents in middle school about doing my homework.

What is found?

I feel a strong contraction in solar plexus and a sensation of heat in my head and tightness near the middle of my chest.

Do you see that?

Yes, sensations are sensations. Something like "Peaceful" is merely a label.

Thank you,
John

[Anastacia42]

Yes, very good.

Now let's bring some of this together.


Actual/Direct Experience - Apple

Have a look at an apple (or any fruit you like.) If you have a ‘real’ apple, you can use it for this exercise. Google for a picture of an apple.



When looking at an apple, there's color; a thought saying ‘apple’; and maybe a thought saying, "I'm looking at an apple."

What is known for sure? Color is known and thoughts are known.

What about the content of thoughts, what they describe?

Actual experience does not refer to thoughts ABOUT something…because that is only just more thought.

Actual experience is sound, thought, color, smell, taste, sensation and the fact of thought arising, but not its content.

Is there really an ‘apple’ here, or only color and a thought ABOUT ‘apple’?

Can ‘apple’ be found in actual experience?

While these thoughts are known, what they talk ABOUT can't be found in actual experience.

This is what is meant by "looking in actual experience." What you know for sure, and, is always here.

Taste labeled ‘apple’ is known
Color labeled ‘apple’ is known
Sensation labeled ‘apple’ is known (when apple is touched)
Smell labeled ‘apple’ is known
Thought about/of an ‘apple’ is known

However, is an apple actually known?

Have fun and let me know what you find out.

Loving

[WabbaJack]

Hello again Stacy!

When looking at an apple, there's color; a thought saying ‘apple’; and maybe a thought saying, "I'm looking at an apple."

I have noticed these sorts of thoughts forming. The labeling of the apple and the the thought that "I am looking at the apple"

What about the content of thoughts, what they describe?

The contents of thoughts just describe and turn things into concepts which are imaginary.

Is there really an ‘apple’ here, or only color and a thought ABOUT ‘apple’?

Just color and a thought about apple

Can ‘apple’ be found in actual experience?

No, there is just color/image and thoughts

However, is an apple actually known?

There is an experience of something that could be labeled "apple" which is known but "apple" is conceptual.

Have fun and let me know what you find out.

[Anastacia42]

Yes, John.All true.

How does it FEEL to SEE there is no "apple," only a thought, a concept?

Loving,

[WabbaJack]

How does it FEEL to SEE there is no "apple," only a thought, a concept?

It feels hard to describe. It feels, lighter and more expansive.

[Anastacia42]

Exactly!

That's the truth or "yes" feeling. Do you remember that pointer?

Can you find any separate "self?' or is it like the "apple?" just a story?

Loving

[WabbaJack]

Do you remember that pointer?

Yes, i remember you saying that truth is usually more expansive

Can you find any separate "self?' or is it like the "apple?" just a story?

No I can't. Every time I look, there is simply thoughts about being a self but no thing to call self. Just images, sensations, thoughts.

[Anastacia42]

It feels hard to describe. It feels, lighter and more expansive.

Good! We are looking for a shift in perception. It may be subtle & gradual.

Here is another aspect to check.

Palm Flipping Exercise

1. Hold a hand in front of you; palm turned down.

2. Now turn the palm up. And down...and up and so on.

Watch like a hawk.

Don't go to thoughts – examine your direct experience.

Do this as many times as you like, and each time inquire:

How is the movement controlled?

Does a thought control it?

Can a ‘controller’ of any description be located?

How is the decision made to turn the hand over?

Track any decision point when a thought MADE THE DECISION to turn the hand over and the hand turns over immediately.

Who or what ​ chose which hand - the left or right hand for the exercise?

Can you find a separate individual or anything that is choosing when to turn the palm up or down?

Loving,

[WabbaJack]

Hi Stacy!

Here is what I have after working with this exercise.

How is the movement controlled?

Im not sure, it just seems to be appearing.

Does a thought control it?

I can't find a thought that controls it immediately. The thoughts seems to be in hindsight.

Can a ‘controller’ of any description be located?

No, "controller" is another thought appearing after trying to describe the experience.

How is the decision made to turn the hand over?

Im not sure, there just seems to be the hand turning over.

Who or what ​ chose which hand - the left or right hand for the exercise?

There doesn't seem to be anything that does the choosing. It just happens.

Can you find a separate individual or anything that is choosing when to turn the palm up or down?

No. No separate anything. Anything that seems separate is just a thought appearing.

[Anastacia42]

You've got it. No one nowhere. :)

SO. . . can you say 100% that there is no separate self?

If so, how does it FEEL to see this?

Loving,

[WabbaJack]

SO. . . can you say 100% that there is no separate self?

I want to say yes, I see the only thing that causes doubt is the expectation of something to change in my experience. I see that too, is also a thought arising. Sensations that I could associate with sadness arise as well as I feel the grasp on my expectations letting go.

If so, how does it FEEL to see this?

I notice there is an openness to experience.

[WabbaJack]

SO. . . can you say 100% that there is no separate self?

After sitting with it for a while more, I can say 100 percent there is no separate self, any doubt is merely thought arising with no thinker.

If so, how does it FEEL to see this?

Experience feels lighter,