Hi Elad,
I’ve been repeating the last exercise you sent over the past few days. It’s fascinating to see how difficult it is to separate the direct experience from the perception of bodily sensations. The shifts between thoughts about the thing itself are really deceiving. Regarding the last question, nothing is coming up so far beyond thoughts and perceptions about the body…
All you need is love. Requesting Elad as guide.
Re: All you need is love. Requesting Elad as guide.
Hi Elad,
I’m continuing with the body exercise, and I notice how the thought or label “body” refers to the sensory experience that arises. When my eyes are closed and I don’t see a “body,” my thoughts imagine it. When my attention isn’t attuned to sensations like temperature, touch, tension, or movement, what remains is only the thought or perception that there is a body.
I’m also aware of the thought of ownership over the body — “my body” — which introduces a layer that assumes there’s a “me” who owns the body. I noticed that when physical pain arises, thoughts like “I’m in pain” or “I’m hurting” tend to appear. I became curious about what happens when I practice noticing the thought “pain is arising” — it felt like there was less resistance. Later I practiced describing the actual sensation, like “tightness/pressure/tingling is arising,” and that also felt different from “I’m in pain.”
I’m continuing with the body exercise, and I notice how the thought or label “body” refers to the sensory experience that arises. When my eyes are closed and I don’t see a “body,” my thoughts imagine it. When my attention isn’t attuned to sensations like temperature, touch, tension, or movement, what remains is only the thought or perception that there is a body.
I’m also aware of the thought of ownership over the body — “my body” — which introduces a layer that assumes there’s a “me” who owns the body. I noticed that when physical pain arises, thoughts like “I’m in pain” or “I’m hurting” tend to appear. I became curious about what happens when I practice noticing the thought “pain is arising” — it felt like there was less resistance. Later I practiced describing the actual sensation, like “tightness/pressure/tingling is arising,” and that also felt different from “I’m in pain.”
Re: All you need is love. Requesting Elad as guide.
This is great exploration here... Here is an exercise for the next day. It is in continuation of where your process is naturally going....
Direct Experience - Labelling Daily Activities
Here's an exercise that I would like you to try as many times throughout the day as you can. Label daily activities simply colour/image, sound, smell, taste, sensation, thought.
So for example, when having breakfast, become aware of:-
Seeing a cup, simply= image/colour
Smelling coffee, simply = smell
Feeling the warmth of the coffee cup, simply = sensation
Tasting the coffee, simply = taste
Hearing the spoon stirring the coffee, simply = sound
Thought about drinking the coffee, simply = thought
Just break down daily activities into these categories (which are all actual/direct experience) as you go through the day. Then write me about what is noticed, what happens...
Shabbat shalom :)
Direct Experience - Labelling Daily Activities
Here's an exercise that I would like you to try as many times throughout the day as you can. Label daily activities simply colour/image, sound, smell, taste, sensation, thought.
So for example, when having breakfast, become aware of:-
Seeing a cup, simply= image/colour
Smelling coffee, simply = smell
Feeling the warmth of the coffee cup, simply = sensation
Tasting the coffee, simply = taste
Hearing the spoon stirring the coffee, simply = sound
Thought about drinking the coffee, simply = thought
Just break down daily activities into these categories (which are all actual/direct experience) as you go through the day. Then write me about what is noticed, what happens...
Shabbat shalom :)
With love,
Elad
Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children.
- Kahlil Gibran
One gets there by being there.
- Master Woof (Gilbert, Ta Hui)
Elad
Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children.
- Kahlil Gibran
One gets there by being there.
- Master Woof (Gilbert, Ta Hui)
Re: All you need is love. Requesting Elad as guide.
כמובן! הנה הגרסה המעודכנת עם “I saw” במקום “realized”:
⸻
Thank you, Elad.
I’m also sharing with you something new and interesting that has come up for me in recent days during the practices.
I’ve started to become curious about the moments when I wake up and suddenly a “memory of a dream I dreamt” arises.
When I began to pay attention to what was happening, I saw that it was a thought explaining what was arising — not a fact!
A visual thought simply appears, followed by more and more visual thoughts that are labeled as “a dream I had.”
Wow — it’s a powerful experience of no past, no future, only the present.
⸻
Thank you, Elad.
I’m also sharing with you something new and interesting that has come up for me in recent days during the practices.
I’ve started to become curious about the moments when I wake up and suddenly a “memory of a dream I dreamt” arises.
When I began to pay attention to what was happening, I saw that it was a thought explaining what was arising — not a fact!
A visual thought simply appears, followed by more and more visual thoughts that are labeled as “a dream I had.”
Wow — it’s a powerful experience of no past, no future, only the present.
Re: All you need is love. Requesting Elad as guide.
⸻
Thank you, Elad.
I’m also sharing with you something new and interesting that has come up for me in recent days during the practices.
I’ve started to become curious about the moments when I wake up and suddenly a “memory of a dream I dreamt” arises.
When I began to pay attention to what was happening, I saw that it was a thought explaining what was arising — not a fact!
A visual thought simply appears, followed by more and more visual thoughts that are labeled as “a dream I had.”
Wow — it’s a powerful experience of no past, no future, only the present.
Thank you, Elad.
I’m also sharing with you something new and interesting that has come up for me in recent days during the practices.
I’ve started to become curious about the moments when I wake up and suddenly a “memory of a dream I dreamt” arises.
When I began to pay attention to what was happening, I saw that it was a thought explaining what was arising — not a fact!
A visual thought simply appears, followed by more and more visual thoughts that are labeled as “a dream I had.”
Wow — it’s a powerful experience of no past, no future, only the present.
Re: All you need is love. Requesting Elad as guide.
⸻
Thank you, Elad.
I’m also sharing with you something new and interesting that has come up for me in recent days during the practices.
I’ve started to become curious about the moments when I wake up and suddenly a “memory of a dream I dreamt” arises.
When I began to pay attention to what was happening, I saw that it was a thought explaining what was arising — not a fact!
A visual thought simply appears, followed by more and more visual thoughts that are labeled as “a dream I had.”
Wow — it’s a powerful experience of no past, no future, only the present.
Yes!!
🤍
With love,
Elad
Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children.
- Kahlil Gibran
One gets there by being there.
- Master Woof (Gilbert, Ta Hui)
Elad
Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children.
- Kahlil Gibran
One gets there by being there.
- Master Woof (Gilbert, Ta Hui)
Re: All you need is love. Requesting Elad as guide.
So far… I’m aware that when attention is focused and labels a single direct experience from one of the five senses, additional thoughts immediately arise, such as pleasant/unpleasant, or thoughts that try to explain the source of the sound. The practice allows me to notice that, and redirect attention back to what’s actually happening in reality.
The practice also helps me see that when thoughts arise and I don’t recognize them as thoughts but take them as reality, attention is no longer aware of the full range of what’s happening in reality, and of other direct experiences.
During the body practice, I also noticed that when attention is focused on one specific area, there is no direct experience of sensations in other areas…
So far, I notice that simply pointing to what’s being experienced through one of the senses allows my attention not to get automatically caught up in thoughts about what’s happening, and instead to return to the direct experience.
It’s surprising how surprising it is to experience it this way, so directly 🤭
The practice also helps me see that when thoughts arise and I don’t recognize them as thoughts but take them as reality, attention is no longer aware of the full range of what’s happening in reality, and of other direct experiences.
During the body practice, I also noticed that when attention is focused on one specific area, there is no direct experience of sensations in other areas…
So far, I notice that simply pointing to what’s being experienced through one of the senses allows my attention not to get automatically caught up in thoughts about what’s happening, and instead to return to the direct experience.
It’s surprising how surprising it is to experience it this way, so directly 🤭
Re: All you need is love. Requesting Elad as guide.
Beautiful, yes!
At this point, I'd like to share with you an excerpt from the Bahiya Sutra:
"In the seen, there is only the seen,
in the heard, there is only the heard,
in the sensed, there is only the sensed,
in the cognized, there is only the cognized.
Thus you should see that
indeed there is no thing here;
this, Bahiya, is how you should train yourself.
Since, Bahiya, there is for you
in the seen, only the seen,
in the heard, only the heard,
in the sensed, only the sensed,
in the cognized, only the cognized,
and you see that there is no thing here,
you will therefore see that
indeed there is no thing there.
As you see that there is no thing there,
you will see that
you are therefore located neither in the world of this,
nor in the world of that,
nor in any place
betwixt the two.
This alone is the end of suffering."
I recommend reading it several times, and just see what happens by itself.
And here is another exercise to play with:
Change letters
Throughout the day, when a thought about "I" comes up, replace the letter!
"I want to have this" ->
"O want to have this"
"I don't like that" ->
"A don't like that"
How does it effect the experience to replace the I/"ani" word with another word (anu? inu?)
Observe this throughout the day and let me know what comes up!
At this point, I'd like to share with you an excerpt from the Bahiya Sutra:
"In the seen, there is only the seen,
in the heard, there is only the heard,
in the sensed, there is only the sensed,
in the cognized, there is only the cognized.
Thus you should see that
indeed there is no thing here;
this, Bahiya, is how you should train yourself.
Since, Bahiya, there is for you
in the seen, only the seen,
in the heard, only the heard,
in the sensed, only the sensed,
in the cognized, only the cognized,
and you see that there is no thing here,
you will therefore see that
indeed there is no thing there.
As you see that there is no thing there,
you will see that
you are therefore located neither in the world of this,
nor in the world of that,
nor in any place
betwixt the two.
This alone is the end of suffering."
I recommend reading it several times, and just see what happens by itself.
And here is another exercise to play with:
Change letters
Throughout the day, when a thought about "I" comes up, replace the letter!
"I want to have this" ->
"O want to have this"
"I don't like that" ->
"A don't like that"
How does it effect the experience to replace the I/"ani" word with another word (anu? inu?)
Observe this throughout the day and let me know what comes up!
With love,
Elad
Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children.
- Kahlil Gibran
One gets there by being there.
- Master Woof (Gilbert, Ta Hui)
Elad
Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children.
- Kahlil Gibran
One gets there by being there.
- Master Woof (Gilbert, Ta Hui)
Re: All you need is love. Requesting Elad as guide.
בוודאי! הנה תרגום דברייך לאנגלית:
⸻
Hi Elad,
I’ve read the text from the Bahiya Sutta many times. I can see how the description in the opening lines brings a sense of calm and thoughts that affirm the logic of the statements. I also notice the unease that arises in response to the conclusion — “therefore there is nothing here” — and how thoughts begin to argue with the text.
I wonder whether I’m understanding the intention of that line… Is it referring to (my belief in) an objective reality in which there are real things, or to the perception of the self as an entity or a thing?
As for the letter-switching exercise — I noticed that replacing the word “I” reduced the intensity of the experience, whether pleasant or unpleasant, and stirred surprising emotions. For example, when I changed “my stomach hurts” to “her stomach hurts,” it evoked empathy and a desire to ease the other’s pain. When I changed “I like this” to “he likes this” or “you like this,” it was fascinating to see that if my thoughts associated the other (the “not-me”) with someone close (like “my son likes this”), the pleasure increased. In contrast, if the enjoyment was attributed to someone perceived as separate or aversive, it triggered a sense of rejection.
What I’m seeing most clearly is how thoughts that separate “me” from “not me” — and categorize experience into more and more labels — directly affect the sensations and feelings that arise. While this is logical and even obvious, seeing it directly in real-time during the practice releases something that’s been held tight in thoughts and interpretations of reality.
⸻
Hi Elad,
I’ve read the text from the Bahiya Sutta many times. I can see how the description in the opening lines brings a sense of calm and thoughts that affirm the logic of the statements. I also notice the unease that arises in response to the conclusion — “therefore there is nothing here” — and how thoughts begin to argue with the text.
I wonder whether I’m understanding the intention of that line… Is it referring to (my belief in) an objective reality in which there are real things, or to the perception of the self as an entity or a thing?
As for the letter-switching exercise — I noticed that replacing the word “I” reduced the intensity of the experience, whether pleasant or unpleasant, and stirred surprising emotions. For example, when I changed “my stomach hurts” to “her stomach hurts,” it evoked empathy and a desire to ease the other’s pain. When I changed “I like this” to “he likes this” or “you like this,” it was fascinating to see that if my thoughts associated the other (the “not-me”) with someone close (like “my son likes this”), the pleasure increased. In contrast, if the enjoyment was attributed to someone perceived as separate or aversive, it triggered a sense of rejection.
What I’m seeing most clearly is how thoughts that separate “me” from “not me” — and categorize experience into more and more labels — directly affect the sensations and feelings that arise. While this is logical and even obvious, seeing it directly in real-time during the practice releases something that’s been held tight in thoughts and interpretations of reality.
Re: All you need is love. Requesting Elad as guide.
Hi R! You are doing great,
1) Let the unease be fully experienced.
When thoughts argue with “there is nothing here,” what exactly happens? Does the tension show up in the body? Does it feel like a defense against falling into something unknown? Look closely: WHAT is being protected? Against WHAT?
Direct experience....
This is crucial.
As you notice I do not attempt to answer philosophically, but instead urge you to continue the good work as it is all ready happening: Exploration of what actually really is experienced "first hand".
2) Investigate “nothing”
What does “nothing” actually mean? The mind assumes its negation, absence, void. But is that what is being pointed to?
Right now, reading these words—where is the “thing” that is reading? Not the label, not the story, but the actual "thing"? If the thing is no-thing, how is that experienced? Look, separate thoughts from experience, and report back.
3) Push the pronoun experiment further.
Continuing with your great idea of changing “I” to “he/she/friend/foe/etc” try:
- Removing it altogether: Instead of “I feel anxious,” just “Anxiety.” What happens?
- Using nonsense words: “Bloop wants coffee”, "boing doesn't like this". What happens?
These experiments aren’t about "getting an answer" but challenging habitual mental ownership experience construction and seeing what happens...
Let me know what comes up. Keep looking. Keep playing.
1) Let the unease be fully experienced.
When thoughts argue with “there is nothing here,” what exactly happens? Does the tension show up in the body? Does it feel like a defense against falling into something unknown? Look closely: WHAT is being protected? Against WHAT?
Direct experience....
This is crucial.
As you notice I do not attempt to answer philosophically, but instead urge you to continue the good work as it is all ready happening: Exploration of what actually really is experienced "first hand".
2) Investigate “nothing”
What does “nothing” actually mean? The mind assumes its negation, absence, void. But is that what is being pointed to?
Right now, reading these words—where is the “thing” that is reading? Not the label, not the story, but the actual "thing"? If the thing is no-thing, how is that experienced? Look, separate thoughts from experience, and report back.
3) Push the pronoun experiment further.
Continuing with your great idea of changing “I” to “he/she/friend/foe/etc” try:
- Removing it altogether: Instead of “I feel anxious,” just “Anxiety.” What happens?
- Using nonsense words: “Bloop wants coffee”, "boing doesn't like this". What happens?
These experiments aren’t about "getting an answer" but challenging habitual mental ownership experience construction and seeing what happens...
Let me know what comes up. Keep looking. Keep playing.
With love,
Elad
Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children.
- Kahlil Gibran
One gets there by being there.
- Master Woof (Gilbert, Ta Hui)
Elad
Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children.
- Kahlil Gibran
One gets there by being there.
- Master Woof (Gilbert, Ta Hui)
Re: All you need is love. Requesting Elad as guide.
Hi Elad,
I continue to practice and pay attention…
What feels most significant to me in this recent practice is the very act of noticing the content that arises, and the direct impact it has on the senses. The moment I see what is arising, there’s already a shift compared to the moments when I don’t see. The experiences vary — sometimes there’s a softening or a tightening, relief or an intensification of discomfort…
I’m also aware that replacing the word “I” with meaningless syllables stirs irritation and resistance. When I stayed with that, I noticed how the mind tries to explain the sensations — that a thought lacking meaning leaves a sense of unrest, while a thought that explains something in a way that’s coherent with existing beliefs brings a sense of calm (momentary, of course — until new content arises that resists anything unpleasant in reality).
As for the Bahiya text:
It’s amazing to see how quickly, after reading and grasping the words in a certain way, it becomes difficult to see something else in the same text. I’ve read it many times over the past few days, and only this morning — in a moment of curiosity and openness — I saw that the invitation to “see that there is nothing” might also refer to the distinction between “here” and “there.”
It was surprising to see how I couldn’t see it before, and a smile arose.
The resistance to the phrase “there is nothing,” regardless of time and place, still comes up — and I observe it. I’ve noticed that when it arises, the direct felt experience is of contraction, and thoughts start to argue with the statement “there is nothing.”
I continue to practice and pay attention…
What feels most significant to me in this recent practice is the very act of noticing the content that arises, and the direct impact it has on the senses. The moment I see what is arising, there’s already a shift compared to the moments when I don’t see. The experiences vary — sometimes there’s a softening or a tightening, relief or an intensification of discomfort…
I’m also aware that replacing the word “I” with meaningless syllables stirs irritation and resistance. When I stayed with that, I noticed how the mind tries to explain the sensations — that a thought lacking meaning leaves a sense of unrest, while a thought that explains something in a way that’s coherent with existing beliefs brings a sense of calm (momentary, of course — until new content arises that resists anything unpleasant in reality).
As for the Bahiya text:
It’s amazing to see how quickly, after reading and grasping the words in a certain way, it becomes difficult to see something else in the same text. I’ve read it many times over the past few days, and only this morning — in a moment of curiosity and openness — I saw that the invitation to “see that there is nothing” might also refer to the distinction between “here” and “there.”
It was surprising to see how I couldn’t see it before, and a smile arose.
The resistance to the phrase “there is nothing,” regardless of time and place, still comes up — and I observe it. I’ve noticed that when it arises, the direct felt experience is of contraction, and thoughts start to argue with the statement “there is nothing.”
Re: All you need is love. Requesting Elad as guide.
Good stuff!
Let's shift gears a little.
Just focus on seeing how everything happens by itself:
Thoughts, intentions, resistance, contraction, relaxation, attitudes, movements, choices, understanding, misunderstanding, all actions etc etc
Notice it as deeply and as often as possible.
And notice: There is no separate self or separate other to blame or praise for any of it, never has been, never will be, including a separate Bibi and a separate Hamas terrorist.
Explore this and let me know what is experienced.
Let's shift gears a little.
Just focus on seeing how everything happens by itself:
Thoughts, intentions, resistance, contraction, relaxation, attitudes, movements, choices, understanding, misunderstanding, all actions etc etc
Notice it as deeply and as often as possible.
And notice: There is no separate self or separate other to blame or praise for any of it, never has been, never will be, including a separate Bibi and a separate Hamas terrorist.
Explore this and let me know what is experienced.
With love,
Elad
Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children.
- Kahlil Gibran
One gets there by being there.
- Master Woof (Gilbert, Ta Hui)
Elad
Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children.
- Kahlil Gibran
One gets there by being there.
- Master Woof (Gilbert, Ta Hui)
Re: All you need is love. Requesting Elad as guide.
Hi Elad,
What a refreshing practice 🤗
Once again, the gap between the theoretical knowing—that thoughts, sensations, and urges simply arise on their own—and the direct experience is powerful.
My direct experience is one of surprise, release, and joy.
And I remain curious…
I’d love to hear your thoughts regarding your question from last time: “Does it feel like falling into an unknown place?”
So far, aside from some contraction, nothing new has arisen as a direct experience.
A memory did come up—an event I’ve shared with you before—in which it felt like a frightening fall. But to me, that’s just a verbal description of a thought that’s trying to, and perhaps even creating, the experience.
So your question confuses me a bit.
Are you inviting me to stay curious through the lens of direct experience, or through the thought that arises?
What a refreshing practice 🤗
Once again, the gap between the theoretical knowing—that thoughts, sensations, and urges simply arise on their own—and the direct experience is powerful.
My direct experience is one of surprise, release, and joy.
And I remain curious…
I’d love to hear your thoughts regarding your question from last time: “Does it feel like falling into an unknown place?”
So far, aside from some contraction, nothing new has arisen as a direct experience.
A memory did come up—an event I’ve shared with you before—in which it felt like a frightening fall. But to me, that’s just a verbal description of a thought that’s trying to, and perhaps even creating, the experience.
So your question confuses me a bit.
Are you inviting me to stay curious through the lens of direct experience, or through the thought that arises?
Re: All you need is love. Requesting Elad as guide.
Lovely!
Yes, in direct experience.
It is very normal that visceral existential fear comes up as we go deep in this. In a sense it is a good sign. It is also completely fine that there is a recoil, a withdrawal. Natural, normal. You just gently return when ready, sooner or later you either go through this fear 100% in one intense experience, or you just slowly and gradually and in a way that can hardly be noticed work through it, bit by bit, and at some point "what is behind will open".
Continue with the same practice.
And continue to look:
Is it really true that absolutely everything is mysteriously happening by itself?
Is it really true that there is really no self standing apart, who can succeed or fail?
Are you inviting me to stay curious through the lens of direct experience
Yes, in direct experience.
It is very normal that visceral existential fear comes up as we go deep in this. In a sense it is a good sign. It is also completely fine that there is a recoil, a withdrawal. Natural, normal. You just gently return when ready, sooner or later you either go through this fear 100% in one intense experience, or you just slowly and gradually and in a way that can hardly be noticed work through it, bit by bit, and at some point "what is behind will open".
Continue with the same practice.
And continue to look:
Is it really true that absolutely everything is mysteriously happening by itself?
Is it really true that there is really no self standing apart, who can succeed or fail?
With love,
Elad
Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children.
- Kahlil Gibran
One gets there by being there.
- Master Woof (Gilbert, Ta Hui)
Elad
Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children.
- Kahlil Gibran
One gets there by being there.
- Master Woof (Gilbert, Ta Hui)
Re: All you need is love. Requesting Elad as guide.
Wowwwww Elad, OMG
I just can’t believe it (and how amazing that I don’t have to believe anything, but simply experience it directly 🤭)
This morning I continued practicing noticing how things just happen by themselves. It was so clear as I watched the flowers in the garden, the lemon falling from the tree, the sun beginning to rise—and suddenly I saw how even my footsteps, just like my breath, heartbeat, thoughts, and sensations, simply happen.
I noticed the thoughts arguing with this out of fear—fear of letting go of control and the belief that it’s dangerous to think there’s no choice.
It was such a liberating moment, to experience that when there’s awareness and noticing, there’s space for natural movement to happen. You could explain it as “right choice,” or just witness what happens when you see.
Wow, what a moment of wonder and joy. Everything around feels more alive and beautiful right now 🌱🌼❤️
I just can’t believe it (and how amazing that I don’t have to believe anything, but simply experience it directly 🤭)
This morning I continued practicing noticing how things just happen by themselves. It was so clear as I watched the flowers in the garden, the lemon falling from the tree, the sun beginning to rise—and suddenly I saw how even my footsteps, just like my breath, heartbeat, thoughts, and sensations, simply happen.
I noticed the thoughts arguing with this out of fear—fear of letting go of control and the belief that it’s dangerous to think there’s no choice.
It was such a liberating moment, to experience that when there’s awareness and noticing, there’s space for natural movement to happen. You could explain it as “right choice,” or just witness what happens when you see.
Wow, what a moment of wonder and joy. Everything around feels more alive and beautiful right now 🌱🌼❤️
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