In many, many instances, I have heard you and others mention that once they saw it, they knew it. I still don't know it. So that's what I'm waiting for. That is why I continue seeking. I have not passed the damn gate yet. I have theoretical knowledge but I haven't seen with my own eyes.

I sent a PM but I'm not certain it was delivered properly. My outbox is still showing "1," like it's sitting in a ready-to-send state. Let me know if you didn't get it, and I can re-send, or send via Facebook. :-)

Nothing is missing other than the fireworks and jaw-dropping feeling of awe that were promised. :-)

I saw your post on the FB group about your going on hiatus. I don't feel now is the time for me to take a break. But I have some ideas on what could be next for me. Should we take this to PM? Or just ...

I have tried very hard and I have not been able to find any separate I that controls anything. Stuff just arises. Sensations arise. Thoughts arise. More thoughts arise in response to those sensations and thoughts. None of it is in "my" control.


What is the doubt?

Sending love, Ghata

There is ...

Hi Jeff,

so where is the I?

Now it is your turn to prove that it exists. Do whatever you can to prove that there is indeed an I, thinking, experiencing, choosing, deciding, acting,

I aam looking forward to your findings.

Sending love,
Ghata
This is precisely what I have been doing for the ...

Hi Jeff,


I don't think there is a Who that is seeing.


Thinking that there is no who won't help. The gate can only be found in the direct first-hand experience.
A figure of speech. There is no who, no self that is seeing.

;quote]
It is also seen that there are thoughts that occur, which ...

Hi Jeff,

"I am intending to awaken" is an intentional thought. Just like with other thoughts, when a Self or an "I" is looked for, it cannot be found.

Who is seeing that the self cannot be found and intending to do something is a thought? Have a fresh look again. Where can this entity be found ...

Good morning!

I arrived at both conclusions by looking directly. But just to be safe I did them again, and got the same result.

"I am" is a thought that often arises when an action occurs, or a sensation is sensed, or a thought is thought. There must be a do-er behind those things, right? :-) And ...

Hi Jeff

I had to smile when I read your answers. Yes, the question why can't be answered.

"How come" was aiming at, what processes make it look like there is somebody intending to wake up. Be curious. Don't think the feeling shouldn't be there. It is alright.

Explore it - what is happening when ...

Hi Jeff,

I guess I don't know it for sure. I am being a little loose in terminology, and assigning "intention" to a biological process that is designed for self-preservation.


Well, I would call it assuming something. The intention cannot be found in direct experience.

It is the same as ...

Hi Jeff,

The body seems to have some built-in "intention" to breathe, or at least the breathing happens in order for it to sustain itself. It's nothing at the human consciousness level, though. So it's like an innate, low-level intention to survive.

How do you know for sure that there is any ...

Hi Jeff,

great, these are important questions to look into :-)

In the case of breathing: breathing simply occurs as part of being a living entity. Breathing happens. There is no self doing the breathing. However, breathing still involves intention, even if unconscious intention

What is ...

It is not clear to me that metta meditation is any more prone to introducing a "do-er" than is breath meditation. In both cases, there is an entity that is "observing" the "observed." "I" breathe. "I" think of my son, which results in a loving feeling. I know by now that there is no separate ...

I will have the chance to do two meditation sessions today, and will look for the "do-er," then report back.

One idea popped into my mind last night: instead of using metta, or the breath as an object of meditation, why not use actual, direct, immediate experience? In other words, just allow ...

When you are sending Metta to yourself, where are you sending it? Who is receiving it? Have a look.

Sending love,
Ghata

I can tell you now from past experience. If you would like me to do investigate anew, let me know, & I will do so once I am back home (late tomorrow). I have not been getting ...