Glad you're feeling better....

But in fact is there ever a moment that is not happening right now?

is it necessary to make unusual efforts to just notice what is already happening?

It's not necessary to make unusual effort to notice what is actually happening however the effort does come in ...

To add a bit more to what I posted:

I look for an "I" that was slighted and find none, yet the "feeling" or sensation is real. I recognize that the feeling is impermanent and, indeed, it does pass quickly enough.

It's a whole lot of "reminding" and "remembering" the truths about the lack of "I ...

No worries, Jon - hope all is well :)

Examining direct experience allows for checking with what's really happening, and in the case of thought-stories, what's NOT actually happening.


Is it safe to say, then, that the purpose of Direct Experience then is to help understand what is happening vs what we "think" is happening? That ...

But who or what could 'do' responsibility' ? Its possible to use the word 'responsibility' and understand it in a similar way to 'doing'. No doer can be found in reality but things get done. Car keys get found. Driving to the supermarket happens. So, 'responsibility' happens. (Or not, as may ...

In your own experience does it come naturally to want to be kind, not hurt others, not grasp or deceive?

Is it natural (to you) to behave without regard to others?

Yes, those things come naturally and no, it is not in my nature to behave without regard for others

So people simple are . The ...

Hello Jon:

Yes. But if there is any confusion about this, is it possible to find an analyst analysing?'

No - it is simply analysis happening


Ok. I understand the natural reluctance not to adopt a belief that 'I am not responsible for breaking into a store'. But could 'responsibility ' be ...

Thanks, Jon...

There is freedom to enjoy the positive feelings without worrying how long they will last or if they will come again - there is freedom to watch the negative feelings knowing that they will pass

So what's funny is I was going to ask you for reassurance that this would eventually ...

Thanks, Jon....

Do you find that there is some natural interest in noticing thoughts these days and what thoughts are 'saying'?
Oh yeah, for sure. Ever since this path became clear to me at the beginning of 2018 there's been an incredible focus on thoughts and what they're saying. How they relate ...

Thanks, Jon

Ok. What about the 'me' that is made to do this or that? What or where is that one?
This was a convention of language - I could have said "this body".

It is interesting, however, how entangled the language of "I" is even at the thought level. In your estimation, is the language ...

Hello:

1) Is there a separate entity 'self', 'me' 'I', at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form?
Was there ever?

There is not - the habitual thinking would like to point to one and say that there is but that is not true and the result of years of conditioning. No, there never was an "I ...

Hello, Jon.

Is there a self here right now?

Not that can be found - it's not the physical body, it's not in the brain, there is nothing tangible I can point to

Do you feel that you have seen through the illusion of self?


Hmmm that’s a great question. I think I have, yes. There’s still the feeling of not wanting to venture too far from the edge of the pool. Which is also part of the story narrative - part of the conditioning. Again, I suspect this will ...

Is it clear that this is all thought-story

Gotcha. Yes, it is but it does not quite feel automatic - in more serene times it’s much easier to “see” that is the case however when challenges come up (feelings of feeling slighted, for example) it takes some thinking and reminding internally. Does ...

How about illusory? Part of a narrative about 'someone' that is 'attached'?
Correct - a shift in perspective. Taking it from the idea that not only is attachment unnecessary (as that would require an "I") it is also not possible - just, as you said, part of the story.

In light of this do you ...