Thanks Robyn!

Sorry it's taken me a while to reply - there is a lot going on with my job and of course, the midterm elections. I really appreciate all of your help. It's been quite a ride!

Best always,

Cliff

Hi Robyn,
In question #3, you wrote:
Decision is something your brain does based on stimulus and conditioning.
Can you know this for sure? Theoretical?
Haha - busted. No, I can't know this for sure. That is absolutely theoretical, thought content.
Is an intention thought always followed by an ...

Hi Robyn,
1) Is there a separate entity 'self', 'me' 'I', at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form? Was there ever?
No. The only time self/me/I ever existed was in thought content.
2) Explain in detail what the illusion of separate self is, when it starts and how it works from your own ...

Hi Robyn,
Can you please describe at least two or three examples of what the Direct Experience was and what the thought contents were? (You can either give examples from the past few days or new ones starting now.)

LIke this:

1) The Direct Experience:
The thought contents:

2) The Direct ...

Hi Robyn,
A little experiment -- as you go through the rest of today, take pauses every so often and notice Direct Experience and notice thought content (labels and story). Are you able to tell them apart?
I had a few days to do this experiment. Yes, I am able to tell them apart. Direct experience ...

Hi Robyn,

Sorry, it has taken me so long to reply but I've been swamped with work. I'll see if I can work on this tonight. Thanks for all of your help and patience.

Cliff

Hi Robyn,
Thought content is the label attached to direct experience.
1. Is it really "attached,"as in all the time?
No, it's not attached all the time. Sloppy language on my part. More accurate to say the label sometimes accompanies direct experience. There is often direct experience without ...

Hi Robyn,
Are you clear on the difference between direct experience and thought content?
Let's see - direct experience is sight, sound, smell, taste, sensation and thought. Thought content is the label attached to direct experience. In other words, in direct experience, a taste is just a taste ...

Hi Robyn,
They become "my feelings" or "my thoughts" when an "I" thought co-opts them. They do? Can a thought co-opt anything? Can a thought do anything at all? This is thought content.
Why are you adding the thought story here?
I guess I couldn't leave well enough alone ;) I see that thoughts and ...

Hi Robyn,

Are the feelings and thoughts happening TO someone (like an I) or are they just happening, like all experience?

They are just happening, like all experience. They become "my feelings" or "my thoughts" when an "I" thought co-opts them.

Cliff

Hi Robyn,

No problem at all. I really appreciate your taking the time to be my guide. Truly.

Cliff

Hi Robyn,

All these thoughts and feelings - to what are they happening? Really look.

First thought is "the thoughts and feelings are happening to me." Second thought is "they aren't happening to anything or anyone. They are just happening."

Cliff

Hi Robyn,
In seeing that the "suffering" doesn't exist in Direct Experience, is there any more sense of freedom or relief?
Unfortunately, no. But perhaps that is because there is an expectation of some kind of sense of freedom or relief to come after the seeing? I didn't answer yesterday because I ...

Hi Robyn,
1. What is the sensation?
A feeling of tension or discomfort in the body. Sometimes a clenching feeling in the stomach. Sometimes a lightheadedness.
2. Is the thought really attached?
Hmm, attached isn't the right word. It's like correlation vs. causation.
How are they attached ...

Hi Robyn,
1. Is there any such thing as a why question anywhere besides thought content?
No. A 'why question' only appears as thought content.
2. What is suffering in Direct Experience?
Suffering is a thought or label attached to a sensation.
2a. Is suffering an experience or a concept ...