Hello Rowena,

PALM FLIPPING MEDITATION

As always take a few deep breaths in order to feel calm and relaxed.

1. Hold a hand out 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 ...

Hello again Rowena,
SITTING ON A CHAIR

Sit down on a chair, get yourself comfortable and take a few deep breaths to relax and if you like, close your eyes:

Please LOOK for any place where your behind ends & the chair begins.


Is there any clear dividing line between them? Or only the Sensation ...

Hi Rowena,

How did it feel to recognize this "not finding anything tangible"?

Peaceful.
Though weirdly frustrating feeling answering the question last posting : unable to find words for recognising just this.


SENSE OF SELF - PERSONAL DOERSHIP

If you were to accept that there is no ...

Hi Rowena,

Inquire into DE = LOOK. Look, can a 'self' be found in simply seeing, simply hearing, simply touching (including body sensations), simply tasting, simply smelling?? This is inquiring into DE, it is not using thought to inquire, it is using the mind to direct the LOOKING in a simply ...

In your direct experience can you find an actual "me" that is independent and separate from the rest of the thought?

No.

Can you find a separate, independent thinker?

No.

What does the thought 'me' point to? i.e. Where else could you look?


Into my DE not thoughts - inquire into ...

Hi Rowena,
Where are thoughts coming from and going to?
DE: Do not know a "from" or "going to" - just thinking. So many thoughts, one after another, streaming through.
Thoughts "just" come into awareness , exist and vanish.

I notice (aware of) the thinking and habitual action of grabbing into ...

Hi Rowena,
this thought inquiry is important and may take some time. So, this may take a while before responding to you - may also be prompt.
I'll also update you.
Warm wishes.
Doug.

Hi Rowena,


CUP EXERCISE - TWO TYPES OF THOUGHTS
Here is an exercise which points out the difference between direct experience and content of thought

There are two types of thoughts: a thought label "Here is a cup", and a mental (visual) image of a 'cup'.
So I invite you to do this exercise ...

Hi Rowena,

In my previous post re INHERENT HEARER questio, my response was my experience ( as this self labelled Doug. That response included noticing the sensations that arusein the body with the question.

[ Doug: (Doug's body perspective) mind confusion & doubt , in body : heart warmth (desire ...

Rowena,
I spent some time yesterday reading fetters 1-3 info from link you sent.
I found this hearing investigation challenging as it opened deeper held beliefs into this identity struggle , as a separate self .
Thankyou.



HEARING INVESTIGATION
Find somewhere quiet to sit. Rest for a moment ...

Hi Rowena



Do you find this disturbing in any way?
No, not experiencing any disturbance , just a curiosity of this .

Also, are you familiar with the buddhist system of inquiry of the 10 fetters which offers an approach of looking at the ways we have created mental overlay on experience and ...

Hi Rowena,


No 'apple' here in DE.
Just seeing ( colours, shapes, textures), smelling, tactile sensation ( thoughts of "my fingers touching" ) of 'colder energy'.

Rowena, this seeing experience is familiar.
At different times previously , looking/seeing becomes 'flat or 2D' surface ; forms and ...

Hi Rowena,
Challenging/novel experience this: in looking into body sensations during lying¿
Doug
.
1. Lie: deceiving close friend about reason for recent trip away.
Conscious lying : hiding the truth.
Body sensations:
hollowness/emptiness in upper body ( chest )
Confused thinking and talking ...

1. For the first ten minutes write down what you are experiencing right now using the word “I”.

I am sitting on a chair,
I am hearing a podcast,
I am looking at a screen,
I am feeling weary
I am thinking (just notice the activity of thinking, do not get drawn into the content of thought)
I am ...

Hi Rowena,
Interesting process of noticing simply experiences in this day; staying in the senses. I'm more curious now!
Here's the response on this exercise.



Waking this morning
First opening eyes and seeing first images in light: simply=colours and shapes
Hearing the sounds of morning bird ...