"Convincing" is experience labeled by thought ... Any set of arguments is also thought ... This investigation is "differently convincing" in that it's not thought or argument -- it's the lack thereof that "convinces."

No - no other "arguments" can claim this seeing. "Mitch" keeps popping up but he ...

Thank you for answering the questions. It looks good, but a few questions have arisen here around the mind.

Mind “wants” to rationalize and explain this,
How is this known that the “mind wants to…”?
What is the ‘mind’ in the actual experience?

conditioned Mind tells me “window separating trees ...

Hi Vivien,

Here are my responses . . .

Warmly,

Mitch

6 Questions:
1. Is there a separate entity “self,” “me,” “I,” at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form? Was there ever?

No. Mind “wants” to rationalize and explain this, but in all investigating, no “Mitch” arises outside of thought NOW ...

Dear Mitch,

Look, all of the scientific explanation is just a story. A thought story appearing here and now. Nothing more. This whole topic of compassion is quite out of the focus of our conversation here. This is just an intellectual discussion. Can you see this?

Rather the main point is here ...

Is compassion only thought label?

OK, let’s examine a situation when compassion (or empathy) arises. Let’s say that we have a conversation and you are telling me that your wife has just left you. As I hear your words, some memories arise when I was left by a loved one. As the memories arise, they ...

Is there a 'you' that started this investigation?
Has there ever been a 'you' doing anything?

Is there an 'I' of any kind whatsoever that could be responsible for anything at all?
Do others have responsibilities?

No "me"/"I" beginning this process . . . Just an unfolding now. No "I" to own or be ...

Go and make a cup of tea or coffee. As you do this notice whether a 'self' does it. Also notice if there are many or any moments in the whole procedure of going to the kettle, switching it on, getting the cup (etc) when 'you' control the process?

How the decision is made what to make a cup of tea ...

Is this REALLY odd, or ‘odd’ is just a mental label attached to the experience?
How is it know that the “aching is coming from a recent elbow surgery”?
Is it possible that the “aching from a recent elbow surgery” is just a currently appearing thought right here, right now, about a supposed ‘past ...

You forgot to reply to this, so please investigate this too:

Behind the story, there is ONLY the raw sensation. “Restlessness” is a mental label sticked to the raw sensation.
“An itch desperately calling for scratching” - is an arising thought interpreting the experience, the raw sensation ...

Is the feasible for you?
Can you commit to post at least once a day?
Can you commit to use the ‘seeking desire’ for investigating the questions and exercises?

Yes, this is definitely feasible for me, and yes, once a day for posting is fine. And I really like the idea of redirecting my "seeking ...

Therefore, for the time of our conversation, I’d like to ask you not to read or to watch any teachers, not to read any spiritual books or articles.

I had an immediate visceral reaction when you asked me to discontinue all reading or dharma seeking. A sort of generalized restlessness in the body ...

Thank you again, Vivien, for agreeing to guide me and help point my way through this process . . . This is where I wish I were beginning this inquiry process without having read so much. How am I to know that what’s coming forward in response to these inquiries is genuine experience and knowing, or ...

Hi Vivien

Thanks so much for your response. Yes, this all sounds fine. Very happy to have you as my guide. I'll take a look at the intro material and get back you with my responses.

Regards,
Mitch

Hi there,

I'm very interested in obtaining a guide to help me sustain the glimpses behind "Mitch-ness" I've been experiencing. At work, I'm a psychologist working with kids and families and also do mindfulness training with clinicians to enhance their work. At home I'm dad to two wonderful young ...