How would you describe it to somebody who has never heard about this illusion but is curious about it?I cannot find it. If I ask myself the question, "where, or what is I? or who am i?". I'm left with awareness.
Ok, good. Peter, look deeply into the one that has no control of thoughts.in the bad sit, I definitely realized I have no control over my thoughts.
Good 'looking.'What appears to be occurring is a lot of spontaneous thoughts, actions, and happenings.
I would describe to that person, that the ego is really an illusion, a concept of the mind, the contents of a thought. The ego itself is not something that can be found nor directly experience using our sensory faculties. At he surface, it appears real and feels personal, but when you look deeply, it is a phantom. It cannot be seen or heard. I would also have them go through the exercise of seeing if they can control thoughts. And if so, to see if they can find the controller of thought.How would you describe it to somebody who has never heard about this illusion but is curious about it?
The one does not exist. There is only awareness of thought or no thought.Ok, good. Peter, look deeply into the one that has no control of thoughts.
For my clarification, in direct experience, what and where is 'the mind?' Also, at LU we use the terms 'I,' 'me' and 'self' rather than ego; are you using the term 'ego' to be synonymous with that? Some people use the term ego to be a part of 'I,' not the whole enchilada. ;-)I would describe to that person, that the ego is really an illusion, a concept of the mind, the contents of a thought.
Again for my clarification, is awareness separate from thought? ('Awareness of' implies that there's may be choice or something separate from thought.)There is only awareness of thought or no thought.
Thee mind is just a thought :D. Yes, ego is synonymous to "I", self, etc...For my clarification, in direct experience, what and where is 'the mind?' Also, at LU we use the terms 'I,' 'me' and 'self' rather than ego; are you using the term 'ego' to be synonymous with that? Some people use the term ego to be a part of 'I,' not the whole enchilada. ;-)
I wouldn't say it's separate, it just is. There's some knowing when a thought arises and fades away.Again for my clarification, is awareness separate from thought? ('Awareness of' implies that there's may be choice or something separate from thought.)
Love you too! <3Sending love,
This part is intended to prompt a description of how 'you' came to believe the thought 'I' is really 'I.'2. when it starts and how it works from your own experience. Describe it fully as you see it now.
This is great, Peter. So glad there's freedom from the stories! In this answer, can you add something about how not getting wrapped up in the stories has affected your daily life, if at all?No longer the need to believe in the "I" thought or get wrapped in the stories created by "I".
Thank you for this acknowledgement. :D Was there a turning point where it came together, where you were able to see?Your patience, persist-ency, prodding, and understanding.
Your answer here is clear and concise. Can you add examples of, perhaps, the effect that seeing through these has had an impact in the past few days?Describe decision, intention, free will, choice and control. What makes things happen? How does it work? What are you responsible for? Give examples from experience.
To be honest, I don't really know or quite remember how it arose. But I do recall my parent's teaching me as a child... "I am Peter". Or other adults would playfully ask me who are you, and I would announce myself as "I am Peter".This part is intended to prompt a description of how 'you' came to believe the thought 'I' is really 'I.'
I.e. when did it start in 'your' life and how did the belief become so embedded?
Anything I experience, whether negative or positive, I know it is just a thought. The arising and passing of a thought or thoughts. I see the content/story as thoughts. The power or belief that the content or story of the thought has diminished with this new understanding. Thought commentary on experience rises on its own and subsides as its own. They are much less sticky. Less being stuck or clinging to the content and taking it as real. As real as a story experience may seem at the moment, it is quickly seen through and passes on. There's less resistance, less persistency. Impermanence ;)This is great, Peter. So glad there's freedom from the stories! In this answer, can you add something about how not getting wrapped up in the stories has affected your daily life, if at all?
I suppose in the 30 min sit exercise and during a bit of walking meditation. I observed that there was no controller of thought as well as action. Neither could I fully stop negative thoughts, nor could could consistently create happy thoughts. They came and went as they pleased regardless of my attempt to control or dictate it.Thank you for this acknowledgement. :D Was there a turning point where it came together, where you were able to see?
For example, about an hour ago, I was meditating for 1 hr 15 m. At some point I began to see the thoughts. "I'm bored" and the emotion of impatience arose. However, I also saw that this was the thought form associated with the experience. Life creates this rich personal experience, so these thoughts arose as a result of a long idle sit. Which is expected of most idle situations. However, I saw that "I'm bored" was just a story of the experience and impatience was the emotion or by product of this long sitting experience. I acknowledged it and continued my sit and it went away on its own.Your answer here is clear and concise. Can you add examples of, perhaps, the effect that seeing through these has had an impact in the past few days?
It's okay, I'm grateful of your teaching and wisdom. This exercise has been beneficial to my spiritual path and I do not see it as work. I see it as play, learning, and experience. New understanding.Peter, you've worked so hard and it must seem like I make it my job to give you more work; I apologize if it does seem this way and here I am, asking for more again.
Glad it's that way, Peter. It's a pleasure and certainly a two-way street.It's okay, I'm grateful of your teaching and wisdom. This exercise has been beneficial to my spiritual path and I do not see it as work. I see it as play, learning, and experience. New understanding.
How does life create this rich personal experience, when life IS this rich personal experience - Is there a separation? What is it that is sitting? In direct experience, is there "as a result?"Life creates this rich personal experience, so these thoughts arose as a result of a long idle sit
You're correct, life IS this rich experience. There's no separation, just pure experience. There's no "as a result", but there's cause and effect. Some experiences that arise can be traced back to certain causes and conditions. Nonetheless, it's no other than the continuous ebb and flow of life that's always happening now.How does life create this rich personal experience, when life IS this rich personal experience - Is there a separation? What is it that is sitting? In direct experience, is there "as a result?"
How does "cause and effect" relate to direct experience?There's no "as a result", but there's cause and effect.
Yeah! How can there then be "cause and effect?"Nonetheless, it's no other than the continuous ebb and flow of life that's always happening now.
A series of see, hear, taste, touch, smell, thought, feeling all seamlessly interwoven together to create this rich experience called life. Being conscious of the flow of each of these faculties and seeing one moment lead to the next. Frame after frame.How does "cause and effect" relate to direct experience?
A series of see, hear, taste, touch, smell, thought, feeling all seamlessly interwoven together to create this rich experience called life. Being conscious of the flow of each of these faculties and seeing one moment lead to the next. Frame after frame.
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