Cutting through the paradox

[Anastacia42]

Good morning!

However, as I looked to my left I said to myself (yes this is content but it is sticking me) that I am choosing to be aware of the bonsai on the sink. There were other things in my path of vision that I did not become aware of.

Yes, I understand that my mechanism will naturally and all by itself focus on the things important to it (the spider to protect itself or the nice bonsai it grows to enhance itself) but I cannot SEE that this is not my choice.

Rewrite these 2 paragraphs without using the words, "I", "me," "my," or "self." You may have to change the sentence structure to make it truer. It can be done without substituting anything else for "I."

Then check to see which seems truer.

Can't SEE that there is no "I". (Maybe I'm thinking that just because I can't find it doesn't mean it isn't there. Slippery little sucker this "I" thing.)

Check - is there an "I" or is it just the story of "I" that you have been taught? Can you see/hear/feel/touch/taste/smell it? ? ?

Looking forward to whatever is found!

Loving,

[ossie123]

Good morning!

However, as I looked to my left I said to myself (yes this is content but it is sticking me) that I am choosing to be aware of the bonsai on the sink. There were other things in my path of vision that I did not become aware of.

Yes, I understand that my mechanism will naturally and all by itself focus on the things important to it (the spider to protect itself or the nice bonsai it grows to enhance itself) but I cannot SEE that this is not my choice.

Rewrite these 2 paragraphs without using the words, "I", "me," "my," or "self." You may have to change the sentence structure to make it truer. It can be done without substituting anything else for "I."

Then check to see which seems truer.

As the view to the left was seen a thought was noticed with content that said there is an I that is choosing to see a bonsai. Other objects were not noticed.

There is an understanding that a body will naturally focus on things that will protect or enhance it in some way. This is content of thought. As is the idea that this content cannot be seen, which is true because content cannot be seen but the idea it can be looked for but then cannot be seen and therefore not verified is more content to attempt the impossible.

There you go. I didn't even sound like Yoda. The second is definitely more true

Can't SEE that there is no "I". (Maybe I'm thinking that just because I can't find it doesn't mean it isn't there. Slippery little sucker this "I" thing.)

Check - is there an "I" or is it just the story of "I" that you have been taught? Can you see/hear/feel/touch/taste/smell it? ? ?

Looking forward to whatever is found!

Loving,

Even I just wrote it. There is a story of "I" that has been taught and perpetuated and reinforced through more thought and conditioning.

[ossie123]

Ha,

I just realised using your favourite spiderman analogy....
You can NEVER disprove spiderman by LOOKing for evidence that he does not exist. You can never find it. You just have to stop believing in him and then nothing changes except for the belief.

Well Derrrrrr, why didn't someone tell me? Oh they did, and that reinforced the belief in "me" hearing it and "me" searching to find it. Sneaky.

Ha,

Will stop looking to see what is "right" and will SEE what is.

[Anastacia42]

Yay, Ossie!

Right! Cannot disprove Spiderman or Santa Claus or any of that. Nothing changes, but belief is gone.

Back on August 18, an exercise was given where the same sentences were written with and without "I."

Spend time practicing thinking, feeling, noticing and writing without I/Me/Mine. ;) (Beatles)

AND here is a new exercise about the Body:

Introductory Body Exercise


Sit with eyes closed for about 15 minutes.

Paying attention only to the pure sensations, without relying on thoughts or mental images:


Can it be known how tall the body is?

Does the body have a weight or volume?

In the actual experience does the body have a shape or a form?


Is there a boundary between the body and the clothing?

Is there a boundary between the body and the chair?


Is there an inside or an outside?

If there is an inside - the inside of what exactly?

If there is an outside - the outside of what exactly?


What does the word/label ‘body’ ACTUALLY refer to?

What is the ACTUAL experience of the body?


Look very carefully, especially with the last question. Take your time, don’t rush. You can look several times during the day while doing other things (like washing hands, showering, having a short break from work, walking, etc) before replying.

Just REST in what is found each time doing this.



Much love,

[ossie123]

Hi,

Without answering every question....

No. There is no experience of the body.

There is no "centre" of the body.
There is no "centre" of the mind.
There is no "centre" of me.

Centre is in " " because it is the wrong word but there is no right word. I can't say there is no body because sensations are real and there is something here if a Zen master hits it, but "body" is fiction. Body is a made up word to simplify what is. Same for mind and same for me. "I" am a made up word to simplify what is.

It is still unraveling, - which is more content.

[Anastacia42]

Hi Ossie,

Okay. Will wait for answers to each question.

We are not here to discuss the theory or explain why words can't be used - even if that's true. That keeps you in your head. It usually comes from an attachment to having right answers.

Well I have enjoyed your sense of humor, even though it is, as you say, a defense, let's do some actual exercises here. Let's do what you came to do.

You came to LU because you wanted to see through the illusory self. Would you like to actually do that? Or do you want to control the guiding believing you know what you need and don't need? If you already know, then you don't need guiding or LU.

As has been said before, experiencing the looking is what we're here for. Answering the questions shows me where you are. When you don't answer the questions, it basically just shows me defenses.

Please answer the questions.

Much love,

[ossie123]

Hi,

Just answers….

Introductory Body Exercise


Sit with eyes closed for about 15 minutes.

Paying attention only to the pure sensations, without relying on thoughts or mental images:


Can it be known how tall the body is?

No.

Does the body have a weight or volume?

No.

In the actual experience does the body have a shape or a form?

No.

Is there a boundary between the body and the clothing?

No.

Is there a boundary between the body and the chair?

No.

Is there an inside or an outside?

No.

If there is an inside - the inside of what exactly?

No inside.

If there is an outside - the outside of what exactly?

No outside.

What does the word/label ‘body’ ACTUALLY refer to?

An image. A simplification. An idea. Nothing REAL.

What is the ACTUAL experience of the body?

There is none.

Look very carefully, especially with the last question. Take your time, don’t rush. You can look several times during the day while doing other things (like washing hands, showering, having a short break from work, walking, etc) before replying.

Just REST in what is found each time doing this.

[Anastacia42]

Dear Ossie,

I could be mistaken, but you sound frustrated again. I'm going to post a reply to you in the morning. Well, morning in Colorado.

I hope you have a relaxing and pleasant day.

Warmly,

[ossie123]

No,

Not really frustrated.

A bit unsure of what I should say in response, but I understand that our "history" says I would be avoiding doing the work.

I did the exercise last time (didn't avoid it) but just cut to the end without all the no answers. This time I just gave all the no answers because you didn't want elaboration and already had the end.

It could be read with both emails in reverse order as....

No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
There is no "centre" to the body.... etc etc

Happy to keep going with questions/answers with as little extra as I can manage.

[Anastacia42]

Good morning,

I went to sleep thinking about this. I woke up in the middle night thinking about this. And I woke up this morning thinking about this. Wondering how to make this clearer to you.

Let's keep going.

What does the word/label ‘body’ ACTUALLY refer to?

An image. A simplification. An idea. Nothing REAL.

Read the question again carefully and please answer:

What does the word/label 'body' actually refer to?

What is the ACTUAL experience of the body?

There is none.

Yes, there is no AE of the body. What is it that thought infers is the body?

Look at our earlier exercises about cups, and apples, and I think you brought up birds at one point. Think about what we mean by Actual Experience.

It's not about whether your answer is long or short.

Much love,

[Anastacia42]

I should add that what it IS about is the difference between just "thinking" and "LOOKING."

You are still thinking. That's what you need to let go of. What color are your socks? LOOK

Much love,

[Anastacia42]

https://www.liberationunleashed.com/res ... h-honesty/

[ossie123]

I should add that what it IS about is the difference between just "thinking" and "LOOKING."

You are still thinking. That's what you need to let go of. What color are your socks? LOOK

Much love,

Hi Stacy,

Sometimes the direct approach is the best. I have reverted to thinking. Thank you.
I saw the video and also snuck in "drop the observer".

Questions:

What does the word/label 'body' actually refer to?

It does not refer to any "thing". It refers to a concept, or the label itself.

Yes, there is no AE of the body. What is it that thought infers is the body?

It infers a reality.

[Anastacia42]

Hi Ossie,

You're getting there.

Questions:
What does the word/label 'body' Actually refer to?
It does not refer to any "thing". It refers to a concept, or the label itself.

Yes, there is no AE of the body. What is it that thought infers is the body?
It infers a reality.

Let's look at these closely. There is this thing we call "body."

Actual Experience is what?

color/image
sound
sensation
smell
taste and
the fact of a thought arising (but not its content).

So, please look again. What does the word/label 'body' actually refer to?

And What is it that thought infers is the body?

And finally, this:

What is the Actual Experience of what thought says is the boundary between the body and clothing and boundary between body and chair?

Breathe, sink into what you can Actually see/hear/feel/smell/taste & notice that thought arises. Don't add to it. Just see what is ACTUALLY there when you LOOK.

Remember, the important thing is to take plenty of time noticing, allowing this noticing to show you what is just a story and what is Actual Experience or Direct Experience without stories, content or labels. This is what is meant to become like a little child again.

Much love,

[ossie123]

Just an update,

What I've been doing is taking your list of questions and "meditating" on it. I was looking for the answers to questions like taking an exam. I think that's why it was (is) all in my head and the cause of my previous frustration at trying so hard but not 'getting it right".

Last night I read over the questions a few times to get them and then tried to forget about them. Then I let myself...

sink into what you can Actually see/hear/feel/smell/taste & notice that thought arises. Don't add to it. Just see what is ACTUALLY there when you LOOK.

and allowed any answers to just arise on their own. It is different and I will do again a few times to confirm my first impressions.