Mike11

[Anastacia42]

Hi Mike,

Good work, just a few things.

First, the list:

painful sensations in foot
pressure around lower back
slight nausea
weight from watch on wrist
thoughts about exercise
sounds from traffic
toothpaste taste
energy around solar plexus
slight pain left shoulder
noises, car or wind
short shallow breaths
itch in ear

Do you see what is different about these?

They are given as labels, not as something happening in this moment. Each one needs to note Seeing, Hearing, Feeling (sensation), Tasting, Smelling or Thought Arising.

Do you see how stating it as a label FEELS different?

Say each of these to yourself and note any Sensation, particularly in your gut or heart area, but maybe elsewhere. What do you find?

It may not feel as obviously tight or stressed as including "I" does, but check.

Your replies to the first 2 questions are spot on.

Do labels affect the experience or just describe it?
It does affect the experience by limiting it. There is a tendency to be ”done” after the label is applied. For me this is most obvious in relation to broad labels as ”sad”, ”angry” and so forth.
For example, a whole lot of experience is going on, I label it as ”being sad”, I can easily stop there. But If I instead pay attention to what is going on, what are these mass of sensations that I in this moment is labeling sad, it turns out that it is quite a lot going on and that it is changing constantly.

I see what you mean and what you say is true.

The question is asking whether putting a label on the experience actually *does* anything? Or does it only describe it? Do you see the difference in the question that way? How do you see whether it *does* anything to the thing labeled? For example, your foot. Does calling it a "f o o t" make it something else, change it or make it different?

Yes, everything gets ”closer”. Like everything gets ”bigger”. Filling out the body, vibrant. The easiest word to use would be direct.

Yes, that is probably one way to notice Sensation. "Direct" is a label, not something a body can feel. Can you see that? Same with "bigger," and "closer." Bodies feel weight, temperature, tense, relaxed, things like that.

The question is asking about BODY sensations. Locate any sensations in your body, most likely in the torso, particularly note the gut and heart and maybe throat areas. What Sensations are found there in all 3 different questions where that is asked in the original exercise, please?

Check a bit more and let me know. Then I want to share something about this with you.

Loving,

[Mike11]

Hello again Stacy!

Struggled with some of it today as there is a lot of energy swirling around in the body which makes some the questions harder to answer about difference in feeling in regard to some of the questions. I been waiting to see if it would calm down during the day, but now I think it is best if I just send you the answers. (I am feeling great, a bit strange maybe, but that isnt bad :) )

Do you see what is different about these?

Yes, interesting I didn’t notice that before. These are describing what is going on. They are not what is going on.

Do you see how stating it as a label FEELS different?

Yes, but hard to explain the difference in how it feels. But there is a difference.

Say each of these to yourself and note any Sensation, particularly in your gut or heart area, but maybe elsewhere. What do you find?

This I find hard as there is so much going on in heart, gut and around throat area. I tried a number of times during the day and I can’t differentiate something specific that doesn’t go on before or after I do the exercise if you see what I mean. A lot going on in the areas today.

The question is asking whether putting a label on the experience actually *does* anything? Or does it only describe it? Do you see the difference in the question that way? How do you see whether it *does* anything to the thing labeled? For example, your foot. Does calling it a "f o o t" make it something else, change it or make it different?

Been paying attention to labeling, calling it a foot does not change it or make it different. ”It” being direct experience of seeing color/shape, smells, sensations, thoughts arising, hearing, tasting. Labeling goes on. But it doesn’t change what’s going on. Its a helpful (and sometimes not so helpful) function of describing what’s going on. But what’s is going on is what is going on irregardless of labels being thrown on top of it.

Locate any sensations in your body, most likely in the torso, particularly note the gut and heart and maybe throat areas. What Sensations are found there in all 3 different questions where that is asked in the original exercise, please?

I find this tricky as it is hard to describe with words what the physical sensations are directly. There is a lot going on today in the torso area. Especially around the heart. Swirl of prickly sensations. A softness. An openness. But not necessarily plesant sensations. Swirling. Waves of prickly sensations coming and going. How this differs when looking at the earlier questions I can’t really answer. What I can say is that it goes a little bit like this. Thinking, up in the head, sensations around torso are muted, in the background or not ”there”. Then when done thinking about the questions, lets drop down to the sensations around heart area. Massive swirls of prickly sensations.

/Mike

[Anastacia42]

Hi Mike,

Okay,

there is a lot of energy swirling around in the body

Interesting. I don't buy the content of thought, "energy swirling around." I do buy that there is Sensation.

Usually, most people find tightness in the gut when a thought isn't true. I don't like to lead you there, but I'm confused by what you're describing as "energy swirling around." Is that still going on? If so, tell me more about that. Be sensory specific. things bodies can feel, Sensations.

I think it is best if I just send you the answers.

Yes, I can't guide if I don't know what's going on.

Been paying attention to labeling, calling it a foot does not change it or make it different

Good. Good you can see that things just are, and that labeling doesn't change what is.

Massive swirls of prickly sensations.

Still not sure about these Sensations. But first, point to "massive," "swirls," or "prickly?" Are any of those Actual Experience? Check the list. Are those any of those 6 AE there? Or is it simple Sensation?

Sensation is Actual Experience. Something is happening. How is that going?

Loving,

[Mike11]

Hello Stacy!

Usually, most people find tightness in the gut when a thought isn't true.

Yes, I recognize that. It can be quite strong.

But first, point to "massive," "swirls," or "prickly?" Are any of those Actual Experience? Check the list. Are those any of those 6 AE there? Or is it simple Sensation?

It is simply sensation. Massive swirls and prickly is a description of it, a label, it is not actual experience. There is sensation around the heart area of change in pressure.
Reading back my answers yesterday that tried to explain ”There is sensation around the heart area of change in pressure” with descriptions of massive swirls of energy and so forth is interesting. A whole story instead of actual sensation.

Sensation is Actual Experience. Something is happening. How is that going?

Yes. Sensation is actual experience. Something is happening. When trying to communicate it I sometimes get tripped up. Interestingly I don’t seem to see it until you point it out. Thank you for that.

/Mike

[Anastacia42]

Good morning

Yes. Sensation is actual experience. Something is happening. When trying to communicate it I sometimes get tripped up. Interestingly I don’t seem to see it until you point it out. Thank you for that.

Good. Yes, this has been taught or programmed since you were a baby. You're learning to get back to original simple experience now. It's good you can see it when it is pointed out.

SEEING is when you "wake up" and see it on your own.

Let's look at something more about Sensation.

Can you remember a time when you lied to
someone you love?

Remembering, do you find any sensation In the same "family" of sensations as the "change in pressure?

Loving,

[Mike11]

Hello again Stacy,

Can you remember a time when you lied to
someone you love?

Yes, those memories tend to be very vivid.

Remembering, do you find any sensation In the same "family" of sensations as the "change in pressure?

Yes, very much so. Sensations of change in pressure in gut area, around heart. Sensations of tightening around throat.

/Mike

[Anastacia42]

Perfect. That is how it feels when we lie to ourselves & others. Telling the truth is the opposite. It is expansive & open, light, not heavy.

Let this guide you. Pay attention to those Sensations.

Now, take a look at this:

Label-Reality Correlation

There is a belief that labels have a one-to-one correspondence with ‘reality’. But there isn’t. Just like it is a generally accepted belief that labels like ‘good’ and ‘bad’ are inherent characteristics of ‘things’. But actually, they are not.

When you look at the word label ‘GREEN' , what is the actual experience?

Is the color red ‘experienced’, or is the color green ‘experienced’ as the label suggests?

Does the label ‘GREEN’ have a one-to-one correspondence with ‘reality’? Or does the label suggest something else other than what is here now (red colour)?

Is 'green' associated in any way with the experience of the colour red; or is green just a label that overlays the actual experience of red?

If the label ‘GREEN’ is replaced with the label ‘GOOD’ or ‘BAD’ , is the redness affected in any way as the labels suggests?

Does redness become ‘good’ or ‘bad’, or do the labels have no affect whatsoever on ‘reality’?

Let me know what is SEEN. Leave out content of thought.

Loving,

[Mike11]

Hello Stacy!

When you look at the word label ‘GREEN' , what is the actual experience?

Seeing the color red. Seeing shapes in form of letters making up the word green. Thoughts arising.

Is the color red ‘experienced’, or is the color green ‘experienced’ as the label suggests?

What is experienced is seeing the color red. There is no seeing the color green.

Does the label ‘GREEN’ have a one-to-one correspondence with ‘reality’? Or does the label suggest something else other than what is here now (red colour)?

It does not have an one-to-one correspondence with reality. The label sugest a description of color that has the label green. There is no seeing color corresponding to the label green at the moment. So it suggest the color green, but there is no seeing of the color green at this moment.

Is 'green' associated in any way with the experience of the colour red; or is green just a label that overlays the actual experience of red?

There is experience of the color red. The label green does not affect this experience. Does it overlay the experience? Well, can something overlay an experience. Not sure. There is the experience of seeing the color red. There is the experience of seeing shapes recognized as letter making up the word green. These experiences are (felt like) simultaneous. Cant see that they overlay each other. Might be missing something here about ”overlays the actual experience”.

If the label ‘GREEN’ is replaced with the label ‘GOOD’ or ‘BAD’ , is the redness affected in any way as the labels suggests?

No, there is the experience of seeing red.

Does redness become ‘good’ or ‘bad’, or do the labels have no affect whatsoever on ‘reality’?

The labels are not effecting the direct experience. The seeing, the tasting, the smelling, the hearing, sensing and thoughts arising.

Let me know what is SEEN. Leave out content of thought.

I tried :)

/Mike

[Anastacia42]

Hi Mike,

Good job. You've got it. Some people miss this and try to complicate it. So, good work.

SEEING that there is no self & never has been is similar to realizing the label is not the thing labeled. It's also like realizing there is no Santa Claus. Or seeing the 2 different pictures in an optical illusion such as old woman / young woman. The truth has been there all along.

https://pin.it/3hxRxjG

Now another version of that:

Friend/Stranger

Bring up a thought about a character labeled "friend."

Then bring up a thought about a character labeled "stranger."

Compare these thoughts.

Is there a difference in these thoughts?

Is there a true difference or is it just different content?

Now, bring up a thought about a character labeled "friend."

After that, look at a thought about the character labelled "me.”

Is there a difference?

Is there anything special about thoughts with the content "me-character?"

Let me know what is found.

Loving,

[Mike11]

Hello again Stacy,

Compare these thoughts. Is there a difference in these thoughts?

There is different in content of the thoughts.

Is there a true difference or is it just different content?

Just difference in content.

Now, bring up a thought about a character labeled "friend." After that, look at a thought about the character labelled "me.” Is there a difference?

No, it just difference in content of thoughts.

Is there anything special about thoughts with the content "me-character?"

As thought content, the content Mike is not special compared to other thought content.

Let me know what is found.

Thought content such as friend, stranger or Mike is not direct experience. It is just thought content. Watching it, they all feel very much removed from what’s actually is going on.

/Mike

[Anastacia42]

Hi Mike,

Perfect, yes. Only content of thought differs. You have learned to distinguish between the AE of Thought Arising & content of thought, which is a made up story.

Now let's look at decisions, choice & control.

Be sure you are LOOKING & not just thinking & giving right answers.

Try this:

Palm Flipping Exercise

1. Hold a hand 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 experience.

Do this as many times as you like, and each time inquire:

How is the movement controlled?

Does a thought control it?

Can a ‘controller’ of any description be located?

How is the decision made to turn the hand over?

Track any decision point when a thought MADE THE DECISION to turn the hand over and the hand turns over immediately.

Who or what chose which hand - the left or right hand for the exercise?

Can you find a separate individual or anything that is choosing when to turn the palm up or down?

Reply with what is found.

At any time, you may either gradually or suddenly SEE that there is no self, rather than just thinking it. Keep me posted on that.

Loving

[Mike11]

Hello Stacy!

How is the movement controlled?

It is just done. It’s a bit freaky.

Does a thought control it?

Definitely not.

Can a ‘controller’ of any description be located?

It’s just done. Been doing this exercise with a lot of different stuff during the day. Cykling etc. Cant locate a controller. Thoughts try to figure it out, but that is just thoughts, when I look I cant see any controller.

How is the decision made to turn the hand over?

Turning of hand just happens.

Track any decision point when a thought MADE THE DECISION to turn the hand over and the hand turns over immediately.

Content of thought comes after and tries to take ownership of the process. And tries to make up theories of how it all happens. But I cant see a decision point off when a thought made the decision.

Who or what chose which hand - the left or right hand for the exercise?

Nothing chose. So how then are choices made? I guess they are just made. No need for a ”who” to make them.

Can you find a separate individual or anything that is choosing when to turn the palm up or down?

No I cant. Turning is happening. Thoughts aren’t controlling it. I cant find a seperate individual or anything that is choosing.

Reply with what is found.

What is found is that turning of the hand is just done. Thoughts aren’t controlling it and I cant find when the decision is made.

So writing these answers, there is a whole lot of thought content bubbling up :)
It feels like I am in control. Because I am observing it. Ok, breaking this down. It FEELS like I am in control. Well feeling is sensations plus thought content. What is the sensations: feeling of tightness in gut and heart area. The thought content being: I am observing this. I am in control of there being no decisions made. I am the one whose decisions are just made and who got no separate self.

/Mike

[Anastacia42]

Yes, it can feel freaky.

Yes, when we really look, it's all just happening. It's easy to see when you LOOK. isn't it?

What is the sensations: feeling of tightness in gut and heart area. The thought content being: I am observing this. I am in control of there being no decisions made.

And what do we know about that feeling of tightness?

I am the one whose decisions are just made and who got no separate self.

Yes, try that sentence without "I am the one whose."

What one? Look directly. Where is this "I?"

Loving

[Mike11]

Hello again Stacy,

And what do we know about that feeling of tightness?

Hinting at something not being true.

Yes, try that sentence without "I am the one whose."

Yes, decisions are just being made.

What one? Look directly. Where is this "I?"

Cant see something that is controlling or ”standing behind” stuff. Thoughts come up that there must be. But that is just thoughts. Been doing a lot of looking today, cant see anything except for what is going on. Thoughts try to explain again and again. But been able to ”defuse” them by just recognize them as thought content. The content gets boring then. Like if something is trying to convince you of something that you already know the answer to. Listening with half an ear and going: ”really, ok, not sure about that..” *yawn*. Been really relaxed. Been wanting to meditate quite a bit so have done that a couple of times today. Very relaxing. Writing this a lot of thoughts pop up saying stuff like: ”yeah, yeah, we will see, easy to be relaxed when you got vacation!”. Haha, yeah we will see.

/Mike

[Anastacia42]

Good morning,

Yes. I'm on vacation, too. Glad to read you're LOOKING.

And what do we know about that feeling of tightness?
Hinting at something not being true.

Way more than a hint! Sometimes it's very strong.

This may help you look further:

Doership Exercise

Although you see that there is no noticer/ observer/ witness in the Palm Flipping exercise, no one "choosing," there may still be the feeling of identification of being the ‘doer’. That it still ‘feels’ like there is a self that is the ‘chooser’.

So let’s have a look at this as it has to do with the sense of seeing.

Take a few relaxed breaths to let the dust settle for a while, and then:

Look on your right.

Then look on your left.

Finally, bring your head back to centre, close your eyes and look in front.

Okay, so when you look on the right, the view on the right is seen (whatever that is).

When you look on the left, the view on the left is seen (whatever that is).

And then, when you look in front of you with eyes closed, the view in front is seen (ie ‘black space’).

So, when the view on the right is seen, do you have the ‘choice’ not to see? I’m not asking can you ‘choose’ to see something else like another view or ‘black space’ if you close your eyes. The question is; can you turn seeing off? Can you NOT see what is seen?

Same thing with the view on the left, can you NOT see the view on the left?

Same thing with the view in front with closed eyes, can you NOT see the ‘black space’?

Can you turn off seeing?

What did the 'chooser' choose? Did a 'self' choose something?

If you are unable to choose what you're aware of, then what else is there to choose?

Remember, any exercise can help you to SEE no self. Repeat any of them any time you like, as we go.

Relax and have fun with this.

Loving,