Please guide me

[warissem]

Good morning

“What comes up when it is read that there is absolutely no “you” in any way, shape or form, there never has been a “you”, nor is there or will be there ever be?”

Warissem

[KirstyA]

That there is only this and no I at all. There is no free will because there is no one here choosing or even able to chose.

[warissem]

Hi

This is an exercise for you.

1. Can you see a self making you leave the bed?
Where does the "decision", the "command" to get up come from? What makes the body get up? Does a ‘you’ or a thought command the body?

2. Can you choose to fall asleep? Can you find the moment / point / spot or realm where you choose to fall asleep?

3. Can you choose the very content of the next thought? Can you choose willingly the next thought that will arise?

4. Can you choose the very quality (tightness, openness, vibration, hardness, contraction etc) of the physical sensation, that will arise next?

5. Can you choose the next emotion, mind state, attitude that will arise? Sit and look at what is happening. Can you find any choice - point where you willingly chose any emotion that appeared in response to a stimulus?

6. Think of a number between 1 and 20. Try to notice the exact point when the choice is made. Did you know what number would be chosen before it appeared?

7. Close your eyes and sit quietly for 10-15 minutes. Watch what focus does. Focus on focussing, watch attention itself. Do you move it? Or it moves by itself? Hold focus on breath. See how focus moves to thoughts, sensations, feelings, sounds. Is this something you control?

What moves attention? Is thinking in control of attention?
Describe what you see.

Best wishes

Warissem

[KirstyA]

Sorry, I didn’t respond yesterday. I read it all though and have begun this enquiry.

[warissem]

Good evening

answer separately to each question after the inquiry.

Thanks

Warissem

[KirstyA]

1. Can you see a self making you leave the bed?
Where does the "decision", the "command" to get up come from? What makes the body get up? Does a ‘you’ or a thought command the body?

No
I don’t know
I don’t know
No

[KirstyA]

2. Can you choose to fall asleep? Can you find the moment / point / spot or realm where you choose to fall asleep?

No
No

[KirstyA]

3. Can you choose the very content of the next thought? Can you choose willingly the next thought that will arise?

No and no

[KirstyA]

4. Can you choose the very quality (tightness, openness, vibration, hardness, contraction etc) of the physical sensation, that will arise next?

No

[KirstyA]

6. Think of a number between 1 and 20. Try to notice the exact point when the choice is made. Did you know what number would be chosen before it appeared?

No

[KirstyA]

5. Can you choose the next emotion, mind state, attitude that will arise? Sit and look at what is happening. Can you find any choice - point where you willingly chose any emotion that appeared in response to a stimulus?

No

[KirstyA]

7. Close your eyes and sit quietly for 10-15 minutes. Watch what focus does. Focus on focussing, watch attention itself. Do you move it? Or it moves by itself? Hold focus on breath. See how focus moves to thoughts, sensations, feelings, sounds. Is this something you control?

It moves by itself and no I don’t control it

[KirstyA]

What moves attention? Is thinking in control of attention?
Describe what you see.

I don’t know. Thinking is not in control of attention. Thinking quietens for attention.

[warissem]

Hi Kirsty

You have done good observations. This is an investigation on the body :

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.

Give an answer to each question separately through direct experience.

Kind regards

Warissem

[KirstyA]

Thank you I will enjoy this exercise and return tomorrow.