Free Mango

[FreeAlfie]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNwAVOYVMac

Is this video by Scott Kiloby what you suggested I watch? Before bed or other times?

[Bluejay]

Hi Alf,

You can watch it whenever you want. I just suggested that you might try it if you wake up during the night.

You can also using it whenever feels right :)

Let me know how it goes.

[FreeAlfie]

I’m sorry for the delay. I have a family member that lives with me who has been struggling for the past week. I watched both videos and I find them helpful.

[Bluejay]

No problem, Alf!

Let's do a check-in:

What do you control?

Is there an inherent self somewhere?

[FreeAlfie]

What do you control?

The immediate answer is nothing. Seen better in reverse. There can be a contraction into thoughts and fears and how to influence others. There is also a noticing that it’s all happening and no one really doing it just thoughts, sensations, observations experiencing.

Is there an inherent self somewhere? [\quote]

I started to go into memories about the recent past, thoughts is all. There is only images, sounds, sensations, thoughts in each moment. The sense of self is an afterthought it seems.

[Bluejay]

There can be a contraction into thoughts and fears and how to influence others. There is also a noticing that it’s all happening and no one really doing it just thoughts, sensations, observations experiencing.

Yes. I was just going to ask: Is someone in control of the contracting? But you answered it :)

And also: Is the contracting happening TO someone, or just happening?

I started to go into memories about the recent past, thoughts is all. There is only images, sounds, sensations, thoughts in each moment. The sense of self is an afterthought it seems.

Yes, without thought, where is the 'self'? Without thought, there is just this, whatever is happening.

Here's something to explore:

Stream Exercise

Imagine for a moment a scene, one of a little mountain stream which is tumbling down a hillside gully, not far from its source. It has been raining and so the level is quite high.

Consider in your mind's eye, if you can, how it flows to the right over a little rock (where, had the level been lower, it would probably have gone around the rock), then the flow goes to the left over a tree bow, and then slows a little in a broader place, before splashing over a small cascade into a pool, and so on down the mountain side.

Does it choose any of its directions? Is it even really a separate entity different from the water deposited in it, the rocks, the depressions in the ground and so on?

Is it even the same entity moment by moment, or more the product of weather conditions and water, like an ever-changing pattern?

1. Can you find anywhere where 'Alf' autonomously intervenes into life, choosing something that is not the product of all the elements; that is not a part of the overall flow?

2. Now please consider a regular decision made eg; what to wear in the morning, or what to eat for lunch, and describe to me what happens. There are environmental factors, there are color preferences (but where did those come from - any autonomous intervention there perhaps?), practical issues (such as what is available), available time for preparation, purpose (eg; need to fill up for the day, or to look cool for a certain person) etc.

Where in there is an autonomous entity intervening in the flow of life?

Can you find someone somewhere?

3. Can anything be found for which 'Alf' is responsible – if so responsible to what and for what?

Enjoy :)

[FreeAlfie]

1. Can you find anywhere where 'Alf' autonomously intervenes into life, choosing something that is not the product of all the elements; that is not a part of the overall flow?

No, there is always a flow happening. No clear initiation on its own.

2. Now please consider a regular decision made eg; what to wear in the morning, or what to eat for lunch, and describe to me what happens. There are environmental factors, there are color preferences (but where did those come from - any autonomous intervention there perhaps?), practical issues (such as what is available), available time for preparation, purpose (eg; need to fill up for the day, or to look cool for a certain person) etc.

Where in there is an autonomous entity intervening in the flow of life?

Can you find someone somewhere?

3. Can anything be found for which 'Alf' is responsible – if so responsible to what and for what?

I cannot find a separate Alf when looking in this way.it’s very clear there are patterns but also not patterns just movements. With no authorship. The edge is to see this at all times. Easily.

[Bluejay]

No, there is always a flow happening. No clear initiation on its own.
I cannot find a separate Alf when looking in this way.it’s very clear there are patterns but also not patterns just movements. With no authorship. The edge is to see this at all times. Easily.

Since there is always a flow happening, that flow includes sometimes not seeing this, yes?

You may find these two videos interesting:

1. https://youtu.be/vJQcD588g2w

2. https://youtu.be/PUDzrCLlrj4

[Bluejay]

The edge is to see this at all times. Easily.

Also ... Sounds like there is an expectation here, and perhaps some avoidance.

What is it that you don't have to feel or face if this is easily happening all the time?

What is the expectation of 100% seeing that there is no inherent self?

[FreeAlfie]

The two videos are both excellent and right on to where I am now. I watched and saved both. Thank you

[FreeAlfie]

Sounds like there is an expectation here, and perhaps some avoidance.

What is it that you don't have to feel or face if this is easily happening all the time?
W
What is the expectation of 100% seeing that there is no inherent self?

Good questions. An expectation is that I’ll know what and how to do what’s needed in each moment so as to succeed, be correct,not harm anyone or anything. In other words, a self that can’t be blamed, shamed or found lacking something. To be safe I guess.

What I will avoid is guilt and shame, being blamed.

The expectation of the freedom of 100% no self is divine perfection. 😳🤣

[Bluejay]

An expectation is that I’ll know what and how to do what’s needed in each moment so as to succeed, be correct,not harm anyone or anything. In other words, a self that can’t be blamed, shamed or found lacking something. To be safe I guess.

What I will avoid is guilt and shame, being blamed.

Excellent that you can see this.

In the palm flipping and drinks exercise, you discovered that there was no 'self' in control, so can you ensure that you will know what to do in each moment to get all the things you mentioned above?

And can it be known whether being correct leads to success?

Can it be known that being correct leads to being safe, or is it just an idea?

Not to get all biblical here but it's the most radical example that comes up: Even Jesus was blamed, shamed, and found lacking.

The blame, shame, and lack is always a projection. No matter how perfect you are, if someone perceives you to do something that triggers them, they may externalize their unpleasant sensations onto you.

The expectation of the freedom of 100% no self is divine perfection.

That's quite a tall order! :-)

Remember, all we are doing here is finding out if there is someone in Alf that is in control, doing life. Unfortunately no magical powers to avoid things are bestowed upon this realization.

So can you say with 100% certainty that there is no inherent self?

[FreeAlfie]

And can it be known whether being correct leads to success?

Can it be known that being correct leads to being safe, or is it just an idea?

Both are ideas of the lie. None of that can be known. It's old conditioned fears about all of that. They repeat and then it seems like there is a self there simply because they are so familiar.

So can you say with 100% certainty that there is no inherent self?

Yes, especially after watching the two videos about oscillation. There is no separate self and at times and for a time there might be a lie that is believed about there being a separate self. It doesn't mean that there is one. 😳😅

[Bluejay]

Both are ideas of the lie. None of that can be known. It's old conditioned fears about all of that. They repeat and then it seems like there is a self there simply because they are so familiar.

Yup, excellent. This will all continue falling apart by itself. And then there can be emotional work with the old fears, or not.

Yes, especially after watching the two videos about oscillation. There is no separate self and at times and for a time there might be a lie that is believed about there being a separate self. It doesn't mean that there is one.

Very good.

So our work here is almost done. All that remains now are some final questions to make sure we haven't missed anything.

Would you like to answer them?

[FreeAlfie]

So our work here is almost done. All that remains now are some final questions to make sure we haven't missed anything.

Would you like to answer them?

Yes, Ive accepted that the process of seeing that there is not a self is an ongoing one. Im ready to answer more questions.

Thanks for your help. You've been an amazing guide!