Caring Too Much About This?

[Riverexe]

HI Steve,
Thanks. Yes it's true that once the match is watched without a commentator we see it in a more real way. Less dramatic in some ways maybe, but somehow richer in others.

Mind Labeling Experience
1. Is one truer than the other, and If so, which one?

The one without the I is truer. More whole.

2. What is there without labels?

Everything is still there without labels, and more vividly.

3. Do labels affect the experience or just describe it?

Labels affect the experience because they squash it into a box and reduce it. Or simply ignore everything else that hasn't been labelled. Or take the true colour and vibrancy out of the experience.

4. What differences/changes in the body did you notice?

The body felt easier without the I labels. It was not pressurised, not worrying so much about doing it right, or getting a result. It could just be. The body noticed more without the I and peripheral vision and hearing was increased.

[Steve101]

Yes Stephen, you are gradually beginning to see it again. You saw that when the ‘I’ was removed the wordy emotional attachment to each action you observed was diminished in its intensity. However, as I’m sure you are aware, with or without the ‘I’ both are still thought stories that obscure raw experience and prevent real LOOKING, but it gives you a flavour of where we are headed.

KNOWING

Do you remember the example of the ‘Tree?’ When you look at a tree, you already know that it’s tree. You don’t need to hear the words of recognition or judgement out loud in your head. If you had never ever learned a language you would still have had the experience of a tree which would facilitate knowing without content. Having seen one before, ran your hand over its bark, listened to its leaves rustling in the wind there was just a simple knowing without content of what it was…..and if I were to take away the word ‘knowing’ from that previous statement in bold it would be even more accurate just as if I were to take every word in that statement away until you looked at the remaining blank space and realised a profound truth for which there are no words.

FRIEND/STRANGER

Bring up some thoughts about a character labeled "friend"

Then bring up some thoughts about a character labeled "stranger"….maybe someone you passed in the street

Compare these thoughts.

Is there a difference in these thoughts?

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

Now, bring up some thoughts about a character labeled "friend."

After that, look at some thoughts about the character labelled "me.”

Is there a difference?

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

Is it possible that these words are just part of a story?

Tell me something that you are good at (talent, skill etc).

Tell me something that you are bad at.

Look at both statements above, LOOK into your raw Direct Experience and tell me how much truth there is in either statement

Tell me what is KNOWN.

[Riverexe]

Hi Steve, I can feel resistance to the process, thoughts arising saying I can't let go and cross the gate because work/life stuff is too busy right now. And an intensity in this body/mind. And then thoughts come saying It's ok and is all in perfect order and will unfold as it needs to. Stories and more stories. The focus of the exercises and the looking in a particular focused way is having an effect I guess! Thanks.

FRIEND/STRANGER
Bring up some thoughts about a character labeled "friend"

Then bring up some thoughts about a character labeled "stranger"….maybe someone you passed in the street

Compare these thoughts.

Is there a difference in these thoughts?

No, only the stories that go with them/inside them are different.

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

Different content.

Now, bring up some thoughts about a character labeled "friend."

After that, look at some thoughts about the character labelled "me.”

Is there a difference?

No. Except for the attachment to the "me" ones.

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

No, except the attachment and linking up to other thoughts about the "me"

Is it possible that these words are just part of a story?

Yes they are all a story. All the thoughts/words are stories.

Tell me something that you are good at (talent, skill etc).

I'm good at juggling.

Tell me something that you are bad at.

I'm bad at playing guitar.

Look at both statements above, LOOK into your raw Direct Experience and tell me how much truth there is in either statement

No truth in either as they are just words that label a particular happening. They are abstractions, so they can't be the truth of the thing they point at. They are limited versions of reality. Stories about reality.

Tell me what is KNOWN.

Characters are known. Things are known. All this is known. Everything that exists here and now is known. Thoughts and sensations. But it is all changing, so it's known and gone... known and gone.

[Steve101]

Hi Stephen,

can feel resistance to the process, thoughts arising saying I can't let go and cross the gate because work/life stuff is too busy right now

Resistance is not unusual Stephen, especially when (during this process) life/work gets busy or unexpected challenges arise. The false self is essentially saying, ‘Hey Stephen, you’re going to need me for this, you really think that you can get through this without me?’

The truth is that without a the burden of a false self life flows more easily. You are more able to deal with life’s challenges without the voice in your head commentating and critiquing your every move. Even after the gate if the voice ever pops its head up you will know that it’s just a thought. When you have this perspective you have clarity. All we need to do is LOOK.

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

Different content

….or said a different way: there is no true difference because they are both just content.

Look at both statements above, LOOK into your raw Direct Experience and tell me how much truth there is in either statement

No truth in either as they are just words that label a particular happening. They are abstractions, so they can't be the truth of the thing they point at. They are limited versions of reality. Stories about reality.

Not even limited versions of reality we just THINK they are. Take a look at this word GREEN. Tell me what is KNOWN….the word GREEN or simply the experience of the colour red.

At this point it might be good to take a one day break Stephen. Relax, let things settle and I will post tomorrow.

[Steve101]

Hi Stephen, Let’s move on….

Palm Flipping Exercise

1. Hold your hand in front of you; palm turned down.
2. Now flip your palm over and then back over and then back over again...and so on.

Watch it like a hawk.

Don't go to thoughts – examine your actual 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’ be found in or behind the eyes?

Can a ‘controller’ of any description be located?

How is the decision made to turn the hand over?

Now using labeled thought, give your hand the command to flip over but DO NOT act on the thought, do nothing. What happens?

Now do the same but DO NOT think about it, just have AN IMPULSE to flip the hand to the over. What happens?

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

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

[Riverexe]

Hi Steve, good idea to have a break, thanks.

Not even limited versions of reality we just THINK they are. Take a look at this word GREEN. Tell me what is KNOWN….the word GREEN or simply the experience of the colour red.

I liked this question about red / green - it just stopped the mind for a bit... the word green is a label/abstract concept. Red was the more immediate experience, but then the follow-on label of red was another label.

Palm Flipping Exercise
1. Hold your hand in front of you; palm turned down.
2. Now flip your palm over and then back over and then back over again...and so on.

Watch it like a hawk.
Don't go to thoughts – examine your actual experience.
Do this as many times as you like, and each time inquire:
How is the movement controlled?

I don't know. Mysterious.

Does a thought control it?

No.

Can a ‘controller’ be found in or behind the eyes?

No, any sense of a controller comes after the fact!

Can a ‘controller’ of any description be located?

No.

How is the decision made to turn the hand over?

Don't know.

Now using labeled thought, give your hand the command to flip over but DO NOT act on the thought, do nothing. What happens?

Nothing happens, except it brings a smile. Kind of peaceful too.

Now do the same but DO NOT think about it, just have AN IMPULSE to flip the hand to the over. What happens?

Nothing at first. Then after a while some flipping, when "it" felt like it.

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

It was just chosen. Nothing chose it, it was just known which hand it would be.

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

No, it's a mystery. it's easy to see that thoughts are after the event, trying to claim it.

This exercise is great! It's just a hand turning. There isn't anyone doing it, just turning happening but no controller.

[Steve101]

Hi Stephen, yes, this exercise can illicit a lot of very telling insights. it’s genius is in its simplicity.

How is the movement controlled?

I don't know. Mysterious.

Exactly. What is really KNOWN here in actual experience Stephen? Answer: the hand moving is known: shape, colour, sensation. What is NOT KNOWN? Answer: A self that can control the movement. In other words KNOWN REALITY versus FICTION.

Can a ‘controller’ be found in or behind the eyes

?
No, any sense of a controller comes after the fact!

When you sense a controller ‘after the fact’ where is this controller located? LOOK into DE, can you describe it please? Do you sense its presence in DE? Intermittently LOOK for it as you go about your daily activities. if you hit any stressful or uncomfortable moments as you go about your day. LOOK in DE to see if it can be of any help to you.

Now using labeled thought, give your hand the command to flip over but DO NOT act on the thought, do nothing. What happens?

Nothing happens, except it brings a smile. Kind of peaceful too

The smile and feeling of peace were insights…thought rising without content.

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

No, it's a mystery. it's easy to see that thoughts are after the event, trying to claim it.

Exactly

I asked you earlier in this post to LOOK in DE. You are fairly well aquatinted with DE by this point. Relax and take a look at the questions below:

Is DE a tool that you can sometimes use?
Is DE something you just use when I ask you too as part of this process?
When in DE and thoughts with content crop up, what feelings do they tend to engender?
Is DE something you do?
Is DE something you are?
Is DE the result of pure consciousness facilitating pure creation uncontaminated by thought?

The questions above are not meant to provoke any specific answers or make any kinds of statements….particularly the last one! ALWAYS ask: Is that true? and if the answer is yes, push it a bit further and ask, ‘Can that absolutely be completely true? Be open to gaps in thought where insight and intuition arises!!!! I know you are busy, we are getting close now, let me know if you need more time with this.

[Riverexe]

Hi Steve, ooh this is very cool! I can feel it close too - there's a lightness and nervousness in day-to-day, but a kind of knowing inevitability too. Caring less despite the issues arising being very big according to "I".

And now it's after 10pm and I'm glad you mentioned a day off. I want to give this full attention, so will spend a few minutes rereading with it now and come back to it tomorrow and do it properly.

One question: I haven't come across the description of thoughts rising without content. That hadn't clicked before. So, thoughts without content are the same as thoughts without an "I"?

Thank you again for this.

[Steve101]

Hi Stephen,

Yes, thought without content is unlabeled, knowing thought that is unrelated to the story of the ‘I’ or ‘Me’ of the false self. Remember the tree analogy? When you looked at the tree there was a simultaneous recognition and knowing of the tree’s and your own nature without the need to think: ‘oh that’s a tree and then subsequently feel good or bad about it.’

We are not here to demonise labeled thought Stephen…it will sometimes happen. I am here to point towards what is really going on in your experience and see for yourself, by yourself, how it all works. This may or may not result in a shift in your perception via recognition and knowing. You only need to LOOK, you will only ever need to LOOK. When you really LOOK you will see how it works via that deeply silent knowing. I wasn’t able to explain it in words and I still can’t to any degree of accuracy and to be really, completely honest…I don’t want to…..How can we describe the infinite using the finite? It’s impossible. In my own humble, limited way and with LU support I can only point the way. Allow the world to be there and you’ll be the world.

[Riverexe]

Hi Steve,
Thanks for the answers and clarity.

Can a ‘controller’ be found in or behind the eyes
No, any sense of a controller comes after the fact!
When you sense a controller ‘after the fact’ where is this controller located? LOOK into DE, can you describe it please? Do you sense its presence in DE? Intermittently LOOK for it as you go about your daily activities. if you hit any stressful or uncomfortable moments as you go about your day. LOOK in DE to see if it can be of any help to you.

The sense of a controller after the fact is only more feelings and thoughts. Kind of heavy and like an uncomfortable cloud. In DE the cloud disperses, disappears.

Is DE a tool that you can sometimes use?

No it's not a tool, or a thing.

Is DE something you just use when I ask you too as part of this process?

No, it is becoming more regularly experienced, spontaneously.

When in DE and thoughts with content crop up, what feelings do they tend to engender?

Thoughts with content engender feelings of fear, fatigue and density.

Is DE something you do?

No, it just happens, like every experience, but DE is the backdrop, or the default, and non-DE is the superimposition layered ontop.

Is DE something you are?

Yes DE is something I am - inseparable, unfiltered life happening. Or close to it. Nothing is more like the complete truth that I am.

Is DE the result of pure consciousness facilitating pure creation uncontaminated by thought?

Yes sounds about right! But as you would point out, that's just a description too. And it's all uncontaminated pure creation really - it just thinks it's not!

[Steve101]

THE ROOM

Hi Stephen, superb seeing in that last task. I have nothing to add to it.

If we look at a so-called object, we believe that we see something called ‘matter’; if we look at the experience of seeing, we seem to know something called ‘mind’; and if we look only at the knowing of our experience, we experience only Knowing or Awareness. It knows or experiences itself alone. In other words, matter, mind and Knowing or Awareness are not three different substances; they are three different ways of seeing.

They are ways of seeing, not objects seen. To see a world made of matter is to see in one particular way; to see a world made of mind is to see in another way. And to know only pure Knowing or Awareness is to see or know in another way.

It is like looking at holiday photos on a laptop. We can either say, ‘I see my family’, or ‘I see an image’, or ‘I see the screen’. ‘Family’, ‘image’ and ‘screen’ are not three different things; they are three different ways of seeing. In the first, we see objects and people; that is, we see matter. In the second, we see subtle objects; that is, we see mind. And in the third, we see or know only Knowing – three names for one thing, which is not a ‘thing’. In the first two cases, we see gross or subtle objects; we see finite things. In the last case, we see only the screen; we see or know only the unlimited or infinite field of pure Knowing - Direct Experience.

As long as we THINK that the I or ME is a real entity then we will see our experience as separate from us because we see our experience as ‘out there’ and happening to and affecting the thought created I or ME. When there is a ‘knowing’ that there is no I or ME and we realize that it was all just thoughts and the separation were to evaporate there would just be pure experience.

KNOWING

Intellectual understanding and ‘knowing’ are two different things. You are aware, only too well, of how mind labeling and Direct experience work. You are also aware of how the false self creates separation from DE by employing subject-object story filled scenarios.

Take your time over the next questions and even look at your own answers to the following questions and ask, ‘is that true?.’ Also, when answering, look for that ‘knowing’ deep in your being that cannot be explained and beyond doubt created by words.

There is no self, no doer, no controller and there never has been.

Is this true?

Is it clear?

If anything is not clear, what is not clear?

[Riverexe]

Hi Steve,

KNOWING
Take your time over the next questions and even look at your own answers to the following questions and ask, ‘is that true?.’ Also, when answering, look for that ‘knowing’ deep in your being that cannot be explained and beyond doubt created by words.

There is no self, no doer, no controller and there never has been.

Is this true?

Yes. It's simple... some smiles... sense of releasing. There is only pure being happening. And looking as being-knowing. Knowing isn't anywhere or belonging to anything.

Is it clear?

Yes, clear and beautiful, and endlessly deep.

If anything is not clear, what is not clear?

It's plain, absolute. I write more words then delete them as there's nothing to say usefully, A few tears well up, then subside. It's... mute really!

[Steve101]

Hi Stephen, I’m so happy for you. That’s fantastic.

Yes. It's simple... some smiles... sense of releasing. There is only pure being happening.

Yes, yes, yes, ‘IT’S SIMPLE’ - You are absolutely right, it always was simple but so difficult to SEE because of the conditioning that has been getting in the way. Above all else it is the mind made self that always wanted to complicate it Stephen in order to obtain what it wants most - attention!

This may or may not take time to settle Stephen, everyone is different. From the beginning of this journey together I could tell that you had been on the edge of this realization for some time.

We all have a natural inbuilt, hardwired mechanism for mental healing and clarity….when it is ALLOWED to function properly. If our consciousness were a clear water pond, the false-self loves nothing more than taking its stick, disturbing the bottom of the pond and muddying the waters. The nature of the pond is to return to its clear state when left undisturbed. When we really LOOK and realize our being, the truth is always right there in front of us.

If you want to take the day to let this settle to see if anything comes up before you answer the next question, that’s not a problem and completely understandable.

Are you ready for final questions?

[Riverexe]

Hi Stephen, I’m so happy for you. That’s fantastic.

And I'm extremely grateful to you Steve, thank you! And Paul and Elad?!

Yes, yes, yes, ‘IT’S SIMPLE’ ... it is the mind made self that always wanted to complicate it Stephen in order to obtain what it wants most - attention!

Yes "mind made self" - that's all it is (and isn't).

This may or may not take time to settle Stephen, everyone is different. From the beginning of this journey together I could tell that you had been on the edge of this realization for some time.

Yes I felt and suspected it too, but it was too intellectual (I thought!) And it's hard to see our own self (or lack of it!) and having someone to point and help us look is amazing. It stops the make-believe.
Maybe it will take time to settle - today there were plenty of situations to pull the attention away into thought/feeling and they seemed to gain attention at first, but it could not take hold like before.. It can't.

When we really LOOK and realize our being, the truth is always right there in front of us.

Yes - although I know (this knows) it's really infinite being deciding to look and realise itself.

If you want to take the day to let this settle to see if anything comes up before you answer the next question, that’s not a problem and completely understandable.

I kind of want to enjoy this and let it just be, not wanting this loving pointing to have a final bit. This is what I came for, and it's sublime. Phew - more tears and gratitude. But it is unaffected, ever present, and what we do is what it does...so I don't mind. Haha, I imagined I would be totally decisive by this point, but that was just a dream.

Are you ready for final questions?

Yes 😃

[Steve101]

Hi Stephen, thank you for your kind words. It was an absolute pleasure to walk this path with you. You have my email so ask questions if you feel the need.

Here are the final questions. You will see questions that you may have answered already in our previous posts but please answer all questions in full when you are ready. Only answer what's true for you rather than any sort of 'ideal' answer.

Is there a separate entity 'self', 'me' 'I', at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form? Was there ever?

Explain in detail what the illusion of the separate self is, when it starts and how it worked from your own experience. Describe it fully as you see it now.

How does it feel to see this? What is the difference from before you started this dialogue? Please report from the past few days.

What was the last bit that pushed you over, made you look?

Describe decision & give examples from experience.

Describe intention & give examples from experience.

Describe free will & give examples from experience.

Describe choice & give examples from experience.

Describe control & give examples from experience.

What makes things happen? How does it work?

What are you responsible for? Give examples from experience.

Do you have anything to add?