What am i?

[Idk]

Hi Rowena,
Before this question, i think 2 days ago, i saw that there is no connection here between what you see as a body and what you feel, these are absolutely different things, so i think answering these questions will be quite easy (although i don’t have any mirrors anywhere near me, i think that won’t be critical).

Is there any connection between the felt sensations and the image in the mirror? Or just thoughts (and/or mental images) suggest that there is?

No, there is no connection between the image of the body the sensation of the body.

Is there any connection between the felt sensations (labelled
'hand') and image of movement in the mirror?

No

Now do the same movement with the hand, but this time look at the hand directly, not from the mirror.
Is there any connection between the felt sensations (labelled
'hand') and the image 'of movement'? Or only thoughts suggest it?

there are only thoughts that there’s some kind of connection between them.

Does the image by itself suggest in any way that is 'you' or
'your body'? Does the image itself suggest in any way that it is a 'body' at all? Or are there only colours and shapes?

Only colours abd shapes

Just by the image in the mirror, is there any 'knowledge' that there must be legs, or only thoughts and mental images suggest so?

There are only thoughts that suggest this.

Now turn away from the mirror and look forward (don't look directly to any body parts).
Is there a 'body' anywhere when all thoughts and images are ignored, or are there only sensations?

Only sensations

Is there a 'body walking', or are there only sensations?
Is there actual experience of 'walking' at all, Or just thoughts about 'walking'?
Can such a thing as 'body' be found OR just thoughts about a
'body'?
Can such a thing as 'walking' be found?

Tough question, because i still don’t know the answer.

Are the sensations localized in space, like 'going through the room'; OR is there only an image that is labelled 'room' and appearing sensations without any location?

i don’t think i fully understood the question, but even from what i did understand, i still don’t know what answer to give.
I don't know how relevant this is, but i would like to ask a quick question: when i observe thoughts, do i need to "create" them (meaning i "myself" make thoughts appear, rather than waiting for them to come on their own) and then observe them, because if i just look at thoughts they disappear, or should i wait for thoughts to speed up and come on their own, when it will already be difficult to turn them off simply by observing, and then observe them? Thanks in advance for the answer!

[Noro]

Hello Idk,

Before this question, i think 2 days ago, i saw that there is no connection here between what you see as a body and what you feel, these are absolutely different things,

It is great that you saw this, in direct experience as we have been looking in this inquiry, there is no connection as such between each faculty. i.e. the visual field is for colors only; hearing is for sounds only; smelling is for smells only, etc. and thinking is for thoughts (labels) only.


Is there a 'body walking', or are there only sensations?
Is there actual experience of 'walking' at all, Or just thoughts about 'walking'?
Can such a thing as 'body' be found OR just thoughts about a 'body'?
Can such a thing as 'walking' be found?

Tough question, because i still don’t know the answer.

This question referred to the question before, so the eyes are looking forward and not looking directly at any body parts.
There is no answer here for you to KNOW, only to SEE in direct experience.
Please look again, take it slowly and answer each question separately.

Is there a 'body walking', or are there only sensations? (This can include all kinds of sensations, i.e. sensations of tension or contraction in some areas of the body.)

Is there actual experience of 'walking' at all, Or just thoughts about 'walking'?

Can such a thing as 'body' be found OR just thoughts about a 'body'?

Can such a thing as 'walking' be found?


Are the sensations localized in space, like 'going through the room'; OR is there only an image that is labelled 'room' and appearing sensations without any location?

i don’t think i fully understood the question, but even from what i did understand, i still don’t know what answer to give.

This is a tricky question. The way to handle it is to look at each sense faculty being used. Go minimalist.
There are simply sensations (anything more are labels i.e. a body / walking)
There is simply seeing colors (anything more are labels)

I don't know how relevant this is, but i would like to ask a quick question: when i observe thoughts, do i need to "create" them (meaning i "myself" make thoughts appear, rather than waiting for them to come on their own) and then observe them,

I am so glad you asked this question, I have split it up in bits for clarity. Please answer each question in blue separately from direct experience. You ask "when I observe thoughts".

Is there a separate, independent observer of thoughts that can be found Yes/No

do i need to "create" them (meaning i "myself" make thoughts appear, rather than waiting for them to come on their own) and then observe them.

Please locate that I "myself" that could create or make thoughts appear, where is that separate entity located.
Can thoughts be made to appear on demand? Yes/No

Do 'you' have any control over what the next thought is going to be? Yes/No

because if i just look at thoughts they disappear,

YES!

or should i wait for thoughts to speed up and come on their own,

Waiting for thoughts can be happening, but is a separate "I" needed in order for waiting to happen? Yes/No

And thoughts come on their own, does there need to be a separate thinker of thoughts for thinking to happen? Yes/No

when it will already be difficult to turn them off simply by observing, and then observe them?

Is there a separate independent observer of thoughts that can turn thoughts off and on? Yes/No

Does there need to be a separate independent observer for observing to happen? Yes/No

Thanks in advance for the answer!

I hope that this has brought a little clarity as it is especially tricky when thinking is being looked at as thoughts arise so quickly and because of everyday use of the thoughts "I", "me", and 'you' it seems as if there is an separate independent self entity in control. It takes a while for things to slow down, and practicing with the exercises helps this happen.

I think it would be a good idea to stay with the last exercise so you can take your time with the questions above.
I also suggest you go back through the exercise OBSERVING THOUGHTS to get a bit more clarity.


Please feel free to ask questions, and also anything else about this inquiry, i.e. how it is going for you so far?


Warmly,

Rowena

[Idk]

Hi Rowena

Is there a 'body walking', or are there only sensations? (This can include all kinds of sensations, i.e. sensations of tension or contraction in some areas of the body.)

Is there actual experience of 'walking' at all, Or just thoughts about 'walking'?

Can such a thing as 'body' be found OR just thoughts about a 'body'?

Can such a thing as 'walking' be found?

I can clearly see that i only see colors and shapes, hear sounds, and feel the sensations in the body. So there is no such thing as walking, there is only what i see right now.

Are the sensations localized in space, like 'going through the room'; OR is there only an image that is labelled 'room' and appearing sensations without any location?

Just an image

Is there a separate, independent observer of thoughts that can be found Yes/No

No, only the fact of observing itself

Please locate that I "myself" that could create or make thoughts appear, where is that separate entity located.
Can thoughts be made to appear on demand? Yes/No

There is a sensation that “i” can create thoughts, but that sensation is also being observed, so no.

Do 'you' have any control over what the next thought is going to be? Yes/No

No

Waiting for thoughts can be happening, but is a separate "i" needed in order for waiting to happen? Yes/No

I still don’t know

And thoughts come on their own, does there need to be a separate thinker of thoughts for thinking to happen? Yes/No

When i look at the body’s actions or at thoughts, if i watch them long enough, i notice that i’m just observing them happening. It doesn’t really seem like there’s something i can do to make the body act differently or make different thoughts appear in the mind, because all of this is simply being observed as processes rather than being done by someone’s will, since even this “will” toward something is also being observed, and i can’t really say that this is really “me” who does this. But at the same time, there’s still this sense that thoughts, the body, and emotions are somehow connected, and thoughts call this whole thing “i”. i don’t know, maybe i just need to keep observing to understand whether these things are actually separate. But thoughts still keep attaching some kind of identity to themselves.

Is there a separate independent observer of thoughts that can turn thoughts off and on? Yes/No

No

Does there need to be a separate independent observer for observing to happen? Yes/No

No, because observation can’t really have an identity, it’s just a process

[Noro]

Hello Idk,

You've done some great inquiry with that body deepening exercise:

Waiting for thoughts can be happening, but is a separate "i" needed in order for waiting to happen? Yes/No

I still don’t know

The 'mind' or that part of ourselves that wants to understand is still wanting to understand, this is perfectly natural.
This inquiry is really asking the 'mind' to step aside from trying to map everything out, and relying on your direct experience, which you clearly see here:
Is there a separate independent observer of thoughts that can turn thoughts off and on? Yes/No

No

However:

And thoughts come on their own, does there need to be a separate thinker of thoughts for thinking to happen? Yes/No

When i look at the body’s actions or at thoughts, if i watch them long enough, i notice that i’m just observing them happening. It doesn’t really seem like there’s something i can do to make the body act differently or make different thoughts appear in the mind, because all of this is simply being observed as processes rather than being done by someone’s will, since even this “will” toward something is also being observed, and i can’t really say that this is really “me” who does this.

OK.....

But at the same time, there’s still this sense that thoughts, the body, and emotions are somehow connected, and thoughts call this whole thing “i”. i don’t know, maybe i just need to keep observing to understand whether these things are actually separate. But thoughts still keep attaching some kind of identity to themselves.

Yes, this sense of something, of some kind of identity...., what is this? let's explore....

EXPLORE - SENSE OF SELF:
The difference in FEELING something to be true and SEEING that it is or isn't.

Let’s say that you have lost your keys and you swear that you left them in your coat. You go to look and check all the pockets - the keys are not there. You swear they must be as that was the last place you remember them. You have a vivid memory of putting them there after you left the house. But when you check they are not there.
At this point you can keep on believing that the keys are in your pocket, or you can admit that even if they were, they are no longer there now.

This is just like that. You may see clearly that when you go looking for it you can find no separate self/do-er/thinker etc. but still feel a sense of self - just like the keys.

Feeling something to be true and SEEING that it is or is not is different. (Remember the Coloured Socks Example!)

Now I'd like you to explore this "sense of self" very thoroughly, not by thinking about it but be LOOKING for it. There might be a familiar sensation that we call a sense of self, but can an actual self be found? Keep the focus of attention on this sense of self and answer the questions with a simple yes or no when appropriate: Please take your time with this and approach with a calm and relaxed mind. Answer each question individually.

Does this sense of self have a specific location? Yes/No

If Yes, is it permanently fixed, or does it move around or come and go?

And if it comes and goes, where does it go to?

Does this sense of self have a shape or a size? Yes/No

Does this sense of self say or communicate anything? Yes/No

If the answer is yes, how does it do this?

Does this sense of self have any specific characteristics or attributes (shimmering, tingling, pulsing, contraction?

What is this sense of self made of? An image? Sound? Taste? Smell? Body Sensation? Thought?

Does this familiar "sense of self" confirm the existence of an actual self. Yes/No

In conclusion, is there any separate self to be found?

Remember, it is your direct experience, not whatever feelings and thoughts are interpreting, that we want to get clear about.

Warmly,

Rowena

[Idk]

Hi Rowena,

Does this sense of self have a specific location? Yes/No

I don't know how to answer precisely, but i think yes, because the sense of "self" is created by thoughts.

If Yes, is it permanently fixed, or does it move around or come and go?

It comes and goes, getting stronger or weaker from time to time.

And if it comes and goes, where does it go to?

I see that it doesn't come from anywhere and doesn't go anywhere, because it's all just thoughts, but i can't fully see it, can't fully understand that these are just thoughts, again, this will all just be reasoning rather than seeing it in direct experience, but this thought that "i" exist doesn't want to go anywhere, idk, maybe i do something wrong.

Does this sense of self have a shape or a size? Yes/No

No

Does this sense of self say or communicate anything? Yes/No

No

Does this sense of self have any specific characteristics or attributes (shimmering, tingling, pulsing, contraction?

I think not, at least i haven't noticed anything like that.

What is this sense of self made of? An image? Sound? Taste?
Smell? Body Sensation? Thought?

Thoughts, because that's where the whole idea of someone existing actually comes from. But i feel like if you really look into it, the body is part of it too.

Does this familiar "sense of self" confirm the existence of an actual self. Yes/No

To be honest, i don’t know

In conclusion, is there any separate self to be found?

there are only very compelling thoughts that "i" exist.

[Noro]

Hello Idk,

A lot to look at here. You have answered quite a lot through 'thinking about' rather than seeing, and that is absolutely fine and normal. What we are looking at here is really about what is actually seen, and not what is interpreted, and how to spot the difference in our approach quickly and fluently. We are not trying to 'get rid of' anything!! Just arrive at more clarity regarding different ways of perceiving/experiencing 'reality'.

Does this sense of self have a specific location? Yes/No

I don't know how to answer precisely, but i think yes, because the sense of "self" is created by thoughts.

OK, so the 'location' of sense of self is in thoughts. Fair enough, but in order to go for clarity, if there is a specific location, then we have to find that. So the next question here is:
Using direct experience ONLY, can you find a precise location for this sense of self in thoughts? Do thoughts have a permanent location?


If Yes, is it permanently fixed, or does it move around or come and go?

It comes and goes, getting stronger or weaker from time to time.

What comes and goes etc. Are you referring to a 'sense of self' coming and going in thoughts, or something else such as some kind of 'sense of something' that has been given a label 'self' due to thoughts saying "this is familiar, this is me"? Please clarify.


And if it comes and goes, where does it go to?

I see that it doesn't come from anywhere and doesn't go anywhere, because it's all just thoughts, but i can't fully see it, can't fully understand that these are just thoughts, again, this will all just be reasoning rather than seeing it in direct experience, but this thought that "i" exist doesn't want to go anywhere, idk, maybe i do something wrong.

You are definitely not doing anything wrong! :) It is great that you are questioning like this. You are correct that it's all just thoughts, including this though that "I" exist. We are not looking to disprove existence, only looking to see if an actual "I" or self can be found to exist separately from everything else. This is a very sticky point because it is so fundamental to our daily experience that it is worth taking time over to examine carefully.

How much do thoughts add or detract from direct experiencing? Compare the two phrases as you say them while experiencing the 'sense of self'. Like the early exercise of comparing "I am sitting vs. simply sitting.

"I am aware that "I" exist."
"I am aware of existing."

What do you find?


What is this sense of self made of? An image? Sound? Taste?
Smell? Body Sensation? Thought?

Thoughts, because that's where the whole idea of someone existing actually comes from. But i feel like if you really look into it, the body is part of it too.

Yes, absolutely! The body and all the sensations associated with it, including subtle sensing are definitely part of it too.
All part of the experiential happening, but not actually pertaining to a separate self or "I".


Does this familiar "sense of self" confirm the existence of an actual self. Yes/No

To be honest, i don’t know

Do you have more clarity now?
Does this familiar "sense of self" confirm the existence of an actual self. Yes/No


In conclusion, is there any separate self to be found?

there are only very compelling thoughts that "i" exist.

Do thoughts in themselves prove anything?
The difference in FEELING something to be true and SEEING that it is or isn't.

Let’s say that you have lost your keys and you swear that you left them in your coat. You go to look and check all the pockets - the keys are not there. You swear they must be as that was the last place you remember them. You have a vivid memory of putting them there after you left the house. But when you check they are not there.
At this point you can keep on believing that the keys are in your pocket, or you can admit that even if they were, they are no longer there now.

This is just like that. You may see clearly that when you go looking for it you can find no separate self/do-er/thinker etc. but still feel a sense of self - just like the keys.

Feeling something to be true and SEEING that it is or is not is different. (Remember the Coloured Socks Example!)

In your direct experience, looking carefully is there any separate self to be found? YES / NO?

Please share your full direct experience, notice the compelling thought "I exist", what makes it compelling? What makes it SEEM true? Go into the body and follow any sensations. Look for any contractions in head, heart or gut. Please keep to your direct experience and stay away from discussing thoughts or ideas about a separate self.


Warmly,

Rowena

[Idk]

Hi Rowena,
Some good news and some bad news.
Today, instead of doing practices, I just lay there thinking, “damn, nothing I’m doing seems to work. How do I get rid of the "self"?” Then a thought came that maybe I should look directly into the feeling of “myself” like you said, so I started looking. I noticed bodily sensations, then thoughts. And as I looked, I saw that the body is just the body, and thoughts are just thoughts, without a self. But when an anxious thought came, everything tightened back up into one knot called “me”. But it was still a really cool experience. I remember having a couple of experiences where there was no “me”, and truly, nothing changes at all. Like, there’s nothing special about it.

What comes and goes etc. Are you referring to a 'sense of self' coming and going in thoughts

Yes, i was just looking at the feeling of “me” and it kept coming and going. There was seeing, hearing, and feeling, but whenever the thought of “me” didn’t appear, there was no “me” there either.

Do you have more clarity now?

Just a little bit😅 but yes, its kinda more clear now than it was before, but it still feels like I’m far from the end.

Does this familiar "sense of self" confirm the existence of an actual self. Yes/No

No. As i looked, i saw that it doesn’t confirm the existence of an actual self. But there still seems to be more to explore

[Noro]

Hello Idk,

That is really great seeing, you gave good news, but I couldn't find any bad news! Haha!!

But when an anxious thought came, everything tightened back up into one knot called “me”. But it was still a really cool experience

Body sensations are extremely distracting and convincing that they belong to a "me" in synchronicity with the anxious thoughts that are telling a story about "me" so they appear to support each other, but you have now seen through this play.
Now you have seen this at work, my suggestion is that every time some kind of anxious thought arises is to go straight into the body sensations and stay with them. Allow them to be present, simply as they are, body sensations.

I remember having a couple of experiences where there was no “me”, and truly, nothing changes at all. Like, there’s nothing special about it.

I am glad that you are seeing this and that there are no great expectations that some big event should happen, often it is a gradual seeing.

Let's explore some more!


PALM FLIPPING EXERCISE

Get comfortable, calm and relaxed.

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 "I" or anything that is choosing when to turn the palm up or down?

Can a thought initiate anything or is that just another thought story, an overlay to what is actually happening?


Please answer each question separately,

Warmly,

Rowena

[Idk]

Hi Rowena,
That might be the hardest so far. I don’t think i answered all the questions correctly, because in some cases i was probably answering from the mind.

Does a thought control it?

I think that in a certain sense yes, a thought provides the context in which the body will move or act. A thought arises, then an emotion, and after that the body takes action. However, it doesn’t seem like direct control to me, because the action itself happens on its own. Or maybe it just appears that way to me, i don’t know

Can a 'controller' of any description be located?

I don’t think you can find any controller no matter where you look. It just happens. In some context, yeah, but it’s happening on its own.

How is the decision made to turn the hand over?

It all happens in context, like I said. A thought comes up, and the body acts according to the context of that thought.

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

Honestly, i think nothing does, it just happens.

Can a thought initiate anything or is that just another thought story, an overlay to what is actually happening?

Damn, i just thought about it and now i honestly don’t know.

Honestly, i really don’t know why these questions were so difficult for me, even when i was trying to look through direct experience. For some reason, questions about who controls the body, thoughts, emotions, and things like that have always been really hard for me to answer and i don’t why. Sorry if a lot of my answers came from the mind, i genuinely was trying to look at them through direct experience.

[Noro]

Hi Idk,

No apologies necessary, you can't do these exercises wrong! Just a little reminder though, it is important to be in a calm and relaxed state when you begin the exercise. If there is too much mental activity starting to happen, watch what is going on in the body. Is there tension arising?

Does a thought control it?

I think that in a certain sense yes, a thought provides the context in which the body will move or act.

Clearly, you wouldn't have done the exercise without having read my thread with the instructions. But look a bit closer.
What happened that you found yourself reading the LU thread at a particular moment.
Was it thought that chose that particular moment?
Was it thought that said, now we will do the exercise? Or, did doing the exercise follow when the time seemed right?

A thought arises, then an emotion, and after that the body takes action.

Yes, that is what seems to happen, but how often have you had a thought that says "now I must do ..... something" and nothing happens. "Now I must get up!" and you stay lying in bed!

However, it doesn’t seem like direct control to me, because the action itself happens on its own. Or maybe it just appears that way to me, i don’t know.

The best way to find out is to keep doing the exercise! :)


How is the decision made to turn the hand over?

It all happens in context, like I said. A thought comes up, and the body acts according to the context of that thought.

OK, the context being here that you've opened your LU thread and seen the exercise about turning the hand over. The information has been read and understood, and then there is already an impulse to complete the exercise at some point, but could you control WHEN the thought comes up in response to seeing the exercise, and was thought actually responsible for the body taking action. Can you be sure about that? Check again.


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

Honestly, i think nothing does, it just happens.

:)

Can a thought initiate anything or is that just another thought story, an overlay to what is actually happening?

Damn, i just thought about it and now i honestly don’t know.

It's OK not to know! :)


I would like you to continue to do this exercise when you are feeling relaxed.
Maybe when you are watching something on TV?
Observe carefully as to whether thought could cause any action without there being some prior instruction (context) already in place.
Other examples:
If you see a traffic light that is red, is thought needed for you to slow down and stop?
When you pick up your phone to check the time, is thought needed for you to do that?

Honestly, i really don’t know why these questions were so difficult for me, even when i was trying to look through direct experience. For some reason, questions about who controls the body, thoughts, emotions, and things like that have always been really hard for me to answer and i don’t why. Sorry if a lot of my answers came from the mind, i genuinely was trying to look at them through direct experience.

This was a difficult exercise, and thinking, together with body actions are hard to unpack as things happen so quickly and we are used to assuming that actions automatically follow thought. Actions can appear to follow a thought about an action, but not always. "The mind" is used to thinking it is in control, and so we will continue to look.



HAND ON DESK
Please close your eyes for this exercise, take a few deep breathes and release any tension through the exhale. Notice any ‘mental’ images or thoughts that might appear and put them aside.

Place a hand on a desk or table (flat surface) - Close your eyes.

Now 'go to' the feeling/sensation which we would normally refer to as 'hand on desk' and answer from what you can FIND.

1) How many things do you find? Are there two things (hand and desk) or is there one thing – sensation?

2) Can a ‘feeler’ be found in 'what is being felt'?

3) Do you notice 'one thing feeling another thing'? Or is there just 'a sensation'?

4) Do you find an 'I', a body, a hand 'feeling' . . . or is there just 'a sensation'?

What do you find?

Can an INHERENT FEELER be found?


Warmly,

Rowena

[Idk]

Hi Rowena,
I kinda get what you were saying, and yeah, the body really does everything on its own. It just reacts to whatever enters the information field and simply responds to what’s happening.

Was it thought that chose that particular moment?
Was it thought that said, now we will do the exercise? Or, did doing the exercise follow when the time seemed right?

when the time seems right

but could you control WHEN the thought comes up in response to seeing the exercise, and was thought actually responsible for the body taking action. Can you be sure about that? Check again.

I think no. I looked deeper into this and realized the body just acts in whatever way seems best right at that moment, without any thoughts.

1) How many things do you find? Are there two things (hand and desk) or is there one thing - sensation?

Only sensation

2) Can a 'feeler' be found in 'what is being felt?

No, absolutely not

3) Do you notice 'one thing feeling another thing? Or is there just 'a sensation?

Just a sensation

4) Do you find an 'I', a body, a hand 'feeling'... or is there just
'a sensation'?

In direct experience of a hand on the table, there is no one who could feel it. It simply happens as a phenomenon that we call "hand on the desk".

Can an INHERENT FEELER be found?

No

[Noro]

Hello Idk,

I kinda get what you were saying, and yeah, the body really does everything on its own. It just reacts to whatever enters the information field and simply responds to what’s happening.

I'm happy that you get this Idk, and to remember the paradox, you looked at the two body investigations and couldn't even find a body in direct experience!!

It's not that a body doesn't exist at the every day relative level, but when looking to find actual objects from our direct experience we can see how this is not actually the case. Direct experience questions our attachment towards everyday events and things being the way we think they are, or should be.



FRIEND/STRANGER

Take a few deep breaths so that you can feel calm and relaxed and yet alert.

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

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

Compare these thoughts.

Is there an difference in these thoughts?

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

Once again, bring up a thought about a character labeled "friend."

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

Is there an actual difference in these thoughts?

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

Let me know what is found, including anything else that you experienced, i.e. any body sensations?


Warmly,

Rowena

[Idk]

Hi Rowena,

Is there anything special about thoughts with the content "me-character?"
Let me know what is found, including anything else that you experienced, i.e. any body sensations?

I don’t even know how to describe it, but when I think about myself, there really just arises different content, but the sensations from these words are also different. But I think the difference is only in the sensation. Does that make sense?

[Noro]

Hi Idk,

I don’t even know how to describe it, but when I think about myself, there really just arises different content, but the sensations from these words are also different. But I think the difference is only in the sensation. Does that make sense?

Yes, it does make sense. When you get into the habit of looking in direct experience it is amazing how much more get's picked up in body sensations. They can be a colorful as the visual experience!!

FEELING DEEPER INTO PERSONAL LABELS -
Exploring the sensation field.
Here we will use labels as pointers into body sensations

Look around you and find an object that you value in some way and say "that's mine."
Use "that's mine." as a pointer into body sensations.
Briefly describe any body sensations with the apparent location in the body and the quality of the sensations.
Does a felt sensation point to a "you" as an actual owner of that object, or does it just feel like it does?

Now close your eyes and imagine someone in front of calling you by your name.
Briefly describe any body sensations with the apparent location in the body and the quality of the sensations.
Does a felt sensation point to a separate individual or self called by that name?

Now close your eyes and imagine someone in front talking to you and calling out "Hey, YOU!"
Briefly describe any body sensations with the apparent location in the body and the quality of the sensations.
Does a felt sensation point to a separate individual or self called "YOU" ?

Please let me know if anything came up that you would like to share. Please avoid going into any analysis, just share what arose as experience. And feel free to explore with any daily 'live' situations.


Warmly,

Rowena

[Idk]

Hi Rowena,

Briefly describe any body sensations with the apparent location in the body and the quality of the sensations.
Does a felt sensation point to a "you" as an actual owner of that object, or does it just feel like it does?

1. I notice a slight change in my heartbeat and a very subtle unusual sensation in my chest.
2. I can see that it only seems that way.

Briefly describe any body sensations with the apparent location in the body and the quality of the sensations.
Does a felt sensation point to a separate individual or self called by that name?

1.I notice a change in my breathing, and a slight change in my heartbeat as well
2. No, don’t think so

Briefly describe any body sensations with the apparent location in the body and the quality of the sensations.
Does a felt sensation point to a separate individual or self called "YOU"?

1 I feel a slight adrenaline rush
2. No it doesn’t