I should have said "distinct" instead of "separate". Like it's distinguishable to say what is an internal thought vs a sound from the environment. Although of course that is only known through thought-labels.When you say “separate,” what do you mean?
My direct experience is that all the images, sounds, tastes, smells, bodily sensations, and thoughts area all mixed together in this present experience and nothing can be found beyond that. They come and go, no one of them can be a self. They are also simultaneous and without boundary from each other, it's just the mind that labels light vs sound etc.In direct experience, is there actually a boundary separating thought from seeing, hearing or sensation, or are these simply different labels for what is presently happening - inseparable and whole?
And when you say “there is experience,” is “experience” itself something that can actually be found apart from seeing, hearing, sensing, thinking, etc. happening? Is there an additional thing called “experience” besides what is already happening? How is the "experience of being alive" any different from any other sensation if you drop the story?
no, experience is not a "thing," it's just a name I'm using for being able to sense anything at all, for being here, for sensing, for just this whole thing we are talking about, the totality, the aliveness. But nothing else beyond just these senses and thoughts.
