Release

[Anastacia42]

Excellent. Pay attention to that.

Now this:

Label-Reality Correlation

There is a belief that labels have a one-to-one correspondence with something called "reality." But there isn’t. Just like it is a generally accepted belief that labels like "good" and "bad" are inherent characteristics of "things." But actually, they are not.


When you look at the word label ‘GREEN’, what is the actual experience?

Is the red color "experienced" or is color green "experienced" as the label suggests?

Do the labels have a one-to-one correspondence with "reality?"

Or do the labels suggest something else other than what is here now (red color)?

Is green-ness an inherent attribute of the "experience" of the red color; or is green just a word label on the experience of the red color?

If the label ‘GREEN’ is replaced with the label ‘GOOD’ or ‘BAD’, is the redness affected in any way as the labels suggests?

Does redness become "good" or "bad," or do the labels have no effect whatsoever on ‘reality’?


Loving,

[Honeysuckle]

Hi Stacy,

When you look at the word label ‘GREEN’, what is the actual experience?

Somehow the colour red is experienced or thought about

Is the red color "experienced" or is color green "experienced" as the label suggests?

Red is the experience, green seems to be irrelevant

Do the labels have a one-to-one correspondence with "reality?"

Clearly not!

Or do the labels suggest something else other than what is here now (red color)?

The label needs the mind to think about the greeness, redness comes first

Is green-ness an inherent attribute of the "experience" of the red color; or is green just a word label on the experience of the red color?

Yes, greenesss needs to added late, red comes first

If the label ‘GREEN’ is replaced with the label ‘GOOD’ or ‘BAD’, is the redness affected in any way as the labels suggests?

No, still redness comes first

Does redness become "good" or "bad," or do the labels have no effect whatsoever on ‘reality’?

The labels have no effect at all, redness still is the first and truest experience

With love

[Anastacia42]

Yes. Now let's bring this together.


Actual/Direct Experience - Apple

Have a look at an apple (or any fruit you like.) If you have a ‘real’ apple, you can use it for this exercise. Google for a picture of an apple.



When looking at an apple, there's color; a thought saying ‘apple’; and maybe a thought saying, "I'm looking at an apple."

What is known for sure? Color is known and thoughts are known.

What about the content of thoughts, what they describe?

Actual experience does not refer to thoughts ABOUT something…because that is only just more thought.

Actual experience is sound, thought, color, smell, taste, sensation and the fact of thought arising, but not its content.

Is there really an ‘apple’ here, or only color and a thought ABOUT ‘apple’?

Can ‘apple’ be found in actual experience?

While these thoughts are known, what they talk ABOUT can't be found in actual experience.

This is what is meant by "looking in actual experience." What you know for sure, and, is always here.

Taste labeled ‘apple’ is known
Color labeled ‘apple’ is known
Sensation labeled ‘apple’ is known (when apple is touched)
Smell labeled ‘apple’ is known
Thought about/of an ‘apple’ is known

However, is an apple actually known?

Have fun and let me know what you find out.

Loving,

[Honeysuckle]

Hi Stacy,

oof this was deep !

Is there really an ‘apple’ here, or only color and a thought ABOUT ‘apple’?

Using direct experience it is clear that only colour and shape are here, thoughts about apple are a story of what apple is based on events from memory (other thoughts).

Can ‘apple’ be found in actual experience?

No ! Only shape and colour. All else known about apple comes form thought.

However, is an apple actually known?

Apple is not really known, no. It has no dimension or weight etc unless I experience it with other senses.

Have fun and let me know what you find out.

Using only direct/actual experience, I found that the whole scene with apple becomes 2 dimensional, like an image on a screen sort of. There is no depth to any of it unless thought comes in to play. When thought comes in, there appears to be a history of knowing apple, remembering the taste, smell, feel of apple - but none of that extra info comes from actual experience It seems as if apple only exists to sight until I pick it up and engage the touch sense, bite it and engage the taste sense etc. Its like as if anything only really exists when the senses are engaged.

[Anastacia42]

Yes. Very good. Now try this:


Palm Flipping Exercise

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

Loving,

[Honeysuckle]

Hi Stacy,
I love this : ) I began with my hand then moved on to noticing general movement like walking, going to the loo, making food etc.

How is the movement controlled?

I don't know but it is not what I thought was 'me'.

Does a thought control it?

No it seems not.

Can a ‘controller’ of any description be located?

Wierdly, no!

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.

The decision seems to be made automatically from somewhere and enjoys the play of the hand flipping. I cant find any point where a decision is made to flip the hand. 'I' can get involved and pretend it is me but it really isn't anything to do with me.

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

I thought initially it was just practical, the left hand was chosen as the right hand was holding a cup. But when I repeated the exercise many times, the hand was chosen automatically without me thinking about it.

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

No. Walking felt a bit weird for a while as did many movements, I watched with awe as the body just got on with it.

Much love

[Anastacia42]

Yes, it's fun to notice we aren't doing anything at all, and things keep happening.

Here is a pointer that can force you to look, not think:

ButtChair

Please LOOK for any place where your butt ends & the chair begins.

Is there any clear dividing line between them? Or only the Sensation with no clear division?


It is simple direct & nonverbal. Just LOOK.

Then write what is true.

I did only this and nothing else for 3 months and then saw. It crept up on me while I was sitting at a stoplight. Seeing often happens when we are simply relaxed and looking. I should say, it ONLY happens when we are relaxed and LOOKING. All thinking is useless. Truly.

Loving

[Honeysuckle]

Thanks Stacy,

Please LOOK for any place where your butt ends & the chair begins.

When I look I feel no distinction between my bum and the chair. It feels like floating after a while

Is there any clear dividing line between them? Or only the Sensation with no clear division?

There is no clear dividing line between them. Purely sensation, thoughts are needed to determine anything else.

Thats great that you 'saw' in the car, I spend a fair bit of my time driving so will practice this often!

Much love

[Anastacia42]

Stay relaxed

Since you can't find any separate self, can you say 100% there's is no separate self?

We're looking for a shift in perception.

Have I sent this?

From an email from Ilona

Nothing dramatic happened.

There were no fireworks.
No permanent bliss states.
No sudden personality changes.

And yet, something shifted.


Here are a few things people said afterwards:

“I’m not fighting my experience anymore. There’s more space around everything.”

“I expected something big to happen. Instead, life feels simpler and I trust myself more.”

“There’s less urgency. The seeking has softened.”


This is the kind of shift this work supports.

Ilona Cuinate

Loving

[Honeysuckle]

Hi Stacy,

Since you can't find any separate self, can you say 100% there's is no separate self?

It seems I can say that for sure yes. I fully get what you say about thoughts, that all thinking is useless ! I can feel there is much more depth to this than is here currently though, so there feels like there is more to drop and a deeper level of seeing or knowing.

I would appreciate any comments you have for me and thank you for being you ; )

With love

[Anastacia42]

You're quite welcome

We are looking for a shift in perception such as Ilona mentiond above.

You may have unrealistic expectations. What "deeper" do you expect? What would that be like?

Loving

[Honeysuckle]

Hi Stacy

What "deeper" do you expect? What would that be like?

I honestly dont know. There is still a whirlwind of thought clamouring for attention, tension in the jaw, yet somehow that feels ok.

I am a little suspicious that the me is just laying low yet still lurks in wait, ready to grab hold and run things.

Much love

[Anastacia42]

There is still a whirlwind of thought clamouring for attention, tension in the jaw, yet somehow that feels ok.

It *is* okay. Thoughts will not go away. They may settle some over time.

I am a little suspicious that the me is just laying low yet still lurks in wait, ready to grab hold and run things.

Impossible, since there is no such thing.

How long will it take for this not happening to convince you that it is a lie? A thought only? That it doesn't exist?


I'll wait.

There is "awareness" or "consciousness." It is *not* a "self. " Don't try to make it one.

Have you experienced any shift in perception?

It sounds like you have, but it's not enough for you.

We cannot predict it and we cannot make it happen. We can only practice the conditions in which it is more likely.

This frustrates the mind because it wants everything to be linear and logical and step-by-step, but this is not. It is non linear and unpredictable.

Let your suspicion go. It's keeping you from enjoying the experience of now.

Loving,

[Honeysuckle]

Hi Stacy
Yes there has been a shift for sure, each question you asked shed layers of false self.

I suppose I was expecting bliss but just knowing/seeing is enough. I will spend more time being with the knowing.
I’m away for the weekend, back Monday so will be away from computers.

Much love

[Anastacia42]

We have some traditional questions for you. Your replies will be shared with other guides who may have questions.



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

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

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

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

5) 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.

6) Anything to add?

Loving