for Doreen!

[Doreba]

Is there an experiencer experiencing, or is there only experience?

There is no experiencer, only the experience itself. I guess the easiest way to understand and describe this is from that "outside looking in" viewpoint I've previously referenced. For example, trees grow, wind blows, the sun rises and sets and rain falls NO MATTER WHAT. Thoughts and feelings continue to come and go as part of the experience NO MATTER WHAT and so forth. Each moment IS "the experience." There is no need for an experiencer for life, and all of its events, to happen. It just does.

[clearskye]

It does, doesn't it! Next question:
8) Actually look. Does experience belong to the body, or does the body belong to experience?

with love,
Skye

[Doreba]

Actually look. Does experience belong to the body, or does the body belong to experience?

When I first read your response, my mind went immediately into thinking mode. So I reread the question and stopped when it said "Actually look." With that, my initial thoughts floated by and I spent the rest of the day and night looking by experiencing. Last night, in the middle of my band rehearsal, I experienced the coolest, most surreal feeling while singing the song, "Carnival," by Natalie Merchant. The song has lyrics that so resonate with this whole LU experience ...

"Have I been blind
Have I been lost
Inside myself and my own mind
Hypnotized
Meserized
By what my eyes have seen"

While singing this song, I suddenly became aware of what my body was experiencing ... leg feeling the tambourine gently hitting it, vibrations going through my throat and coming out as sound, ears hearing this sound and sounds coming from instruments. My body was definitely "in" the experience, or to use your words, "belonged to the experience." It's kind of funny though because while I was conscious of my body feeling these things, at the same time it was almost like I was outside of my body watching the whole thing. I guess that's why it felt so surreal. I noticed the same type of sensation (not as surreal a feeling) earlier in the day with simple things like walking outside, wind blowing my hair, feet feeling the ground. Based on this looking, I would say the body is part of the experience; not the other way around.

[clearskye]

Beautiful response!
Next question:
8 ) What did you experience at the moment you saw through the illusion of self?

with love,
Skye

[Doreba]

What did you experience at the moment you saw through the illusion of self?

I can't say there was a single "moment" of when I saw through the illusion of self. As I have stated in previous posts, this has been a gradual awakening or seeing through this illusion so there have been many moments of experiencing no self. That said, I can tell you that overall, I have more of an appreciation for life itself and I feel a bit "lighter."

For example, when something challenging presents itself, initially, I may still get caught up in thoughts and more thoughts like I did with a work situation this morning. It really triggered me at first and then later I took the time to close my eyes and focus on breathing ... slowly ... consciously. Then I started listening and noticing all of the sounds around me ... plane passing by, someone talking in the background, dog licking, wind blowing. In other words, I got back to the present moment of experience. All of this reminded me that there is no self and suddenly that situation that SO triggered me this morning felt lighter. With this realization of no self, I would imagine that there will be many more instances where this seeing will become more fluid ... a natural flow ... as it further integrates into my day to day living.

So while I did not experience any "momentous" shifts, I do feel a difference in that I can sense the "liberation."

[clearskye]

Beautiful example, Doreen. By the way, there was no single moment for me, either.
Okay, only two more questions (and I notice that I labelled two of them #8) And if I asked you one of these, please tell me.

When you say "I", what are you referring to?
and...
Describe experience right now as you see it.

You are such a delight to work with. When you are done with these two questions, my work with you will be reviewed, to make sure that I'm on track. I'll keep you updated as to the process.
with love,
Skye

[Doreba]

Describe experience right now as you see it.

Experience for me is allowing life to unfold as it will and to stay present with it. As I have written in previous posts, I have noticed more of a feeling of "lightness" overall. When something bothers me, it doesn't stay with me as long as it used to. In some ways, I feel a bit more "detached" knowing that there is no self, yet at the same time I feel a greater sense of appreciation for this "energetic force" of life and all of its amazing and beautiful aspects.

As I experience life day to day, my state of being overall is one of contentment. One of the definitions listed in the dictionary for contentment is "ease of mind." The definition of "content" is "satisfied with what one is or has" (I would modify that to say "satisfied with what is"); not wanting more or anything else. And that is where I find I am most of the time. Yes, I still have a passion for so many cool things in life and "stuff" still happens that may throw me off but oftentimes all it takes to get back into the natural flow is to simply take a moment to close my eyes and start noticing everything that's happening around and within me — from the sounds of birds chirping and cars passing by outside to the sensation of my heart beating and my stomach growling. As I like to say, "It is what it is!"

only two more questions (and I notice that I labelled two of them #8) And if I asked you one of these, please tell me.When you say "I", what are you referring to?

Yes, you asked me the "I" question on March 11 and I responded.

You are such a delight to work with. When you are done with these two questions, my work with you will be reviewed, to make sure that I'm on track. I'll keep you updated as to the process.

I, too, have enjoyed working with you, Skye. As I mentioned before, you have a supportive and loving way about you that comes across through these posts and I have appreciated that. Thank you so much for guiding me through this process. As for your review, all I can say is that it sure felt "on track" to me! But then again, what do "I" know? haha :)

[clearskye]

Okay, Doreen,
I'll make sure that other, more experienced guides review our process. They may have an additional question of two.
with love,
Skye

[Doreba]

I'll make sure that other, more experienced guides review our process. They may have an additional question of two.

Whether I am asked additional questions or not, what happens once the process has "officially" concluded?

With love and gratitude,
Doreen

[clearskye]

You'll be invited to some Facebook groups which are fascinating (and where I find new friendships are developing) and the opportunity to share and point for others will be open to you. I surely hope you will choose to do this. I find it immeasurably creative and satisfying.

And of course, this process never concludes--opening and deepening goes on forever.
with love,
Skye

[clearskye]

Hi Doreen,
I'd like you to write a bit more about a couple of lines you wrote. I'll put them in separate mesages

Whether the illusion begins as soon as we incarnate into our bodies is hard to know

"Incarnating into our bodies." Is that a thought, or coming from your direct experience? Look carefully and see.

Often many of our prior beliefs appear different after our understanding enlarges. Most of my belief systems simply fell away.

with love,
Skye

[clearskye]

Actually, that's the last question that I have for now. Perhaps more tomorrow.
with love,
Skye