Looking for a guide

[kvotski]

More on this for you. Thoughts are action less, they do however influence you to have false beliefs and illusions like Self. And this illusory self convinces itself that it is in charge etc. like in a movie. So this created entity which is an illusion and nonexistent pretends to be David or Santa. Do you see this clearly?

[Hector's ghost]

Hi Sunil,

To answer your question from direct experience:

Over the past few days there have been periods of clear seeing. Activities happen independently and the idea of a self has been seen through. Then at other times things happen to the body: sensations, aches, shocks, and there is a lack of attachment to this body.

And if I had been living in some kind of mountain retreat there would have been time to quitetly get used to this. But I'm a teacher.

So during the working day thoughts arise and I get wrapped up in them as I do my job. That's what I was getting at with the question you asked. Thing is when this happens there often arises a remembering, a realisation that these thoughts are not the self and they are seen for what they are. Merely passing and not pointing to a permanently existing self. I find this remembering happening more and more, so even whole I carry out my job I see through the illusion of the self. Yesterday at the end of the day my last class left and I realised that everything that happened in my head over the past hour had been an illusion. I find it far easier to exist in the moment, allowing things to merely unfold when I am alone. It is, however, getting easier when interacting with others.

One further thing to add. I tried to respond to this post last night. I'd given it quite some thought and at half past midnight I pressed submit to find I'd been logged out. After a brief expletive it went. I saw it as part of the story and there was no attachment to what I had just happened. The incident was of the mind and therefore without reality. The iPad was put away and I went to bed.

David

[kvotski]

Haha. I use ipad as well and they still haven't got the forums tablet friendly.

I am amazed at your transformation. Great stuff. I am sure your students will benefit greatly.

[Hector's ghost]

They may well do, but teaching in a Roman Catholic school I'll probably keep quiet about it :-)

[kvotski]

Hi David,

You may have missed a question on the previous page


Do you or not believe that thoughts can do these things you cite above? You say none of this is real but that doesn't expressly deny their ability to do things.

[Hector's ghost]

Sorry, Sunil, must have missed that one.

Do I believe thoughts can do these things? Isn't belief a function of thought? You can't catch me out that easily (ha, ha).

No, thought cannot do the things I mentioned. Thought is just thought, it does not have the ability to do anything. It is actionless. Thoughts are like programmes on a television set. To say that thoughts have the ability to make things happen is like saying characters on a television programme have the ability to turn off the TV. Everything arises naturally without thought. Thought just takes ownership and labels the experience, giving the illusion it made it happen. I checked, and was able to verify this from direct experience.

Hope this answers your question. Enjoy the rest of your Saturday,

David

[Hector's ghost]

One thing to add. If thought caused an activity to happen, then the activity would cease if thought was distracted. This doesn't happen. If I am walking along and get distracted I do not stop walking. This activity cannot therefore have been caused by thought. Walking is happening independent of thought.

[kvotski]

Good try by the old crafty guide, eh?

David, I am happy to inform you that my friends have confirmed that you indeed know that you are not self.

Welcome. Admin will contact you to see if you want to join our group and help others see the light.

[Hector's ghost]

That's great, Sunil. And thanks.

There were a couple of well timed comments that you made that were the key, especially the one where you asked me to watch functions one at a time to see if self was present. For all the thousands of books out there ths shows how important a one to one discussion with a guide really is. I would never have believed this could be done in just over a week. Not that there is an "I" to believe. Or that anything has really happened. So perhaps the surprising thing is that it took so long :-)

So now it looks like I might be about to do something I said I'd never do, and join Facebook. But if awakening can happen in a week then I suppose anything is possible.

All the best for the future. Keep up the good work,
David

(And in case you're wondering, Hector's Ghost is the name of a band I played guitar for in the 90's)

[kvotski]

I never wondered. See how un-curious I have become. haha.

Run into you again I am sure.

Take care.