The Gate

Dear Kevin,

Thanks for your reaction.
Feel free to express “your “feelings, nothing personal.

At times it is truly felt - this morning when I first read this post, I / me was gone.

Good , things are still shifting…

There was a lot of nervousness while feeling this

…was there an “I “appearing...?, what made the nervousness so different from the no “I”state….maybe there is an expectation that when there is no “I” there shouldn’t be nervousness?

No true!!!!!

Nervousness Is , it comes and goes….feel it…where is it felt in the body…are there other emotions connected to it…what does it want to tell “you”….open your heart ..embrace it …the feeling is already there …breath through it …let it pass in its own tempo!!....

It may also have been an upcoming phone interview but there have been previous phone interviews. Then picking up kids, feeding them lunch, phone interview

Everything is an expression of the source, life expressing itself as phone interviews, picking up kids.... the modern versions of chopping wood and carrying water…

the "feeling" is gone, however there is still awareness and presence.

Good, they are always there…..

Sorry for the reaching, just very frustrated on not being able to break out of the hypnotic state despite what I hear, read, see or experience.

Frustration is like all other experiences, it comes and goes automatically.
There is nobody that is frustrated, look into the frustration…..where do you feel it in your body….what emotions are connected to this frustration….what does it want to tell “you”…open your heart for it…..frustration is also an expression of life…embrace it…breath through it.

Please do the monologue exercise and be aware of the thoughts, emotions, sounds they are all appearing in the now…in the open space…nothing personal…be aware of their coming and going.

Every exercise can give you that moment of clarity, so feel free to use every method, but be careful that it’s not just a distraction of the mind. Because getting what “you “are searching for can be more scary than keep on searching for it. The pitfall of hope…one day "I"'ll be....(fill it in)

Be careful with trying to find a different state than the state that “you” are in….all states will come and go, but that what “you” really are is untouched by it….. wanting a different state than the state that “we” are in is a also pitfall of the mind.

Use the mind to stay with what is, then it can be seen that everything happens automatically,nothing is permanent only that in what it appears…and that "we" cannot find because that is what "we" really are!.

Feel, open “your” heart to what is right now….it’s the only thing there is..

With love,

Ronald

Thanks Ronald,

Amazing pointers once again.

…was there an “I “appearing...?, what made the nervousness so different from the no “I”state….maybe there is an expectation that when there is no “I” there shouldn’t be nervousness?

There was "just nervousness" no "I" involved. Nervousness is still there a bit - also a mix of exhilaration. There is definitely a "lighter" feeling without the fictitious I thought.

Everything is an expression of the source, life expressing itself as phone interviews, picking up kids.... the modern versions of chopping wood and carrying water…

Great pointer - no "me" doing these things. Just tasks being done.

Frustration is like all other experiences, it comes and goes automatically.
There is nobody that is frustrated, look into the frustration…..where do you feel it in your body….what emotions are connected to this frustration….what does it want to tell “you”…open your heart for it…..frustration is also an expression of life…embrace it…breath through it.

More great pointers. I get it that all states and experiences are not permanent - only presence is permanent. When the frustration is "watched" closely, it goes away quickly.

Every exercise can give you that moment of clarity, so feel free to use every method, but be careful that it’s not just a distraction of the mind. Because getting what “you “are searching for can be more scary than keep on searching for it. The pitfall of hope…one day "I"'ll be....(fill it in)

Be careful with trying to find a different state than the state that “you” are in….all states will come and go, but that what “you” really are is untouched by it….. wanting a different state than the state that “we” are in is a also pitfall of the mind.
Use the mind to stay with what is, then it can be seen that everything happens automatically,nothing is permanent only that in what it appears…and that "we" cannot find because that is what "we" really are!.
Feel, open “your” heart to what is right now….it’s the only thing there is..

All practices are utilized to undo the hypnotic state and clearly see that there is no separate "I". Focusing on what surrounds the thoughts rather than focusing on the thoughts themselves seems to help. Not trying to find another state or change the state - but find my "true existing state/ natural state". Trying to continuously see behind the clouds so to speak.

Thanks and peace to you Ronald

Peace

Kevin

Dear Kevin,

I can feel the exhilaration and the lightness in your answer :-)

It’s the opening of the heart, it is very important to feel what is happening in the moment, so there can be a deep connection with what is, whatever it is, and the truth /source can be sensed in everything. The mind has it preferences because it’s task is to protect an illusional “I “ , but the heart knows already what the truth is.
No more fighting with what is…..but loving what is!

I get it that all states and experiences are not permanent - only presence is permanent.

Impermanence is basis of all states.
Presence as the deep sense of AIM is always there and the awareness that’s comes with it.

When the frustration is "watched" closely, it goes away quickly.

Yes, when there is no fear for what is appearing, when it’s watched, invited, embraced then it melts away. And when the looking is deep enough, love and protecting will be seen in everything that appears and even deeper emptiness/stillness as the source is notable.

All practices are utilized to undo the hypnotic state and clearly see that there is no separate "I". Focusing on what surrounds the thoughts rather than focusing on the thoughts themselves seems to help

.

Yes, especially the content of thoughts are very boring because they go all back to one thing fear……fear of not surviving of an illusion.
If you want to know if the body is in danger, the only place to look is in the now,the only
place where action can take place ,and it happens automatically, is in the now..what will happen in the future…Que Sera…!

Not trying to find another state or change the state - but find my "true existing state/ natural state". Trying to continuously see behind the clouds so to speak.

Yes,so important and so liberating.. being with what is, resting in being.

Great, Kevin!

Follow the unfolding of the liberation process , states being born and dying....

Use the tools when they are needed...

Hope to hear from you,

Ronald

Hi Ronald,

The unfolding continues - lots of challenges to face/accept. My son was hit by a car yesterday and we spent the night in the hospital. He's OK but pretty banged up. Lots of emotions to accept.

Hope you're doing well.

Peace

Kevin

Dear Kevin,

I’m so sorry to hear that your son was hit by a car and very grateful that he is OK.
I wish you and your family all the strength that you need.
Please write me about whatever you feel is right in this situation.

With love,

Ronald

Hi Ronald,

Don't really know what to write or say. Lucky that my son wasn't seriously hurt, unlucky that he was hurt and worried that he will get hurt worse at some point due to his mental disorder. I guess these are just the cards that life has dealt me - it could be worse - it could be better. Just life playing itself out and doing what needs to be done.

Hope all is well.

Peace

Kevin

Dear Kevin,

Just life playing itself out...

How does that make you feel?

Please write about the fear, anger, quilt, sadness, helplessness… gratefulness, relief, love or other feelings that came up.

Was there a place for these feelings, could you embrace them…let them be there and pas in their own tempo?

With love,

Ronald

Hi Ronald,

There are a lot of "feelings" with everything that has been going on. Anger, fear, desperation, confusion and helplessness. Helplessness seems to be the predominant feeling - there doesn't seem to be anything that can be done about keeping my son safe/mentally stable and finding employment seems to be out of my hands. The feelings/emotions can be observed, but some times they become so strong that they take over - or block the view of who I am. There's confusion and apprehension about dropping the mind - it brings a feeling of "giving up" and "not doing enough". It seems easier to see that there is no "I" when there are no challenges or distractions. It's no wonder that people would isolate themselves in solitude to gain the understanding that there is no "I". There's a thought that all this "trying to discover who I am" is nonsense or at least futile and align back with the mind to take control of life and situations.

Hope this helps.

Peace

Kevin

Forgot to mention that it is easily seen that these emotions/feelings come and go. They seem to pass by faster when they are observed.

Hi Kevin,

There are a lot of "feelings" with everything that has been going on. Anger, fear, desperation, confusion and helplessness.

Like the story of the crying zen teacher….illusions can be beautiful or awefull and the body reacts on it.

Helplessness seems to be the predominant feeling - there doesn't seem to be anything that can be done about keeping my son safe/mentally stable and finding employment seems to be out of my hands.

Helplessness is the basis of the mind’s conditioning, for the mind helplessness is the last station before death……that’s why it feels so bad….but when we really open up to helplessness…feel it..ask it why it’s there…embrace it… and open our heart to it… breathe through it……then we can discover the truth!

Helplessness it the key!

Dare to be helplessness and discover who is taking care and has always been taken care and will always take care of you…of us….

It seems easier to see that there is no "I" when there are no challenges or distractions. It's no wonder that people would isolate themselves in solitude to gain the understanding that there is no "I".

Take some time alone (30)min, do a dialogue with helplessness.

Use 2 chairs or meditation pillows opposite each other.

One chair is for the Now, the other chair is for helplessness.

You start on the Now chair, follow your breath, use your senses, just relax and be.

Then ask the question: Dear Helplessness, please tell me everything about you…?

Then you move to the other chair, be helplessness, let it talk (through your mouth),
let it express itself (through your body).

After a while you feel that the helpless-energy fades away, then you move back to the
Now chair…..feel it..open your heart…open your senses.

When the helplessness-energy returns.(It normally does, notice upcoming, thoughts or feelings)..then move again to the helplessness chair …let it talk , feel, express…

When the helplessness-energy fades away…go to the Now chair… and just BE….

Repeat the sequence or finish by saying: “ Thank you helplessness I’ve heard you, I understand you, I thank for your love….I love you to.

With love and respect,

Ronald

Thanks Ronald.

I just tried the exercise. Today, I felt much less "helpless" even before the exercise - proof that emotions - like thoughts come and go. I just received a call that I was too experienced for a position but the company was keeping me on "warm" status. Maybe the feeling of "helplessness" will come on strong again once it sinks in. The exercise did bring a "lighter feeling".

Peace

Kevin

Dear Kevin,

I just tried the exercise. Today, I felt much less "helpless" even before the exercise - proof that emotions - like thoughts come and go.

Yes, emotions and thoughts come and go in their own tempo, depending on the conditions.

There is no “I”, no doer…..everything is just happening…life…life-ing
When you find a separate “I”, can you describe it to me?

Maybe the feeling of "helplessness’ will come on strong again once it sinks in.

Invite every feeling as a friend, do the dialogue and things will become clearer.

Did “you” experience the difference between the two chairs ?
The chair of the here and now:
Acceptance, Compassion, Love, Oneness, Wisdom, Truth……
The chair of the conditioned mind:
Fear, Separation, Thinking, Tension, Emotions, Stories, Illusion, Memory….

The exercise did bring a "lighter feeling".

Good, keep observing, did “you” experience different feelings in “your” body sitting on those two chairs?
If you did ,it can help you to notice on what “chair“ you are during the day, and even observing this will dissolve the illusion and “you” will be back where “you” never left.

Taste the moment, “you” are already free !

All the best,
Peace,
Ronald

Hi Ronald,

Here are some answers/comments relating to your questions below:

There is no “I”, no doer…..everything is just happening…life…life-ing
When you find a separate “I”, can you describe it to me?

No "I" can be found - only a false belief in one.

Did “you” experience the difference between the two chairs ?

Yes, the differences are also noticed through out the day. It almost seems like two different stances but with closer inspection, it can be seen that it is all one.

Good, keep observing, did “you” experience different feelings in “your” body sitting on those two chairs?
If you did ,it can help you to notice on what “chair“ you are during the day, and even observing this will dissolve the illusion and “you” will be back where “you” never left.

It definitely helped with noticing what chair I was in throughout the day and helped to notice the clear space/ true identity although it is still very hard to remain in it, trust it and believe in it.

Peace

Kevin

Dear Kevin,

No "I" can be found - only a false belief in one.

Good, no “I”….
Can you describe to me what “you” experience/what “you” are thinking….. when the “only a false believe in one” is activated?

Yes, the differences are also noticed through out the day. It almost seems like two different stances but with closer inspection, it can be seen that it is all one.

Yes they are One, but only one of the two is real because "you" can check it with "your" senses in reality, the other is not real, although it seems real.
The same as a mirage in the desert, it seems real but it isn’t. The mirage appears in the real world. When you arrive at the place where you expected the mirage, there is no water and no shade, your mind was tricked, just the pure reality of desert sand and sun.
There seems to be an “I “and we are conditioned to believe that there is a separate “I”, but this is an idea and the “I “only seems to exist when there are thoughts appearing with the content “there is a separate “I”..

It definitely helped with noticing what chair I was in throughout the day and helped to notice the clear space/ true identity..

Very good and noticing happens also automatically, this is how the mind de- and reprograms itself!

although it is still very hard to remain in it, trust it and believe in it.

There is nobody who can do anything, there is just awareness of the fact that conditioning has taken over( for a while), triggered consciously or subconsciously by something or someone.
As there is awareness of the temperature, sounds, thoughts and feelings...the “I “thought is just one of the things/fantasies that pop up during the day, just like the belief (thought) in it, nothing special, happens all the time,till awareness of reality is back again….

....trust it and believe in it.

Clear space doesn't disappear when there "you"don't trust it or don't believe in it.
Clear space is and expresses itself as every form, also the thoughts of no trust and no believe.

Don't look form something else than what you are experiencing...this is it !!!

Do the dialogue with trust and belief ….listen to “them” from the clear space…..
What is it “they“ want to do for "you", what do “they “want to protect “you” from?


Peace

Ronald

Hi Ronald,

Below are my responses to your questions:

Good, no “I”….Can you describe to me what “you” experience/what “you” are thinking….. when the “only a false believe in one” is activated?

This is a tough one since the "false belief" is how life has been experienced for the last forty something years. When the false belief is activated, there "seems to be" only thought(s) and perception(s). There is little or no space around the thought(s). Thoughts and things are taken personally and seriously. There is a "confinement" to thoughts, feelings and emotions and there is sense of "ownership" of them and identification with them. There is also a strong sense of separateness.

Yes they are One, but only one of the two is real because "you" can check it with "your" senses in reality, the other is not real, although it seems real.
The same as a mirage in the desert, it seems real but it isn’t. The mirage appears in the real world. When you arrive at the place where you expected the mirage, there is no water and no shade, your mind was tricked, just the pure reality of desert sand and sun.
There seems to be an “I “and we are conditioned to believe that there is a separate “I”, but this is an idea and the “I “only seems to exist when there are thoughts appearing with the content “there is a separate “I”..

This is understood and "starting" to be realized. Not sure if this is another mind trick but the realization of the mirage feels a lot closer. This seems to take thorough investigation in order to be totally convinced and the realization to happen.

the “I “thought is just one of the things/fantasies that pop up during the day, just like the belief (thought) in it, nothing special, happens all the time,till awareness of reality is back again….

Understood - it must be realized that the above is a mirage or energy just passing by.

Clear space doesn't disappear when there "you"don't trust it or don't believe in it.
Clear space is and expresses itself as every form, also the thoughts of no trust and no believe.

The clear space doesn't disappear, but does it (at times) go "unnoticed"?

What is it “they“ want to do for "you", what do “they “want to protect “you” from?

"They" want to protect you from more/worse bad thoughts and feelings. They want to protect against future bad experiences.

One odd question: there is someone who is continuously and extremely verbally abusive - the continuous verbal onslaught is no longer taken too personally - it's just the person's way of communicating and most likely reacting to their own fictitious demons. There have been teachers who have stated that this type of situation may actually help bringing on the realization of one's true identity. Any tips/suggestions on dealing with this or utilizing it for the positive?

Thanks again Ronald and have a great weekend.

Peace

Kevin