Looking for a guide

[IamaCloud]

Beautiful beautiful!

Continue today with alternating between this labeling sound/sight/feeling (including for thoughts) and periods of exploration of just sitting/laying/walking (everything else as it is by itself).

Write me how what is seen.

Hi Elad,

I have been a bit distracted with kids, short trip, work and now a massive toothache! I’ve been doing this on and off though and will keep it up.

[Elad]

🙏

[IamaCloud]

🙏

I find these exercises super hard to do with kids day after day. Suggestion? The constant noise level eventually has me kind of spiraling . 🫠

[Elad]

🙏

I find these exercises super hard to do with kids day after day. Suggestion? The constant noise level eventually has me kind of spiraling . 🫠

If you dont have space to inquire accept it and be kind with you until you do.

Meanwhile also:

1) take short moments during the day, just when it comes easy, of letting go for a split second of trying to achieve anything or understand anything. Its not supposed to feel any particular way. Write me if you feel like sharing experience from this or have questions.

2) Like (1) , short moments, just also look "what is experiencing this?" After asking no need for effort, just whatever happens happens. Like throwing a stone in a pond and the ripples move by themselves.

[IamaCloud]

🙏

I find these exercises super hard to do with kids day after day. Suggestion? The constant noise level eventually has me kind of spiraling . 🫠

If you dont have space to inquire accept it and be kind with you until you do.

Meanwhile also:

1) take short moments during the day, just when it comes easy, of letting go for a split second of trying to achieve anything or understand anything. Its not supposed to feel any particular way. Write me if you feel like sharing experience from this or have questions.

2) Like (1) , short moments, just also look "what is experiencing this?" After asking no need for effort, just whatever happens happens. Like throwing a stone in a pond and the ripples move by themselves.

I have had moments during the day as you describe, moments that feel very energetic. I usually notice that there is no one there. It then allows me to see that my body is responding to a thought I am creating to describe what is happening in my body. When I observe this, I just inquire what is there under that, and it is just a response, a sensation. It feels like if I see through it completely I might disappear. Hard to describe.

[Elad]

Reread your last post. Is there fear or resistance associated with what you write? If yes, how is it related with?

[IamaCloud]

Reread your last post. Is there fear or resistance associated with what you write? If yes, how is it related with?

Yes, maybe both fear and resistance. An impulse to understand what’s next so I can DO something even though I know that is not the way. Fear that I won’t be able to be relieved of the illusion. Thinking constantly creeps in. A fear I won’t be able to stop this mind function

[Elad]

You will not be able to change or stop anything, you don't exist, and nothing needs to be stopped or changed.

Read this many times and just see the reactions. They are not your choice and they are not you, there is no you.

Do it many times over the next day before responding.

[IamaCloud]

🙏

I find these exercises super hard to do with kids day after day. Suggestion? The constant noise level eventually has me kind of spiraling . 🫠

If you dont have space to inquire accept it and be kind with you until you do.

Meanwhile also:

1) take short moments during the day, just when it comes easy, of letting go for a split second of trying to achieve anything or understand anything. Its not supposed to feel any particular way. Write me if you feel like sharing experience from this or have questions.

2) Like (1) , short moments, just also look "what is experiencing this?" After asking no need for effort, just whatever happens happens. Like throwing a stone in a pond and the ripples move by themselves.

It is becoming more clear that self is an illusion. I am so triggered in moments that it just didn't compute that a reaction is a reaction, even ones that are taboo (raising my voice) or highly energetic. Judgement is insidious. Awareness is still there, neutral and all encompassing. Trying hard to feel rather than intellectualize. Dropping in a question during inquiry as you suggested.

[Elad]

That's great. Its normal that old beliefs have extra allure when we are in extra strong discomfort or distress. It doesn't make them more true. Continue and write again soon!

[IamaCloud]

That's great. Its normal that old beliefs have extra allure when we are in extra strong discomfort or distress. It doesn't make them more true. Continue and write again soon!

Would you say that the self is the illusion and once seen through everything is different? Or is it a constant deepening? Can the self resurface and deceive us in moments, requiring constant work? Or once gone, it is ans if everything has shifted?

[Elad]

I'll get back about that. Meanwhile, see this take you to the realm of beliefs and external validation. It would be best if you let go of expectations (for something stable or unstable) and focus 100% on here and now clarity. What I want you to focus on and answer me about is if it is 100% clear here and now that there is no self, no doer and controller? If not why not?

And remember if you answer by refering to your story about yourself across time, you inherently have assumed the illusion you are to question. You cannot see this through the thoughts/stories about how you are across time. Only through 100% focus on what is there and not there NOW.

Do this exercise also:

[Elad]

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?

[IamaCloud]

I'll get back about that. Meanwhile, see this take you to the realm of beliefs and external validation. It would be best if you let go of expectations (for something stable or unstable) and focus 100% on here and now clarity. What I want you to focus on and answer me about is if it is 100% clear here and now that there is no self, no doer and controller? If not why not?

And remember if you answer by refering to your story about yourself across time, you inherently have assumed the illusion you are to question. You cannot see this through the thoughts/stories about how you are across time. Only through 100% focus on what is there and not there NOW.

Do this exercise also:

No there is no doer and no controller. I think I have been listening to some things that have caused me to wonder if my experience is correct. And that has pulled me into identification. When I am absolutely here, there is just awareness. The sound of water from my sound machine, sensation of my inner ear (it has felt more 'open' recently? Like a barrier of some sort has been removed). There is also the sound of tinnitus being heard, it is very quiet aside from the sound machine. Sometime a reaction of the body, a random sensation. That really is all.

I have done this exercise in the past and had the same experience. No doer. My functional mind receives the instruction. My body seems to execute the instruction. It does not need managing. If I were to truly structure the exercise, I would have to outline intentionally specific instruction and this would just be a more thought based approach it seems versus my body just acting out the exercise. Either way, no doer there.

[Elad]

Yes!

Now stay complete focused in the now and look:

Is awareness separate from anything?
Is it noun as opposed to a verb, or it doesn't feel squarely in either?

All in all, is it in any way a separate self, or a word for a basic aspect of experience itself?