Stuck in memory

[Anastacia42]

Hi,

"Red" colour is experienced as thought/concept. "Green" is experienced as a thought/concept."

Red is actually seen. You went a little too far.

The point is that you see red, but not green.

Can you see that?

Loving,

[Cedarwood]

Red is actually seen. You went a little too far.

The point is that you see red, but not green.

Can you see that?

Oh yes, I see the point here. The red colour is whats in actual experience. The Green label is not. I went too far.

Thanks again.

[Anastacia42]

Okay, here's another aspect:

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

[Cedarwood]

How is the movement controlled?

I clearly see the that there is no controller here. No thought required. But I kept looking because there is something there. It was really elusive. It's a bit of a dynamic mix of attention, impulse and/or a bit of curiosity?

Does a thought control it?

No it does not.

Can a ‘controller’ of any description be located?

No.

How is the decision made to turn the hand over?

It just happens, theres no deciding.

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

Attention just moved to the right hand

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

No. I also can't locate where the impulse or curiosity is originated from either. Theres no suggestions outside of the hand itself is the closest I could get.

Much appreciated

[Anastacia42]

Yes, exactly right. How does it FEEL to see this?


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,

[Cedarwood]

How does it FEEL to see this?

Very similar to the exercise labelling experience with the prefix "I" and without "I". Also intertwined with the experience of the truth/lie. Just seeing how unnecessary that thought is, how redundant to experience, it feels cleaner and expansive.

What about the content of thoughts, what they describe?

"im looking at a pink apple" - ie; label pink / label apple & theres an "I" looking at it.

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

Only a colour/image and a thought labelling "apple". "Apple" is not in direct experience of the image colour/sensation etc.

Can ‘apple’ be found in actual experience?

No

However, is an apple actually known?

There is nothing in direct experience of the senses of sight, sensation, sound, smell or taste that is found to have "apple" included and could be experienced in the senses previously listed. Only in thought does this label appear and the experience of that thought does not actually change or affect actual experience at all.

[Anastacia42]

All true.

However, is an apple actually known?
There is nothing in direct experience of the senses of sight, sensation, sound, smell or taste that is found to have "apple" included and could be experienced in the senses previously listed. Only in thought does this label appear and the experience of that thought does not actually change or affect actual experience at all.

Too much thinking.

Did you notice that this is a yes or no question? "No" is enough of an answer.

Loving

[Cedarwood]

Did you notice that this is a yes or no question?

No. Understood.

[Anastacia42]

Next:

This is the only pointer Ilona gave me when I was guided here. i practiced this for about 3 months. I call it:

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.

Loving,

[Cedarwood]

Is there any clear dividing line between them?

No

Or only the Sensation with no clear division?

Only sensation

Appreciate your guidance

[Anastacia42]

Excellent

Please continue to practice ButtChair &report here even if it's always the same. It's a meditation. It opens you to seeing there is no self

This is likely to happen when you are not practicing.

It is not difficult. It is not mysterious. In actual fact there is NOTHING THERE.

The *idea* of "self" is a lie feeling of contraction plus the lie thought of a "self." That's it.


"Enlightenment is an accident. Meditation makes us accident prone."

Sunryu Suzuki

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.

Just LOOK

Much love

[Cedarwood]

Please continue to practice ButtChair &report here even if it's always the same

Hi Stacy

Ive been practicing butt chair when I can in daily life like driving etc. During meditation just now I tried to go directly to the sensation itself with eyes closed. Looking for boundaries, I started to explore the weight of the body and the support of the surface. I tried to find the specific point of gravity where my body pushes down and the surface holds the body. Then I dropped that thought and tried to go deeper into that sensation itself. It was very fascinating. Ive noticed in touch that theres not really any sensation of hand + texture. It's just that texture or sensation. Same thing with the other senses.

[Anastacia42]

Good. Still no dividing line. You can try this pointer below.


Introductory Body Exercise

Sit with eyes closed for about 15 minutes. Paying attention only to the pure sensations, without relying on thoughts or mental images:

Can it be known how tall the body is? Does the body have a weight or volume? In the actual experience does the body have a shape or a form?

Is there a boundary between the body and the clothing? Is there a boundary between the body and the chair?

Is there an inside or an outside? If there is an inside - the inside of what exactly? If there is an outside - the outside of what exactly?

What does the word/label ‘body’ ACTUALLY refer to? What is the ACTUAL experience of the body?

Look very carefully, especially with the last question. Take your time, don’t rush. You can look several times during the day while doing other things (like washing hands, showering, having a short break from work, walking, etc) before replying.
.
Loving,

[Cedarwood]

Hi Stacy

Apologies for my late response. I had a very intense experience yesterday and I am still feeling a shift. However sitting in some sort of anxiety I can't explain. All I want to do is just stare out the window and I did so for hours yesterday. I couldn't properly read and really retain anything. Everything is just sensation. Attention moves, no thought required. I will sit here and feel and get back to you.

I appreciate your devotion

[Anastacia42]

You are welcome. That sounds great.

No rush!

There is a Direct Looking process for fear.

https://youtu.be/jKX1llYtlKE?si=jHXuuyyVtp7c-1R2

And this one:

https://youtu.be/fSTT8nc8cvQ?si=Alcukpbi7SUlXpfi


Loving