Emily Thread - Please, Need a Guide

[Sarah7]

Hi Emily

What can thought 'Know'? Anything?

NO, I'm certain that thought cannot KNOW anything at all.

Look about you. Can a thought know water other than to label it? Test this! Is the label of water actually water? Can thought ‘do’ anything other than label? And what is that label actually based on?

Still working with this...but my heart is telling me that "watching" and "allowing" are what let the underlying peace in every situation shine forth, regardless of seeming circumstance.

Is allowing controlled? How? By what or whom?

There has been a lightness that I've not felt in a long while, a lessening of exhaustion, and a little giddiness as well, for about two-to-three days. (Last evening and today were a bit more challenging and there was a feeling of unconsciously slipping back somewhat into old patterns/entertaining doubts - but not entirely.) Something is afoot! :-)

What stays the same? What is permanent?

What describes this ‘feeling’ as slipping back?

Have you ever noticed sometimes that you arrive at a destination and don't really recall actually making the journey? It was as if the body was just doing its thing, driving just happened. It was as if the body was just doing its thing, driving just happened. It is only afterwards that the mind grabs hold of the experience and states 'I was driving the car' or, if questioned whilst driving (a present continuous activity), it would say 'I am driving the car'.
Whether your mind is totally concentrating on each gear shift that 'I' make, each look in the rear view mirror that 'I' makes, each twist of the steering wheel . . . or the entire journey is done automatically, the same result is achieved. Similarly when doing household tasks. Whether mind is involved or not, the task still gets accomplished.

Have a look as you move around in your normal activities, check and see if you can find a self moving the body around. Walking, eating, typing, dressing yourself, etc. Is there a WHO living your life? Or are there just thoughts about everything, including a self, seeming to live your life? Just look at the evidence. In your daily life, in all your actions, keep returning to this focus on the thoughts as you move around. Keep checking if there is something real, besides a thought that owns and directs the body.
Hugs Sarah xxx

[Emily]

Look about you. Can a thought know water other than to label it? Test this! Is the label of water actually water? Can thought ‘do’ anything other than label? And what is that label actually based on?

No, a thought definitely cannot "know" water other than to label it, and no label actually is what it represents. No, thought cannot do anything other than label. As to what a label is based on... It's just cultural conditioning, education, learning from others from an early age. So apparently thoughts have no "power" to know or do anything, and the labels are arbitrary, based upon nothing but momentary perception followed conditioned thoughts/judgments...

Is allowing controlled? How? By what or whom?

No, allowing is not controlled, it either happens or does not happen, so it can't be controlled by anyone or anything... This is good to SEE, because it is easy to believe that the "self" has to "do" allowing, but I see that it cannot be "done" by anyone.

What stays the same? What is permanent?

It is that subtle, background sense of simple existence - being - that always stays the same, that is permanent, regardless of the many apparent changes in daily life.

What describes this ‘feeling’ as slipping back?

Ahhh, it's the I-thought again, coming in and making or continuing a story!

Have you ever noticed sometimes that you arrive at a destination and don't really recall actually making the journey? It was as if the body was just doing its thing, driving just happened. It is only afterwards that the mind grabs hold of the experience and states 'I was driving the car' or, if questioned whilst driving (a present continuous activity), it would say 'I am driving the car'.

Yes, definitely, I see many things happening on a daily basis that are automatic in the way you described.

Have a look as you move around in your normal activities, check and see if you can find a self moving the body around. Walking, eating, typing, dressing yourself, etc. Is there a WHO living your life? Or are there just thoughts about everything, including a self, seeming to live your life? Just look at the evidence. In your daily life, in all your actions, keep returning to this focus on the thoughts as you move around. Keep checking if there is something real, besides a thought that owns and directs the body.

No there really is no WHO living my life, just LIFE being lived...and thoughts about everything, thoughts about anything and everything, yes, including the idea of a "self" that seems to live my life. I am doing as you suggested, and I do see that it's all just thoughts and more thoughts, supporting the illusion of a self, and the illusion of control and choice...

Thank you, Sarah. Looking deeply...Your time and efforts are greatly appreciated.

Big Hug,
Emily

[Sarah7]

Hi Emily
Your very welcome!

No, allowing is not controlled, it either happens or does not happen, so it can't be controlled by anyone or anything... This is good to SEE, because it is easy to believe that the "self" has to "do" allowing, but I see that it cannot be "done" by anyone.

This is clear for you now?

It is that subtle, background sense of simple existence - being - that always stays the same, that is permanent, regardless of the many apparent changes in daily life.

Regardless of what is appearing or happening – is this there?

Ahhh, it's the I-thought again, coming in and making or continuing a story!

LOL. And this is seen?

No there really is no WHO living my life, just LIFE being lived...and thoughts about everything, thoughts about anything and everything, yes, including the idea of a "self" that seems to live my life. I am doing as you suggested, and I do see that it's all just thoughts and more thoughts, supporting the illusion of a self, and the illusion of control and choice...

And if thoughts carry on as they have – is there anything wrong with that? Or anything that wants them to stop? Are thoughts also part of what is regardless of what they say?

Just want to have a quick look at sensory experience. Lets start with seeing.

Describe the experience of seeing step-by-step. In seeing, what is being experienced? What is happening when "seeing" is happening? What is doing the seeing? What is being seen? What does "seeing" consists of? Go into detail. Describe the actual, direct experience of seeing.
Gaze at an object. Turn up that inner magnifying glass to observe what's happening in direct experience. Do you first perceive the object using some other sense, and then see it later? Can you find a dividing line between the object and the seeing of it? Or are the object and the seeing of it inseparable? Is there an entity called "you" experiencing the seeing? Can you find a dividing line between "you" and seeing? Is it an accurate description of direct experience? Are there really three entities there in direct experience, an "I" and seer and an object? Or is there only seeing? What do you see about the thought, "I'm seeing that object"?
Try it with various sights e.g. out of the window at a distant view. See if you can find a way to separate the object from the seeing and the seeing from the seer. Where does one start and the other end?
Hugs Sarah xxx

[Emily]

Hi Sarah,

Happy Weekend!!!

Emily wrote:
No, allowing is not controlled, it either happens or does not happen, so it can't be controlled by anyone or anything... This is good to SEE, because it is easy to believe that the "self" has to "do" allowing, but I see that it cannot be "done" by anyone.

This is clear for you now?

Yes, this is clear now, allowing just happens, no one is doing anything.

Emily wrote:
It is that subtle, background sense of simple existence - being - that always stays the same, that is permanent, regardless of the many apparent changes in daily life.

Regardless of what is appearing or happening – is this there?

Yes, that subtle sense of existence is always there - sometimes temporarily obscured by thought - but always there, always available to be noticed.

Emily wrote:
Ahhh, it's the I-thought again, coming in and making or continuing a story!

LOL. And this is seen?

Yes, it is seen now that the I-thought is an awfully devoted storyteller!!! And, that's OK.

Emily wrote:
No there really is no WHO living my life, just LIFE being lived...and thoughts about everything, thoughts about anything and everything, yes, including the idea of a "self" that seems to live my life. I am doing as you suggested, and I do see that it's all just thoughts and more thoughts, supporting the illusion of a self, and the illusion of control and choice...

And if thoughts carry on as they have – is there anything wrong with that? Or anything that wants them to stop? Are thoughts also part of what is regardless of what they say?

No, nothing wrong with these thoughts carrying on, they just DO. "I" used to want them to stop, but now I see that the idea of stopping the thoughts is just another storyline/thought, and that there is no need to "do" anything with the thoughts, but just let them be what they are...nothing. No need to assign a huge "significance" to any of these thoughts anymore. :-) YES, thoughts are also part of what is, regardless of their content.

Just want to have a quick look at sensory experience. Lets start with seeing.

Describe the experience of seeing step-by-step. In seeing, what is being experienced? What is happening when "seeing" is happening? What is doing the seeing? What is being seen? What does "seeing" consists of? Go into detail. Describe the actual, direct experience of seeing.

Gaze at an object. Turn up that inner magnifying glass to observe what's happening in direct experience. Do you first perceive the object using some other sense, and then see it later? Can you find a dividing line between the object and the seeing of it? Or are the object and the seeing of it inseparable? Is there an entity called "you" experiencing the seeing? Can you find a dividing line between "you" and seeing? Is it an accurate description of direct experience? Are there really three entities there in direct experience, an "I" and seer and an object? Or is there only seeing? What do you see about the thought, "I'm seeing that object"?
Try it with various sights e.g. out of the window at a distant view. See if you can find a way to separate the object from the seeing and the seeing from the seer. Where does one start and the other end?

I'm not aware of any other sense that precedes the seeing... No, a dividing line between the object and the seeing of it cannot be found. In looking, the object and the seeing of it do appear to be inseparable. No, since "I/me" is a thought, and not a separate entity, "I" cannot actually be seeing anything, nor can there be a dividing line between "me" and seeing...in direct experience, there is only seeing. With the thought "I'm seeing that object" I see only a linguistic method of expressing SEEING from the human vantage point. I cannot actually find any separations - just seeing.

My brain just stalled. That's probably a good thing. ;-)

xoxoxo,

Emily

[Sarah7]

Hi Emily

I'm not aware of any other sense that precedes the seeing... No, a dividing line between the object and the seeing of it cannot be found. In looking, the object and the seeing of it do appear to be inseparable. No, since "I/me" is a thought, and not a separate entity, "I" cannot actually be seeing anything, nor can there be a dividing line between "me" and seeing...in direct experience, there is only seeing. With the thought "I'm seeing that object" I see only a linguistic method of expressing SEEING from the human vantage point. I cannot actually find any separations - just seeing. My brain just stalled. That's probably a good thing. ;-)

LOL! OK – keep testing this. Let it settle.

Then try it with hearing. Notice the sounds you’re hearing, like the chirping of the birds. Notice the habitual thought, "Those are birds." Notice the habitual thought, "I hear that." Now just pay attention to how hearing happens. Take your time with it. Can you find a dividing line between the sound and the hearing of the sound? Are you doing the hearing? Or is it truer to say that hearing is just happening? Then look to see whether there's a dividing line between the hearing of it and a separate entity, a "you," doing the hearing. In other words, what does it mean when you say, "I'm hearing that sound"? Are there really three entities there in direct experience, an "I" and hearing and a sound? Or is there just one experience of hearing, with no one as a hearer. Look closely. Try it with various sounds. See if you can find a way to separate the sound from the hearing and the hearing from the hearer. Where does one start and the other end? So what do you see about the thought, "I'm hearing that sound"? Is it an accurate description of direct experience? What is a noise? Is that a label also? Is the sound there? Can you really know? Can you catch the labelling – ‘I’ hear that?
Hugs Sarah xxx

[Emily]

Emily wrote:
I'm not aware of any other sense that precedes the seeing... No, a dividing line between the object and the seeing of it cannot be found. In looking, the object and the seeing of it do appear to be inseparable. No, since "I/me" is a thought, and not a separate entity, "I" cannot actually be seeing anything, nor can there be a dividing line between "me" and seeing...in direct experience, there is only seeing. With the thought "I'm seeing that object" I see only a linguistic method of expressing SEEING from the human vantage point. I cannot actually find any separations - just seeing. My brain just stalled. That's probably a good thing. ;-)

LOL! OK – keep testing this. Let it settle.

Then try it with hearing. Notice the sounds you’re hearing, like the chirping of the birds. Notice the habitual thought, "Those are birds." Notice the habitual thought, "I hear that." Now just pay attention to how hearing happens. Take your time with it. Can you find a dividing line between the sound and the hearing of the sound? Are you doing the hearing? Or is it truer to say that hearing is just happening? Then look to see whether there's a dividing line between the hearing of it and a separate entity, a "you," doing the hearing. In other words, what does it mean when you say, "I'm hearing that sound"? Are there really three entities there in direct experience, an "I" and hearing and a sound? Or is there just one experience of hearing, with no one as a hearer. Look closely. Try it with various sounds. See if you can find a way to separate the sound from the hearing and the hearing from the hearer. Where does one start and the other end? So what do you see about the thought, "I'm hearing that sound"? Is it an accurate description of direct experience? What is a noise? Is that a label also? Is the sound there? Can you really know? Can you catch the labelling – ‘I’ hear that?

So sorry, total confusion right now...don't know if I'm seeing or thinking...I just don't trust what is coming up as direct seeing or hearing or just "thinking" about things. HELP!

Emily

[Emily]

Me Again, same day...

Then try it with hearing. Notice the sounds you’re hearing, like the chirping of the birds. Notice the habitual thought, "Those are birds." Notice the habitual thought, "I hear that." Now just pay attention to how hearing happens. Take your time with it. Can you find a dividing line between the sound and the hearing of the sound? Are you doing the hearing? Or is it truer to say that hearing is just happening? Then look to see whether there's a dividing line between the hearing of it and a separate entity, a "you," doing the hearing. In other words, what does it mean when you say, "I'm hearing that sound"? Are there really three entities there in direct experience, an "I" and hearing and a sound? Or is there just one experience of hearing, with no one as a hearer. Look closely. Try it with various sounds. See if you can find a way to separate the sound from the hearing and the hearing from the hearer. Where does one start and the other end? So what do you see about the thought, "I'm hearing that sound"? Is it an accurate description of direct experience? What is a noise? Is that a label also? Is the sound there? Can you really know? Can you catch the labelling – ‘I’ hear that?

So sorry, total confusion right now...don't know if I'm seeing or thinking...I just don't trust what is coming up as direct seeing or hearing or just "thinking" about things. HELP!

OK, I'm trying to post again, much later in the day/evening...

I'm not finding any dividing lines anywhere with seeing or hearing, and not finding three entities involved in direct experience - just the hearing and seeing. I can't find any way to separate out the various components that you mentioned. I can only determine that it is all one thing - hearing/seeing happening only. So, "I'm hearing that sound" is not an accurate description of the direct experience. I'm not even sure that there IS any actual external "sound" or external "object" involved with hearing and seeing...

(And yes, "noise" would be another label, just as we slap labels on everything we think we see.)

Then of course, I was thinking about the fact that there can be a loud sound right beside me that isn't even HEARD if the mind is very focused and busy with something else...

I feel that I'm missing something here - hence the feelings of confusion in relation to these questions. I just sort of froze up mentally. :-(

Stroppy Emily

[Sarah7]

Hey Stroppy Emily!

I'm not finding any dividing lines anywhere with seeing or hearing, and not finding three entities involved in direct experience - just the hearing and seeing. I can't find any way to separate out the various components that you mentioned. I can only determine that it is all one thing - hearing/seeing happening only. So, "I'm hearing that sound" is not an accurate description of the direct experience. I'm not even sure that there IS any actual external "sound" or external "object" involved with hearing and seeing... (And yes, "noise" would be another label, just as we slap labels on everything we think we see.)

Lovely noticings!

Then of course, I was thinking about the fact that there can be a loud sound right beside me that isn't even HEARD if the mind is very focused and busy with something else...

Is loud a label too? If not heard – then what? Is it there in direct experience? Can you experience something you don’t experience?

I feel that I'm missing something here - hence the feelings of confusion in relation to these questions. I just sort of froze up mentally. :-(

Is this thought stories? Is thought throwing a wobbly (another Yorkshire word for having a temper tantrum!) because it wants to understand? Don’t know how old you are Emily – but thoughts have led the show for that amount of time – they are not going to go quietly! Onion peeling – layer by layer! Question everything – including me! Never take mine or anyone elses word for anything – Verify yourself! OK.
OK – so does hearing and seeing happen regardless of what is happening or what is being thought about or where attention is?

Take some time. Have a quiet sit. Just 'be' with hearing and seeing – and good old thoughts if they put in a show! LOL.
Please let me know if fear, stress or another strong emotion etc show up.
Big hugs Sarah xxx

[Emily]

Hi Sarah,

Emily wrote:
Then of course, I was thinking about the fact that there can be a loud sound right beside me that isn't even HEARD if the mind is very focused and busy with something else...

Is loud a label too? If not heard – then what? Is it there in direct experience? Can you experience something you don’t experience?

Yes, "loud" is definitely a label, and if there is no hearing, then it can't be direct experience. No, I can't see how I could experience something that I'm not experiencing.

Emily wrote:
I feel that I'm missing something here - hence the feelings of confusion in relation to these questions. I just sort of froze up mentally. :-(

Is this thought stories? Is thought throwing a wobbly (another Yorkshire word for having a temper tantrum!) because it wants to understand? Don’t know how old you are Emily – but thoughts have led the show for that amount of time – they are not going to go quietly! Onion peeling – layer by layer! Question everything – including me! Never take mine or anyone elses word for anything – Verify yourself! OK.

Yes, this was thought stories, throwing a very big wobbly. (Love those Yorkshire words!) Yes, there was serious effort/desire to "understand," and the lack of understanding led to frustration and confusion. Nice and wobbly. (Thoughts have definitely led the show for almost 57 years, and they are certainly NOT going quietly. But, I thank you for pointing that (and many other things) out, and for being willing to keep peeling the onion.)

OK – so does hearing and seeing happen regardless of what is happening or what is being thought about or where attention is?

Huh, actually, all I can say from direct experience, is that, in any moment, there may be seeing/hearing, and in the next moment, there may not be seeing/hearing being NOTICED, but I can't tell if seeing/hearing is always happening regardless of the noticing. Not sure how to get clarity on this....

xoxoxo,

Emily

[Sarah7]

Hi Emily

Yes, this was thought stories, throwing a very big wobbly. (Love those Yorkshire words!) Yes, there was serious effort/desire to "understand," and the lack of understanding led to frustration and confusion. Nice and wobbly. (Thoughts have definitely led the show for almost 57 years, and they are certainly NOT going quietly. But, I thank you for pointing that (and many other things) out, and for being willing to keep peeling the onion.)

And outside of thought – what needs to be peeled and what needs to understand? Anything? Nothing?

Huh, actually, all I can say from direct experience, is that, in any moment, there may be seeing/hearing, and in the next moment, there may not be seeing/hearing being NOTICED, but I can't tell if seeing/hearing is always happening regardless of the noticing. Not sure how to get clarity on this....

Well as you go on through your day – is hearing happening regardless of noticing it? And seeing also? Is there a director of seeing and hearing – or are they happening effortlessly?

What about taste, touch and smell – can you find any separation there? You have the exercises now – have a little play!
Hugs Sarah xxx

[Emily]

Hello Sarah,

Emily wrote:
Yes, this was thought stories, throwing a very big wobbly. (Love those Yorkshire words!) Yes, there was serious effort/desire to "understand," and the lack of understanding led to frustration and confusion. Nice and wobbly. (Thoughts have definitely led the show for almost 57 years, and they are certainly NOT going quietly. But, I thank you for pointing that (and many other things) out, and for being willing to keep peeling the onion.)

And outside of thought – what needs to be peeled and what needs to understand? Anything? Nothing?

You're right, of course, all the peeling/need for understanding has to do with THOUGHT, once again. Nothing actually needs to happen, except what is already happening. Nothing needs to understand.

Emily wrote:
Huh, actually, all I can say from direct experience, is that, in any moment, there may be seeing/hearing, and in the next moment, there may not be seeing/hearing being NOTICED, but I can't tell if seeing/hearing is always happening regardless of the noticing. Not sure how to get clarity on this....

Well as you go on through your day – is hearing happening regardless of noticing it? And seeing also? Is there a director of seeing and hearing – or are they happening effortlessly?

What about taste, touch and smell – can you find any separation there? You have the exercises now – have a little play!

Ahhhh. I see that hearing/seeing/tasting/touching/smelling have no director, no separations to be found, and do happen regardless of noticing, regardless of thoughts seeming to obscure them at times. All is happening effortlessly.

:-)

Hugs,

Emily

[Sarah7]

Hi Emily

Ahhhh. I see that hearing/seeing/tasting/touching/smelling have no director, no separations to be found, and do happen regardless of noticing, regardless of thoughts seeming to obscure them at times. All is happening effortlessly.

So then Emily is separation felt anywhere else? What about others? What is the difference between looking at an object or looking at others? How about when interaction happens?
Are there any questions you have specifically? Any areas you would like to look at?
Hugs Sarah xxx

[Emily]

Hi Sarah,

Emily wrote:
Ahhhh. I see that hearing/seeing/tasting/touching/smelling have no director, no separations to be found, and do happen regardless of noticing, regardless of thoughts seeming to obscure them at times. All is happening effortlessly.

So then Emily is separation felt anywhere else? What about others? What is the difference between looking at an object or looking at others? How about when interaction happens?
Are there any questions you have specifically? Any areas you would like to look at?

Here is "my" current situation: I do see the things we've talked about, but I'm not FEELING them, or as if there has been any genuine understanding. It all still seems to be "in the head," and I have to stop and remember the things we've discussed, rather than having anything naturally FEEL clear. Perhaps I'm only seeing it intellectually, because I do still feel the separations...even though I know the separations aren't really there. I'm not sure if I'm expressing this well, except that I don't know what to expect (if anything) at this point, but perhaps the things we've discussed are just settling in. I'd appreciate your wisdom. It still feels like I'm skimming around the edge of something significant, yet not quite KNOWING it...

I do have some specific questions. (1) How is extreme physical pain regarded with true seeing? (2) Similarly, how is extreme emotion seen through without somehow getting caught up in it? I do know that these types of things are "what is," and that thoughts factor in strongly with the emotion...but once pain or emotion appear, what happens or can happen if regarded with clarity?

As always Sarah, thank you.

xxx,

Emily

[Sarah7]

Hi Emily

I do see the things we've talked about, but I'm not FEELING them, or as if there has been any genuine understanding. It all still seems to be "in the head," and I have to stop and remember the things we've discussed, rather than having anything naturally FEEL clear.

I have a habit of throwing questions back at you! Here goes! This ‘clear’ feeling – is that an expectation? What does it consist of? And when stopping and looking happens – what happens to the question ‘in the head’?
But yes – we will be at this till you do feel clear and have no more questions or you do not wish to continue. OK!

Perhaps I'm only seeing it intellectually, because I do still feel the separations...even though I know the separations aren't really there.

YES! Are you clear about this? What says intellectual understanding is all that’s seen? What happens when thought is quiet? What then?

I'm not sure if I'm expressing this well, except that I don't know what to expect (if anything) at this point, but perhaps the things we've discussed are just settling in. I'd appreciate your wisdom. It still feels like I'm skimming around the edge of something significant, yet not quite KNOWING it...

OK – expectation number 2! That ‘this’ isn’t it! ‘This’ CANT be it! Do you see this?

How is extreme physical pain regarded with true seeing?

OK – 2 things here – is extreme physical pain experienced?
Can you find a ‘you’ who experiences this extreme pain? Is there story attached to this pain? Is it ‘yours’? Do you own it?

Similarly, how is extreme emotion seen through without somehow getting caught up in it? I do know that these types of things are "what is," and that thoughts factor in strongly with the emotion

Try this with emotion – just take out the word Fear and replace with whatever is appropriate. OK.

In order to know fear we have to know resistance. Fear is resistance and ‘I don’t like’. Turn towards this feeling of fear so completely, so fully, allow it into you without the slightest trace of resistance – then turn around and see what remains of the fear. Can you allow this fear so completely, even with the possibility that it might annihilate you? Can you see that what you essentially are already allows that so fully without the slightest resistance to it? For who or what is it a problem that there is fear? Is it a problem for a single thought? What is it a problem for after that single thought has gone as it will? Another thought? In between the 2 thoughts is there a problem? Only thought is worried or threatened. What is the sensation itself – striped of story – ignore the thoughts – look to the sensation only. The sensation changes continually or vibrates. Go into it. How old is the vibration, how long has this fear labelled sensation been? Has it just happened, does it have a history this sensation (apart from what thought gives it). How would you describe this sensation? Is it ever changing? Is it painful? Is it a problem this sensation? If thought says its unpleasant is it really? Go to the sensations and check under the label and story. Is unpleasantness added by thought? Look as new born baby – you know nothing but the current experience – is it really unpleasant? Go to the sensation – turn down the volume of the thoughts – is it a problem? If you don’t think about it, do you know that this sensation is something labelled or called fear? Is there any inherent fear in the sensation itself? Go to the sensation located at the sole of your foot – would you call that sensation fear? Or is it just a tingling vibration? Now compare these 2 sensations – the neutral soles of the feet to the labelled sensation in the chest or where ever – whats the difference between them? Don’t refer to the labels – just refer to the sensations. Is one more intense? Like a headache? If you don’t refer to your thoughts is it unpleasant? Could you live with this sensation for the rest of your life? Can you see how the thoughts get mixed up with the sensation? Is there an ‘I cant’ in there – that’s a thought. Is there an ‘I don’t want’ in there – that’s a thought. Go past the thought to the body sensation. Can you detect interpretation of the sensation? Thoughts again. Can you see the labels thought is trying to add - like – ‘this is fear’, ‘this is unpleasant’ or ‘this has been here for so long’? None of these thoughts actually belong to the sensation. See the thoughts but place them to one side. Without these thoughts would you know these sensations were fear? Same with the body – pure tingling sensation with thought overlaid. Is there resistance in the sensation or is it in the thought?
The constriction is caused by thought. The tension is caused by thoughts. What happens as the sensation is relieved of its labels?

but once pain or emotion appear, what happens or can happen if regarded with clarity?

Have a go at this one yourself after the exercises!
Big hugs Sarah xxx

[Emily]

Hi Sarah,

OK - I just knew those questions were going to come back at me! LOL. Thank you for continuing our exchanges. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.

Emily wrote:
I do see the things we've talked about, but I'm not FEELING them, or as if there has been any genuine understanding. It all still seems to be "in the head," and I have to stop and remember the things we've discussed, rather than having anything naturally FEEL clear.

This ‘clear’ feeling – is that an expectation? What does it consist of? And when stopping and looking happens – what happens to the question ‘in the head’?

Yes, yes, I see that wanting a feeling of clarity is definitely an expectation. The expectation consists of thinking I'm supposed to KNOW the truth, without having to stop and think about or re-examine what has been discussed and seen previously... If I'm able to stop and really look again and again as needed, then being "in the head" can become a non-issue. Apparently, part of the expectation was the idea that once truly "seen," I'd not have to remind myself so much about these topics.

Emily wrote:
Perhaps I'm only seeing it intellectually, because I do still feel the separations...even though I know the separations aren't really there.

YES! Are you clear about this? What says intellectual understanding is all that’s seen? What happens when thought is quiet? What then?

Something inside absolutely resonates with the truth that there are no separations, that all is simply happening, and has resonated deeply for quite some time. Again, it must be the I-thought that says it's only an "intellectual understanding" and continues to promote the feeling of separation... When thought is quiet - I really had to stop and consider that one, because is seems as if the thoughts here are rarely ever quiet - but I know they are sometimes, and in those times some clarity peeps through, and a real sense of peacefulness and "things just happening" emerges.

Emily wrote:
I'm not sure if I'm expressing this well, except that I don't know what to expect (if anything) at this point, but perhaps the things we've discussed are just settling in. I'd appreciate your wisdom. It still feels like I'm skimming around the edge of something significant, yet not quite KNOWING it...

OK – expectation number 2! That ‘this’ isn’t it! ‘This’ CANT be it! Do you see this?

Yep. I DO definitely see that.

Emily wrote:
How is extreme physical pain regarded with true seeing?

OK – 2 things here – is extreme physical pain experienced?
Can you find a ‘you’ who experiences this extreme pain? Is there story attached to this pain? Is it ‘yours’? Do you own it?

Extreme physical pain is experienced regularly in the form of migraine headaches, and I do realize that what I said demonstrates LABELING again and suggests a "ME" who experiences it! When these headaches occur, I try always to just let the physical sensation be what it is and NOT attach it to "me" or to a "story," or have a feeling of "owning" it. Somewhere along the way, the pain sensations become so intense that the "me" starts to blossom forth, as does the story and the ownership of the pain as well...you get the picture!

Let me press the "pause" button here so that I can properly investigate the lovely exercise you've provided and see where it leads in relation to emotion, pain, fear, etc. I want to take my time and really get into it.

I will follow up and post regarding the exercise tomorrow!

Thank you again,

Emily