Hi Juri,
- Who wants to know, Juri? Here's the mirror part of "Smoke and mirrors", 'cause it seems to me, now looking, that it's actually the the question that wants to know - ergo the question asking a question to maintain the search for answers that are only reflections of the original question. The question looks at itself in the mirror, and like an animal, doesn't (want to) seem that what it sees is it self.
- But even though this seems a little funny, it's also beatiful, because it's also One looking at One... "one" or I just has to take off the "search" sunglasses, and just see, but not seek.
Good. This is that reflexive quality of looking at the looking, catching the question in the act of the question.
-Who's preferences are these? Can Juri breathe? One of the first things you adviced was that I should relax. When relaxing the "concentration" of Juri, "Juri" thins out, doesn't actually feel real... is, in fact, just as you say, an assumption. Not important. But also Not, not important. It seems much more natural "just" to start afresh, and see the next happening without this former "Juri" lense.
Yes! Social identity is a kind of shimmer on the roads.
- Breathing takes place with or without Juri. It isn't really so important when relaxing the concentration. Feels like there's much enjoyment possible when not using up all mental powers by BOTH projecting an image within (the "Juri" persona or witness) AND labeling the external object with some name.
- Juri is not necessary. Lables aren't either.
Life plays its curious tune.
- Being one with the external? Well, no, not in the same way as my precious "Gods eyes" experience, but that was perhaps just one of the many, many ways of seeing. Seeing with Juri. Seeing without Juri. Seeing All One. Seeing seperation. Many, many lenses.
Yes, many different shifts of perception, the experience of which opens up new vistas of experience, and of course, to capture it, we reach for our nearest metaphors - God, consciousness, life, light. :)
- Seeing without seaking. Feels SO relaxing in my head. Temples and brow let go - perhaps giving the physical and mental faculties the possiblity to see clearer.
Yes, Giving up. And then giving up again. And giving up again. Till there's nothing to give up. :D
A quick story. :) My wife spotted lots of wood dumped in a nearby skip. Ever attuned to the possibility of free firewood :D we got it. It was lots of skirting board, hard wood. I set about sawing one, ready to do the whole lot in an afternoon. After two I was shattered.
I decided to reduce the effort by 50%. Did some sawing. Reduced again by 50%. Did some sawing. Reduced again by 50%.
After several reductions, there was barely any effort, only the effort required to move the saw to and fro.
I cut through all the wood, and still had time for tea. :)
- Where is Juri? I can conjure him up as a concentration, but it seems like unnecessary work. Get tired thinking of thinking of it.
It is un-necessary, though interesting to see that Juri/John is held as tension in the body/mind.
When you lay a hand palm down, then, at some point, raise it up to eye level with precision. And do so with barely any effort.
Then do it again as 'Juri lifting his hand'.
You will see some subtle and not so subtle differences between.
There never was a Juri, you made him up. Still it was fun while it lasted.
Best wishes,
John
