The Gate

Post several of your own observations in a list *exactly* like the one above, please.

Hi Stacy,
Eating a casserole
Seeing a casserole in a plate on the table, simply= image/color
Smelling the casserole, simply = smell
Feeling the fork in my fingers, simply = sensation
Tasting the casserole hot, delicious, simply = taste
Hearing fork scraping the plate, chewing, simply = sound
Thought about hunger, eating, simply = thought

Seeing a glass of clear water, simply= image/color
Smelling the water, simply = smell
Feeling the coldness of the glass, simply = sensation
Tasting the clean water, simply = taste
Hearing the glass landing on the table, simply = sound
Thought about drinking the water, simply = thought

Is this what you meant? Thanks, Igor

Yes, Igor, thank you.

The point is that all that description on the left is just made up.

Now try this:


Direct Experience - Labeling Daily Activities

Here's an exercise that I would like you to try as many times throughout the day as you can. Label daily activities simply color/image, sound, smell, taste, sensation, thought.

So for example, when having breakfast, become aware of:

Seeing a cup, simply= image/color
Smelling coffee, simply = smell
Feeling the warmth of the coffee cup, simply = sensation
Tasting the coffee, simply = taste
Hearing the spoon stirring the coffee, simply = sound
Thought about drinking the coffee, simply = thought

Just break down daily activities into these categories (which are all Actual/Direct Experience) and report back with lists exactly like the one above.

Post several of your own observations in a list *exactly* like the one above, please.

Refer to the green list of Actual/Direct Experience in the prior post if that helps. Those are the only items any experience can be.

Loving,

~ Stacy

Hi yes I see what you mean...

Post several of your own observations in a list *exactly* like the one above, please.

So you would like me to give you another example tomorrow? Cheers

Hi,

We can move on. Next try this:


Mind Labeling Experience

Here is an exercise which examines the way in which the mind labels experience - it takes about 20 minutes and you will need a pen a paper.

This exercise is broken into 10 minute lots. For each 10 minute period pay attention to any bodily sensation i.e. is there any tightening, or any relaxing?

For the first ten minutes write down what you are experiencing right now using the word “I”.

For example:

I am sitting on a chair,
I am hearing a clock ticking,
I am looking at a computer screen,
I am feeling hungry.

Get right to the point, no past or future fantasy, just a plain description of your experience right here and now.

Then for the next ten minutes continue writing down what you are experiencing but this time without using the word “I”. Just describe the experience as it is happening using verbs.

For example:

Sitting on a chair,
typing,
breathing,
blinking,
hearing the clock.

(Again, watch what is happening in the body.)

At the end of the twenty minutes compare the two ways in which the experience was labelled and answer the following four questions:

1. Is one truer than the other, and If so, which one?

2. What is here without labels?

3. Do labels affect the experience or just describe it?

4. Did you notice any differences in the body?

Loving,

~ Stacy

1. Is one truer than the other, and If so, which one?

2. What is here without labels?

3. Do labels affect the experience or just describe it?

4. Did you notice any differences in the body?

1. Both seemed similar. I felt there was no centre during both
2.just being
3.just describe it
4.i felt peace with both so no real difference, but I know what you mean.
Thanks.. Igor

Hi Igor,

There is a significant difference. Pay attention to the gut, heart or solar plexus area & tell me what this difference is,?

Much love,

Stacy

There is a significant difference. Pay attention to the gut, heart or solar plexus area & tell me what this difference is,?

Hi Stacy, when I was doing this exercise, I was in a meditative state, so even when I wrote I am, it meant nothing, I didn't really feel like there was an I, so during both phases I just felt the breathing in and out, body relaxed, not many thoughts... naturally, without trying.

Okay Igor, you're missing something very important: how to distinguish truth from lies.

We often lie every day & don't realize it.

For example, the grocery clerk asks, "How are you?" You reply, "I'm fine." While, yes. there is a sense in which we are always fine, even in the middle of suffering, at that moment, you were grieving the death of your dog, you had a slight sore throat & you had a headache, but you didn't feel like sharing all of that with the grocery clerk, so you lied, "I'm fine."

Also, it matters none at all how "distant" the remembered lie is. Besides the fact that time itself is fictional, a kind if lie, as we recall the lie it becomes present in this moment, as if it were happening now. This brings the body Sensation that accompanies lying.

Lies can be intentional or unintentional, conscious or unconscious, even so automatic that we ourselves are fooled.

The story of a separate "self" is a lie.

This is the lie you came here to see through. Therefore, it is helpful to notice the body Sensation of lying as one of the tools for finding the truth of no self.

You want to be in touch with body Sensations & able to clearly express them in words. This will help.

Lies are usually felt in the heart or solar plexus as a contraction that we may label as tight, heavy or tense.

In contrast, truth is usually expansive. We may call it loose, light or relaxed.
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First, can you remember a time when you lied to someone you loved?

Here we count anything, lies we think of as "big" or "small" that "matter" or don't "matter."

How are you? I'm fine. No, your knee hurts, but you don't feel like discussing it with the grocery clerk.

It's a lie. A seemingly "bigger" one will work better for this exercise.

Find the lie. I don't need the whole story, just a few key words to refer to it.

Then scan your body for any Sensation (DE), particularly in the gut or maybe the heart. Check very closely. What is found?


If you think the memory you used wasn't clear enough, find another one or lie to yourself right now, make something up.

1 + 1 = 14 is a lie.

The Sun rises in the West is a lie.

I love eating worms is (probably) a lie.

Or call up a video of a lying politician & notice what Sensations arise as you listen.

I will give you a clue: it is not that peaceful Sensation you felt before when you omitted "I."

Please report back with what body Sensations (not interpretations) you feel. Bodies can feel hot or cold, heavy or light, contraction or expansion, etc.

"Peaceful" is an interpretation of a body Sensation, not a name for the Sensation itself, for example. Do you see that?


Loving,

~ Stacy

First, can you remember a time when you lied to someone you loved?
What is found?
Do you see that?

Thinking of a lying politician is the easiest I think. Tightness in the chest, some heat, (also anger, frustration).
When I said peaceful before I meant relaxed. I'm beginning to see the difference I think.

Thanks...

Okay..

Thinking of a lying politician is the easiest I think. Tightness in the chest, some heat, (also anger, frustration).
When I said peaceful before I meant relaxed. I'm beginning to see the difference I think.

Tightness & heat - has.

Anger & frustration? No. Those are not anything a body can feel. Those are thoughts, interpretations, stories, & could even be called "lies."

What is the DIRECT EXPERIENCE of "anger?"

What is the DIRECT EXPERIENCE of "frustration?"

Direct or Actual Experience is

Seeing
Hearing
Feeling (Sensation, not emotion. Emotion is Sensation plus made-up thoughts & labels)
Tasting
Smelling
Thoughts Arising (but not their content)

Yes or no?

Loving,

Stacy

Typo... has was "yes."

Hi yes... tightness in the chest and heat are sensations right? That was my main thing. Anger and frustration are only states, that's why I put them in brackets...

Not quite.

Anger and frustration are only states, that's why I put them in brackets...

No. They are not.

They are STORIES made up about body Sensations.

This is very important.

Why?

Because "self" is also a made up story.

LOOK. Can you SEE this?


Loving,
Stacy

Can you SEE this?

Yes I can...