The Gate

Good morning, Lynne

I am glad you're using the resources you can. Do sign up for the meetings. Then you can at least get the recordings.

Here's your next pointer:

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. Same word forms. Same order. EXACTLY.

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,

Hi Stacy
Leona Davide just posted on Facebook LU page a link to a video from Richard Lang which was just amazing! Just
had a huge shift watching this! I’m going to watch it again and more of his videos. Is it ok, don’t want to confuse with the work we are doing or is it the same ?

I’m working on the direct experience exercise and will send you my list once I’ve done a few more, probably not till tomorrow now.

X

That sounds great. We can trust what Leona posts. Please tell me how it feels. What does the shift feel like?

Hi Stacy

Direct Experience - Labeling Daily Activities

I tried a couple of times writing my activities down and did practice labelling daily activities, mindfully, many times during the day. Writing it down felt wrong. I was writing from memory not experience, although as I say I did do the exercise, just not the writing down. Here's the couple i did manage.

Seeing Laptop, simply=image/color
Smelling air in the room, simply=smell
Feeling keyboard on my fingertips, weight of laptop on my legs, simply=sensation
Tasting my drink, simply=taste
Hearing the noise of the keyboard typing, rain outside, simply=sound
Thought about listing the sensations and replying to Stacy, simply=thought

Seeing logs in logs basket, grainy, brown,chopped shapes , simply=image/color
Smelling firelighter, simply=smell
Feeling logs in my hands sharp hard scratchy, simply=sensation
Tasting my just drunk hot chocolate, simply=taste
Hearing clanking noise as I put logs into log burner, simply=sound
Thought preparing a log fire, simply=thought

What does the shift feel like?

Listening to the video that Leona shared and doing the experiments, it felt very disorientating. Checking through the senses it is clear I am not contained in my body, there are no boundaries.
It felt like “seeing” was happening with no boundaries to the spaciousness and no centre from where the seeing is happening in that space or way of seeing what is seeing. It’s called the headless way because we can’t see our own head. Seeing happens - The world is in us and we are the space for the world. One eye. One mind. Im still trying to process it all. Felt a bit mind blowing but good.

x

Hi Lynne,

What does the shift feel like?
Listening to the video that Leona shared and doing the experiments, it felt very disorientating. Checking through the senses it is clear I am not contained in my body, there are no boundaries.
It felt like “seeing” was happening with no boundaries to the spaciousness and no centre from where the seeing is happening in that space or way of seeing what is seeing. It’s called the headless way because we can’t see our own head. Seeing happens - The world is in us and we are the space for the world. One eye. One mind. Im still trying to process it all. Felt a bit mind blowing but good.

Yes, that's it. That is Seeing no self.

You are basically done. We like to allow this to settle in for a little while. And there are ramifications we question you about, such as whether there is control, intention, free will, or anyone making decisions. I have pointers for these, if you want them. Here is one of them:


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?


When you feel ready, we have a few "final" (it's really just a beginning) questions that we like to ask. Those answers are shared with other guides, who may have questions.

Loving,

Hi Stacy

Sorry if this is all a bit garbled but I wanted to get a reply to you early, as I’m out this morning so won’t have any more time to work on it and hoped you might be able to clarify things a bit for me.

Yes, that's it. That is Seeing no self.

So exciting ! I’ve spent the whole day seeing how the world that I thought I was moving through is really the other way around. Walking I see the ground moving, I am still. When I see something it is in me, I am the space for that. Everything

But if I look for me, I can’t see me. You can tell me what I look like. All I can see is arms legs a body. I can’t see my head. Just looking.

So if I see you, you are in me, and if you see me, I am in you, you are the space for me to be seen and vice versa.

Then it all becomes very confusing and deep.
I’m stuck on where’s the thoughts mind emotions etc? I can’t see them nor can you I can’t see your mind and you can’t see mine. Even if it’s one mind, one seeing, oneness is still unseen. Oh! Or is it? Is all of this the one? But where are thoughts feelings etc.? They still feel unseen. Oh! Or are they, I’m feeling them. Goodness this is so confusing!

I have to say it feels like I have more questions than answers. And definitely the beginning of something rather than the end.

Palm flipping exercise

So when I did the hand exercise, from here a hand appeared I can see it. It felt like I was telling it to move but I can’t find the controller or the thought to move the hand. A mirror or you can tell me there’s a body with a head with a hand moving but cannot tell me what is moving it either. So I don’t know. What makes the tree appear or you appear or move? Maybe it’s all just happening to be seen? It feels like a play. Think I’ve heard someone say it’s like a dance? If it’s not seen, is it happening?

We like to allow this to settle in for a little while.

Yes, this is amazing but a lot to take in/process.

And there are ramifications we question you about, such as whether there is control, intention, free will, or anyone making decisions. I have pointers for these, if you want them.

Yes please, some pointers would be helpful. I’m feeling a bit confused.

When you feel ready, we have a few "final" (it's really just a beginning) questions that we like to ask. Those answers are shared with other guides, who may have questions.

Ok, i'll be guided by you but I feel I need to work through all this, it’s all very new, but maybe the questions will help?

Thanks again Stacy

xx

Hi Lynne,

All of those questions are merely distractions. They're content of thought. Most, if not all, have NO answers. So pursuing them might just drag you back into body & thought identification. I don't think you want that.

Relax. Let go. Let this unfold.

All content of thought is just made up.

We have no idea where any of this "comes from" and probably never will.

Let it be a mystery!

I'll post a pointer next.

Loving

Let's look at how necessary (or not) all of those words are.

Stream Exercise

Imagine for a moment a scene, one of a little mountain stream which is tumbling down a hillside gully, not far from its source. It has been raining and so the level is quite high.

Consider in your mind's eye, if you can, how it flows to the right over a little rock (where, had the level been lower, it would probably have gone around the rock), then the flow goes to the left over a tree bow, and then slows a little in a broader place, before splashing over a small cascade into a pool, and so on down the mountain side.

Does it choose any of its directions? Is it even really a separate entity different from the water deposited in it, the rocks, the depressions in the ground etc? Is it even the same entity moment by moment, or more the product of weather conditions and water, like an ever-changing pattern?

1. Can you find anywhere where "Todd" autonomously intervenes into life, choosing something that is not the product of all the elements; that is not a part of the overall flow?

2. Now please consider a regular decision made eg; what to wear in the morning, or what to eat for lunch, and describe to me what happens. There are environmental factors, there are colour preferences (but where did those come from - any autonomous intervention there perhaps?), practical issues (such as what is available), available time for preparation, purpose (eg; need to fill up for the day, or to look hip and cool for that person!) etc.

Where in there is an autonomous entity intervening in the flow of life? Can you find someone somewhere?

3. Can anything be found for which 'Todd' is responsible – if so responsible to what and for what?

As always, relax & have fun!

Loving,

Hi Stacy

All of those questions are merely distractions. They're content of thought.

I don’t understand what is ‘content of thought’. Are thoughts just distractions?

Relax. Let go. Let this unfold.

Thank you. Looks like I’m over thinking it. I’ll try and go with the flow (haha) and try the Stream Exercise below.

Stream Exercise
Does it choose any of its directions? Is it even really a separate entity different from the water deposited in it, the rocks, the depressions in the ground etc? Is it even the same entity moment by moment, or more the product of weather conditions and water, like an ever-changing pattern?

No the stream doesn’t choose anything, although it has a name/label it is not separate from everything else, and it acts as a product of everything else. It does not have autonomy to choose its directions, it is like an ever changing pattern.

1. Can you find anywhere where "Todd" autonomously intervenes into life, choosing something that is not the product of all the elements; that is not a part of the overall flow?

After doing the stream exercise, Todd is no different. I cannot see a separate part of Todd that is responsible for his actions. Todd is also connected to everything else.

Where in there is an autonomous entity intervening in the flow of life? Can you find someone somewhere?

No, I can’t see an autonomous entity intervening in my flow of life either. Neither when I look in front of me or behind (inside). In front is just the world appearing with no boundary, behind/inside is just emptiness with no boundary. I, too, am connected to everything else

3. Can anything be found for which 'Todd' is responsible – if so responsible to what and for what?

My mind is really wrestling me with this. I don’t know about Todd as i’m not in his head.
But it’s different for me. I can’t see my head, but sense what’s behind/inside it. I hear /sense thoughts and emotions appearing in the spacious emptiness which seem to affect the flow of what is happening? It seems as though I am responsible at least for what thoughts I believe or follow which affect my actions???? But I don’t know who I am responsible to. When I look I can’t see anything. Maybe thoughts and emotions just appear?

Am I overthinking this again?

As always, relax & have fun!

Although it’s challenging, it is fun and I’m enjoying it. I’m very grateful to you for giving of your time so freely to guide me. It’s wonderful to have someone to talk to about all of this. Thank you very much Stacy.

xx

Hi,

Are thoughts just distractions?

Yes. All of them & always.

Thoughts Arise. This is true. It happens.

Thought content, what they say, the story they tell, is never true.It is made up.

Yes! *Any* thinking is overthinking.


OOPS I meant to replace "Todd" with "Lynne."

hear /sense thoughts and emotions appearing in the spacious emptiness which seem to affect the flow of what is happening? It seems as though I am responsible at least for what thoughts I believe or follow which affect my actions???? But I don’t know who I am responsible to. When I look I can’t see anything. Maybe thoughts and emotions just appear?

Nope. No effect. Look closely!

Nope ... how could you be responsible if there's no "Lynne?"


Yes! Thoughts & emotions just appear.

My pleasure,

Hi Stacy

Nope ... how could you be responsible if there's no "Lynne?"

Yes, how interesting from here there is no Lynne that I can observe. Interesting thought that you can observe a Lynne. I can observe a you but I’m not responsible for you. Just like the stream ever changing, just happening.


Not sure where I go from here? Perhaps just allow it to unfold?

x

Well, we have some "final" questions that we ask you to answer to see if you're clear & whether we missed anything. You crossed so fast that we didn't do some of the pointers that help with that.

Would you like to attempt "final" questions to see if anything needs to be cleared up?


Then we have a couple of groups where you can ask c questions & hang out with others who see.

Give these a try. If nothing else they'll help me give you a couple more pointers.

1) Is there a separate entity 'self', 'me' 'I', at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form? Was there ever?

2) Explain in detail what the illusion of separate self is, when it starts and how it works from your own experience. Describe it fully as you see it now.

3) How does it feel to see this? What is the difference from before you started this dialogue? Please report from the past few days.

4) What was the last bit that pushed you over, made you look?

5) Describe decision & give examples from experience.

Describe intention & give examples from experience.

Describe free will & give examples from experience.

Describe choice & give examples from experience.

Describe control & give examples from experience.

What makes things happen? How does it work?

What are you responsible for? Give examples from experience.

6) Anything to add?

Loving,

I just remembered this pointer. It should help you start ignoring all the blah-blah going on in your head:

Sports Exercise

Please note that you will have to check the link when using this exercise, to make sure it is still viable, as sometimes they are removed from Youtube.

The following link is a 7 minute clip of a soccer game. If you prefer another sport…please feel free to find one to do this exercise with.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy5pL-myDzw

1. Watch one minute with the sound turned OFF, watching ‘people’ messing about with a round thing on a field, up and down, up and down. Let it sink in, the whole experience.

2. Once the first minute is completed, now watch another whole minute with the commentary turned ON.

Notice the differences.

Notice how the commentator (thought) offers lots of know-how, even advice. It seems to feel as though they can influence, somehow, what is going on, as though one outcome is much preferred to the opposite outcome. The commentary may seem to heighten any supporter feelings which are there, and call for an identification with one team or other, and with the importance of the game itself.

3. Now turn the volume OFF AGAIN and just watch the action with NO audible commentary, the shapes moving around on the screen etc. Again notice all the differences in what is appearing as experience.

4. Now turn the volume ON again and ignore what you think you know thought is talking about, and just notice it as sound.

What did you find when doing this exercise? Is the commentary on the soccer game a necessity for the play to happen?

And in the same way, is the inner narration of thought a necessity for the play of life to happen?

As always, relax & have fun!

Hi Stacy

Thanks for the sports video exercise. It was really helpful. I'm working on the final questions and will send them on later.

What did you find when doing this exercise? Is the commentary on the soccer game a necessity for the play to happen?

No I see the game happens whether there Is commentary or not. I see this is true but I found it hard not to listen to the commentary. Just like if I am reading a book and the tv is on or people are talking it’s hard to focus on the book without listening to the background noise.

And in the same way, is the inner narration of thought a necessity for the play of life to happen?

In the same way as the soccer game, thoughts/commentary are not a necessity for the play of life to happen. The play goes on despite/in spite of the commentary. If I listen to the commentary, then it does affect how I view the play. Feelings and emotions arise. Seeing that the commentary does not affect what happens though is the game changer. There is no need to suffer, I know I am identifying with a false belief.

x

Hi Stacy

Would you like to attempt "final" questions to see if anything needs to be cleared up?

Yes, it would be really helpful to know I’m on the right track – thank you.

Then we have a couple of groups where you can ask c questions & hang out with others who see.

That would be really helpful too. It would be great to know some other people that see the same way. Other than my son and daughter who are both willing to talk about this kind of thing, my husband and friends don’t seem to have the same desire to understand who they are.

So now I’ll give it a go with the final questions....

Give these a try. If nothing else they'll help me give you a couple more pointers.

Thank you, Stacy, I really appreciate your help. I came upon LU through The Work facebook group. There was a post from Stacy Ann Clark recommending the books Liberation Unleashed and The Gateless Gatecrashers and that led me here. I wondered if this is you? If it is thank you for posting that, changed my life.

1) Is there a separate entity 'self', 'me' 'I', at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form? Was there ever?

No, people told me there is a separate me, self, and I was responsible for my actions. I assumed it to be true but when I look deeply I can’t find a separate me, at all, anywhere in any way, shape or form. I am not separate from what is happening.

2) Explain in detail what the illusion of separate self is, when it starts and how it works from your own experience. Describe it fully as you see it now.

When I was born, I was not aware of being a separate self, just of the world, shapes, sounds, sensations I was perceiving. As I got older, parents, others, my reflection in the mirror, told me this is who I am - separate with free will and choices, good and bad, and this meant others also had the same free will and choices. From this I grew to assume self beliefs, I am good, I am loved, I am bad, I am unloved, I am worthy, unworthy etc., and likewise others are good, bad, loving, unloving etc. I assumed this to be true and it caused much suffering, conflict, and pain. There came a point, about 7 years ago, where I began to seriously question and LOOK to see if this was true. Who am I? The Power of Now, Byron Katie began a journey of self inquiry that ended up with me joining LU forum and watching the Richard Lang video on the Headless Way.

I discovered when I look, the world appears, each thing in front of the next thing until the horizon boundary where there is nothing behind it, just empty space. When I look inside, behind what is appearing, I am aware of body sensations, thoughts,and emptiness. Everything appears in this boundless space both inside and outside as one. I do not find a separate me that is in control of what is happening, it appears to be just happening.

3) How does it feel to see this? What is the difference from before you started this dialogue? Please report from the past few days.

It feels amazing, a shift in how I perceive everything. It feels like looking from a different place. From here I can see the whole world in me and me in the whole world. The centre is still, the world is moving. Processing all this has been like a revelation. No blame, guilt, good, bad, just what is appearing.
It’s hard to explain but it’s like 360 vision - all we see when we stand still and look out is 180, we can see our arms legs front of our body coming out of nothingness, looking back/inside at the other 180 is just emptiness, no self not separate. The world is just appearing inside the boundaryless emptiness.

4) What was the last bit that pushed you over, made you look?

The last thing was watching the video Leona shared by Richard Lang on the headless way. I realised I cannot see myself, I cannot see my face, the me I believed me to be was just like the reflection in the mirror, but when I look back at me, I don’t see a face, I see emptiness, boundless spaciousness. That is the reality that pushed me over

5) Describe decision & give examples from experience.

At the moment when you believe a choice/decision is made, we think we make a choice but there is no choice, you cannot make any other decision it is the best and only thing that can happen. There are no wrong choices. If you look deeply and inquire you see you want what happens,and that’s what’s happening, loving what is.

Describe intention & give examples from experience.

There is intention, say intention to do the dishes, thoughts may happen, the dishes need to be done, outside factors are considered and then dishes get done or not. The intention does not change what happens.

Describe free will & give examples from experience.

There isn’t free will. In the illusion of a separate self there is free will and if the dishes don’t get done you feel guilt etc etc.
However, when I look, there is no free will - outside factors, beyond my control will affect whether the dishes get done or not. Consideration, thoughts, feelings may occur and the best and only decision happens and the dishes get done or not. The thought of free will may change the way what happens is perceived but the thought of free will does not change what happens.

Describe choice & give examples from experience.

If there is a choice to get the dishes done or cook the dinner, and the dinner is being cooked, there can be no choice, the dinner is being cooked that was the only choice that could happen because that’s what’s happening.

Describe control & give examples from experience.

There is no control, as above. I decide to do the dishes, but I have no control over whether the dishes get done or not. Outside factors may dictate that the dishes don’t get done. I can find no controller, self, who is in control.

What makes things happen? How does it work?

I don’t know what makes things happen. Things happen.

What are you responsible for? Give examples from experience.

I am not responsible, there is no separate me. If it is my job to do the dishes and the dishes don’t get done, as above, that is what had to happen, it’s happening. I cannot control all that happens.

6) Anything to add?

When I started to write this reply I thought it was going to be so long winded but there really isn’t much to say. I'm not sure I've answered the questions fully enough, but everything else is all a bit like the blah blah blah of the thoughts we spoke about. I am continually holding all this up against beliefs I have held and so far it all holds up, so feels a bit like check mate. Hurray! I think it will evolve as stress and life happens but knowing what is true for me is massive. I’m excited to see what happens.

If you feel anything is “off” or could use some more pointers I’m more than happy to do more looking. It feels like a lot of this was already forming when I started this. I did feel I was at the gateless gate but needed to See for myself to know what is true.

Xx