Free Mango

[Bluejay]

Nicely done! Hopefully the game was good and popcorn tasty :)

One thing:

Tasting nothing, simply = no taste

If there is no taste, how do you know? Is it perhaps sensation?

Moving on to the next exercise...

Mind Labeling

Here is an exercise which examines how the mind labels experience. This takes about 20 minutes and you will need pen a paper.

This exercise is broken into 2 x 10 minute parts. For each 10 minute part pay attention to any bodily sensation (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 second ten minutes continue writing down what you are experiencing but this time without using the word “I”.

Describe the experience as it is happening using verbs.

For example:

- Sitting on a chair
- Typing
- Breathing
- Blinking
- Hearing the clock
- Hunger

(Watch what is happening in the body.)

At the end of the twenty minutes compare the two ways in which the experience was labeled 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?

Enjoy! :)

[FreeAlfie]

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. The second list is truer. It’s direct and without the insertion of a me “I am” object.
2. What is here without labels is direct experiencing only. No owner of experience.
3. Labels don’t affect the direct experience but might alter the perception of it if the words added qualify it as good or bad.
4. No difference in the body senses but the second list was simpler - just experiences.

[Bluejay]

1. The second list is truer. It’s direct and without the insertion of a me “I am” object.
2. What is here without labels is direct experiencing only. No owner of experience.
3. Labels don’t affect the direct experience but might alter the perception of it if the words added qualify it as good or bad.
4. No difference in the body senses but the second list was simpler - just experiences.

Good stuff!

On #4: You wrote that there is no difference in the body senses, but you noted that it was simpler and truer. Do these observations come from thought, or did you take the time to feel if there's a difference in how the body reacts?

[FreeAlfie]

On #4: You wrote that there is no difference in the body senses, but you noted that it was simpler and truer. Do these observations come from thought, or did you take the time to feel if there's a difference in how the body reacts?

I did take the time to feel the difference. I think words are hard to convey the subtle difference.

[Bluejay]

I did take the time to feel the difference. I think words are hard to convey the subtle difference.

Understood. I wanted to make sure you felt the difference :)

Now, let's look at some more differences:

Truth Lie Exercise

Here is how to distinguish truth from lies.

We often lie every day and 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.

However, at that moment, let’s say you were grieving the death of your dog, you had a slight sore throat and 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 doesn’t matter how "distant" the remembered lie is. Besides the fact that time itself is fictional, a kind of 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 tricked.

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.

Being aware of contractions in your body is also good for noticing what to investigate as you go about your day.

You want to be in touch with body sensations and 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.

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 or Direct Experience), 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.

I love eating worms is (probably) a lie.

Or call up a video of someone lying and notice what sensations arise as you listen.

Please report back what body sensations (not interpretations) you feel. Bodies can feel hot or cold, heavy or light, contraction or expansion, and so on.

"Peaceful" is an interpretation of a body sensation, not the sensation itself, for example.

Do you see that?

[FreeAlfie]

Truth or Lie Find a time when you lied to someone you loved. What is found?.

I found this harder to come up with as I don’t recall recent lies. What I do recall is instances when I did not overtly lie but didn’t openly share information and was secretive or delayed sharing information about my plans.

What I find is that each time I think about the lie or the hiding of the truth, there is a contraction a sensation of fear in the gut area. A desire to run and hide, but maybe that’s story. It’s a heavy gut.

[Bluejay]

What I find is that each time I think about the lie or the hiding of the truth, there is a contraction a sensation of fear in the gut area. A desire to run and hide, but maybe that’s story. It’s a heavy gut.

That's good. This exercise is to help you get a sense for the fact that the body communicates through expansion/contraction, lightness/heaviness, and so on.

This is also helpful in noticing things that might be useful for you in life or in this inquiry.

Do you notice that in your life? For example, I'm sure there was something that drew you to Liberation Unleashed and had you sign up?

If the above is clear, let's explore:

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.



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 do 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?

Enjoy and let me know what you find out :)

[FreeAlfie]

what is known for sure about the apple? What about the content of thoughts, what do they describe??

The Apple is bright green, it is partially eaten. The eaten parts are now browned a rusty color.

What about the content of thoughts, what do they describe?

Thoughts describe the current state of the Apple. They can also describe the assessments about the Apple, like juicy, crisp, sour, good, etc. they qualify experience after its passing.

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

Can ‘apple’ be found in actual experience.

It seems like there is really an apple and yet upon direct investigation there is color, taste, smell, sensation feel and thoughts about it. In thoughts the apple was really good because the taste was tart, texture crispy and juicy not mushy, Another person might label the apple differently depending upon their preferences towards sweet etc. Then we disagree about best kinds of apples 🤣😆

[Bluejay]

Okay, good!

To clarify, when looking at the image of the apple below, what is known for sure? (without consulting the content of thought)

[FreeAlfie]

To clarify, when looking at the image of the apple below, what is known for sure? (without consulting the content of thought)

Without thought the only thing known is seeing a red round image.

[Bluejay]

Without thought the only thing known is seeing a red round image.

Almost!

Can you see two words that don't belong in that sentence? :)

You can consult the below list from an earlier exercise to give you clues:

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

[FreeAlfie]

Can you see two words that don't belong in that sentence?
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 quote])

Seeing the picture of an apple, simply= image color.

[Bluejay]

Seeing the picture of an apple, simply= image color.

Yup! Nicely done.

Next, let's look at who is doing what :)

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?

Enjoy! :)

[FreeAlfie]

How is the movement controlled?

I have no idea how the movement is controlled. It simply happens.

Does a thought control it?

When instructions are read, that seems to be thoughts yet when they hand turns over, there is only seeing it happen. No thoughts required!

Can a ‘controller’ of any description be located?

Not consciously, no. Not in direct experience.

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.

I cannot track a decision point to turn the hand over that is not based in thought. It seems like there is intent when reading the directions yet that is not connected to the motion itself. It’s a mystery 😳

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

Without consent or control, the right hand acted. No choosing happened.

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

There is a thought to try it again to check if there is someone there. The hand then moves again, seconds after the thought to try again. That almost seems like someone until I look to find who thought the thought? It happened but from where or who, I’m not sure. I report it because it gave a sense of someonehood responding to thoughts obediently.

[Bluejay]

There is a thought to try it again to check if there is someone there. The hand then moves again, seconds after the thought to try again. That almost seems like someone until I look to find who thought the thought? It happened but from where or who, I’m not sure. I report it because it gave a sense of someonehood responding to thoughts obediently.

Can you explore this sense of someonehood in direct experience and share what you find?