Homeward bound

[Anastacia42]

Good morning,

Though the ones like this are backwards:
'Thought, mentioning taste when not eating is odd, and mouth now tastes better.'
With all of these pointers, it is not about correct answers, but rather about how it feels to see things in this way. Pay close attention to that.
Is it like I've called a feeling a thought, but not described the feeling sense? I don't quite get this...

No. It's simpler than that.

It should have been:

Mentioning taste when not eating is odd, and mouth now tastes better, simply = thought arising

You did most of them in the right order.

What is here without labels?
I don't know what you mean by 'without labels' ...

All words are labels. This could have said, "what is here without words?"

3. Do labels affect the experience or just describe it?
The labels in some way distanced me from the experience, made it busier, things to do and sort... more emphasis on observing than being.

I see why you say that. Yes, that's true but did the label make the experience change?

Here is a pointer to help you to see that labels have no effect.


Label-Reality Correlation

There is a belief that labels have a one-to-one correspondence with ‘reality’. But there isn’t. Just like it is a generally accepted belief that labels like ‘good’ and ‘bad’ are inherent characteristics of ‘things’. But actually, they are not.

When you look at the word label ‘GREEN' , what is the actual experience?

Is the color red ‘experienced’, or is the color green ‘experienced’ as the label suggests?

Does the label ‘GREEN’ have a one-to-one correspondence with ‘reality’? Or does the label suggest something else other than what is here now (red colour)?

Is 'green' associated in any way with the experience of the colour red; or is green just a label that overlays the actual experience of red?

If the label ‘GREEN’ is replaced with the label ‘GOOD’ or ‘BAD’ , is the redness affected in any way as the labels suggests?

Does redness become ‘good’ or ‘bad’, or do the labels have no affect whatsoever on ‘reality’?

Let me know what is SEEN.

Then there's another pointer I'll post separately.

You're mostly getting it.

Loving,

[Anastacia42]

And here's the other pointer.

4. Did you notice any differences in the body?
More presence. The busyness of the first half felt goal focussed, almost analytical. Second half much more simple, drawn inside.

Here is 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.

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 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." (refers to an exercise I gave before this one)

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 the Sensation itself, for example.

Do you see that?

Loving,

[hometruth]

All words are labels. This could have said, "what is here without words?"

Got it. Thanks for this explanation.

I see why you say that. Yes, that's true but did the label make the experience change?

Not with simple observation ... that would only happen if a thought or sensations got added.

When you look at the word label ‘GREEN' , what is the actual experience?

of itself nothing... in this moment i see a green bottle, green trees and house plants. They're just here. If i were to walk outside and get a hit of the sensation of cool air, and smell the 'green' tree then it would be those I was experiencing rather than 'green' of itself is nothing. Then there's the memory of being in nature associated with the colour and that gives me a tingle in heart area. I have green eyes, like to wear green, but that's just a preference and doesn't mean anything especially but I feel joy about it.

Is the color red ‘experienced’, or is the color green ‘experienced’ as the label suggests?

Only by associations ... what springs to mind with 'red' is blood, anger, vitality... but these are not red, they are ideas I associate with red. Ha… just sat in the garden for a bit… feeling I named as boredom arrived… like nothing was happening. As I looked around I noticed one green plant had grown and looked like flowers were on the way... that thought sparked joy. Then looked at red post that holds up washing line and a red plastic bag on the ground and couldn’t stop laughing. Red meant nothing. Joy arrived, and a light happy feeling.

Does the label ‘GREEN’ have a one-to-one correspondence with ‘reality’? Or does the label suggest something else other than what is here now (red colour)?

There is no correspondence to reality apart from thoughts I associate with the colours. If 'green' in not present and only 'red' is, then it is nowhere and nothing in that instant.

If the label ‘GREEN’ is replaced with the label ‘GOOD’ or ‘BAD’ , is the redness affected in any way as the labels suggests?

Thought that arrives images my daughter injured or dead with red blood... I don't want that to happen. If it did I see that that 'red' could be called 'bad'.... It's all just a random thought from imagination.

Does redness become ‘good’ or ‘bad’, or do the labels have no affect whatsoever on ‘reality’?

They have no effect on reality.

Head had felt scrambled with these Gate questions so far, especially as I've just jumped from acim... feel i'm starting to get it, and enjoy it now. A smile is here.

[hometruth]

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?

I was meant to go the theatre this evening. My daughter asked me to not go out and spend time with her. I sent a text saying my daughter needed me. The 'lie' is that I didn't say that I was relieved and didn't really want to see the play... there was feigned interest as felt 'I should go' as I know the play-write.

Body sensations are:
Contraction in throat, heavy pressure pushing from front of chest and shoulders o back.

Another ... Near the end of a relationship with a boyfriend push came to shove when he emailed me a photo that he sent to his new employees of me and my daughter with him. Pretended (lied) I'd not seen the email and finally finished relationship a few days later.

Body sensations :
Nausea, tension in chest, heavy, throat feels rigid at front. Contraction in belly and throb in womb.

Do you see that?

Yes, I do!

[Anastacia42]

When you look at the word label ‘GREEN' , what is the actual experience?

No. the Actual Experience is red.

This has nothing to do with all of those green things you listed.

Keep it simple!

There was no reason to go into all those extra reds & greens. That was not asked.

Nothing to do with daughters or blood.

Settle into meditating on the questions. Don't add all this extra story. Can you do that?

Very good you found your lie feelings! Now you can pay attention to that & let it guide you.

Loving,

[hometruth]

Can you do that?

getting there!

[Anastacia42]

Try this:



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!

Loving,

[hometruth]

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

The commentary isn't a necessity. It makes no difference at all. At one point the commentator says 'big save' and a second later that's turned into a goal. So the commentary isn't accurate observation...

When watching without commentary I guess I added my own commentary ... admiring the skill of play, feeling joy watching smiles, sensation of lightness and a smile on my face.

Commentary back on was much more just shapes, colours, moving around

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

Not at all ... I went swimming today and clocked myself adding my own inner narration/commentary about another swimmer. I thought they were swimming the wrong way, brought in an opinion about that, then a second later saw this swimmer was going the right way. Totally just thoughts, judgements, projection and frankly nonsense.

I had commentary on my own breathing pattern at one point when doing front crawl. Focused on sounds, sensations, colours, tastes instead, and there was a shift... of course it doesn't matter how I was breathing but there was a noticing of the choice to let the commentary go, and swimming changed. Lightness and ease. I've enjoyed this exercise. Thank you :)

Love, Annabel x

[Anastacia42]

Hi Annabel,

there was a noticing of the choice to let the commentary go, and swimming changed. Lightness and ease. I've enjoyed this exercise. Thank you :)

This is great! You're welcome.

Now, let's bring some things together.




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. Google for a picture of an apple.



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 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?

Have fun and let me know what you find out.

Loving,

[hometruth]

What about the content of thoughts, what they describe?

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

Can ‘apple’ be found in actual experience? However, is an apple actually known?

Have fun and let me know what you find out.

I have a tomato ... it's not a tomato... it's simply :
Taste labeled 'tomato' is sweet and known in this direct experience present moment
Colour labeled 'tomato' is red
Sensation labeled 'tomato' is squishy when held in hand, soft then crunchy when bit into, heart opening sensation when in mouth...
Smell labeled 'tomato'
Thought labeled tomato is known ... thought imagined a more 'tomatoey' smell, ie projection... thought of difference between summer and winter tomato ... apparent summer tomato is happening.

This is what is meant by "looking in actual experience."What you know for sure, and, is always here. ...

ooh, really curious about this statement, that 'what I know for sure is always here'. In this moment said tomato is inside my body, apparently digesting... is it still here when no longer red, sweet, squishy and crunchy, etc? ... is that statement that 'what is known is always here' like William Blake saying "To see a world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour". I get the idea of all time being now... but also right now there is no red tomato in direct experience.... humm 🤔

[Anastacia42]

no red tomato in direct experience.... humm 🤔

True & that's the point of the pointer, but you didn't answer the questions & you threw in a lot of extraneous descriptions.

Those are pretty much yes/no questions.

Please stop adding things. It is counterproductive. It's pretty but save it, okay?

Loving,

[hometruth]

Hi Stacy,

I’m a little thrown. If the tomato has gone how is the experience ‘always here’?

Puzzled. Intention is not to add, it’s to understand.

A x

[hometruth]

Ah, I've got it. There's not tomato. There's no apple. It didn't matter that I'd eaten it... that's what through me re the 'always here' ... it was never here

[hometruth]

What about the content of thoughts, what they describe?

They describe ideas about a apple 🍎

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

There is no apple, just colour, shape, thought, sensation of an apple

Can

‘apple’ be found in actual experience?

No

Took a minute for me to get it…

[Anastacia42]

Yes! There you go.

Did you see "The Matrix?" There is no spoon.

https://youtu.be/uAXtO5dMqEI

So, now let's look at "choice" & "control."


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?


Loving,