Companion wanted

[Alless]

Good to hear Hannes,

I hope you are feeling better.

I would say they see colors and shapes without knowing that‘s colors and shapes.

What you say about "without knowing that's colors and shapes. is true but .....only part of the truth. When we look we automatically see color and shape. But what is shape? It is actually the minds interpretation of color. A shape is just a label for a concept.
Here is an example



Just two colors are seen. However when the mind is invoked there are two shapes. A vase and then the other shape(s) is a silhouette of two faces looking at each other.
Is that absolutely clear Hannes? If not, please tell me.

I have used my peripheral vision only on the screen and not to it‘s full extend. Than I see more colors.

Yes, it's when we notice what's in our peripheral vision that we see more colors.

Sorry. Mental overload is rising.

I understand completely. It is a struggle everyone has. So in one sense it is good news, it shows the questions are doing their job.

In doing this investigation the mind often starts to go into overdrive because it is trying to answer the questions from itself. However the antidote is to not think about the answer but to LOOK and FEEL directly. This is what is meant by direct experience - DE for short. Or sometimes we use the term Actual Experience or AE. AE and DE are used interchangeably and point to the same truth. It is the key to this investigation

So when you feel thoughts are overloading give yourself a few moments rest and come back to the question again and just LOOK and report what you SEE. Be patient with yourself on this. !

Close your eyes and think of the picture of a pink elephant.

Did you use your eyes to see it?
No, I don‘t.

But when it was suggested that you think of a pink elephant, it was SEEN in imagination was it not?

What about when you have an image in your mind - is there seeing there?“

I would call it remembering and not seeing.

Yes it is remembering an image however you are also seeing it not with your physical eyes but SEEING it in your imagination are you not?

What about when you dream - is there seeing then?

No.

When you wake in the morning, if you have had a dream that you remember you can describe what was SEEN in the dream can you not?

What specifically is in control of the change of direction?

It is me when I turn my head.

What is this "me:? Can you find someTHING, a specific form, a specific point that you can point to and described and say "That's me!"?

Close your eyes and LOOK again CLOSELY

Is it only black?
You are right. If I turn my head in a dark direction with my eyes closed, I only see black with my eyes closed. If I turn my head in the direction of a yellow light source, the yellow shimmers through.

And when you look really closely you'll also notice little "flickers" behind the eyelids with eyes closed and other little subtle movements.

You may well ask "Why are you being so detailed and even"pedantic " with this Alan?" The reason is that as we go deeper in to this investigation we need to be aware of very subtle phenomena at times as this is key to seeing what is really happening in experience. So be assured , it is all necessary to prepare us to go deeper.

I used the wrong word. I mean intensity.

OK. I understand what you mean.

The "I" is active and tries to "feed" itself by interpreting what has happened. It creates stories and tries to either identify with or separate itself from what has happened.

Yes I hear what you are saying. While this can explain what might be happening it is primarily an answer based on thought. We'll come back to looking for a "me" in different ways and asking you to simply telling what you ACTUALLY SEE

I won't add more to this right now.

After going through what I have posted here is this all clear? If not, please let me know Hannes.


Alan

[Hannes]

Hi Alan,

But what is shape? It is actually the minds interpretation of color. A shape is just a label for a concept.

I didn't think of a shape as an interpretation of colors. I thought that a baby sees a physical shape such as a chair and simply cannot attach any meaning to this object.

Is that absolutely clear Hannes? If not, please tell me.

Yes, it is clear.

However the antidote is to not think about the answer but to LOOK and FEEL directly.

This is so valuable for me as a head person and yet I have to make so much effort to keep focusing on DE.

But when it was suggested that you think of a pink elephant, it was SEEN in imagination was it not?

Yes, that is true.

Yes it is remembering an image however you are also seeing it not with your physical eyes but SEEING it in your imagination are you not?

I can see with my imagination / thought.

When you wake in the morning, if you have had a dream that you remember you can describe what was SEEN in the dream can you not?

I often forget what I have dreamed about. When I remember the dream, I can describe the dream I have seen in my mind.

What is this "me:? Can you find someTHING, a specific form, a specific point that you can point to and described and say "That's me!"?

The only thing I can point to to describe myself is my body. However, when I look into my leg to see if I'm in there, I don't get the feeling. My perception of seeing leads me closer to the point of "I" and that seems to be my eyes. However, I can't look at myself when I seem to be the eyes. Also strange. So maybe I am somewhere in my head.


"The reason is that as we go deeper into this investigation, we sometimes need to be aware of very subtle phenomena, as this is the key to seeing what is really happening in the experience."
This is a challenge for me because I have hardly ever paid attention to such subtle changes and emotions in my life.

After going through what I have posted here is this all clear? If not, please let me know Hannes.

Clear :-)

[Alless]

Hello Hannes,

I didn't think of a shape as an interpretation of colors

We typically don't realize that shapes are interpretation of colors.

Take a look at this .....


When looking at this picture, thought automatically divides colour into colours and then names colour as specific objects.

IGNORE ALL object labels and colour labels:-
How is it known that there are many different colours?



Is there a gap between the ‘trees’?



Where does colour begin and end?

This is so valuable for me as a head person and yet I have to make so much effort to keep focusing on DE.

Lovely to hear this is valuable. That's where most of us live - in the head. So you are not alone or a "failure" for doing that. To show us how that is happening is the whole purpose of this investigation. And I totally understand that so much effort is required to keep focusing on DE at this point. That will change as you give yourself to the exercises. They are designed to help us SEE what prevents us from experiencing directly. When we REALLY SEE what is happening then the effort is not required.So be patient with yourself Hannes. We all at LU have been where you are.

"The reason is that as we go deeper into this investigation, we sometimes need to be aware of very subtle phenomena, as this is the key to seeing what is really happening in the experience."

This is a challenge for me because I have hardly ever paid attention to such subtle changes and emotions in my life.

This exploration is all about helping you do that. This is what we will be helping you do here in this investigation.

The only thing I can point to to describe myself is my body. However, when I look into my leg to see if I'm in there, I don't get the feeling. My perception of seeing leads me closer to the point of "I" and that seems to be my eyes. However, I can't look at myself when I seem to be the eyes. Also strange. So maybe I am somewhere in my head.

This looking for a "me" in the body is a really good exercise.

Where am I in the Body?

Please do this very attentively because otherwise you will not have the direct experience.

Please to look down at your feet right now. Very attentively. And ask yourself the question. Can you find a “me” or an “I” down there in those feet? Do those feet constitute me?. Do it as slowly and as attentively as you can. Do you think you live there?.

And now travel up. To the knees. Look at yourself from the knees down to the toenail. With the same question. Is there a “me” to be found down there. Is this you?

And now travel. Up to your waist. Are you there? We travel up to the neck now, but you'll need to be more thorough and examine that body between the neck and the waist front and back.

Outside and inside look right down into the inside. And ask yourself. Is this me?

And then from the neck right up to the topmost hair of the head. And be sure to LOOK and FEEL around inside the head and notice the brain. The ears and the throat. Look right down. Through the throat. And see if you can find yourself.

Because now you've encompassed the body. Is this you? Can you find yourself anywhere? Anywhere at all? In all that you have examined inside or outside?

Even look behind the eyes, because sometimes we think that we are behind the eyes looking out. See if you can find yourself even there.

And eventually if you do this faithfully you must agree - not because I say so but because if this has been faithfully done, you have actually come to the conclusion yourself - that you are not anywhere within your body.

If during this experience you have not become fully convinced, if it’s not absolutely clear to you that there is no place at all within your body where you are then please do it again.. And if necessary, a third or fourth time. Until you are no longer taking my word for it. Until you yourself can bear witness to the fact that you have searched yourself thoroughly. And that you know that you are not inside of that frame.

So tell me Hannes after all this direct LOOKING can you find a “me” or an “I” in any shape or form whatsoever?



Is there anywhere that you SEEM to be?



Is there anything else you can report about this experience?


Alan

[Hannes]

Merry christmas Alan,

How is it known that there are many different colours?

It is our giving of meaning to the physical effects we perceive.

Is there a gap between the ‘trees’?

I am not sure how to answer correctly. I would say yes, where I see the blue sky between the trees and I know that I lay my thought over the picture.

Where does colour begin and end?

It depends on our individual perception.

So tell me Hannes after all this direct LOOKING can you find a “me” or an “I” in any shape or form whatsoever?

I can’t find it in any form.

Is there anywhere that you SEEM to be?

Its cause seems to be in the head without finding it directly.

Is there anything else you can report about this experience?

Since I can't find myself in the body, I ask myself where this me is supposed to be. All my life I have been used to perceiving myself as being in my body without questioning it. Now I wonder if it's not the other way around and the body is in my mind. I can't explain it any other way.

Best, Hannes

[Alless]

Hello Hannes,

Thank you for your post.

Just a quick note to let you know that connectivity is not reliable at all for me over the next few days. Here in Australia over Christmas and New Year is the start of summer holidays and many families take a break and are on the move. I too am traveling out of town and have very unreliable connectivity in the part of the country where we are traveling to until Jan 1 when I am back home. I will answer your post then Hannes. In the mean time here is something to do.

This can be done again and again. This was the only exercise one guide here at LU did for 3 months prior to seeing that there is no "me"
As you sit in any chair……

Please LOOK for any place in your DIRECT EXPERIENCE where your butt ends & the chair begins.

Is there any clear dividing line between them? Or is there only the the experience of sensation with no clear division?


If you feel able, please describe the sensation you experience as best you can


It is simple, direct & nonverbal. Just LOOK and FEEL into your DIRECT experiencing of it. Don’t think about it at all Just LOOK and FEEL. Then write what is true.


Apologies for being off the air for a few days however come January 1 I am thoroughly looking forward to continuing our exploration together !!

Thank you for your good wishes and the same to you Hannes and for 2024


Alan

[Alless]

Hello Hannes,

I'm back on the air again so to speak ! Looking forward to your experiencing the joy of discovery in this investigation in 2024

So here is the reply to your post

How is it known that there are many different colours?

It is our giving of meaning to the physical effects we perceive.

Yes - it is the meaning we give that "creates " the different colors

Is there a gap between the ‘trees’?

I am not sure how to answer correctly. I would say yes, where I see the blue sky between the trees and I know that I lay my thought over the picture.

You're right to say thought "overlays " the picture. Look again at the picture.
Is there really a "gap" or just a different color that thought INTERPRETS and LABELS to be a gap?



There is NEVER no color. Again it is the meaning we give it when we say there is a gap.
With eyes open or closed can you find ANYWHERE IN DIRECT EXPERIENCE where there is no color?

Where does colour begin and end?

It depends on our individual perception.

Does your answer remain the same or change after the DIRECT EXPERIENCE of the previous question?

So tell me Hannes after all this direct LOOKING can you find a “me” or an “I” in any shape or form whatsoever?

I can’t find it in any form.

Tell me, are there any doubts about the "me" not existing in any form?

Its cause seems to be in the head without finding it directly.

Take another good look and feel into the head.
In what spot exactly does it seem to exist?

Since I can't find myself in the body, I ask myself where this me is supposed to be. All my life I have been used to perceiving myself as being in my body without questioning it.

This questioning of assuming something to be true is a very promising approach!!

Now I wonder if it's not the other way around and the body is in my mind. I can't explain it any other way.

Ah ha ! So what is the mind made up of? Thoughts?
So if the mind is made up of thoughts and the body is in the mind what would this "me" actually be?





And let me know how you went with the Butt and Chair Exercise

Looking forward to hearing Hannes.



Alan

[Hannes]

Hello dear Alan,
Happy 2024 !!! I am glad to read from you and I hope you had a nice vacation time with your family. In 2024 I definitely want to deepen the exploration of my self and see through even more. Let's start:

Is there really a "gap" or just a different color that thought INTERPRETS and LABELS to be a gap?

If my mind interprets the colors as 2 separate trees, the other color between the trees is the interpretation of a gap.

There is NEVER no color. Again it is the meaning we give it when we say there is a gap.
With eyes open or closed can you find ANYWHERE IN DIRECT EXPERIENCE where there is no color?

No. I always perceive colors with my eyes open and closed.

Where does colour begin and end?

It depends on our individual perception.

Does your answer remain the same or change after the DIRECT EXPERIENCE of the previous question?

I've been biting my teeth on this question for days. I don't know how to answer it. I'm looking for a universal answer.
When the color gray becomes lighter, it seems to be light gray, although it is still gray. When gray suddenly turns red, there is a defined end and a beginning. When the colors fade into each other, the beginning and end are rather difficult to describe.

Tell me, are there any doubts about the "me" not existing in any form?

Intellectually, there is no doubt. Practically speaking, I experienced a deep sense of being lost for two weeks. It was triggered by the fact that I felt at home nowhere and a stranger everywhere, accompanied by listlessness. In these moments, intellectual conviction was not enough. I have already attributed this emotional pain to myself, even though I was able to observe it from a distance.

Take another good look and feel into the head.
In what spot exactly does it seem to exist?

The 'I' sometimes seems to look out of the eyes and sometimes seems to be behind the eyes. Either way, I can't look at myself. It sometimes feels like I am dreaming.

Ah ha ! So what is the mind made up of? Thoughts?
So if the mind is made up of thoughts and the body is in the mind what would this "me" actually be?

The "me" would then also be just a thought. The thought of "me" consists of my strengths and weaknesses, for example. However, I can only draw these from a comparison with others and so strengths and weaknesses are also just thoughts. It feels as if I am building a story about myself from what I experience. I can understand that.

Then I look at my body. If it's also in my mind, that's an unusual way of looking at things at first. I've just been to the toilet. That doesn't feel like a mental activity.

And let me know how you went with the Butt and Chair Exercise

I feel physical sensations such as pressure on my bottom and my thoughts directly show me a boundary between my bottom and the chair. I can't confirm whether this boundary really exists by feeling (DE) alone.

Best,
Hannes

[Alless]

And hello to you dear Hannes

And the best to you too for 2024 !

In 2024 I definitely want to deepen the exploration of my self and see through even more.

Wonderful. Let us make this a wonderful year of discovery !

If my mind interprets the colors as 2 separate trees, the other color between the trees is the interpretation of a gap.

Yes - that's what happens. The mind comes in so fast as an interpreter that we don't even notice it.

I've been biting my teeth on this question for days. I don't know how to answer it. I'm looking for a universal answer.
When the color gray becomes lighter, it seems to be light gray, although it is still gray. When gray suddenly turns red, there is a defined end and a beginning. When the colors fade into each other, the beginning and end are rather difficult to describe.

So good ! This is a great example of how the mind over rides DIRECT EXPERIENCE. That we say there is an end or a beginning is a concept, and idea. Very practical in the relative world but not in DE. In DE there is only ever a change in colour. Take the horizon for example. We say that line way out there is the horizon. If a baby could see that far that which we call a horizon would not even be a line - just a change in colour.

Practically speaking, I experienced a deep sense of being lost for two weeks. It was triggered by the fact that I felt at home nowhere and a stranger everywhere, accompanied by listlessness.

This is not uncommon Hannes. You are challenging very fundamental beliefs here in this investigation. As a result some disorientation can be experienced. However from my experience it does not interfere with one's ability to function normally in daily life. If this becomes a concern please let me know.

It's interesting to hear you comment on your listlessness. I sensed that listlessness in some of your posts in the last couple of weeks. However I certainly feel an aliveness in your last post. Just keep aware of these fluctuating energy levels and let me know if there is anything you notice in particular.

It sometimes feels like I am dreaming.

Aah ! It is sometimes called the waking dream !

The "me" would then also be just a thought.

Yes. This is what we are setting out to see - the truth of this

It feels as if I am building a story about myself from what I experience.

Yes, that's exactly what happens when we are living in the illusion. This exploration is to help us see how that happens and how most human beings continue to live that story. It's not that we will get rid of this story. This exploration is to show us what it truly is rather than being hypnotized by it.

Then I look at my body. If it's also in my mind, that's an unusual way of looking at things at first. I've just been to the toilet. That doesn't feel like a mental activity.

As you keep doing this it'll become listen listen unusual. You're right. Going to the toilet is not a mental activity !! Going to the toilet we invoke three or four aspects of direct experience. Seeing, hearing, sensation and smell. (Typically anyway!!) We can often find ourselves doing a routine activity like this while we are thinking about something else completely. That thinking would be the mental activity which distracts us from the direct experience of what is happening right in the moment.

I feel physical sensations such as pressure on my bottom and my thoughts directly show me a boundary between my bottom and the chair. I can't confirm whether this boundary really exists by feeling (DE) alone.

Keep doing this over the next few days and see whether there is ever a boundary in DE. Let me know what you find !


Let's now take this exercise to dig further into DE. Take a cup for instance. Grab one and hold it in your hand.

Let your gaze settle on it. Let your attention be thoroughly absorbed by the colors. Do your best to avoid labeling in any way. Just let the tones, the complexities, the subtleness of the colors be SEEN for what they are.
What happens in this experiencing?



Can what is seen be in any way accurately described?



As you are looking at the cup, now notice its features. As you look at it notice what is happening in your experience.
Are there thoughts labeling what you see? A handle perhaps, the lip, the shape of it?



Is there any distinction between seeing, looking and noticing for you?



Can you find some specific thing that we can call a "me" doing the seeing?



Watch thoughts as you consider who is seeing. Notice what happens to seeing as you consider this. Did the seeing change in any way or stop?



Now simply watch thoughts as you look at the cup.
After a while of watching thoughts, what happens to them?




As you watch the thoughts does the experience of seeing the cup change in any way?




Now look for spaces between thoughts.
Focus on seeing in the spaces. They may be milliseconds, but notice them.
What happens in your experience as you attend to the spaces?




As this seeing is happening, ask yourself "Is there a seer or a seen within or without the seeing?"




Or is there only seeing?



When you finish seeing, do you then recognize that which we call a cup is a concept? A cup that has uses and takes up space, and need washing after use? A concept that includes shape, form, color, what it is intended to be used for………...but we aren't actually seeing it anymore. We look at it but recognize a vessel to contain something.

The "details" are all still there but are now typically veiled by our thoughts ABOUT the cup.

Now do this with a flower (or any other object) and see what is experienced. Let me know what stands out for you.



Giving yourself time to really LOOK and FEEL into these questions is so important.

No need to rush. Just let me know if you need more time.

And as we continue please challenge anything that you feel is not clear in my responses


With love


Alan

[Hannes]

Hi Alan,

I feel physical sensations such as pressure on my bottom and my thoughts directly show me a boundary between my bottom and the chair. I can't confirm whether this boundary really exists by feeling (DE) alone.

Keep doing this over the next few days and see whether there is ever a boundary in DE. Let me know what you find !

It is still the case that I only feel sensations and my mind uses them to create the idea of a physical boundary. I don't seem to perceive a boundary in any other way.

Let your gaze settle on it. Let your attention be thoroughly absorbed by the colors. Do your best to avoid labeling in any way. Just let the tones, the complexities, the subtleness of the colors be SEEN for what they are.
What happens in this experiencing?

I have chosen a cup with colorful balloons on it. My mind is constantly trying to give meaning to what I see. I find it difficult to perceive only the colors without meaning. Thoughts of interpretation disturb DE.

Can what is seen be in any way accurately described?

If I put a label on what I see, I can describe it. Otherwise it cannot be described.

As you are looking at the cup, now notice its features. As you look at it notice what is happening in your experience.
Are there thoughts labeling what you see? A handle perhaps, the lip, the shape of it?

My thoughts try to determine the weight and categorize the material. I touch the side of the cup instead of the handle and the idea immediately arises that I could burn myself if there had been hot tea in it. Also the idea that it would be better to use the handle, as it has a protective function.

Is there any distinction between seeing, looking and noticing for you?

There is no difference between seeing, looking and noticing as long as I do not give these words different meanings that are different from simply perceiving.

Can you find some specific thing that we can call a "me" doing the seeing?

Seeing happens in the same way as hearing and breathing. Even when it happens, the idea arises that it must be an effect. Since every effect has a cause, I seem to be the cause.

Watch thoughts as you consider who is seeing. Notice what happens to seeing as you consider this. Did the seeing change in any way or stop?

I stop seeing when I am in my thoughts.

Now simply watch thoughts as you look at the cup.
After a while of watching thoughts, what happens to them?

One thought arises and is replaced by another. At the moment of the new thought, the old thought is no longer present and meaningless. That is very interesting.

As you watch the thoughts does the experience of seeing the cup change in any way?

When I think about the weight of the cup, the inscription on the cup fades into the background and is barely relevant to me. When I become aware of the shape of the handle, I hardly feel the weight of the cup. Thoughts replace perception with DE.

Now look for spaces between thoughts.
Focus on seeing in the spaces. They may be milliseconds, but notice them.
What happens in your experience as you attend to the spaces?

DE becomes possible again in the spaces between thoughts.

As this seeing is happening, ask yourself "Is there a seer or a seen within or without the seeing?"

It is not possible for me to identify a seer while I am busy seeing outside. In order to find the seer, I would have to end the process of seeing on the outside and go in search of the inside. There is also nothing seen outside of seeing. Now inside and that is the cup.

Or is there only seeing?

There is only seeing. This means that the 'me' does not exist in the natural process of DE. It can only be found if I look for it and have previously developed ideas about what this 'me' could look like.

When you finish seeing, do you then recognize that which we call a cup is a concept?

Absolutly. :-)

Now do this with a flower (or any other object) and see what is experienced. Let me know what stands out for you.

I separated from my partner 6 months ago after a 16-year relationship. I could no longer stand it with her. With the distance now, I've realized that I didn't have a problem with her, but with the labels I had put on her. Now that I've been able to let go of the labels, I can once again see the woman I fell in love with back then.


With love,
Hannes

[Alless]

Hello Hannes

It is still the case that I only feel sensations and my mind uses them to create the idea of a physical boundary. I don't seem to perceive a boundary in any other way.

Good direct experience here Hannes. The mind is the boundary maker.

My mind is constantly trying to give meaning to what I see. I find it difficult to perceive only the colors without meaning. Thoughts of interpretation disturb DE.

SEEING this is all that's needed. The difficulty arises because this is such a conditioned response. You are starting to break that age old habit.

If I put a label on what I see, I can describe it. Otherwise it cannot be described.

Beautiful !

I stop seeing when I am in my thoughts.

This is actually so fundamental to recognize this. It's actually at the heart of what we are pointing to ! It has been said that when we teach a child what something is called, something such as a tree, they never actual see the tree as it truly is from then on but see it through the label.

One thought arises and is replaced by another. At the moment of the new thought, the old thought is no longer present and meaningless. That is very interesting.

Wonderful ! and the deeper we go the more interesting it gets !

DE becomes possible again in the spaces between thoughts.

Ah yes indeed.

There is only seeing. This means that the 'me' does not exist in the natural process of DE. It can only be found if I look for it and have previously developed ideas about what this 'me' could look like.

Isn't that something !! Realizing the "me" is only an idea, a thought, a concept is what starts the unbinding from suffering.

I separated from my partner 6 months ago after a 16-year relationship. I could no longer stand it with her. With the distance now, I've realized that I didn't have a problem with her, but with the labels I had put on her. Now that I've been able to let go of the labels, I can once again see the woman I fell in love with back then.

That is so moving Hannes. Sometimes when we clearly see what has happened the "me" thought creates even more suffering by telling us what should have happened or not happened. However to SEE the truth of what is happening when we ACTUALLY SEE how thought overlays experience with labels (beliefs) opens the way to freedom.

The more we can rest in DE and let thoughts pass, the more a lightness that can be felt. And here is something in that context

Direct Experience - Labeling Daily Activities
In this exploration I would like you to try as many times as you can throughout the day to label daily activities in their simplest form as one of the aspects of DE - whether you are experiencing either color or sound or smell or taste or sensation or thought.

So let's use the activity of having breakfast as an example.

You're sitting down having breakfast and you see a cup in front of you. As you look what are you simply experiencing here? You are experiencing colour.

So that would be described thus:

Seeing a cup, (you would label it as) simply = image/color

Then, for example, you find yourself wrapping your hands around a hot cup of coffee. Which aspect of DE are you experiencing here? It would be sensation. It is then described this way.

Feeling the warmth of the coffee cup, simply = sensation

So for example, when having breakfast, the complete experience would be described this way:

Activity: Having breakfast
Seeing a cup, simply = 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

On the left of = is a made up story, content of thought, the way we normally think.

On the right of = is only one of the 5 Senses. That's still a story, but it's as simple as we can make it & still communicate.

This shows you to ignore thought stories & focus only on Direct Experience.

Why? Because "I" is a made up thought story that you cannot See, Hear, Touch, Smell or Taste. It does nor exist.

Let’s take another example. This time it could look like this:

Activity: Vacuuming
Seeing metal vacuum cleaner, simply = color
Smells of dust, simply = smell
Feel of smooth, slippery (electric) cords, simply = sensation
Tasting (nothing to report) = taste
Sound of “whoosh”, loud, ringing, simply = sound
Thought of “is this clean enough?” simply = thought

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

Post several of your own observations of daily activities in a list *exactly* like the one above, please. Same word forms. Same order. EXACTLY.

Give this some time Hannes and please let me know if this is not clear.


With love


Alan

[Hannes]

Hi Alan,

1. Activity: shower
Seeing the shower, simply = color
Feeling the turn on of the shower mixer, simply = sensation
Thought "Is it warm enough?", simply = thought
Feeling the water on my back, simply = sensation
Hearing the water splashing in the shower, simply = sound

2. Activity: watching a movie
Seeing the pictures, simply = color
Hearing the voices and stories in the movie, simply = sound
Feeling the joy, simply = sensation
Thought about how the movie might end, simply = thought

3. Activity: doing CrossFit
Seeing the box and the weights, simply = color
Smelling the sweat, simply = smell
Feeling the weight on my shoulder, simply = sensation
Hearing the music, simply = sound
Thought of "I am proud about this training", simply = thought

4. Activity: eating a pizza
Seeing the pizza and every detail on it, simply = color
Smelling the pizza, simply = smell
Feeling piece of pizza in my hand, simply = sensation
Taste of Hawaii, simply = taste
Hearing me chew, simply = sound
Thought "This is a very delicious pizza", simply = thought

5. Activity: video call with a friend on laptop
Seeing the laptop and her picture on it, simply = color
Feeling of a pencil in my hand, simply = sensation
Hearing her talking, simply = sound
Thoughts arise during the conversation, simply = thought

6. Activity: reading a book
Seeing the paper and letters, simply = color
Smelling the old book, simply = smell
Feeling the book in my hands, simply = sensation
Thought's about the topic, simply = thought

Funny exercise. I assume that I will stay with the exercise for the next few days?

With a lot of warmth,
Hannes

[Alless]

Hello Hannes

First of all you've done this very, very well

Funny exercise. I assume that I will stay with the exercise for the next few days?

Yes some minds can be so identified that they find this crazy even !! And this exercise is not only for the next few days but FOREVER ! Living in DE as best we can in this very moment.

So whenever you can .....experience the "world" this way. It will have profound effects over time.

However living in DE does not mean thoughts are no longer are part of our experience. The key is to see them for what they truly are. This next step is to help us become more aware of the phenomenon of thought.

This is a very important exercise. We can actually experience what seems like a SLOWING of the thought stream so I will ask you to spend more time with it.

Here is a step-by-step description of how to look at thoughts:

(1) Notice the current thought that is present. Like when you sit observing the body, a thought might arise “this is my feet” or “here is a pain” or “my breathing is too quick” or “I am bored with this exercise” or “I have better things to do” or “this is dumb” - any sort of thoughts.

(2) This thought will pass and another thought will come. So just observe this thought passing.

(3) Then wait for the next thought to come.

(4) When the next thought is present, just notice it, and see how it passes.

(5) Then wait for the next thought to come.

(6) Repeat #4 and #5 many-many times.

Between the 2 thoughts there is a gap. It can be very short or subtle, just a second or a few seconds before the next thought comes in.

This is how to look at thoughts.
Looking how they come and go.
And observing the short (or long) gap between them.
Noticing how the current thought is passing.
And waiting for the next thought to come.

Please do the following exercise:

Throughout your entire waking day and until you go to bed at night, try to observe the gap between thoughts as often as possible. It can be done by noticing that ‘thinking’ is happening right now, then stop and just simply wait for the next thought to come. In the ‘waiting’ there is a gap between two thoughts.
Using some specific examples from your experience let me know how you go.



Also are you experiencing any reaction to observing thoughts in this way? Any resistance? Any hesitation? Any undue procrastination? Let me know about your reactions to doing this as that might also give us some important clues.



Tell me about your experience in the gap. Is there anything in particular that you notice when in the gap?

Be patient with yourself Hannes. This is a "new" frontier 😊

With love


Alan

[Hannes]

Hello Alan,

Please excuse the late reply. The exercise of observing the gap between thoughts really pushed me to my limits and was very frustrating at times.

Using some specific examples from your experience let me know how you go.
Also are you experiencing any reaction to observing thoughts in this way? Any resistance? Any hesitation? Any undue procrastination? Let me know about your reactions to doing this as that might also give us some important clues.

Suddenly I'm no longer sure how I can recognize a thought as such. For example, I stroked my dog this morning. I see my hand, simply color. Then I immediately smell my hand, simply smell. There just doesn't seem to be a moment's gap between thoughts because I'm constantly perceiving and transforming every moment of DE into a thought. Or am I misunderstanding something? How can I better find my way into this gap?

With love,
Hannes

[Alless]

Hello Hannes,

Please excuse the late reply. The exercise of observing the gap between thoughts really pushed me to my limits and was very frustrating at times.

Totally understandable.
Remember I did say ......

Be patient with yourself Hannes. This is a "new" frontier 😊

So here is something to try.


Let’s use a previous experience of sitting with eyes closed and seeing the “blackness” as an example.

As you sit there a thought that could arise is “I see the blackness” And as you look for the gap and wait for the next thought to arise you may notice the thought “oh look, there are sparkly bits which seem to be moving around on my eyelids” or “it feels strange sitting here watching for thoughts” or “here is a pain” or “my breathing is too quick” or “I am bored with this exercise” or “I have better things to do” – whatever thought is appearing.

What you might report could look something like this (I'll do it this as though I myself am reporting the experience in pink.)

With eyes closed there was the thought “OK I’ve got the eyes closed”
I looked for the gap and already the thought “What now?” was there.
I looked for the gap again and there seemed to be a second or two of silence when I noticed I was thinking about a red glow.
I then thought “What is this gap?”

Report this way for the few seconds you are noticing. It’s like freeze framing a few seconds at a time and telling the story (and yes! asking you to tell the story of your AE does sound like an absolute contradiction in a way !!! ) of your ACTUAL EXPERIENCE about each and every thought you notice and the gaps that you notice between each of those thoughts in those few seconds you are reporting on.

Do it as much as you can and then describe it for three or four rounds if you can.

Just sitting and settling yourself for 10 or 15 minutes can be very helpful here. That in itself can start to slow things down

Try it when having a shower or washing the dishes too or when you are feeling a little relaxed.

Do not expect to get this perfect but do give it a real go.

And also let me know how this all felt to you as you did it.

OK, if this still is a real challenge please let me know. There are other ways I can suggest that can help.


Just be patiently curious


In love


Alan

[Hannes]

Hello Alan,

Do not expect to get this perfect but do give it a real go.
And also let me know how this all felt to you as you did it.

You can find an example here. It was difficult to compile the thoughts on all the "experiments" afterwards. I just had the idea of speaking out the thoughts and recording them on my cell phone. It was almost always identical:

"I feel an inner pressure to finally get the exercise right."
"It can't be that difficult."
"Where is the noise coming from all of a sudden?"
"Why is there this flickering in my eyelids? Nothing is moving outside of me!"
"Oh. In that moment of reflection, the noises were gone. Now they're back."
"I can only really concentrate on one thing - the flickering or the noises. Or can I do both? Stop! I want to find the gap."

Tell me about your experience in the gap. Is there anything in particular that you notice when in the gap?

I think I have noticed the gap. In the gap I am purely in the DE, which is then immediately overlaid by the compulsion to think and the thoughts.

Much love,
Hannes