The Gate

Thanks Stacy - I'll work on this tomorrow. Travelling to Italy very early in the morning for the week for work but will hopefully have some time after I get to hotel tomorrow to do this and will post how it goes.

Had a rather stressful weekend which reminded me how much this body/mind is still caught up in the head. These practices are really helpful in getting beyond that.

Thank you! 🙏

Sounds good.

Yes, as Byron Katie says, "The worst that can happen is a thought. "

Loving,

Hi Stacy - just noticed my post from yesterday didn't go through sorry. I was just saying I was travelling through the night for a work meeting in Italy - arrived here exhausted and tried to do the exercise, probably too tired physically and gave headache to do this correctly but some initial noted below from a sitting I just did

I am sitting on a chair
I am typing letters into a mobile phone
I am hearing voices outside, people clapping
I am feeling the weight of my body on this chair.
I am seeing my phone, the horel room around me, the bed, desk, television, coach, light
I am hearing howling of window
I am Tasting mouthwash in my mouth
I am feeling headache, tiredness, confusion. Some anxiety,




Sitting on chair
Hands touching
Fingers rapping on phone
Voices outside, traffic noises,
Tasting mint in mouth
Seeing room around me, kettle, shirts, television
Light by bed
Words on screen
Pain in head, tiredness,


To your questions

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

I'll be honest here and say difficult to differentiate right now, maybe because my body is very tired and I am distracted by a headache. I think the second without the 'I' feels more real, more what us actually happening

2. What is here without labels?

Just what is. Feelings. Sensations basically. Seeing. Colours. Forms. Sounds. I need to practice this more but it seems to be getting to core of it all

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

Absolutely. Labels change everything. I mean they don't change it ultimately but they change how I receive everything- ok now I understand. They don't effect the experience as such it is a description that shapes how I understand the description.

4. Did you notice any differences in the body?

Yes. The body felt tighter more constrained when I placed everything in relation to 'I'.


Sorry not feeling 100% now so need to return to this again when I've had a chance to catch up with sleep - I'll double check this gets through and sorry my message yesterday didn't.

Thank you! 🙏

Get your sleep!

Your replies are mostly correct. Not that this is about correct answers. It's not. It is about your experience.

We are looking for a shift in perception. These pointers have been proven to help bring that about.

You don't need to go through that pointer again. We can move on when you are rested.


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,

Hi Stacy - I'm doing this exercise now and think I understand what you mean. Thinking back on incidents throughout my life, the feelings you describe of tightness in the chest, constricted in the body when I am not telling the truth - they are there

can you remember a time when you lied to someone you loved?

My partner always reminds me I'm a terrible lier! Its exactly because of what you describe here, that uncomfortableness in the body that she can spot (and probably those who know me well can recognises like members of my family) - and it can be as simple as lying about small things like - it's funny actually even trying to think of lies I told in the past makes me feel uncomfortable, like whether I remembered to do something for her, like pick something up and to avoid an argument I just said 'yes'

What is found

constrictedness in the chest, there's a sensation in the body also, difficult to describe exactly, like an energy that is 'not right' and heat in the body, it just feels wrong in some way and those who know me well can usually spot it - the example you give of saying I am 'fine' when not actually feeling ok is a great one and one I do often but that those close to me usually spot,

Do you see that?

Yes definitely - I can see how that works in the body. How it always reacts when I am lying. And the different sensation that is there when I am being honest with myself - that space you describe, even when my mind is trying to convince me otherwise because the truth is an awkward one to accept, like that I am wrong in an argument for example, or have done something wrong and need to acknowledge it. That acknowledgement is often like relief, an openness.

Thank you so much for these pointings - they are excellent. I'm going to work on this throughout today also.

🙏

Beautiful.

Now, about labels.


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.

Loving,

Hi Stacy - these pointings are so true to me and partly what led me to this path, a realisation that labels were never what was actually there or going on - at best somewhat useful for purposes of conversing with others, at worst misinterpreting fundamentally what is here. So to your questions

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

Letters. Lines and Shapes before me. The letters are in red which in confusing the mind. The word evokes the sound associated with the word. And associations (e.g. the national colour of my country) which evokes sensations in the body, a warmth in my chest, none of this actually describes the colour itself, it's all associations, Thoughts, conditioning - the colour is impossible to describe

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

No. Not as label suggests. There is no reason why it should be 'red' or 'green' - those labels have nothing to do with the colours in reality. The fact they are completely different in different languages suggests as much. And they definitely don't describe the experience.

(Slight aside here but I don't know if this is some amazing synchronicity but im travelling by bus and the interior is predominantly red, I'm wearing a red shirt, and outside im surrounded by green landscape (it's ireland so if you've ever been here you'll know what I mean ) - it's like reality is working to support this process! ☺️)

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)?

This is so good! I can feel an opening as I respond to these pointings. Green definitely does not have a one to one correspondence with reality (putting the letters in red suggests as much!) - green is just a label of convenience, and a pretty poor one at that. The label is about thought - it's about all the associations related to 'green' (particularly charged in my country!) and ultimately not about the actual colour at all. And anyway looking out the window there are so many variations of 'green' - how could that word possibly describe it! And yes it is as much about what is not there (red, blue, etc) as what is. As far as labels go.

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?

This is a trickier one - i think all labels applied to colours depend for intellectual understanding on their differentiation from our comprehension of words for other colours, not our experience of colour. I feel like in reality all the colours exist as one colour but we have been conditioned to interpret them separately. For the story to happen.

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

No. That's all mind stuff. The colour just is. Its neither good nor bad. When we put it in a story - e.g. the shirts of the team we most dislike - then the labels become attached. But in reality it is just the colour experienced, unaffected by labels - we complicate things and we misinterpret

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

redness just is. Unaffected by labels. Labels only effect us to the extent we believe them. They have no effect on actual experience.

Thank you SO much for these pointings. This process has been incredibly helpful.

🙏

You are doing great!

Here you went into a bunch of unnecessary thinking. You are given 2 choices for the answer. Which one is it?

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?

Yes, I've been to Cork once for a meditation retreat at Anam Cara. Many years ago. I did love Ireland. Peculiar how foreign a place can be and they were speaking English!

I enjoyed your aside about how you feel supported by the green of your land.

Much love,

Hi Stacy - great to hear I'm going in the right direction - and that you've been over here for a visit - Cork is fantastic, I've been there quite a bit for work and holiday breaks. Stunning landscapes and I know exactly what you mean about the accent down there - have trouble following some speakers sometimes myself. It's the way English in Ireland was built on the structures and intonations of the Irish language (which is very varied and dialectical across the island) during centuries of language change during the colonial period that makes it so difficult for non-locals to follow at times.

But to your question

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?

I had to reread this several times before I got it but I think I understand now. Green is just a label that overlays the actual experience of red as that label depends for understanding on how it is differentiated from other labels, not on the actual experience of red itself.

The more I do these exercises the more I understand the frustration of so many nondual writers/teachers about words and how often they preface what they say by indicating the limitations of language to communicate their ideas. Like that great opening line from the Tao Te Ching "The tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.”

Thanks a million for all your support! 🙏

Okay, good. You're welcome.

Can you see how you are over analyzing everything?

Words are nice for getting to know each other a little but they're not going to help you see that there is no self. Please read Colored Socks and reply only with direct experience as much as possible.

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,

Hi Stacy - thanks for this - my responses are below

Can you see how you are over analyzing everything?

Yes. I work as an academic so my profession involves analysing everything. I understand what you are saying. Sorry! Will just focus on actual experience from now on.

What about the content of thoughts, what they describe?

Thoughts create associations. Make connections between apple and past experience. They describe the look, feel, sound, taste in relation to past experiences of 'apple'

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

Can ‘apple’ be found in actual experience?

I'm holding an apple in my hand now. There is a colour (red), shape(round, globe), taste (sweet), sensation (hard) of an object called 'apple' and sound from this object when I bite into it (crack) or drop it (thump). All this feels very real. Right now this body is eating the 'apple' after looking, feeling, hearing the experience of 'apple'. Something was experienced, something can be found in actual experience, there are a range of experiences in relation to the object called 'apple' - but no 'apple' was found.

However, is an apple actually known?

No. An object called 'apple' Is experienced, a range of experiences across all the senses are had in relation to an object called 'apple'. But I can't say I know 'apple' - 'apple' cannot describe the experiences, 'apple' ultimately describes nothing.

Oh good. I was worried you'd go analytic.

Have I shown you this video?

https://youtu.be/wyNwhK2Ur1c?si=TZwuFEst-7Hsadpu

Loving,

Thank you for sharing this really insightful and inspiring video Stacy. This body/mind has the desire to see, to be, to live from experience rather than the restricted and non-existent 'I' - but it carries a lot of baggage in getting there - 'I 'watched the video a few times and picked out some points that seem really significant

'living the life of a person who doesn't exist'

This body/mind has felt that from when it was very young, the feelings that something was wrong, didn't make sense, - the way 'I' dealt with it was to actually exaggerate and over focus on the sense of 'I' or rather the perceived inadequacies of 'I' - perhaps because at some deeper level I always realised there was no 'I' there

'You will need to trust'

This body/mind has more issues with trust, with letting go completely of a sense of separateness, of a sense that 'I' have some control over what is going on

'Bringing looking from the land of concepts to the land of experience'

'I' am focusing a lot on this right now, prompted by your excellent exercises (thank you!) - whenever possible 'I' focus on sustaining the immediate experience rather than submitting to concepts, to fully inhabit, embody the immediate experience as experience

'The way we look at things is past - you look at things through the filter of your own mind'

This is a big issue for this body mind - as much as 'I' try to be with immediate experience, too often the mind jumps in and interprets, complicates, anticipates - this mind has always been very quick to react, interpret, conclude

'We only need a few seconds of pure innocence to look and see that there is no 'you' there'

This seems central here - to find that gap , to focus - 'I' believe 'I' have experienced the fire of awareness he refers to, and intuitively understand the potential power in fully recognising 'no- self' and the deepening possible which will come.

Hi,

None of that analysis & thinking will help. It is exactly what that video is saying *not* to do.

This is a little harsh, but please read this:

https://www.liberationunleashed.com/res ... ar-seeker/

Loving,

Thank you Stacy. You are right. I'll be more direct and drop analysis from now on. The blog post is excellent. Not too harsh. Direct. Thank you for sharing.