The Gate

Hi Stacy,
BTW, Esther - not Edith...

Activity:
I am listening to classical music
listening

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

When I write I am listening, it feels more like I am actively doing something... whereas when written as only listening it feels more like something that is happening.

2. What is here without labels?

just actual the experience of hearing the music

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

while I was listening to the music it felt the same during the both 10 minutes, only when I began to describe the experience with the words did it change for me.

4. Did you notice any differences in the body?

Not while listening to the music, only when I write these answers do I feel a change. Just the listening feels clearer in my body. When I write I am listening there is a slight heaviness.

Ciao
-E

Sorry about the name change. I think predictive text maybe did that.

Please do a few more for practice, as in the example.

Much love,

Hi Stacy,

Activity: Reading
I am reading
Reading

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

One statement does not feel truer than the other

2. What is here without labels?

I'm not entirely clear on what is truly meant by this question - going on the observation that reading itself is a word/label to represent a cognitive function - the only thing left is the function itself of what is occurring in my brain while doing the activity we call reading.

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

While the actual reading was taking place the experience was not affected. As I describe the experience here with writing I feel tension searching for the correct words to represent the experience in order to communicate it to you.

4. Did you notice any differences in the body? There is a difference.

Not while the experience of reading is happening, only when I write these answers do I feel a change in the body.

I have played with this activity since yesterday and I have not experienced anything different from what I just described.
What would be the purpose of my continuing to repeat this exercise for practice?

Ciao,
-E

While we don't do this for correct answers, here they are:

1. The second without "I" is truer. I will give you a pointer to help you see that.

2. Direct Experience is here without labels. I don't know what all of those words you wrote mean.

3. Labels only describe the experience. I've got a pointer for you for that, too.

4. Contraction or tension with "I."
Expansion or relaxation workout it.

The point in doing it again is to find clarity. Right now, you're not clear.

So, let's look deeper.

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,

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

Yes -

Find the lie. I don't need the whole story, just a few key words to refer to it.

telling my partner I was alright when I was not alright while she was extremely ill and having a meltdown.

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 feel tension in my chest.

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?

Yes -

When calling up images of deception or even thinking about deception in general - I feel twisting and tension (contraction) in my gut. When I recall memories of my own deceptions I feel tension (contraction) in my chest.

Ciao
-E

Good.

Most people also feel the contraction of the lie when thinking about the non-existent "self." But not when omitting "I" as in the previous pointer.

Now let's look at 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 Stacey,

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

I see red letters arranged to make the word green

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

I experience seeing the word GREEN in the color red

Does the label ‘GREEN’ have a one-to-one correspondence with ‘reality’?

no

Or does the label suggest something else other than what is here now (red colour)?

suggests something else

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?

not associated with the experience of the color red, it's a label

If the label ‘GREEN’ is replaced with the label ‘GOOD’ or ‘BAD’ , is the redness affected in any way as the labels suggests? No

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

no affect on reality

ciao
-E

Good. Now you can distinguish truth from lie and see that labels have no effect on reality. Very good.

Now let's bring it together a bit:

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.

Hi Stacy,

What about the content of thoughts, what they describe?

the contents of thoughts about apple is the story - a script

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

no apple

Can ‘apple’ be found in actual experience?

not here

However, is an apple actually known?

no

Have fun and let me know what you find out.

If I were to hold and bite an apple I would have direct experience of the "known" - touching, tasting, smelling, etc. In thoughts of apple there is no direct experience of apple - only the construction of thoughts - what I call a story. The word itself, apple, is a label.

Ciao
-E

Good. Yes, exactly.


So, here is a pointer that may force you to look, not think:

ButtChair

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

Is there any clear dividing line between them? Or only the Sensation with no clear division?


It is simple direct & nonverbal. Just LOOK.

Then write what is true.

Loving

Hi Stacey,

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

Is there any clear dividing line between them? Or only the Sensation with no clear division?

There is only a sensation of pressure of the butt on chair. No division of objects, only sensation.

Ciao
-E

Excellent. That is your go-to pointer. It can help you shift into a clearer perception. That's what we're looking for - a shift in perception.

Read "Gateless Gatecrashers, " downloadable here under Books, for examples.

Much love,

Hi Stacey,

I've been reading it since signing up at LU.

Ciao
-E

Hi Stacy,
I'm halfway through the book - what's up?
ciao,
-E

Hi,

What's up? I'm not sure what you are asking.

Just keep reading and keep practicing ButtChair. Post here daily or maybe every other day.

Remember, it isn't about right answers. You see there is no division. Relax into it and let that show you that there is no "self."

Loving,