The Gate

Good question. Maybe I’m expecting a release of a kind. I think I expect to be able to witness things more easily without being draw into every external thing that happen. That the feeling of spaciousness is more present in everyday life and not only when meditating.

Can you describe specifically how the experience should be different? In terms of direct experience.

It’s an interesting question as it becomes very obvious when contemplating it that nothing can be any different in direct experience. What is, is and what happens, happens. So in a way it’s silly to have expectations on thing becoming different.

But reality, what happens, is always filtered through the body-mind. I can’t get around the fact that it seem natural, or even realistic, to have expectations that this filter will become somewhat more transparent. That seeing thing the way they truly are will become the norm instead of seeing things through a thick filter.

it becomes very obvious when contemplating it that nothing can be any different in direct experience.

it's great you see this.

But reality, what happens, is always filtered through the body-mind. I can’t get around the fact that it seem natural, or even realistic, to have expectations that this filter will become somewhat more transparent.

What is saying that things should be different?

And what I really care to ask you is:

Does a change in experience of any sort imply the existence of a self?
Does having a "filtered" or a more "trasparent" experience have any influence on the existence of a self?
Can something control the experience in order to make it change?

What is saying that things should be different?

Well, it’s thoughts. I can’t know that things should be different.

Does a change in experience of any sort imply the existence of a self?

No, but I would say it could imply the belief in the existence of a self.

Does having a "filtered" or a more "transparent" experience have any influence on the existence of a self?

No, I would say that it comes down to the belief of a self again.
Even if there isn’t a separate self the belief in one seem to have an impact on our experience.

Can something control the experience in order to make it change?

When answering this question I notice that there is the tendency of not wanting to give up control. Or give up the belief of there being someone/something having at least some minor control of experience. But I can’t find this controller…
Without thoughts thing would just happen. There wouldn’t be any analyzing or commentaries about everything. So thoughts are very essential to controlling/steering life, things. But can I control my thoughts?? No!

Without thoughts thing would just happen. There wouldn’t be any analyzing or commentaries about everything. So thoughts are very essential to controlling/steering life, things. But can I control my thoughts?? No!

There is no reason to move war against thoughts...they are good as they are, just passing phenomena.

No, but I would say it could imply the belief in the existence of a self.

So where is this self, look now! In the experience of this moment.
Put a finger in the self.

Drop what should or shouldn't feel like and just look.
Really it is a joke...look at the fingers typing.
Who is doing the typing?
Who is reading this?
Look for what is doing it, leave aside any thought-based explanation.

Without thoughts thing would just happen. There wouldn’t be any analyzing or commentaries about everything. So thoughts are very essential to controlling/steering life, things. But can I control my thoughts?? No!

There is no reason to move war against thoughts...they are good as they are, just passing phenomena.

No, but I would say it could imply the belief in the existence of a self.

So where is this self, look now! In the experience of this moment.
Put a finger in the self.

Drop what should or shouldn't feel like and just look.
Really it is a joke...look at the fingers typing.
Who is doing the typing?
Who is reading this?
Look for what is doing it, leave aside any thought-based explanation.

Hi!

I am just popping in to say that I'll respond tomorrow or thursday the latest. It's been a bit hectic the last few days.

Sorry for the delays.

Ok thank you for the notice

Hi! Sorry for the late reply but it’s been long days with both a lot of work and other stuff.

There is no reason to move war against thoughts...they are good as they are, just passing phenomena.

Yes, I understand that. I just need to remind myself of how much power that is often given to thoughts. How much problem they can cause if given too much attention.

So where is this self, look now! In the experience of this moment.
Put a finger in the self.
Drop what should or shouldn't feel like and just look.

A few days ago I came across this meditation from Rupert Spira.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EggOerFxWi8

It’s really good and is pointing to exactly the things you write. And helps when it comes to get a feeling to all of this. Cause so many times I read that it’s all so easy and obvious but not really gotten a feeling of what’s been read.

Don’t know what to say really, but I will spend time looking, and look at the simplicity and obviousness of it all. This weekend will be spent in inquiry!

And helps when it comes to get a feeling to all of this. Cause so many times I read that it’s all so easy and obvious but not really gotten a feeling of what’s been read.

I would suggest you to ust stick with this conversation and look instead.
It is simple you have just to look in experience and see if you can find a self in any form, it is as simple as that.

Now in this moment where is the self who is running the show?
Who is reading these words?
Look for it in experience.

It is simple you have just to look in experience and see if you can find a self in any form, it is as simple as that.

To be honest it doesn’t always feel that easy. I’ve looked and looked and never found a self. I can’t really say this has changed anything.

Now in this moment where is the self who is running the show?
Who is reading these words?

I can’t find this self. Who’s reading? Don’t know who or what is doing that.

I can’t find this self. Who’s reading? Don’t know who or what is doing that.

Is there a self in any form?
Has there ever been a self in any form?

Is there a self in any form?
Has there ever been a self in any form?

You know, I find it difficult to answer these questions. The only answer I get now is: I don’t think so. Or, I haven’t found this self yet. Feels like unsatisfactory answers…

Feels like unsatisfactory answers…

What do you want?
What are you looking for?
What are you trying to find or to achieve?