The Gate

Now, can you see that the thoughts about life (the thoughts not their content) are also part of life ?

Yes

And can you also see that the reactions to the content of those thoughts is also life ?

Yes

Now, can you see that the contents of those thought about life, is not part of life but that they affect life? They distort it. The influence it according to their flavor.

Yes they give me direction, where to go and what to do. They label what I like and don't like, etc. I wouldn't say they are not part of life.

They label what I like and don't like, etc.

Yes, and this is how the story gets created and embellished.

I wouldn't say they are not part of life.

Well, yes you're right. They are as much a part of life as any story is. As they are responded to, those responses become experiencing.

Now, can you see that the contents of those thought about life, is not part of life but that they affect life? They distort it. The influence it according to their flavor.

As they are responded to, those responses become experiencing.

Can you explain in detail how they distort life and influence it according to their flavor?

how they distort life and influence it according to their flavor?

Are you able to see this happening ?
How do you think that might occur ?
Give an example.

how they distort life and influence it according to their flavor?

Are you able to see this happening ?
How do you think that might occur ?
Give an example.

No, I don't see it happening. I see the story comes from the experience.

the story comes from the experience.

Yes, stories get constructed from many sources.
It's the recognition of where a story starts to play out, that we are interested in.
Example; you look at a person that you have never seen before. There is a body, it is dressed a certain way, it has expression of a certain kind. Just a person. Then that person reminds you of someone that you have had bad experience with. Immediately there is a protective stance in you. Even dislike. This is story.
Watch people today and see if you can spot the moment that story enters. Hint; it is the moment thoughts ABOUT the seen arise.
See if it's possible to look at those you might be sexually attracted to and recognise where story arises.
Do NOT have opinion about yourself. Just observe.

the story comes from the experience.

Yes, stories get constructed from many sources.
It's the recognition of where a story starts to play out, that we are interested in.
Example; you look at a person that you have never seen before. There is a body, it is dressed a certain way, it has expression of a certain kind. Just a person. Then that person reminds you of someone that you have had bad experience with. Immediately there is a protective stance in you. Even dislike. This is story.
Watch people today and see if you can spot the moment that story enters. Hint; it is the moment thoughts ABOUT the seen arise.
See if it's possible to look at those you might be sexually attracted to and recognise where story arises.
Do NOT have opinion about yourself. Just observe.

Yes, I can see there are thought stories that are inaccurate or accurate about reality.

Yes, I can see there are thought stories that are inaccurate or accurate about reality.

...and can you see how there is a whole flow on from that, both emotionally and physically and even embellishing story ?

...and can you see how there is a whole flow on from that, both emotionally and physically and even embellishing story ?

Yes, these stories influence & affect me.

Yes, these stories influence & affect me.

But they are necessary as well.

they are necessary

No, they are just stories. They may be useful (or not). They may turn out to be true, or not.
They are stories, concepts, so they can be changed at any time.
They disappear when not believed in. That is, there content is not reality.

there content is not reality.

Okay I understand this.

OK, their content is not reality, that is, it evaporates when not believed in, right ?
Reality is there, whether believed in or not, right ?
Ali, which category does 'self' belong to ?

OK, their content is not reality, that is, it evaporates when not believed in, right ?

Yes.

Reality is there, whether believed in or not, right ?

Yes.

Ali, which category does 'self' belong to ?

It belongs to thought, but it feels to be well intertwined with reality.

It belongs to thought, but it feels to be well intertwined with reality.

Ali, when you take your hat or (sun)glasses off, sometimes there is the sensation that they are still on. Have you had that experience ?
How do you react to the sensation when you know that it's just a residual sensation ?