Mind that loves to philosophize and grab on to concepts and experiences

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Anastacia42
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Re: Mind that loves to philosophize and grab on to concepts and experiences

Postby Anastacia42 » Wed Jan 14, 2026 8:19 pm

Hi Anna,
It is made up of thoughts, which includes planning, evaluation and worrying. Thoughts about "should and should not", contemplation, rumination. And sensations: pressure in various forms, mostly in chest area and in the head. Sometimes feeling of wrongness, made up of thoughts.
That is the Lie Feeling because there is no "self." Thoughts & tight. contracted, heavy lie feelings.

Please review the truth/lie pointer.

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?

Can you see that?

Loving
~ Stacy

"Thought is a garbage can. If you look into the garbage can, all you will get is garbage."

~ Adyashanti

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ajef
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Re: Mind that loves to philosophize and grab on to concepts and experiences

Postby ajef » Thu Jan 15, 2026 7:34 pm

Hi Stacy.
What is found?
I can see that this "sense of self" is related to the lying sensations. Heavy feelings, for me it brings a lot of anxiety (worries) goes straight up to the head, and disassociate from body. Some times freeze mode, like a stuck feeling.

I've tried recalling different lies I've told, and also a few situations where I clearly remember feeling uneasy or not wanting to be there. Its a similar vibe I feel, although the sensations can be a bit different in every situation.
And yes, this "vibe" is similar to what I feel is the "sense of self" from the last pointer.

I feel tightness in chest, heaviness, contraction. Increased thought activites is the most prominent for me.
Peaceful" is an interpretation of a body Sensation, not the Sensation itself, for example.
Do you see that?
Yes, peaceful is not the sensation itself.

Can you see that?
I think so.

For me the problem now is that I don't know what to do with this heaviness. I try to feel sensations and accept them. But they still feel like me, even if I see that they are not. Like with the key analogy you brought up - I can admit that I can't find they keys, but I still get so caughed up in the "shock" of not finding the keys. If you know what I mean? Any suggestions on this?

With love,
Anna

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Anastacia42
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Re: Mind that loves to philosophize and grab on to concepts and experiences

Postby Anastacia42 » Thu Jan 15, 2026 10:07 pm

Anna, You don't do anything with the Sensations. You cannot think you're way through this or figure anything out.

The pointers I'm giving you point you to the truth. When you are focused on truth you do not have the heavy lie sensation.

"Enlightenment is an accident. Meditation makes us accident prone."

Sunryu Suzuki

We cannot predict it and we cannot make it happen. We can only practice the conditions in which it is more likely.

This frustrates the mind because it wants everything to be linear and logical and step-by-step, but this is not. It is non linear and unpredictable.

Just keep LOOKING & not finding any "self "

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


This is the only pointer Ilona gave me when I was guided here. i practiced this for about 3 months. I call it:

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,
~ Stacy

"Thought is a garbage can. If you look into the garbage can, all you will get is garbage."

~ Adyashanti

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ajef
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Re: Mind that loves to philosophize and grab on to concepts and experiences

Postby ajef » Fri Jan 16, 2026 6:03 pm

Hi Stacy. Thanks for another great pointer.
Is there any clear dividing line between them? Or only the Sensation with no clear division?
So far all I can honestly say is that there is just sensation, but the sensation appears to be the division, or the skin is the division.

I am experiencing some frustrations of "not getting it". I've sat with this ALL day (the question). I might have to stop trying so hard, and let it go for a while. I will keep investigeting, maybe for some days and then write back to you in a few days if I come up with another answer.

With love,
Anna

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Anastacia42
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Re: Mind that loves to philosophize and grab on to concepts and experiences

Postby Anastacia42 » Fri Jan 16, 2026 6:20 pm

Okay.

You must be relaxed.

It took me 3 months! RELAX

Loving,
~ Stacy

"Thought is a garbage can. If you look into the garbage can, all you will get is garbage."

~ Adyashanti

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ajef
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Re: Mind that loves to philosophize and grab on to concepts and experiences

Postby ajef » Mon Jan 19, 2026 1:21 pm

Hi Stacy. Hope you are doing well and taking care of yourself while in your moving process.
I am back.
I have been just focusing on relaxing lately, and sat with your last pointer.

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?
If I close my eyes, there are just sensations of pressure + assumptions about where the butt ends.
If I open my eyes and look, there is a body and a chair (they look different, so there is assumption that they are separate). So the natural assumption is that the pants make the division between the chair and the butt. Another way of saying it, is that its colour, texture, different shape, that creates the division between objects.

Any comments on this?

With love and gratitude,
Anna

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Anastacia42
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Re: Mind that loves to philosophize and grab on to concepts and experiences

Postby Anastacia42 » Mon Jan 19, 2026 1:34 pm

Hi Anna,

Yes. My husband is packing like crazy. Hope you're well. too.

Finding only 1 Sensation and no separation is true..

Now stay in that space, finding only one Sensation every day for a while. Don't tell thought stories about it, just FEEL.

Remember, I did this for 3 months.

Stay relaxed. Remember seeing is umpredictable. It snuck up on me at a stop sign, looking out the window. Everything alm9st glowed. It can happen when you're not practicing anything.

We are looking for a shift in perception.

Loving,
~ Stacy

"Thought is a garbage can. If you look into the garbage can, all you will get is garbage."

~ Adyashanti

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ajef
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Re: Mind that loves to philosophize and grab on to concepts and experiences

Postby ajef » Tue Jan 20, 2026 1:41 pm

Hi Stacy.
Thank you for sharing.
I realize there are still some expectations on what or how it will happen. Trying to feel into that. Also I've been spending even longer time in meditation and just feeling. There are still the "image" of it being a body and a strong belief in it that makes it appear "impossible" that it cannot be a division, but I can catch out these thoughts. Thats where I am now. Not really sure "how" to proceed, but just spending time in silence.

Good energy into the moving and everything thats happening.

With love,
Anna

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Anastacia42
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Re: Mind that loves to philosophize and grab on to concepts and experiences

Postby Anastacia42 » Tue Jan 20, 2026 2:45 pm

Thank you.

Just LOOK.

That is how to proceed. Ignore thinking.

https://youtu.be/wyNwhK2Ur1c?si=TZwuFEst-7Hsadpu
There are still the "image" of it being a body
Introductory Body Exercise

Sit with eyes closed for about 15 minutes. Paying attention only to the pure sensations, without relying on thoughts or mental images:

Can it be known how tall the body is? Does the body have a weight or volume? In the actual experience does the body have a shape or a form?

Is there a boundary between the body and the clothing? Is there a boundary between the body and the chair?

Is there an inside or an outside? If there is an inside - the inside of what exactly? If there is an outside - the outside of what exactly?

What does the word/label ‘body’ ACTUALLY refer to? What is the ACTUAL experience of the body?

Look very carefully, especially with the last question. Take your time, don’t rush. You can look several times during the day while doing other things (like washing hands, showering, having a short break from work, walking, etc) before replying.

Loving,
~ Stacy

"Thought is a garbage can. If you look into the garbage can, all you will get is garbage."

~ Adyashanti

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ajef
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Re: Mind that loves to philosophize and grab on to concepts and experiences

Postby ajef » Wed Jan 21, 2026 10:15 pm

Hi Stacy. Thank you for the last pointers. Just letting you know I am doing an online retreat with Angelo Dilullo until over the weekend. I will keep the questions in mind and see if something comes up. But I will take a break from writing and the forum, and be back next week to answer the questions.

With love and gratitude,
Anna

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Anastacia42
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Re: Mind that loves to philosophize and grab on to concepts and experiences

Postby Anastacia42 » Wed Jan 21, 2026 11:51 pm

That's good. He's good.

Loving,
~ Stacy

"Thought is a garbage can. If you look into the garbage can, all you will get is garbage."

~ Adyashanti

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ajef
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Re: Mind that loves to philosophize and grab on to concepts and experiences

Postby ajef » Wed Jan 28, 2026 11:28 pm

Hi Stacy. Hope everything is going well. Have you settled in to your new home already?
I am back from the retreat. It was great to be in silence, and now working through some emotions and deepening insights. Answering these questions now. Still feel as I'm not able to see it fully clearly yet.
Can it be known how tall the body is?
Not known, it can only be imagined.
Does the body have a weight or volume?

Weight is a made up concept, but you could technically weight the body and say its this many kg.
In the actual experience does the body have a shape or a form?
With eyes closed no. With eyes open there is a certain shape/colour to it.
Is there a boundary between the body and the clothing?
There is not a boundry. It is a different texture of the skin of the body and clothes + the mental image of a division.
Is there a boundary between the body and the chair?
No boundry, but there is contrast.
Is there an inside or an outside?
There still seems to be "something" looking "out". Realizing this is just a SEEMS TO, it still feels real.
If there is an inside - the inside of what exactly?
Inside the body.
If there is an outside - the outside of what exactly?
Everything outside of the body.
What does the word/label ‘body’ ACTUALLY refer to?
The "suit" we are wearning, from the head down to the toes, and all parts in between.
What is the ACTUAL experience of the body?
Sensations + mental image of a siluette.

With love,
Anna

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Anastacia42
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Re: Mind that loves to philosophize and grab on to concepts and experiences

Postby Anastacia42 » Wed Jan 28, 2026 11:34 pm

Hi Anna

Yes, only Sensations & content of thought.

Like "apple" is there an ACTUAL body?

Oh, and no need to tell me you can't see. Just say if there's a shift in perception when you CAN see

Loving
~ Stacy

"Thought is a garbage can. If you look into the garbage can, all you will get is garbage."

~ Adyashanti

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Anastacia42
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Re: Mind that loves to philosophize and grab on to concepts and experiences

Postby Anastacia42 » Wed Jan 28, 2026 11:35 pm

Oh, and no. Still haven't closed. Another month, maybe.

Thanks
~ Stacy

"Thought is a garbage can. If you look into the garbage can, all you will get is garbage."

~ Adyashanti

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ajef
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Re: Mind that loves to philosophize and grab on to concepts and experiences

Postby ajef » Thu Jan 29, 2026 4:18 pm

Hi Stacy.
Like "apple" is there an ACTUAL body?
No, there is no actual body. Just a concept, label, belief, imagination.

With love,
Anna


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