The Gate

You say "control ... not a lot!" and "even in the absence of others I can see that there is very little control". This could be interpreted as meaning that you do still believe that there is, at least sometimes, an entity that retains a modicum of control.

Can you please clarify that Anousha. Can you find anything at all, anywhere in 'your' direct experience, that indicates a separate entity, a self, that controls. If so, please describe it, and explain how it works. If not, why don't you simply say there's no control exercised by any entity?

No I can’t find any entity/self/operator that controls experience. The 'control' that was in my mind was a kind of basic ‘autonomic’ brain control from the different parts of the brain, not a ‘me that controls’. So parts of the brain give instructions to move my fingers across the keyboard so that words are formed. That kind of biological/nervous system control which is not conscious nor affected by a falsely constructed notion of a controller.

I have no idea what I am responsible for!

Is there any 'you' to be responsible?

No, and that is a relief.

Also, in relation to any of: decision, intention, free will, choice and control, please give examples. You only need describe a couple of very recent, simple, everyday examples, no more than that.

Decision - recently I went to hear a guy promote a training course. My thoughts said loudly that I didn’t want to do the course and that it was not relevant in my life. After the talk without conscious thought I went up to the guy and told him that I did want to sign up for the training. The movement towards and trainer and the words that came out of my mouth and the signing on the dotted line came from ‘out of the blue’. It just happened and a course of action started!

Intention - Today I made coffee for a friend and myself. Thoughts labelled coffee in a cup ‘my coffee in my cup’. Some minutes later I was drinking hot coffee tasting liquid out of a cup and my friend told me it was not my coffee it was her coffee! This body/mind/hand was on its usual automatic pilot and just drinking. Notions of my and mine were not present. Just drinking!

Free will - this is simply an idea or concept that can really mess things up! Thoughts and emotions can get caught up in this idea that there is an ‘I’ to be free and a ‘will’ that can direct and control life. When actually life is just being what life is with no entity behind it.

My partner often complains about the poor quality of my washing up! I have thoughts that instruct and remind this body/hands etc to sharpen up in this area. My thoughts remind me of how much this matters to my partner. However still the washing up just gets done in its own way. Hands, liquid, water, plate all interact and the washing up is done. If there were a clear controller present there could be a decision to wash up in the way my partner desires and having set that intention with free will and choice the next time I attempted to wash up it would be done in a new way. This is not the case.

On going to sleep last night I had thoughts about relaxing, letting go, be aware of the mattress and to experience sinking into it. In fact actually going to sleep just happens. There is nothing and no entity present within me that can make sleep take over

That's all for now. Hope this clarifies how things are!

best wishes

Kate

Hi Kate,

Thanks for answering my additional questions, that's splendid.

I've now asked the guides to have a look at this thread and I'll let you know as soon as I can whether they have any queries to clarify anything, as they often do. It's a good idea to check whenever you can, to keep the flow going if necessary. It can take a day or two or longer, or it can be quicker. No worries.

After that, I'll arrange for you to get access to various groups on Facebook and the LU site. You can just PM your Facebook details if that's what you want.

Pete x

Hi Kate,

One of the guides is just seeking clarification regarding your phrase " I can feel the sensations that arise in the body. I can touch parts of the body with other parts of my body! ".

He simply wants to know:

Is there a self feeling the sensations?

and

Who is feeling bodily sensations?

Pete x

Hi Pete,

It is that the sensations arise. The eyes shut, two hands touch, sensations arise, - sensing happens. That's it. There is no self feeling the sensations. No one is feeling bodily sensations. With some sensations a thought may arise as or after the
moment.

Kate x

Hi Kate,

I'm very happy to tell you that the guides have no further queries and are now satisfied that you have seen through the illusion of a separate self.

I'll now get in touch with LU admin to get you 'turned blue' and they will be contact you with invitations to the various groups etc. The groups are friendly, helpful and supportive, for those, like you, fresh 'through the Gate', and for later on. PM me with your Facebook details if you wish to join those groups.

You can, of course, always contact me about anything whenever you want.

I've really enjoyed guiding you and helping you to see so clearly through the illusion of a separate self. It's been a real joy.

Go well Kate.

Love,

Pete

HI Pete,

That is such good news!! Thank you so much for your kind, sensitive and astute responses. It has been a real pleasure dialoguing day by day. A great process! I will send you facebook details and look forward to access the groups.

Love Kate