The Gate

Dear Kay,

Can a thought know about a thought?

No. A thought can have thoughts about a thought, but it does not know anything.

Can the thought “I am thinking” know about thinking?

No.

Can the thought “It is raining” know anything about rain?

No. Only body can, thoughts can't.

Can the thought “Where do all thoughts disappear now” know anything about disappearing thoughts?

Nope.

Where is the separate entity that “could use a thought”?

Nowhere, only starring in the story of that thought.

Once you have answered these questions and you are very clear within yourself, that you are clear and I think you are very clear what the actual experience (AE) of thought is, we will move on.

Yeah, I feel very clear about it now.

Have a sweet day,
Luv,
Pietalinda

Hello Pietalinda,

Can a thought know about a thought?

No. A thought can have thoughts about a thought, but it does not know anything.

SINCE A THOUGHT DOES NOT KNOW ANYTHING - KNOWS NOTHING - HOW CAN A THOUGHT HAVE A THOUGHT ABOUT A THOUGHT? This does not make any sense at all.

What does a thought “that can have thoughts about a thought” look like?
Describe it to me in detail.

How is it known that a thought has thoughts?

Where can this thought be found?
Describe to me its exact location.

Please provide step by step detail on how a thought has a thought.

Describe to me in detail how a thought thinks.

Describe to me exactly what a thought can do.

Love Kay

Deares Kay,

I´m so sorry, I copy-pasted the wrong draft, also the word "disappear" was misspelled.

Can a thought know about a thought?
Pietalinda: No. A thought can have thoughts about a thought, but it does not know anything.

SINCE A THOUGHT DOES NOT KNOW ANYTHING - KNOWS NOTHING - HOW CAN A THOUGHT HAVE A THOUGHT ABOUT A THOUGHT? This does not make any sense at all.

So, the thoughts cannot have anything. There are thoughts about thoughts, that´s it. Like "that was not the right thought". Same as there are also thoughts about sensations, like "it looks like it is raining".

What does a thought “that can have thoughts about a thought” look like?
Describe it to me in detail.

Doesn´t look like nothing.

How is it known that a thought has thoughts?

Thoughts don´t think, they don´t have thoughts.

Where can this thought be found?
Describe to me its exact location.

Nowhere.

Please provide step by step detail on how a thought has a thought.

Can´t.

Describe to me in detail how a thought thinks.

They don´t.

Describe to me exactly what a thought can do.

Nothing.

Love,
Pietalinda

Hi Pietalinda,

So, the thoughts cannot have anything. There are thoughts about thoughts, that´s it.

Yes.

Thoughts that appear are ‘real’ only as an appearance of thought (AE of thought), but NEVER its ‘content’ (what it is about).

Is this clear?

If you were in a desert, dying of thirst, could you quench your thirst just by thinking about water (thoughts) or would you need to drink ‘real’ water?

Let’s say I’m with you in the desert and offer you two options:

(1) In my left hand there is a piece of paper with the word ‘water’ written on it, and
(2) in my right hand there is a bottle of water.

Which one would you choose to quench your thirst, the label or the water?

Can the label ‘water’, which is actual experience (AE) of thought, quench your thirst?

Labels are ‘real’ as appearing thoughts (like the word ‘water’ on the piece of paper) but its ‘content’, what the thought is ABOUT (the story ABOUT water) is not ‘real’ and is NOT the AE of ‘content’ (‘water’).

Can you see this?

Is this clear?

Love Kay

Dear Kay,

Thoughts that appear are ‘real’ only as an appearance of thought (AE of thought), but NEVER its ‘content’ (what it is about). Is this clear?

Yes.

Labels are ‘real’ as appearing thoughts (like the word ‘water’ on the piece of paper) but its ‘content’, what the thought is ABOUT (the story ABOUT water) is not ‘real’ and is NOT the AE of ‘content’ (‘water’).
Can you see this? Is this clear?

Very clear.

Luv,
Pietalinda

Hi Pietalinda,

Here is an exercise for you. Do it throughout the day and then answer each question individually please. Have some fun with it!

1. First, choose one of your arms - It doesn't matter which.
2. When you have done that, rest for a moment and then when you want to, raise that arm into the air.

Don't go to thoughts, examine the actual experience. Do this as many times as you like, and each time inquire…

What is it exactly that is choosing which arm to raise?

Can you find a separate individual or anything that is doing the choosing?

What is it that is controlling the arm?

Can a controlling ‘thing’ be located?

Can anything be found that makes the arm move?

How is the decision made?

Love Kay

Dear Kay,
I've been waving hands like a wind mill today, had heaps of fun.

What is it exactly that is choosing which arm to raise?

I don't know. In some occasions convenience (the other one is busy) but be it "a free choise" it is not a choise made by anything I could see. Random. The same as when to do it. I just happened to do it once in a while.

Can you find a separate individual or anything that is doing the choosing?

No.

What is it that is controlling the arm?

No idea. There is a thought first and after it seems like there is automation taking care of the actual timing, movement and all. It just happens.

Can a controlling ‘thing’ be located?

Not at all. There is no such thing.

Can anything be found that makes the arm move?

No, I can't.

How is the decision made?

There is a thought first but I really can't see how the actual decision happens. I was playing a lot with that but after the thought it just seems to get all automatic.

Loveeeeee,
Pietalinda

Hello Pietalinda,

Great looking and I'm glad you had fun being a windmill, you can have extra fun today with it!

"There is a thought first but I really can't see how the actual decision happens. I was playing a lot with that but after the thought it just seems to get all automatic."

Repeat the exercise throughout the day as often as possible:

1. First, choose one of your arms - It doesn't matter which.
2. When you have done that, rest for a moment and then when you want to, raise that arm into the air.

Don’t go to thoughts, examine the actual experience and each time inquire:

So the body moves automatically. And what about the choosing of the thought?

What is it EXACTLY that is choosing the thought?

What is the actual experience of 'choosing the thought'?

Is the thought the cause of the arm lifting?

Describe what is causing the thought 'lift the arm now'?

Let me know if you reach water with your windmilling! (hahaha)

Love Kay

Dearest Kay,

What is it EXACTLY that is choosing the thought?

Nothing is choosing the thought.

What is the actual experience of 'choosing the thought'?

There is no choosing the thought so no experience either.

Is the thought the cause of the arm lifting?

No.

Describe what is causing the thought 'lift the arm now'?

Nothing. It is a thought like any other.

Let me know if you reach water with your windmilling! (hahaha

Today smaller movements, like greetings. Or royal waves. Bhihii.

Loveeee,
Pietalinda

Hey hey Pietalinda,

Nice looking! :) Did you master the royal wave?!! :)

Okay let's look at the body.

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 - 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.

Please answer each question individually.

Another fun exercise...

Love Kay

Dear Kay,
I'm sorry, I don't always manage to write every day. Don't have internet where I live and sometimes the one in the cafe of the nearest village doesn't work or I don't manage to go there the opening hours. But I try.

Did you master the royal wave?!! :)

Yeah, ready for any given balcony now.

Can it be known how tall the body is?

No.

Does the body have a weight or volume?

No, it doesn't.

In the actual experience does the body have a shape or a form?

Nope.

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

No and no.

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

No, there's not. Only sensation/s of something like tiny electricity, tingeling.

What does the word/label ‘body’ ACTUALLY refer to?

To these sensations, to the field where they happen.

What is the ACTUAL experience of the body?

The sensations. While sitting eyes closed it's mainly that "electricity" all around the body. When doing something it's many different sensations more concentrated in the active parts of the body.

Love,
Pietalinda

Hello Pietalinda,

I think you are doing a wonderful job of being consistent with responding and with looking. Thank you! :)

Okay, you did some really good looking, and let’s look even more closely.

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

No, there's not. Only sensation/s of something like tiny electricity, tingeling.

Does the sensation itself suggest in any way that "it's like tiny electricity or tingling"?
If yes, how is the sensation doing that exactly?
If no, then how is it known exactly that "it's like tiny electricity or tingling"?

What does the word/label ‘body’ ACTUALLY refer to?

To these sensations, to the field where they happen.

So are you saying that the sensation happens IN a 'field'?
A field of what?
A field, called 'body'?

So are there two things, the sensation AND a 'field' it appears IN?
What is that supposed 'field' exactly?
What is the actual experience of 'field?

What is the ACTUAL experience of the body?

The sensations. While sitting eyes closed it's mainly that "electricity" all around the body. When doing something it's many different sensations more concentrated in the active parts of the body.

Are the sensations the actual experience of the body or actual experience of sensation?

Describe to me exactly, without thought or mental images, the body that the experience of ‘electricity’ (sensations) is around and happens to.

Where exactly, without thought or mental images, can the active parts of the body be found?

Look very carefully and answer each question individually please.

Love Kay

Dearest Kay,
Good to know <3

Does the sensation itself suggest in any way that "it's like tiny electricity or tingling"?

Oh no, I was just trying to describe it. True, you didn't ask to do so.

If yes, how is the sensation doing that exactly?

Nono, it doesn't.

If no, then how is it known exactly that "it's like tiny electricity or tingling"?

Oh yeah, right! It's just a thought. It is not known what it is, only sensations.

So are you saying that the sensation happens IN a 'field'?

No.

A field of what?

Nothing.

A field, called 'body'?

Nope.

So are there two things, the sensation AND a 'field' it appears IN?

No.

What is that supposed 'field' exactly?

Nothing.

What is the actual experience of 'field?

None.

What is the ACTUAL experience of the body?

Are the sensations the actual experience of the body or actual experience of sensation?

Wow!!! They are actual experience of sensations.

Describe to me exactly, without thought or mental images, the body that the experience of ‘electricity’ (sensations) is around and happens to.

I can't. I don't see / feel it.

Where exactly, without thought or mental images, can the active parts of the body be found?

I don't know. I can see the body, witness the feet walking or the hands waving, but when I close the eyes it's only sensations. I mean I don't even see my own head and it's still doing a lot of stuff. Ever more, there are plenty of sensations I don't even notice and they are still there, happening. So what is the actual experience of body since the sensations are the experience of sensations? I don't find it. Something it is because it exists but what? I can only experience it in sensations, not actually / directly.

Appreciation, love,
Pietalinda

Hi Pietalinda,

Nice looking! :) I loved your response when you saw that sensation is AE of sensation and not of the ‘body’!

Does the sensation itself suggest in any way that "it's like tiny electricity or tingling"?

Oh no, I was just trying to describe it. True, you didn't ask to do so.

I thought as much as we still need words to describe things to communicate - I was just being thorough - leaving no stone unturned as they say.

If no, then how is it known exactly that "it's like tiny electricity or tingling"?

Oh yeah, right! It's just a thought. It is not known what it is, only sensations.

Exactly! :)

The label ‘electricity’ and the label ‘tingling’ are AE of thought and not the AE of sensation. So a sensation knows nothing about the labels ‘electricity’ or ‘tingling’; and the labels ‘electricity’ and ‘tingling’ know nothing about sensation.

Is that clear?

So look carefully.
Is there just ‘sensation’ or is it thought that says there are many different ‘sensations’?

What is the ACTUAL experience of the body?

Are the sensations the actual experience of the body or actual experience of sensation?

Wow!!! They are actual experience of sensations.

Yes - beautiful! :)

Sensation knows nothing of the label’ body’ and the label ‘body’ knows nothing of sensation.

Is that clear?

Where exactly, without thought or mental images, can the active parts of the body be found?

I mean I don't even see my own head and it's still doing a lot of stuff

Without thought or images, where is the proof that you have a ‘head’ that is still doing a lot of stuff?

Press a finger into the top of your head. Notice what's actually there; a feeling of pressure. A thought might say that pressure is located on the top of ‘my head’ but notice again that the pressure (sensation) is the only thing that is actually found.

Is that clear?

So what is the actual experience of body since the sensations are the experience of sensations? I don't find it. Something it is because it exists but what? I can only experience it in sensations, not actually / directly.

Here is an exercise:

1. Close the eyes and hold up one of the hands. Pay attention only to the felt sensations ‘of the hand’.
2. Open the eyes, and now observe the hand by looking only.
3. While looking at the hand, pay attention to the felt sensations.

Repeat this exercise as many times as needed and investigate.

It seems that the sensation is coming from the sight - the object seen (hand). But actually, is there any link between the sensation and the sight? Is the sensation ‘coming from’ the sight (labelled as ‘hand’), or only thoughts and mental constructs link them?

Actual experience (AE) refers to thought, sensation, sound, taste, smell and image.

So far we have seen that the concept labelled 'body' as:
1) The label 'body' is the AE of thought and not the AE of a body
2) What thought refers to as sensation labelled 'body' is the AE of
sensation and not AE of the body.

Is that clear?

Don't forget to answer the questions individually. Have fun with the exercises.

Love Kay

Dear Kay,

The label ‘electricity’ and the label ‘tingling’ are AE of thought and not the AE of sensation. So a sensation knows nothing about the labels ‘electricity’ or ‘tingling’; and the labels ‘electricity’ and ‘tingling’ know nothing about sensation. Is that clear?

Yes.

So look carefully.
Is there just ‘sensation’ or is it thought that says there are many different ‘sensations’?

Oujee! There is actually just sensation.

Sensation knows nothing of the label’ body’ and the label ‘body’ knows nothing of sensation. Is that clear?

Yeah.

Without thought or images, where is the proof that you have a ‘head’ that is still doing a lot of stuff?

Nowhere.

Press a finger into the top of your head. Notice what's actually there; a feeling of pressure. A thought might say that pressure is located on the top of ‘my head’ but notice again that the pressure (sensation) is the only thing that is actually found. Is that clear?

Yes.

It seems that the sensation is coming from the sight - the object seen (hand). But actually, is there any link between the sensation and the sight? Is the sensation ‘coming from’ the sight (labelled as ‘hand’), or only thoughts and mental constructs link them?

No, there is no link.

So far we have seen that the concept labelled 'body' as:
1) The label 'body' is the AE of thought and not the AE of a body
2) What thought refers to as sensation labelled 'body' is the AE of
sensation and not AE of the body. Is that clear?

Yes.

Loveeeee,
Pietalinda