A feeling is a sensation with a concept put on it : in this case a sensation called me. A sensation is a sensation : sometimes the same sensation in the body is called happiness, another time it is called fear.No I can't. It's just a feeling.
Then all this is a thought story : just don’t believe these thoughts. It is conditioning which is operating, due to education, society, religion or whatever.The sense that I am responsible for my actions.
Stress. Thinking how to do things best. But it is not really expressed in the body.
Yes, you see that judgments are thoughts arising without any thinker. Such thoughts are arising, as I said before, because of old habits and conditioning. Just look at thoughts, judgments, … as you look at clouds : nothing personal, they come they go.No it's not a fear of being not responsible. It's the opposite. It's making judgments on myself. It's this "I should have" or "how will I manage this or that". That these judgments are happening on their own accord seems strange. But those judgments are clearly thoughts. I would like to loose them.
There is no you, no separate self at this very moment but thought says the opposite. Don’t lean on thoughts, come back to direct experience.If there is no "me" judgment doesn't make sense. Not for me not for others. It's just life happening. And being angry with my thoughts is also just happening.
Look at this “I” which is lost, where is it ? describe it for me. The thought “I” will continue to arise but you know it is only a concept without substance. Why not replace this “I” feeling by Presence (consciousness) feeling.I feel lost. I can't get rid of these "I"- feeling, but it relaxes me to make the exercises you told me.
Here is an exercise which points out the difference between direct experience and content of thought.
There are two types of thoughts:
(1) Thoughts with words “Here is cup”
(2) Visual mental images of a ‘cup’
So I invite you to do this exercise:
Think of a cup. Get a very clear picture in your mind. See clearly the size, shape, colour and volume of the cup. Notice whether it is decorated or plain. Notice whether it has a handle. Notice whether it is heavy or fragile. Do you have a clear picture in mind?
Now, can you physically grasp that image of a cup?
Can you pour tea into it?
Can you drink from it?
Is there a ‘real’ cup or just an image of a cup?
Is there an appearing mental image?
Is the content of the mental image (the cup) ‘real’?
The thoughts and mental images are real only as arising thoughts and mental images, their ‘presence’ cannot be denied. However their contents, what are they about are not ‘real’, they are just fantasies. Can you see this?
Over the course of the next day or so, I'd like you to notice the content of thoughts. Whenever there is an arising thought or mental image, check whether its content (what it’s about) is really happening, or the content is just pure imagination. Let me know how it goes.
Best wishes
Warissem
