If I don’t exist, what can I cease doing?

[Anastacia42]

Very good. There are 2 follow-up pointers for this.

Here's the first one:

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?

Loving,

[Anastacia42]

Remember, you can LOOK wherever you are.

Happy Turkey Day!

[Arash]

Synchronicity - I'd just signed in to reply and you messaged! sync

Sorry I have late replies and thank you for pointing. I'm engaged but a bit of a slow processor. It's been becoming more of a regular habit of my day day to bring my awareness to 'The Lie That is I.'

I lie to my family all the time. I lied to my father just yesterday when he asked me what's going on and I said nothing.

It feels red. I've been trying to pinpoint how to describe it and it keeps coming up as colors. 🤷‍♀️

But I've also been in a chapter of a great deal of rage recently, which is floating above my body sensations and making it hard to pinpoint the simplicity of tight or loose.

And when I've been trying to do it, I've been wondering if even that is part of the story or the lie.

[Anastacia42]

Let me make it simple for you.

All words are lies. All.

Sure, that's a strong word. You can say "made up."

They are never the thing or the experience itself.

LOOK only at DE.

Loving,

[Anastacia42]

What looking at you practicing? How is it going?

Loving,

[Arash]

It is particularly interesting as a storyteller.
I’m constantly wondering where I fall as an artist. This whole words are a lie, what am I doing with my day all day?

Is WE a lie too?

[Anastacia42]

Good morning

Thanks for reading past the typo up there. (as...are)

This whole words are a lie, what am I doing with my day all day?

Have you read or seen any Alan Watts?
We are simply playing a game. He has some great words about it. Try "The Game of Black & White." Take a look.

Maybe this:

https://www.youtube.com/live/_4afKk0aFT ... 3pNBoEFy

Loving

[Anastacia42]

Hi

Have you ghosted the thread?

The only way to fail is to quit.

Much love,

[Arash]

haha no. Slow processor. I've had a particularly brutal emotional chapter as well as a move to a new state. I appreciate you following up very much.

Sorry I thought I'd responded to the last one. Love Alan Watts. Been digesting that lesson. The game of black and white.

I can't quite articulate it but I am feeling some shifts. But also leaning into the game of life more. It feels like strong contrasting experiences are arising. More intensity in experience coupled with more... optimism?

I'm entering a deeper writing and storytelling chapter as an artist. Which is strange to couple with this thread. Like I am more aware that I'm using the experiences to make a thing, rather than being the thing.

How do I navigate grief? Feelings and failings in my human body that are more undeniable. Health things.

[Anastacia42]

Hi,

Okay, I'll just expect slower replies - especially, with all that is going on. Take your time.

Grief & sadness are just us arguing with "what is" or "reality." We want it some other way and it's not, so we throw a fit we call grief.

The best thing I know for releasing any thoughts that are causing us distress is The Work of Byron Katie, www.thework.com

Truly, suffering comes only from our thoughts. Ask yourself Katie's 4 questions and you can see this for yourself.

Much love,

[Arash]

I can understand that on a philosophical level.

But many of these stories are so deeply embedded that instead of me thinking the thoughts, it can feel as if the thoughts are thinking me.

Like right now, I keep hoping to connect better with my brother, but the amount of rage that I feel feels beyond my control. I understand that it’s not, but I can’t figure out which buttons to press in the control center to make it so that I don’t feel it completely take over my body, flush my face, and turn me into an inarticulate rage monster.

[Anastacia42]

Go to www.thework.com

It is made for exactly this kind of rage, etc.

Loving,

[Anastacia42]

Do you still want to be guided?

[Arash]

I do.

I have a silly question: Is there a point of completion to the guiding? Is there a point where you read my response and might surmise that your work is complete with me?

[Arash]

I do.

I have a silly question: Is there a point of completion to the guiding? Is there a point where you read my response and might surmise that your work is complete with me?