The Gate

Hi Sioned,

I'm doing well. When trying to label all the direct experiences, you really notice how all your senses are being bombarded at once. However, it does keep you in the moment.

Kerry

Hi

When trying to label all the direct experiences, you really notice how all your senses are being bombarded at once. However, it does keep you in the moment.

True
Any more observations re the last exercise?
xx

That there is a noticer of all these things arising

What/who/where is that noticer?xx

i dont know. i cant find it. it is just there and aware.

How do you know it's there?

because I am aware of everything arising in my aware/consciousness. I cant say it is a thing or object. Perhaps there is a part of the brain that functions as aware/consciousness allowing you to observe your thoughts.

Morning Kerry,

because I am aware of everything arising in my aware/consciousness. I can't say it is a thing or object. Perhaps there is a part of the brain that functions as aware/consciousness allowing you to observe your thoughts.

This is an interesting one, isn't it? There is awareness, certainly. Though is it YOUR awareness? That's where we're going!
Let's continue to explore using direct experience - this is the only way to do this work. Thinking just won't do it.
Have a go at this one next:
Have a look at an apple. If you have a ‘real’ apple, you can use it for this exercise. If not, use the image in this link:
http://www.maryshomestead.com/sitebuild ... /fruit.gif

When looking at an apple, there's colour; a thought saying ‘apple’; and maybe a thought saying, "I'm looking at an apple."
What is known for sure? Colour is known and thoughts are known.

What about the content of thoughts, what they describe?
Actual experience does not refer to thoughts ABOUT something…because that is only just more thought. Actual experience is sound, thought, colour, smell, taste, sensation.

Is there really an ‘apple’ here, or only colour and a thought ABOUT ‘apple’?
Can ‘apple’ be found in actual experience?

While these thoughts are known, what they talk ABOUT can't be found in actual experience.

This is what is meant by ‘looking in actual experience ‘. What you know for sure, and, is always here.

Taste labelled ‘apple’ is known
Colour labelled ‘apple’ is known
Sensation labelled ‘apple’ is known (when apple is touched)
Smell labelled ‘apple’ is known
Thought about/of an ‘apple’ is known
However, is an apple actually known?

xx

the collection of the actual experiences is what we label as an Apple, but each on their own and what we actual experience is not an Apple and cannot actually been know except conceptually.

Good. How was it to notice that?

it brought my attention to each individual actual sensory experience and not to just rely on a label to know something.

I guess the experience helped me to wait until I had the actual experience of it without any thoughts jumping to future ideas and conclusions

That sounds a useful thing to notice.

Let’s do some observing now to further explore the difference between mental construction and direct experience.
Try this: Choose an ordinary object in the room. Maybe a vase of flowers or something that has interesting and varied visual qualities
1. Close your eyes and picture it in your mind for a minute or two.
2. Open your eyes and observe it directly for a while.
Describe both experiences. The first one of what was happening directly in the mind sense and then the second one of what you experienced in the visual sense.
Also tell me the difference between these two experiences.

xx

I chose a colorful painting

1. I was just remembering what it looked liked, the best I could. I don't really see any images in my mind, just thoughts of what it looks like.
2. I was seeing the various shapes, colors and patterns.

The difference between the two is that the first step I had to really use my memory and imagination to recall. The second step was just pure seeing without any effort. My mind would step in to label things, but other than that just seeing.

Hi Kerry,

The difference between the two is that the first step I had to really use my memory and imagination to recall. The second step was just pure seeing without any effort. My mind would step in to label things, but other than that just seeing.

Good.
Did you notice any difference in the quality of the 2 experiences?

Just as a general point, Kerry - though there is usually nothing wrong with your replies, they are often a bit too short for me to be able to tell if you've truly "got" it or not. I'd welcome a bit more detail please!
Also, remember that what I am interested in is hearing how you have found these exercises in your actual direct experience. xx