In time and out of it.

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Alless
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Re: In time and out of it.

Postby Alless » Mon Dec 11, 2023 2:16 pm

That is very clear Janine 😊

Seeing when we are identifying with thought is fundamental to seeing through the illusion of "me"

Being acutely aware of the phenomenon of identifying with thought is the key. Identifying here means believing it to be true. Or identification with thought is believing what we are thinking (could we say the proxy of reality and a very poor one at a that) is the reality of the moment.

Once we have seen through the illusion of the thought of "me" we sometimes have a mistaken expectation that we NEVER get caught again. That is not true. That we get caught less and less is closer to the truth. However noticing WHEN we get caught in the web of thought gives us the break through.

So let’s look at AE (Actual Experience) of THOUGHT at little closer. So that we can be alert to what is happening in experience

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


For example,

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?



Or simply think of standing in the shower with the water cascading over you.

Are you wet?



Being aware of the thought of being wet with water is the AE of thought (doesn't make you wet) The thought of being wet with water is NOT the AE of water.(where you actually end up wet !) The imagining/the story of being wet is CONTENT

Is that clear?



Right now think of a lemon. See it sitting on a cutting board in your kitchen. Now with a sharp knife see yourself cutting it in half. You see the tangy juice starting to run over the cutting board.

Now take one piece of lemon and in your imagination taste it. It is so tart and cutting in its taste.

Close your eyes for a few moments and REALLY IMAGINE the sharpness, the cutting sourness.

Does it create any sensation in your mouth or elsewhere in your body?



Was there a "me" that imagined the imagined lemon?



Did you choose the sensations that were experienced?



If you had never tasted "lemon" before would you have had the same reaction?



Where did the imagined lemon and the reactions you experienced arise from?



Is any of this lemon episode AE?



What of this lemon episode is thought content / story?




If this still is any way confusing please tell me as there are other ways we can come at it.



With love


Alan

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JanineJanaki
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Re: In time and out of it.

Postby JanineJanaki » Mon Dec 11, 2023 11:14 pm

Hi Alan.

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?
Noticing mental activity “building a case for the ‘power of thought.’” Aside from that, the answer is “no.”

Which one would you choose to quench your thirst, the label or the water?
The bottle of water.

Can the label ‘water’, which is actual experience (AE) of thought, quench your thirst?
No.

Can you see this?
Noticing thinking… The reality is that thinking thinks, not that the content is “true” or “false” or valuable.

Are you wet?
No.

Is that clear?
Thinking… Yes, clear. Thinking does not make it so.

Does it create any sensation in your mouth or elsewhere in your body?
Salivating… alert.

Was there a "me" that imagined the imagined lemon?
Image of sliced lemon inspired visceral reaction. “Me,” unseen.


Did you choose the sensations that were experienced?
No!

If you had never tasted "lemon" before would you have had the same reaction?
Perhaps, not. Thinking… about whether “lemon” or “taste” or “tart” inspired the reaction.


Where did the imagined lemon and the reactions you experienced arise from?
Images of past experience (thoughts).

Is any of this lemon episode AE?
The appearance of the thought stream (not the content of the thoughts) and arising of sensations are actual experience.

What of this lemon episode is thought content / story?
Images of sliced lemon on the cutting board with juices spilling over… the episode as seen to move, in time, with concrete specifics, as frames in a movie… before slicing, slicing, afterward… tasting…

If this still is any way confusing please tell me as there are other ways we can come at it.
Mental abstractions are not reality. Mental abstractions occur in Reality. Direct experience is the intimate awareness of arising phenomena, as not apart from phenomena…

Thanks Alan.

Love,
Janine

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Alless
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Re: In time and out of it.

Postby Alless » Tue Dec 12, 2023 12:08 pm

These responses are very clear. Good work Janine !

A couple of things .....


If you had never tasted "lemon" before would you have had the same reaction?
Perhaps, not. Thinking… about whether “lemon” or “taste” or “tart” inspired the reaction.
We can delete the Perhaps and just say "Not." Consider little children tasting something for the first time. With a lemon they would have no idea what was coming would they? So their mind has not been conditioned to "lemon" This is another aspect of (no) conditioning - no past experience and memory to be invoked.

Is any of this lemon episode AE?
The appearance of the thought stream (not the content of the thoughts) and arising of sensations are actual experience.
Yes, indeed. This is the crux of the AE in this exercise !

Mental abstractions are not reality. Mental abstractions occur in Reality
Beautiful !!

Now we'll move on to Sensation.

Hand on Desk

Please close your eyes for this exercise, just notice any ‘mental’ images or thoughts that appear and put them aside.

Place a hand on a desk or table (flat surface) - Close your eyes.

Now 'go to' the Sensation which we would normally refer to as 'hand on desk' and answer from what you can FIND.

1) How many things do you find? Are there two things (hand and desk) or is there one thing – AE of sensation.



2) Do you notice 'one thing feeling another thing'? Or is there just 'a sensation'?



3) Do you find an 'I', a body, a hand 'feeling' . . . or is there just 'a sensation'?



Look very carefully. Where does ‘feeling’ end and sensation begin? Can a dividing line between ‘feeling’ and sensation be found? Or is there just sensation?



Can a ‘feeler’ ever be found in 'what is being felt' – in AE of sensation?



If that is all, and no INHERENT FEELER is found . . . would anything that is suggested as the feeler be other than a concept/idea/thought?




With love


Alan

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Re: In time and out of it.

Postby JanineJanaki » Tue Dec 12, 2023 10:21 pm

Hi Alan!

How many things do you find? Are there two things (hand and desk) or is there one thing – AE of sensation.
One thing. One sensation.

2) Do you notice 'one thing feeling another thing'? Or is there just 'a sensation'?
No. One sensation.

3) Do you find an 'I', a body, a hand 'feeling' . . . or is there just 'a sensation'?
No, just sensation.

Look very carefully. Where does ‘feeling’ end and sensation begin? Can a dividing line between ‘feeling’ and sensation be found? Or is there just sensation?
“’Feeling sensation’ is the same as the sensation,” was the first reply. Upon second “look,” just sensation.

Can a ‘feeler’ ever be found in 'what is being felt' – in AE of sensation?
No. Just sensation.

If that is all, and no INHERENT FEELER is found . . . would anything that is suggested as the feeler be other than a concept/idea/thought?
Breath pauses as mind protests. Aware of questions… doubt… Setting aside doubt and questions, there is just sensations… the hand/tabletop sensation… sound of water flowing… wings flapping… sense of body breathing…

Thank you.

Love,
Janine


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Alless
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Re: In time and out of it.

Postby Alless » Wed Dec 13, 2023 12:20 pm

Hello Janine

Real clarity in these responses.
Does it feel like more clarity to you as we go "deeper" in this exploration Janine?



Upon second “look,” just sensation.
So good!


Sticking with sensation for now .....

To find the truth here we need to have DIRECT EXPERIENCE of this we call the body

Body Exercise

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 - the 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 with eyes closed?




FEEL AND LOOK very carefully, especially with the last question. Take your time, don’t rush. You can look/feel several times during the day while doing other things (like washing hands, showering, having a short break from work, walking, etc) before replying.

Remember this statement a few days ago?

There is no separate self, never has been, and never will be.



What happens now when you sit with that statement?



Describe any differences in reaction or responses now experienced compared to when you first saw it a few days ago?






With Love



Alan

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Re: In time and out of it.

Postby JanineJanaki » Thu Dec 14, 2023 1:59 am

Hi Alan.


Does it feel like more clarity to you as we go "deeper" in this exploration Janine?
Truth rings loud and clear, often expressing in tears. Leaning away from thinking and complexity toward the simplicity of direct sensing… full and natural.


Can it be known how tall the body is?
No.

Does the body have a weight or volume?
Noticing relational thinking. That aside, no.

In the actual experience does the body have a shape or a form?
No.

Is there a boundary between the body and the clothing?
No.

Is there a boundary between the body and the chair?
No.

Is there an inside or an outside?
No boundary.

If there is an inside - the inside of what exactly?
Inside only with thinking.


If there is an outside - the outside of what exactly?
No outside.

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

What is the ACTUAL experience of the body with eyes closed?
Initially, with input of thinking, noticing quality and intensity of sensations, in a relational way. Softening focusing… melting focusing… into a “sphere of sensation,” without start or end.


There is no separate self, never has been, and never will be.



What happens now when you sit with that statement?
Describe any differences in reaction or responses now experienced compared to when you first saw it a few days ago?
Initially, quick inbreath and sound of gasp, hand to forehead, pulse quickening, pressure of tears. Eyes closing, falling, calm. Reading again, slight shock. Sitting, eyes open… breathing… Stillness… quiet mind… Reading again and again with breathing, and pauses in breathing… Quiet.
Noticing thought stream engage in response to Silence. Stillness remains unaffected by thought stream.


Thanks Alan.

Love,
Janine

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Alless
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Re: In time and out of it.

Postby Alless » Thu Dec 14, 2023 10:03 am

I am a seeing a lot of clarity in what you write here Janine.

Truth rings loud and clear, often expressing in tears. Leaning away from thinking and complexity toward the simplicity of direct sensing… full and natural.
This leaning away and leaning in is a beautiful way to describe this.
While truth rings loud and clear tell me more about the tears
Is there a story you can spot?



Is there a sensation from where the tears arose?




a “sphere of sensation,” without start or end.
Beautiful !



In relation to the statement There is no separate self, never has been, and never will be.
There is a question where I'm not clear on your answer.
Describe any differences in reaction or responses, if any, now experienced compared to when you first saw it some three weeks ago?




Deeper Body Investigation
Here is an even deeper investigation of the body. Please follow each step, don't leave out any. Take your time. Don't move to the next step until the previous one is clearly seen.
Repeat the exercise several times.
Stand in front of a bigger mirror.
(1) First, close the eyes and feel the sensations labelled ‘body’.
(2) Then open the eyes and look into the mirror while still paying attention to the sensations.
Is there any connection between the felt sensations and the image in the mirror?



Or just thoughts (and/or mental images) suggest that there is?




(3) While still paying attention to the sensations move one hand and observe the movement from the mirror. Is there any connection between the felt sensations (labelled ‘hand’) and image of movement in the mirror?




(4) Now do the same movement with the hand, but this time look at the hand directly, not from the mirror. Is there any connection between the felt sensations (labelled ‘hand’) and the image ‘of movement’? Or only thoughts suggest it?




(5) Now, pay attention only to the image in the mirror. Does the image by itself suggest in any way that is ‘you’ or ‘your body’? Does the image itself suggest in any way that it is a ‘body’ at all? Or are there only colours and shapes?




(6) Where the mirror ends, some parts of the body (probably legs) cannot be seen. Just by the image in the mirror, is there any ‘knowledge’ that there must be legs, or only thoughts and mental images suggest so?




(7) Now turn away from the mirror and look forward (don’t look directly to any body parts).
Is there a ‘body’ anywhere when all thoughts and images are ignored, or are there only sensations?




(8) Start to walk slowly.
Is there a ‘body walking’, or are there only sensations?



Is there actual experience of ‘walking’ at all?



Or just THOUGHTS ABOUT ‘walking’?




Can such a thing as ‘body’ be found OR just THOUGHTS ABOUT a ‘body’?




Can such a thing as ‘walking’ be found?




(9) Are the sensations localized in space, like ‘going through the room’; OR is there only an image that is labelled ‘room’ and appearing sensations without any location?





With love


Alan

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Re: In time and out of it.

Postby JanineJanaki » Thu Dec 14, 2023 6:20 pm

Hello Alan!

Is there a story you can spot?
I’m not sure that there’s a story with the tears. In instances of great beauty, gratitude, or Truth, a surge of release (perhaps) and tears arises, as if the magnitude cannot be contained. My mate calls it a “kriya.”

Is there a sensation from where the tears arose?
It feels like the entire vessel is the instrument played by The Mystery.

Describe any differences in reaction or responses, if any, now experienced compared to when you first saw it some three weeks ago?
It seemed that the sense of shock receded while other sensations took precedence, this time. Previously, it seemed that the shock presided; this is but a memory…
Stillness remains unaffected by thought stream.
I don’t recall noticing this last time.

Is there any connection between the felt sensations and the image in the mirror?
No, the image does not reflect felt sensation.

Or just thoughts (and/or mental images) suggest that there is?
Noticing thoughts about breath. Unaware of “breathing sensation” with eyes closed. Eyes opened and scanned the image, finding no connection between image and felt sensations… while noticing the movement of the belly, thinking and consideration arise…

Is there any connection between the felt sensations (labelled ‘hand’) and image of movement in the mirror?
The sensations remain the same while hand moves closer to mirror, and then back, closer to image.

Is there any connection between the felt sensations (labelled ‘hand’) and the image ‘of movement’? Or only thoughts suggest it?
The same feeling no matter where the hand moves.

Does the image by itself suggest in any way that is ‘you’ or ‘your body’? Does the image itself suggest in any way that it is a ‘body’ at all? Or are there only colours and shapes?
Colors and shapes… noticing thoughts about “dimension.”

Just by the image in the mirror, is there any ‘knowledge’ that there must be legs, or only thoughts and mental images suggest so?
Confusing (intrusion of thoughts mixed with sensation). Louder sensations, soles of bare feet on cold floor seem to narrow focus. Noticing agitated thought stream… and seeing the image as if apart from the image.

Is there a ‘body’ anywhere when all thoughts and images are ignored, or are there only sensations?
Only sensations.

Is there a ‘body walking’, or are there only sensations?
Feeling sensations.


Is there actual experience of ‘walking’ at all?
Aware of relational thinking making time and space seem real. Aware of logic and conclusions. Setting that aside, just Now, just Now, just Now, just sensation.

Or just THOUGHTS ABOUT ‘walking’?
Yes, relational thoughts seeming to intrude seamlessly. Using “just Now” seems to help, but concerned (noticing concern) that this is a thought…

Can such a thing as ‘body’ be found OR just THOUGHTS ABOUT a ‘body’?
Just thoughts.

Can such a thing as ‘walking’ be found?
Only in space/time/thought.


9) Are the sensations localized in space, like ‘going through the room’; OR is there only an image that is labelled ‘room’ and appearing sensations without any location?

Aware of doubt/confusion/reasoning thought stream. Seeing relational thinking at play. Aware of resistance and frustration.

Peace.

Love,
Janine

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Alless
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Re: In time and out of it.

Postby Alless » Fri Dec 15, 2023 12:41 pm

Hi Janine,

Stillness remains unaffected by thought stream.
I don’t recall noticing this last time.
That you now are aware of this is beautiful ! It is so subtle for most of us that we miss it. Throughout the day check in to see whether it ever leaves. And at the same time check to see whether there is anything at all that could be pointed to SPECIFICALLY as "me"
Please let me know what you find over the next 24 hours



Just a couple of things to look at.
Is there a ‘body’ anywhere when all thoughts and images are ignored, or are there only sensations?
Only sensations.
Beautiful ! That rings so clear.

Now for the next question...
Is there a ‘body walking’, or are there only sensations?
Feeling sensations.
Compare this response to the response above where you say "Only sensations"
When you say "feeling sensation" can you see that there could be a very subtle story embedded in this?



This is so, so subtle. We know that language creates challenges here. However an example like this illustrates so well how easily a doer can be implied (whether or not it was implied.) Adding the word "feeling" can imply something is doing the feeling or imply that there is a feeling or even "feeler" WITHIN the sensation when the truth is that in DE there is ONLY sensation.
Do you see the truth of this Janine?


Aware of resistance and frustration.
Resistance and frustration can be like "headings" that underneath contain a story AND sensations

This gives us a chance to really look at the idea of ‘resistance’ before we continue. It is the fundamental posture of the illusory self - to resist what is.

The label ‘resistance’ is AE of thought and not AE of resistance
The thoughts about ‘resistance’ is AE of thought and not AE of resistance
The sensation labelled ‘resistance’ is AE of sensation and not AE of resistance
The image labelled ‘body/I/me’ is AE of color and not AE of resistance.

So what is actually known, is label/thought + sensation + color. Is ‘resistance’ actually known or only thoughts about resistance are what is known?

I want you to LOOK for that which is in 'resistance'...I want you to find what it is exactly that is resisting and then describe them to me in precise detail as well as where they are located.

And what do I mean by LOOKING in this situation?

The first thing to do is close your eyes and look at the thought "I have resistance to this exercise." I want you to 'see' this thought like typed letters across your forehead and then ask yourself if the thought "I have resistance to this exercise" knows anything about an "I in resistance"? Really look to see if you can find anyone/anything within the thought itself, or behind the thought that is in 'a lot of resistance'.
Or are "I have RESISTANCE to this exercise" just a bunch of letters or words or the "voice in the head"?



Then, still with the eyes closed, do your best to locate where 'resistance' (the sensation) is felt in the body - where it is mainly felt, and then ask yourself, while being focused on the sensation only,
Does the sensation itself know anything about 'resistance’.




Does the sensation itself suggest in any way that it is ‘resistance’?




Then look to see if you can find anyone or anything in the sensation or behind the sensation that is resisting.
Do you find anyone or anything?




With eyes still closed, if any images appear, whether it be an outline of ‘you’ or whatever the image is, ask yourself,
Does this image know anything about resistance, or is it just an appearing image?



Have a look at this image carefully and see if you can find anyone or anything within the image or behind the image who is in resistance.
Anyone or anything there?



And still with eyes closed LOOK around everywhere and see if you can find anyone or anything that is in resistance.
Let me know what you find.




With love


Alan

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JanineJanaki
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Re: In time and out of it.

Postby JanineJanaki » Fri Dec 15, 2023 11:20 pm

Hi Alan!!

Please let me know what you find over the next 24 hours
Stillness is… always… “Me” only with thoughts…

When you say "feeling sensation" can you see that there could be a very subtle story embedded in this?
Yes, what is feeling sensations? Subject/object split…

Do you see the truth of this Janine?
In this case, the doer was implied.
Not directly. Noticing thoughts about exasperation… finding no “feeler of sensation,” and yet still seeking… the mind chasing its tail-


Or are "I have RESISTANCE to this exercise" just a bunch of letters or words or the "voice in the head"?
Loud thoughts thinking themselves.

Does the sensation itself know anything about 'resistance’. Does the sensation itself suggest in any way that it is ‘resistance’?
Stillness and disinterest in the agitated thought stream. When leaning into “I’m never gonna wake up!”, presently it cannot be taken seriously… Mind games?

Do you find anyone or anything?
Still. Calm. Behind the character.

Does this image know anything about resistance, or is it just an appearing image?
Checking to see if “Janine” is still and calm. The still and calm seem to be without identity/qualification.

Anyone or anything there?
Thoughts. Movement. Sensations.

Let me know what you find.
Resistance thoughts petered out. Looking… Thoughts. Sensations.

Thank you!
Love,
Janine

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Alless
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Re: In time and out of it.

Postby Alless » Sat Dec 16, 2023 1:31 pm

Hello Janine,


I'm going to jump around a bit with this.

The still and calm seem to be without identity/qualification.
Interesting !
Is there anything else apart from the stillness and calm in which experience arises?



In this case, the doer was implied
I love this Janine. No attempt to cover up. This is what we might call "radical" honesty. This is a joy to hear. Seeing the subtleties like this in experience opens us up to the truth.


Then 3 comments in particular.......
“Me” only with thoughts…
Behind the character.
Checking to see if “Janine” is still and calm.
Who or what is this "Me", the character, called Janine?




Is the "me" , the character really there in the stillness and the calm you point to?




Or is it just an idea that there is a "me", a character in all of this that appears IN the stillness and calm?




Footnote: While an idea and concept are for all intents and purposes really the same thing the word idea can be useful here. An idea can be described as a rough or incomplete mental impression, a mental pattern. Thought is typically described as either words or pictures appearing in imagination or another way of saying it is, narrative or images. A coalescing of imagined words and images (thoughts) can also be labeled an idea. An idea is something that is, to put it as you described it earlier Janine, a mental abstraction which seems to offer potential but in and of itself only ever appears in imagination. If this does not help at all please bin it !!


Resistance is simply saying “NO” to what is. It is the "I don't want this !" reaction to something we believe SHOULD be different. When we are resisting we are experiencing a “NO” to life – to what ALREADY is. By resisting we somehow believe that we can change what already is. It’s insane really. That bears repeating. When something already is we believe we can change what's already happened by resisting it !!
Surely that is insane is it not ??



From experience here there was a moment one day when I suddenly saw there was not only resistance but there was also resistance to resistance !! I remember being somewhat gobsmacked and asking. Can this REALLY be true? Yes it was / is true. Not only was there the experience of pushing against but there was a pushing against the pushing against. Everything within “me” was saying “I don’t like this resistance thing at all” In simply seeing this pushing against the pushing, something changed. I know that can sound crazy however that was what was happening.
To what extent does that resonate with your own experience Janine?



When resistance in any way is noticed, just let it be.
If resistance is noticed can you accept that this resistance is there?




As you go through your day when you are conscious of any resistance check in to see if there is resistance to the resistance itself? A sense of not wanting the pushing against - that which we call resistance
If you find this happening, what happens if you simply notice it and let it be?




Let me know what you find





With love



Alan

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JanineJanaki
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Re: In time and out of it.

Postby JanineJanaki » Sun Dec 17, 2023 4:49 am

Hi Alan.

Is there anything else apart from the stillness and calm in which experience arises?
All phenomena seem to occur within the stillness and calm… not so much apart. Phenomena seem to have qualifications (thoughts). LOOKING further, the phenomena… sensations… thoughts… are not apart from Silence, Stillness… all occurring, inextricably together.

Who or what is this "Me", the character, called Janine?
Immediate response to this question – quiet sobbing, series of contractions… a familiar story, the enticing thought stream. Right hand moves to lips and chin while consideration occurs. Janine is a story, an idea, an abstraction.

Is the "me" , the character really there in the stillness and the calm you point to?
“She’d like to be.” A thought. Without thought, raw awareness.

Or is it just an idea that there is a "me", a character in all of this that appears IN the stillness and calm?
Thinking. Questions. Awareness has no story.

Surely that is insane is it not ??
Laughing out loud! Certifiably insane!!

To what extent does that resonate with your own experience Janine?
I feel that often… resistance to resistance, attempting to devour itself, but seemingly growing in the futility of it all.

If resistance is noticed can you accept that this resistance is there?
Not sure that Janine is able… but will LOOK.

If you find this happening, what happens if you simply notice it and let it be?
Let me know what you find

This afternoon and evening, on the lookout for resistance to resistance. Mind on good behavior? Noticed resistance in the form of impatience (hungry and in need of bathroom on route to destination), but not resistance to the resistance. And in the movie theatre, less than interested in the film, noticed resistance, but not resistance to the resistance… keeping LOOKING…

Thanks so much!

Love,
Janine

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Alless
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Re: In time and out of it.

Postby Alless » Sun Dec 17, 2023 12:34 pm

Hello Janine

“She’d like to be.”
"She" - the thought - wants to be taken as real. And this is what the "fight" is about. Simply a thought that we are so conditioned to believe that it seems we can't quite let it go.

Not sure that Janine is able… but will LOOK.
"Janine" will NEVER be able to. Having any expectation that "Janine" will be able to do anything let alone fix anything is just keeping this belief alive. Beliefs have this way of deceiving us in such subtle and perfectly "reasonable?" ways. This fictional character labeled Janine can never be found other than as a thought.


Resistance is a phenomenon that can be so prominent or so very subtle. Recognizing it is vitally important in dismantling this notion of a separate self

It is worthwhile staying with this for a little longer.

So for today when you FEEL any sense of "I don't want this" or any pushing back or any triggering happening, as best you can LOOK and FEEL for what might be happening. In particular

How does this fictional character of "me" feature when you notice this that we call resistance ?



Is this resistance part of any recurring pattern that you can recognize?



Is what arouses this resistance familiar in any way?



Where is resistance taking place primarily? In the body? In the head?



Is there any change of note in this experience of resistance from when you started to take particular notice of it ?




And in this case I know that you likely will have to revert to story in some way as you recount your experience.


With love


Alan

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Re: In time and out of it.

Postby JanineJanaki » Mon Dec 18, 2023 2:08 am

Hello Alan.

How does this fictional character of "me" feature when you notice this that we call resistance ?
As an accumulation of preferences, unsatisfactoriness of the moment, and expectation of future relief… a dance of images between past and future, never actually landing Now.



Is this resistance part of any recurring pattern that you can recognize?
The pattern is the dance… don’t like… want… past and future… not Now… maybe one day when…

Is what arouses this resistance familiar in any way?
The grouch… the pouting child… something not endearing, but very familiar… a thought arises, “Who (or what) would 'I' be without it?”

Where is resistance taking place primarily? In the body? In the head?
Feels strongly “in the head.”

Is there any change of note in this experience of resistance from when you started to take particular notice of it ?
Confusion… from what I recall of resistance (been LOOKING for resistance to resistance and finding quiet), it’s an insistent thought or stream of thoughts that calls for action… in which case, the body would be ready for fight or flight… and yet, now I’m suggesting that resistance is primarily mental?

Thanks!

Love,
Janine

User avatar
Alless
Posts: 697
Joined: Tue Jan 03, 2023 6:31 pm

Re: In time and out of it.

Postby Alless » Mon Dec 18, 2023 11:48 am

Dear Janine

from what I recall of resistance (been LOOKING for resistance to resistance and finding quiet), it’s an insistent thought or stream of thoughts that calls for action… in which case, the body would be ready for fight or flight… and yet, now I’m suggesting that resistance is primarily mental?
Oh what truth you describe here !
How does it FEEL as you read it again?



Now do not move on until you LOOK and and either prove or disprove what you've said.
You are suggesting that resistance is primarily mental.
Is there actually anything else that it could be?



Rely only on your direct experience which you have related here. Just LOOK and FEEL until it's as clear as it can be.

No other question today.


With love


Alan


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