The Gate

Good.

How does it FEEL to see this?

Loving,

How does it FEEL to see this?

There is contraction around the solar plexus, gut and throat when reading back the pancake paragraph (the other answers feel expansive). Except when I read "Conditions are just arising, no choices"... that part feels expansive in the solar plexus, gut, throat. Much of it is still thought. But, that is seen through direct experiencing.

That makes sense about the pancake paragraph.

I chose to prepare a Dutch pancake for lunch.

Where is this "I" that did something called "choosing?"

Who told you that was a "Dutch pancake?"

Or "lunch?"


That's all completely made up. (Not that I'd decline am invitation to join you. 😀 )

I imagine you can see this?

We did Palm Flippong back on June 16. Why would you think anyone is "choosing?"

Loving,

Hey Stacy,

Where is this "I" that did something called "choosing?"

There is no "I/me".

Who told you that was a "Dutch pancake?"

No one ever told me this was a "Dutch pancake" and it isn't. Just thought.

Or "lunch?"

There is no "lunch", just thought.

I imagine you can see this?

Yes

We did Palm Flipping back on June 16. Why would you think anyone is "choosing?"

No "I", no choice.


There is a sense of I Am/existence.In direct experience this is a thought.

Tomorrow (the 7th) is my birthday so I may or may not be around to answer!

Kind Regards,

Brian

Happy Birthday!

Here's a gift. :)

Explore ‘Sense of Self'

Let’s say that you have lost your keys and you swear that you left them in your coat. You go to look and check all the pockets - the keys are not there. You swear they must be as that was the last place you remember them. You have a vivid memory of putting them there after you left the house. But when you check they are not there. At this point you can keep believing that the keys are in your pocket, or you can admit you were mistaken.

This is just like that. You may see clearly that the self is an illusion but still feel a sense of self - just like the keys. But feeling something to be true and seeing that it is or is not is different. This is why we may find ourselves coming back to your expectations at the start and at the end.

Now, I’d like to ask you to explore this SENSE of self very-very thoroughly. Not by thinking about it, but by FEELING it. Keep the focus of attention on the sense of self and inquire:

Does the sense of self have a location?

Does the sense of self have a shape or a size?

Does the sense of self say or communicate anything?

If the answer is yes, how does the sense do this exactly?

Does the sense of self have any characteristics or attributes?

What is the sense of self ‘made of’? An image? Sound? Taste? Smell? Sensation? Thought?

What is found?

Loving,

Hey Stacy,

Thank you for this gift!

I will have to take the time for this tomorrow because I was out all day spreading my grandfather's ashes.

Can't wait to do the exercise!

Kind Regards,

Brian Cassee

Okay.

I hope that was peaceful for you. Take your time.

Loving,

I had a retreat thing all day and it's very late now so I may need to do this tomorrow. Ego may or may not be delaying lol. Sorry. I'd like to really look when I have time though, and not rush.

Hey Stacy,

Here we go!

Does the sense of self have a location?

No

Does the sense of self have a shape or a size?

None

Does the sense of self say or communicate anything?

There are thoughts (many of them images) and sensations that describe the sense of self and the world. When investigated it is clear none of this actually belongs to the self but is just appearing in direct experience.

So, really the answer is that it communicates none of what is experienced.

If the answer is yes, how does the sense do this exactly?

There are thoughts with a vivid imagination (many images) that seem to correspond to sensations. This experience has a dream-like quality and seems to describe the self and the world/others.

Does the sense of self have any characteristics or attributes?

No

What is the sense of self ‘made of’? An image? Sound? Taste? Smell? Sensation? Thought?

NOTHING because it doesn't exist.

What is found?

Thoughts that claim to be a self. Thoughts, sensations, images, sounds, tastes, and smells claimed by these thoughts! The experience when looking for the separate self is encountering thoughts and sensations... bouncing between the two.


That's it!

Kind Regards,

Brian

Good.

Now, once again, how does it FEEL to see this?

Much love,

Now, once again, how does it FEEL to see this?

The answers feel open and expansive, except for;

There are thoughts (many of them images) and sensations that describe the sense of self and the world. When investigated it is clear none of this actually belongs to the self but is just appearing in direct experience.

So, really the answer is that it communicates none of what is experienced.

This feels contracting in the gut to read.

So,

Does the sense of self say or communicate anything?

No. Thoughts communicate about a sense of self not from it.

There are thoughts with a vivid imagination (many images) that seem to correspond to sensations. This experience has a dream-like quality and seems to describe the self and the world/others.

Though accurate. This is not true! Thoughts and sensations are appearing. That's it!


It feels like the sensations are thinking and that is the sense of self. This is just a thought though.


Seeing my answers feels like sensations in the gut, solar plexus, and heart/throat expanding/opening.

Okay, good, Brian.


Actual/Direct Experience - Apple

Have a look at an apple (or any fruit you like.) If you have a ‘real’ apple, you can use it for this exercise. Google for a picture of an apple.



When looking at an apple, there's color; a thought saying ‘apple’; and maybe a thought saying, "I'm looking at an apple."

What is known for sure? Color 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, color, smell, taste, sensation and the fact of thought arising, but not its content.

Is there really an ‘apple’ here, or only color 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 labeled ‘apple’ is known
Color labeled ‘apple’ is known
Sensation labeled ‘apple’ is known (when apple is touched)
Smell labeled ‘apple’ is known
Thought about/of an ‘apple’ is known

However, is an apple actually known?

Have fun and let me know what you find out.

Loving

Hey Stacy,

What about the content of thoughts, what they describe?

The content of thought describes thoughts.

Is there really an ‘apple’ here, or only color and a thought ABOUT ‘apple’?

There is thought and image. Without thought, only color.

Can ‘apple’ be found in actual experience?

No.

However, is an apple actually known?

The 'apple' is never directly experienced.

Have fun and let me know what you find out.

The sense is that there is nothing here.

There is no 'apple' apart from the content of thought when looking in direct experiencing. Content of thought 'weaves' the illusion... (not true, just thought)

Investigating the nature of the apple was seemingly more difficult than seeing through 'I'. (just a thought)


How to see that content of thought is never true?


Kind Regards,

Brian

Good.

How to see that content of thought is never true?

By recognizing that the label is never the thing itself. No thought is direct experience.

Can you say 100% that there is no separate self?

If so, we have some traditional final questions. Would you like to attempt those?

Loving,