The Gate

Good morning Alan from Germany,

I would like to tell you about a dream I had tonight. I was at work and my dog named Bob Rooney, who died 15 years ago, was waiting for me downstairs in front of a skyscraper. When I finished work, I went to him and said that I had to go to the next town and would be back immediately afterwards before it was dark. I took the bus and when I got to the city, I went straight back. However, I had completely forgotten both the name of the place I wanted to go to and the route. I asked lots of people and everyone tried to stop me from going in a charming way and was somewhat successful. Then it suddenly got darker and darker and I panicked and started walking in a direction that I didn't know was the right one. A strong feeling of guilt arose in me, which is still present even after waking up. Because to be honest, the story also reflects a part of my past, when Bob Rooney stayed with my parents and I moved out as his caregiver. I don't know if it's significant to know that story. My question is whether we can also use this guilt for LU because it keeps showing itself to me in different facets?

If my day is just starting 09:00 am, is your day just ending?

Much love,
Hannes

Hello Hannes,

Thank you for telling me about your dream and I'll respond to it before responding to your previous post.

This actually is an opportunity to inquire into this phenomenon of a belief in a separate self.
In your dream was there actually a separate self?



Or was there a sense of you being the subject as "you" were seemingly present in the dream?



Anything else you'd like to comment on about the "me" in the dream?



Do you have any particular insights about the dream which relates to our investigation of the illusory separate self?



This sense of self has been a thread in our dialogues and is what I am actually going to send in this next post! Isn't that a synchronicity now?!


I certainly am not an interpreter of dreams but certainly I also do not dismiss them. So as a general observation one approach could be to ask a question within one's self like "What is here for me to see or know" which can be a way of inquiring. Like dropping a pebble in a pond. And wait. And see if anything comes which has a ring of truth about it. Nothing may come at all or it may come in a totally unexpected way at a totally unexpected time

9am with your in Germany is 7 PM here. So yes Hannes, as you start your day we are getting towards the end of the same day here !! And we apparently are upside down as well compared to you in Germany. But it doesn't seem like that at all. Is this another example of what seems to be is not necessarily what is ?!?!? 😊

Will send a response to your previous post shortly


With love


Alan

Hello Hannes,

I really like how consciously you perceive small reactions and reflect them back to me in a loving way. Thank you 🙏🏼 ☺️

It is in the small "things", that which is subtle, that so much is contained. That is what you are now noticing too - things that at the start you weren't aware of ☺️ And you are now also aware that there are things that you thought were there that in fact are not there !!!!

Yes, the moment the focus is on the knee, everything else fades into the background and I can't call it up. That reminds me of my toes. If I don't look at them, they don't seem to exist.

Do you see that that which notices (that which notices what is in focus and what is not in focus,) for most people remains unnoticed until we actually look?

I am a kind of presence that can perceive senses and preferences.

😊
Does it ring true to describe this presence as "knowing" or "this that knows"?

I cannot find a portal. What remains is the thought "I am" and this thought is so persistent because perception is possible.

So is this "I am" is JUST A THOUGHT persistent though it is?



This sense of "me" or the thought "I am" can be a bit "sticky." So to make sure let us come at this another way.


For each of these three statements tell me which is true and which is false.
a) I can find the entity “I”


b) There is no “I” to be found


c) There is a sense of self



One of the things that we never actually lose is a SENSE of I


Here is something from Gateless Gatecrashers. You can download a free copy here
https://www.liberationunleashed.com/boo ... tecrashers


Sense of self / “I”

Elena: Yes. The fiction of ‘I’ is indeed part of every thought. And it will always be. This is not about purging identity—that’s impossible, and ties people in horrible knots. It’s the classic trap for all seekers, to expunge identity. It’s impossible, identity just reforms around that effort. All this is, is seeing the truth that NO identity can EVER refer to anything real, because there actually is no you. Do you understand? Stop trying to purge identity. Instead, see that there is nothing behind it. And yes, it does indeed suck to be trapped in the illusion of self. Now release your expectations. They are holding you back from seeing the truth, because you’ve been taught to look for something huge, mystical and ephemeral.


Explore ‘Sense of Self'

Let’s say that you have lost your keys and you're absolutely sure that you left them in your coat. You go to look and check all the pockets - the keys are not there. You're dumbfounded. 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 AGAIN, they are not there. At this point you can keep believing / feeling sure that the keys are in your pocket, or you can admit you might have it wrong. The way that you prove that they are not there is by LOOKING.

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 keep coming back and LOOKING again and again because we are disproving a deep seated assumption that we've never tested before.

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 as you look. Keep the focus of attention on the sense of self and inquire:

Does the sense of self have a location that you can pinpoint?




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?




Is there anything else found or is there anything else you would like to report?



With love


Alan

Hello Alan,

In your dream was there actually a separate self?
Or was there a sense of you being the subject as "you" were seemingly present in the dream?

During the dream, I was totally identified with the subject. After waking up, all that remained was the idea of a separate self.

Anything else you'd like to comment on about the "me" in the dream?
Do you have any particular insights about the dream which relates to our investigation of the illusory separate self?

During the last few days of self-exploration, I also felt like I was in a dream. This is due to the fact that things on the outside were all partly the same. Things that were important to me had the same meaning as things that were no longer important to me. Not in a negative way. These things need my thoughts to have meaning. I am the meaning maker.

So as a general observation one approach could be to ask a question within one's self like "What is here for me to see or know" which can be a way of inquiring.

Thank you 😊

It is in the small "things", that which is subtle, that so much is contained. That is what you are now noticing too - things that at the start you weren't aware of ☺️ And you are now also aware that there are things that you thought were there that in fact are not there !!!!

You are right. I am much more aware of how I am occupied with my thoughts and can immerse myself in my surroundings and my inner self.

Do you see that that which notices (that which notices what is in focus and what is not in focus,) for most people remains unnoticed until we actually look?

Yes, I can see that.

I am a kind of presence that can perceive senses and preferences.

Does it ring true to describe this presence as "knowing" or "this that knows"?

I don't see things as they really are, but only my ideas about them and therefore the past. So I cannot rely on my perception and would therefore not describe this presence as "this that knows".

So is this "I am" is JUST A THOUGHT persistent though it is?

This "I am" is ONLY A THOUGHT, although it is constant and very persistent. I have had unpleasant back pain for the last 3 days. Today it is a little better. I could perceive the pain like a noise on the outside with much more distance than usual.

For each of these three statements tell me which is true and which is false.

a) I can find the entity “I”

false

b) There is no “I” to be found

true

true


Sense of self / “I”

It’s the classic trap for all seekers, to expunge identity. It’s impossible, identity just reforms around that effort.

I assumed that in pure being, the boundary between subject and object disappears and a kind of unified experience emerges. If identity is re-formed around this effort, is it because this goal is too compulsive to be achieved and does not happen in a natural way?

Does the sense of self have a location that you can pinpoint?

The sense of self is based on the perception of sensations and the persistent I-thought, which is repeatedly tinged by the presence of the body.

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

No. It is formless.

Does the sense of self say or communicate anything?

I don't understand the question. Who could it be saying something to? How could I perceive something that my sense of self is saying? Then there would have to be a second entity that can perceive it and the sense of self would not exist.

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

By intuition.

Does the sense of self have any characteristics or attributes?

The sense of self has no properties or attributes, only thoughts based on sensations.

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

Most of the day my sense of self is due to my body (image). If I look, it's sensations and thoughts.

Is there anything else found or is there anything else you would like to report?

I feel impatient with my own observation process because the findings are constantly disappearing during the day. 😅


With love

Hannes

Good to hear Hannes,

I sent you a message earlier about the posts that have inadvertently ended up on the thread here. I have asked admin if they can be removed as I indicated to you. However its not a big issue but it will tidy things up if they can be removed.


So back to your post

I am the meaning maker.

Yes indeed.
I take when you say "I" here you are pointing to the imaginary "me?"

I am much more aware of how I am occupied with my thoughts and can immerse myself in my surroundings and my inner self.

Yes indeed
Now this is subtle. Which of these is close to the truth for you.
A) When I am aware of my thoughts I can immerse myself in my surroundings and my inner self.
B) I find myself more immersed in my surroundings and my inner self when I am not identifying with thoughts.
Is A or B closer to the truth for you?

Do you see that that which notices (that which notices what is in focus and what is not in focus,) for most people remains unnoticed until we actually look?

Yes, I can see that.

Beautiful!

So I cannot rely on my perception and would therefore not describe this presence as "this that knows".

I get what you are saying here Hannes - phrases like "this that knows" can get subtlety changed in translation.

This "I am" is ONLY A THOUGHT, although it is constant and very persistent.

Wonderful that this "I am" is seen only as a thought. ! It is persistent because it is such a default habit. I remember when we were in Germany a few years ago and having to drive on the opposite side of the road I had to really concentrate because the default habit of driving on the opposite side of the road would take over - especially when I was distracted and had to react quickly. But as soon as the truth was remembered I was back on track !!

Now that this is clear, whenever you find yourself being caught by the "me" thought just laugh at it. Because now you know the truth and can see how quickly the illusion can deceive. Over time this default thinking will dissolve more and more.

Now that you've seen the "me" thought phenomenon it can't be UNSEEN !!!

If identity is re-formed around this effort, is it because this goal is too compulsive to be achieved and does not happen in a natural way?

Let me just check that I understand what you've said here. I hear you saying this efforting actually hinders the natural dissolution. Is that what you meant?

I don't understand the question. Who could it be saying something to? How could I perceive something that my sense of self is saying? Then there would have to be a second entity that can perceive it and the sense of self would not exist.

You have understood the question by what you say in your answer Hannes 😊😊😊

The only thing that I would add is that the "narrator" / the voice in the head can try to delude by giving us the impression that it is the "I" when it is only a thought, albeit a seemingly powerful one until it is seen for what it is - as you have said so clearly earlier.

The sense of self has no properties or attributes, only thoughts based on sensations.

That's the truth alright ! Wonderful !

Most of the day my sense of self is due to my body (image). If I look, it's sensations and thoughts.

I can relate to that very much. And we can get disappointed.

Remember what we said earlier - Any efforting actually hinders the natural dissolution.

I feel impatient with my own observation process because the findings are constantly disappearing during the day. 😅

This all part of what we can call "integration". It all takes time and happens in its own mysterious way. Never as we would expect it or want it to be !!!

And even though there is this impatience being felt can you not feel a peace that is also there?




When you feel impatience or a desire to get rid of something and for things to be different or for things to happen faster.......
Ask who wants this ?




Apart from feeling you would like things to go faster what changes - if any - do you notice from when you first started this exploration to now (now that you have seen the "me" is not real but a thought)
What is different - if anything - for instance, in the way you feel, relate to "others", how you perceive things? Or any other changes you are experiencing?





With love


Alan

Hi Alan,

I don't mind the posts that accidentally ended up here in the thread. At first I thought you were trying to cheat and tell me the answers to the questions 😜 Then I realized it was someone else. 😅

I am the meaning maker.

I take when you say "I" here you are pointing to the imaginary "me?"

Yes, indeed. Thank you for the clear response.

Now this is subtle. Which of these is close to the truth for you.
A) When I am aware of my thoughts I can immerse myself in my surroundings and my inner self.
B) I find myself more immersed in my surroundings and my inner self when I am not identifying with thoughts.
Is A or B closer to the truth for you?

A and B match. It starts with A. My mind is constantly interpreting. I notice when discomfort or thoughts about the past and future arise. This is like an anchor in DE and the transition to B. Because beyond my thoughts, I can immerse myself in my surroundings and my deep being.

I remember when we were in Germany a few years ago and having to drive on the opposite side of the road

I can relate to your driving experience. I had the same in south africa. Maybe I'll have the pleasure of visiting Australia one day. 😊

Now that you've seen the "me" thought phenomenon it can't be UNSEEN !!!

I can perceive the fear of letting go of my idea of a me. However, the fear doesn't stick to me because I can feel the peace that is also here.

And even though there is this impatience being felt can you not feel a peace that is also there?

Yes. It feels like I have a choice to decide between 2 possibilities. Now I know that any apparent freedom of choice doesn't really involve freedom because things just happen. This ultimately leads me to the question: was it predetermined that we would meet here?

When you feel impatience or a desire to get rid of something and for things to be different or for things to happen faster....... Ask who wants this ?

Beautiful 🙏🏼😊 It is a good door opener!

Apart from feeling you would like things to go faster what changes - if any - do you notice from when you first started this exploration to now (now that you have seen the "me" is not real but a thought)
What is different - if anything - for instance, in the way you feel, relate to "others", how you perceive things? Or any other changes you are experiencing?

With love

Hannes

The missing answer for your last question:

Apart from feeling you would like things to go faster what changes - if any - do you notice from when you first started this exploration to now (now that you have seen the "me" is not real but a thought)
What is different - if anything - for instance, in the way you feel, relate to "others", how you perceive things? Or any other changes you are experiencing?

With the awareness that I have only seen the past in things and people and not how they really are, leads to more curiosity to get to know them better through questions. This leads to more closeness and more intensive contact.

My perception is based more on DE than on thoughts, which leads to deeper inner peace.

My approach to negative feelings is more relaxed and I find it easier to integrate them.


I have another question for you: does recognizing from LU go together with faith in God?


Please feel huged,

Hannes

Hello dear Hannes !

At first I thought you were trying to cheat and tell me the answers to the questions 😜 Then I realized it was someone else. 😅

Aah haa soo good 😅😅😅 I must remember try that some time !!

Because beyond my thoughts, I can immerse myself in my surroundings and my deep being.

Beautiful !

Maybe I'll have the pleasure of visiting Australia one day. 😊

We love people to come and visit. Let me know when you are coming !!

I can perceive the fear of letting go of my idea of a me. However, the fear doesn't stick to me because I can feel the peace that is also here.

Feeling into this peace again and again dissolves the stickiness of the fear. It is so simple (though at times not necessarily easy)

With the awareness that I have only seen the past in things and people and not how they really are, leads to more curiosity to get to know them better through questions. This leads to more closeness and more intensive contact.

My perception is based more on DE than on thoughts, which leads to deeper inner peace.

My approach to negative feelings is more relaxed and I find it easier to integrate them.

Lovely Hannes

I have another question for you: does recognizing from LU go together with faith in God?

Oh what a question !! There are so many concepts around this word God and so much done in the name of God that leads to suffering. Most people that have a belief in God are seeking to experience their concept of God through the mind. This leads to immense confusion

However .....if the word God is truly used simply as a pointer to the great incomprehensible mystery of all that is, that which we call life, then yes, realizations that come through the LU inquiries and experiencing directly certainly go together. I keep away from using the word God simply due to the fact that it typically invokes so many conditioned beliefs that veil truth.

Let's explore a couple of other conditioned beliefs that typically are not investigated.

Exploring Time

There is a general assumption that there is linear time that started (if started at all) somewhere very far in the past and advances to the distant future. The present moment (now) is considered to be a very small fragment of time, or an event that is moving forward on a linear line, coming from the past and advancing to the future.

But .....LOOKING DIRECTLY is there actually an experience of the ’now’ moving along the line of time?



Any experience of one ‘moment’ giving way to the next?



Is there any actual or direct experience of one event following another?



How fast is the ‘present moment’ actually moving?



Just look at 'this moment', can you find a point where it began?



How long does the ‘now’ last?



Where does the ‘now’ start, and where does it end?



When does the ‘now’ exactly become the 'past'?



What is the ‘past’ in actual experience?



So is there actual experience of ‘time’ or thoughts about ‘time’?




With love


Alan

Hi Alan,

Maybe I'll have the pleasure of visiting Australia one day. 😊

We love people to come and visit. Let me know when you are coming !!

I will definitely do that. In fact, I'm curious to see you. I would also like to thank you for taking time for me and being so patient. I really appreciate that. 🙏🏼 ☺️

There are so many concepts around this word God and so much done in the name of God that leads to suffering. Most people that have a belief in God are seeking to experience their concept of God through the mind. This leads to immense confusion. However .....if the word God is truly used simply as a pointer to the great incomprehensible mystery of all that is, that which we call life, then yes, realizations that come through the LU inquiries and experiencing directly certainly go together.

I thought about this the last days. I would say that the state of being in which the perception of a separate maker or doer has been dissolved, we recognize ourself to be merely a channel through which the Love of God can flow. This state of being requires a development of the Witness, an non-attached observer of all that flows through and around you.

It is generally assumed that there is a linear time that starts somewhere far in the past (if it starts at all) and extends into the distant future.

What a wonderful opening 😅

But .....LOOKING DIRECTLY is there actually an experience of the ’now’ moving along the line of time?

sterday I had a "timeless" day for the first time in a long time. There was only the moment that stretched into eternity. When I woke up this morning, it was just a memory. So, in some way I experience the present moment (now) as an event that moves forward on a linear line, coming from the past and progressing into the future in my mind. On the other hand, I hold this sensation in my mind and feel how the depth of the present moment remains inaccessible to me.

Any experience of one ‘moment’ giving way to the next?
Is there any actual or direct experience of one event following another?
Where does the ‘now’ start, and where does it end?

No. There is no beginning or end end of a moment. Only my thoughts creates beginnings and ends of moments trough stories based of experiences.

How fast is the ‘present moment’ actually moving?

In order to measure the speed of the present moment, I have to use time as a reference. Time is subjective. The day before yesterday I was at Crossfit for an hour and the hour flew by "in nothing". In the evening, I baked myself a protein bread. When I took the pan out, in my youthful recklessness I had only used a tea towel as heat protection. It was too little and the heat was so strong that I burnt myself. To prevent the mold from falling, I wanted to put something underneath it. Maybe it was 10-15 seconds in the end, but it felt like an eternity. That's why I can't measure the speed of the moment. However, I think I can say how intensely I perceived the moment: in my thoughts or DE.

Just look at 'this moment', can you find a point where it began?

No. Thoughts create an understanding of time. But the experience of day and night also embeds itself in the understanding of time. 😅

How long does the ‘now’ last?

All there is is now.

When does the ‘now’ exactly become the 'past'?

Generell speaking when I remind myself of sensations by thought.

What is the ‘past’ in actual experience?

Just a collection of thoughts.

So is there actual experience of ‘time’ or thoughts about ‘time’?

Thoughts about time.


Have a good night.

Much love

Hannes

I would also like to thank you for taking time for me and being so patient. I really appreciate that. 🙏🏼 ☺️

And I so appreciate your dedication Hannes !! It makes for joy here.

On the other hand, I hold this sensation in my mind and feel how the depth of the present moment remains inaccessible to me.

You say it is inaccessible Hannes. I think I understand what you mean.
However is there any other time you can be other than the present moment?

No. There is no beginning or end end of a moment. Only my thoughts creates beginnings and ends of moments trough stories based of experiences.

That's it ! Just one seemless moment seemingly divided up by thought

In order to measure the speed of the present moment, I have to use time as a reference.

Does the present moment move? Have a speed?




Or is it thought that creates the impression / illusion of movement?

No. Thoughts create an understanding of time.

I think you answered the question above here. It is belief in thoughts about time that the mind convinces itself that it understands.

All there is is now.

Yes!

What is the ‘past’ in actual experience?

Just a collection of thoughts.

Yes!

So is there actual experience of ‘time’ or thoughts about ‘time’?

Thoughts about time.

Indeed!


Now let's look at memory which turns the mind to the past

Almost everybody believes that a memory thought is referring to something that has happened. That a memory thought is a different thought than a non-memory thought.

Please don’t go to thought explanations, but just let a memory be there, and look at it.

Look at what is actually going on and not what thoughts say - but what actually is.

What is memory exactly?



What is the memory ‘made of’?



WHEN does the memory appear?



What is the exact difference between a ‘general’ thought and a ‘memory’ thought?



How is it known EXACTLY that a ‘memory’ thought refers to something that has happened?



Then, look at a thought about the future.

What is the future thought ‘made of’?



WHEN does the future thought appear?



What is the exact difference between a ‘general’ thought and a ‘future’ thought?



How is it known EXACTLY that a ‘future’ thought refers to something that will happen?



Then let’s compare a thought about past and a thought about the future.



What is the EXACT difference between the thoughts about past and future?



If there is difference and how is that difference is known exactly?



With love


Alan

Hello Alan,

Almost everybody believes that a memory thought is referring to something that has happened. That a memory thought is a different thought than a non-memory thought

.

Yes. So challenge accepted 😉

What is memory exactly?

The "mental preservation" (= collection of thoughts) of my interpreted perception (= experiences in the form of images, sounds, feelings, tastes).

What is the memory ‘made of’?

The memory then consists of thoughts.

WHEN does the memory appear?

When seemingly negative feelings arise, seemingly negative memories that can be associated with these feelings also occasionally arise.

When circumstances change or I focus on something, memories also appear. I cannot influence which memories arise at which time.

What is the exact difference between a ‘general’ thought and a ‘memory’ thought?

Great question! There are more similarities like, cannot be influenced and that they are constructed from images, sound, feelings, tastes. One difference would be that thought memories have actually been experienced, whereas general memories such as an idea have not yet been lived out.

How is it known EXACTLY that a ‘memory’ thought refers to something that has happened?

Because I experienced the inside of the memory thought in the present moment.

What is the future thought ‘made of’?

Collection of thoughts about images, sounds, feelings, tastes.

WHEN does the future thought appear?

When I plan and when thoughts of lack arise, thoughts of the future also appear, showing me a potential solution in the future.

What is the exact difference between a ‘general’ thought and a ‘future’ thought?

There is non.

How is it known EXACTLY that a ‘future’ thought refers to something that will happen?

This is just speculation and cannot be predicted.

What is the EXACT difference between the thoughts about past and future?

A thought is a thought. Regardless of whether it relates to the past or the future. However, the past thought has a reference to a present moment.

If there is difference and how is that difference is known exactly?

The past thought has a reference to a present moment.


These questions were really a challenge for me.

Much Love,

Hannes

Hello Hannes

A thought is a thought. Regardless of whether it relates to the past or the future. However, the past thought has a reference to a present moment.

Yes that sums it up. A thought about the future or the past is just that - a thought. And any referencing is just another thought.


A few days ago in connection with a sense of "I" you said this ....

Most of the day my sense of self is due to my body (image). If I look, it's sensations and thoughts.

I have a sense it will be helpful to take a closer look at this

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. ... you might be surprised!
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?




Take your time and look carefully. Also be aware that sometimes ‘emotions’ may arise when doing this exercise.
Please tell me about any emotions if they do arise



With love


Alan

Hello Alan,

How is it known EXACTLY that a ‘memory’ thought refers to something that has happened?

This question has been bugging me for days and I just can't figure it out. Can you give me a clue? Please 🙏🏻

(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?

No, the seemingly connection is made by thought.

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

Yes, right.

(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?

The persistent interpretation of the seemingly connection is made by thought.

(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?

Thoughts like "It's my arm" and "My arm is moving."

(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?

There are only colours and shapes. My thoughts interpret them.

(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?

There is no ‘knowledge’ that there must be legs without the image in the mirror. There are only sensations perceptible below. Thoughts create mental images that suggest the legs.

(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?

There are only sensations. If I didn't look, I wouldn't have any toes.

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

Only sensations with the idea of walking.

Is there actual experience of ‘walking’ at all?

Walking is an idea, the mental interpretation of the sensation connected with colors and shapes. It is no actual experience.

Or just THOUGHTS ABOUT ‘walking’?

Right, thoughts about walking.

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

Stubborn, but they are thoughts about the body.

Can such a thing as ‘walking’ be found?

No.

(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?

It seems unnatural, yet it is an image that is labelled ‘room’ and appearing sensations without any location.


Thank you for making this inside possible. 🙂



With love

Hannes

Hello Hannes

How is it known EXACTLY that a ‘memory’ thought refers to something that has happened?

This question has been bugging me for days and I just can't figure it out. Can you give me a clue? Please 🙏🏻

Ha yes....I know the feeling of being bugged !!
Now ....could it be that it is just another thought?😊

The persistent interpretation of the seemingly connection is made by thought.

It can be so persistent. A bit like a mirage, it continues to catch your attention even though you know it is only a play of light.


Clear seeing in what you report Hannes. This sums it up .....

There are only sensations. If I didn't look, I wouldn't have any toes.

Have you had a good look to make sure they are still there??!!

Walking is an idea, the mental interpretation of the sensation connected with colors and shapes. It is no actual experience.

Such a good summary !



And taking this just a little further......


Look into the mirror throughout the day. The body image appears... notice that all that's really there are some colors, and a thought-story saying 'these colors are my body'

When you return to the mirror and look - have these 'body colors' have ever appeared before?



Consider whether this body image + story has ever appeared before - or is this the only time you have ever been aware of these *exact* colors and this exact story about the body?



Can you find any previous appearances of the body? Where are they?



If you can't find them then surely this must be the *only* time this body has appeared in the dream.
Isn't it just an appearance *now* and isn't there only a thought-story claiming you've seen this body before?



With love


Alan

Hi Alan,

How is it known EXACTLY that a ‘memory’ thought refers to something that has happened?

This question has been bugging me for days and I just can't figure it out. Can you give me a clue? Please 🙏🏻

Now ....could it be that it is just another thought?😊

It's actually just a thought that my memories relate to something that happened in a past moment. Is it just a question of what my memory associates with a past moment or do we also question whether this past moment ever existed because it can only be recalled in thought?

There are only sensations. If I didn't look, I wouldn't have any toes.

Have you had a good look to make sure they are still there??!!

There are no toes. I perceive sensations and an image. The basis of the thought toes.

When you return to the mirror and look - have these 'body colors' have ever appeared before?

Yes, they do in my mind. 😅

Consider whether this body image + story has ever appeared before - or is this the only time you have ever been aware of these *exact* colors and this exact story about the body?

I definitely can't say it's exactly the same. Rather, there is a certain similarity in my thoughts.

Can you find any previous appearances of the body? Where are they?

Every previous appearances of "my" body are all vague memory thoughts.

If you can't find them then surely this must be the *only* time this body has appeared in the dream.
Isn't it just an appearance *now* and isn't there only a thought-story claiming you've seen this body before?

Why do you say „appeared in the dream“?

And you are right. It is just an appearance *now* and only a thought-story claiming I have seen this body before.

I can sense that my thoughts are constructing a new image of me at every moment. What would happen if that didn't happen?


With love

Hannes