They say I don't exist

[kirmizihap]

Is this spontaneity something that you need to assert, or is it in fact how your experience already is?

I can only see this when I look. After making an action, I realized that it was not planned in advance, and even if it was predicted, it could not be fully predicted and it occurred in a new way.

[Harry]

I can only see this when I look. After making an action, I realized that it was not planned in advance, and even if it was predicted, it could not be fully predicted and it occurred in a new way.

Looking is good!

Here’s an exercise to get more familiar with the perspective of everything happening on its own…

Set aside 5 - 10 minutes where you don’t need to do anything with your body or think anything. Anything important to do or think either has been done already, or can be postponed. That way, you can be open to whatever happens.

Try this ‘doing nothing’ out, and let me know how it goes!

[kirmizihap]

Try this ‘doing nothing’ out, and let me know how it goes!

I tried it in a place where people were walking around, so it seemed absurd to stand like a statue. And I had to make little movements like looking left and right.

[Harry]

I tried it in a place where people were walking around, so it seemed absurd to stand like a statue. And I had to make little movements like looking left and right.

A situation where you’re on your own might be more effective for this… that way there’s no distractions (or social normalities!)

[kirmizihap]

Try this ‘doing nothing’ out, and let me know how it goes!

I moved, sorry. I was unsuccessful in doing nothing. I couldn't stop breathing and making small movements. After sitting like this for a long time when I tried it before. A plan for a job emerged in my head. And after a while, I jumped up and ran with enthusiasm and got the job done. It was a small housework but I felt like I had to do it and I did it without hesitation.

[Harry]

I moved, sorry. I was unsuccessful in doing nothing. I couldn't stop breathing and making small movements. After sitting like this for a long time when I tried it before. A plan for a job emerged in my head. And after a while, I jumped up and ran with enthusiasm and got the job done. It was a small housework but I felt like I had to do it and I did it without hesitation.

No need to apologise, this is just an experiment!

The point is to see the activity that happens all by itself.

In your case, that was breathing and small movements. These just happened, without anyone ‘doing’ it. Would you agree?

The plan for a job… that emerged all by itself, didn’t it? It came to you, you didn’t choose it. Do you see that?

Then, the enthusiasm carried your body into action…

Can you see that none of these happenings are ‘personal’, the are just what’s going on?

[kirmizihap]

Would you agree?

The plan for a job… that emerged all by itself, didn’t it? It came to you, you didn’t choose it. Do you see that?

Then, the enthusiasm carried your body into action…

Can you see that none of these happenings are ‘personal’, the are just what’s going on?

Yes, it happens naturally and these are pleasing things. But after these things happened, we can say that it happened spontaneously. Maybe this mechanism works when we do obligatory and boring tasks, but it does not come with enthusiasm. But when we come home in the evening, we can say that it happened.

[Harry]

Yes, it happens naturally and these are pleasing things. But after these things happened, we can say that it happened spontaneously. Maybe this mechanism works when we do obligatory and boring tasks, but it does not come with enthusiasm. But when we come home in the evening, we can say that it happened.

By ‘this mechanism’, do you mean whatever it is that makes things happen?

[kirmizihap]

By ‘this mechanism’, do you mean whatever it is that makes things happen?
The mechanism of everything happening spontaneously. We can say that today everything happened spontaneously when we went to bed at night. But some things happen delightfully spontaneously. Some things happen spontaneously in a challenging way.

[Harry]

The mechanism of everything happening spontaneously. We can say that today everything happened spontaneously when we went to bed at night. But some things happen delightfully spontaneously. Some things happen spontaneously in a challenging way.

And what about this delightful/challenging aspect? Is it in any way separate from ‘everything happening’?

[kirmizihap]

And what about this delightful/challenging aspect? Is it in any way separate from ‘everything happening’?

The enjoyable aspect is not separate from everything else. It is also a flavor that appears from time to time.

[Harry]

The enjoyable aspect is not separate from everything else. It is also a flavor that appears from time to time.

Nice.

So now if I ask you: do you, or have you ever existed as a separate entity, what comes up?

[kirmizihap]

So now if I ask you: do you, or have you ever existed as a separate entity, what comes up?

I existed until the earliest memory I can remember. I am here now. This does not come to my mind in daily events, but when I am alone, I realize that I exist.

[Harry]

I existed until the earliest memory I can remember. I am here now. This does not come to my mind in daily events, but when I am alone, I realize that I exist.

Can you define this ‘I’ in more detail? What exactly is it?

[kirmizihap]

Can you define this ‘I’ in more detail? What exactly is it?

I=past. People form an opinion by visualizing people's past in their minds. A person is a different self for each person. I am an ever-changing character that remains as a result of summarizing this past.