The Gate

Hi Robyn,

1. What is the sensation?

A feeling of tension or discomfort in the body. Sometimes a clenching feeling in the stomach. Sometimes a lightheadedness.

2. Is the thought really attached?

Hmm, attached isn't the right word. It's like correlation vs. causation.

How are they attached?

There is association between one and the other, but that association is a thought, obviously.

Does the sensation and the thought happen at the same time each time?

The thought usually occurs first, although occasionally there are sensation that are later labelled as "fear" or "overwhelm" that seems to appear out of nowhere, without a thought preceding it. Perhaps the thought is on a subconscious level rather than a conscious level.

See if you can notice various times when there's thought content that includes the term suffering or that is about some kind of suffering - is there always a sensation at the same time and is it always the same sensation?

Sometimes a thought will occur and there will be a sensation that is called 'suffering' but other times the same thought will occur and there will be a sensation with a different quality. And sometimes no discernible sensation at all.

3.Is there a sensation that is sometimes accompanied by a thought about suffering? If so, is it every time and are they simultaneous?

A sensation in the stomach associated with falling randomly occurs and that is then sometimes followed by the thought about suffering, but not every time. And they aren't simultaneous.

4. Is "attached" Direct Experience or concept (thought content)?

"Attached" is a concept.

Hi, Cliff,

Great job!

The point of those questions was to assist you in getting Direct Experience separated from thought labeling and it's clear that you did that.

In seeing that the "suffering" doesn't exist in Direct Experience, is there any more sense of freedom or relief?

Love,

Robyn

Hi Robyn,

In seeing that the "suffering" doesn't exist in Direct Experience, is there any more sense of freedom or relief?

Unfortunately, no. But perhaps that is because there is an expectation of some kind of sense of freedom or relief to come after the seeing? I didn't answer yesterday because I was hoping that there might be a delayed reaction, but nothing happened. Perhaps I need to completely let go of the idea that the seeing will spark any difference in my experience at all and be satisfied with that? Frustrating.

Hi, Cliff,

All these thoughts and feelings - to what are they happening? Really look.

Love,

Robyn

Hi Robyn,

All these thoughts and feelings - to what are they happening? Really look.

First thought is "the thoughts and feelings are happening to me." Second thought is "they aren't happening to anything or anyone. They are just happening."

Cliff

HI, Cliff,

My apologies - I had an extremely busy day and I'm inordinately tired. I'll write back tomorrow.

Love,

Robyn

Hi Robyn,

No problem at all. I really appreciate your taking the time to be my guide. Truly.

Cliff

Cliff,

My apologies! I was just checking on you and discovered that the reply I wrote to you didn't get sent! I don't know what happened -- I recall hitting Submit. Oh, well...

First thought is "the thoughts and feelings are happening to me." Second thought is "they aren't happening to anything or anyone. They are just happening."

Thought content is clearly not a good source of accurate information! This is a perfect example!

Back to the original question, put another way: Are the feelings and thoughts happening TO someone (like an I) or are they just happening, like all experience?

Love,

Robyn

Hi Robyn,

Are the feelings and thoughts happening TO someone (like an I) or are they just happening, like all experience?

They are just happening, like all experience. They become "my feelings" or "my thoughts" when an "I" thought co-opts them.

Cliff

HI, Cliff,

They are just happening, like all experience.

Yes.

They become "my feelings" or "my thoughts" when an "I" thought co-opts them.

They do? Can a thought co-opt anything? Can a thought do anything at all? This is thought content.
Why are you adding the thought story here?

Love,

Robyn

Hi Robyn,

They become "my feelings" or "my thoughts" when an "I" thought co-opts them.

They do? Can a thought co-opt anything? Can a thought do anything at all? This is thought content.
Why are you adding the thought story here?

I guess I couldn't leave well enough alone ;) I see that thoughts and feelings are just happening and not happening to anyone. A thought can't co-opt anything. A thought can't "do" anything.

Cliff

Hi, Cliff,

Thank you for your message.

I guess I couldn't leave well enough alone ;)

😄

I see that thoughts and feelings are just happening and not happening to anyone. A thought can't co-opt anything. A thought can't "do" anything.

Cliff, great. Are you clear on the difference between direct experience and thought content?

Love,

Robyn

Hi Robyn,

Are you clear on the difference between direct experience and thought content?

Let's see - direct experience is sight, sound, smell, taste, sensation and thought. Thought content is the label attached to direct experience. In other words, in direct experience, a taste is just a taste. Thought content is "it tastes like chicken."

Cliff

Hi Cliff,

Thanks for your response. Sorry for the delay getting back to you.

Let's see - direct experience is sight, sound, smell, taste, sensation and thought.

Yep.

Thought content is the label attached to direct experience.

1. Is it really "attached," as in all the time? 2. What other types of content do thoughts have?

A little experiment -- as you go through the rest of today, take pauses every so often and notice Direct Experience and notice thought content (labels and story). Are you able to tell them apart?

Sending love,

Robyn

Hi Robyn,

Thought content is the label attached to direct experience.

1. Is it really "attached,"as in all the time?

No, it's not attached all the time. Sloppy language on my part. More accurate to say the label sometimes accompanies direct experience. There is often direct experience without thought.

What other types of content do thoughts have?

Thought content can be personal or impersonal. Sometime it is self-referential, e.g., I'm thirsty, and sometime it isn't, e.g., the wind is blowing the leaves in the trees.

I'd do the experiment you mentioned (notice direct experience and thought content, can I tell them apart) today and report back later tonight.

Cliff