Hi Mike,
Thoughts and emotions are reflected in the sensations /contractions of the muscles in my face.
I wouldn’t say that thoughts and emotions are actually reflected in sensations and contractions.
Rather, when a thought is believed to be true, it’s automatically followed by emotions, and contracted sensations.
So the contraction is there because you take the thought for granted, for something that is actually true.
If you have a thought that there is a lion with you in the room and the lion is about the kill you, and you believe this thought, it’s natural to react with emotions and contracted sensations.
It’s the result of believing at thought to be an actual experience, instead of seeing it to be just an imagination.
Again looking now at the sensations in my face there is some resistance (my attention pulled away to thoughts about later in the day) - but looking again yes they are just sensations. I can see that the fact that they can be observed means they cannot be me (the controller).
But I think there is some resistance/fear here could you help me look at this again Vivien?
Is this fear come with the assumption that if there is no separate self, then you don’t exist at all?
Just notice the sense of existence, the sense of aliveness, the sense of being conscious. These all point to the same phenomenon of knowing that there is existence, that I exist
Life is here, but you are not separate form it.
You are not what you THINK you are. You are not a separate self being in charge of life. Life is, but without a controller.
And when this is recognized, nothing is lost. Actually there I something that can be lost, but not what you think it is. What can be lost is the fear and anxiety of trying to defend myself from the dangers of life.
Life is, you are.
Just check, everything is happening, there is order and pattern. There is noticing, knowing of the movement. And there is stillness underneath all movement. That openness that allows all movement.
There is certainty in existence. Being aware is always on.
Can you ever not be here?
Can you ever leave this moment?
If you say, then where do you go?
Can you fall out from this moment?
Can you fall out from existence?
Can you stop being aware?
ok looking at worrying - thinking which I'm doing right now.
Is worrying is something you do, or you only ever aware of it?
Do you make the choice to worry? Or worrying thoughts appear on their own accord, and you just aware of them?
Look here now, Is there an I that worries? Or there are only THOUGHTS ABOUT an I that is supposedly worries?
But still the belief in an I persists (although it weakens the more intensly I look)
OK, then please look at this more. Freedom comes from being conscious of what is actually happening.
So just notice what is actually happening.
If there is a thought arguing this, then question that thought.
You don’t have to take thoughts for granted.
Thoughts are not engraved in stone.
You have a right to questions every stressful thought.
There is a belief that I am. There is some kind of resistance here I think - maybe some fear of letting go.
Yes, you are, we are not denying that. You are just not what you think you are.
The only sure things there is that you exists. Existence, aliveness IS.
The thought - even if I can't see myself in control it must be there somewhere and fear what will happen if there is no me to control things.
There is a great freedom in seeing that there is no-one in charge. Everything happens on its own, effortlessly. Just notice that there is no need for a fearful self who is desperately trying to control the uncontrollable. Life take care of it all.
I see this at times briefly - my arm moves by itself. A thought pops up - it is seen and taken as belonging to a me and action is taken. Sometimes I can look in the mirror as I am shaving and see the actions just happening. I see the face there and it isn't me.
Excellent, just keep noticing this. There is a great freedom in just being aware of everything is happening on its own.
It couldn't but there is a deep habit/belief in cause and effect. I do this and this will happen. I do more work earn more money and will have more savings in the bank for example. Can both be true?
Conventionally speaking it is true. But in reality there is no I who works, there is just working happening.
There is no separate self earning money, rather earning money is just showing up effortlessly.
And yes, there could be more savings, but it’s done by no one. And yet it happens.
No no future here now. Future is just a word. It refers to what we imagine will happen and is reinforced by memories (thoughts) about an imagined past.
This is kind of mind blowing actually the more I dwell on it.
Please look into this more. This is important.
I’ve given you lots of pointers this time. Please don’t rush, take you time.
Vivien
