Having moments of liberation - wanting more!

[BlueRacoon]

Now. How does it FEEL to SEE this?

It feels good to drop all the thinking. This isn’t a feeling per-se but it feels simple. Unburdened.

Thanks for that Stacy. I appreciate your cutting through my muck.

[Anastacia42]

Excellent. YOU cut through your muck. Let's look some more:

Sports Exercise

Please note that you will have to check the link when using this exercise, to make sure it is still viable, as sometimes they are removed from Youtube.

The following link is a 7 minute clip of a soccer game. If you prefer another sport…please feel free to find one to do this exercise with.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy5pL-myDzw

1. Watch one minute with the sound turned OFF, watching ‘people’ messing about with a round thing on a field, up and down, up and down. Let it sink in, the whole experience.

2. Once the first minute is completed, now watch another whole minute with the commentary turned ON.

Notice the differences.

Notice how the commentator (thought) offers lots of know-how, even advice. It seems to feel as though they can influence, somehow, what is going on, as though one outcome is much preferred to the opposite outcome. The commentary may seem to heighten any supporter feelings which are there, and call for an identification with one team or other, and with the importance of the game itself.

3. Now turn the volume OFF AGAIN and just watch the action with NO audible commentary, the shapes moving around on the screen etc. Again notice all the differences in what is appearing as experience.

4. Now turn the volume ON again and ignore what you think you know thought is talking about, and just notice it as sound.

What did you find when doing this exercise? Is the commentary on the soccer game a necessity for the play to happen?

And in the same way, is the inner narration of thought a necessity for the play of life to happen?

As always, relax & have fun!

Loving,

[BlueRacoon]

Good morning Stacy!

What did you find when doing this exercise? Is the commentary on the soccer game a necessity for the play to happen?

No. I was found it more restful to watch with the sound off - just watching the action and more exciting/intellectual to watch with the sound on. It was interesting to see how the commentator was predicting things (that didn't happen). It was hard for me to ignore the content of the talking in the last exercise - that took a lot of concentration to block the "translation" of sounds in to words/meaning.

And in the same way, is the inner narration of thought a necessity for the play of life to happen?

No. That is becoming clearer to me the more I look at my experience and especially when I look for the times when there is a behavior (effect) but no thought (cause). Or when thought (cause) doesn't lead to behavior (effect) (but this is somehow less convincing for me). For example, I'm ready for breakfast and hungry right now, but I'm aware that I can think "okay, stop typing and go eat" but that doesn't change what I'm doing. I have to wait until something in me decides to move and go get food - and that will be spontaneous whether there is thought to do that or not. I'm seeing more and more that we are like children with a toy wheel who think we are driving the car.

[Anastacia42]

Yes.

we are like children with a toy wheel who think we are driving the car.

Perfect analogy

Have you seen these?

Watch these, please:

https://youtu.be/vJQcD588g2w

and

https://youtu.be/PUDzrCLlrj4

This is just a beginning.

Loving,

[BlueRacoon]

Hi Stacy,

Thanks for the links. Henri shared the videos towards the end of the work with him, so I’d seen them before but I rewatched them now.

I feel like I have the tip of the iceberg showing. Yesterday I had a few moments of laughter at the idea that I could want things to be anything but what they are. That felt like the first glimpse of real experiential awakening versus intellectual understanding of awakening. Would love more of that clarity.

I have been playing around today with “not thinking” and just seeing what comes about (ala the soccer videos). Not earth shattering but it is clear things just happen without conscious thought. Thoughts appear to come second.

[Anastacia42]

You're welcome. Good.

I had a few moments of laughter at the idea that I could want things to be anything but what they are

Yes, it's hilarious, and yes, thoughts come second.

We don't so much "not think" as not believe what thoughts say. We LOOK, FEEL, LISTEN.

Meanwhile, let's do these.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/k1ph01pt ... 2ob27&dl=0

Please listen & practice these one at a time & report *brief* Direct Experience here, okay?

Loving,

[BlueRacoon]

Sounds good!

I did the "God" talk/meditation a day or two ago. That was very enjoyable and I experienced the deep acceptance he talked about. I was able to just watch the moment (eyes closed, eyes open) and have the sense of it all just being an expression of God. I am carrying some of that with me all the time now - in and out of focus, but easy to find.

I did have a little difficulty with the thought of "God" as my idea of God includes benevolence - so I had the same thought as one of the members in the audience - "how is domestic abuse an expression of God?" But I found if I just think of God as the creator of all of this (or as energy/consciousness), then it's easier to see God as everything. I also liked the guidance to come smoothly out of the practice (which I took as to stay in that place of awareness and acceptance).

The second one (Beginning Thinking) I did yesterday and again today. I just couldn't "get" that one because it seemed like a mental exercise to go back in time to find where the thought came from. I felt like I could do that in my head, but that seems like more thinking so I chose not to do it. I did have the sense of a thought fading as I became aware of it and I did have a peaceful experience, but I didn't have a sense of a "place" where thoughts come from. They just show up. So I'm glad he said at the outset that some will strike, and others won't. And I did fall asleep this morning so I'm glad he talked about that too... ;-)

I'll keep reporting as I go through them. And thanks for your time and energy in guiding me. It's definitely helping me get back on the pathless path.

[Anastacia42]

Good!

With Beginning Thinking be sure your body is involved. It's a kind of sinking in & back. And yes, is optional.

Loving

[BlueRacoon]

Thanks for that tip - I'll give it a try again as I was not doing that (looking in my body for where the thought was coming from).

[Anastacia42]

Online meeting with Ilona

This Thursday on zoom.
Join our group for an exploration the core question of a ‘separate self’.

To participate use the link that you already have or email me to receive it at admin@ilonaciunaite.com
Looking forward to serving you there!

Much love

[BlueRacoon]

Thanks - I've reached out for the details. Much appreciated!

[Anastacia42]

By the way...

I did have the sense of a thought fading as I became aware of it and I did have a peaceful experience, but I didn't have a sense of a "place" where thoughts come from. They just show up.

This is correct. There is no place that thoughts come from anymore than there is a "self."

You found a sense of relaxation. That's right. Just relax into it.

Loving,

[BlueRacoon]

With Beginning Thinking be sure your body is involved. It's a kind of sinking in & back. And yes, is optional.

There is no place that thoughts come from anymore than there is a "self."

Hi Stacy,

So if I'm understanding - I think I'm getting it - there isn't anything to look for then? The audience had various images come (like thoughts bubbling up and then other thoughts attaching; a starry field where thoughts arose, etc). I just experienced that sense of thoughts already fading as I became conscious of them, and the sense that they were there and then I noticed them. And I could rest between thoughts more. I tried it again this morning, looking for a sense of where thoughts come from in the body, and what came up was the back up my skull/upper neck, but I suspect that is just a creation of the mind...

I did the next meditation in the list - about receiving - and really enjoyed that one. It was relaxing to just sit in a place of receptivity. Some guidance came to the question he suggested (What do I most need to improve my life? "Let go; be in the body") and emotion (sadness) came up when I looked up for guidance. I just let that flow. I figure that's usually a good thing - a body release - and I don't need to know anymore what that sadness is about.

I haven't heard back from the administrator for Ilona's meetings - can you provide me with those details (or at least the time so if it's early for me, I can look for an email just before)?

Thanks again for your help!

[BlueRacoon]

Never mind on the meeting details - I found the information (already in my calendar from awhile ago!)

[Anastacia42]

Hi Katty,

So if I'm understanding - I think I'm getting it - there isn't anything to look for then?

It is the act of LOOKING that's important. When nothing is found, truth dawns on us. There is no "self."

Good you liked the receiving one. Keep posting your responses.

Glad you found meeting details.

Loving