The Gate

Hi Elad,
When I ignore thoughts without trying to eliminate them, I notice that they continue to arise, but they lose some of their power. It's as if, not receiving attention, they remain more on the surface and dissolve more quickly.
At first, there's a certain tendency to "follow" them anyway, almost automatically. The habit is strong. But when I remember to ignore them, there's a kind of distance: the thought is there, but it doesn't seem that important.
Repeating "ignore, ignore, ignore" creates a kind of interruption of engagement. However, I also notice that this is yet another thought, a mental action.
Sometimes more silence emerges between one thought and the next, or the thoughts seem less "mine" and more like events that happen on their own.
There doesn't seem to be anyone truly controlling the thoughts: they appear anyway, even if they're ignored.

Thanks 🙏

Hi Sage,

Yeah sometimes we use a "thorn" (like actively ignoring) to "remove"/reveal another "thorn" (the thoughts we are lost in without noticing it).

And good noticing that no one is controlling the thoughts. Can you see that even the "active" thoughts like internally saying "ignore ignore ignore" happen without anyone doing it?

It just happens or don't happen according to causes and conditions. No ultimate control, no controller.

From Friday I will be in a retreat for about a week and will be offline.

I see what you're saying, but I notice it mostly after it happens, both for thoughts and for actions. At the moment it happens, I still feel like I'm the one doing it.
Then, thinking back, I realize that the thoughts come naturally, and that the actions also seem to arise spontaneously in response to circumstances.
I'm not sure if this "after" view is enough.

From Friday I will be in a retreat for about a week and will be offline.

okay thanks for letting me know

Hi Sage, I am back.

Okay, lets continue, deeper:

Whenever there is doubt or a sense of self or confusion look: what is creating that?

Is there a self that is creating that or it is just happening, habit?

Continue to look. If there is an experience "I know it is just habits without self, but it is not clear if the insight is clear" CONTINUE to look: Where does that come from? From a self that can be found or just spontaneous activity?

Do this again and again as often as possible, and take periods in quiet without distractions, just sitting and looking "what is making everything happen? Is it a self that can be found or spontaneous activity?

If you really deeply want the clear insight, put intense energy into continuing to look until there is no doubt.

If you are honest and there is not a deep wanting and drive for the insight, then face the truth of that, and lets talk about that.