Go time!

[RhinoSpirit]

LU is focused guiding for seeing there is no real, inherent 'self' - what do you understand by this?
The me that we initially take ourselves to be is a construct of what we call mind. When looked for all there is to be ‘found’ is a shape shifting constructed self just doing its stuff, and thoughts come in the form of language that clearly expose this upon examination. Credit where credit’s due - it’s outrageously clever once you see it.

What are you looking for at LU?
As the understanding here feels more intellectual than experiential, I’m looking to have unseen beliefs highlighted and challenged in the expectation this will lead to some kind of shift. Not necessarily an earth shaker but some kind of recognition/ realisation/ remembering that isn’t just another belief.

What do you expect from a guided conversation?
To be guided towards direct looking (and not the minds idea of direct looking) by a guide who says it as it is. My favourite line from Gateless Gatecrashers was where Jamie asked “How can I get out of this?” and Elana replied “Stop acting like a child, Jamie. There is no you.”. That’s exactly how I might need to be dealt at some point. I’ll commit to turning off all distractions for the duration of guidance and treating it somewhat like a silent retreat though I’ll be working. I have a driving job 5 or 6 days a week but will be committed and able to reply every day at some point/s or other depending on the time zone of my guide. FYI I’m in the UK on British Summer Time (GMT+1) if that makes a difference.

What is your experience in terms of spiritual practices, seeking and inquiry?
Of late mainly looking at anything and everything non-duality related that resonates on YouTube, a.k.a accumulating knowledge and jumping from one thing to the next waiting for it to be explained in a way that “I” finally get it. I enjoy spending time in nature, trying to be quiet and to ‘see’ through the illusion that way. The seeking started seriously in 2018 after what society terms a mental breakdown, though I don’t see it like that - more like a breakthrough and all in one of life’s great experiences. I heard of LU a while back and looked into it then but for whatever reason it didn’t resonate like it does now. I feel I’ve finally come to what I’ve always needed, which is to be guided towards direct looking, clear of all the spiritual mumbo jumbo which I find somewhat bemusing. Path started with Ramana, Mooji, Rupert Spira, then more towards radical non-duality. Been on retreats / silent retreats and to hear speakers. Not really into practices, just trying to flow with life and though things are ‘better’ now, something has been started that clearly needs to be finished. I’m Nick and it’s nice to meet you all.

On a scale from 1 to 10, how willing are you to question any currently held beliefs about 'self? 10

[NoMansLand]

Hi Nick
(Is that what you want me to call you?)

Welcome to Liberation Unleashed (LU). Excited to have you here!
My name is Adam, and I’ll be happy to be your guide if you like.

At LU, we explore the concept of the separate self through experiential guidance, leading to a perceptual shift.
It's not a debate; it's about direct observation without reliance on thought content.

We focus on the present moment, stripping away mental narratives to discover what is truly happening right here and now.

It's done by using various tools, exercises, and questions that will help you LOOK for yourself the illusory nature of the separate self.

Please read through “Liberation Unleashed is not …” in the FAQ’s of LU.
http://liberationunleashed.com/about/faq/#faq-1041

Please also confirm that you've read the Disclaimer: https://www.liberationunleashed.com/reg ... isclaimer/

During our conversation, we are LOOKING directly into the experience of the senses, which is actually here and now, with the thinking stripped away. It is also known as Direct Experience (DE) or Actual Experience (AE). In this way, we are aiming to discover what is truly happening without the story we tell ourselves.

A few points to emphasize:
1. Be 100% honest. Share exactly what's happening without relying on imagination or memory – just direct experience. Don't filter anything out unless guided otherwise. There is no judgment here, so share freely. It will help in this process greatly.
2. Post regularly. Maintain momentum; aim for at least one post a day. Let me know if you can't do that. I'll do the same if something happens on my end.
3. I am not your teacher or your guru. I cannot teach you this or make you believe something. The 'pointing' is for you to realize it for yourself.
4. STOP consuming spirituality of any kind during our investigation. No more new ideas, new beliefs, new paradigms, books, videos. You investigate your Direct Experience and only that. If you meditate – it's okay to continue meditation.

When replying to a question, please use the quote function to highlight the question being answered. Throughout this inquiry, please answer questions individually, not in a bundle. Please watch the below video to learn how to use the Quote function. This will assist us in having a clear dialogue around the questions and answers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fAToDNh9hQ

You should copy and paste the questions asked into Word, answer them there, and then copy and paste them to your thread. It will save you time in the long run, if a glitch in the system wipes out your answer.

If you're okay with everything so far, let's start.

Kindly,
Adam

[RhinoSpirit]

Hi Nick
(Is that what you want me to call you?)

Hey Adam,

I gladly accept your offer to guide me.

Nick is great.

We focus on the present moment, stripping away mental narratives to discover what is truly happening right here and now.

Perfect I’m here for this. It’s become abundantly clear the stuck in your head method can only.

Please read through “Liberation Unleashed is not …” in the FAQ’s of LU.
‪http://liberationunleashed.com/about/faq/#faq-1041

Please also confirm that you've read the Disclaimer: ‪https://www.liberationunleashed.com/reg ... isclaimer/‬

I’ve read through both of these and everything is understood.

A few points to emphasize:
1. Be 100% honest.

The way society is I’ve been practicing hard not to be too honest even with family and close friends but that just feels odd to me, so this won’t be a problem.

If you're okay with everything so far, let's start.

Let’s go - I’m super excited about this!

[NoMansLand]

Nick,
Great! Let's get straight to some honest-looking then.

First things first, let’s get your expectations out in the open (what actually brings you here):

1. What will be different after the inquiry?

2. What do you expect to happen as a result of this?

3. What do you want not to happen?

4. What are you hoping for?

5. What is missing?

Give me as much honesty as you can, all the expectations you can think of.
This is also for you to get a clearer idea of why you're here, to begin with.

Best,
Adam

[RhinoSpirit]

Hi Adam,

Hopefully this is a starting point we can work from.

N

First things first, let’s get your expectations out in the open (what actually brings you here):

What brings me here is seeking but what is seeking and for what it is seeking is not obviously apparent, especially not using the mind but that is the only thing I’m able to find at present to produce answers. Maybe that’s not entirely true, maybe there is some seeing but it’s not exactly clear.

1. What will be different after the inquiry?

We will see! Hopefully there will be clear seeing and direct experience after “stripping away mental narratives to discover what is truly happening right here and now.”.

2. What do you expect to happen as a result of this?

The constant tension to ease.

3. What do you want not to happen?

The constant tension not to ease, or heaven forbid to get worse ;)

4. What are you hoping for?

Clarity. I’m not expecting everlasting peace or for life to be trouble free. What I am hoping for though is for there to be clear seeing of what is true. I can see lots of the false but not the true.

5. What is missing?

Nothing. I was going to write that it was the toolkit or ability for direct looking but I suspect I have both already and I just don’t know it. Or maybe better put that there is an unconscious belief that I can’t do it which is in the way. The system here operates on getting things done (or not) by being very hard on itself. To tell a story it’s like it thinks things should be a certain way, maybe even the way that mainstream society teaches, but something knows that is false. Maybe there is an unseen belief from the mind that nothing could function without it.

Give me as much honesty as you can, all the expectations you can think of.
This is also for you to get a clearer idea of why you're here, to begin with.

So the expectations don’t seem like a lot but I don’t really have many unless they are subconscious. I am here because the character’s dreams have all died and it’s life has failed itself, rather than because I have specific expectations. It seems like they would come from the mind and nothing from there sticks.

The honesty part I can still make an effort to provide. None of the worldly desires to make life better have worked and this has exposed the system for what it is. So it seems pretty obvious nothing is wrong but somehow the feeling there is something wrong remains, and I don’t know what it is or where to look.

There seems to be a belief here that things should be a certain way, like it is trying to do the right thing but it is conflicted because it knows that the mainstream narrative for life is not true, but that’s all it has to operate from. So the more the system fails, the more constrained it gets - like a moth to the flame!

[NoMansLand]

Nick,
Your expectations are fairly reasonable. But all expectations are, in a sense, an obstacle.

When realization happens, it can be very subtle and if there are expectations of any kind, then it can be missed and the guiding becomes very difficult.

I can promise you there will be no fireworks or angel choirs; it is a subtle shift in perception.

The only true expectation, that you can have, is that the seeking will end. It's a complete realization. The end of seeking. This is one looking and it is over, in a sense. If there are any other expectations, it's good to acknowledge them and then set them aside. It is all much simpler and ordinary. Is that OK with you?

Now…If you look for the I, what is there? If I say there’s no doer, thinker, experiencer, decision maker, or a witness, what comes up? Where exactly did you look? What exactly did you find? Please describe in detail what appears – feelings, sensations, thoughts, anything?

Best,
Adam

[RhinoSpirit]

Hi Adam,

The only true expectation, that you can have, is that the seeking will end.

I’ve not heard it phrased like that before but I really like it.

If there are any other expectations, it's good to acknowledge them and then set them aside. It is all much simpler and ordinary. Is that OK with you?

That sounds perfect!


I’ve just got in from work. I shall look for the I, and report my findings in detail before I leave for work tomorrow.

Best regards,

Nick

[RhinoSpirit]

If you look for the I, what is there?

Doubts then thoughts like shouldn’t this be easy to answer, what is wrong with you? The doubts are accompanied by feelings and sensations.

Sitting with it, can’t find anything that doesn’t come and go, and if there was a real I it would have to be there the whole time. The body appears to be solid and is apparently there the whole time but when investigated it seems pretty obvious I am not the body. I can use my hand to touch another part of my body but that experience is exactly the same if I use my hand to touch a supposedly separate object such as a wall.

When looking for the I, there is a sense of stuckness but that too fluctuates and is not consistent.

If I say there’s no doer, thinker, experiencer, decision maker, or a witness, what comes up?

Thoughts, that say “I am the doer, “I am the thinker”, “I am the experiencer”, “I am the decision maker”, and “I am the witness”

On investigation though they don’t seem to have substance. Initially this was taken for stuckness but maybe whatever that is, its the mechanism that normally stops me from looking. As if I sit with the questions, the stuckness seems to morph into absurdity of thinking there could be a doer, thinker, experiencer, decision maker or witness. Then the absurdity morphs into doubt but I sit with it and that too passes.

Where exactly did you look?

Not sure, maybe the same place everything appears to take place - here? When I sit with that to figure out where “here” is, what keeps coming up is that it feels like I’m looking from a place of clearer seeing that I normally access, presumably having previously been thrown off the scent by the stuck feeling and the thought barrage that follows.

What exactly did you find?
Please describe in detail what appears – feelings, sensations, thoughts, anything?

Feelings.
I’ve always said I don’t really know what feelings are and I feel like I’ve just looked for the first time in my life which is somewhat embarrassing - this is wild! I’ve looked at the dictionary definition loads of times. It’s like there was a belief that I didnt know what feelings were, and the outcome was they never got processed and let go of.

Stuckness - as described the investigations seemed to arrive pre-loaded with stuckness.

Doubt - am I doing what Adam asked me to do. I doubt it. You’re probably not doing it right ….

Confusion - How do I know if I’m doing it right or wrong? Then this just loops.

After this things started to clear and I could list a whole load more feelings, many on the more positive side that. They all came and went though.

Sensations.
Tightness and tingling in the solar plexus and the top front of the head. Ringing in the ears.

Thoughts.
These seem like the same as feelings to me? The feeling is just the label for the content of the thoughts. Can you have a feeling without it coming from thought? This is the crux isn’t it - if we just said they were thoughts we wouldn’t all get so lost. It seems to me as soon as we call them feelings, we are just making up a story that we then take to be true, assuming feelings actually exist. I recently heard Paul Hedderman say the “the only way it can convince you, is to convince you that you are already convinced.”. Maybe the labeling of feelings is the bridge that facilitates this.


So, I’ll leave that for now and await some feedback. In trying to explain this for communication I feel like I’m just using the mind again and could be getting off track so let’s see.

Also could I ask another question at this point re use of language with things like saying “I”. Should I be conscious of it or more relaxed in that we have to use language and it’s stupid to say “this character or stuff like that? I notice in our conversations I have started using the term “system” which is an extension of this.

Best regards,

Nick

[NoMansLand]

Nick,
Thank you for your answers - they are very thorough and that's fantastic. That gives me some ideas on where to start the investigation in general.

I understand feeling stuck, or in the echo chamber. Been there, done that. It is really simple though. It's too simple, even. But to not give you more ideas... Let's just start this investigation from basics to find a common ground.

Before we begin let’s just make sure that you understand how to LOOK for no self in the exercises:

Looking is a matter of noticing what is already here, not inventing or imagining something.

If I asked you to tell me what is behind your back right now, you could answer by doing one of two things:
1) by thinking and remembering, or
2) by turning your head around and actually looking back and describing what you see.

If I ask you to look for your phone or keys, you would quite naturally, take a look and locate them.
That’s how to look.

Looking is finding out what is true in experience. It is a nonverbal action of focusing attention on a target.

Thinking is verbal—it is naming experience. Both work together as one mechanism. If you can’t see for yourself, you cannot describe it in your own words (but you can attempt to describe it using someone else’s words, from memory).

There is a BIG difference between knowing/thinking that there is nothing and seeing that there is nothing.
Here is an example to illustrate the difference:

If I ask you what color socks you are wearing right now you have two ways to answer:
1. You can think about it, trying to remember, or guessing what color they are.
2. You can have a look at your socks and see what color they ACTUALLY are!
You will agree that only by looking you could be 100% certain, right?

Read this very carefully: For the purpose of this inquiry, you must be clear about this difference in the two ways of answering and stick only to the second way. We are only interested in looking at and seeing what is actually going on. We are only interested in Direct (Actual) Experience (DE/AE)- the experience right now and right here.

Direct or Actual Experience is:

Seeing
Hearing
Feeling (not emotion - emotion is feeling of a sensation plus thoughts/labels)
Tasting
Smelling
Thoughts Arising (but not their content i.e. what the thought is ABOUT)

Please let me know if you are clear about this or if you would like any further clarification, since this is very important.
Does that clear the confusion when it comes to feelings and thoughts and their place in direct experience?

Here's an exercise for you to get super clear on what direct experience is.
You can use this photo of an apple or a real apple.



Have a look at an apple. When ‘looking at an apple’, there's color, a thought saying ‘apple,' and maybe a thought saying, "I'm looking at an apple." What about the content of thoughts, what do they describe? While these thoughts are known, what they talk ABOUT cannot be found in direct or actual experience. Direct, actual experience is sound, thought, color (sight), smell, taste, and sensation.

Taste labeled ‘apple’ is known
Color (visual information) labeled ‘apple’ is known
Sensation labeled ‘apple’ is known (when the apple is touched)
Smell labeled ‘apple’ is known
Thought about/of an ‘apple’ is known
However, is 'an apple' actually known? (Or is it just a label?) Is there really an ‘apple’ here, or only color and a thought ABOUT ‘apple’? Can ‘apple’ be found in direct experience?

About your question:

Also could I ask another question at this point re use of language with things like saying “I”. Should I be conscious of it or more relaxed in that we have to use language and it’s stupid to say “this character or stuff like that? I notice in our conversations I have started using the term “system” which is an extension of this.

Don't worry about it. "I" is needed for communication. "I", "Nick", "Adam" and all that are labels that serve communication. The point is to focus and pinpoint the direct experience - herein lies the question and answer, or rather the lack of both.

Best,
Adam

[RhinoSpirit]

Hi Adam,

If I ask you what color socks you are wearing right now you have two ways to answer:
1. You can think about it, trying to remember, or guessing what color they are.
2. You can have a look at your socks and see what color they ACTUALLY are!
You will agree that only by looking you could be 100% certain, right?

Yes this is correct. Even though I was following along with what was written when the thought came “what color socks am I actually wearing today” I caught myself recalling memories from this morning out of habit instead of looking down at my socks - the conditioning runs hard ;)

Read this very carefully: For the purpose of this inquiry, you must be clear about this difference in the two ways of answering and stick only to the second way. We are only interested in looking at and seeing what is actually going on. We are only interested in Direct (Actual) Experience (DE/AE)- the experience right now and right here.

Direct or Actual Experience is:

Seeing
Hearing
Feeling (not emotion - emotion is feeling of a sensation plus thoughts/labels)
Tasting
Smelling
Thoughts Arising (but not their content i.e. what the thought is ABOUT)

Please let me know if you are clear about this or if you would like any further clarification, since this is very important.

Crystal clear (in theory). I will do my best and I’m sure it become easier with practice.

Does that clear the confusion when it comes to feelings and thoughts and their place in direct experience?

Yes! I already suspected feelings and thoughts had no place in what we would be doing but your clarification has helped to explain why.

Have a look at an apple. When ‘looking at an apple’, there's color, a thought saying ‘apple,' and maybe a thought saying, "I'm looking at an apple."

I’m assuming in this type of scenario the thought can be very subtle? If I see something unusual or big happening I can see the thought labeling it, but if I’m just scanning I don’t notice the thought appearing. I do understand though that if I look at a tree and someone asked me what it was, I would say tree which is just the label thought gives it.

What about the content of thoughts, what do they describe? While these thoughts are known, what they talk ABOUT cannot be found in direct or actual experience. Direct, actual experience is sound, thought, color (sight), smell, taste, and sensation.

Taste labeled ‘apple’ is known
Color (visual information) labeled ‘apple’ is known
Sensation labeled ‘apple’ is known (when the apple is touched)
Smell labeled ‘apple’ is known
Thought about/of an ‘apple’ is known
However, is 'an apple' actually known? (Or is it just a label?) Is there really an ‘apple’ here, or only color and a thought ABOUT ‘apple’? Can ‘apple’ be found in direct experience?

This makes sense. The apple cannot be found in direct experience.

I am slightly nervous as my understanding of this is currently conceptual and not experiential but that is the process and I look forward to seeing how I go!

[NoMansLand]

Hi Nick,

“Yes this is correct. Even though I was following along with what was written when the thought came “what color socks am I actually wearing today” I caught myself recalling memories from this morning out of habit instead of looking down at my socks - the conditioning runs hard ;)”

Exactly. It’s a reflex - unquestioned assumption. It’s the same with the separate self. It’s an assumption and conditioning. We want to look instead of guess, answer from memory or make stories about.

“Yes! I already suspected feelings and thoughts had no place in what we would be doing but your clarification has helped to explain why.”

Well - they do point to sensations in body, for example like when you’re smiling there is a thought that labels experience “happy” and a sensation of face doing the smiley thing, and maybe a sensation of warmth in a chest area or somewhere else.

But no such thing as actual “happiness” in reality - just raw sensations and thoughts.

The actual content of a label is imaginary. Thoughts also come and go in experience but their content is not important for investigation. Only the fact of thoughts arising and vanishing as part of experience.

Does that make sense? So when it comes to feelings and emotions - what are they but sensations in a body and a label that arises? Is there anything beyond that at all?

“I am slightly nervous as my understanding of this is currently conceptual and not experiential but that is the process and I look forward to seeing how I go!”

Nervous is fine. Every other “emotion” too. What is nervous? What is the direct experience of “I am slightly nervous”? What is here beyond the story of “I am slightly nervous”?

Here's an exercise that I would like you to try as many times throughout the day as you can.

Label daily activities simply color/image, sound, smell, taste, sensation, thought.

So for example, when having breakfast,
become aware of:

Seeing a cup, simply= image/color
Smelling coffee, simply = smell
Feeling the warmth of the coffee cup, simply = sensation
Tasting the coffee, simply = taste
Hearing the spoon stirring the coffee, simply = sound
Thought about drinking the coffee, simply = thought

Just break down daily activities into these categories (which are all Direct Experience) and report back how you go. Give me at least 3 examples. Use exactly the same language as above.

Best,
Adam

[RhinoSpirit]

Hi Adam,

Now we’re at serious work! :)

I will keep on with the exercise you gave me for the rest of the day, but thought I would send this before I leave for work so it’s done.

“Yes! I already suspected feelings and thoughts had no place in what we would be doing but your clarification has helped to explain why.”

Well - they do point to sensations in body, for example like when you’re smiling there is a thought that labels experience “happy” and a sensation of face doing the smiley thing, and maybe a sensation of warmth in a chest area or somewhere else.

But no such thing as actual “happiness” in reality - just raw sensations and thoughts.

Perfect, thanks!

The actual content of a label is imaginary. Thoughts also come and go in experience but their content is not important for investigation. Only the fact of thoughts arising and vanishing as part of experience.

Does that make sense?

Copy 5/5

So when it comes to feelings and emotions - what are they but sensations in a body and a label that arises? Is there anything beyond that at all?

It appears not.

Here's an exercise that I would like you to try as many times throughout the day as you can.

Label daily activities simply color/image, sound, smell, taste, sensation, thought.

Just break down daily activities into these categories (which are all Direct Experience) and report back how you go. Give me at least 3 examples. Use exactly the same language as above.

Out walking
Seeing the clouds moving by and the plane trails in the sky behind them, simply= image/color
Smelling the salty sea air, simply = smell
Feeling the cool air on my face, simply = sensation
Tasting a metallic taste in my mouth , simply = taste
Hearing dogs panting as they walk past, simply = sound
Thought can it really be this simple, simply = thought

Sitting on a bench
Seeing waves rolling onto beach, simply= image/color
Smelling the flowers, simply = smell
Feeling the wind on the back of my neck, simply = sensation
Tasting toothpaste in mouth, simply = taste
Hearing people talking whilst walking past, simply = sound
Thought am I doing this right, simply = thought

Making lunch
Seeing the peas boiling in the pan, simply= image/color
Smelling the sausages cooking, simply = smell
Feeling salt getting into cut on hand, simply = sensation
Tasting the potatoes, simply = taste
Hearing the air fryer whirring, simply = sound
Thought about the salt stinging, simply = thought

As soon as I remove the label it immediately becomes obvious how things just flow - I like it! Currently it is much easier to notice the flow when concentrating on one sense but that is only to be expected.

Best regards,

Nick

[NoMansLand]

Nick,
Excellent investigation.
Glad you see thoughts as thoughts like "Thought can it really be this simple" arise and vanish.
Is the content real, or point to anything in your direct experience?

That is exactly what looking in direct experience is all about. Is there any doubt about it, or is it clear?

As you can see the only thing that you can be sure of is the latter part - the colors, smells, sensations, tastes, sounds, and thoughts arising. But is the story before the "=" true, or is it just a story, a thought content?

For the duration of our investigation - and beyond, this LOOKING must become a habit for you.
Incorporate it into your everyday life.

How does it feel to look at what actually IS?

Now, for the next exercise: We are still LOOKING in direct experience, with honesty, and only at what is actually happening.

Now, the exercise:
A thought appears.
In that moment is there anyone or anything that recognizes the thought or is being aware of it?
Can you see anything that is separate from the thought and does the thinking?
Did you do anything to make a particular thought or thoughts appear?
Could you have done anything to make a different thought appear at that exact moment instead?
Can you select from a range of thoughts to have only pleasant thoughts?
Can you choose not to have painful, negative, or fearful thoughts?
Can you pick and choose any kind of thought?
Is there anything that is responsible for the thoughts like a traffic cop saying which one to go and which one to stay?
Can the flow of thoughts be changed?
Where do thoughts appear from?
Where are they coming from and going to?
Do they appear randomly or in a structured way?
Watch like a hawk.


Next...
Write down a sequence of 5 thoughts in the order that they appear.

Now check:
Could you predict the order of their appearance?
Did you know which will be the second or the fourth?
Is it possible to prevent a thought from appearing?
Can you stop thinking a thought in the middle?
How long does that last?
Test it for the fun of exploration.
It seems that thought has some logically ordered appearance, but look carefully and just notice if there is an organized sequence. Or is it just another thought that says ‘these thoughts are in sequence’ or “they take content from previous thought”, or that "one thought follows another thought"?


Are thoughts 100% true?
What are you, when you don't think about what you are?

Remember to answer each and every question separately, don't BULK answer questions, look at each of them separately. Also - look only at Direct Experience.

Best,
Adam

[RhinoSpirit]

Hi Adam,

As there were a couple of questions, I thought it best to reply to the first part of your message on its own. I’m the type of person who has to do something to know they can do it. I have looked through the questions and am confident than any doubts will resolve themselves when doing that exercise. I will look at them this evening and make a start, and I’m off all day tomorrow so that’s even better for me without work distractions.

Best regards,

Nick

Glad you see thoughts as thoughts like "Thought can it really be this simple" arise and vanish.
Is the content real, or point to anything in your direct experience?

No the content is not real, just thoughts.

That is exactly what looking in direct experience is all about. Is there any doubt about it, or is it clear?

Both ;) See below.

As you can see the only thing that you can be sure of is the latter part - the colors, smells, sensations, tastes, sounds, and thoughts arising. But is the story before the "=" true, or is it just a story, a thought content?

I can clearly see what is being pointed towards but there are still doubts. Let’s take looking at a goose, which is what I’m doing now. I can see the label “goose” is an add on and something’s feels lighter to drop that and just say it’s colors arising. But then how can we be sure about the colors, as that still in some way sounds like a label? Why do not just say it’s seeing?

For the duration of our investigation - and beyond, this LOOKING must become a habit for you.
Incorporate it into your everyday life.

How does it feel to look at what actually IS?

I fear this may not come across well as it seems a bit pedantic, but we agreed for honesty so I will ask my question. Was I not always looking at what is, and it was just the labeling habit, believing it to be separate that caused an issue?

[RhinoSpirit]

Now, the exercise:
A thought appears.
In that moment is there anyone or anything that recognizes the thought or is being aware of it?


I cannot find anything that recognizes the thought but there is awareness of the thought, so it seems in some way something must be aware of it.


Can you see anything that is separate from the thought and does the thinking?


No thoughts just appear. I cannot see the thoughts appear but it is more like reflection that the thought came.


Did you do anything to make a particular thought or thoughts appear?


I still don’t know who or what I am but I don’t believe so.


Could you have done anything to make a different thought appear at that exact moment instead?

No.


Can you select from a range of thoughts to have only pleasant thoughts?

No

Can you choose not to have painful, negative, or fearful thoughts?

No


Can you pick and choose any kind of thought?

No


Is there anything that is responsible for the thoughts like a traffic cop saying which one to go and which one to stay?

No


Can the flow of thoughts be changed?

No.


Where do thoughts appear from?


I don’t know.


Where are they coming from and going to?

I don’t know.

Do they appear randomly or in a structured way?

They are random.


Watch like a hawk.


Next...
Write down a sequence of 5 thoughts in the order that they appear.

1. What time should I go kayaking this morning.
2. Why is the top of my head tingling.
3. Which road is the car on that I can hear outside.
4. Why is it so grey today, will it be like that all day.
5. Is that noise I can hear my neighbor leaving?

Now check:
Could you predict the order of their appearance?

No

Did you know which will be the second or the fourth?

No

Is it possible to prevent a thought from appearing?

Experience says No.

Can you stop thinking a thought in the middle?

It may seem like it but No.

How long does that last?

It doesn’t.

Test it for the fun of exploration.
It seems that thought has some logically ordered appearance, but look carefully and just notice if there is an organized sequence. Or is it just another thought that says ‘these thoughts are in sequence’ or “they take content from previous thought”, or that "one thought follows another thought"?

The language used by thoughts is that that gives the appearance of a stream of thoughts but it’s a smoke and mirrors show.


Are thoughts 100% true?

No,they are just thoughts.

What are you, when you don't think about what you are?

I don’t know.