Wednesday, September 21, 2011

If "I" don't exist, what is left? This is the part I really love. It doesn't matter!:)


This is Part 2. Part 1 is here: 

Hi Elena,
Good to hear from you!  Sorry about not replying sooner, how did 5 days rush by so fast?  Thank you for asking some fun questions.


As funny as it sounds (it still sounds really funny over here), I mustconclude that I do not exist and I never existed.
  
The reason I must conclude that is precisely because I cannot be found in any shape or form in this experienced reality.  Furthermore, I cannot find anybody to dispute this statement with any meaningful evidence.  The only thing that is found, in looking longer and deeper for the Me that is promised by thought, is the absence of "I" wherever the search is directed.  


 So what does this mean?  


That "I" never existed is not to say that nothing exists, nor is it to say that Greg doesn't exist.  What it is saying is that Greg as perceived by the thinking mind does not exist.  That Greg is only imaginary, a fabrication of mind that is no more real than the details of amemory.  True, conditions that give rise to a memory are real, but the contentof the memory is not.  In the same way, the content of the mental image, thepromise of Greg is not real.  Because the content of that mental image of Greg was promised to be real and to exist, and that content is now known to beillusory, it can be said that Greg does not exist.  The promise was empty. 


"I" is an idea in the head, a mental concept, and that is all.  So "I" onlyexists in so far as the idea exists.  To carry on from here represents too much opportunity to over-think the question and thinking is what created the illusion of "I" in the first place.


These are some questions that have already come from others.  If "I" don'texist, what is left?  This is the part I really love.  It doesn't matter. Arguing the deeper implications would just be a mental exercise rife with opportunity for the illusion of self to continue.  "I" is unreal so what'safter "I" a is waste of energy.  Indeed, the need for "after I" is just more"I".  Where does "I" go?  Perhaps "POOF" is a good answer.  The opportunity in every moment is to exist in that moment, not separate from it in any way. What could be more important than that?


Ok, historical ramble mode on here.  The Buddha characterized four stages of enlightenment.  Penetrating the illusion of self was one of the factors of the first stage, along with lack of need for rites and rituals, and the eradication of doubt.  However, it was said that total liberation is still not achieved due to the persistence of the most subtle forms of self conceit.  I think I remember one form of that conceit being the desire to live or die,something like that.  


As someone who hit the first mark, I intend to keep practicing as before by observing non-self both directly and indirectly.  If there is a point here, it's that the self conditioning began further back than accessible memory recalls.  Since old memories are triggered out of the blue by certain conditions the resemble those at their origin, it follows that echoes of self may be deeply buried until such time as conditions support are lapse.  If they do arise, then a new awareness will be present to meet them.  
How cool!
Sending love and respect,Greg

Image of Beth Nash

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

What this mind had been looking for was a better "I"


Thanks for your posts and blog particularly. What I realized apart from there is no "I" is that what this mind had been looking for was a better "I"...it seems all mental activity was presenting this separation that's not really here. No "I" but still life seeing itself through points of awareness labled as "I"?
*
Elena
August 27
o

oh, yes, that is very common! Can you also rephrase the last sentence and make it simple, so I see where you are! Hugs.
*
Mark
August 28
o

Elana, first off I saw from your post that you're in NYC and hope you are doing well in the storm. I live in Louisiana and understand first hand about Hurricanes. They can be quite devastating.

You asked me to rephrase my last statement which is very kind of you to care. I was raised in the south as a christian and have had no one to discusss this with. In fact, having gradually dropped so many beliefs, I find it best to keep my mouth shut around family and friends.

Anyway, that's not what you asked. I guess what I was pondering is that if there is no "I" but only awareness becoming aware of itself, it must have many points of view as it wakes up in people. Or am I way off base.

Again, I am totally new at this with no non-dualist background whatsoever, in fact quite the opposite. I was taught, God then all "His" creations are separate. Anyway as to where I am, I've been asking the questions "Who or what am I", and "What is this I" for quite some time now to the exclusion of any other practice. It seems to cut right to the quick. So when I ask that question, I can't find a me...which took me quite some little time that I wasn't doing it wrong and that in fact there is no "me" there. It finally occurred that the "I" is just a thought and thought and emotions are not me. I'd read all that of course but it finally struck home.

What happened yesterday as I was reading your wonderful blog, is that even though I can't find a me there is still something inside that is like a familiar energy, almost a subtle grasping, clamping down...a wanting that's just below the surface. It's not really an emotion or thought but like a thin film or movement that feels like it needs to do something. When I brought it to the forefront and really looked at it...it sort of disappeared and there was peace. Actually, awareness just seemed to brighten or clarify. Watching this energy as it comes and goes, it seems like it is at the root of what I've always thought of as me. That in a nutshell is where "I" am. Not sure what to say or do, if anything other than to watch. Thanks for listening.
*
Elena
August 28
o

Mark, great what you wrote! So there is a thin grasping you say, even though, you already investigated that you are not your thoughts or emotions. And I loved you went ahead and looked at that grasping - and it's dissolved. I would say, as long as there is form - there will be various grasping - thought is a grasping in the mind, emotion is free flow of awareness/consciousness, call it whatever, unless there is a thought present, then some grasping going on. So investigate that - when you feel grasping - look up if any thought there, besides flow of feeling. Let me know, OK?
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Elena
August 29
Elena
o

so, Mark, what's cooking? Let's keep this going until you done. Write to me once a day so I see where you are, and point if needed. thanks!
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Mark
August 29
o

Wow, thanks Elena, didn't want to bother you too much in case you were dumped on by the hurricane.

I wasn't sure what you meant about emotions being free flow of awareness/consciousness until I really looked and saw that what I was doing was ascribing a meaning to these emotions. Example, anger always seems like clamping down, but as I got to looking, a feeling would come up: I'd call it anger and resist it, which is clamping down, then it seems to go to the mind and up pops the "Me" feeling. Separation.

What I've been doing as I go through the day when a feeling such as annoyance comes up is saying: Who is it that is annoyed? Immediately that familiar "Me" grasping would show itself and almost immediately fade away. There would only be awareness. I've continued in the same vein by inquiring: Who is it that is seeing this? Who is it that is smelling, feeling, tasting etc. I must admit fear pops up sometimes. Feelings like "I" need to take over and do something. I've been inquiring: Who is it that is afraid? and Who needs to do something? There seems to be a lot of emptiness then big waves of anxiety sneak back in and take over. Then it's back to "Who is it that is anxious" all over again. I keep attaching a story to it but then see very quickly there is no one here. Any pointers would be very appreciated. Thank you!
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Elena
August 29
o

Really good pointer here. You are doing great. BUT change your questions. You can ask those questions later, and I will explain why. But for now ask the following. I will ask you, you look and ask yourself and write to me, ok?


Is there you in any shape of form in the reality?

DO you exist?

Do you ever existed?

What is "I", self?

There are the questions to ask now...

So if you are on FB right now. Look and tell me

if there you in any shape or form in the reality?
*
Elena
August 29
o

the reason I don't want you to ask right now open ended questions like "Who is doing this?" "Who is afraid" Because it does imply that there is Who, and it is very subtle grasping on anything that will fit that WHO at the moment. To really see, we need to drop the Who or What completely. We will see that YOU is just a label. No you. But you need to see that. Not with open ended questions, but by vigilant looking into the experience. here and now. Do life need an entry called "me", "I" or there is no entity at all - just life, and "I" is just a label to some part of the experience. When you see the truth, then you can play with open ended questions.

If the fear comes - just look what's behind that feeling, ok. Right behind that fear.
*
Mark
August 29
o

Thank you Elena, this mind is blank after seeing your post and letting it flow into awareness. No, there is no "Me" There is only watching, stillness...clarity, focus...expansion....flow. There is only "ing" as in verb...no thing. Watching this flow. Thank you. Will write back later as it goes on.
*
Elena
August 30
o

THat is great, Mark. Seeing, real seeing is happening.

Look, do not analyze, answer this:

You say there is no you....Was there any you before?
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Mark
August 30
o

only that sense of familiar wanting or grasping in this chest. Can't find a me before now. When thought came up it attached to that grasping or vise versa not sure. Thank you.
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Mark
August 30
o

Okay, there is a seeing, sensing, openness...it even sees grasping but is not grasped itself...takes no ownership and is not affected by activities. As this comes into awareness or shows itself to be this awareness...background, space...any grasping drops...there is no grasper and nothing to grasp to. It's almost like there is a stopping yet the world continues to unfold. Also seems like the next thing to happen would be totally expected but at the same time a total surprise and awesome. No fear only anticipation...actually it's like that moment just after you take a bite of something but before you actually taste it...it's sort of a wonder. Not sure if this is making any sense but there is no avoidence...
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Elena
August 30
o

do you exist?
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Mark
August 30
o

There is still energy around the idea that there is a "ME" but it's porous like Swiss cheese or a sponge but in a word...no. There is no me. Peace. But then the grasping comes and says what is the next step?
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Elena
August 30
o

WHat is this "me" I am asking you about?
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Mark
August 30
o

But there isn't one...only awareness of goings on. Seeing, thoughts, sounds.
o

Where did it go?

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Elena
August 30
o

ever been you?
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Mark
August 30
o

If there's not a "me" now, there never has been. Apparently only thinking there was and identity around that thought. This heart is beating very fast.
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Elena
August 30
o

Welcome home, Mark!
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Mark
August 30
o

Blessings to you my friend!!!
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Elena
August 30
o

I love you. How does it feel not to be contracted into the Mark?
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Mark
August 30
o

Lightness, openness, like life is this awareness that is flowing.


Right now there is only peace, and this gentle buzzing feeling in this chest...will keep you posted. Many many thanks!
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Mark
August 31
o

Can't thank you enough Elena for taking me over the finish line...which ironically was the starting line as I see there was no where really to go. Bliss is a word that I thought over used and cliche...I see now with the limits of language it is the best I can do. Another thing is to be able to freely use the word "I" as a language construct that doesn't mean there's a "me". Looking back, I have been on this search for at least 15 years, but here I am, which is nowhere, yet everywhere. Grasping gone. Perfect stillness, freedom. That buzzing in my chest has radiated to my whole body and for the first time, my stomach is relaxed and expectant instead of knotted and anxious...I'll keep you posted. Many many thanks!
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Elena
August 31
o

Mark, this is awesome. So what was that self that bonded all that tension together?
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Mark
August 31
o

Hmmmm...conditioning maybe? At some point this body mind was told this is "you". You are good, bad, smart, dumb etc. Perhaps the mind co-opted this information as an "I, me, mine" and started this separation business...this "Me" separate from the world. It is amazing to look into this blissful nothingness and find there never was a me.
http://www.johnharveyphoto.com/

Saturday, September 10, 2011

1 + 1 = HOLY SHIT: Before "I", nothing is missing. Only "I" makes it missing!

Hi Elena,

My name is Greg. My friend Shane Wilson recommended I talk to you, and I do have a question about my practice that is ripe for help and guidance. 

I hope you don't mind spending a some time on this with me. I'll give a brief overview of where I'm at, but I just wanted to make sure you are open to it in the first place.
Thank you,
Greg

Hi, Greg. Yes. Perfect timing. Please write anything you want me to know.

Hi Elena, thanks so much for volunteering your time to this! The last couple weeks have been very interesting indeed. On the night of Friday the 26th of August, Dominic,whom I think (hope) you have spoken to, gave a talk in which he announced that he no longer has a self. During the course of that talk, I witnessed a swing between deep skepticism to
sweet, promising confidence. Skepticism because nothing that was said was foreign here, yet I had not knowingly shed my self. Promising confidence because the allure of "if Dominic is free and I've had the same experiences,
then I might be free." After all others had left, Dominic and I spoke for several more hours. He asked me questions such as, "what is the 'I'" and "who is Greg". Although I had my own abstract understanding of answers for those
questions, I did not have any formulated for an actual face to face inquiry. It seemed so ridiculous to be faced with such a question. Internally it was something like, "What is Greg? There is no Greg, come on that's obvious! Why
do I have to put this in words?" I did formulate some answers using words like illusion, veil, and even "misconception that hijacks experience". It was all quite unexpected. I can remember a time gone by that my answer would have been
much different. What had changed and when had it changed?

The days that followed that night were full of unsettling confusion, contemplation and uncompromising investigation. Now the confusion has been burned away. Please feel free to contradict the conclusions that are offered. Even the most harsh assessment of delusion is welcome. There is no Greg to get upset, only a process of mental and physical phenomena that this mind once
attributed to a self. And yet, there is still the behavior as if there is a Greg! This is where the confusion took hold. What had been shed and what was still there? Now, it is understood that the belief that "there is a Greg, a
persistent core that is at the heart of all experience here" is gone, probably for the remainder of life. However, all of the structure the supported that belief for ~33 years, the habitual behaviors, the deeply memorized patterns of
action, even the unspoken compulsive self-centric thoughts, persist. Prior to Tuesday the 30th, that distinction was not understood, and so the direction for practice was somewhat wayward. Now, the distinction is clear and it seems that there is a defined direction to progress. The "I" that is the reflection of a lifetime of "I" must be undone.

So begins this slow, steady practice of unconditioning the behavior of "I". Is this correct? Is there a faster or more direct way? Or a better, less confrontational way? As far as I can tell, each time a conditioned behavior that once supported "I" arises, all that can be done is to recognize it for what it is, make mental note that there is no "I" so the behavior is outmoded, and wait for the next one to arise. Sometimes it happens that thoughts arise without "I" as the center, whereas before "I" was always the center. For
instance, the words might effortlessly arise as "there is hunger" instead of "I am hungry". Other times, it's "I am hungry" followed by "what? What I?" Still other times it's more like, "I'm hungry" and then … hell, just be lazy.
I'm prepared to progress in this way, yet it seems somewhat tedious.

Open to anything you are willing to offer. Many thanks!


Elena: Why do you meditate?


Greg: I meditate to bring some "not doing" awareness into this life.

Elena: So you and life are separate? You need to do something to bring something to life that already is?

Greg: Not at all, not sure where you get that. How can I and life be separate?The very idea is preposterous. There isn't a single shred of evidence that there is an "I" to be separate. Furthermore, true separation in this universe is impossible, it is only illusory separation that people invent.

Elena: This is just intellectual talk

Greg: If the mind has its way all the time, active and unbridled, then it is spoiled just as isa child that gets everything it wants.

Elena: And you think you are changing something here? There is no you.


Greg: Cause and effect. Whether there is I or not is irrelevant.

Elena: There is no cause and effect

Greg: There are many great benefits to
meditation, some known here by experience, others by passage of information. Nevertheless, right now it all seems to boil down to just opening some space for pure awareness.

Elena: What? There is ONLY pure awareness. No opening is necessary. Look deeper. Anything is outside the pure awareness? Anything? Anything at all? What? Mind? Conditioning? Shit? Anything is outside?

No any more opening needed.

Need to just see that what you want to open already is. No you.

Greg: It's true that it cannot be shown that there is anything outside awareness. Yet that does not prove that ALL there is is awareness. How do you jump to that conclusion? Looking deeper indeed.

Elena: I am not proving to you anything. 
You need to see it for yourself.

Answer me this: 
How does it feel to be liberated?

Greg: Who is liberated? I (please overlook the convention of speech) know only how it feels to no longer believe in an "I".All feelings are exactly as they were when there was belief in "I".But then, there never was an "I" in the first place, so why should they be different? The body is slightly nervous at being questioned. MmmHmm! Useless conditioned response.

Elena: So what is that what you want?

Greg.

Greg!
It's not a conversation. What I am asking you or writing you has nothing to do neither with logic, knowledge or intellect. You don't need to prove me anything. I don't need to prove you anything. You wrote to me. Why? What is that you want?


What are you still looking for?

What are you trying to find?

WHAT IS NOT YET HERE?

Greg: What I want is the end of my suffering. When I say "my", I know that it is not actually "my" suffering. Still, it seems like there is suffering temporarily, and at those temporary times it seems like there is a "me" to experience the suffering. Then the suffering evaporates and the sense that "I" felt it goes away too. Perhaps this is only intellectual understanding.


Elena: How do you see the end of suffering?


Greg: What am I trying to find? I guess it would be help with looking deeper.

Elena: Why you need that? What is the drive behind it? Look, brake it, what is there?


Greg: What is not here yet? I have no good answer for this.At least when I calm down and be quiet, I don't seem to perceive that anything is missing.

Elena: So when you are not calm and quite, is there anything missing?


Greg: Hi Elena, I took a little time to wait for "not calm and quiet" so that I could answer your question. It's not happening though, so I'll address your questions now anyway.

> How do you see the end of suffering?
Good question. I suppose my ideal is some long lasting fantastic mind state that is not reactive to anything. At least that is what my idea of the end of suffering has been for so long.

As I was writing my last message to you, I realized I am now confused about suffering where I was once clear about it. it used to seem so solid and I could say "yes, there is suffering, now to find a way out!" Now though, it's difficult for me to say it with certainty. I know there is no self and this
knowing is present now under conditions that would have caused me definite suffering before. When I am feeling something unpleasant and even the mind makes an unpleasant reaction, what used to be suffering is more like... just the unpleasant thing and then just the unpleasant mental reaction and maybe even an unpleasant physical reaction to the mental reaction. And then they
all fade and I'm a bit confused. Did I suffer just then? I think it used to be suffering, now not sure. It looks more like just stuff happening and unpleasant is a part of it. Was the unpleasant suffering? How can it be, it was just the unpleasant whatever. Then where was the suffering? Was the unpleasant mental reaction the suffering? I used to think so, oh yes! But now I pause there and look. It doesn't look any different than the unpleasant in the first place. Just another unpleasant with a different flavor, but soon
gone. Then where was the suffering in that? Seriously! I've seen suffering before, where did it go? I'm sorry to go on, it's just strange to be confused about this now and it's hard to express the confusion. How can I find the certain end of suffering if I can't even find the suffering for certain? It
doesn't make any sense at all.

>> What am I trying to find?

I guess it would be help with looking deeper.

>> Why you need that? What is the drive behind it? Look, brake it, what is there?

Good question again. When I first felt the need to ask for help, I was
extremely disturbed (after Dominic's talk about the self). And then this shift in understanding happened and I wasn't confused at all anymore. So just as Shane gave me your email address and suggested I ask you for help, the
gripping desperate need for it vanished. Ahha, so finally I answer the question. I don't need it. But I didn't see any harm in completing the original intention to contact you.

>> What is not here yet?

I have no good answer for this. At least when I calm down and be quiet, I don't seem to perceive that anything is missing.

>> So when you are not calm and quite, is there anything missing?

Whoa!!!! I tried to answer this three times, decided my last answer was good, headed for bed, 
and then suddenly this 1 + 1 = HOLY SHIT happened! Every time something seems to be missing, the thought that perceives the missing thing always has an “I” in it! If there is unhappiness, it's just unhappiness. But if I am unhappy, “I” need to be happy; happy is missing! If uncertainty pushes to the top, there is great uncertainty. But when I am uncertain, I need to know; knowing is missing! What the Fuck! Can't believe I didn't see that happening before! Before I, nothing is missing. Only I makes it missing.
 
How totally awesome! Wow, there is a LOT there. So much to watch.... too excited for bed. Heeheeheee

Elena:Absolutely amazing!! Greg, well done! awesome! hahaha
much
love
your way!


Greg:Elena, thank you soooo much. Tremendous love an appreciation for you here.

Just so awesome! Frequent laughter over here for absolutely no reason, it's just delight and it's awesome! 



Please don't stop helping others. What a gift!!!





Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Theravada meditation teacher: I see it as THE opportunity of life times.

Hello Elena,

Thank you for your willingness to look at this. I admire and respect
your dedication toward helping others.

A little about my back ground. I have been practicing meditation
consistently for over fifteen years and have been teaching meditation
and Buddhist principles for seven of those. I am an ordained Buddhist
minister, but shy away from the ritualistic practices of the Buddhism.
I teach three or four times per week to help people find a solution to
ease their troubles, I have literally gone through hundreds and hundreds
of meditation students. I have written several books an the subject, and
lead by example by practicing sitting meditation a lot! but! No one, to
my knowledge, is waking up! there is no permanent liberation to be
found. No body, including myself, is getting truly free.

In my personal practice I have seen improvements in clarity and
understanding of selflessness. I have a love for the truth. That is what
motivates me. I have the determination to look in side and see what is
not there. There are moments of seeing through the illusion but it does
not stick. There is this self talk that says "this is a gradual path,
just relax and it will come" and then there is the other inner voice
that says " you don't have much time, get this done with, see through
the illusion of the 'I' NOW and for ever and really help others".

I enjoy teaching, but even more, there is the inner drive to help people
through there suffering, ( you have this same drive). I understand that
the suffering that is so prevalent in the people I meet is from the the
false identity of "self". Although to truly liberate others, I should
first be free from this illusion my self other wise It seems like I am
teaching people what I know and that seems to be how to relax the body
and still the mind.

I am needing a push. I know it is possible get beyond this wall. I wish
to see the truth and have it last and stick. I want to hear that SNAP in
the back of the head and know that I really qualify to talk to others
about what their life can be like once liberated. I know that what you
and the others are doing here works, and see it as THE opportunity of
life times.



Elena: I appreciate your honesty, Shawn. This what will get you through: be willing to re-examine your immediate experience what is what.  As meditator you can break up your experience on components, right? So lets just do that. Look at "I" right now and tell me what you see. One by one, anything that arises - write.



Shane: When looked at, "I" seems to arise and fall away. Such as, when something has to be done or when a mind state is noticed it seems to be more present. Just now when searching for a way to communicate this the "I" did not seem to be present. So there seems to be a strong "I" should do this or "I" will be doing or "I" did that. But, it does seem to come and go. Oh! one strong thing I just realized, is that when I noticed that you called me Shawn instead of Shane, a sense of Shaken identity or a grasping at the "I" arose.



Elena: It's strong, this grasping. I called Robert S."Bob" and the same happened! Look how label Shane is just the same as label "I". it's just a label. 

What is Shane? A word/thought + emotions+sensation. 
What is "I"? A word/though + emotions + sensations.

Thought - exist
Emotions - exist
Sensations - exist

Shawn - just a label
I - just a label

Look in this direction.

Let me know what comes up.



Shane: It is noticed right away that what comes up is a feeling of tension or uneasiness. The label is just there. Thought  triggers emotion and sensation the result is this uneasiness.



Elena: Shane is a label, as Shawn too! So we have this feeling arising when the label is a little off. You are Theravada guy, you can break up the experience and see:
- feeling - yes
- uncomfortable sensations - yes

- associated thoughts - yes

me? - no

where is the self in all of that?

sense of self - yes
actual self - no

but again, you can look deep what sense of self is -

all the same thoughts, sensations, feeling

Please look at all this, and write to me what's going on

You are very close, can't be otherwise with all your experience...

...which is not yours. Just is.

Experience is. The thought "I" "mine" comes and claims the experience.

Sharing just happening, you know. Are you doing it? No.You know, it's just a movement that get's expressed in particular way. So why anything else should be different?

Ask yourself, ask where you hang on. What is that? 

Please, do not go into equanimity, go hot and desperate and ask. "Where the hell I am clinging??!!"  ASK!



Shane: There is a strong feeling that staying with the immediate experience is key here. This being the only reality there is. The only place where we can find true honesty of any situation. So, with the arising of a thought, there seems to be the co-arising or the manipulation of the already present emotions and sensations. [this can sound deeper than it really is, can't it] it is just what it is. These things happen and they are not me as long as I do not try to attach a story to all of it. It occurs to me that even if attaching a story to these arising things, it still is not the truth. just a false label that is applied to the process of thought-emotions-sensations or as you said, what is what.



Elena: What you wrote to me was more like a discourse, Shane. We both don't need that, really. Let's do this. I will push, you look, you come back and answer EXACTLY what was asked.  You try your best not to analyze, otherwise I would have to slap you, Shane, even though I do respect all your experience, but at the same time, I would not be doing what I am doing, if I would just listen to you. I trust what's arising here, so if I read and I feel no interest, no concentration in what you wrote to me, I trust that. Was it great insight? Maybe, but I don't care. I keep very narrow focus, and won't step even one step sideways. Tell me if it is ok with you, and if you are willing to stay to the end? And if you are willing to stop reading no-self, non-duality staff while with me, if you are willing to have raw emotions, and if you are willing to look at them in the way i ask you. 
I am going to wait for your answer.



Shane: Yes Elena, lets do this. no reading stuff and raw emotions. I read your question as "Where the hell am I clinging??!!"  So I am just going to just write here....this is tough because I feel as if there is something that I should be fighting off, like beating down with a stick to get ride of it, but  don't know what it is for sure.



Elena: You did not answer my question, Shane. 
Here it is again:
Ask yourself, ask where you hang on. What is that? Please, do not go into equanimity, go hot and desperate and ask. "Where the hell I am clinging??!!"  ASK.”



Shane: to an attempt to be that intelligent, charming, funny, nice hard working guy. But wonder what all of that is. Is it the "I" or is it just the way i see the personality or want is it? Seems strange but i seem to be looking for something to let go of, something bad or wrong and find it frustrating not knowing what it is.



Elena: I want to know if you asked. What did you do? Did you look up in your habitual way (not bad, or good here), just habitual. For you it may be subtle, since you used to look, divide, dissect.

Here how it goes with Theravada people: they focus their attention, divide the experience, look, understand, etc. What's wrong with this?
That self, that is in the middle of each step.

You came to me and said : I feel this dissatisfaction, I feel the search is still going, I have a burning desire to see the truth to help others. It is very noble intention, very cool. And its great you know it is possible. It means that it is possible for you. Any moment.

So when I tell you ask yourself where you hang on,

here is what you do:

You understand that this is essential for you 

to see the truth.
With that understanding and strong intention, 

to the point of desperation, 
like this is the last question of you life - 
only one 
and then you die, 
you -
ASK

then you become very quite, 

another words, 
shut up the habitual thinking, analyzing, any meditation - whatever you are doing

completely shut it off

and listen
Shane: "The clinging could be..."

so I won't here "could be" or "should be" - it must be clearly seeing


Let's do it again.



Shane: I did just as you asked....It is being! it is continually trying to be some thing or some one. A relentless trying to be this or that. A teacher, an author, a humanitarian what ever...it is being. NOT to let it be.... but to be somebody. I will have to let this settle to see if there is something more. but there are tears...



Elena: so now look plainly, physically, with 2 eyes and see that being-ness is going, regardless of you trying to be, tensing in this "somebody" or that one…it's just is. And tensing/contracting is that beinng-ness too. There is no you. Regardless of how being-ness presenting itself. No you. Just as a label, yes. Actual you - not at all. Nada. Look that this being-ness does not require you as an entity there to manage it's flow. Look at the baby. When baby is born there is only being, being-ness there. Baby is one with it's environment. Baby cries out of sensations of hunger, movement happens toward the breast. Where is self in all that? None. Something happens later when baby start to associate the sensations, the body with himself - "I", "mine". All experience now is divided and labeled. But what's true? There is no separation, no entity. So all life now this paradox is trying to resolve itself. This is the suffering - the turmoil of dissatisfaction, of seeking, of feeling incomplete, feeling of something missing. Until the label seeing again as a label, not the owner of the house. The owner never was there, just an illusion. Can you look now and tell me what you see. Look right at your experience. What is there?



Shane: The experience right now! is that there is the world being the world with its sounds and colors. Sense information coming into this body. Everything is happening as it should. No surprises. When just sitting here seeing and looking at this, It feels like there is no one pushing. just looking is happening.



Elena: great. Look now. Answer me this:

Is there you in any shape or form in the reality?



Shane: I looked and looked...there is body, like  flesh and bones. but, no owner of this stuff.



Elena: do you exist?



Shane: No, there isn't anything existing. nothing there to claim it existences. Funny... nothing there to even claim it doesn't exist.



Elena: hahahaha! You made me laugh! So then what is "I" really?



Shane: Its just a label, really a mistake. like seeing a shadow and thinking its real, but nothing to see. Okay, like thinking of a shadow and believing its real.



Elena: What is happening now? Tell me what do you see.



Shane: There is just seeing, thoughts are happening, the body is being the body, there are sounds, and actually very pleasant emotions coming from the not being or not having to be that was mentioned earlier. [that's when they started] The body is just sitting and mostly just simply doing.



Elena: Ok, great, my friend Shane. And now - chop that wood: lead the classes, wash the dishes, write a book! Let's keep in touch, please write if anything, ok? Much love to you. Big warm hug! 



Shane: A very joyful Thank you! thank you! thank you! you are wonderful, like magic. Your words cut through the crap and into the heart of it. Things are very clear now! If you need anything please let me know. And please keep doing this work, it just might be our only hope.
Much love to you! and a big WARM hug back (it was over100 Degrees here again today)

Love, Shane



Elena: Thank you for your love. It was really an honor. You can help many people, even though we both know that all is right, and what is happening - happening, and there is no teacher or student, or people to help, but also this play is happening - in teacher and students, and help needed, and push needed, and whatever - all so intricate, so amazing…play along! And now you can really go into marketplace. So much love to you, Shane!
We will be in touch, of cause! 



 




Saturday, August 27, 2011

Enlightenment on the Internet. Is it possible? As weird as it sounds, yep!

 
Elena
So, Jon, what's up with ego? August 16 at 1:55am

            Jon Oh, where to begin? I was living life moment by moment and thought I had it down pretty good. I met someone that was spiritually minded and I thought we could learn together and really get this down good. The sex was like nothing I'd ever experienced before so this is where maya pulled me in for the ride of my life. Even though I knew better, I couldn't help but go deeper and deeper into obsession with this lady. I'm still pretty shaken by this experience and my ego wants to blame and compare and all the what not that a messy break up will do. I know better (in my head I guess), but I just keep going round and round with this. So there it is in a nutshell. I've listened to the trilogy over again and starting to get some clarity, but I still find myself doing the monkey mind several times a day. I've lately just resigned myself to let it play through until I get sick of it and all the traps that maya sprung on me here.
            August 16 at 2:06am    
          o
            Elena So it's about sex?
            August 16 at 2:08am 
          o
            Jon Oh no, that's what kept me blind and coming back. It's about my ego still wanting to go back and wake her up. I know this sounds pretty elemental, but it's where I'm at.
            August 16 at 2:10am 
          o
            Elena Are you awake?
            August 16 at 2:11am 
          o
            Jon Back to her bed and the games played
            August 16 at 2:11am 
          o
            Elena Jon, what you really want? Really?
            August 16 at 2:12am    
          o
            Elena What do you want, Jon? Because it is not this imaginary ego that you are talking about
            August 16 at 2:13am    
          o
            Elena WHat is that you want, John?
            August 16 at 2:14am    
          o
            Elena John..
            August 16 at 2:15am 
          o
            Jon I want that feeling I had after we made love. Like I was seeing live and living from my souls perspective. All the bs and all the beauty were the same, were essential and still all illusion. But an illusion that is necessary to play in this
            August 16 at 2:15am 
          o
            Jon amusement park we call living here
            August 16 at 2:15am 
          o
            Elena What was different at that moment ? what was the difference?
            August 16 at 2:17am 
          o
            Jon I could see how beautiful and right EVERYTHING was
            August 16 at 2:17am 
          o
            Jon no judgement
            August 16 at 2:18am 
          o
            Elena yes, exactly
            August 16 at 2:18am 
          o
            Elena so now imagine that it is always like that
            August 16 at 2:18am 
          o
            Elena it is
            August 16 at 2:18am    
          o
            Jon I can feel that occasionally
            August 16 at 2:19am 
          o
            Elena what are the occasions?
            August 16 at 2:20am 
          o
            Jon taking the moment to imagine it as you suggest. hadn't really thought to do that really. Just pining over what I was missing. duh
            August 16 at 2:21am 
          o
            Elizabeth  Jon, weird, just read this, about a relationship where they read Jed. http://markedeternal.blogspot.com/2011/08/releasing-of-sufferer.html
            August 16 at 2:21am      ·
          o
            Jon Will do, thanks Elizabeth.
            August 16 at 2:21am    
          o
            Elena Ok, read what Liz posted. I didnt read it, but I trust that blog.
            August 16 at 2:22am     
          o
            Elizabeth  Sorry, facebook lagging, did not see all your posts, carry on, read later!
            August 16 at 2:23am    
          o
            Elena it's perfect manifestation, Liz. I need to go to bed, and Jon has something worth to look up!
            August 16 at 2:26am    
          o
            Elizabeth  G'night Elena, be well.
            August 16 at 2:27am             o
            Elizabeth  Jon, sorry. Relationships often give you just enough heaven to know when you are in hell. But it does seem to be hell that teaches us so much.
            August 16 at 2:29am          o
            Jon I just read the blog, and saved the video for later viewing. Pretty deep, have to feel it out. But for now I think I need some sleep, I have a business to run too. Yikes, that
            August 16 at 2:45am 
          o
            Jon sounds like mind getting in there again. Still a bit confused and tired.
            August 16 at 2:46am 
          o
            Jon Thank you Elena, and Liz.
            August 16 at 2:46am 
          o
            Elizabeth  Blog says a lot. Just take care of sellf for a while, read when you have a quiet moment. G'night Jon!
            August 16 at 2:48am 
          o
            Raffi Rolf Hermann yeah good night. It's 2.40 pm here in cambodia:-)
            August 16 at 3:40am    
          o
            Jon Next morning: Elena, it's curious that you asked earlier what I want. My wife was reminding me of what Jed said in incorrect; that if you don't figure out what you want, then when you accidentally happen upon it, you get a Pavlovian response. And you will keep searching for that Pavlovian response throughout your life until you finally figure out what you want. I just found this intriguing that I'm basically asked the same question literally hours apart.
            August 16 at 9:48am 
          o
            Elizabeth  Hi Jon, I think Elena is still sleeping.
            August 16 at 9:55am 
          o
            Elizabeth  Love the what do you want thing. At first it was peace, then truth, then self-lessness. Now it's world peace, feel like a pageant contestant.
            August 16 at 10:04am 
          o
            Jon LOL! I know what you mean Liz, sometimes to joy is so full you want to spread it everywhere.
            August 16 at 12:11pm 
          o
            Elizabeth  Yes, but remember, Jed don't do heart. But he always kinda did, some very sweet moments where fellow feeling and lack of separation coloured the experiencing. I had a long flat affect period with Jed. Now it's alive and moving without a self to run it. Wild world. The D in the blog I sent you? we are friends as of this morning.
            August 16 at 12:17pm 
          o
            Jon Sweet, I'm sure you both will grow with your friendship! I can relate to the sweet moments that Jed shared in his books. He don't do heart, but language limitations does allow for the guidance from the feelings I would call heart feelings. I guess they could be referred to spirit or truth feelings. But heart feelings has such a sweet ring to it. :)
            August 16 at 12:22pm 
          o
            Elizabeth  Well, I urge you to look at possibility of enlightenment on the internet, as we are here anyway. Why pfaff around when it can be 'yours" in a short time? In spite of being, I guess, moved by heart as much as anything, I got over the tone on RT and took it on. It's so simple it's actually baffling. Like Tony Parsons on crack. They, and I, ask people to look for the self. Where is it? So, Jon, where can you point to your self?
            August 16 at 12:29pm 
          o
            Elizabeth  I'm cracking up here, :-) obviously too much coffee! but the question stands, as it is at the core of the oily smoke of religiousity and spirituality that Jed speaks of, so eloquently. Who wants to be free? What is the truth?
            August 16 at 12:42pm 
          o
            Elena So Jon, did you figure out what you really want? Go to the end - do not settle on anything that is middle station, because you know, you will never be satisfied then. What do you want?
            August 16 at 3:15pm 
          o
            Elizabeth  Yes, pick the easy question to answer! :-)
            August 16 at 4:13pm 
          o
            Jon I've thought about this question for about an hour now Elena, and it still boils down to wanting that state of being that I described last night: Being in the state that I view life and living from a soul level, knowing that all is as it should be. However, I must admit the way I got to that state is very pleasing and I thoroughly enjoy getting there with someone. I know all the teachings are about it's only you etc. but I've never been to this state through auto erotica, and this is the only time I've attained that state with another person. I don't mean to sound raunchy here, but that's the way I can express fully what I want.
            August 16 at 4:57pm 
          o
            Elena Jon, state is impermanent, and you probably know this - see how life just falls into this absolutely delicious state, then gets to another not so delicious. As long as one chase a state - any - delicious or not (we just naturally tend to chase delicious), one bound to the suffering - to want what is not there and not to want what is not what one wants. Perpetual wheel. So how to get out from the wheel? Recognize the truth. Is it easy? Yes and no. Why it is easy? Because it is right here and now, and available to everyone, without exception. Why it is hard? Because life long conditioning of the mind setup that there is me and everything else is out there. So anything you do - is from this "me" perspective that from it's premise is false. Take the root out. Seriously. Instead of pruning here and there - by any means people do it - self development, even spiritual most practices, sexual practices and anything what can come to mind to perfect the self and experience come from that false premise. Go for the root. Then you can have orgazm washing your dishes.
            August 17 at 1:19am   · 3 peopleLoading...
          o
            Mateo Geoly damn woman... indeed. yes.
            August 17 at 2:02am 
          o
            Simon Rather than damning women, I think like rivers we should leave them to run free
            August 17 at 5:57am 
          o
            Elizabeth  Well, to be pefectly fair, Elena, I only have orgasm if Ifind my husband washing dishes.
            August 17 at 7:03am    
          o
            Simon Berryman Dish porn?
            August 17 at 7:08am    
          o
            Jon Elena, you alluded to this the other night when you mentioned attaining the place of being without a partner. Just knowing that it's there and attainable has kept me thinking upon this for these past hours since. Whenever I start pining for this past state, I remind myself of your words and yes it does help me stop the pining. It doesn't help me get there though. Any suggestions? Liz that is funny about orgasmic honey do's. he he
            August 17 at 7:21am    
          o
            Jon Elena, for the most part whenever I see myself doing the ME sentiment, I do try and open up to the grander perspective. That being that everyone is the ONE just different cells collectively making up the ONE. This is just a place that I'm having trouble working through; I hear what your saying about getting rid of the root, but once I tasted the sweet nectar of oblivion that I partook of, it is very difficult to not want that endless/timeless state of being in perpetuity.
            August 17 at 9:47am 
          o
            Jon Nor am I sure that I don't want to.
            August 17 at 9:47am 
          o
            Mateo Geoly Hare' Krishna, Hare' Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare' Hare'...
            August 17 at 10:39am    
          o
            Mateo Geoly or rather, there's one thing about the path of Bhakti (devotion) that's got its perks: blissing out.
            I'm familiar with ecstatic union. the sexy kind, the meditative kind, but both rode the same pendulum of 'me experiencing union; me falling from union.'

            it's foreseeable that, in time, the pendulum'll get tiring. at such a juncture, you may happen to hear what elena's pointing toward.
            August 17 at 11:40am    
          o
            Jon Yes I do Mateo, I'm just processing this again/anew? I too have been on that pendulum, just not to this level of "bliss". So I am a bit in conflict here, however I keep on with the process and all will be well.
            August 17 at 12:12pm 
          o
            Elena Jon, oblivion is great - it's naturalness, it's just kissing, just hugging, just fking, just doing dishes. The problem usually that people are NOT in the oblivion - whatever "good" is going on - is subtle fear inside to loose it, whatever "bad" is going on - we want to reject it, we tense. What's good about taking the root out is that you fall into oblivion - every day oblivion :)
            August 17 at 12:13pm    
          o
            Elena The root is "I am separate entity" "I am Jon" and so on. All the life springs from this assumption. So I must protect myself from either getting what I don't like/want or get more to myself of what I like/want. All life of illusiory "me" is about that.
            August 17 at 12:17pm    
          o
            Jon Holding hand up: Guilty!
            August 17 at 12:19pm    
          o
            Elena So look closer on what "I" is. Nothing mystical-shmistical, just plain look on what "I". "John","me",self is. So today just go around your life and see what you call "I". What is it really? If this will be difficult to pinpoint - break it on components - break to the components that are easy to spot - like this is thought, oh - this this body sensation, and so on...
            August 17 at 12:20pm    
          o
            Elena And come back let us know what you found.
            August 17 at 12:20pm    
          o
            Elena take your time, really look into it. Test in different situations. Try to pinpoint "I", self with clarity, certainty. See if it's possible. If not - break on components.
            August 17 at 12:23pm    
          o
            Jon I will and get back to you. I have a very busy, business and it should be simple to look into I.
            August 17 at 12:27pm 
          o
            Elizabeth  While Jon is off, I am reading this at lunch break and learning much also. I know this and cannot express it so gracefully. And I know it from another perspective, that of power. In religious or guru-dominated sects, which I have belonged to, I was expected to receive the benefits of their contact with the divine. Experience of "God" was mediated by others, no matter how loving they were. This put me (in my head) in a powerless place. After realizing this (and I suck at being a devotee of any type) I wanted only the most direct contact with life, and nothing to do with teachers. Jed is pretty safe! This part always sounds abrupt, because it was, but after three days of looking for self, found that that was the filter that was preventing direct seeing/feeling/experiencing of life. So, um, yeah, what Elena says about the root. I is worth looking at.
            August 17 at 1:20pm    
          o
            Marie Merillat I too "suck at being a devotee of any type". That's what started me on my journey in the first place. I was raised Christian and when that fell away, looked to Buddhism and Taoism and anywhere else that I could to find whatever it was I was looking for. My problem was always no matter how much truth I saw there was always something about religions or philosophies that made me think "bullshit" and then it would be all over. I couldn't buy into part of something and just dismiss the stuff that didn't sit well with me. I am so grateful for that part of my "persona" because I never got stuck anywhere for too long before it was time to go "further". :)
            August 17 at 3:48pm    
          o
            Elena Jon, where are you my friend? What's cooking?
            August 17 at 8:48pm 
          o
            Jon Hi Elena, I have been really looking for the I. It's about as paradoxical as saying that before the big bang there was nothing. The big bang is where everything that is anything got it's start. Time, space, matter, light. But my question is, how could there not be space prior? Where was this singularity? There was time, just not counted time. So, now that I got stuck on the biggies, I broke and broke and broke it down. I am just here in existence experiencing the universe as it happens (time again). My perceptions are that things happen to me or I have a hand in something happening to someone in my perception. Just now, I get on fb and watch this past lover get off of fb. Is it me telling myself stories? Am I her, am I me? I do understand the (in my head anyway) of what Jed talks about in the Matrix. Where Neo finally escapes the egg reality, but stops at the underground reality instead of passing right on through to all there is. He's still playing the game of illusion, I'm still playing the game, however I know that I am and to some degree I can foresee the next event or curve in the road. Or is this myself creating this event or curve to perpetuate my illusion? Oi vey.
            August 17 at 11:08pm 
          o
            Elena Oi vey, Jon, look how much other people's crap (and I don't mean it literary, but when it is other people's ideas - its crap for you) you threw in this post - big bang/jed/Neo/Martix/egg and so on. When I asked you to check for yourself right here, right now. Forget Jed and Neo and Buddha and the pope, look with 2 of your eyes now - tell me what you see. Where is you there?
            August 17 at 11:15pm 
          o
            Jon Okaaay, I see. I see myself looking at a small being trying to get the universes attention, so that he's not so alone in the vastness.
            August 17 at 11:17pm 
          o
            Elena so it means that you see that you are separate from univerce/vastness? how is that possible?
            August 17 at 11:19pm 
          o
            Jon I don't know how it's possible, but that's what I see. Alone always have been. So studied in the past and did take on the roles you mentioned above, but only to find a bs factor. Then it's set alone or just experience life.
            August 17 at 11:22pm 
          o
            Elena You are not outside of everything/universe/vastness - this is not possible, it just feels like, right?
            August 17 at 11:24pm 
          o
            Jon Yes this is just what it feels like.....except during those episodes I mentioned earlier, the viewing our universe at the soul level.
            August 17 at 11:26pm 
          o
            Elena So it feels like you are separate, small and the universe it out there and you are here, left alone. Look at the feeling - look right at the feeling of painful separation - break down the experience on smallest cpomponents that you can pinpoint very clearly. Like where is that feeling located?
            August 17 at 11:32pm 
          o
            Jon It's hard to describe....like I'm this huge shell or home to a large land and I'm viewing a very small me alone in the countryside inside me. Just standing there looking around and wondering...wtf? I got one taste of that ambrosia and I'm left here alone again? So this very small me is making this large me ask these questions....to find out how to dwell in that knowing without fear of loss.
            August 17 at 11:39pm 
          o
            Elena Jon, you do not hold the focus, you drift...Where is the feeling? Feeling is viseral - find it in the body
            August 17 at 11:41pm 
          o
            Jon Oh Elena, I thought I was somewhat poetic ;}....but seriously, it's located right between the power and heart chakras. Solar plexes region. It feels as if that is very bruised.
            August 17 at 11:44pm 
          o
            Elena So you see - there are some thoughts, feeling, sensations, body, ideas. You can easily identify all these, right? What about self? Any self there? Can you find self?
            August 17 at 11:47pm 
          o
            Jon I thought that is where the self is located. So I do see self there, a very hungry self.
            August 17 at 11:49pm 
          o
            Jon Bruised self, but very hungry.
            August 17 at 11:50pm 
          o
            Elena feeling in the chest is self?
            August 17 at 11:50pm 
          o
            Jon Lower, between power and heart chakras.
            August 17 at 11:51pm 
          o
            Elena feeling in the soleplexus is self?
            August 17 at 11:51pm 
          o
            Jon No, I take that back...self is in my head too.
            August 17 at 11:51pm 
          o
            Jon Always in my head.
            August 17 at 11:52pm 
          o
            Jon Sometimes dwells in the solar plexes.
            August 17 at 11:52pm 
          o
            Elena so self is not static sometimes as feeling in a solerplexus, sometimes as bugger in the head, sometimes as heat in pants?
            August 17 at 11:53pm 
          o
            Jon Ha ha ha. No I stopped using that area for rational thought a long time ago. That's a play ground.
            August 17 at 11:55pm 
          o
            Jon But yes, it is nebulus
            August 17 at 11:55pm 
          o
            Elena nebulus is good observation, it's already better then solid static self. let's look deeper, ok?
            August 17 at 11:56pm 
          o
            Elena we are going to the root, no less, ok?
            August 17 at 11:56pm 
          o
            Jon Let's go, I don't know where we're going with this, but I'm game to see it through.
            August 17 at 11:57pm 
          o
            Jon I think I need to see it through.
            August 17 at 11:57pm 
          o
            Elena ok, so you are sitting in the room and what's around?
            August 17 at 11:58pm 
          o
            Jon Me, this computer, lamp, glass of water, books, desk paraphinelia.
            August 17 at 11:59pm 
          o
            Elena All that you named is reality - it exists. If you look - you can easily see glass of water. In fact, even if you close your eyes, it will be there - because it's real, it's part of the reality. It exists.
            August 18 at 12:00am 
          o
            Elena So we have an anchor in the reality - glass of water. We know for sure it is real, right?
            August 18 at 12:01am 
          o
            Jon yes.
            August 18 at 12:01am 
          o
            Elena ok. so now you compare everything to the reality, and if it's clear just like reality - it exists, if it's vague - it's illusionary
            August 18 at 12:03am 
          o
            Jon I will agree with that.
            August 18 at 12:03am 
          o
            Elena body, is it real? Just like a glass of water
            August 18 at 12:03am 
          o
            Jon Yes, it consumes the water in the glass.
            August 18 at 12:04am 
          o
            Elena it's real, yes, body is there, you clearly see it, touch it, it's not vague - it exists
            August 18 at 12:04am 
          o
            Elena are you thinking now?
            August 18 at 12:05am 
          o
            Jon yes, it's real, heart beats, eyes tired....it's real
            August 18 at 12:05am    
          o
            Elena can you catch a though? does thought exist? Any though in the head
            August 18 at 12:05am 
          o
            Jon just what we're discussing
            August 18 at 12:06am 
          o
            Elena thought/image/ideas easy to catch, right? Distinct in the head
            August 18 at 12:06am 
          o
            Jon yes, very much so.
            August 18 at 12:07am 
          o
            Elena emotion/feeling is it clear or vague? Can you pinpoint feeling? We just did sometime ago, but do it again
            August 18 at 12:08am 
          o
            Jon Yes, solar plexes and head both. or rather thoughts in head trigger feelings in solar plexes.
            August 18 at 12:09am 
          o
            Elena clear? exist?
            August 18 at 12:09am 
          o
            Jon clear, but ummmm, very rapid fire.
            August 18 at 12:09am 
          o
            Elena thought in the head - real, exist. triggers feeling in the chest - clear, exist
            August 18 at 12:09am 
          o
            Elena fire in the chest - sensation - very clear - exist?
            August 18 at 12:10am 
          o
            Jon do they really exist though?
            August 18 at 12:10am 
          o
            Jon mostly about past events, almost all are.
            August 18 at 12:11am 
          o
            Elena What? sensations, thoughts? look - they are there and now.
            August 18 at 12:11am    
          o
            Elena we are clear on what is there and now right?
            August 18 at 12:11am 
          o
            Jon yes, clear
            August 18 at 12:12am 
          o
            Elena ok, if I tell you find batman in the room, can you?
            August 18 at 12:13am 
          o
            Jon no
            August 18 at 12:13am 
          o
            Elena why?
            August 18 at 12:13am 
          o
            Jon batman doesn't exist in my room, nor in my head unless put there by someone making the suggestion.
            August 18 at 12:14am 
          o
            Elena what is batman? It is a though/ image of batman, some feeling, maybe sensation - all that exists. Thought of batman is real, right?
            August 18 at 12:15am 
          o
            Elena But the actual batman is illusion
            August 18 at 12:16am 
          o
            Jon In that context, yes, real. And yes an illusion
            August 18 at 12:16am 
          o
            Elena check with reality - thought is there - I told you "batman" and you have thought in the head, right? it exists here and now
            August 18 at 12:17am 
          o
            Jon yes.
            August 18 at 12:18am 
          o
            Elena if you would be small kid you would have sensations of fear or excitement in the body of batman. sensations, feeling - exist, real. Actual batman - is an illusion
            August 18 at 12:19am 
          o
            Jon yes, the willingness to forgo disbelief.
            August 18 at 12:20am 
          o
            Elena so look for the self, "I" Find self, compare to reality. Is it clear or vague?
            August 18 at 12:20am    
          o
            Jon less real than batman I must admit.
            August 18 at 12:21am 
          o
            Jon damn!
            August 18 at 12:21am 
          o
            Elena see that self is just like batman. it's an illusion. it does not exist in the reality.
            August 18 at 12:22am 
          o
            Jon yes, got that point just a moment ago.
            August 18 at 12:23am 
          o
            Elena feelings, sensations, thoughts - exist - part of the reality - movement of consciousness. self - is an illusion - a construct in the mind - unnecessary separation construct that makes one feel small and separate from consiousness/universe/vastness
            August 18 at 12:24am 
          o
            Elena in fac,t there is only vastness in the movement of thoughts, feelings, sensations, etc - no manager to life. Life is what is - constant movement
            August 18 at 12:25am 
          o
            Jon So what are these bodies we inhabit? I mean I dwell in this body yes? Or is that some illusion too? I don't see how though.
            August 18 at 12:26am 
          o
            Elena you do not dwell in the body - there is no you. Body is. Feeling is. Thought is. No you.
            August 18 at 12:27am 
          o
            Elena Imagine you are a newborn baby - you lay there, you open your eyes - is there self in the baby or it's all an experience?
            August 18 at 12:28am 
          o
            Jon It is experience. So where did I get the self that I thought dwelt in this body?
            August 18 at 12:29am 
          o
            Elena As we grow a little mind start to construct that self which is illusionary
            August 18 at 12:29am 
          o
            Elena where the batman dwell?
            August 18 at 12:30am 
          o
            Jon thoughts
            August 18 at 12:30am 
          o
            Jon mind
            August 18 at 12:30am 
          o
            Elena so what is "I"?
            August 18 at 12:31am 
          o
            Jon the same
            August 18 at 12:31am 
          o
            Jon this is going to take some time to adjust to
            August 18 at 12:31am 
          o
            Elena I is a though
            August 18 at 12:31am 
          o
            Jon I get what your saying, but I must dispose of I as life is experienced.
            August 18 at 12:32am 
          o
            Elena I is a thought that grab the experience. there is no ownership to the experience. it's not nessesary.
            August 18 at 12:33am 
          o
            Jon yes, i see....this is liberating and a bit scary just now. ego is wanting to freak but doesn't have the power just now.
            August 18 at 12:34am 
          o
            Jon wow!
            August 18 at 12:34am 
          o
            Elena everywhere that you thought you were the center, the separate entity - is only an experience - life - univerce -vastness - in all these various movements. so you can't be outside of the experience/vastness
            August 18 at 12:34am 
          o
            Jon and so we've come full circle to the first question you asked this evening. How can I not be a part of this vast experience?
            August 18 at 12:36am 
          o
            Elena exactly. I would suggest you go and walk outside and look with fresh eyes on everything, like a baby. Go and walk outside, ok? and just look and see how all just a flow of life
            August 18 at 12:37am    
          o
            Jon You just blew that away, thank you, my ego doesn't thank you though. he he
            August 18 at 12:37am 
          o
            Jon Will do,clear night. Talk later? tomorrow perhaps?
            August 18 at 12:38am    
          o
            Elena Yes. Go, look,
            August 18 at 12:38am 
          o
            Jon bye.
            August 18 at 12:38am 
          o
            Elena hugs
            August 18 at 12:38am    
          o
            Elena So how is my friend doing?
            August 18 at 5:25pm via mobile    
          o
            Jon I'm doing....today at my shop I've been listening to Jed's spiritual warfare off and on. But mostly I'm really trying to look at what we discussed last night. Trying to fathom the no me perspective and I'm doing very well considering that I've done it on the surface so to speak for the past 1 1/2 years. You just gave me a depth that I hadn't been to before. I must have been ready for this now, otherwise the universe wouldn't have brought us here eh? Many thanks my friend, and as I'm at work still, I will get online later tonight. Hope to see you then.
            August 18 at 6:36pm 
          o
            Jon So today I've been dealing with the memories recent and relating them or rather reassigning them to experience the universe had me go through and dismissing the personal aspect. As I said in the earlier post I've done it more surface for awhile, I'm reminded of a metaphor with my cats. When the weather starts to turn warm, they do all this heavy shedding, but as the summer progresses they still shed, but it's closer to the skin so to speak. It's not as heavy and messy, but it still happens throughout the warm season. This is what I feel is happening to me, I'm shedding closer to the skin today.
            August 18 at 10:26pm    
          o
            Elena Look that all experiences of life are experiences, and does not require separate entity - it's just waves in consciousness/vastness - body/sensations, thoughts/memories, feelings/emotions and everything else appear and disappear - creates illusion of this particular embodiment as a person.
            August 18 at 10:44pm 
          o
            Jon This is what I've been breaking through today, the illusion that they happened to ME. I'm seeing that this isn't true, that they just happened and the universe had them happen in such a way that I experienced them. I took them personally so I'm undoing this personal aspect, showing myself the truth a reinterpretation so to speak.
            August 18 at 10:48pm    
          o
            Elena You are doing awesome.
            August 18 at 11:28pm    
          o
            Jon Thank you dear friend, for your time and patience.
            August 18 at 11:29pm 
          o
            Elena Look, of cause we call ourselves "me". "I", "mine". BUT there is a huge difference if you really saw the illusion of self - you won't take it as set default as before.
            August 18 at 11:29pm 
          o
            Jon Yes! language is limiting here, so "me", "I" etc. is a metaphor for this experience.
            August 18 at 11:31pm 
          o
            Elena Yes. If you go to the movie, you think it's real? No, you know its a movie, illusion. You may have moments of identification, but they are just moments, overall you understand you are in a theater, and what's going on is an illusion. If you never been outside the movie theater, then you view what's going on as real. Not if you ever stepped outside and the mind noticed the difference.
            August 18 at 11:33pm 
          o
            Elena Jon, if you look now,is there you in the reality, without referencing thought, image, memory, time, body, feeling, sensation?
            Go ahead and tell me now. Without avoiding to write "I" or "me", if needed, write where is you in the reality?
            August 18 at 11:41pm 
          o
            Jon I'm not fully there yet, but yes, when I view anything concerning my experience, I'm an observer and experiencing observer.
            August 18 at 11:43pm 
          o
            Elena This is millisecond subtlest shift. there is no "no there yet". If it seeing - never unseeing. Can be hidden under life-long conditioning, but un-seeing? Nah. Like you can't be un-pregnant.
            August 18 at 11:47pm 
          o
            Jon Yes, I see what you mean. And yes, it is the conditioning and the lifelong habit of unseeing that I'm still working through.
            August 18 at 11:49pm 

            Elena If I asked you to find that batman in the room, you won't go looking. But self - you saw - it's a thought, it's a label to specific experience - like experience of the arising of the body/mind at this moment. It's a label to the experience. Just like batman is a label to experience of specific thought/image. "I" is just like batman. Look again. Look around - any batman in the room, even though you have a thought of it and an image?
            August 18 at 11:51pm 
          o
            Jon nope, no batman and no I. Again the metaphor thing.
            August 18 at 11:52pm 
          o
            Elena ‎"I'm still working through" no, you are not. there is no you. it's an experience of "working through" - no ownership to the experience in the universe, othervise you again seeing that you are outside. that is not possible.
            August 18 at 11:52pm 
          o
            Elena It seems like, but in actuality, there is no you. Is it true?
            August 18 at 11:54pm 
          o
            Jon ahh, more clarity on the process. Good!
            August 18 at 11:54pm 
          o
            Jon I suppose it's true, but there is something, someone responding to your queries. Is that not a someone?
            August 18 at 11:55pm 
          o
            Jon So this is a paradox.
            August 18 at 11:57pm 
          o
            Jon There is no me responding to no you.
            August 18 at 11:57pm 
          o
            Elena you think you are someone who doing the breathing, so you think you are a breather. what happens when you sleep? anybody doing the breathing? Or breathing just is. One of the possibilities of the universe/vastness that actualises?
            August 18 at 11:58pm 
          o
            Elena ‎"There is no me responding to no you." - no, there is just responding - typing, feeling, thinking - flow of life in different forms.
            August 18 at 11:59pm 
          o
            Jon Or breathing just is. One of the possibilities of the universe/vastness that actualises? Could use a little clarification on this statement. Please?
            August 19 at 12:00am 
          o
            Elena anybody doing the breathing at night? Anybody doing the rain? Or it just rains.
            August 19 at 12:01am 
          o
            Jon No, no one doing either. Point taken.
            August 19 at 12:02am 
          o
            Jon However, there is eating pleasing foods and all the other body pleasing activities. Yes, pleasing is a judgement call, but still.....
            August 19 at 12:05am 
          o
            Elena pleasing foods are real just like your glass of water yesterday. It's clearly seeing, right?
            August 19 at 12:06am 
          o
            Elena Newborn baby eat mother's milk. Is there a doer in the newborn baby or it's an instinct and movement of the body toward the breast?
            August 19 at 12:08am 
          o
            Jon Yes, this body surely enjoys good water and takes it regularly.
            August 19 at 12:09am 
          o
            Jon Wow! the newborn example again. That one does set the queries back to the truth. OK, got it!
            August 19 at 12:10am 
          o
            Elena when you are in the middle of pleasurable sexual activity, there is no self in the middle of it - only movement toward and inward and heat and acute sensations, instinctual movements, breath, etc. - no you doing it - it's just happening - life expresses itself
            August 19 at 12:11am 
          o
            Elena If there is thought in the middle of it - we call it bad sex. No thinking - no "I" - good sex, right?
            August 19 at 12:12am 
          o
            Jon This is so very true, tried the tantric method and that just interupts the flow
            August 19 at 12:13am 
          o
            Jon Mind and others trying to dictate what comes naturally.
            August 19 at 12:14am 
          o
            Elena so you said 'the flow" - exactly - it's all flow. Baby is in the flow. baby is a flow. You are a flow. It's just conditioning in the mind says it's not.
            August 19 at 12:14am    
          o
            Elena and to operate in the world we need to go as a form, but we can know that we are a flow
            August 19 at 12:15am    
          o
            Jon That is so cool! keeping that as a mantra through my work-a-day.
            August 19 at 12:17am 
          o
            Elena see, first baby is born and he is a flow. then he learns how to be the object in the world and learn that he is this separate self. then he lives all his life as separate particle and, because it is not true, it's a constant unsatisfaction, trying to resolve a riddle - all the search is about resolving this riddle. Then one moment he sees that in actuality he is not exist. Just like a baby - there is is a flow and always being a flow. what exist and always was is life in the form of this embodiment in all the movements, thoghts, feelings. The riddle solved - the search relaxes. What's left? A lot of mind/body conditioning that will start to fall off like leaves in a fall, gradually.
            August 19 at 12:20am    
          o
            Jon So poetic a description Elena, very accurate account to what is happening to me today.
            August 19 at 12:22am    
          o
            Jon However, this body is wanting sleep. Talk again tomorrow I hope.....hugs.
            August 19 at 12:23am 
          o
            Elena Good night! ♥
            August 19 at 12:24am 
          o
            Jon So I'm finding that as I'm shedding these conditioning's and ego infatuations, I'm in this unfamiliar place of "what do I do now?" I'm sure the universe provides the experience eventually, but all that's going on now is chop wood and haul water. Kinda flat. Don't get me wrong, it's a huge relief that there is no batman to answer too, but there is life and it's, shall we say, responsibilities. Perhaps the ego is wanting this, but I'm finding that some spice would be nice. :-)
            August 20 at 1:24pm 
          o
            Jon Yesterday I had a customer call and tell me something I missed on his machine (I repair welders btw) and was pretty upset about it. Nothing dangerous or anything, but he went on to tell me he would take it elsewhere to get it done right. Usually I would have jumped up and down and through hoops to appease this situation. Instead, I just said to do what he thought best and went about my work. My wife overheard the conversation and asked me later how I felt, I told her I felt fine and that the universe just gave me another situation of choice. Either resort to the old familiar ego, or move on to the next experience; I chose the latter. So there is a somewhat leafless tree existing here, and it's nice not to carry the burden of worry and refacing.
            August 20 at 1:40pm    
          o
            Simon Berryman Nice!
            August 20 at 5:33pm     
          o
            Jon ‎:)
            August 20 at 5:35pm   · 1 personSimon Berryman likes this.
          o
            Simon Berryman freedom from drama!
            August 20 at 5:43pm    
          o
            Elena Spice is not going away, unnesesary suffering is. Spice becomes more appreciation in flavor, less fear and drama. Try to go and appreciate every little thing around as amazing creation- you will become really high. What can be more spiced:) it can be some adjustment period Jon. But all it was - life before, no you.. All it is - life. No you. What changed? Only relaxation in the grip of the illusion. All the beauty and spice of life is there! Chop wood is really amazing experience of life - just look.
            August 20 at 7:30pm via mobile    
          o
            Jon I really like the simplicity that you point too Elena. And of course you are accurate in the spice being there, just have to appreciate the subtler forms and doses, and I don't have to go looking for it or attempt to create the facade or drama to give life meaning. Thank you my friend(s).
            August 21 at 1:03am    
          o
            Mateo Geoly simple is wonderfull- full of it- full of not-knowing but somehow
            there's this wild "YES!"

            you like it... dig it. welcome home Jon.
            August 21 at 2:08am    
          o
            Elena Since fundamentally there is no separation, every time one relaxes, it benefits all. You will start to notice it, Jon. look around, tell us more what's happening. ♥
            August 21 at 5:04am    
          o
            Jon Went to a concert last night and I noticed first that "I" didn't have a predatory hunger. Next the music had so much more juice to it, the more I relaxed into and enjoyed the concert it seems the whole hall was doing the same, we were all enjoying it in our own ways but sharing it completely.
            August 21 at 9:31am 
          o
            Jon Yesterday I spent some time on the RT web and read some of the blogs; interesting method, very in yer face and ruthless I guess. Some of the languaging seems overly obnoxious, but I suppose some want and need this. I'll keep going back though, because it's an excellent example of just how elemental one needs to get to really undo the conditioning life or rather maya has given us for all these years. I don't make the mistake of victim here either, I chose that along with everyone else; the sheeple mentality I dwelt in for many years. Even though I managed to pull out a year and a half ago, there are/were still much elemental places I hadn't exposed to the truth of no me. An example of that is the very reason we started this dialogue. Wow, that seems ages ago! LOL!
            August 21 at 9:40am 
          o
            Elizabeth  Sheeple! heh, my brother's favourite word.
            August 21 at 9:41am    
          o
            Elizabeth  Yah, I was afraid of the shouty people on the threads (as I am a delicate flower, lol) but since 35 years of seeking was not doing it, and had eaten that thin f&&%$ing gruel at various retreats, I felt a few capitolized letters on the internet were low risk. And I was not abused, actually, much loved and welcomed. Wlecome, Jon.
            August 21 at 9:44am    
          o
            Jon Thank you Liz, it is rather refreshing. Not the profanity but the depth of digging for actual and sustained truth. I will go there frequently and that other site, I think you suggested also. This is all so.....rewarding? Freeing? I think you know what I mean! ;)
            August 21 at 9:56am 
          o
            Elizabeth  Yes. All that, does not seem to end, just flowing. Even Jed the hard ass just sat sometimes and dissolved into gratitude. Life is more than enough.
            August 21 at 10:00am    
          o
            Jon Listening to warfare today doing yard work. He was talking about prayer, about how prayer is unnecessary if one is alignment with the flow of the universe.
            August 21 at 6:29pm 
          o
            Elena Good day,Jon! Is there you in any shape or form? Take a good look, let me know!
            August 21 at 6:31pm via mobile 
          o
            Jon Hello Elena! This won't be a straight answer. I'm not dancing around the question by any means, but getting used to the concept of me just being the universe observing/experiencing itself without a me in there takes some adjustment. I mean, was the universe observing itself while I chased the lawn mower around today? It's like I'm in the chores I do, but I'm not the chore or action being done. It's kind of an adventure with every mundane thing I do; to embrace life with that knowing that it's not in any way a part of me or I don't get any identity from it....it's just doing what's in front of me and experiencing it from the perspective of I'm not there.
            August 21 at 6:51pm 
          o
            Mateo Geoly ‎"It's kind of an adventure with every mundane thing I do..." fuckin'-a right! indeedy senor.
            August 21 at 7:03pm    
          o
            Mateo Geoly ‎...wonder's one of my favoritest words...
            August 21 at 7:08pm    
          o
            Elizabeth  Mateo, why is your poetry so good and your posts so hard to follow?!
            August 21 at 8:29pm 
          o
            Elena ‎Elizabeth, we have this on-going thing with Mateo about his post's clarity:) Much love to you both♥
            August 21 at 10:16pm    
          o
            Elena Jon, you are dancing around :)
            August 21 at 10:17pm 
          o
            Elena Like you want to stay in a safe place to look around and get fuzzy with "new concept". It's not new concept. It's true. So why hide? Anything not clear - let's look.
            August 21 at 10:19pm 
          o
            Jon Yes, dancing is a good word for it. A free flowing sort of dance eh? :}
            August 21 at 10:19pm 
          o
            Elena So is there you dancing?
            August 21 at 10:20pm 
          o
            Jon It doesn't feel like a me...a static me. It's more like being released from a mooring line so that what I experience is more flowing.
            August 21 at 10:22pm 
          o
            Elena what is that "I" you used in you sentence? Define the "I"
            August 21 at 10:24pm 
          o
            Jon more free than that....air flowing. A space in time and timeless.
            August 21 at 10:24pm 
          o
            Elena That's the self? A space?
            August 21 at 10:27pm 
          o
            Jon It's as if every insight that comes around is another experience that can be compared and released as another example of there being no specific I or me. Every "mundane" thing being done is another opportunity to experience the flow without the illusion of control.
            August 21 at 10:30pm 
          o
            Jon The space is consciousness....a communication port or interface between the flow and physical reality.
            August 21 at 10:33pm 
          o
            Elena Jon, nicely stated, so there is no controller, is it true?
            August 21 at 10:34pm 
          o
            Elena wait, wait, I said that to the previous statement
            August 21 at 10:35pm 
          o
            Jon The controller is no longer fighting for control, has given up the illusion of being a controller. The job now has a new name....Interfacer! he he
            August 21 at 10:35pm 
          o
            Jon but there is no job really
            August 21 at 10:36pm 
          o
            Elena What is there?
            August 21 at 10:36pm 
          o
            Jon I don't know.
            August 21 at 10:37pm 
          o
            Jon I don't even know if that matters that I don't know
            August 21 at 10:37pm 
          o
            Elena No, you know
            August 21 at 10:37pm 
          o
            Jon asking me to dig through air? ha ha
            August 21 at 10:38pm 
          o
            Elena Jon, don't be weird, friend. I need to see if you saw the illusion or not. You are playing a game of words with me. I need to see you you are through or not. I see you are in a great spirits - good, I am happy for you. Can you please concentrate for our own work sake, and confirm you or see if you are not through yet. Would you do it with me?
            August 21 at 10:39pm 
          o
            Jon What is there is everything! All coelescing for and experience
            August 21 at 10:40pm 
          o
            Jon an experience
            August 21 at 10:40pm    
          o
            Elena what is "I"?
            August 21 at 10:41pm 
          o
            Jon I is an illusory name for a dreamer that isn't lucid
            August 21 at 10:42pm 
          o
            Elena who is the dreamer you are talking about?
            August 21 at 10:42pm 
          o
            Jon Good question. The dreamer is an unconsciousness that dreamed itself into a quasi reality.
            August 21 at 10:44pm 
          o
            Elena So is there actual you?
            August 21 at 10:45pm 
          o
            Jon No, that one got the rug pulled out with the batman metephor.
            August 21 at 10:46pm 
          o
            Elena Was there you before we pulled the rug out?
            August 21 at 10:47pm 
          o
            Jon just the illusion of such
            August 21 at 10:47pm 
          o
            Elena Cool. Confirm from me. I really appreciate you took the time to go through these questions today. And I do appreciate these 3 days we were doing it - this thread will help many people to see the illusion. Thank you, Jon! ♥ Keep in touch ! Love ya♥
            August 21 at 10:49pm 
          o
            Jon It took a few days to sweep the ashes that were built around the illusion though.
            August 21 at 10:49pm 
          o
            Jon The time you took with me is greatly appreciated my friend. My wife is very interested in this process too. I copied our conversations for her to read also.
            August 21 at 10:51pm    
          o
            Jon Many thanks Elena! hugs
            August 21 at 10:51pm    
          o
            Elena and it will take some time, as we spoke, as conditioning was built up for many many years. But now - nothing glue it together - will start to shed
            August 21 at 10:51pm    
          o
            Elena You can help your wife - point gently but firmly to see what is real and what is not - that's about it. If you need help - I am here: completehumanity @ gmail dot com
            August 21 at 10:53pm 
 

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