Hi Clare,
You know... there is such peace in the recognition that all these thoughts that are exchanged in these threads... they are just perceptions... light, buoyant, inconsequential... just floating by like clouds.... drifting along... evaporating into thin air, into space... when there is no longer condensation to give them form. Perhaps it could be said that our emotions are the condensation that gives form to thought. So without that emotion... we are just left with nothing... appearing as something... as with a cloud.
We can play with perceptions... shape the cloud how we want to. Has anyone done that before... reshape a cloud? I used to play this game all the time where I would look at a cloud and make it disappear. I would visualize it disappearing... and often times it would (unless I was efforting, in which case it never worked). lol!
I'd like to take a look at the progression of this thread from a new perspective... one that perhaps includes elements of the old perspective that I had.. but reshaped in a new way.
The simple structure of this thread is this:
1. I wrote about an insight I had about the pain body in reference to romantic longing that I had experienced in the past.
2. A few other posters elaborated on this subject.
3. Then I added some more detailed information in response to the other posters... and to give example of what led to my original post.
4. Then the conversation changed and became playful and flirtatious.
5. Then Heidi responded with a perception that this playfulness and flirtatiousness taking place is an example of the pain body in action in the arena of romantic relationships and longing.
Clare... the message in your post speaks of the same perception as what Heidi had. So let's take a closer look at this.
Why draw such a conclusion that the pain body is active now in this thread? Where does this perception come from? Who is having this experience?
Is there an assumption that BECAUSE I was once unconsciously taken over by the pain body in response to a relationship that the past is still continuing HERE and NOW?
Could it be possible that with my recognition I am now free and not suffering from these unconscious influences?
Is there an assumption that BECAUSE there is playfulness and flirting taking place that this is a sign of dysfunctional relating?
Could it be that what is taking place is SIMPLY playfulness and flirting?
Is there an assumption that BECAUSE some of the guys showed appreciation for an attractive female that it means they are unconsciously acting out the ego?
Could it be that they are centered and peaceful WHILE showing appreciation for an attractive female?
Is there an assumption that any of us are identified with the body or with the looks of the body or with the nature of the interactions with our bodies?
COULD IT BE THAT WE ARE NOW SIMPLY PLAYING AND HAVING FUN?
Just because the thread started out discussing one thing... DOES NOT MEAN that it continued to be relevant or applicable later in the thread. It's easy to assume that there is a continuing relationship between the various posts in the thread... but that is not being present or living in the now. The conversation had changed. But some people saw it as still being one and the same.
So here we are. Some people hold the perception that the pain body is still at play. Others say no. So what? These are all perceptions, every one. What is relevant is that we recognize this... and in this recognition we are free of the heaviness of identification with any of these thoughts. IF in fact the pain body is still lurking there somewhere beneath the surface... tis OK... it will present itself in time. And those of us that are still unconsciously identified with it may learn from the suffering that ensues.
It's all good.
Clare wrote:
I don't have a problem with it at all - makes me smile. If I didnt have a wooden leg, a small penis and scurvy I would be doing it myself and NOT CARE A JOT! for the subject matter of this forum. But if you are looking for someone to tell you it like it is, I'm your girl. - scurvy and all (could I be your girl? Aww c'mon, Just a piccie then?
)
LOL! uhhh.... could you be my girl... with a wooden leg, scurvy and a small penis?
Ya know... this pushes the limits even for my adventurous spirit. eeeeeek!
As far as telling me like it is.... oh gosh... hahahaha.... well I like directness alright... and I like it when people are honest and straighforward with me... but let me suggest that you don't try to tell me "it like it is"... because YOU DON'T KNOW
"it" like it is. At best, you can share your honest perception, which is fine. And I'll respond with my honest perception, which is fine. Let's not forget though... that we are still dealing with perceptions here. That's all.
Cheers.
