What is actually happening right NOW?

a reply to: LesMisanthrope

The "self" science is speaking about as an illusion is the idea that a little observer in the head is observing experience, which is the exact same illusion you are trying to sell now.

So what 'self' is not an illusion?

originally posted by: Itisnowagain
a reply to: LesMisanthrope

The "self" science is speaking about as an illusion is the idea that a little observer in the head is observing experience, which is the exact same illusion you are trying to sell now.

So what 'self' is not an illusion?

The one who says "self".

originally posted by: LesMisanthrope
a reply to: Andy1144

Labels like "this moment/direct experience/now" are all labels. You are correct. The pointers aren't meant to be believed, but you have to see where they point to. DE means experiencing this moment without judgement, mindfully. It's a paradox because we sometimes need labels in order to see without them.

They point to nothing. Tie a string from the label to what it is labelling, and it arrives at nothing. A moment, the now, or whatever you want to call it is still a conceptual time frame. One doesn't experience this or that "moment". He only believes he does. It's a paradox because it isn't true.

The fact that you are aware isn't believed, it is known. This conscious moment can be known without needing to be believed.

MIND=BLOWN

MINDBLOWN=INSANITY.

originally posted by: Andy1144
What is happening right now in our direct experience?

That is a trick question, impossible to answer!
One can never answer it as the Now is always unique every moment of existence, and by the time that you can open your mouth, this is a different Here! Now!
All you can state/respond is what you 'remember/imagine' 'happened' 'then', at some other imaginary 'now'!

a reply to: namelesss

Now is always unique

Or maybe we should say 'now is always new, therefore it can not be known' unless it is translated through the old which means that our thoughts have interfered with the present.
Ideas, presumptions, assumptions, based on past experiences which is the known.

a reply to: namelesss

Agreed. That's why it is said that words are only pointers. They cannot capture the aliveness of this moment.

a reply to: yeahright

originally posted by: yeahright
There is no perceivable 'now'. By the time you perceive it, it's in the immediate past.

There is no perceiving of 'now' - there is just perceiving.
Does perceiving happen in time?
Or does time (which is thought) happen within the perceiving?

originally posted by: earthling42
a reply to: namelesss

Now is always unique

Or maybe we should say 'now is always new, therefore it can not be known' unless it is translated through the old which means that our thoughts have interfered with the present.
Ideas, presumptions, assumptions, based on past experiences which is the known.

I use unique, because that more accurately describes my intent. New has many definitions, a new car doesn't mean 'unique'.
There is One (unchanging, all inclusive) Universal Reality/Self, and every moment of existence is a unique Perspective of this Reality. Some "feel" new, some "feel" old, but all are unique.

As far as 'knowing', perhaps a long needed definition?;

The new, critically updated, all inclusive, Universal definition of 'Knowledge';

"'Knowledge' is 'that which is perceived', Here! Now!!"

All inclusive!

That which is perceived by the unique individual Perspective is 'knowledge'.
All we can 'know' is what we perceive, Now! and Now! and Now!!!

'Ignorance' is that which is NOT perceived, at any particular moment, by any particular unique Perspective! Here! Now!

Perhaps a possible answer to the question of;
"What is happening Now!?"
might be;
"This!"
'This' never being conceivable/definable!
A Zen exhalation!
(If We were in a Zen dojo, my response might be a slap! *__-)

originally posted by: Andy1144
a reply to: namelesss

Agreed. That's why it is said that words are only pointers. They cannot capture the aliveness of this moment.

Hence,
"To speak is to lie!"
And,
"To teach, one must first descend from the mountain."
Can words not be features of the 'living moment'?
Disillusion and disappointment is surely the result of the attempt to 'capture' any moment! *__-

a reply to: Andy1144

The answer, as always, is 42.