The mysterious nature of time

[Meerie]

3D and you asked how you contributed to the spambots??? LMAO
Thanks for spamming with these cute vids, though. When I saw that furry animal feeding that youngster on her arm in Nottingham, I was thinking of you and baby Emilia all of a sudden.

[Confused]

2
When people see some things as beautiful,
other things become ugly.
When people see some things as good,
other things become bad.
Being and non-being create each other.
Difficult and easy support each other.
Long and short define each other.
High and low depend on each other.
Before and after follow each other.
Therefore the Master
acts without doing anything
and teaches without saying anything.
Things arise and she lets them come;
things disappear and she lets them go.
She has but doesn’t possess,
acts but doesn’t expect.
When her work is done, she forgets it.
That is why it lasts forever.

From "The Tao Te Ching" source: http://www.ai.rug.nl/~ronald/zinvol/tao.pdf

[AnthroHeart]

Thanks 3D. Robin Hood is one of my favorite films. Not in Nottingham is my favorite song in it. It's quite somber.

Speaking of, urban decay is also good contrast:

http://images.google.com/search?hl=en&sa...l1.1.2l4l0

---

By the way, that first scene in hamsterdance when music gets going, demonstrates kind of what it feels like when I shift into a slightly higher subdensity. My face can grimace and body contort, and things get really tight, and can't move till my body adjusts. There is sensation of my own time slowing and nearly stopping for a few moments. If I really get my energy flowing I will shift. Sometimes what I see goes white for a few moments.

[zenmaster]

Did you somehow think it was purported to be something else?

Yes. Absolutely, I think it is.

Just like the very entertaining man Meerie posted video of. He says "don't try to change others".... Get it?

It definitely seems that you are still confusing your "as if it were the case" with "it is the case".

I do not know what you are trying to say.

Perhaps you could explain why you think it was purported to be something else?

[3DMonkey]

Did you somehow think it was purported to be something else?

Yes. Absolutely, I think it is.

Just like the very entertaining man Meerie posted video of. He says "don't try to change others".... Get it?

It definitely seems that you are still confusing your "as if it were the case" with "it is the case".

I do not know what you are trying to say.

Perhaps you could explain why you think it was purported to be something else?

It is quite obvious, and I think you see it too. If you want long explanations with big words, I simply did a quick google search to find an answer to your liking. This one is spot on:

"This maneuver represents a classic bait-and-switch scheme. After leading the reader to the precipice with “rational” insights, when it is time for the payoff, we are told that we have to abandon rationality to go beyond this point. As an individual who has found my own rational answers to the ultimate questions, I find this gambit to be somewhat disingenuous." http://rationalanswers.blogspot.com/2008...lling.html

---

A personal view, if you wish: I would need more information to the source of why that video was posted and what purpose brought him to the stage and the audience to their seats. I'm willing to bet that none of that derived from the idea that "i am-ness". In that way, (circle), he didn't much focus on "i am-ness" when he was agreeing and preparing to speak. There was a draw, there was a desire, there was an advertisement, there was a series of "ripples".

---

It was purported to be something other than simply being an am-ness.

[zenmaster]

It was purported to be something other than simply being an am-ness.

What was that?

[JustLikeYou]

This maneuver represents a classic bait-and-switch scheme. After leading the reader to the precipice with “rational” insights, when it is time for the payoff, we are told that we have to abandon rationality to go beyond this point. As an individual who has found my own rational answers to the ultimate questions, I find this gambit to be somewhat disingenuous.

This is something I'd like to address in a general way. There are many mystic teachers out there who declare that there is a point you will reach in their teachings at which rationality must be abandoned. However, the context of this declaration is all-important.

It is possible to find rational answers without the necessity of abandoning rationality, except where the very concept of rationality is concerned. If a mystical teacher wants teach that which precedes and underlies rationality as the very foundation for this distinctly human mental mechanism, she will have to admit that what lies beneath rationality is not precisely rational. We might call it proto-rational.

In my particular case, as something of a mystical teacher myself, I call this "meta-theory". Before you can build a theory of your reality, you will need standards by which you measure that theory to be a more or less preferable theory. In other words, what precedes rationality is the very standards by which rationality is defined.

Consider these concepts: simplicity, efficiency, non-contradiction, accuracy.

These concepts must have both meaning and value before any notion of rationality can be approached, much less implemented. For example, a mystic that tells you that you will not rationally discover that all is one is speaking honestly. You won't. You need the notion of unity (aka simplicity) before you start to use reason. And until you experience that all is one, you are not likely to decide to incorporate it into your very concept of rationality.

[AnthroHeart]

I am a destroyer of illusions. I chase down my metaphors, and tear them apart with great ferocity.

I project fear into the metaphor if need be, in order to increase contrast.

I am also the lover of my metaphor, the inner child, the wolf cub, and I create illusions to further increase this contrast.

Ah, the burden to carry is lovely, if only for how contrasty it is.

---

Could you poison this metaphor?

Could you adore this metaphor till your hands trembled and you sobbed?

This is my greatest contrast. I do not yet have the emotional latitude.


  zen_thirst.jpg (Size: 294.64 KB / Downloads: 1)

[3DMonkey]

It was purported to be something other than simply being an am-ness.

What was that?

Anything but iamness.

"everything else is a modification, a ripple, and a rising
and
suffering and bondage is the misidentification of i-am-ness with an object
you identify with yourself your ego and your body
and that just is the world of objects they come they stay a bit they torture you and they leave"

Ah, torture, suffering and bondage. Who wants that in their life, right? If I could just learn how to properly identify iamness....

Are you saying Wilber's show that day was sold as "this is just a show for your entertainment and nothing more"? If not, it was purported to be something else. The answer to life, maybe? The magic elixir to overcome torture, maybe? The eternal existence of your beingness explained, maybe?

[Confused]

[AnthroHeart]

Remind me to kick myself (or have a character do so) if I ever ask "what is the capacity of 3D to experience" again.

Just kidding. I do enjoy being a spiritual kindergartener and splashing in the water.

[Namaste]

I love Alan Watts!

[Ruth]

Thank you, Confused. The Alan Watts Om is awesome! Love his voice!

Love and Light!

[Meerie]

Guys and girls, check this book by David Hawkins out (he is the very entertaining guy, 3D who says not to curse the drivers who pull up in front of us)
http://www.amazon.com/Eye-Which-Nothing-...0964326191
you can read the first chapter of the book by clicking on the amazon link. I started reading today and I was crying all over the beauty of it all, so moved was I. This is the TAO, aptly described. A state of transcending duality and recognizing the divine in the ALL THAT THERE IS.

[Confused]

I love Alan Watts!

He definitely is a wonderful teacher. The teachings are filled with much light touch as well, which makes them feel like play rather than a chore.

---

Thank you, Confused. The Alan Watts Om is awesome! Love his voice!

Love and Light!

You are welcome, dear Ruth

---

Guys and girls, check this book by David Hawkins out (he is the very entertaining guy, 3D who says not to curse the drivers who pull up in front of us)
http://www.amazon.com/Eye-Which-Nothing-...0964326191
you can read the first chapter of the book by clicking on the amazon link. I started reading today and I was crying all over the beauty of it all, so moved was I. This is the TAO, aptly described. A state of transcending duality and recognizing the divine in the ALL THAT THERE IS.

Dear Meerie, thank you very very much, sweet darling

---

3

If you overesteem great men,
people become powerless.
If you overvalue possessions,
people begin to steal.
The Master leads
by emptying people’s minds
and filling their cores,
by weakening their ambition
and toughening their resolve.
He helps people lose everything
they know, everything they desire,
and creates confusion
in those who think that they know.
Practice not-doing,
and everything will fall into place.

From "The Tao Te Ching" source: http://www.ai.rug.nl/~ronald/zinvol/tao.pdf

[zenmaster]

It was purported to be something other than simply being an am-ness.

What was that?

Anything but iamness.

"everything else is a modification, a ripple, and a rising
and
suffering and bondage is the misidentification of i-am-ness with an object
you identify with yourself your ego and your body
and that just is the world of objects they come they stay a bit they torture you and they leave"

Ah, torture, suffering and bondage. Who wants that in their life, right? If I could just learn how to properly identify iamness....

Are you saying Wilber's show that day was sold as "this is just a show for your entertainment and nothing more"? If not, it was purported to be something else. The answer to life, maybe? The magic elixir to overcome torture, maybe? The eternal existence of your beingness explained, maybe?

"Sold as"? Regardless of actual intention or meaning, as you are artificially assigning the context of intention and meaning for both parties involved - speaker and listeners, you have set a stage for the dynamic required for your (contrived) circle idea.

[Meerie]

This is an excerpt from the beginning of David Hawkins book : the eye of the I

"The Presence.
A hushed silence pervades the surroundings, and motion itself slows and becomes still. All things radiate forth an intense aliveness. Each is aware of every other. The luminous quality of the radiance is overwhelmingly Divine in nature. It completely includes everything in its total Oneness so that all things are interconnected and in communication and harmony by means of awareness and by sharing the basic quality of the essence of existence itself.
The Presence is a continuum that completely occupies what had appeared previously to ordinary perception as vacant, empty space. That inner Awareness is not different from the Self; it pervades the essence of everything. Awareness is aware of its own awareness and omnipresence. Existence and its expression as both form and formlessness is God and prevail equally in all objects, persons, plants, and animals. Everything is united by the Divinity of existence.
The pervasive Essence includes everything without exception. The furnishings in the room are equal to rocks or plants in their importance or significance. Nothing is excluded from the Allness, which is all encompassing, total, complete, and lacking in nothing. All is of equal value because the only real value is the Divinity of existence.
That which is the Self is total and complete. It is equally present everywhere. There are no needs, desires, or lack. Neither imperfection nor discord is possible, and every object stands forth like a work of art, a piece of sculpture in perfect beauty and harmony. The Holiness of all Creation is the reverence held by everything for everything else. All is imbued with a great splendor, and everything is silenced in awe and reverence. The Revelation instills an infinite Peace and stillness.
A glance at the body reveals it to be the same as everything else—unowned, unpossessed by an individual, equal to the furniture or other objects, and merely part of All That Is. There is nothing personal about the body, and there is no identification with it. It moves about spontaneously, correctly executes its bodily functions, and effortlessly walks and breathes. It is self-propelled, and its actions are determined and activated by the Presence. The body is merely an ‘it’, equal to any other ‘thing’ in the room.
When addressed by other persons, the body’s voice responds appropriately, but what is heard in the discussion resonates at a higher level of meaning. The deeper and more profound meaning is revealed in every sentence. All communication is now understood at a deeper level, almost as though each simple-sounding question is actually an existential question and statement about mankind itself. On the surface, the wording sounds superficial, but on the deeper level, there are profound spiritual implications.
Appropriate responses are given by the body, which everyone assumes is a ‘me’ that they are talking to. This in itself is strange because there is no actual ‘me’ associated with this body at all. The real Self is invisible and has no locality. The body speaks and answers questions simultaneously in parallel ways, on two levels at the same time.
Stilled by the Silence of the Presence, the mind is silent and wordless. No images, concepts, or thoughts occur. There is no one to think them. With no person present, there is neither thinker nor doer. All is happening of itself as an aspect of the Presence.
In ordinary states of consciousness, sound prevails over a background of silence and replaces it. In contrast, in the Presence, the opposite occurs. Although sound is perceptible, it is in the background. The Silence prevails so that the silence is actually not interrupted or displaced by the sound. Nothing disturbs the stillness or interferes with its peace. Although movement occurs, it does not disturb the motionless stillness that is beyond, yet inclusive of, motion. Everything appears to move as though in slow motion because time is absent. There is only a continuous state of Now. There are neither events nor happenings because all starts and stops, all beginnings and endings, occur only in the dualistic consciousness of an observer. In their absence, there is no succession of events to be described or explained.
Instead of thinkingness, there is a self-revealing knowingness that imparts complete understanding and is self-explanatory by its self-effulgent essence. It is as though everything speaks silently and presents itself in its entirety in the absolute beauty of its perfection. In so doing, it manifests its glory and reveals its intrinsic Divinity.
The suffusion of the Presence throughout the totality and essence of all that exists is exquisite in its gentleness, and its touch is like a meltingness. The inner Self is its very core. In the ordinary world, only the surfaces of things can be touched, but in the Presence, it is the innermost essence of everything that is interspersed with every other thing. This touch, which is the Hand of God in its soft gentleness, is at the same time an expression and the abode of infinite power. In its contact with the inner essence of everything, one is aware that the Presence is being felt by every other thing, object, or person.
The power of this gentleness is unlimited, and because it is total and all present, no opposition is possible. It pervades All That Is, and out of its power arises existence itself, which is both created by the power and, at the same time, held together by it. That power is an intrinsic quality of the Presence, and its presence is the essence of existence itself. It is equally present in all objects. There is no emptiness anywhere as the Presence fills all of space and the objects in it. Every leaf shares in the joy of the Divine Presence.
All things are in a state of silent rejoicing that their consciousness is an experience of Divinity. Unique to all things is a still, ever-present gratitude that it has been granted the gift of experiencing the presence of God. This gratitude is the form in which worship is expressed. All that is created and has existence shares in reflecting the glory of God.
Human appearance has taken on a whole new aura. The One Self shines forth through everyone’s eyes. A radiance shines forth from everyone’s face; everyone is equally beautiful.
Most difficult to describe is the interaction among people that moves onto a different level of communication. There is obvious love among everyone. Their speech, however, has changed so that all conversation has become loving and peaceful. The meaning of the words that are heard is not the same as others hear. It is as though there are two different levels of consciousness going on, coming out of the same scenario of form and movement; two different scripts are being spoken via the same words. The meanings of words themselves have been transformed onto a different plane by the higher selves of the people involved with each other, and the communication of understanding is on a higher plane. At the same time, it is clear that the lower selves of the people are unaware of the communication simultaneously going on with their higher selves. People are as though hypnotized into believing the reality of the ordinary selves, which is merely the unwitting acting out of scenarios or roles, as in a movie.
By ignoring the lesser selves, the higher selves address each other directly, and the persons’ ordinary selves appear to be unaware of this ongoing higher level of conversation. At the same time, people are sensing intuitively that something different from the ordinary is happening. The conscious presence of the Self creates an energy field that people find extremely pleasurable. It is this energy field that performs the miraculous and brings occurrences into harmony, along with a sense of peace to all who experience it."

---

And it goes on to explain how creation is part of the now:
"Visitors who had traveled many miles to ask questions suddenly knew in the presence of that aura the answers that came about through an inner understanding that made the original question irrelevant. This occurred because the Presence recontextualized the illusion of a ‘problem’ and thus caused it to disappear.
The body continued in its operation and reflected the intentions transmitted through consciousness. The continuance of the body was not of any great interest, and it was clear that the body is actually the property of the universe. The bodies and objects in the world reflect endless variation and are without imperfection. Nothing is better or worse than anything else, nor is it of different value or significance. The quality of perfect self-identity defines the intrinsic worth of all that exists as equal expressions of innate Divinity. Inasmuch as ‘relationship’ is a concept of dualistic mental observation, in Reality there are no relationships. Everything merely ‘is’ and exhibits the beingness of existence.
Similarly, without the interposition of a functioning observer with its innate categorization of thought, there is neither change nor movement to be explained or described. Each ‘thing’ is merely evolving as an expression of its divine essence. Evolution therefore takes place as a manifestation of consciousness, and it takes expression from higher-energy abstract levels to lesser but more specific forms, and finally into physical materiality. Thus, creation manifests from the abstract formless through progressive form into a final energy pattern, and then into concrete materiality. The power to become manifest is the expression of divine omnipotence as continuous creation.
Creation is the Present and the Now. This Now is continuous so that neither beginnings nor endings are possible. Visibility, or materiality itself, is merely a sensory phenomenon and not a necessary condition for existence, which is in itself formless yet intrinsic to all form.
Because everything is always in the process of creation, it means that everything is an expression of Divinity, or it would not have the capacity to exist at all. The realization that everything which exists reflects the Divinity of Creation is why it is worthy of respect and reverence. This accounts for the reverence for the spirit within all living beings and nature, which is characteristic of many cultures.
All sentient beings are equal. Only material manifestation is subject to cessation, and essence is unaffected and retains the potentiality of reappearing in material form. Essence is affected only by the forces of evolution itself. The emergence of material form from essence is influenced by the presence of that which is already in form. The content of material manifestation may therefore facilitate essence manifesting as form, or it may not be favorable, depending on conditions. One might say that Creation fulfills its own inner divine instructions or tendencies. Traditionally this tendency has been called destiny, which is the unfolding of the potentiality and the reflection of preexisting conditions (the classical Sanskrit ‘gunas’ of rajas, sattva, and tamas, or action, awareness, and resistance).Thus, man can influence conditions in order to potentiate the manifestation of desired eventualities. Through choices human consciousness can influence outcomes, but the power of creation is the province of God."

I found this so breathtakingly beautiful I simply had to share. And I would love to see things that way!! All the TIME.

[3DMonkey]

It was purported to be something other than simply being an am-ness.

What was that?

Anything but iamness.

"everything else is a modification, a ripple, and a rising
and
suffering and bondage is the misidentification of i-am-ness with an object
you identify with yourself your ego and your body
and that just is the world of objects they come they stay a bit they torture you and they leave"

Ah, torture, suffering and bondage. Who wants that in their life, right? If I could just learn how to properly identify iamness....

Are you saying Wilber's show that day was sold as "this is just a show for your entertainment and nothing more"? If not, it was purported to be something else. The answer to life, maybe? The magic elixir to overcome torture, maybe? The eternal existence of your beingness explained, maybe?

"Sold as"? Regardless of actual intention or meaning, as you are artificially assigning the context of intention and meaning for both parties involved - speaker and listeners, you have set a stage for the dynamic required for your (contrived) circle idea.

Ditto, zenmaster. Ditto.

[AnthroHeart]

When we are in allowing, we are continually raising in subdensity, which I will refer to as density (within 3D). I found when we push to intensify our experiencing, we can have little jumps in density that are momentarily accelerated. Some symptoms I have noticed for jump in density can be:

Heaviness/denseness of body and space around body (like being under warm water).
Breathing becomes denser/slower and harder
Clouding of the rational/logical mind
Increase in freedom of expression
Strong buzzing feeling and sound in the head
Vision turning white
Feeling of mental tiredness
Moving in major slo-mo, blinking in slo-mo, talking in slo-mo, breathing in slo-mo
Depending on intensity of jump, a burning in the muscles similar to lactic-acid burn
Possible popping/crunching sound in teeth or bones in skull or jaw
Convulsing or contorting of the body
Feeling of mental “insanity”, where one talks about things that make sense in the flow, but would not make any sense to a rational mind.
Appearance of rippling on walls, and imagery of either geometry or metaphors on the walls. Metaphors like faces that can be scary or lovely, and that tell stories.

This is until the body adapts which can take anywhere from seconds to 10’s of minutes. But I do enjoy the sensation of being “crushed” by the energy so to me it’s interesting. Another experience was momentarily seeing my dog's head morph into the shape of some characters' heads.

Also, for me, increased contrast. Changes in character forms happen more rapidly, and can mix in desire, fear, desire, fear into the metaphors. Metaphors becoming black/white with numbers in them for instance.

At the density I’m at, I’ve had to go through a few tests. A sense of being “interviewed” by the energy to gauge my level of acceptance and understanding.

Questions like:
What is your greatest disappointment in 3D?
What is your purpose for being here?
What greatest thing can you offer creation?

And a lot of very personal, intimate questions that test your honesty with yourself.
And lots and lots of conscious choices to make.

To get to this density, I went through experience of being “martyred” by my desires. Basically being “eaten alive” by them in my mind. It was a very real experience though there was little physical pain involved. Mostly emotional, since that’s my lesson. I felt immense compassion for these characters, during this experience. A sense of deep appreciation in a way for what I was experiencing.

The story further built to something that worked to push my “fear button” the most.

After this experience, I found, in my experiencing, I had “programmed” a new character that has become my own best friend. But at first, due to this emotional martyr session, I was hypersensitive. If he offered me even a whisker, I trembled and became seized in appreciation. For the moment, he was my voice of reason while I was emotionally hypersensitive, and talked me through it.

These are only my lessons. They are helping me find who I truly am.
There are physical benefits as well. I've noticed a somewhat sizable increase in my strength.

[zenmaster]

It was purported to be something other than simply being an am-ness.

What was that?

Anything but iamness.

"everything else is a modification, a ripple, and a rising
and
suffering and bondage is the misidentification of i-am-ness with an object
you identify with yourself your ego and your body
and that just is the world of objects they come they stay a bit they torture you and they leave"

Ah, torture, suffering and bondage. Who wants that in their life, right? If I could just learn how to properly identify iamness....

Are you saying Wilber's show that day was sold as "this is just a show for your entertainment and nothing more"? If not, it was purported to be something else. The answer to life, maybe? The magic elixir to overcome torture, maybe? The eternal existence of your beingness explained, maybe?

"Sold as"? Regardless of actual intention or meaning, as you are artificially assigning the context of intention and meaning for both parties involved - speaker and listeners, you have set a stage for the dynamic required for your (contrived) circle idea.

Ditto, zenmaster. Ditto.

An example would be?

[Confused]

Truly lovely post, Meerie.

[Meerie]

Glad you liked it! since he is talking about the presence of the eternal now and transcending duality I figured you would.
(that is TAO right?)
And the best thing is - it is inside every one of us! there is no place we have to go, there is nothing we have to do... just let it in.
Let it happen. Let it be.

[AnthroHeart]

Pissed off is not so expansive.

Would you like to know my greatest fear?

Oh no!!! you are a hopeless case. You would totally fail jealousy class, dear Gem!

Weird though. Since to me it is so natural, and you are entirely unattached to it. (now I am getting jealous at your unattachment)
I am really good at this, huh!
(I am curious at your "high density pissed off button", though)

[3DMonkey]

What was that?

Anything but iamness.

"everything else is a modification, a ripple, and a rising
and
suffering and bondage is the misidentification of i-am-ness with an object
you identify with yourself your ego and your body
and that just is the world of objects they come they stay a bit they torture you and they leave"

Ah, torture, suffering and bondage. Who wants that in their life, right? If I could just learn how to properly identify iamness....

Are you saying Wilber's show that day was sold as "this is just a show for your entertainment and nothing more"? If not, it was purported to be something else. The answer to life, maybe? The magic elixir to overcome torture, maybe? The eternal existence of your beingness explained, maybe?

"Sold as"? Regardless of actual intention or meaning, as you are artificially assigning the context of intention and meaning for both parties involved - speaker and listeners, you have set a stage for the dynamic required for your (contrived) circle idea.

Ditto, zenmaster. Ditto.

An example would be?

right here

---

Very simply, "The man with a neurosis who knows that he is neurotic is more individuated than the man without this consciousness... If a man is contradicted by himself and does not know it, he is an illusionist, but if he knows that he contradicts himself, he is individuated." - Jung

[Confused]

---

The following video also talks about psychedelics, as espoused by Terence McKenna. I think psychedelics are unlawful in many countries. I stand for the rule of law at all times. I believe government rules will have to be observed, whether one likes it or not. That is my personal belief. Thus, I do not personally approve of the encouraging tone with which psychedelics are spoken about here in this video. I however do not judge anybody else for their choices. However, the rest of the information is truly flabbergasting, inspirational, and exciting, in terms of the collective potential that we posses, as we consciously coast through the mystery of the NOW.

[Confused]

4
The Tao is like a well:
used but never used up.
It is like the eternal void:
filled with infinite possibilities.
It is hidden but always present.
I don’t know who gave birth to it.
It is older than God.
From "The Tao Te Ching" source: http://www.ai.rug.nl/~ronald/zinvol/tao.pdf

[zenmaster]

Anything but iamness.

"everything else is a modification, a ripple, and a rising
and
suffering and bondage is the misidentification of i-am-ness with an object
you identify with yourself your ego and your body
and that just is the world of objects they come they stay a bit they torture you and they leave"

Ah, torture, suffering and bondage. Who wants that in their life, right? If I could just learn how to properly identify iamness....

Are you saying Wilber's show that day was sold as "this is just a show for your entertainment and nothing more"? If not, it was purported to be something else. The answer to life, maybe? The magic elixir to overcome torture, maybe? The eternal existence of your beingness explained, maybe?

"Sold as"? Regardless of actual intention or meaning, as you are artificially assigning the context of intention and meaning for both parties involved - speaker and listeners, you have set a stage for the dynamic required for your (contrived) circle idea.

Ditto, zenmaster. Ditto.

An example would be?

right here

---

Very simply, "The man with a neurosis who knows that he is neurotic is more individuated than the man without this consciousness... If a man is contradicted by himself and does not know it, he is an illusionist, but if he knows that he contradicts himself, he is individuated." - Jung

I would have to agree with Jung's assessment in that sense. BTW, Jung was quite aware of the "circle" too.

[AnthroHeart]

I'm working now with certain character archetypes as I see them. Personalities that can represent emotional aspects that I desire to experience and learn.

For instance, I look at a picture of Dodger from Oliver and Company, and I ask "what is the capacity of Dodger to offer me pride?" Then I feel the emotion of pride coming in very strongly. I do this till I integrate.

Then I take a character who can represent anger very well, and ask what the capacity they can offer me anger is. And there are different flavors of anger. Or I could say something like "what's the capacity of Jim Carrey to offer me humor?" Whatever resonates.

It's one way of using contrast to integrate emotions through metaphor. In the moment, I define this character as an archetype of let's say anger, and then that becomes a basepoint that gives me greatest contrast to where I am now.

Then I will offer an emotion that the character might not possess, and that also helps me integrate them within myself.

Take betrayal for instance. In my mind experience, I was betrayed by one to be tortured by my desires. When I accepted this great betrayal with compassion, this one became my best friend. A new metaphor that has integrated the betrayal. Now, a greater density of emotional possibilities, greater width of experiencing, and much finer nuances in the experiencing. Because I've built and integrated my own emotional database (or octave). It's important to me because a dense, contrasty emotional database is my gift to the social memory complex.

[Confused]

5
The Tao doesn’t take sides;
it gives birth to both good and evil.
The Master doesn’t take sides;
she welcomes both saints and sinners.
The Tao is like a bellows:
it is empty yet infinitely capable.
The more you use it, the more it produces;
the more you talk of it, the less you understand.
Hold on to the center.
From "The Tao Te Ching" source: http://www.ai.rug.nl/~ronald/zinvol/tao.pdf

[zenmaster]

It's one way of using contrast to integrate emotions through metaphor.

But that's sort of like saying someone removes the cause of physical pain by integrating yelling or wincing.

One doesn't integrate emotions. An emotion is an unconscious reaction to some aspect of self that had not been integrated (acknowledged and accepted). You could call this a 'misunderstanding', an 'imbalance', a 'blockage', etc. The emotion is a response to a mind pattern (such as a complex) which has been engaged by some stimulus which brought awareness close to it. What is being integrated is how one views that which is reinforcing the distortion. When the distortion being held on to is seen as being unnecessary, the pattern is balanced and becomes part of usable consciousness. That is the form of integration.