Loverofcats, I can empathize with you frustration. I used to grumble about people who gave advice like "Do it and you'll understand". That's not my normal way of acquiring knowledge. I have a strong analytical side. I'm a great visual learner. Just explain it and I'll understand. Which is really wierd because one of my favourite quote is a chinese proverb.

I hear and I forget.
I see and I remember.
I do and I understand.

Well doing some of these exercises and meditations and just doing and doing and doing it has change how I understand the last line. I can know how to program (or any other skill), but until I actually do it I don't really understand it.

Alex seems to keep bring up the Zen idea of being in the now. Well are real zen method is experiencing everything now as if for the first time. Meaning you don't have labels for them yet. You don't know what the experience is you just explore it, discouver it.

If I gave you something in a paper bag and told you it was something you had never experienced before, you might throw the bag away. However, you might open the bag up and see a green sphere with purplish markings on it. You would feel it's weight. You would feel the surface texture. You would feel the surface elasticity. You would experience it's temperature and thermal conductivity.

Okay I'm rambling again. I just saying set aside an hour. Lie down in a comfortable place. Give yourself permission to use the hour for the feeling exercise. Choose to use this hour for the feeling exercise. Decide you will experience whatever happens, and it is perfect for you. Then do the feeling exercise. Don't use a tape to guide your. You can have mood music on if you want (waves, forest breeze, meditation rambling music) if you like, or just in silence. If you use only a half hour before you get up find. Bonus time for you.

I was near the end of my third 1/2 hour session before I had a wow experience. Every time I've done it later on I've had a different experience. Sometimes I get a big wow, sometimes now. They are all perfect for me. You may never experience what I do. However, you will become more in touch with yourself and less quick to accept your automatic labelling.

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I'm not Paul, but here is my take on the power. The power isn't locked in the feelings. Feelings are filled with power. However, the locking comes from you choosing. Before you can choose you must be aware. The feeling exercise helps you become aware. To become aware of yourself, your mental processes, your self-messages, your labels, your behaviour patterns. The unlocking of power comes from taking that awareness and choosing to direct your energy, however you are experiencing it now, in a manner that supports your desires / goal / purpose.

Enough rambling, or is that preaching, for now.

You are perfection.
Iam2