CHAPTER 399: CHAPTER 392: READING THIS CHAPTER CAN BE ACCOMPANIED BY SOME SOOTHING MUSIC

Xu Pengcheng originally placed the raisin in the palm of his hand with a rather polite ’holding’ gesture.

Under Nan Zhubin’s guidance.

Xu Pengcheng slowly lowered his hand, twisted his body, and placed the hand holding the raisin directly on the coffee table instead of holding it in mid-air.

At the same time, he leaned forward, allowing his whole torso to remain in a comfortable position.

Then he looked at Nan Zhubin, with a look in his eyes that seemed to say, "That’s enough."

Nan Zhubin nodded.

...

A complete [Mindful Raisin Exercise] typically has five stages.

This is the first stage, [Environmental Anchoring Stage].

It has been completed.

Then comes the second stage—[Dissociative Observation of the Five Senses].

This is the most operational step among the five stages.

[Five senses]—refers to sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste.

Human senses exist in a [synesthesia] mode. For example, when people see the appearance of a cake and smell its aroma, they will involuntarily salivate, as if they can actually taste the cake in their mouth.

This is the [synesthesia] of [sight], [smell], and [taste].

But someone who has never eaten cake would not have such [synesthesia]. This form of [synesthesia] is an [automatic response pattern] formed in life.

For anorexics, when they think of food, they feel disgusted, and their body feels like vomiting, which is also an [automatic response pattern].

[Dissociation of the Five Senses] means separating the five senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste, unbinding sensory experiences from emotions to break this automatic pattern.

The principle sounds complex, but the operation is not cumbersome.

Simply put, the visitor is asked to use the five senses in turn to experience food.

...

Nan Zhubin looked at Xu Pengcheng.

First, in the five senses is—sight.

"Now, let’s look at this thing in your palm."

"We don’t need to eat it; it’s not a ’raisin’ now. It can be anything; we try to observe it like we might observe a fallen leaf, a star, or even like observing something from outer space."

Nan Zhubin’s speech became increasingly slow and soft, like clouds of cotton, encasing one’s ears.

Xu Pengcheng pressed his lips together, his expression somewhat tense but quickly relaxed.

Nan Zhubin continued:

"What color is it? Is its color evenly distributed?"

"What kind of texture and indentations are on its surface?"

"Do the wrinkles on its surface resemble river flows or tree rings?"

In Xu Pengcheng’s eyes began to appear a peculiar curiosity, like a baby exploring the world for the first time.

Nan Zhubin guided him step by step.

At first, he spoke a step, and Xu Pengcheng followed suit.

But soon, Xu Pengcheng began to actively turn his palm over and directly used his other hand to pick up the raisin, observing it from multiple angles.

It was as if in his eyes, the raisin had genuinely become something seen for the first time.

Nan Zhubin smiled in satisfaction to himself.

With the visual experience complete, next comes the sense of touch.

"Alright, I see you’ve picked up this ’little thing’ in your hand."

Nan Zhubin said softly: "Now, please focus all your attention on touch, pay attention to how this ’little thing’ feels to the touch."

"Gently stroke its surface with the most sensitive part of your fingertip—is it slightly sticky or somewhat dry?"

"Does it feel rough like old tree bark or soft like a baby’s cheek?"

Xu Pengcheng’s fingers holding the raisin tightened slightly, gently pinching it.

Then, it transformed into a sliding, a kneading.

First with one hand, then with both hands together.

The focused look was almost like when Chonghui collects data.

Visually, at least, he had now entirely stopped projecting onto Nan Zhubin.

Nan Zhubin nodded slightly: "Next, let’s place this ’little thing’ next to your ear—"

After touch, comes hearing.

"Bring it close to your right ear, you can gently rub it between your thumb and forefinger—let’s see if we can hear any sounds."

"Perhaps you’ll hear some faint sounds."

"Do the sounds you hear resemble rustling autumn leaves, or distant gentle waves?"

Nan Zhubin quietly waited for a moment.

"If there’s almost no sound, then allow yourself to listen to the presence within this silence."

Raisins indeed are challenging to produce sound by rubbing between fingers.

However, at this time, what needs to be ’heard’ isn’t entirely from the raisin itself.

Xu Pengcheng’s brow furrowed slightly, seeming both focused and encountering some obstacle in exploration.

Then, he relaxed.

"Now, let’s slowly move this little thing towards your nose."

After hearing, it’s smell.

"Let’s take a whiff, see if this little thing in front of you has any smell."

"If it does, what kind of smell is it?"

"Is it rich or light?"

"Is it cool or warm?"

"Is it dry or moist?"

Xu Pengcheng slowly closed his eyes, his breath becoming long and smooth.

"If you’re willing, you can use both the left and right sides of your nose to smell it separately."

"Would this cause any difference in the scent? If so, where?"

Whew—

Xu Pengcheng slowly exhaled a breath.

His cheeks became increasingly relaxed, to the point where there was no expression at all.

Among the five senses, four have been experienced.

The remaining sense of taste is vital.

So much so that it’s not included in the second stage of [Dissociative Observation of the Five Senses].

Instead, it is in the upcoming third stage—[Controlled Exposure Experience]

Nan Zhubin’s voice became increasingly cautious.

Meanwhile, he began to carefully observe Xu Pengcheng’s reactions.

"Next, if you are willing, you can try to let this little thing rest between your lips."

Xu Pengcheng’s hand paused slightly at his lips.

During the smell experience, his eyes were already closed.

At this moment, he began to tremble slightly, seemingly struggling.

Nan Zhubin’s voice was steady and slow, like a large hand gently stroking Xu Pengcheng’s back.

"Or—you can first hover this little thing about a centimeter away from your lips."

"At this distance, what reaction does your body have?"

"What is the attitude of your lips, your throat, and other parts of your body towards this little thing?"

Nan Zhubin’s voice carried a hint of encouragement.

"If possible—"

"Let’s try to let this little thing lightly touch your lips—like a dragonfly skimming the water."

Before he finished speaking.

Xu Pengcheng had already, involuntarily, gently tapped the raisin with his lips.