Peace IS Known Through Experience

Yeah, okay, I'm with you up to the bolded part; What exactly does it look like, when the unfolding story supports the realization that I am the witness? How and why does that change the unfolding circumstances? I get how it would change the feelings that arise, but why necessarily the form/content?

As far as the whole 'witness' thing goes, I would say,There is always a silent witness that can be seen and accessed, if necessary, yes. Being/experiencing AS the silent witness, is a particular vantage point...a particular juncture along the pathless path.

At 2nd mountain, where 'there is no mountain,' one can become quite entrenched in 'witnessing mode.' He stands firmly in that position and to all else that arises, sees and says, 'not me.' Witness/witnessing is important thing to see/realize, but you don't wanna get stuck there.

One is able to remain at peace at this juncture, through adhering to 'witness mode,' and thereby postionally holding himself 'apart from' unwanted happenings/appearances that would otherwise hurt deeply.

The reason this 'holding apart' is necessary at this juncture, is because integration has not yet happened. There is still fear and a strong aversion to getting 'sucked into' being an unconscious character in the 'movie,' and actively, consciously adopting the position of witness, is a way to make sure that does not happen. Witnessing 'insulates' one from the unfolding drama, but by the same token, it also insulates one from the joy of full immersion in being/experience.

At 3rd mountain, where there is once again a mountain, there is integration of the witness and the character. That does not mean that the character ever starts believing again that he is in fact a separate acting character, or that he loses sight completely of 'the witness,' but rather, there is a melding that happens.....where there's no longer any need to hold to any particular vantage point, for fear of getting swept up and away in the delusion of believing I am a separately acting character.

And yes, in experiencing a sea shore, vs. a crucifixtion, there will likely indeed be a difference in the arising responses....I would say compassion actually 'increases' when full integration of witness and actor happens....after all, in the actual experience of 'not two,' there is a natural opening of the heart.

But, inherent in that integrative melding of all 'facets' of Self, is the fundamental understanding that regardless of what may appearing, all is well, perfect, unfolding in perfection. That means that a surface arising of a sense of deep aversion to the circumstance, will be mitigated and colored by that underlying knowing/sense of goodness. That's how I see 'peace' making itself known through experience.