Im not sure I agree with this. Richard and co seem to be talking about a real change in the brain, not just a simple realisation. Affective feeling is a result of chemical excretions in the brain and body. They are actual and have actual effects on how I experience the world. Adrenaline causes fear and exitement. Richard and co claim to not have these feelings so this implies either
Perhaps the physiological change, like the ones that happen at the various Path stages of enlightenment, is the consequence of the realization? Or maybe vice-versa?
I'm nowhere near qualified to answer that, and I wouldn't try since I can only base my answer on personal experience with the techniques referred to. As far as I can tell, at present I am entirely unable to generate any affective feeling no matter how hard I try. This change only happened today and so I can't say for certain
what it is, i.e. AF or some Path-like shift, but based on what is happening as I sit here, in the world in its infinite wonder, at this moment in time your entire argument makes absolutely no sense.
I know what you're saying, but without major scientific research neither you nor I will know for certain what the physiological basis for these changes are. If you test the techniques we talk about so much on here you'll be able to verify it for yourself and not have to take someone's word for it, they genuinely do what they say on the tin.
Your description earlier sounded pretty much like a PCE and if this is the case then the very question you're asking could have been answered there and then.
That our own awareness is sheer gift, completely unneccessary? I think the whole HAIETMOBA thing misses the point. Its not how am i experiencing this moment thats important, its the recognition that im experiencing this moment at all. Wonder and felicity is inevitable.
Absolutely, we're not even in control of being aware either and it's so wonderful! Remember that HAIETMOBA is no more than a tool, a technique which allows one to experience what it is to apperceive, it's not the endpoint and it's just one way of doing exactly the same thing: turning the attention to the senses. All the question does is to incline the mind towards how one is generally feeling so that you can get a feel of the quality of your experience; if it's not felicitous and friendly you find out why not and then get back to the sense doors again. That's it.
All of these techniques we talk about are methods of getting a taste of that perfection you saw. Imagine living that way for even a few days. Imagine you could live that perfection for the rest of your natural life. It's possible and if this recent change is what I suspect it might be then I can highly recommend it as a very sensible, effective and enjoyable way to eliminate suffering for oneself and others.
I hope you find what you're looking for, but don't let untested beliefs prevent you from doing it.