Thank you so much Rowena. You have been unbelievably assiduous and patient and focused over the whole period of working with me. I really appreciate that!
Best wishes
Kim
PS also for the very useful resources!

Hi Rowena
I am struggling with this. When I say 'concerned' all I mean is that I am focused seriously on something, not that I have a major concern about anything. Or have I misunderstood you? To that extent it is just like you thinking about how to answer my post - that is your concern. To that ...

Hi Rowena
I'm not entirely sure whether I have got this or not (all personal pronouns such as 'I' in this post should be in inverted commas of course!)
I haven't really been caught up in any 'sense of self' in the way you have described it. Obviously there are (many) times when my perspective on the ...

Hi Rowena
Thank you for your dedication to the cause!
Yes, let's do this in a gentle way.
One question - when you say 'If the sense of self or "Me" becomes stronger, say when there is some reactivity', I am not sure what you mean by 'reactivity'. Do you mean notice when I have a reaction against ...

Hi Rowena
Well yes, this is something that I have mentioned often over the last weeks, and I’m sure you have noted it too. It is difficult to see how further inquiries of the kind we have been having are going to have any different effect on an experiential level. The experiences in the inquiries do ...

Hi Rowena
Please take a closer look at this; what is actually happening in direct experience when the label such as "gripping" is used:
Where would a 'something' be found ?
In direct experience ther is a contraction so that it feels as if the thoughts and sensations consolidate around a self, even ...

Hi Rowena
In the second part of this answer, it seems as if you are describing this as if there is an actual 'sense of self' that has agency.
That wasn’t my intention.
Is there an actual sense of self that can control?
No
What is this sense of self made of?
Just thoughts
Is this apparent ...

Hi Rowena
1) Is there a separate entity 'self', 'me' 'I', at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form?
Was there ever?
There is no separate entity 'self' and there never was one.

2) Explain in detail what the illusion of separate self is, when it starts and how it works from your own experience ...

OK, I agree that is probably best, thanks Rowena. I'll wait for something on 8 April.
Best wishes
Kim

Hi Rowena
So sorry for not replying sooner - my family has been staying and I haven't been able to get to my computer.
Yes, I am very happy for you to send the check[point questions. I don't know how extensive these will be - I am going on a walking holiday on Wednesday and I'll only have my iPad ...

Hi Rowena
Is what is called 'common sense' verifiable?
No
Useful for whom?
Perhaps it is useful to think along these lines after all, as it is a further undermining of what we take for granted to be true.
What wants certainty?
I guess the so-called self wants certainty, but without the self ...

Hi Rowena
I need time to look at the interesting links you have sent me, especially the Simply the Seen website. I am going on a walking holiday for a week next Wednesday so I may be able to find some time to follow these things up.
Allow a thought to arise: "time to get up" and wait and see what ...

Hi Rowena
I would recommend making a practice of placing your attention on body sensations
Yes, but easier said than done! It's as if I need to set an alarm on my phone to go off every few minutes and remind me to focus on the body ...
Can you see that?
Yes, I guess so, though in laughing them ...

Hi Rowena
Pick two recent experiences where you have found yourself to be reactive.
What are the thoughts concerning the issue?
Is the issue pleasant or unpleasant.
What sensations are arising in the body?
Where are they located?
Please take a moment to sit and be with the sensations in the body ...

Hi Rowena
I composed a long reply and then lost it when I clicked on the video link! I'll try to redo it tomorrow. The video was good, though, very well chosen, thank you. I am signed on to a Di Lullo retreat week in August so I guess I will get more of the same then! I like his striaghtforward, no ...