There are no separate entity ‘self’, ‘me’, at all anywhere, in any shape, in any way, shape or form. There never was.1) Is there a separate entity 'self', 'me' 'I', at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form? Was there ever?
The illusion of a separate self is a imaginary and misleading label, a concept made up of all the stories we - and others - are and have been using in telling about ourself, and our life/life history. It is a deeply ingrained concept that goes back to our earliest childhood. We were taught to speak by echoing our caretakers, and one of the earliest - and must useful words we learned is ‘I’, ‘me’, ‘mine’. And thus we went on. Until: lo and behold, it became an empty label/concept, albeit still useful in our daily communication with our surroundings.2) Explain in detail what the illusion of separate self is, when it starts and how it works from your own experience. Describe it fully as you see it now.
Today I see it as the empty concept that cannot be verified by any of my senses. There is no ‘me’/‘I’ that I can point to and verify.
It is a life changer to realize and LIVE that.
To see this is a relief. I have been feeling a certain relief as if a burden has been liftet. and I have caught myself laughing out lout. But as you know there have been stumbling blocks on the way. In my case it is a case of a slow realization creeping under the skin. In the past few days it is a constant reminder to me that there is only the here and now, the stream of life- lifeing. This makes both good and bad stuf in life easier to handle.3) How does it feel to see this? What is the difference from before we started this dialogue? Please report from the past few days.
I am not sure if there has been a last bit that pushed me over. No drama, as I already mentioned it has been a slow progress. I have spent a lot of years meditating following a few spiritual teachers - and I think mainly looking for the true inner self!!! There was a conversation a few years ago with my son who guided me, in a somewhat more philosophical way than in this forum, to see that there is no ‘self’. It had a lasting impression on me, so that when he - my son and later my tutor - asked me to join or make the attempt and work to join Liberation Unleashed it was easy to say yes. I see a shift from then to now clearly. I experience a sharpening of the senses and an awareness of living in the here and now.4) What was the last bit that pushed you over; made you look? Was there a moment of shift with a distinct before and after?
5a Decision: I have only mental images/words to use in order to describe ‘decision. I have no way of experiencing it in my direct experience: see, hear, smell, taste or touch.5) Describe decision, intention, free will, choice and control. Consider and describe each if these separately.
5.b Free will: There is no such thing as ‘free will’ everything happens in the flow of life that goes on and on by its own.
5c. Choice. No such thing in the context of no-self.
5d. Control. I have no control of anything: it rains, it snows, the sun is shining, I a sad happy, have a good day or a bad one: everything goes on outside of my control.
Life makes things happen. Can I stop life from happening if it isn’t to my liking. No I cannot. Kan a drop or the foam of a wave stop stop the waves from coming in and going out. No it cannot. It is all the sea. Life is as it is: It is happening.6) What makes things happen? How does it work?
The concept of responsibility has been my largest and must difficult concept to work with, and I have felt all kind of sensation in this context. I have felt Oh, no responsibility - wonderful - I am off the hook! He is off the Hook, a murderer, an evil politician they are not responsible. The lucky guy who invested a small sum and came out a millionaire he is not responsible.7) What are you responsible for? Give examples from experience.
But it was my own personal responsibility for my life, or the lives that have been in my hands, that caused me the must pain to think of as not MY responsibility.
It was important for me to grasp that even if I have seen clearly that no self can be experienced in “me” I still live in and depend on the norms of my society. The concept of responsibility is one of them - and one I cherish.
I can find no way to have a direct experience of responsibility - hence no examples.
A heartfelt thank you to my tutors Allan and Elad and I am looking forward to more work. There is l8) Anything to add?
ots of work to be done. Living!