Resting in being

[Anastacia42]

Hi David,

Second cataract surgery is Tuesday, October 10th. I may be offline a couple of days, may not. We'll see.

Thank you!

[Anastacia42]

Please continue to post every day and I will read when I return.

Glare is bothering my Eye a little and I'm being cautious.

Much love,

[vinceschubert]

Hi David, Answer these questions without being too wordy.
1) Is there a separate entity 'self', 'me' 'I', at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form?
Was there ever?

2) Describe how the illusion of an independent, self came into being by giving examples from actual experience.
Then give some experiential examples of how life changed for you after seeing through this illusion.

3) How does it feel to see this?
What is the difference from before you started this dialogue? Please report from the past few days.

4) Can you remember any specific inquiry that resulted in an epiphany? ..a before and after seeing the actuality of the Self. Was there a point when you ‘got it’?

5) a) Describe decision, intention, free will, choice and control. What makes things happen? How does it work?
Give examples from your own recent experiences to how these things happen and how they work.

b) What are you responsible for? Give examples from your own recent experiences to how this works.

6) Anything to add?

vince

[Windaway]

1) Is there a separate entity 'self', 'me' 'I', at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form?
Was there ever?

No, the thinker is a thought.

2) Describe how the illusion of an independent, self came into being by giving examples from actual experience.
Then give some experiential examples of how life changed for you after seeing through this illusion.

The self never comes into being. Being is there, and a self seems to appear in it. When 'I' wake up in the morning, experiences arise — sensations, perceptions, feelings, and thoughts emerge. However, the one who woke up is nowhere to be found. The 'I' is a thought.

When I saw this clearly, my spiritual quest ended. There was no more impulse to seek a better tomorrow, a better guru, or another technique or books to reach some imaginary heaven.

I saw clearly that what is here is all there is. All this seeking was an attempt to run away from reality. The significant change was that I could finally discriminate between what is present and what is imaginary.

3) How does it feel to see this?
What is the difference from before you started this dialogue? Please report from the past few days.

Before this dialogue, I was struggling with doubt without noticing it. I was still believing thoughts. This conversation supported me in trusting my direct experience.

The change is that the source of trust and confidence is within me, as me.

4) Can you remember any specific inquiry that resulted in an epiphany? ..a before and after seeing the actuality of the Self. Was there a point when you ‘got it’?

What I remember is that when I realized spiritual seeking was doomed to fail, years of trauma and repressed emotions submerged my experience. Like a breaking dam, pushing me to the edge of depression and madness.

Regarding the recognition of Self, with a capital S, I don't remember a before or after. It feels like it always was that way, as if I always knew. I AM that IS.

5) a) Describe decision, intention, free will, choice and control. What makes things happen? How does it work?
Give examples from your own recent experiences to how these things happen and how they work.

I have no idea. I know there is experience, and This Is. I feel and perceive that things seem to happen, and my thoughts produce interpretations and analyses of those. But I can't pretend to know how this miracle that is here works.

I was in a sunny garden when I was struck by the beauty of nature. So ordinary, yet miraculous. I felt peace invading my being. When peace is felt, there are no questions, only gratitude.

b) What are you responsible for? Give examples from your own recent experiences to how this works.

There is no space nor time in Reality for analyzing any result. What is happening is so fully pact with its own being that there is no possible way to step out of it to judge or analyze.
Who can be responsible, and of what, in this limitless, ever changing stream of Presence?

6) Anything to add?

I feel gratitude for this forum and the guides that have supported me.