Hello Vivien,

I hope you are well. I'm writing because there is a calling to continue or deepen the investigation. The illusion of self is taking hold a bit and there's some yearning to re-investigate, or something. I hope this is a familiar question. Would you be willing to assist, or to suggest ...

Hello Vivien,

Thanks so much. I feel immense gratitude for your generous guidance.

Brett

Hi Vivien,

Okay, thanks for letting me know.

And thanks again for your commitment to this process with me.

Brett

Hello Vivien,

V: Please answer the following questions with some detail please, and answer what's true for you rather than any sort of 'ideal' answer. Also please provide examples where asked.

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

Hi Vivien,

Just wanted to let you know that I'm giving ample time to a thorough response here. I expect to reply later today.

Best,
Brett

Hello Vivien,

V: So can you say that there has been a shift from intellectual understanding to an experiential conviction?
B: Yes. There’s a kind of felt sense that is present.
V: Can you point to the moment you moved from an intellectual-based understanding of there being no separate self to ...

Hello Vivien,

So can you say that there has been a shift from intellectual understanding to an experiential conviction?
Yes. There’s a kind of felt sense that is present.

How does it feel now, and how is life led?
There is more calmness. Ease. Life is experienced more as an unfolding, and the ...

Hi Vivien,


Is anything separate from what’s happening?
No.

Is there a 'looker' as some thing, (however subtle) that somehow stands separate from everything happening?
No.

Tomorrow, if you can, go out into nature and spend some time watching the movement of the whole. See how clouds move ...

Hello Vivien,

Can you say with 100% certainty that there is no such thing a chooser?
Yes. Choices are happening, not being chosen.

Is it completely clear that there is no I/me choosing or deciding?
Yes.

Is it totally clear that there is no such thing as choice or free will?
Yes.

When ...

Hello Vivien,

And can you see that the me-thought is not different from any other ideas/concepts? That the me-thought is also just an added extra (by thoughts) overlaying (on top of) the immediate experience? That the ‘me’ is just a thought narration? Nothing more?
Yes, this is apparent.

Is ...

Hello Vivien,

If it's clearly seen that there's no one for the story to appear to, then is the story problematic?
Not intrinsically, no. The story can’t be a problem if there’s no one for it to be a problem to.

And to whom does that "story" belong?
It doesn’t belong to anyone. It is just ...

Hi Vivien,

What is it that is moving between two states, the state of thinking and the state of being? The character Brett? Or something else?
No, it’s not Brett. I can’t find any thing that’s moving between two states.

Look, is the me-character the creator or the created? What is that creates ...

Hello Vivien,

So if there is an expectation to see this for 24/7, can you check, is there any other time than now?
Ok, yes, there is only now, no other time.

There is nowhere else to look and see but here now.
Can you fall out from now?
No. This is clear. There’s only ever now.

What is ...

Hello Vivien,

I'm back!

But what’s the distinction between recognizing that it’s a story happening (a bunch of thoughts and sensations) or not, in any given moment? And who has the problem with the story? The character Brett in the story has the problem with the story?
I don’t have an answer ...

Hi Vivien,
I'm traveling tomorrow through Sunday. There's a lot to contemplate here and I don't want to rush a reply. Would it be okay if I respond early next week?
Brett