Jon,

I believe this means this will be my final message on this thread?

In this case, what is the car?


After another read, it is apparent that this analogy does imply a "watcher" on the inside of the windshield. Initially one would perceive that the car is "the mind," or wherever "happen ...

Hello Jon,

You have said that "responsibility" is thought-stories and yes, that does seem to be true (and we must use words to talk about these things), but is there a "this body mind" that "carries out actions"?
Is there a separate entity "body-mind" that "does" "actions" ?

No. Those actions ...

Hello Jon,

I believe this is the final question that was left to be answered. Please let me know if there is more you would like to be written on.

Side note-it is interesting how old thought patterns (perhaps ones that tend to occur during certain times of the year) have recurred and are seen ...

Hello again! Here is another addition.

4) What was the last bit that pushed you over; made you look?
It is difficult to find a specific moment of crossing over, however the observation of thoughts, choices, and intentions seemed to be what illuminated the illusion. Starting with deep work into ...

Hello Jon,

6) Anything to add?

Here is a reflection from this evening's meditation that I would like to share.

Thoughts in meditation have a different feel than before. They feel more like rain drops on a windshield. One focus on an individual raindrop, observing its path until it eventually ...

Hello Jon, here is the first installment of replies to your questions:

1) Is there a separate entity 'self', 'me' 'I', at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form? Was there ever?
2) Give in your own words what the illusion of separate self is and how it shows up in experience. Also, through your ...

Jon,

Well this is all quite interesting. You're speaking with confidence and I notice that you are not adding on 'buts' or 'if onlys' to these statements.
Yes. Things are much simpler when doubts are seen for what they are, and not something for the illusion of self to latch on to.

Can you ...

Hello Jon,

Interesting analogy, given your profession. Glad to hear this kind of shift may be going on. It almost like a relaxing back into the already-happening music of life.
Yes! The music is already happening, there is no "I" that needs to "create" the music.

Yes. But now that ...

Hello Jon,

There is a story I once heard about awakening which is beginning to make more sense than it did prior to engaging with you. Thoughts occurring in reaction to various stimuli or clinging to a sense of self are starting to seem more like the kazoo player in this story. If you don't mind ...

Hello Jon,

Good idea! It is interesting to read back on the words that were written at the beginning of our conversation, to see the language that I used, and compare them to now.

Is no self an experience? This is rather an important question.
Can no self be experienced?
Is there an experiencer ...

Hello Jon!

Who (or what) is supposed to "do" the letting go? Indeed, since there never was actually a 'self' how can the absence of one be expected or required to 'let go' ?
Yes. All ideas about someone's inquiry. What an irony, if there's no way to create thoughts, or prevent thoughts from ...

Hello Jon,

For many, it is clearly not possible to find an entity...but then it would seem, in spite of that, it is thought that "nothing changes".
Correct. Or there are recurring thoughts inquiring about the true clarity of that moment: "how clear was that moment?" "did/when did mental ...

Hey Jon,

Anxiety. Notice that. What IS it really? An energetic sensation? A thought? A tension of some sort? See if you can trace the sensation-thought 'anxiety' to some origin, to an owner or victim. Where is that one?

Anxiety manifests as a string of thoughts, usually with more frequency than ...

Hello Jon,

Most definitely. It was something I needed to hear! (or read, I suppose)

Sometimes there can be thoughts about "not having done enough inquiry or not having had any opportunity for inquiry , or that inquiry hasn't been of "good enough" quality." Do you recognise this pattern of ...

*Wording correction:

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