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

No and no

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.

The illusion starts ...

Okay, are you saying you have seen there is no self?

100%

How does it FEEL to see no chooser, decider or "self?"

It feels like a no-thing, like there is no thing to feel. There just is. I can't seem to even attach a label such as 'liberated' or 'happy' or 'sad' because there is no 'attacher'.

On #2 can you find any chooser or decider?

No.

Can you find any separate "self" anywhere?

No.

Does it choose any of its directions? Is it even really a separate entity different from the water deposited in it, the rocks, the depressions in the ground etc? Is it even the same entity moment by moment, or more the product of weather conditions and water, like an ever-changing pattern?

No ...

Okay good, but since there is no separate "self, " What has this belief?

Somehow the separate self has a belief that without the stories life will be not a life, it will be empty, boring, formless.

Restate this so that it is true & doesn't rely on the non-existent "self."[/quote]

There appears ...

Given that, can you find a separate self anywhere at all in DE? Has there ever been?

No separate self. And never has been.

How does it FEEL to SEE this?

Mixture of feelings. Mainly a sense of "yes, I've always known that". A sort of gentle, open curiosity. A mild sense of dissociation and a ...

Excellent. I get that.

Yeah ok I understand. When looking at an apple, all that is known of the Apple is the thoughts and labels about it. If we were to touch the apple (sensation) or smell the apple or taste the apple that would be DE?

What about the content of thoughts, what they describe?

Yes, so the thoughts only ...

Have fun and let me know what you find out.

Hmmm not sure I get this exercise. Apple the physical object can be found, as can the labels/thoughts about the apple.

Thanks Stacy, I'll try to attend. I will reply to your last exercise post today or tomorrow. Happy new year.

How could I word it so that it is more obvious and clear that only the joy and beauty can be hidden?

Attaching any labels, sensations, etc, to the day doesn't affect the experience of beauty or joy, yet it can diminish or hide these qualities from our awareness.

Happy to move on.

Labeling the day, the Sensations, etc. does nothing to reduce their beauty or joy, but can hide them from our awareness.

I get the example but just one more attempt at clarifying the above sentence... By "them" do you mean the joy and beauty is hidden from our awareness or the labels/sensations ...

Got it?

Yes thank you.

Is there a difference in these thoughts?

They appear to point to two different people (one being a friend, another being a stranger)

Is there a true difference or is it just different content?

No difference, except for content.

Now, bring up a thought about a character labeled "friend ...