Hi Rowena Well yes, this is something that I have mentioned often over the last weeks, and I’m sure you have noted it too. It is difficult to see how further inquiries of the kind we have been having are going to have any different effect on an experiential level. The experiences in the inquiries do...

Hi Rowena Please take a closer look at this; what is actually happening in direct experience when the label such as "gripping" is used: Where would a 'something' be found ? In direct experience ther is a contraction so that it feels as if the thoughts and sensations consolidate around a self, even t...

Hi Rowena In the second part of this answer, it seems as if you are describing this as if there is an actual 'sense of self' that has agency. That wasn’t my intention. Is there an actual sense of self that can control? No What is this sense of self made of? Just thoughts Is this apparent sense of se...

Hi Rowena 1) Is there a separate entity 'self', 'me' 'I', at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form? Was there ever? There is no separate entity 'self' and there never was one. 2) Explain in detail what the illusion of separate self is, when it starts and how it works from your own experience. Des...

OK, I agree that is probably best, thanks Rowena. I'll wait for something on 8 April.
Best wishes
Kim

Hi Rowena So sorry for not replying sooner - my family has been staying and I haven't been able to get to my computer. Yes, I am very happy for you to send the check[point questions. I don't know how extensive these will be - I am going on a walking holiday on Wednesday and I'll only have my iPad wi...

Hi Rowena Is what is called 'common sense' verifiable? No Useful for whom? Perhaps it is useful to think along these lines after all, as it is a further undermining of what we take for granted to be true. What wants certainty? I guess the so-called self wants certainty, but without the self certaint...

Hi Rowena I need time to look at the interesting links you have sent me, especially the Simply the Seen website. I am going on a walking holiday for a week next Wednesday so I may be able to find some time to follow these things up. Allow a thought to arise: "time to get up" and wait and see what ha...

Hi Rowena I would recommend making a practice of placing your attention on body sensations Yes, but easier said than done! It's as if I need to set an alarm on my phone to go off every few minutes and remind me to focus on the body ... Can you see that? Yes, I guess so, though in laughing them off a...

Hi Rowena Pick two recent experiences where you have found yourself to be reactive. What are the thoughts concerning the issue? Is the issue pleasant or unpleasant. What sensations are arising in the body? Where are they located? Please take a moment to sit and be with the sensations in the body. It...

Hi Rowena I composed a long reply and then lost it when I clicked on the video link! I'll try to redo it tomorrow. The video was good, though, very well chosen, thank you. I am signed on to a Di Lullo retreat week in August so I guess I will get more of the same then! I like his striaghtforward, no ...

Hi Rowena What is emptiness actually pointing to in your direct experience? It is only a concept, I think, a set of thoughts that realte to purpose and meaning. Actually if I stop and be still at moments when I am running from what I call 'emptiness' my direct experience would be of just being. What...

Hi Rowena Is this fear of 'emptiness' still active? If it is, can you say more about it. It isn't as active as it has historically been. Filling in time or doing things quickly to get through them and on tto the next thing, when it occurs, feels like a deeply engrained habit rather than an urgent co...

Hi Rowena Although there is no independent separate self, I still believe that there is. This isn't a correct representation of my position. My belief is that there is no self. In the exercise last time I just wrote down thoughts that came up - these are not beliefs. The mind comes up with all sorts...

Hi Rowena What is happening? As before, I cannot discern any sensations when I read out the statement to myself. They just seem like words (as indeed they are!) without any deep consequences or ramifications. Does this statement ring true? Yes the statement rings true. What emotions does it bring up...