Noticing it’s somewhat quieter here…

Have a sharing/question:

Thankfully with using the ‘reality’ definition & checking, it had been seen here that there is definitely no ‘I’.

But afterwards there were times, when ‘I’ thoughts would be believed… like “I need to do such & such before the end of ...

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

No, there never was a ‘me’ or ‘I’ anywhere… anytime… ever.

2) Explain in detail what the illusion of separate self is, when it starts and how it works.

The illusion of separate self is the belief that there is an “I ...

On reflection, would prefer to answer:

In that case, anything directly experienced with the 5 senses in this moment would be considered real.

Removed the ‘I’ as it is not being experienced through direct perception in this moment.

Thanks… the definition was helpful.

In that case, anything I experience with my 5 senses in this moment would be considered real.

Your reassuring response was helpful… thanks.

What is experienced as real?

My immediate response was: seeing, hearing, breathing, thinking, typing, feeling in this moment.

Was about to post this, when got the thought... ‘what about this computer screen... isn’t it real?’ Then came – ‘what is ...

Checked & found no direct knowing of a separate author of the story.

Can see where the ‘I’ is just a thought/concept.

Yet at times, this ‘I’ story can seem so real... having trouble fully realizing it is all unreal.

Not trying to be difficult… just honest.

Sending love & a hug.

Thanks for your encouragement.

Now look at the story. Can you see the main character in the story? The story is about 'experiencing'. If you look through the eyes of other characters, are they seeing the same story? What is the story from the point of view of her mum, partner, best friend ...

The word ‘I’ refers to a thought. This ‘I’ thought is an imaginary fixed reference point for belief in/ownership of other thoughts.

While I have some understanding of this, there has not been a clear seeing of the ‘I’ thought as illusion. I also have some internal ‘mind commentary’ reinforcing my ...

Cannot find a thinker in the head, brain, etc… & brain does not need a manager. It is managing quite well the typing of this reply.

I am not in control of thoughts… they come from the ‘nothingness, emptiness’ that life, everything springs out of… that space between thoughts... silence.

Sending ...

Indeed, nothing.. This Is what I wanted you to see. Emptiness, space, void, nothing..
And then we have this- life, everything, this, that springs out of it.

So everything comes from nothing. When we did the fear exercise & the ‘I’ thought was not running here & it was seen that there was nothing ...

Sat & reviewed our conversation as there was not clear seeing here.

When you asked me to ‘bring that fear back up,’ I was able to do it - though the intensity of the feeling was less than the first time.

What was behind the fear? ...nothing …empty space. There was no awareness of an ‘I’ thought ...

No, nothing does not need to be protected… & it can’t be lost...
Ilona, I may have to sit with this…

nothing.

Immediate response was Yes, it does need to be protected.
but then....hmmmm… does a ‘thought’ need to be protected?
‘I’ Thought needs to be protected from ‘un-believing’… because if/when the ‘I’ thought stops being run, it is nowhere to be found.

Yes, I can see that the fear is here to protect.
Body sensations: pelvis tightening, jaw tightening, stomach clenching, feeling contracted.
The form of the fear feeling is energy.
Behind fear is a thought.
The fear is protecting the “I” thought.