Another question from a guide -
Do you 'think' you have seen through the illusion of self, or do you 'feel' you have seen?


Well, can i question the validity of the question itself?

On the face of it, No, I don't "feel" like i've had the 'clear bell', 'fireworks' or marching-band experience ...

Sometimes it feels like a bit of a word game .. shifting the sense of control from "self" to "life"
Look with your physical eyes and SEE is there anything at all “in charge” of life happening? Is there any controller, director, creator, etc.?
Remember to respond ONLY from your direct ...

Thank you Mark, nice job.
At this point I will share this thread with other guides to see if they have any further questions for you. This process may take a little while, but I will keep you updated as we go.

Cool, thanks and gratitude.
-Mark

Is this mind/ego separate from experience?


Well, unless we're getting tripped up in vocabulary, no, the mind/ego isn't separate from experience.

And for the bonus prize -
What does 'we' refer to here?
When you say 'others', what are they 'other' to?



heh, 'we' and 'others' are just ...

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 at all. There was never such a thing.


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

just wanted to let you know that I havent vanished, but im planning to answer this over the weekend. :)

-Mark

BTW: I had that 'clear bell', the fireworks, and the marching band on order for you, but it seems they got lost in transit!

ah well, send them on for the next person. :)

and see if you had any remaining doubts about the illusion of self

after much reflection (quiet sitting / now-centering, as ...

its not impossible that a self might exist somewhere (maybe riding the unicorn or hanging out at the north pole) but I just dont see it using DE.
Is there anything you can find outside of the moment, outside of direct experience?

oh, a two-in-one question.

Nope, can't find anything outside the ...

I wanted to share with you today a story of an amazing person I came across three weeks ago. His name was Mark too (imagine, what a coincidence!) and he had this to say about seeing through the illusion of self –
i'm expecting to fail at this process.
What would you say to this guy about the ...

Labeled Mark
What was there before the label ‘Mark’?

The question is a bit confusing, im answering it in terms of the 2nd question about DE, as you seem to have tied them together.

In direct experience, 'before the label Mark' was applied .. well, there was a baby. After the label was applied ...

Great, we’ve seen throughout our journey here that experience happens, life just flows along, doing its own thing in the moment – thoughts pop up, the body moves, feelings arise, and there is an awareness of all this.

Do these experiences belong to an entity called ‘I’ which exists separate from ...

Wow!
Wow wow!
No, there's no "I" making any of that happen.
Bow wow wow! - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMICD3aMZpw
[Forgive my indulgence, just my sense of humour – you’re right on the money with what you have observed Mark – remember this process can be fun too!]


lol

Some of that stuff ...

Beliefs, really? Why believe when you can just open your eyes and look. And so the question remains - Is there an entity called 'I' at the centre of this experience, watching it all happen?

hurm. No, there is not.

There are feeling arising. There are thoughts (imagination, plans, confusion, etc ...

Watch the experience as a statue would - thoughts, feelings, physical sensations.
Is there anything in direct experience that isn't in a constant state of flux (i.e. movement/change/arising and fading/growing or decaying)?

No, aside from some thought quibbles, there is nothing happening ...

I'd also like to express my appreciation for this service you are offering. Im very grateful for your patience and guidance.


Think of something that made you laugh.
Is there a seperate entity called 'I' there creating that thought and the associated emotion?

No still no 'I' creating the ...