Another expectation that has popped up is that "I" wants to be recognized here, as reaching some point, some goal. Who is it that made any improvement? What was there ever to improve? Just thoughts, fantasies, not reality.

Another expectation that is coming up is that somehow there would be no more distractions at work, or no more desire for distractions at work. That there would somehow be some perfect ability to focus on the task at hand. Obviously, this is not the case, but when it appears, it is questioned.
In ...

Thomas, What are your Current expectations for a liberated 'you' ?
Expectations? To continue working, to recognize the thoughts and associations, the mental patterns, of "me" and challenge them as they arise.
My hope is that is gets easier, that as I break away from these patterns they appear less ...

1) how about self, is there anything that is separate from everything else?
No. Where would it even be? Even if "I" was out in deep, deep space, "I" would still be here in this universe, this reality. There is only the set of all things.

2) Explain in detail what the illusion of separate self is ...

Post your concerns as they arise.
vince
K.

The question that you need to answer is; "is there identification with an I or Self ?" and by identification i mean do you still believe in that ?
No. The old patterns are sticking around, but they are being questioned as they arise. Sometimes the ...

8) What did you experience at the moment you awoke?


This one question has been holding up my response...how can one be sure they are awake? It seems like other experiences have been very profound...the experience "I" had seems to have faded only a few short hours. Is there such a thing as mini ...

Ha, very good. i'm excited too.
So tell me, is there an actual I anywhere ?
In any shape or form ?
Was there ever ?

Only the construction, nothing real.

Haa haa haa, terrific. Now watch thoughts. They will use every trick in the book to woo you back into the delusion.
Just remember thoughts do what thoughts do, and no matter the content of any thought, IT IS JUST A THOUGHT.
No thought is worth more than the sound of the refrigerator and should be ...

Is that a SEEing, an Aha! ?

Yes, and for a while after, it was a very profound feeling. It has faded since, and the ego is still here, but...shaken at it's core.

Choosing happens, and only after does the "I" get applied. Holy crap.

sorry, WITHOUT "me" there as a chooser?

Mind makes the choice automatically? Choosing happens automatically with "me" there as a chooser?

So hard to let go of this association with the "manager", the "doer". Yes, especially in this day and age where individualism has achieved a god like status.
Very much agreed!

The mind may also be 'threatened' by a belief that it will be exterminated.
This is very much what is occurring now ...

but yes it occurs for lot's of people.
But get this !, it is a GOOD sign.

That is good to hear. Still asking if it is plausible that a self truly exists, or ever existed. Thinking back over "my" life and asking that question is...challenging. So hard to let go of this association with the ...

There is so much resistance going on. It seems the ego is pulling out all of the "big guns", depression, aversion, diversion, even panic attacks in the middle of the night. There is such a huge push to give up, give in, thoughts of "it's not for me" or "I can't do this".
This is normal, yes ...