Namaste.

Thanks for your guidance, humor and encouragement, Bill.
~Lisa

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

There is no me anywhere...never has been; never will be. 'Me' is a fictitious label.

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

Illusion of separate self 'is born' at ...

Hey Bill,

Sorry. Yes, still here; taking longer than expected to re-post. Working on it now.

Bill,

Something crazy just happened and deleted entire Q & A post :((( Will re-post tomorrow.

Lisa

My first question is: do you think you have seen thru the illusion of self?
If affirmative, continue on to the following questions. If no, tell me about it...

Yes. I have seen thru the illusion of self; will get answering the questions and post them (tomorrow at the latest).

Feeling much ...

Hi Bill,

Sorry for not posting yesterday; the body responded to this process by temporarily shutting "off". An overwhelming, sinking feeling (followed by a twenty-four hour "death-nap") ensued. (A few brief interruptions involving an image of a very angry cat, coupled with skin-tingling ME-OWWWs ...

As you move around in your day, check and see if you can find a self moving the body around.
Walking, driving, typing, dressing yourself, etc.
Is there a self living your life?
Or are there just thoughts about everything, including a self, seeming to live your life?
Just look at the evidence ...

Hey Bill,

Yes, thanks for checking. All is well. The 'weekend' trip got extended; just returned to world of internet. I will report my findings tomorrow.

~Lisa

Haha.... 100 times?? OCD?
Just relax. You'll get it. don't worry.
Your desire is great and it will happen.

Haha...you're spot on! Hilarious that tone can sometimes be lost through writing; yet "mine" seems to be ringing through loud and clear. Maybe there could be a "WORRY YOUR WAY TO LIBERATION ...

Sorry...didn't cut and paste this exercise:

Now how about the body? Is that owned and controlled in reality, by a self?

Now lets look at it and see if there is an owner or entity controlling it.
Lift one of your hands. either one.
Move it to the right. Now move it left. Look with your eyes what ...

Remember we want 100% honesty here and we're not going for 'right' answers.
The only right ones are the ones that are true in your direct experience.

Thanks, Bill. I see now that "I" am trying to force the process, rather than trusting the unfolding.

Right now, I am directly experiencing lots of ...

Tell me Lisa, what is your answer to your question?

Honestly, I feel that the labels nowhere, anywhere and everywhere could be used interchangably in this case. Thoughts come from an unidentifiable place. There is no "I" controlling them.

This is our goal here. Are you saying you have seen thru ...

Where do your thoughts come from?

Some thoughts come from memories (ultimately thoughts), other thoughts occur in response to external stimuli (judgements, observations...which are also thoughts); then there are those that arise from an unidentifiable source.

Are they 'your' thoughts?

After ...

I can see you have a flair for the dramatic. :)

ahh, busted ;) yes i do, and THANKS for calling me out on it. i came here to be burned; it's good that you're keeping me on track.

Can you see that?

i do see that. as i was falling asleep, it hit me that not only had the story added an extra ...