Hi Perry,

What do you mean by "what is left?"

Nothing is left except this body, mind and awareness.

Regards
Henrik

Hi Perry,

So does Henrik, the character, the guy with a history, exist? If so, in what way? If not, what's left?

The character Henrik is as a label for a body, mind and awareness with a history. Its a thought or a word that point to that.

Regards,
Henrik

Hi Perry,

I'm not trying to trip you up on language, but just seeing whether you believe there is a really existing "mind" ... perhaps "I" am this "mind" in which thoughts arise?

Well as I said, the word "mind" is really a label. There is however thoughts which arises in consciousness and there ...

Hi Perry,

Look carefully at what you mean by 'mind' and 'individual mind' ... what do these labels point to? Is 'mind' something that can be found in direct experience?

The word "mind" is a label that points towards all the thoughts that we experience.

Regards
Henrik

Hi,

It is really important that we stick to Direct Experience ('DE') here, rather than abstractions...

So what is 'my memories' in DE? Are there any memories in DE?

Well it depends on how we define direct experience. If i look at a cup and afterwards close the eyes and recall the cup then i can ...

Hi Perry,

Ok.

Does 'universal mind' have parts, in direct experience (sense experience, feelings, observed thoughts), or is this a deduction / thought?

No not i direct experience. Its an assumption. However i know that my memories get stored somewhere and its easier for me than others to access ...

Hi Perry,

By individual mind i mean that part of the universal mind in which all the memories of experiences from my individual body/sense organs is being stored.

Regards
Henrik

HI Perrry,

What does the term 'universal consciousness' point to? Is this an aspect of direct experience?

By universal consciousness i simple mean consciousness that is not owned by anyone, not owned by an "I".

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

Hi Perry

Let me try to answer the questions.

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

No and never was. There is universal consciousness. Some people call this called it spirit.

2) Explain in detail what the illusion of ...

or i should refrase it:

"Instead you can relax and watch 'yourself' act on the opportunities as they are presented to you."

Regards
Henrik

Hi Perry

The question is - even though samskaras arise, is it obvious that there is no 'self' making them happen?

Well the samskaras is made happening by something, but I can find no proof that they are created my me as a seperate entity.

Could you ever get caught up again in believing in "I ...

Hi Perry,

What is ego? Can you tease out what in 'ego' really exists (feelings, sensations, observed thoughts) and what does not (ideas mistakenly believed, illusions, stories)?

I see the ego as the sum of all my thoughts, feelings, memories, ideas about "I" etc. However the awareness is not ...

Hi again,

Was just reminded of patanjali yoga sutras chapter 2, sutra 6:

"Egoism, the limiting sense of "I" results from the individual intellect's attributing the power of consciousness to itself."

Regards
Henrik

Hi Perry,

Lots of thoughts coming up!

Do you believe them, or are they just thoughts passing by?

They are just thoughts.

What is the difference between a thought 'just passing by', and one that you believe?

Well if i can see that it is just a thought, then i don't have to believe it ...

Hi Perry,

So, to come a full circle to the beginning of the investigation, what now comes up when you read:

There is no ‘self’, no ‘me’, no ‘I’, and there never has been. The sense of ‘self’ has always arisen in the complete absence of any truly existing ‘I’.

What comes up is the thought "no ...