Dear Ermintrude,

As we agreed together by PM, forgetmenot will be responding to you on this thread from now on when you're ready to return after the weekend. Have a great weekend!

Much love,

Maria

Hi Ermintrude!

Really great poem!

One query: Is it me, or no one? What’s the difference? Well it makes a difference to know one way or the other, doesn't it?

Are emotions not just concepts and body sensations? What's so special about emotion?

Nothing is special about it, only plenty of ...

Hi Ermintrude,

Someone else told me this! It’s not my words. So I don’t really know what it means and I was hoping you might help.

Ok, I can try :-). We had a chat by private message on this theme a while back and you mentioned that when you have to write answers to written questions you can ...

Hi Ermintrude,

Happy new year!

Two related questions from someone: They noted that emotions were not explored in our dialogue and ask:
What did you mean when you said you don't have the full emotional turning about (in your intro)?
and:
What were you hoping to achieve with the emotional side of ...

Hi Ermintrude,

Ok here they are.

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

2) Explain in detail what the illusion of separate self is, when it starts and how it works from your own experience. Describe it fully as you see it now ...

Ok great. Is there is anything else you would still like to investigate?

If not I'd be happy to pose some questions at this point which can help clarify whether this dialogue is complete. Usually some other guides also look in at your answers, in case anything was missed out en route.

Let me ...

Hi Ermintrude,

Yes, the subject pronouns are useful and unavoidable for practical reasons; I was just checking that for you they don't point back to anything more than that: labels or an idea. Seems so! :-)

The comment about someone 'hiding out' was not meant literally - and I get what you mean ...

Hi Ermintrude,

Ok there will be preferences going on as you describe (this cup or that cup etc.) and as you also observe well, actions still happen without any agent doing or deciding them.

So are you clear there is no one experiencing, doing, thinking, choosing?

Just look and tell me what the ...

Thanks for letting me know and I hope it's an enjoyable time xx

Hi :-)

Looking good.


Look at how decisions arise in direct experience throughout the day - ‘deciding’ that precise moment of getting out of bed, making a drink - which drink? This cup or that cup? What to eat? Walking - what about direction, or stopping to look at something? When to go on the ...

Hi Ermintrude.

By volitions I did not mean any special type of thought but more direction or energetic movement towards something. There can also be deliberate thought - such as planning a menu or travel itinerary - or random thoughts, but the point was just to observe everything that goes on ...

Hi Ermintrude,

Oops, I have only just now spotted this page 2 this evening - and your answers of last night!

Many thanks for explaining so fully how you used to feel thoughts were you and yes, what you said about past fear of being erased or some oblivion does make sense. Many people fear ...

Ok - wonderful! You're very welcome to my help exploring this. From your answers you seem clear on this.

If you do not feel a 'me', find the thought of identifying with a sensation "weird" and can say "the search is over" - then it looks like it very likely is.

I kind of get it. It's like “Who ...

Hi Ermintrude,

Re your first post today: This was excellent looking and describing:

I n experience, there’s just sights, sounds etc. And the experience of thoughts and other mental stuff happening.

Yes I am clear that thought content is not the same as seeing / hearing.

Hearing: in experience ...

Hi Ermintrude,

It feels like I have done far more thinking here than I have observing my direct experience, which I don't expect was the intention. But unfortunately I don't know what to look for. Can you explain a bit more?

Yes, sorry if those instructions were a bit maddening...seems you got a ...