Hi Perry

Thanks for your response. I think there may be an issue with semantics in terms of control. It's not a word I would normally use, but it was part of question 5, so I felt I needed to reply in the terms the question was set.

The experience I have, in the terms I would use is: there is an ...

Hi Perry

Here is the answer to the next questions

'5) Do you decide, intend, choose, control events in Life? Do you make anything happen? Give examples from your experience. '

Firstly, I have to say the questions is slightly unclear, as the 'you' could mean specifically the 'I' or refer more ...

Hi Perry

Thank you for your supportive comments. OK question 3:

'How does it feel to see this? What is the difference from before you started this dialogue? Please report from the past few days.'

It feels a relief to see this! At least when I remember to look. I definitely have times when I am ...

Hi Perry
Here is my answer to the second question

“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. “

It seems the easiest way to start to describe this is to say what happens when the 'I ...

Dear Perry

Here is the first of my answers:

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

From my searches for an 'I', I can not find one. It just seems to be an illusion that as soon as I remember to look to see if the illusion is real ...

Hi Perry

Yes things seemed to have settled down a bit now, so why don't I have a go at the 'final questions'.

Thanks

Stephen

Hi Perry

Thank you for your last post. Sorry I haven't got back to you sooner but I have had a very busy couple of day. Your last question was interesting as was my response to it!

I looked at your post 4am in the morning as I had to check on one of the cats who was unwell. My initial response was ...

Hi Perry

I hope you had a good time away. I thought I would just give you a quick update on my reflections.

Overall I am not sure I have realised anything new over the last week. I have kept coming back to looking for an 'I' whenever I remember to. The result is the same as before: I can't find ...

Hi Perry
No problem. Enjoy your holiday. I will keep reflecting and may do some more posts in the mean time
Stephen

Hi Perry

I have been giving more thought about your questions about how decision are made and is there a 'Stephen' in control of 'Stephens' life. I have tried, as much as possible to seek the answers from my immediate experience instead of giving you an intellectual answer.

So another decision was ...

Hi Perry

Thanks for your last post and the feedback and questions it contained.

I have been reflecting on choice and who chooses or makes decisions. Firstly I realise I rarely make decisions. Most of my life is governed by patterns of behaviour. These patterns are things I've learned to do or I ...

Hi Perry

Just thought I'd update you a little more on my searching for self. This morning I felt much more in touch with the sense experiences rather then me being a self that was experiencing them. This searching for an 'I' brings about a calm, more concentrated state of mind like I would perhaps ...

Hi Perry

The sense of self that is present after I look for it actually seems to be evidence that the self doesn't exist! The 'I' is something that is in the thoughts that arise and pass. The fact that when I ask where is the 'I' it disappears show it isn't really there. Instead I mistake the 'I ...

Hi Perry

Thanks for your post.

I have been exploring your question about self today. Overall whenever I try to look for a self I can't find one. Just asking the question where is the self seems to make my experience of the self disappear. When I stop asking or looking for the self, I get some ...

Hi Perry

Thanks for setting the thread up. Yes I have read the disclaimer.

I have been a Buddhist for over 20 years. I have mainly practised with western teachers though have also been to a Tibetan teacher. Over that time I have done various reflections on the nature of the self, and certainly ...