Always from direct experience.
1) Is there a separate entity 'self', 'me' 'I', at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form? Was there ever?
No.

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 ...

Hi Pete,
Thank you. Haha, you're far from that! If anything, a kind and gentle approach has helped me open up more to seeing rather than inventing.


As always, from "your" direct experience:
With "you" revealed as a thought story, what remains? [/b]
Just life. I see happening happen all around me ...

Yeah, when breathing slows down that's what happens, due to various conditions coming into play.

I'm glad you said conditions because that is what I'm seeing. Conditions are the reason for everything happening.

Is that what you mean when you say, " the body is making the effort"', based on ...

Yes, but in direct experience, in any circumstances whatsoever, can breathing be controlled in any way? What would be making the effort? Have you experienced that? If so, what's doing the controlling? Is it a self, hitherto unseen?

Again, thank you for your wisdom. There is still a level of ...

Hi Pete,

It's clear that when we breathe, blink, digest food etc. there's no "I" involved, but how is it for you when walking?
I'm thinking of all the automatic processes like breathing and blood pumping. There is a perception that breathing can be controlled, i.e. in sports, meditation, etc. but ...

Good observations, right on the money; and thanks for explaining about the shirts.

Great. I was thinking of my name today. How common of a name it is. How many hundreds or possibly thousands of people that have my exact name like "John Smith" or "Jane Smith". I remember when I was younger, I was ...

Edit: I reread the shirt analogy and it sounded like more babble so I'll re-answer that first question.
"I" am not Nick. "I" am nothing. There is only this life that is living. "I" am not typing. "I" can't type. I think when you said if I had a different name, I was thinking of all the different ...

Are you actually Nick? If you had a different name, would anything/your life be fundamentally different. If you saw that there is really no "you" self-entity would your life be fundamentally any different?


Now I know of course not. Nick feels like a different colored shirt I put on today. And ...

Hi Pete,

It's funny you know. I was expecting to see a burst of light, and wash of magic, or some other made up, non-proven experience of enlightenment. It's as if there is the moment of arrival we are all desperately hoping to reach, and realizing there is no moment, no arrival. I've listened to ...

However, that said, changes will be noticed, some possibly quite dramatic, including around the area of "second arrow" dukhka. [/b]

Please explain this a little bit. I know dukkha is suffering, and I had my share of it. I've read that one's suffering can lead to one's liberation. I suppose I ...

Hi Pete,
Thanks again for reaching out. Here's my back-"story":

I've been a seeker since the age of 16, looking for a way out of my suffering. I was living in an abusive situation at home and sought out the martial arts for my frustration and sadness. The studio became a second home, the fighters ...

Hello Pete! Thank you! I am in Portland Oregon in the US (Pacific Time Zone). I agree to the disclaimer and I would very much appreciate your guidance. I want to watch the video you described, load up a separate text editor and then send you a more complete set of thoughts. I look forward to ...

I've gone through all the pointers in the EQ app, listened to them in audio form, and I'm nearly half way through reading GG. I think I'm ready for a guide. Thank you. ~Nick