Ok, I will wait with my next reply until you have collected the feedback.

4: The illusion of the separate self rests on the idea that there can be anything that is separate, which is supported by the unquestioned belief that what is described by language is actually real--which it is not. Language can only deal with abstractions in the form that it gives labels to aspects ...

Can anything that has happening in 'the past' be more than just an idea, a thought appearing 'now'?

No. As you say, it is only present in the form of thought which cannot adequately express or contain anything. What is real is only the immediate experience of now.

Is 'it definately happened ...

Did you choose to start this conversation with me?
The conversation was started, in retrospect a thought claims it as being done by a "me", but knowledge of the nature of thought indicates that it just happened. Therefore: No.

Are you reading the words on this screen right now?
No.

Will you ...

I have not had such a feeling ever - but then it is not something I desire particularly, other than out of curiosity.

I think that best describes my own attitude as well.

1: There is nothing separate and there never was. That is just an illusion that comes into play due to our inability to ...

Is that something you're going to try to do now?
There is no "me" doing or trying anything, but what I described (the gradual re-structuring of thought) is what seems to be happening.

What are you referring to that could change?
I was referring to stories about "enlightenment" in which it is ...

Ok, it seems to be just a realisation that needs to be integrated over time by amending pre-existing thought patterns, rather than a one time explosion that changes everything at once. Also, it is mental instead of emotional, but that makes sense since the root of the problem was in thought.

It is an attempt to objectify what cannot be divided for the purpose of expressing the sum of common expectations.

I don't have a specific example. It was just paraphrasing the total of all I have read so far about expectations. Your point probably is that I expect something to change from the perspective of a self, which I don't.

Are things clear for you now?

I think so. However, it really seems like "not much", more like some philosophical truth rather than something fundamentally changing my life experience. But as I understand it, that is just how it is.

Lets try the questions again. ;)

When you looked, did you find 'nothing' doing 'everything'?
No, when I look there is just nothing. It is just another attempt at explaining, i.e. coating into language what is without considering separate actors and objects.


A SEPARATE object was not found.

Ok, let's put it like that.

Well ...

Did you choose to begin this conversation on here?
No.

Are you going to choose what to reply?
No.

Is there a 'you' seeing this text, and making sense of the writing?
No.

Is it clear that any reference to what might be doing it, is just an idea - a thought?
Yes.

Could a thought appearing ...

Has it been an assumption all along?

Yes.


Is there 'something'? If there is, what is that? Can you find it?

No, that's it: Nothing can ever be found.


Has any thought that has ever appeared in experience, appeared to 'you'?

No, that was just an assumption.


Or has it 'just appeared ...

Rather than assuming that there must be something creating them (which is quite a fair assumption), can you say that with certainty that it is not something that can be found (using the senses)?

Yes, I can say that.


Can you say that you can only ever have an IDEA about that it might be - A ...

Good. Is is realised that in these statements, the 'I' is just an idea - A thought?

Yes.


Do you believe there is a 'you' generating the sensations?

No, but there is a "something".


Is there a 'you' receiving the sensations?

I think that was what I believed just recently, but there is ...