Looking for a guide.
Re: Looking for a guide.
By content I mean everything that's happening including sights smells thoughts feelings etc. By context I mean the capacity for such things. There is no I within either. The context is completely open and isn't a thing really in that it has no qualities apart from openness. Perhaps aliveness is a better word. There isn't a self who needs anything to sink in although the thought that there are some big implications to all this popped up and perhaps there is a bit of sinking in to happen.
Re: Looking for a guide.
That sounds good. Everyone sees and describes differently. The main thing I'm looking for in your answers is identification to a perceived self, and I'm not seeing that. Whenever you are ready, I'll give you a set of final questions. But before that, is there anything else that needs to be cleared up? Can you say without a hint of doubt that there is no self, never has been and never will be?
Re: Looking for a guide.
Just checking in. How's it going?
Re: Looking for a guide.
Hi Tyler,
Took a break in the forest for a bit with no internet hence the delay in replying. It gave me a chance to observe and inquire into all of this a bit more. In my last post it wasn't a typo. What I am realising is that the idea of a context is another 'thing' and although
I said inseperable from the content, there was a sense of seperation included in that way of seeing. I was seeing myself as awareness which is also a conceptual 'thing.' The truth is beyond that too. I could never say or 'know' what I really am but it's certainly not a 'self.'
Took a break in the forest for a bit with no internet hence the delay in replying. It gave me a chance to observe and inquire into all of this a bit more. In my last post it wasn't a typo. What I am realising is that the idea of a context is another 'thing' and although
I said inseperable from the content, there was a sense of seperation included in that way of seeing. I was seeing myself as awareness which is also a conceptual 'thing.' The truth is beyond that too. I could never say or 'know' what I really am but it's certainly not a 'self.'
Re: Looking for a guide.
Hi Padraic. Glad to have you back! I was beginning to think you had taken off. A break in the forest sounds wonderful. I like what you are saying here. I was a bit puzzled by the context/content idea. Like you said, it seemed to imply separation.
Can you say without a hint of doubt that there is no self, never has been and never will be?
This comment seems to imply a continuing desire to identify with something. Speak to this a bit more. I want to clear up anything you might still be hanging on to.The truth is beyond that too. I could never say or 'know' what I really am but it's certainly not a 'self.'
Can you say without a hint of doubt that there is no self, never has been and never will be?
Re: Looking for a guide.
I can say definitely that there is no delf, never has been or will be. One of the stumbling blocks for me has been trying to find an answer and identify what 'I' am. I realise that this isn't possible or necessary. It would only create another conceptual identity.
I do feel it's important to acknowledge that whilst there is no self there is certainly an apparent personality and reactions that appear personal and feel personal. There isn't a liberated or perfected state in evidence and the personality is quirky amd messy. That's fine and dandy. There is a sense of peace and stillness though and a sense that everything is ok, even when messy.
I do feel it's important to acknowledge that whilst there is no self there is certainly an apparent personality and reactions that appear personal and feel personal. There isn't a liberated or perfected state in evidence and the personality is quirky amd messy. That's fine and dandy. There is a sense of peace and stillness though and a sense that everything is ok, even when messy.
Re: Looking for a guide.
Great! Personality is real. Reactions are real. You are not. The time seems right to give you the final questions. Take your time answering these. I'll look at your answers and also invite the other guides to look at them. 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.
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.
4) What was the last bit that pushed you over, made you look?
5) Describe decision, intention, free will, choice and control. What makes things happen? How
does it work? What are you responsible for? Give examples from experience.
6) Anything to add?
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.
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.
4) What was the last bit that pushed you over, made you look?
5) Describe decision, intention, free will, choice and control. What makes things happen? How
does it work? What are you responsible for? Give examples from experience.
6) Anything to add?
Re: Looking for a guide.
!. there is no separate self in any shape or form and there was never one.
2. The illusion of the separate self is created by the assumption that there is an entity in the body that is directing and controlling. It is created by a mistaken identification with thoughts, physical sensations and emotions and assuming they refer to an entity or fixed point of reference. It is created by a combination of conditioning, language, culture and fear. I think it starts very young, perhaps 2 or 3.
3. In a way there is no difference. At the same time thoughts and feelings are more transient and less problematic because there is less identification with them. It's obvious that everything is coming and going, always has and always will. There is less resistance and effort to control although those things can still come...and go. There is a sense that it's kind of empty in a funny way, although it can be compelling.
4. The thing that made the difference was realizing (whilst walking the dog!) that all of this inquiring is not about thought or finding an answer (which would, of course be more thought) and something dawned on me. Beyond thought there is an ever-present openness or stillness, which is not a thing, so those words aren't accurate, and that is what I am. As it happens, some life circumstances are very challenging just now. I used to think all that kind of thing would be easy and effortless when seeing through the illusion but strong feelings and reactions still happen. They are seen differently though and feel more fluid and less 'personal.'
Got a lot going on just now Tyler so will complete the rest tomorrow.
2. The illusion of the separate self is created by the assumption that there is an entity in the body that is directing and controlling. It is created by a mistaken identification with thoughts, physical sensations and emotions and assuming they refer to an entity or fixed point of reference. It is created by a combination of conditioning, language, culture and fear. I think it starts very young, perhaps 2 or 3.
3. In a way there is no difference. At the same time thoughts and feelings are more transient and less problematic because there is less identification with them. It's obvious that everything is coming and going, always has and always will. There is less resistance and effort to control although those things can still come...and go. There is a sense that it's kind of empty in a funny way, although it can be compelling.
4. The thing that made the difference was realizing (whilst walking the dog!) that all of this inquiring is not about thought or finding an answer (which would, of course be more thought) and something dawned on me. Beyond thought there is an ever-present openness or stillness, which is not a thing, so those words aren't accurate, and that is what I am. As it happens, some life circumstances are very challenging just now. I used to think all that kind of thing would be easy and effortless when seeing through the illusion but strong feelings and reactions still happen. They are seen differently though and feel more fluid and less 'personal.'
Got a lot going on just now Tyler so will complete the rest tomorrow.
Re: Looking for a guide.
Awesome. I look forward to reading the rest. One question about what you wrote.
Is what you are (openness/stillness) separate from the rest? Is this openness or stillness separate from anything in reality?Beyond thought there is an ever-present openness or stillness, which is not a thing, so those words aren't accurate, and that is what I am.
Re: Looking for a guide.
Good spot Tyler! What I said isn't really accurate. it's difficult to put my finger on how to describe it.
Before engaging in this process I had landed in a conceptual place where I saw myself as awareness and everything was appearing in me. That idea of awareness was really another conceptual self and came along with a sense of separation still. The reality is that there is just everything. There isn't really anyone or anything for it to be happening in or happening to. There is just life happening. The thoughts and sensations are also life happening and not separate from it.
Moving on to the further questions, thoughts and sensations that lead to apparent choices are also happenings. There isn't really anyone who can do any of that. In fact, in the moment the choice is always spontaneously happening. The sense of being an individual makes this feel very personal, but in reality there is no self to do any choosing. Thoughts about what to do come up and in the moment the action is taken or the words I'll have a coffee are spoken so there is still the appearance of choices being made. There is really no-one deciding or intending or with free-will although in the moment there is freedom for apparent choices to occur. This isn't fatalistic or nihilistic because the moment is fresh, free and unpredictable. Speech is a good example that seems really obvious now. Words come out spontaneously from nothing and it can be fascinating noticing what 'I' say, or being surprised when ordering a pizza after having thought I was going to order pasta. It's always been functioning this way and obviously couldn't function any other way. All of this brings a greater sense of ease and flow, but of course doesn't mean that only comfortable happenings arise. This is different to just holding the belief that there is no choice, which could lead to passivity and a fatalistic attitude. It feels right to engage fully with life in the moment and be open to opportunities and possibilities. So, in a way there is responsibility, all choices will have consequences, and at the same time there is no responsibility as there is no self who could be responsible.
Before engaging in this process I had landed in a conceptual place where I saw myself as awareness and everything was appearing in me. That idea of awareness was really another conceptual self and came along with a sense of separation still. The reality is that there is just everything. There isn't really anyone or anything for it to be happening in or happening to. There is just life happening. The thoughts and sensations are also life happening and not separate from it.
Moving on to the further questions, thoughts and sensations that lead to apparent choices are also happenings. There isn't really anyone who can do any of that. In fact, in the moment the choice is always spontaneously happening. The sense of being an individual makes this feel very personal, but in reality there is no self to do any choosing. Thoughts about what to do come up and in the moment the action is taken or the words I'll have a coffee are spoken so there is still the appearance of choices being made. There is really no-one deciding or intending or with free-will although in the moment there is freedom for apparent choices to occur. This isn't fatalistic or nihilistic because the moment is fresh, free and unpredictable. Speech is a good example that seems really obvious now. Words come out spontaneously from nothing and it can be fascinating noticing what 'I' say, or being surprised when ordering a pizza after having thought I was going to order pasta. It's always been functioning this way and obviously couldn't function any other way. All of this brings a greater sense of ease and flow, but of course doesn't mean that only comfortable happenings arise. This is different to just holding the belief that there is no choice, which could lead to passivity and a fatalistic attitude. It feels right to engage fully with life in the moment and be open to opportunities and possibilities. So, in a way there is responsibility, all choices will have consequences, and at the same time there is no responsibility as there is no self who could be responsible.
Re: Looking for a guide.
Awesome. The answers look good to me. I've asked the other guides to look at the answers to see if they have any questions for you. Talk to you soon.
Re: Looking for a guide.
Hey Padraic,
Thanks for being patient. Other guides have read your thread and there are no further questions. Everyone agrees you are through the gate! I've contacted the site admin. Your status should change soon from green to blue. This will open a little more of the site to you. Its been great meeting you here and I really hope you'll join us
on Facebook for the great groups we have there. You'll like the discussions. The best way to get plugged in is to click this link: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=696
If you have any problem joining the groups, just message me here on LU.
Perhaps guiding something you might want to do? I hope so. If so, I would suggest you get grounded in the site here and read some of the materials we have.
If there's any more questions, please ask.
I will leave this thread open for awhile if you want to make any more comments.
Again, it's been great talking with you. Congrats.
Tyler
Thanks for being patient. Other guides have read your thread and there are no further questions. Everyone agrees you are through the gate! I've contacted the site admin. Your status should change soon from green to blue. This will open a little more of the site to you. Its been great meeting you here and I really hope you'll join us
on Facebook for the great groups we have there. You'll like the discussions. The best way to get plugged in is to click this link: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=696
If you have any problem joining the groups, just message me here on LU.
Perhaps guiding something you might want to do? I hope so. If so, I would suggest you get grounded in the site here and read some of the materials we have.
If there's any more questions, please ask.
I will leave this thread open for awhile if you want to make any more comments.
Again, it's been great talking with you. Congrats.
Tyler
Re: Looking for a guide.
Hi Tyler,
Many thanks for your guidance. It's been very helpful in making things clear. Very much appreciated.
Regards, Padraic.
Many thanks for your guidance. It's been very helpful in making things clear. Very much appreciated.
Regards, Padraic.
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