Seeing through the illusion

[Lucas369]

Hello Sheri,

I'm really happy to see that you grasped the main point. Yes it is simple! To be honest it is much simpler than the 'old' life. Yet it should be recognized that the integration of this 'knowledge' will possibly take some time. You will fall back into the old pattern, to feel like a someone parted from others. And the impulse to LOOK will come again and it's becoming simple again... But once you've SEEN the very heart of the situation, the trance has no chance to get you back again!

At the moment there are no questions arising over here (which might also be the result of tiredness after a parent's evening at school ;-)

Please let me know how you are doing tomorrow and if (or where) there are topics we should have a closer look at.

[OpenSky]

Hello Luke:

Thanks for your insights about old patterns remaining even after seeing.
I'm wondering how to tell when the seeing has broken the trance in such a way that there is no more being fooled, especially if old conditioned patterns continue.

What was experienced today was the arising of tension in the solar plexus for a few hours at work.
There was allowing and accepting, alternating with a desire for relief. What is absent today is the sense that the tension substantiates a "me." Feeling the sensations as just what is happening. This increases the accepting, although it didn't go all the way to welcoming.

Also today there is a sense of wonder and amazement. That mix of laughter and tears welling up. Appreciation for the simplicity. A sense of well-being and relaxation arise with the realization that it is all just happening without an "I."

I do want to continue looking and not sure what topics need addressing. Our dialogue about resistance was super helpful. Any questions/pointers regarding the sensation of a knot in the solar plexus area?

[Lucas369]

Hello Sheri,

I'm wondering how to tell when the seeing has broken the trance in such a way that there is no more being fooled, especially if old conditioned patterns continue.

What do you mean by that? Is there something that has to be broken right NOW?
Is there a trance NOW? Where is it? Is it in the seen, the heard, the sensed,...? Please find out...
Is there a 'me' being fooled just NOW?
Is there a 'someone' who could be relieved of a 'trance'?
How would it be if the seeing had broken the trance? What would be different?

[Lucas369]

Any questions/pointers regarding the sensation of a knot in the solar plexus area?

Stay with this, this is the answer:

What is absent today is the sense that the tension substantiates a "me." Feeling the sensations as just what is happening. This increases the accepting, although it didn't go all the way to welcoming.

The acceptance will deepen and one day go all the way to welcoming... (But this is nothing 'you' should (or could) take charge of, because there is no 'you')

[OpenSky]

Hello Luke:

Before I respond to your questions about the trance, what is uppermost at this moment is what happened today re: sensation in the solar plexus area. Notice I didn't say "knot" or even "tension." Finding it more helpful to simply notice the sensation as one among many sensations, perceptions, feelings, thoughts, sights, sounds, tastes, and/or textures that are occurring. A sense of welcoming IS arising today, along with gratitude. This sensation, and any other experience, is welcome to stay as long as it does. When the welcoming arises, there is a sense of being moved to tears of gratitude.

Regarding breaking the trance...

What do you mean by that? Is there something that has to be broken right NOW?
Is there a trance NOW? Where is it? Is it in the seen, the heard, the sensed,...? Please find out...

I'm looking at the trance idea and seeing it now as simply a notion or concept. I am not aware of a trance NOW. A trance cannot be seen, heard, or sensed as a DE. I don't see anything that needs to be broken right NOW.

Is there a 'me' being fooled just NOW?
Is there a 'someone' who could be relieved of a 'trance'?

There is not a "me" being fooled NOW, nor is there a "someone" who could be in or out of a trance. Funny how when looking back at my responses AFTER you raise your questions, the statements I originally made don't really make sense any more. That is what is so helpful about these dialogues.

How would it be if the seeing had broken the trance? What would be different?

What is coming up in response to this question is that nothing would actually be different. Laughter arising. Looking at the trance idea as simply a notion and nothing actual. How can what isn't even there disappear or be broken? Similar to the pink elephant and the imaginary notion of "I." There is only seeing and experiencing NOW and NOW and NOW. That is all there ever is.

[Lucas369]

Hello Sheri,

great, everything falls into place :-)

I'm not sure if we have a lot more do do... Maybe another short exercise that have just come to mind:

Please sit down comfortably. Now say the word 'I' and notice if there is a response or a reaction somewhere...

Is there a notion of 'I' hiding in a dark corner somewhere?
Or is it just the word 'I' – like a sound - appearing and again disappearing?
Is there a feeling that seems to be 'me'?
Is Sheri at home? :-)

Explore it...

Then find the CONSCIOUSNESS that is always present, the BEING here and now.

Is there something 'personal'?
Does this consciousness belong to someone?
Is the word 'I' somehow connected to this consciousness?

[OpenSky]

Hello Luke:

Yes, there is a sense of moving toward completion of this ever-so-helpful process. The sense of gratitude is enormous! Feeling moved to tears.

Is there a notion of 'I' hiding in a dark corner somewhere?
Or is it just the word 'I' – like a sound - appearing and again disappearing?
Is there a feeling that seems to be 'me'?

Sitting and saying "I," what is here is a clear space, a very expansive, all-inclusive space.
I find no notion of "I" hiding out. It is the word "I" echoing in empty space, a full, rich, empty space.
The traces of tension in the body that used to be mistaken as proof of "me" are now seen as simply sensations that arise and pass away on their own. There is no feeling of "me."

Is Sheri at home? :-)

Laughter arising. There is only HOME with no separate parts or pieces; no separate "me" labelled "Sheri."

This empty, full space -- home -- feels like the CONSCIOUSNESS that is always present. There is the ability to tune into IT at any time with the sense that IT is always, already here.

Is there something 'personal'?
Does this consciousness belong to someone?
Is the word 'I' somehow connected to this consciousness?

There is not something personal as in a separate person, however, there is an intimacy with no sense of separation. This Consciousness belongs to no one. IT is all there is and includes all notions, including the word "I." IT includes it all without being limited or separated in any way. How amazing and delightful! More tears of recognition.

[Lucas369]

Hello Sheri,

lovely! Congratulations! My impression is that you've passed the 'gateless gate'.
So here are our final questions:

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) Can you talk about 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?

[OpenSky]

Hello Luke:

Good final questions. Writing out responses has been a powerful part of this process.

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

Absolutely not now or ever in any form. It was only a thought with no substance or reality of its own.

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.

The illusion of a separate self is simply a thought that, when believed, creates confusion until it is questioned and seen through. It creates the illusion that I am this separate body/mind, subject to death, separate from others, and needing to enhance and protect what I think I am. Then there is resistance and pushing away what I don't want and grasping to obtain and hold onto what I want. The source of happiness seems to be outside if me, and always in the future. Trying to get rid of it reinforces the notion that it is actual. Focusing attention on it, while believing it exists, through self-improvement and most spiritual practices, can strengthen the illusion, in my experience.

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 very freeing to see this. Lots of laughter and tears. Deeply moving and humorous at the same time.
Differences noted in the past few days include greater compassion, warmth and caring toward "others," dropping away of a sense of seeking, smiling and laughing more, welcoming all experiencing, wonder and awe, child-like playfulness, immense gratitude, and a desire to share this.

4) What was the last bit that pushed you over, made you look?

The last bit was seeing that resistance is a concept and bodily tensions are simply sensations. Neither of these imply a separate "me."

5) Can you talk about decision, intention, free will, choice and control? What makes things happen? How does it work? What are you responsible for? Give examples from experience.

There is no "one" to decide, intend, choose or control, and no "one" to freely will. Things just happen as they do. How it works is a mystery to me. I can't find anything that I am responsible for. Wow! Laughter arising.
An example from experience is beginning this dialogue a few weeks ago. Somehow stumbled upon the website and the next thing I knew, a request for a guide was happening.
Another example is childbirth. Many plans were made and the event unfolded in a very different way. No control.

6) Anything to add?

Thank you, Luke, ever so much for guiding this powerful process! Words cannot express the gratitude!
I would be interested in accessing the forum for those who have completed this process, and also paying it forward by guiding others, after allowing for a period of unfolding.

[Lucas369]

Hi Sheri,

Thank you, Luke, ever so much for guiding this powerful process! Words cannot express the gratitude!

thank you for daring to begin and go through this process (Although this is just a joke knowing that there is not you :-))
It is also pure joy to guide someone who is so willing to see the truth!

I would be interested in accessing the forum for those who have completed this process, and also paying it forward by guiding others, after allowing for a period of unfolding.

If the other guides have no further questions, you'll receive an email with the invitation to our facebook-groups. I really recommend to be part of the fb-community (though I'm not a big fan of fb...). It is very helpful to have a possibility to exchange experiences and to get help, whether it be with the further unfolding of the truth or with the guiding of others.

For me guiding is one of the most sustainable ways to make this planet a better place.
(If there is such thing as a planet... I can't find it in DE :-)

My facebook-name is Luke Sunrise. So you can contact me there or through a private message (PM) here in the forum.

[OpenSky]

Hello Luke:

Beautiful! The unfolding is occurring effortlessly.

I'll stand by to see if the other guides have any other questions. I have avoided Facebook until now, but this will motivate me to wade into those waters.

Blessings to you for guiding the way!

Warmest regards,
Sheri

[Lucas369]

Hi Sheri,

no more questions! To be honest - that's what I'd expected. So, welcome to REAL life! :-)
You'll receive the invitation for the facebook-groups soon. My fb-name is Luke Sunrise, so maybe we'll meet there...

Have a good time, it's been a pleasure to guide you.
And if the wish to guide others will arise, ask the admins to be added to the fb-guiding groups or send me a line!

Sunny regards
Luke

PS: If you have any questions / unresolved issues please don't hesitate to contact me.

[OpenSky]

Hello Luke:

Fantastic!

I will get set up on Facebook to be able to be a part of that ongoing group. The continued support and encouragement will be valuable.

This process has definitely created a major shift. My husband commented this morning about the increased laughter and smiles he is witnessing. And even when there is tension arising in the body, there is a knowing that it is all happening without a "me." Tears of gratitude.

Warmest regards,
Sheri