I

[springwater]

Jon,

But still pretty sick so I don’t know when I’ll be writing these answers.

Love,
Renee

[JonathanR]

Hi Renee,

Sorry that you have been sick. Hope that you feel better very soon. Don't reply until you feel ready to do so.

Sending love,

Jon

[springwater]

Hello Jon,

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

There is no separate entity ‘self’, ‘me’, ‘I’ at all anywhere, in any way, shape or form. Never was. So crazy to realize there never was!

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.

There is a belief from way young in an actual thing called ‘me’ inside this body. It is believed this ‘me’ is the one making choices and controlling it’s life. ‘Me’ feels separate from everything outside of its body.

Now it is seen there is no ‘me’ and thoughts arise uncontrollably with little value. The body moves on its own as everything else. There is no separation between noticing and what’s noticed.

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’s amazing to see this. It feels freeing. It feels like a release from the mind.

Before this dialogue there was belief in ‘me’ in control of ‘my’ life. There was focus on the ‘me’ getting free.

In realizing there never was a ‘self’, there are times of seeing there is no ‘self’ and there is no control and times of believing the thoughts about a ‘self’ and feeling in control.

When there is clarity, there is not concern about the way things are going. It feels natural, relaxing and expansive.

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

It was around the exercises in noticing and immediate sense experience things shifted. With the question “Is there a noticer of that which is noticed?” the idea of 'me' really started slipping away and then with another exercise and more questions the ‘me’ was gone.

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.

Decisions, intentions, free will, choice and control are all uncontrollable thoughts that arise in the mind. There is an idea that there is a ‘me’ that is in control, has intentions and free will, makes decisions and chooses.

It is unknown what makes things happen and how things work. There is not a ‘someone’ responsible for what happens as there is no control. An example is there was a thought about being tired. The hands went up in place to rest the head. There was no thought about doing this act. Another example is there are two towns equidistant from my house. In coming to the point to go left or right to one of the towns, a decision had not been made but the car went left right after stopping without the decision from the mind.

6) Anything to add?

I'm still a little weak from being sick so if any answers need expansion let me know!

I am beyond grateful for this dialogue with you Jon. It is really hard to express how grateful I am.

Love,
Renee

[JonathanR]

Dear Renee,

I'm still a little weak from being sick so if any answers need expansion let me know!

I am beyond grateful for this dialogue with you Jon. It is really hard to express how grateful I am.

Hoping that you are feeling a lot better?

I am very very happy that you feel this way. It has been my pleasure. Thank you. I love guiding.

Let me have a look at what you wrote and I will get back in touch if there are questions.


all best,

Jon

[JonathanR]

Hi again Renee,

By now you will know that our conversation has been moved to the Archive section. Congratulations! I don't have any more questions for you :-)

I have sent you a private message too, which you can find my looking near the Search bar on the blue page header.

I wonder if you could do me a favour by letting me know that you have read this and my private message?

All the best,

Jon