No. There is no separate self or me or I. There never was or will be.1) Is there a separate entity 'self', 'me' 'I', at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form? Was there ever?
The separate self is simply an idea. It is a falseness that happens in attaching ownership to apparent things or doership to apparent happenings. In my experience a happening would occur and immediately/imperceivably afterwards the mind attaches ownership to the happening. It has been going on for so long that it seems that there is an actual self that has the ability to own and do.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 freedom. It is a loosening of all contractions towards all that is observed. It is a relaxing. A calmness that simply is. It is uncaused, effortless. Before I started the dialogue there was only an idea is no self with momentary flashes of what is. Since then with your guidance I have recognized no self more clearly. It's not constant or "abiding" as some refer to it by any means, but it is noticed more than prior to starting to listen to your guidance.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.
I think it was the hand flipping exercise that really began to allow the Jello to set. Truly seeing that what I previously assumed I was doing was only a happening being observed was astounding.4) What was the last bit that pushed you over, made you look?
Thoughts arise. Apparent options are seen. There is no one to make a decision. An action happens and the seeming self takes credit for whatever happens as if it decided which option to take. I was looking in my closet trying to decide which shirt to grab. There was no "decision" switch that went off. No moment to be described as the moment "choice" happened. I actually just observed my hand reach out and grab a grey shirt. I didn't decide. What happened just happened the way it did.5) Describe decision & give examples from experience.
Intention seems to be born of desire and thus thoughts. Other than that I'm not sure how to express it. "I" can have an intention, or idea, a thought about doing something. It's only a thought. Thoughts are observed once they come up. I intend to work on this report this weekend for a visit from one of the executive vice presidents of the company I work for. Truth be told though, intention does not always equate to fulfilled actions.Describe intention & give examples from experience.
Free will is simply the idea that you are free to decide for yourself. Similar to choice it's simply an idea. What one truly is does not have will. If I "decide" to sleep in or get up early on the weekend that's only what happens.Describe free will & give examples from experience.
Describe choice & give examples from experience.[/quote
I'm not sure how this is different from the idea of free will, intention or decision. Aren't they pretty much the same thing?
Control absolutely does not exist. It's only an idea. Things happen. End of story. There is no control. It's similar to intention. I don't control me driving a car. It's a reaction to other happenings prior to getting in the driver's seat and while I'm in the road.Describe control & give examples from experience.
Nothing. They simply happen. There is no root cause. There is only the ebb and flow of existence.What makes things happen? How does it work?
Nothing. There is really no me to take responsibility. I'm going through a situation with my son and while I'm supportive and offer help, advice, I'm truly not responsible for his fate. A short while ago my thoughts on this would have been different. But now I see I have no responsibility.What are you responsible for? Give examples from experience.
I saw Vince's zoom recording since I couldn't make the live meeting. I was really wowed. Sorry I'm a person of few words but wow.6) Anything to add?
