Hi, just getting started.

[s-p-a-c-e]

Thank you Melissa!

[melissa123]

1)Is there a 'me', at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form? Was there ever? how about self, is there anything that is separate from everything else?

No to all and Yes to a “me” in a way. Yes in a way there is an imaginary me that “works” and ends up in an imaginary building at 8amish Mon-Fri. Me in a way is the imaginary existence that plays out the pondering of itself as it where right now. This I/self/me is practical. It allows for communication and sharing with imaginary others. Is there anything that is separate from everything else? There is no separation. No such point of separation happens. Even looking at my fingertips, as if they are the limit to my body experiencing the illusion of meeting a separate object the keyboard. No point exists between fingertips and keyboard. They are the same fingers and keyboard. The in-between (the apparent space where tips of separate surfaces exists) is the illusion of experience as a separate entity. This illusion exists but only as an illusion.

2)Explain in detail what the illusion of separate self is, when it starts and how it works.

What is the illusion of separate self: That I exist. That I have a life in a world. That I have a life and live in a world where others have a life in a world. That we have a life in a world that exists in the universe.
When does it start: I don’t know. Does it matter? I guess when ever operant learning begins. Yes, it matters. Operant learning behaviors based on consequences, behaviors get shaped based on rewards and punishments and spontaneously our characters are built.
How does it work: Habitually and very very quickly. Reflexively.

3)How does it feel to see this? describe in detail.

Initially like invasion of the body snatchers, zombie computers fumbling about. Then Life just lays it out pretty much literally: May sound a bit dramatic but its like the feeling of burying our dead brother while at the same moment our baby sister learns she is pregnant. And we look up from our brothers casket to another casket off to the side holding the body of a child. Then you look up get blown away like a spore on a dandelion and dropped off on your feet in the same place you started.
It’s bizarre, and disorienting, there is an uncanny familiarity and it just keeps going and changing.

4) How would you describe it to somebody who has never heard about this illusion but is curious about it.

I would say it’s like being afraid of the ocean your whole life then realizing that the ocean is the only place you’ve ever been and that there was no land to swim for. Then its discovering that you are the ocean and the ocean is you.

5) What was the last bit that pushed you over, made you look? was there a specific moment when seeing happened or was it gradual? what exactly happened?

What made me look? Life happened. Deaths in particular have been bizarre enough to break up a sense of normal reality and lead up to a point of a different kind of change. Seeing for me as it where or was and may be happened through many small slaps (like openings) and gradual shifts both working together. What exactly happened? I don’t know. The veil dropped for a split second and there it was: formless and indescribable a feeling of mistaken identity and the formlessness silent was like “hey, what’s up mel?”

Thanks very much,
Melissa

[s-p-a-c-e]

Thank you Melissa - will ask the other guides to take a look and they may come back with more comments or questions.

Best wishes,
John

[s-p-a-c-e]

Hi Melissa,

Could you check your PM (private messages) when you get a moment. :)

Best wishes,
John