Who is it that is aware self is an illusion?

[Neal]

A linking & referencing activity run amok, superimposed onto awareness.

[Finoh]

Hi Neal,

I am just waiting for some guides to get back to me. It can get very busy on this side of the non existent gate.

Cheers

Ian

[Neal]

No problem.

There is less intense mental noise.

[Finoh]

Hi Neal,

Another guide has asked the following question.

In your very first post, you wrote "I'm trying to understand the no-self idea. If "I" do not exist, who or what undergoes the process of liberation? Who or what has been liberated?" What would be your answer now?

Cheers

Ian

[Neal]

That was written from sincere belief in an "I" that would be fundamentally changed, transformed by some secret knowledge into a newer better "I". There was a belief that without that "I", there could be no existence, that awareness required a person with all their baggage. The cart was in front of the horse.

No-self is the cessation of illusory dependence on ideas for a sense of being. Awareness does not require an idea for its existence; Awareness is existence. Thought disguised itself as the center of awareness, as the source. That activity of mind is the ego which causes delusions.

[Neal]

There are still occasional rudimentary "self" thoughts arising, beginnings of attachment observed as they occur.

[Neal]

Relinquish claims of "I" and "mine".

[Neal]

There's an inner stillness.

[Neal]

Thinking leads to more thinking and nothing is really gained. Nothing at all. Clarity and peace of mind is lost. Confusion sets in, despair soon follows.

In stillness, there is clarity. In simplicity, there is peace. It is like a reflection in water: disturb the water and the reflection appears distorted; let it settle and the reflection returns to normal.

[Finoh]

Hi Neal,

A few more questions

1. Where do thoughts come from?

2. Is ”I” ever more than a thought?

3. What is the biggest block to seeing “this”?

4. If you were a guide how would you handle this block?

5. How have you been going the last few days? What have you noticed about life? Have any surprises occurred eg you didn't react the way you normally would with someone or you saw something in a different light.

I would appreciate if you used simpler language in your answers so some of the guides are more inclined to read the full thread especially those from a non English speaking background.

[Neal]

"1. Where do thoughts come from?"

Thoughts come from clinging to experience.

"2. Is ”I” ever more than a thought?"

No. "I" is just the idea of the experience through a person.

"3. What is the biggest block to seeing “this”?"

Habitual thinking and identifying thought as "me".

"4. If you were a guide how would you handle this block?"

See the thoughts are empty of self. The thoughts are not "me" or "mine".

"5. How have you been going the last few days? What have you noticed about life? Have any surprises occurred eg you didn't react the way you normally would with someone or you saw something in a different light."

I am less suspicious of people. I had not been a very nice person because I thought I had to be hard and distant to protect myself. I was making myself miserable with my beliefs.

[Neal]

Identification is a function of mind. Identification with thought is identification with mind. Thoughts identifying with thoughts identifying with thoughts and on and on.

That cycle or process is the mirage of separate self.

[Neal]

Labels and memories and ideas and feelings all tangled up. Identifying with identification, mind gone crazy labeling and associating labels.

A loop labeled "you".

[Finoh]

Hi Neal,

One of the guides has asked for clarification on your answer.

"1. Where do thoughts come from?"

Thoughts come from clinging to experience.

Is there anyone or anything that is clinging? Or do thoughts arise and disappear on their own?

Cheers

Ian

[Neal]

Sorry, misunderstood the question. Thoughts happen naturally but the separate "self" illusion appears from identification with thoughts.