Ready to see the Self for what it is

[Enough]

Are you ready to answer the final questions

Sure!

Michael

[dreamer]

Ok Here they come:

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?



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



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



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



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?


Enjoy :)
Vivi

[Enough]

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, no 'me' at all anywhere. There never was- only thoughts about a so called 'self'. Just a sensation / belief of there being a self. Separation is only an idea, it doesn't exist in reality.

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

The illusion is believing there is an entity called 'me' at the center of experience, which everything is happening to. The belief is perpetuated through a series of self-referencing thoughts happening in the current moment. Not sure exactly how it started, but would guess that at an early age, we're taught to believe in a separate self by the environment we grow up in. Then as time goes by, the idea of the 'self' gets further built upon by the experiences that are internalized as being personal.




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




It feels liberating, but at times disorienting. It's probably just part of the adjustment period. The "I" narrative happens, then is noticed and laughed at. It feels freeing to know that it's all happening by itself. There's nothing 'I' have to be or do, it's all just effortless.

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

If they were curious about it, I would direct them to this website, maybe send them the Gateless Gatecrashers book. I'd also ask them to look for the self in their direct experience, the same way you might look for a cup. If they pointed to their body, no that's just a body, what's the self? And so on.

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

No specific moment, more like a gradual seeing. Some key things were noticing that the sense of 'me' was there, and didn't need to be resisted, but just noticed and seen through.

Thank you Vivi for everything. Feel free to ask any more questions if there are any

Much love,

Michael

[dreamer]

Oh yes, dear you are only half way through!
Thank you for the answers so far.

6) When you say "I", what are you referring to?



7) Is there an experiencer experiencing, or is there only experience?



8) Actually look. Does experience belong to the body, or does the body belong to experience?



9) What did you experience at the moment you awoke?



10) Describe your experience in the hours and days following awakening.


Enjoy :)
Vivi

[Enough]

6) When you say "I", what are you referring to?




A non-personal label for the character "Michael", which consists of the body / mind which life is lived through.

7) Is there an experiencer experiencing, or is there only experience?




There's only the experience. The idea of an experiencer is just part of the experience.

8) Actually look. Does experience belong to the body, or does the body belong to experience

Body belongs to experience. It's not like the experience takes place inside the body, but the body takes place inside experience.

9) What did you experience at the moment you awoke?




It's been gradual for the most part, but there have been a few times when the experience struck hard and it was sort of like... "oh. Duh. this is what they were talking about." It seemed obvious and funny that it had taken so long to realize something so simple.

10) Describe your experience in the hours and days following awakening.

Sort of in-and-out. Life according to the personal 'self' wasn't taken as seriously. Deep down knowing that there wasn't a self, but still pretending and getting lost in the personal narrative. Similar to watching a movie, getting engaged in the movie and forgetting it's not real, then periodically reflecting and seeing it's just an appearance.

Thanks!

Michael

[dreamer]

Thank you very much Michael
You will hear from me ASAP

greetings Vivi

[dreamer]

Hi Michael

Confirmation has happened! Welcome through the gateless gate

:) Vivi