The Gate

Does the sense of self have a location?

It has a fuzzy location from face to the chest area. But when examined it's not there.

Does the sense of self have a shape or a size?

No

Does the sense of self say or communicate anything?

That it's solid and in charge. That it's the one feeling the feelings and emotions. That's it's the one moving the feet when walking. That it needs to get other people's approval. That it needs to get rid of unpleasant body sensation right away. And so forth...

If the answer is yes, how does the sense do this exactly?

Through thought.

Does the sense of self have any characteristics or attributes?

There's stickiness to it. It tries to get a hold of your attention with thoughts that are it knows would grab your attention. When the sense of self is strongly felt there's a contraction and tightness in the body.

What is the sense of self ‘made of’? An image? Sound? Taste? Smell? Sensation? Thought?

Thought

What is found?

That the sense of self is illusory. We come back to the sense of self over and over again out of habit.

Yes, thought. Not Direct Experience.

If there's anything more it might be best addressed with fetter work, which we don't do here.

So, I ask again: can you say 100% there's no separate "self" or do you need to keep looking for what you've repeatedly said cannot be found?

Loving,

There is no separate self 100%.

Great. We have some traditional questions that we ask at this point. Would you like to answer those?

Yes

Here you go:

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

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.

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.

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

5) Describe decision, intention, free will, choice and control. What makes things happen? How does it work? What are you responsible for? Give examples from experience.

6) Anything to add?

Loving

Hi Shub9

Still there?

Hi Shubo,

Where did you go? Do you need more pointing?

Here's another pointer. We went into the anxiety & I think I skipped this piece.


Palm Flipping Exercise

1. Hold a hand in front of you; palm turned down.

2. Now turn the palm up. And down...and up and so on.

Watch like a hawk.

Don't go to thoughts – examine your direct experience.

Do this as many times as you like, and each time inquire:

How is the movement controlled?

Does a thought control it?

Can a ‘controller’ of any description be located?

How is the decision made to turn the hand over? Track any decision point when a thought MADE THE DECISION to turn the hand over and the hand turns over immediately.

Who or what chose which hand - the left or right hand for the exercise?

Can you find a separate individual or anything that is choosing when to turn the palm up or down?

Loving,

Hi

I know you said you had some challenges going on.

Are you ghosting or can you post what's going on?

~ Stacy