1) Is there a separate entity 'self', 'me' 'I', at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form? Was there ever?
This is why I see the santa claus example as such a good one. There never was a self, only the belief in one. All that has changed is that the belief is seen as a belief (and has naturally been dropped).
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.
From as far back as one can remember, there is constant conditioning coming in from all sides about our "selves" and "personalities". Describing the age that it starts would probably vary, but the important point is that
it starts when the belief in self is accepted and held to be true. I see the dropping of this belief as a letting go, and not really of a "gaining". There really couldn't be anything that could be gained, when just
this has always been the case!
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.
The main difference is definitely a sense of peace. No need to constantly philosophize, to search for other answers or opinions, and so on. Silent recognition seems more important now, more "true" dare I say.
Initially there was the subtle feeling that I was "in on the joke" of the whole thing, and it made talking and dealing with other people much easier. I naturally came from a place of compassion. I have since then noted that even that feeling itself is just another feeling, not a self or felt by one.
4) What was the last bit that pushed you over, made you look?
The willingness to simply shut up, and be. It is so simple, so easy to miss if you want to speculate, to philosophize.
5) Do you decide, intend, choose, control events in Life? Do you make anything
happen? Give examples from your experience.
I cannot find the I doing these things, so the answer would be no. The actions in this world are performed by the world, not by a separate doer.
6) Anything to add?
No, for the simple reason that this is already enough. Just being with this truth is enough.
There is one on the LU site but the other 'aftercare' groups are run through Facebook, so if you have a Facebook account please send me a PM with the address. if you don't have a Facebook account I would certainly recommend you sign up for one, even with a false name, in order to participate in these groups.
I do not have a facebook, but thanks for the heads up. I have appreciated all the work.
-Benjamin
