The Gate

Hi Ben,

Truly, the I cannot be anything but a label. It's definitely loosening it's grip on (my) reality the more I simply come to note direct experience as it arises.

Splendid, that's exactly as it 'should' be. All you need to do is keep looking in direct experience, as you are doing.

Yes, the momentary self is also nothing but a story or a label applied to life. It can't be detected in direct experience, only believed in (like the santa claus example).

Yes.

The body can certainly be no more than a label. Experience seems to dependent, too seamless to call for such distinctions like "self" and "other" these past few days.

Good, so you can see that in direct experience there is no 'I' identified with the body, and indeed no body.

Thank you for asking. I feel it is going well, and that this "awakening" to no self is really just the beginning as much as it is the end. Like I mentioned above, the illusion of continuity is slowly dissolving, and what a relief it can be!

Yes, it's clear to me that you are seeing through the illusion of self.

Just looking from a different perspective and, as always, from direct experience:

With "you" revealed as a thought story, what remains?

What experiences?

What thinks?

What does?

What is aware?

Pete x

Hi Ben,

Just looking from a different perspective and, as always, from direct experience:

With "you" revealed as a thought story, what remains?

What experiences?

What thinks?

What does?

What is aware?

Experience "experiences". Thoughts "think". Doing "does", and awareness itself is aware. It sounds to ridiculously simple, but it seems to be that way in direct recognition. Life as a whole is doing everything, and the illusion of separateness has been seen through here. Thank you!

Hi Ben,

Experience "experiences". Thoughts "think". Doing "does", and awareness itself is aware. It sounds to ridiculously simple, but it seems to be that way in direct recognition. Life as a whole is doing everything, and the illusion of separateness has been seen through here. Thank you!

That's absolutely brilliant! I'm really happy that you've SEEN, and to have helped you.

Now's the time to go for some sweep-up questions, just to make sure where you're at:

In direct experience:

Have you been able to find, a ‘self’ that is the ‘experiencer’?

Or a self that is the doer, or can control what happens?

Or a self that ‘makes’ decisions?

Or a self who ‘does the thinking’?

Is the "body" just another thought label for sensations (namely tactile & kinesthetic)?

Are the five body senses made to arise or experienced by this ‘self’?

Is there a self ‘in here’ which is separate from the world and others ‘out there’

Is there doubt or unclarity that in all these cases the ‘self’ is nothing other than a mental fabrication?

That's quite a list of questions but the answers can be brief unless, of course, there's something you want to examine some more. It doesn't look to me as if there is much, if anything, but basically, we just need to tidy up and identify any areas that need to be looked into a bit more deeply, or clarified.

Nice going Ben.

Pete x

Now's the time to go for some sweep-up questions, just to make sure where you're at:

In direct experience:

Have you been able to find, a ‘self’ that is the ‘experiencer’?

It still amazes me every time I see that the answer to this question is no. It's so clearly simple when I'm willing to see things as they are - When I "drop the story", so to speak.

Or a self that is the doer, or can control what happens?

No, and It makes me chuckle when I see that I'm not there.

Or a self that ‘makes’ decisions?

You putting the ' ' around 'makes' is exactly how I would type it out. No self makes decisions, because that self can't be found!

Or a self who ‘does the thinking’?

This one I am particularly "fond" of. Thoughts arise of their own accord, not because some self has willed them into existence. Not having to take ownership of all that nonsense is a relief.

Is the "body" just another thought label for sensations (namely tactile & kinesthetic)?

Definitely.

Are the five body senses made to arise or experienced by this ‘self’?

No, they're just doing their own thing!

Is there a self ‘in here’ which is separate from the world and others ‘out there’

This one feels the most obvious now, and is also the one that seems the most "freeing" physically. The lack of any boundaries seems obvious now. There is only what is, and boundary is merely a concept within that space, that existence.

Is there doubt or unclarity that in all these cases the ‘self’ is nothing other than a mental fabrication?

I really can't say that there is much doubt any more - every time I take the time to notice this bare direct knowing of things, that doubt is put in its proper place.

Again, I really do thank you for your time. Even though you aren't really there, of course. Hah!

Cheers,

Ben

Hi Ben,

Many thanks for your answers. They were all just fine.

Here are the final questions. Once I get your answers, I'll put them forward for other guides for any comments.

Always from direct experience.

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) Do you decide, intend, choose, control events in Life? Do you make anything
happen? Give examples from your experience.

6) Anything to add?

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.

Pete x

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

Thanks for your answers Ben. I've forwarded them to the other guides for any comments or clarifications, which is something that often happens.

I'll let you know as soon as I've heard from them; it sometimes takes a day or so. Probably best to keep checking now and again.

Even if you don't want to use the Facebook groups, there's a forum on the LU site for new arrivals that you'll be invited to once you've been 'turned blue'.

Pete x

Hi Ben,

I'm pleased to say that the guides are happy and satisfied.

I'll get on with getting you turned blue. LU admin will be in touch with you soon with various info etc.

I've really enjoyed guiding you and feel really happy and pleased to have been able to help you see through the illusion of a separate self. Go well in your life.

Love,

Pete