The Gate

And you see what we're getting at here is that even if you say "I haven't seen it" or "I have seen it" (which is common) the foundation of that statement is based off the illusory self. So 'you' will never get anything. That's the whole point. The one who would get anything is not real. It's just a thought. That is the seeing.

Absolutely.

That's one of the tricky things for you about guiding I guess. When I say "I" it might imply not seeing the not seeing of the I - when I'm just using the tools I have to express it. Or it could mean a genuine not seeing.

So although it's somewhat awkward to say it like this:

It has been seen!

...or even more accurately:

There is seeing!

(Basically "I" get "it".) :)

That's one of the tricky things for you about guiding I guess. When I say "I" it might imply not seeing the not seeing of the I - when I'm just using the tools I have to express it. Or it could mean a genuine not seeing.

Absolutely right.

Another tough part about it is the simplicity of it. The Seeing everyone is talking about on LU can essentially be boiled down to this.

There is no "I" in experience. Or "no self".

So in a sort of paradoxical way the Seeing is seeing there isn't anyone who is going to get it or not get it. It's all imaginary. Literally made up.

People state a lot in these dialogues, "I don't think I have seen it yet". There is some kind of expectation that "I" have to see something. But it's the very seeing that the "I" doesn't exist that IS the seeing.

In some way's the difficulty or time it takes to see that is because it's SO simple. Almost too simple.

It has been seen!

...or even more accurately:

There is seeing!

(Basically "I" get "it".) :)

Awesome!! Would you be ready for the final questions? Anything further that we can clear up can be done from the answers to those questions.

Sorry for the delay - our third child arrived over the weekend. Been a little tied up.

Yes! I am ready for the final questions.

Congrats on the baby! :)

Here are the final questions.

Here they are:

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?

Best,
Cody

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

No there was no separate entity, ‘self’, ‘me’ ‘I’, at all, anywhere , in any way shape or form and there never was.

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.

It isn’t an it. The illusion arises from a stream of thoughts about what is happening. It’s a set of ongoing explanations, rationalisations and expectations that puts this body/mind at the centre of everything.

I’m not sure when it starts exactly but this illusion could arise from the particular way the human brain has evolved. The “extra” processing it has developed has a side effect of creating this illusion of a separate self who does stuff? That’s a theory anyway.

But the illusion is reinforced and “hardened” by conditioning and habits, probably beginning with the giving of a name.

(Particularly relevant having just named our baby!)

In terms of “my own” experience - the illusion is not noticed most often in highly charged situations, interacting with people, especially family. The illusion is clearly noticed when alone, walking, meditating, washing, doing housework, driving.

It seems the realisation is starting to permeate through most areas of experience though, and “I” get lost in “me” less and less.

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.

There hasn’t been a huge event or shift. It’s an ongoing noticing of what is happening.

I haven’t done anything, nothing has changed, this is what it is.

If pushed to describe a feeling - seeing clearly could be described as a detached connection to happening.

Detached because there is no doer or thinker or seer or experiencer - so no attachment of self to what happens.

Connection because without personal agency or “self” - this body mind is what is happening as is everything.

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

There really wasn’t a last bit as it’s been and is a process that is continuing and happening now.

Particular realisations that the mind is assuming are “moments”:

Before this dialogue:

Fear of what might happen with no self
Realisation of no free will
Expectation (about fear first - and then about having a “moment” / something changing)

During this dialogue:

No boundary to “now”
No conclusion to anything - just happening

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.

There is the illusion of free will and that is all.

I am not responsible for anything.

(Interestingly a little resistance there in typing that last statement.)

“I” have no way of knowing what makes things happen. They happen.

Pretending to know how or why stuff happens or even attempting to work it out is what the mind does.

I have a very clear example from the birth of our child last weekend. It ended up in an emergency Caesarean situation.

And “mookerji” was very clearly in control and had no free will over anything.

Here’s some of what was experienced:

put on the hospital blues / sit there / wait here until we get you / fear / uncertainty / boredom / come in now / talk to wife/ what’s happening? / Is this meant to take so long? / uncertainty / what’s that he’s giving her? / Is she ok? / excitement / hold the baby / joy…

None of it - not “my” actions - not my feelings - not anything was something I did. It simply happened.

There was no question of any free will or choice at any point.

In the caesarean operating theatre as a husband this is VERY clear and undeniable.

But this is exactly the same as in every day life happening. There is no difference!

And if there is no free will - where is the self? Nowhere.

“I” do not exist.

6) Anything to add?

It’s all good! :-)

Thanks for your responses!

I've already sent them to the other guides and they all confirmed!

I will be setting you up with our aftercare group on Facebook shortly. I will also be around anytime if you have any questions/concerns about post-seeing-life. Things pretty much go on as usual, but now you see the unreality of the self.

It's been a pleasure guiding you & I wish you the best.


Take Care :),
Cody

P.S: Congrats again on the new baby :)

Thank you so much Cody - much appreciation! The pleasure has been experienced here too. :)

Life happening is somewhat different (while also being exactly as it always has been) and stuff may well come up, so thanks for the support.