Actually, there are several groups to join.
Yay! Looking forward to it!
1) Is there a separate entity 'self', 'me' 'I', at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form? Was there ever?
There is no separate self at all, ever! Never has been.
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.
The illusion of the separate self is an idea, a thought that a personal self exists. Traditionally we're told that this personal self has its own thoughts, feelings, and some control over its body and its environment, and is separate from all the other people and objects around it. It is assumed and rarely questioned. Language reinforces this idea of a personal self.
The illusion of a separate self started between 7-8 years old. The voice in the head appeared, there was a contraction in general and imaginary boundaries formed. 'I' was born!
It's easy to see an unexamined belief in a separate self. Thoughts of a personal self happen all the time- memories, future plans, and thoughts regularly labeling actions as "I am cooking, I am driving.." which imply a separate self.
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's a noticeable expansion feeling in general. Thoughts don't stick- instead of them being loud and close and torturous, they surface in the background then quickly fall away again. The uncommon intrusive thought is immediately recognized as just a thought and disappears.
It feels GREAT! Everything is considerably lighter. Body is lighter, thoughts are lighter. Much less seriousness. The dense knots of energy in the body have disappeared. Even feelings are lighter- there's no 'me' that has all those feelings!
4) What was the last bit that pushed you over, made you look?
Petrus pointed out a number of things:
Thoughts and feelings do not mean that un-seeing the illusion of a separate self has happened.
Thoughts and feelings of separation come and go, but they do not make a separate I.
A thought is just a thought, despite the importance given to it.
Doubts are just thoughts, with accompanying nasty feelings.
Also that eyes-closed exercise with questions about the body- wow was that a good one, and immensely helpful!
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.
All of those control type of ideas are just that- ideas, which are just thoughts. They are thoughts of an imaginary self claiming ownership. They aren't even "my" thoughts because there is no me! There is no control. There is no deciding. Free will is an illusion. Things just happen! All these things are happening- deciding, intending, thinking, choosing, looking, but no one doing any of that!
There is no 'I' to be responsible for anything, however things do get done. For example, there's no 'I' that decides to feed the farm animals every morning and evening, but this body is moved to go do that. There is not a personal self responsible for feeding this body, but the body gets fed, either by feeding itself or it is given food. There is a natural flow. :)
There used to be this heavy feeling of responsibility, but now it is gone!
6) Anything to add?
Even after seeing that no separate self exists, the LU website's forums, audio, articles, and books are a breath of fresh air! :)
Thank you so much Petrus, and LiberationUnleashed!
