Seeing through illusion of self

[warissem]

Hi Alex

You are doing a good job. Let's look at the body. Close your eyes during this exercise.
Eyes closed and without going to thoughts,

what is a body in direct experience?
Does it have limits?
Does the body have a location ?

Best wishes

Warissem

[emptiness]

Hi Warissem

Let's look at the body. Close your eyes during this exercise.
Eyes closed and without going to thoughts,

what is a body in direct experience?
Does it have limits?
Does the body have a location ?

Best wishes

In my direct experience, “the body” is just a label given to a bunch of sensations. Rather than being one solid unchanging thing, there are many of these and they come and go very quickly. There is no separation between bodily sensations and other sensations, so there is no boundary or limit to the body. The sensations themselves can’t be located anywhere, so it could be said that the body doesn’t have a location. They do create an illusion of space, which is why we say things like “I am in the room”, but this is an after-thought.

Best regards
Alex

[warissem]

Hi Alex

Good job. How about thoughts : observe thoughts for about 10 mn and answer these questions.

Is there an I making thoughts arising?
Can you stop a thought in a middle ?
Is there a chooser of thoughts ?
Can you know which the next thought?

Best wishes

Warissem

[emptiness]

Is there an I making thoughts arising?

No, there is no "I". The thoughts arise on their own and they are impossible to control, because there is no one there to control them.

Can you stop a thought in a middle ?

There is no one to stop the thought. A thought can be interrupted by another thought or some other event. But this is all spontaneously arising.

Is there a chooser of thoughts ?

No, same as the first answer. The thoughts can't be controlled and just occur spontaneously.

Can you know which the next thought?

No. For example, if there is a strange sound, a thought might arise "what was that sound?" There was no way to anticipate the sound or the thought that occurred as a result.

[warissem]

Hi Alex

Do you have any doubt about seeing through the illusion of a separate self? Be free to speak about what is missed in this investigation.

And let me know if you are ready to answer to the final questions.


Best wishes

Warissem

[emptiness]

Hi Warissem,

I don't have any doubts at the moment. I think I'm ready to answer the final questions.

Thanks
Alex

[warissem]

Hi Alex

There are the final questions. Read them carefully, let them sink and give answers after looking at 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 that there is no separate self, no you?

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?


Take your time, best wishes

Warissem

[emptiness]

Hi Warissem,

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

No, there is no separate self and never has been. There was just an identity created with the label "I", but it is illusory. It only exists as a thought.

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 is an identity that we create, and a way of perceiving the world through an imagined character. It starts at a very young age when we are taught language such as "I am hungry" and "I am happy", and that objects belong to us. We then give significance to certain sensations and thoughts because of the focus on the "I". For example, we might form expectations of others, and if they don't behave as expected, then the "I" gets hurt. In reality there is no danger or pain, but suffering is created from the identification and expectations we have of ourselves, others, and events that we have no control over.

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.

It feels like a huge relief to see it. There is less attachment and aversion to situations. For example, there is no longer the thought of uncomfortable sensations occuring to an "I", which previously just created more suffering. Instead, the sensations just arise and soon disappear on their own, not occuring to anyone or being created by anyone. The lack of conceptualizing and making up of stories around the sensations greatly reduces the trouble that they cause. Over the past few days, there's been a feeling of "lightness" and an openness to whatever may occur. Also an understanding and acceptance that whatever is happening was always going to happen. There is no one to have control of situations, so why worry about them?

4) What was the last bit that pushed you over; made you look that there is no separate self, no you?

Investigating whether the body could be the self by focusing on bare sensations, then looking at thoughts the same way. By observing all of the senses directly, it was seen that the self is nowhere to be found at all in experience.

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.

Decisions are made, but there is no one to decide. Same with intentions. It's now clear that decisions and intentions arise spontaneously without a "doer". Free will only exists from the limited perspective of a separate self, but in reality and when seeing things clearly it is apparent that there is no free will. Actions happen through cause and effect - for example, a memory may arise of a sunny day and pleasant feelings while on a walk, and as a result, there's a decision to go for a walk. That thought was also a result of previous actions/thoughts, and so on. A long chain of inter-connected actions and events.

6) Anything to add?

There's definitely more insight to gain into reality, but this is a great starting point. I hope to keep progressing on the path and help others to realize their true nature and become free.

Lastly, thank you for the excellent guidance!

Best regards,
Alex

[warissem]

Hi Alex

Thank you for your answers. I send this thread to other guides for confirmation. If they have questions, I will inform you. This process may take few days. When you are confirmed your username will have a "blue" color and your thread will be transferred to the archives section where you can access to it.

Warissem

[warissem]

Hi Alex

You are done. You can join the facebook group to deepen this seeing : Unleashed group.

Good continuation

Warissem

[emptiness]

Hi Warissem

Great, thanks again for all your help, and best of luck on your journey!

Alex