The Gate

I have not had such a feeling ever - but then it is not something I desire particularly, other than out of curiosity.

I think that best describes my own attitude as well.

1: There is nothing separate and there never was. That is just an illusion that comes into play due to our inability to express what is.

2: It feels liberating (as in "things are okay the way they are") on the one hand -- on the other it is weird as previous thinking patterns are recognized as making not much sense any more. This is maybe the cognitive dissonance you suggested.

3: What comes to mind here is where you requested me to type something and then to describe "who" did it. There I had this clear realization that "nothing is doing it". Whether that was substantially different from any realization that occured before, I cannot really say.

3: What comes to mind here is where you requested me to type something and then to describe "who" did it. There I had this clear realization that "nothing is doing it". Whether that was substantially different from any realization that occured before, I cannot really say.

Well specifically, I ask you to examine the experience to see if a 'seperate self', an 'I' can be found doing it (which is the conventional belief).
It should be clear that this is just an idea. The 'I' only appears in the thought about what is happening. The 'I' is not something 'real' - It only exists as a thought - An idea.

You may notice that the 'I' thought usually appears after or before the event, and claim ownership of it.
("I did that" or "I will do that")
When the action itself is performed in the immediate moment, most times it is completely automatic - Just like breathing or the heartbeating. Without thoughts intervening, everything 'just happens'.

Did you choose to start this conversation with me?
Are you reading the words on this screen right now?
Will you be writing a reply to me in a few moments?

Xain ♥

Did you choose to start this conversation with me?

The conversation was started, in retrospect a thought claims it as being done by a "me", but knowledge of the nature of thought indicates that it just happened. Therefore: No.

Are you reading the words on this screen right now?

No.

Will you be writing a reply to me in a few moments?

No.

The conversation was started

Perhaps we can push even further here, as you seen very knowlegeable.

We can say 'the conversation was started' as a valid idea. Sure
But is it any more than this?

Can anything that has happening in 'the past' be more than just an idea, a thought appearing 'now'?

Is 'it definately happened' anything more than just another idea? A belief that the past is some-how 'real'?

Have 'you' ever done 'anything'?

Xain ♥

Can anything that has happening in 'the past' be more than just an idea, a thought appearing 'now'?

No. As you say, it is only present in the form of thought which cannot adequately express or contain anything. What is real is only the immediate experience of now.

Is 'it definately happened' anything more than just another idea? A belief that the past is some-how 'real'?

It is just some idea and therefore not real in itself. Maybe it can be said that it is the belief that the past was real?

Have 'you' ever done 'anything'?

There is no "me" and no "thing", so: No, No.

Thank you - Wonderfully clear :-)

The last three of the six questions:

4) 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.

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) Once more, do you have anything to add?

Xain ♥

4: The illusion of the separate self rests on the idea that there can be anything that is separate, which is supported by the unquestioned belief that what is described by language is actually real--which it is not. Language can only deal with abstractions in the form that it gives labels to aspects of current experience, thereby turning these aspects into independent objects for the purpose of communication. It starts again and again with every thought that says "I did X" or "I am doing Y" which occurs in correlation with this "X" or "Y". The "I" here is assumed to point to a definite entity--in reality, it just points to further, often alternating concepts.

5: Decision, intention and choice are ideas rooted in the belief that a separate self is doing something whenever an "I did.." thought comes up. They all have in common that there is an assumed entity (bound by nothing at all) that "does things", which is already a contradiction. An example would be: I lift my hand, a thought says "I lifted my hand" and the belief that this thought is meaningful in some way creates the illusion that a separate "I" did the lifting. Continuous affirmations of this type deepen the illusion and establish the more generic idea of free will and an entity being in control. Actually, there is nothing responsible for anything--experience just is.

6: Thank you for agreeing to continue this.

Thank you, Benedikt.

I will pass our conversation to the other guides but if there are any areas that are unclear or if you have any other questions, please let me know.

Xain ♥

Ok, I will wait with my next reply until you have collected the feedback.

All the guides are happy, as am I. There are no more questions.

Thank you for sticking in there to the end. Not that there is an actual 'end' as such, other than an idea.

If you wish (and you are on Facebook) I can add you to the LU group. There are other groups as well for 'newcomers', 'general chat' and also aftercare support and 'further looking' if they interest you.
If they do then please let me know your facebook name / page link via a private message.
(Click the red name 'Xain' and then choose 'send private message').

Also, if you have any other questions or issues you can message me at any time.

Very best wishes to you, Benedikt
Xain ♥