The Gate

I thought there would be some AHA or something.

But I had already seen that there is no self, so maybe that is why.

And I had the big AHA moment when I saw that the body just moves itself.

It can vary.

And yes maybe because you already saw it, it wasn't that big of a surprise.

Thinking just happens.

YESS

Ha Ha. Even my 8yo daughter "GOT" that within seconds, a few weeks ago :-))

Now she is telling everyone, embarrassing my wife :-))))

haha :-)

If I am deliberately looking for the no separation, I see it no problem.

But otherwise I still feel like a separate person.

These questions/exercises may help, though it is not wrong to feel this way.

1) Close your eyes. Where do 'you' end and begin? Can any real defining boundary be found?

2) Can a word, I see?
Can 'i" feel? Touch? Taste? Smell? Hear?

or..

Are all these just happening just like you saw thinking is happening?

Add this too it as well...

3) With your eyes open....In direct experience can you REALLY find and 'inside' or 'outside'?

These questions/exercises may help, though it is not wrong to feel this way.

1) Close your eyes. Where do 'you' end and begin? Can any real defining boundary be found?

2) Can a word, I see?
Can 'i" feel? Touch? Taste? Smell? Hear?

or..

Are all these just happening just like you saw thinking is happening?

Thoughts can't do anything like that.

They are all just happening.

Add this too it as well...

3) With your eyes open....In direct experience can you REALLY find and 'inside' or 'outside'?

No.

There is no separation.

There is no separation.

YES :-)!!

You seem very clear but let me ask you this question as well.

In regards to choosing something (i.e tea or coffee - just as an example)
Is there an I who chooses? Or does choosing just happen?

In regards to choosing something (i.e tea or coffee - just as an example)
Is there an I who chooses? Or does choosing just happen?

That's a good question.

Thoughts decide.

So yes, choosing happens.

Sorry for the late reply. Was traveling today.

choosing happens.

Could you clarify a bit here for me. Can a word, I, choose? Choosing thoughts for sure arise but can thought choose? Or is it truer to say...as you write.... choosing happens?

Sorry for the late reply. Was traveling today.

No problem :-)

choosing happens.

Could you clarify a bit here for me. Can a word, I, choose? Choosing thoughts for sure arise but can thought choose? Or is it truer to say...as you write.... choosing happens?

No thoughts can't DO anything.

Although, as a result of thoughts, the body may "DO" something.

Thoughts arise automatically.

As the sequence of thoughts progresses, a decision may arise as one of those thoughts.

The observation is "Choosing Happens" in this way.

It's just all thoughts isn't it?

There is no-one doing anything.

It's all just happening.

But it seems like there is someone doing it, because of the constant "I", "ME" thoughts.

Thoughts are generated by "conditioning's" "Take" on current experience.

This conditioning is constantly being modified by this ongoing process, moment to moment.

If conditioning's take isn't supported by current experience, it will be modified automatically.

For example, the observation that there is no-self, Santa, Easter Bunny, that not all people of a certain colour/religion are bad, if that was a previously held belief, will automatically change thought patterns.

No thoughts can't DO anything.

Although, as a result of thoughts, the body may "DO" something.

Thoughts arise automatically.

As the sequence of thoughts progresses, a decision may arise as one of those thoughts.

The observation is "Choosing Happens" in this way.

Great! :)

t's just all thoughts isn't it?

There is no-one doing anything.

Oh yeah haha

Thoughts are generated by "conditioning's" "Take" on current experience.

This conditioning is constantly being modified by this ongoing process, moment to moment.

If conditioning's take isn't supported by current experience, it will be modified automatically.

For example, the observation that there is no-self, Santa, Easter Bunny, that not all people of a certain colour/religion are bad, if that was a previously held belief, will automatically change thought patterns.

Yes, Well put. Now that the self is seen through all of the rest can begin to be questioned and seen through as well.

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You seem very clear to me rvh. At this point we ask 6-final questions but before I send them over to you. Anything to add? Questions? If not, let me know and I'll send them over.

Best,
Cody

Sounds good Cody :-)))

rvh

Here you go :). Take your time.

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?

OK, I'll take my time so it is clear.

Many thanks Cody, for your time and patience.

rvh

You are very welcome rvh :)

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

I'm kinda stuck on this.

There is a body that is real.

Separate from other bodies.

This body is not my wife or children or neighbour.

It has a mind that has thoughts.

Thoughts are real.

Everything is running on automatic.

Thoughts and actions are automatic.

There is no controller, "I", "Me", Self.

Isn't the body separate from other bodies?

Yes, there is a feeling, observation, that there is no separation from reality/experience, however, there is observation that the other bodies are different from this one.

Any ideas on this?

Thanks,

rvh

Thoughts are real.

Thoughts are definitely real. BUT. The content of them (what they are about) are not. None of it can be found in actual experience.

Example:
If I had in my left hand an actual bottle of water and in my right I was holding up a sign that said H20...which would you choose?

The word? Or...the actual water?

There is a body that is real.

Separate from other bodies.

This body is not my wife or children or neighbour.

It has a mind that has thoughts.

there is observation that the other bodies are different from this one.

Few questions for you.

It get's really subtle here...
1) Can a mind be found in actual experience? Or is it just another thought? A thought that is calling itself "the mind"

2) Yes the what we call the body is real. Difference does not = separate though. Thought says "I am separate from that"

I know one of the biggest "clues" to an apparent "separation" is vision/sight. Doesn't mean it is actually true though. Try this for me.

3 ) Close your eyes. What happens to the "picture". The sight of your wife and children, the room you're in, this "body" when your eyes are closed?

What happens to this writing when your eyes are closed?