1) Is there a separate entity 'self', 'me' 'I', at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form? Was there ever?
There is no such entity in any shape or form. There wasn't any entity like this 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.
The illusion of a separate self:
it started since I have memory.
1. That there is a "me" in a "world" separate from “me”.
2. The "I" that feels like an unchanging, autonomous entity, like a soul.
3. That "I' am in control of or "I" create my life - my thoughts, feelings, body, environment, path forward, and all the big and small decision-making processes.
Seeing through the illusion:
1. There is no such entity named as "I". It's a ghost existing only in imagination, in thinking. It's nowhere to be found in reality.
2. The body-mind-energy processes are constantly changing.
3. The body-mind-energy processes are constantly changing on its own and it can't be predicted or controlled.
4. There is no control of life. Thoughts happen. Feelings happen. Environment appears. Body appears. Life happens. All the decision-making just happens spontaneously.
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 quite peaceful to see this right now. That "self" energy has decreased quite a bit. Before starting this inquiry process on this forum, it felt quite anxious to get an answer. Now that urge, that anxiety has disappeared. There is only peace.
4) What was the last bit that pushed you over, made you look?
1. Ironically, in the past few days, some things didn't go the way "I" wanted the. It is seen that "I" can't control how life turns out to be. The "I" used to be very arrogant and pushy towards events and those around her. There is a deep sense of remorse and being deeply humbled seeing the truth.
2. In addition, I just heard the news that someone close to me is dying from 4th stage cancer. That person used to be the most lively and passionate human being that I know of. Now he is in a completely different form and state that it is hard to watch… Mortality has hit hard in the past few days. It made me realize there is no point hanging on to the petty dramas of pretending to have a self. It's so futile. The dramatic effect of having a Self writing a heroic story of "mine" is no longer appealing, which used to a very strong addiction.
5) Describe decision & give examples from experience.
Decision arises by itself as a thought+affirmative feeling.
Deciding whether to text someone: hands reached out to the phone and started texting.
Describe intention & give examples from experience.
Intention arises by itself as a thought+affirmative feeling.
A thought arose “I should invite my friend and her visiting father to dinner to show welcome and respect.”
Describe free will & give examples from experience.
There is no free will.
Describe choice & give examples from experience.
There is no choice.
Describe control & give examples from experience.
There is no control.
What makes things happen? How does it work?
Things just happen spontaneously.
The mind and body usually have their own habitual ways of functioning. It’s not an exaggeration to describe them as “mechanical” like machines. They are thinking machine and biological machine. The mechanisms of these machines can change and be influenced by the information they constantly receive from the environment. But they are still machines/mechanisms.
What are you responsible for? Give examples from experience.
There is no one responsible for anything.
6) Anything to add?
No. Only gratitude for the Liberation Unleashed team and Stacy.