I'm also glad also to realize that there is no self entity. This has bee quite a change.Thanks for you for your simple, straightforward answers, unambiguously confirming that 'you' have seen through the illusion of a separate self. I'm really pleased that you have seen that there's just no self-entity anywhere.
1) Is there a separate entity 'self', 'me' 'I', at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form? Was thereever?
No there is no separate self and never was.
As far as I can perceive the illusion of self is a set of self-reinforcing thoughts that build up and finally create an illusion of a separate entity. It starts by a stream of thoughts and eventually a 'story' is build. The illusion takes form in believing this story and by indentifying with it.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.
Now I see that also thoughts don't come from a 'self' and that there is no separate self nor a story.
The first difference I notice is that I'm more in the moment, living now instead of the past or future. By dis-identifying with thoughs these become lighter, and everything becomes lighter. I am less attached to the outcome a burden of responsibilities has been lifted.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.
The realization that decisions also just happen, that there is no decider.4) What was the last bit that pushed you over, made you look?
From the latest observations it appears that decisions and choices just happen even though thoughts can make up a story to rationalize it. So decisions, choice, free will, intention etc just happen anyway, wether we like it or not, and there is no self coming into play.5) Describe decision, intention, free will, choice and control. What makes things happen? How does it work? What are you responsible for?
Certain decisions have been made recently in my life and I've been noticing how they happened, in a more detached way, without going back and reconsidering them over and over. I've been also accepting events as they come, with less or no judgements and more openness.Please give specific examples from your recent experience.
At times I do still fall into old patterns of living the 'I' and the story. This seems to happen mostly when I don't pay attention, when there is no presence. At anytime I can bring myself in the 'center' where I do realize all we've been discussing.6) Anything to add?
Thanks Pete for all your help!
Pippo
