No, there is no such entity in any way, shape or form and quite clearly there has never been one.1) Is there a separate entity 'self', 'me' 'I', at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form? Was there ever?
The illusion of a separate self is a concept, an idea or mental construct which just about everyone believes in. It is a belief which all societies teach their children from very young and thus it becomes deeply ingrained in all of us from a very early age. It therefore shapes and determines all social interactions. It is the reason for our interpersonal conflicts on all levels of interactions, be it a fight between friends or lovers, competitions of all kinds, or wars between nations. I believe it must be the biggest hindrance for our humanity to fully unfold.2) Please 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.
This feels very liberating indeed! I had a sort of understanding of non-self before but being guided has made this so much clearer, like a thick fog had been lifted. Now I am much better equipped to just step back and watch. In the last few days there has not been any conflicht or major disagreement with anyone because views are not taken serious anymore, anger is just anger, greed is just greed. I could really let go, not in the sense that such emotions or thoughts don't come up any more but simply because now they are seen for what they are.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.
I had this fixed idea that once it is truly understood that there is no separate self, there should no longer be fixed views and opinions and that strong anger and greed would no longer manifest. Understanding this has really cleared things up for me, given me the decisive push and now I am free of this expectation.4) What was the last bit that pushed you over, made you look?
Decisions just happen depending on a persons conditioning and circumstances. Intentions are thoughts, thoughts which are formed somehow because 'someone' ('I') is wanting something to happen - or trying to avoid something from happening. There is no such thing as free will, choice or control since there is nobody who can decide, choose or control anything.5) Please 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.
Things simply happen if and when circumstances are conducive for them to happen. I somehow fell in love with a Japanese women and so I went to see her in Tokyo where I was offered a job and ended up staying. This all sort of happened without any planning or intention and there is also the understanding that I did not have a choice plus now have no control over how long this Japanese adventure will last.
Responsibility has many meanings, depending on context, and has become a grossly overused word these days, even terrorists are said to claim responsibility for their heinous acts. I take it that in our context you refer to the meaning "morally accountable for one's conduct or behaviour". I cannot be responsible for anything because there is no "I", because there is no control, because decisions just happen. However, consequences of actions cannot be avoided. If a person robs a bank and gets caught he will end up in jail - so even though he cannot be considered responsible for his action, he will still suffer the consequences.
Thank you very much Barbarossa for all your time, patience and skilful questioning!6) Anything to add?
