1. Is there a separate entity "self", "me", "I", at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form? Was there ever?
There is no separate entity, no "self", "me" or "I" at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form. There was never any separate entity at any point in "time".
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.
So basically "people" think they exist as a "character". They also like to imagine themselves as the doers of all the actions. I have no idea when it starts, probably at an early age with the reinforcement from parents and society. You are assigned a name, you are assigned responsibility for your actions, learn about birth and death and now you are in charge for all your actions before you know it. The mind helps of course by labeling everything and then it's all set from there. That feeling of "I" will accompany most people for the rest of their life.
Now as I see it, things aren't happening to any beings. It is just life unfolding effortlessly. There is no need for the "character" as thought content and mind labeling have nothing to do with what's going on, which is only what's going on, the direct experience.
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.
At first it was quite shocking, but now well it's hard to describe. It more like an "It's all cool man, everything is going to be fine". There is a nice little poem by a Rilke about Swans. While gangly on the land, when they surrender to the water they become serene and now are able to glide. Something like that, except nobody to do the surrendering of course, and it's a little bit silly that you were walking on land instead of gliding.
Quite a shift from when I first started of course, finding out what was being looked for was right in front of you the whole time and there is really nothing you could do to push it away or lose anything. Was interesting, to say the least.
4. What was the last bit that pushed you over, made you look?
It was probably a process of going about it little by little until it really clicked with the last couple of exercises. Sometime around the walking exercise if I had to pin it down.
5. Can you talk about decision, intention, free will, choice and control? What makes things happen? How does it work? What are you responsible for? Give examples from experience.
Sure! Basically decision, intention, free will, and choice and control all happen to an individual. Since the individual doesn't exist then by extension none of those things exist as well. Decision are based upon preferences which there is no control of and intention as well. You didn't choose to be born, you can't decide when you are going to die, didn't choose your parents or your traits, so free will is already out the window. Not to mention that the cognization of time locks "us" out of the present moment so choice and control as well.
So life just happens without a director. What is going to happen will happen and there is nothing to be done about it. The analogy of a basketball game with commentary can work here, the running commentary from the mind does not affect the game at all.
What are we responsible for? Absolutely nothing. There is no individual to be accountable for anything. All there is, is "Consciousness" or whatever floats your boat. You can worry about what's going on, but it wont affect what's going on. In this sense life becomes simple
While playing poker, you can debate the next move in your head, but the decision to call or fold can only happen spontaneously, the same as the exercise with drinking either Drink A or Drink B. Your entire life is an example of this spontaneous unfolding from typing these words to when I decided which examples to use.
6. Anything to add?
Nothing, but a thank you!