The Gate

Hi Crow, Okay, you want to try the last questions, we will give it a go.

1)

Is there a 'me', at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form? Was there ever? how about self, is there anything that is separate from everything else?




There is no me. There was never a me. There is no self and there is no separation from anything. It is all one. Consciousness.

2)

Explain in detail what the illusion of separate self is, when it starts and how it works.



The illusion starts young. Labels, names, rules, ideas, perceptions and concepts are added by family, teachers, others, society. The mind takes these things and builds a separate self. Oneness is lost as the body becomes a thing separate from reality. This separate body and mind begins to own experience. The mind records this as memory and then projects this into the present and future in a constant loop. Awareness is lost in the illusion. This separation, this illusion of a self will then try to control reality. Perception, awareness, consciousness, whatever is filtered through this illusion. The self believes what it is seeing is real. Instead this illusion of self believes that thoughts about things are real.


3)

How does it feel to see this? describe in detail.




This is a relief. The burden of separation falls off with seeing through this. There is only consciousness arising now. Yes all thoughts etc are apart of that, but they are not the true identity. There is a lightness to the body now. There is a feeling of home, rest, grace.

4)

How would you describe it to somebody who has never heard about this illusion but is curious about it. 



Hmmm. The cause of suffering, needing, control, desire, are all byproducts of the illusion of a separate self. Where does the "I" live? Can you point to it now? By answering these question directly through senses only, seeing through the ghost of self can happen. What is left? Deep silent consciousness in which all forms arise. That is what everything is, happening only in this moment ever.


5)

What was the last bit that pushed you over, made you look? was there a specific moment when seeing happened or was it gradual? what exactly happened?



This was gradual. There were intense states that pointed to the truth. Not finding the self over and over again seems to have melted the self. This is not a belief. This a direct experience of nothing. Everything from nothing. Seeing also that the body was not a thing, but awareness itself pushed too. There is no separation between inside and out. It's one big...hmmm. It's impossible to say what "it" is. I am that.


6)

When you say "I", what are you referring to?





To nothing. I is only a label that makes talking easier. It holds no separation.

7)

Is there an experiencer experiencing, or is there only experience?



There is only experience. Experience is just happening. Experience experiencing.


8)

Actually look. Does experience belong to the body, or does the body belong to experience?




Ha! the body belongs to the experience. All things in form belong to the experience are the experience.

9)

What did you experience at the moment you awoke?




Simplicity, relief, calm. It's true, nothing changes. There are still bills to pay. The difference is no one is paying them. Things are done on their own. The body moves differently. Emotions and thoughts lose their adhesiveness. There is nothing to attach to. They are free to come and go as they please. They are not separate either. Everything is allowed.

10)

Describe your experience in the hours and days following awakening.