The Gate

Hi Harry

Thanks for keeping me On Track it is much appreciated – I wandered off a bit on the last exercise & so my answers will be my direct experience on what is SEEN – no more conjecture – that is mind stuff !!

Understanding is thoughts and their content. SEEING is experience. Just LOOK… watch what happens when a decision appears. Does it appear spontaneously, or is it somehow selected before it appears?

I have been doing this exercise all week on virtually every decision I do & I can never find a “chooser “ - decisions appear spontaneously in my direct experience

Check again to see if you are seeking to think yourself to the answer, instead of LOOKING. What happens when your hand turns, according to experience?
Are you (or anyone else) producing the sensations and colours of movement, or do they just appear? Are they selected and chosen and controlled, or just spontaneous?

Again doing the hand exercise – No Doer is ever found under Investigation & No “Decider” is ever found

Is ‘knowing there is nobody to feel responsible’ an idea/memory/thought or SEEING? What is actually happening, right now? Is there a story there?

Agree – I have a story about being a Father or Son and the feelings of responsibility stem from that - however under investigation I can not find a person to be either a father & son - there’s nobody there & this is SEEN

It’s normal for SEEING to come and go. However, upon LOOKING honestly and without distraction, SEEING is always available. There always already is no self; it’s not something that we have to make happen.

Agree SEEING is always available - the lesson I have learnt from your explanations is that don’t go off on a tangent looking for theoretical explanations - stick to the evidence of what is SEEN

Thank You Again

Hi Asterisk 1,

You’re very welcome.

Fabulous work too… great answers. You are doing really well.

How does it FEEL to SEE this freedom from doing/doership?

What does it FEEL like to SEE stories as stories, and to ‘unhook’ from them?

Hi Harry

Please see my responses

How does it FEEL to SEE this freedom from doing/doership?

What does it FEEL like to SEE stories as stories, and to ‘unhook’ from them?

Excuse my Dualistic language

When I am in the “Got It” state it Feels liberating – it as if there are no boundaries which are there when I am identified with the mind - I am developing a constant background of peace even in the busiest of times & my “mind attacks” are definitely getting less - in fact I can close my eyes sometimes and have a couple of minutes with virtually no thought – complete silence - complete expansion – at these times it’s as if the I am surrounded a very subtle feeling of happiness – floating in space - it feels like coming home if that makes sense - I can lie like this for hours with no effort on my behalf - watching myself doing physical activities is both weird & wonderful – the simplest of tasks become opportunities to exercise - driving has become an adventure - I catch the mind all the time now with the “me” stories & ask if the story is about a real person & if so where is that person located ? – that usually stops it in its tracks – in fact when I am in the “Got It” state the stories are now easy to see they are complete nonsense & I can ignore them

However – I realise I may a long way to go - I flip between “ Got It & Lost It” - I really want the permanent realisation of No Self so I try not to put myself under pressure about the whole process or exert any effort as that may hinder - I have to contain the expectations & keep focused on the exercises

Hi Asterisk 1,

Great work SEEING. You’re doing really well!

Here’s a video that may help with ‘got it, lost it’.

https://youtu.be/vJQcD588g2w


It’s completely normal for recognition to come and go, what’s most important is that whenever you should wish to LOOK, SEEING is available to you.

Is SEEING deliberately produced by a self, or does it happen on its own?

You’re already SEEING really well when you LOOK, so that’s great! Stability will continue to naturally build as your familiarity with the recognition does. Keep up the great work!

Hi Harry

The video has really helped me , Thank You , it has reminded me to be patient & let the process work through

It’s completely normal for recognition to come and go, what’s most important is that whenever you should wish to LOOK, SEEING is available to you.

Is SEEING deliberately produced by a self, or does it happen on its own?

SEEING is always there when "i" recognise it - it's constant , never wavering , always available , its "my" recognition of it that isn't but as you say stability will hopefully come over time & "i" do feel it is heading in the right direction

Hi Asterisk 1,

You’re doing great! Thanks for your persistence.

Here’s the first two of our six final questions… If you feel ready, please answer these; if not, feel free to mention anything you’ld like further clarification with.

1) Is there a separate entity 'self', 'me' 'I', at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form? Was there 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.

Wishing you well,

Harry

Hi Harry

Please see my response - please excuse the dualistic language

1) Is there a separate entity 'self', 'me' 'I', at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form? Was there ever?

No – there is no separate self - there never was & never will be – this is SEEN directly on a daily & hourly basis & through the exercises – the SEEING of this is always available

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.

From my direct experience - The illusion of a separate self appears as thoughts or stories about the “me” character - they come in out of the blue & usually have some emotion or judgement attached to it - mostly about some future event that may, or more than likely, may not happen - quite often it is pure fantasy - a theoretical argument or challenge with somebody for example - through the exercises i have learnt to recognise these stories immediately & before identification happens the stories are challenged by questions of their validity & the validity of the “me” character - in most cases ( not all ! ) this is enough for the story to subside immediately – in other cases when there is strong emotion , SEEING still takes place but it can take while for the thoughts to subside - either way they always subside and Peace remains. The “me” character is never found when searched for.

The practice as I see it now is to keep on doing this - I have made it clear that there is still “Got it / Lost it” episodes throughout the day – the “me” character thoughts still come through out of the blue & as soon as i recognise this i challenge - I now feel extremely confident i have the practices & the tools to challenge the illusion and I do this continually throughout the day.

Hi Asterisk 1,

Thanks for your answers!

I now feel extremely confident i have the practices & the tools to challenge the illusion and I do this continually throughout the day.

This is great to hear! This might be a language thing, but just to check…

Is there a self who feels confident, has tools, and challenges an illusion? Or is this also part of the ‘me’ story?


Try to stay as close you can to experience and away from thinking for these.

Here’s the rest of the questions…



3) How does it feel to see that there’s no self? What is the difference from before you started this dialogue? Please report from the past few days.

4) What was the last bit that pushed you over, made you look?

5) Describe decision & give examples from experience.

Describe intention & give examples from experience.

Describe free will & give examples from experience.

Describe choice & give examples from experience.

Describe control & give examples from experience.


What makes things happen? How does it work?

What are you responsible for? Give examples from experience.

6) Anything to add?

Hi Harry

Please give me a few days with these questions

Hi Harry

Please see my responses:

Again – please excuse my dualistic language:

This is great to hear! This might be a language thing, but just to check…
Is there a self who feels confident, has tools, and challenges an illusion? Or is this also part of the ‘me’ story?

Just a language thing – it is hard to explain situations without referring to “I” - there is No separate Self - I was trying to get across that I have learnt a great deal from the exercises which has taught me to inquire into direct experience & to validate that there is No Self in any experience - I have also learnt to not to speculate on the unknown & used evidence based enquiry on what is actually SEEN

Try to stay as close you can to experience and away from thinking for these.

Here’s the rest of the questions…


3) How does it feel to see that there’s no self? What is the difference from before you started this dialogue? Please report from the past few days.

In the “ Got It “ State which I am spending more & more time it feels expansive - because the “me” character dialogue can be SEEN as complete nonsense it is quickly challenged & then subsides – what is left is an expansive feeling , with no limits with a background feeling of peace – there is no seperation from inside to outside & there is a very subtle feeling of happiness as well - everyday moments are more involved in which I am present & in the Now - in this state there are no worries & no concerns - in fact simple activities take on a depth & more is noticed in the environment. Especially times on my own in nature have become wonderful moments where even the environment seems more vibrant. In essence I feel I am not limited by a false identity as much

4) What was the last bit that pushed you over, made you look?

I am not in a permanent “ Got It” State so I feel there is so much more to do - however I am spending more time in that state – basically it is the exercises & the constant enquiring into the validity of a separate self – every spare moment I am asking if there is separate “me” where is it located? - is there a “me” in this particular experience ? – because it can never be found , the idea now seems ridiculous - the false identity is a thought , a memory so how can that perceive a Direct Experience ? this is what I ask all the time - constant enquiry into direct experience is helping me SEE & the SEEING is always available

The next lot of questions are quite similar to each other

5) Describe decision & give examples from experience.

Initially it appears that “I “ am making decisions such as the hand exercise in which “I” flip the hand over - however during deeper investigation it can be clearly SEEN that there is no “me” & no “Decider” – the hand is moving with no involvement & appears to be happening on its own - this is clearly SEEN & No Self can be found

Describe intention & give examples from experience.
Describe free will & give examples from experience.
Describe choice & give examples from experience.

If you don’t mind – I’ll answer these together – it’s exactly the same - Free Will means we can choose whatever direction we wish to take at any moment in time - again Initially it appears that this is the case – I have tried this out whilst walking in which a different route is taken quickly - however when “I” investigate into this further No “ Doer” , No “Chooser” No “Decider” can ever be found – it appears to be Just Happening & this can be clearly SEEN - there is No “me” directing the show

Describe control & give examples from experience.

There is No Control - the “me” character is just a thought so how can it control anything ? - the illusion of control is there sometimes when I am identified – however when I am in the “Got it” State it is clearly SEEN that there is No “ Controller” - particular apparent whilst doing physical activities like walking , running , driving etc

What makes things happen? How does it work?

Tbh – “I” don’t know - the exercises have taught “me” not to speculate on the unknown & just deal with Direct Evidence based on what is SEEN not on the theories about it – Since then “I” do not allow “myself” to go down this path - these enquiries are about Facts & Truths on what is actually experienced and SEEN on a moment by moment basis & not on theories or speculation

What are you responsible for? Give examples from experience.

Nothing !! - this one is a tough one tbh – I have children, elderly parents , close friends & this exercise “I” am still working through - there is No “Me” & No “You” so there is no-one to be responsible for - this is clearly SEEN during the exercises but still being worked through during life situations

6) Anything to add?

Yes - “I” have made a lot of progress but “I” know there is a lot more to do – I would like to thank you very much for your assistance in helping me point me in the right direction - These exercises have laid a solid foundation from me to build upon in which “I” investigate into the validity of a “No Self” - I flip between the “Got It & Lost It “ States however I am spending more & more time in the “ Got It” State – my night time anxiety attacks have dropped substantially since I started these exercises & when my mind is active on some occasions this is a golden opportunity for me to do the exercises

Hi Asterisk 1,

Thanks for all your answers!

Thank you also for your persistence and willingness throughout, you’ve done really well. I’m also really glad to hear that this has been helpful for you.

I’ll be sharing your final answers with the other guides to see if they have any further questions, comments, or confirmation. I’ll let you know as soon as I hear from them.

Best wishes,

Harry

Thanks Harry for Your Help

Please note i will On Holiday from tomorrow for 10 Days so will be unable to respond

Regards

Paul

Hi Paul,

Thanks for letting me know.

I’ve just had one question come in from another guide:

I am not in a permanent “ Got It” State

“When you are in the "Got it state" is there separation between the body and the sounds?

When you aren't in the "Got it state" You are a body but not sounds, or…?”

Thank you.

Hi Harry

Please see my responses

“When you are in the "Got it state" is there separation between the body and the sounds?

In the "Got It" State there is No Separation between Inside & Outside - it's as if Presence is everywhere , way beyond my body - this is still a practice though - although the practice requires no effort at all - just Direct SEEING - its more of remembering to "Just Be"

When you aren't in the "Got it state" You are a body but not sounds, or…?”

In the "Lost It" Stage - identification with the "me" character is taking place - there is separation between "me" & sights & sounds and "i" have forgot temporarily to "Just Be"

So depending how busy the day goes, i flip between the 2 "states" - if i have plenty of leisure time there is more remembering & more time in the "Got It" state - if i am busy for example at work - there is more forgetful times & more identification & more time in the "Lost It" state


I do find it strange however that even though i can lie on the bed & literally be in the "Got It" state for hours - just SEEING with No Effort whatsoever - i can get up & within minutes be immediately identified - I am hoping at some point the "mind" gets it that there is No separate Self - its obvious - i have stopped speculating what should happen next & just stick to the exercises & practices

Hi Paul,

Thanks for you answers…

You have passed the Gateless Gate. Watch for a PM top right coming soon.

Feel free to stay in touch if you would like.

Enjoy your holiday!

All the best,

Harry