Enlightenment

The reason that one cannot find a "self" is because the self is what is doing the looking. The "self" is not something that can be found or located.

The "self", as I would describe it, is simply one's individuated consciousness.In terms of finding a "self", what you have is consciousness trying desperately to locate it's own consciousness.

What results is the equivalent of the finger-tip trying to touch itself, the knife trying to cut itself, etc...

"What you are looking for is that which is looking"...

At least in my understanding.

Originally Posted by Enlightened

I don't have any beliefs for the millionth time, and i'm not selling you any either. .

But, you do. You believe you are enlightened.

You also believe you hold the key to enlightenment for others.

You also believe that it's your responsibility to help others become enlightened.

And you believe that if everyone was as enlightened as you are, then the world would be a better place.

Meanwhile,

I do not believe I'm enlightened - I have no idea if I am or not.

I certainly have no belief at all that I hold a key to enlightenment for anyone else.

And, I let go of the need to "rescue" other people and make them see what I see. Once I realized that was just another way of the self trying to preserve itself.

Finally, even if every last person on this earth was enlightened, I do not believe that there is any guarantee at all that the earth would be "saved" or "better" or anything like that. I suspect, instead, it is like the singularity Tzu described on other thread - this reality would cease to exist at all.

That said, a state of liberation (I do prefer that word) is quite nice. Very peaceful over here. I have no need for anyone or anything to be anything other than what it is. All fears and anxieties are gone. The earth can get hit by an asteroid tomorrow, and I'm okay with that.

Topology - Nice work, really. Nice..

Now. This isn't magic. It's not going to change you to some zen superbeing - there's no you to change.

What makes this a permanent change is when you see that, simply put, it is actually real. It's not just that there's no self 'here' or 'there'. There was never a self, never a you living life, just life. Look at that - and don't just stare at it waiting for it to effect you. Remember - there's no you to effect.

Instead, look at the scale of it. The scale of it, and the reality of it. Look at how real it is, and how total. Get a good, long look.

Free Bird - Ok, well you don't have to 'accept' this, you must look and see if you can locate the 'you' that you believe is you.

How do you know 100% that what you believe to be 'you' is?

Slight edit to my last post:

"Even if every last person on this earth was enlightened, I've let go of my attachment, however noble, to the belief that the earth would be saved or better. It's possible it could be. It's possible it could go on much the same but with less suffering as we all die off. It's also possible that the earth would cease to exist."

Serpent - You seem cool, and not jumping all over what i'm saying so respect to you.

Like I said, I don't like the word enlightened because it conjures up a mental image of being special or achieving something. I have witnessed the illusion that masqueraded as a self, and once I saw it, shabam, I can't possibly believe in it anymore.

Santa Clause ain't real once you've seen you're dad climbing in the suit...

What I do know is that i'm pointing directly at the moon, and my instructions will point you to look at the illusion of self.

Once you've seen the illusion, call it what you like, you're cooked.

I guess I don't. I guess I have never ever thought about it like that. I am willing to give it some thought as I don't believe in dismissing things just because I don't understand them.

But some idea of what I should be doing would be a help....please

[andrew g]

Originally Posted by Enlightened

I don't have any beliefs for the millionth time, and i'm not selling you any either.

.

Thats a belief innit? In order to be confident that you are not selling us any wouldnt there have to be some confidence in the existence of one that isnt selling?

[Perfect Storm]

Are you talking about us on the whole being an illusion - or just the 'us' in these bodies. I am still trying to understand :0

*trying to look inside, getting frustrated as I do not know what I am doing* I do not know how to look inside....How do I do this?

Andrew G - You're picking on language again. Stop throwing rocks at the sign and look at the moon. You can keep the sign as a souvenir once you've seen the lie.

Great stuff guys, really great. There is a shift here now, you're all starting to actually look so hats off to you that are.

Awesome.

Free Bird - Good, you're looking. Very good.

I really want you to see if you can locate a 'you'. If you are who you think you are, if what i'm saying is complete rubbish, then you should be able to find a 'self' with ease and exclaim 'here, this is 'me'!' with un-shakeable certainty..

Can you?