The pointer “no self”...

You will often read in these reflections phrases such as “no self” or “seeing through the separate self.” Those are good pointers because they express that the time-bound, thought-based story of self is what is seen through in the realization called “enlightenment.” However, these words are just pointers. Never mistake the pointers for absolute truth. They are relative expressions of an inexpressible seeing that your true identity is not a story in time, but rather the timeless presence that is awake to that story. When that presence recognizes itself completely, the story is seen to be unreal.

Even though “no self” is a good pointer, it is also misleading. “No self” is not amnesia where you lose all memories of the past. Memories still arise. Thinking still happens. It is just that there is no longer identification with thought.

Even though the words “no self” are used to point, the realization reveals the answer to the question, “Who am I?” That seems paradoxical until it is seen that the answer is not conceptual. The realization of enlightenment resolves the identity crisis because it reveals a deep non-conceptual understanding of who you are. This is why the seeing is sometimes called Self-realization or realizing the True Self.

Don’t try to grasp what is being said intellectually. Simply look inward with awareness to where the words are pointing. The simple feeling of presence is the portal to seeing who you really are.



Scott Kiloby, Reflections of the One Life: Daily Pointers to Enlightenment