Realizing No Self

The title for this episode may at first sound like a self-help guide, or in a nondual context a no-self help guide. I assure you that is not what this is. This is not a step-by-step guide to experiencing no-self. It is a description of two times in life that I saw that I was not a self, culminating in a third time which was an abiding realization of this reality.

[@swhite8381]

Second recognition was through gardening . Everyone always complimented my green thumb but I saw that I wasn’t doing anything . The plants grow . No little individual thinker inside the plant, just like me .

[@JLBlack74]

Hi Marshall, I had an awakening 14 years ago and have been integrating into daily life since. I was raised in a very devout and dualistic Catholic family. My first taste of non duality occurred and was interpreted through Advaita and Buddhism. I always struggled even before the awakening with what I was taught as a Christian. I just wanted to send you my heartfelt thank you for clarifying so much of that confusion. I really enjoy your books, they have resolved those thorny inner conflicts I had with Christianity and the non dual understanding. It’s allowed me to be at peace and love the true heart, meaning and message of Christianity and Christ. For that I can’t thank you enough.

[@swhite8381]

My first recognition of no self was simply looking at my preferences in ice cream. Chocolate or vanilla? I choose vanilla. Did I choose though? No. Vanilla I like, but I didn’t make the decision to like it, it just is . Just like everything.

[@paulmetdebbie447]

Thank you Marshall for sharing your Liberation with us. What a great revelation. ❤️🙏

[@richardsnyder6413]

Gratitude 🙏 ❤

[@hansenmarc]

I think most people have already experienced no separate self many times, and it just wasn’t that big of a deal. If you’ve ever “lost yourself” in a book or a movie, or been “in the flow”, where it seemed like your body was on autopilot and was just doing its thing with no “you” controlling anything, then guess what. That was the experience of no separate self. Congratulations! On the flip side, make a mistake in front of an audience and you’ll quickly become very conscious of your self, i.e., self-conscious. Once you’ve seen that the sense of self comes and goes, it becomes easier and easier to see through the illusion.

[@jillkent6134]

Thank you for telling us of your experiences it was very helpful.

[@jillkent6134]

I think I understand what happened to me I saw through the illusion of the separate self but I still clung to awareness or consciousness the last of the five aggregates so didn’t dissolve into everything. The journey is personal for everyone and I can see from your video that life continues to offer awakenings, if you are not ready now another will come. Also as you said it could be grace or simply a mystery how awakenings happen.

[@genochen125]

I just recently discovered this channel. I have listened to many of your messages, what a wonderful message! I came from more of a traditional conservative Christian background. I’m not lonely, but I often feel alone in my new found belief. Does anyone know of any church or even online organization / groups that I could join in and share ideas? I am in Northern California.

[@FirstPersonHood]

Powerful insight into how revealations transcend religion while also fulfilling religious traditions.

[@chiselcheswick5673]

Wonderful story. Thanks for sharing. 👍

[@faaradar]

Thank you Marshall. 🙏🙏🙏

[@namenaim1560]

Thanks Marshall Have a good Christmas.

[@pathiggins6513]

Very helpful thank you.

[@larzhillbot1443]

well for me i never bought in to the Christian teachings. .....i always loved the Buddhist outlook

[@FirstPersonHood]

Once "no self" is revealed the whole narrative becomes a distorted entertainment.

[@RonaldSteed]

Marshall, I don’t know if you have run across the writings of Bernadette Roberts, but she has written extensively about her experience of egoless unity and then in a “no self” condition…. Ron

[@franciskingtalksonspiritua1278]

Hi, Marshall. I love your talks! Are you familiar with Rupert Spira?

[@simka321]

Please tell me honestly, what happens to someone who has no self when pain arises in the body? Is there also suffering (the self's interpretation of pain) or is there only an acute sensation? When pain (or perhaps even suffering) arise, is there distress? Or is there just the perception of sensation without distress? If there is suffering or distress in the presence of pain, who experiences it? Does this mean that "you" no longer suffer?

[@MarshallDavis]

There is pain as long as there is body. There is suffering as long as there is self. There is distress to the degree that “we” identify with body and self. The body experiences the pain, and the self experiences suffering. The True Nature experiences neither. To the degree that we abide as the True Nature the pain and suffering is not “ours.” Is it possible to be completely free of pain and suffering in this incarnated life? No. Jesus experienced pain and suffering.

[@bobkasarda]

❤️

[@dennisvvugt]

0:57

[@dennisvvugt]

16:25

[@hj8607]

However while this awaking to the non 'firmness' of self YOU must realize you are trying to articulate this to others. You felt this was unique unto you and assumed others ,who might have been doing exactly what your trying to do in this video, are not as enlightened as you DESPITE the fact that that spark of intuition TOLD you there IS NO VERBAL way to convey this awareness to others. Enough/nothing more SAID!!

[@bhaktimaddalena-nakedlife]

Very interesting. So religion is at the level of the narrative while truth is that of a Universal consciousness, that is the divine. As an ex Christian now very into non duality and having experienced bliss, altered states of consciousness, ego death and even temporary no self, I confess I don't really know where to "put" Jesus. Of course God, even more and more as ego loses grip and the consciousness expands and raises like it's pulled to recognize itself into the Creator, but I can't find a place for Jesus. This has recently let me feel guilty. Thank you. 🙏

[@simka321]

Your question is precisely and exhaustively answered by Bernadette Roberts in her books _What is Self_ and especially in _The True Christ_.

[@bhaktimaddalena-nakedlife]

@@simka321 thank you ❤️

[@Kimoto504]

The Christian religion is 100% centered upon a "self". What Jesus taught in word, deed, and spirit was no self. Christ was not a Christian. Christ did not teach Christianity.