The Dissolution of the Ego

Summary

The speaker discusses their experience with the dissolution of body boundaries and the fear it incites, relating it to the ego's fear of disappearance. They advise embracing the fear as a part of the self to diminish its power, suggesting that facing this fear is essential for transcending it. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of awareness and the role of the witnessing presence in overcoming the fear of death.

Takeaways

• 😟 Fear arises from the experience of dissolving body boundaries, which is unsettling.
• 🧘‍♀️ Nonduality practices can lead to feelings of boundary dissolution, which can be alarming.
• 😰 The fear is linked to the ego's attachment to the body and identity, not the dissolution itself.
• 👍 This fear can be seen as progress toward understanding deeper self-awareness and ego dissolution.
• 🌱 The presence of fear is normal and reflects the ego's resistance to disappearing.
• 💡 Awareness and being are never diminished, even during these intense experiences.
• 💪 It’s important to face the fear when possible, but it's okay to step back if the fear feels overwhelming.
• 🔄 The key is to recognize that awareness remains intact, even as intense emotions or sensations arise.
• 🛑 If daily responsibilities demand attention, it’s okay to temporarily turn away from exploring the fear.
• 🧘‍♂️ Gradually, with time, the intensity of fear will diminish as the understanding of awareness deepens.

Q & A

What was the initial feeling experienced before Christmas?

The individual felt very open and happy, and recognized a sense of freedom from their conditioning.

What happened during the experience of dissolving body boundaries?

The person experienced a dissolution of the feeling of their body and its boundaries, which led to a state of panic as they could not stop this sensation.

How did the individual perceive their surroundings after the experience?

They felt as if everywhere they looked, there was just them, leading to a contemplation about the nature of nonduality.

What is the core fear that arises with the dissolution of the body's boundaries?

The core fear is the ego's fear of disappearance, as the sense of self and identity is strongly tied to the body.

Why is it significant that the fear of disappearance is arising during meditation?

It indicates that the individual's understanding has reached the core of one of the two core emotions that define the separate self, which is a sign of progress in their practice.

What advice is given for dealing with the fear when it arises?

The advice is to turn towards the fear and acknowledge it without trying to make it go away, recognizing that the awareness itself is not threatened by the fear.

How can one ensure their being remains intact during these experiences?

By remembering that their being is not diminished or threatened by the fear or the dissolution of the sense of separation, and by grounding in the awareness that remains intact.

What is the recommendation if one cannot operate in the world due to intense feelings?

If the feelings are too intense and interfere with daily functioning, one should turn away from them and focus on other activities until they subside.

What is the role of the witnessing presence of awareness in dealing with fear?

The witnessing presence of awareness is the key to facing the fear without being affected by it, as it is the part of oneself that is aware of the fear but not implicated by it.

What is the long-term goal when facing the fear of dissolution and the accompanying fear?

The long-term goal is to transcend the fear, so that it no longer has power over the individual, leading to a state where they are never touched by the fear of death again.

How should one approach the fear and dissolution if they are not required by the world?

If one is not required to engage in worldly activities, they should face the fear and dissolution directly, treating it as an opportunity for growth and understanding.