Ramu

Well for example when he says not to close your heart it means if someone hurts you, don't retaliate by shutting them out. Leave your heart open...maybe meaning to have an open mind. The book can't be read only once. I've read it twice and definitely need to re-read. Much of the book like all similar books in kind deal with ego problems. Gratitude and loving kindness are also topics. If you can read a different spiritual book after this one it might give added perspective. Reading Eckart Tolle's A New Earth was a great supplemental read. I read that one twice also. Anything in particular that is hard to understand, please respond because I love exploring this type of thing with like minded people!!

Just to add on a bit more. What attracted me was the first chapter where he talks about the dueling voices in your head. Then he writes about the observer of those thoughts, The Witness. In addition to Michael Singers wisdom is the mature and practical way he discusses spirituality. Enough said.

Its like the Alan Watts lecture, You are the very thing you Seek. If one is looking for consciousness, essentially it means consciousness is looking for itself. Like a dog chasing its tail?? I thing the breakthrough comes when ordinary Joes like me get a peek behind the curtain without ever having the intention of peeking behind anything! When as an undergraduate studying Psychology I was a hard core reductionist and used to scoff at spirituality as mere Fluff. I then started experiencing synchronicities. Now 20 years later I do realize I AM. In other words awakening happened to me. I didn't ever intend to find it.

There is a self, but his concept of no self means no ego. Of course you have a True Self that is commonly referred to as The Witness (or Soul). I think there is room for improvement in the physical world sense. For example improving a skill or learning more at a job to advance your career, etc. I think self actualizing spiritually could be thought of as Awakening and perhaps enlightenment. Just my opinion.

Except I'm saying that on behalf of people who can't read between the lines. I understand the nuances of what Leo is saying just fine. Anyway Leo isn't my only source of spiritual information. I draw from many sources, and he adds a certain perspective but certainly isn't the ultimate guru on the subject.

@Neo yes thats true so perhaps Leo should be a little more specific and say "ego" if that's his intention. Saying "you don't exist" is esoteric at best and leaves a lot of gray area. Since when is being clever and vaque a spiritual requirement? Just say it like it is, "ego doesn't exist, but your True Self does". See how easy that was?

Actually the Witness is Being, or Soul or True Self...whatever you want to call it. He is talking about ego not existing. Read The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer or Eckart Tolle's A New Earth. The Witness exists. If it didn't those books nor my experience would ring true!!

He's talking about your EGO not existing. The Witness of thoughts and emotions (hereby called The True Self) does exist. Your ego is illusory self and is only satisfied in obtaining material things (form) for happiness. What makes ego illusory or not real is that after being happy for a little while after acquiring a material possession (new house, new car, a raise, a compliment, etc), that happiness goes away. Once you understand that the True Self is forever and eternal you can have joy in Being without any material bullshit getting in the way.

When he says "you don't exist", he is referring to your ego, not your True Self. Your True Self DOES exist. Its the Witness of mind's thoughts and your emotions. It is the Witness, the formless real True Self. The ego is a false illusory self that seeks gratification through form.

I feel that deep breathing works the best to rid myself of thought. Doing this twice daily for 30-45 min has a residual effect that severely dampens unnecessary thinking. Also I feel more in touch with Spirit and my True Self as a result. Whatever works!!

My meditation is usually a breathing meditation of 10 deep breaths with a focus on being aware of where inhale ends and exhale begins and vice versa. I've been doing this for awhile twice a day. It quiets my popcorn maker mind and I feel my True Self or "presence". I feel electric shivers down and up my spine. Silence feels spectacular and the meditation has a residual effect. As a result I use my mind when NEEDED and its not off thinking about irrelevant bullshit when I'm not engaged or just idle. As a result in much more relaxed.

I've had a problem letting go of anger too. I felt like someone was trying to diminish me. But then I realized it wasn't really me being diminished, but my ego. Ever notice that you have a constant running commentary going on in your head? If you can step back inside you realize your True Self is the witness of your bickering mind. Just as you will discover as I did, I am not my emotions or thoughts. I am the Witness of my emotions and thoughts. You are too. So don't identify WITH your anger. Observe it as the Witness. Observe how it feels and then let it pass. Anger is essentially fear. It's your egos fear of being diminished and destroyed. Once you can move beyond ego and its attempts to make you identify your sense of self with things outside of you, you are free.

I like to meditate before going to bed. By going within to my True Self its a reminder of who I really am after witnessing my thoughts and emotions all day. In addition I realize through meditation that Joy in Being is enough by itself.

I remember looking out at passing scenery in a car as a young child. I looked at an object that had grabbed my attention. I knew I was looking at the object and then I became aware that I was aware that I was looking at it. My eyes just about popped out of my head when I realized this.

Fear of NoSelf of course being the Ego. Ones True Self is The Witness, I.e. Atman, or your Soul.

Ego is the false self that seeks to find itself through Form. Ex: if I had that brand new vw that would really complete me, those pants, those clothes, my girlfriend my house..look I went to Harvard I have a good degree now...all things in form the ego craves. Once the ego gets these "things" it feels satisfied...for a little while..until it wants something else that will make it "happy". Of course this is a fruitless pursuit looking to Form to make oneself happy and fullfilled and realized only by going within and realizing ones True Self is Formless.

Resistance to surrender is ego.

Ego is not interested in the Now. It is only interested in the Now for a means to an end. If you have to remember something, remember this. The True Self is the Witness of your thoughts and emotions. When you identify with them that is ego. When you realize that You are not your thoughts and emotions You become free.