However because this is the cause that leads you to the conclusion of who’s actually running the ship? When the fog of impression is clear, you find there is nothing there that is living life except life itself. Up until this point life was living unconsciously of its true nature. The realization that there is no you (it too is just an impression or idea on the body that is reacting) is what is known as stepping beyond the gateless gate in zen.

Is this the end though?

Well looking at reality, I would have to say no it most certainly is not the end, it’s actually the beginning of whats to come. It most certainly isn’t enlightenment, but an awakening. An opening of the eyes to know that there truly is just reality there being lived through millions and billions of manifestations on this earth and these bodies are loans from the universe that this perception has taken a hold of.

Heres the part that gurus don’t tell you, and that once you’ve seen this awakening there is a small shift in the way its seen and things may be nice for a short while but in my experience things get messy. Depending on what has dropped off (they call these impressions kharma or whatever bullshit they call it) that still are to be addressed. They also refer to this time as the purifying process, in which can’t be controlled in any way, it just begins happening. Its extremely exhausting and can be very mentally painful depending how ingrained the “ego” is really clinging to its ideas of identification.

I won’t give you a time frame as to how long it takes (because I’m not even clear of it) but the time that it takes to dissolve all those past conditioning can take little time or more time, and I’m sure there are things that can speed up the process (like meeting a REAL enlightened guru) or certain yogas. Some may have the lucky had of just being graced and having it all dissolving at once which is a wonderful gift!

What is the one tip I suggest?

Awareness of thought stuff and emotions attached to the thought. Thoughts will come and go throughout the day for us whether we want them to or not (and if you think you have control of these thoughts, you are sadly mistaken, observe closely). When thoughts come into perception, note them and the feeling that comes with it, and then sit with the feeling (whether its good or bad) in as many situations as you can. Being present like this is important, because it means you’re dealing consciously with them instead of suppressing them. Also see that these thoughts aren’t actually real, they aren’t actually happening in reality other than as thoughts (or fantasy). They don’t hold any realistic weight to them. One last note is when you sit with them, you’ll notice that negative feelings aren’t actually negative they are just different and rare because they haven’t been paid much attention to, so let them take refuge within and then allow them to move along when their time is up.