winterknight

Well, the Self cannot be objectified, but the "I" can be. That's the funny thing. But what it means for the "I" to be grasped as an object (because: by whom? what? how?) is of course precisely what can't be talked about. To answer your question, either way works, and I'd sort of try the second at times when you get tired of the first. But the second entails the first. After all, who is faced with this choice between two options? Who is trying to "rest in the remembrance"? So basically one way (concentration on self-inquiry) or another (concentration on surrender) one tries to quiet the mind, detaching it from other phenomena, and focusing it on one of these thoughts. Then look within and ask: "what exactly is it that I'm doing, and who is doing it?" Well, to be clear, you don't need the words "to whom is this thought" -- you need a redirection of attention towards the I. It can be totally silent and almost effortless. But what a redirection of attention towards the I means is and is not obvious. You try your best to redirect it towards the I, notice that sometimes what you've thought is the I is something else, and keep trying to redirect. At a certain point -- if it is hasn't happened already -- you should have a breakthrough, but then it's very likely you'll fall away from that breakthrough. So then you redirect attention again and try it, and this time it should be a little easier. Rinse and repeat. And I definitely went between this and surrender.

No self is not a thing such that there can be "distance" between it and ego, whether that distance be large or small. Follow the path -- do the reading and thinking and engage in relentless self-inquiry.

If you are not the doer of actions, you are not the enjoyer or sufferer of karma either.

You can't. Follow the path to find out who it is that's asking this question. That will take effort. The end of that process -- which may take a long time -- will be the end of the illusion of effort.

I don't know what you mean by "not the character knowing itself as imagination." Yes, ego is the sense of being a separate entity.

I know it in a way that can't be understood until you know it too. I say it because it's useful advice to seekers who are easily confused about enlightenment experiences.

Yes. If there is even the smallest doubt left, it isn't the real thing.

What is your doubt? Can you put it in your own words?

There is a holy silence which goes beyond life purposes... in the end, the real life purpose is to discover that.

Non-existent

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Yes. Absolutely you don't need an organized religion. That said, don't take my advice -- find a good lawyer. You'll need one regardless.

I don’t answer questions about “my” experience because the answers are always misleading. If you have questions about your path, though, you’re welcome to ask.

It’s a tiny glimpse. But that’s not the way I would go about things. It is very likely to lead you into deep confusion. Read up and follow the path I outline in these links.

Body parts don’t understand things. Look into the “I” who is aware into who is aware of body parts and anxiety, the one who is asking this question.

I see you're in The Netherlands. Go to https://www.npav.nl/ and contact them for a referral.

It's basically a sign of profound ignorance about how government affects people's lives. Every citizen in a democracy has a responsibility to be at least reasonably informed and to vote.

This video's a lot of fun. And dead true!

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Great literature is not about what is said but about how. In that how, which is the style in which it is written, are all the secrets of human nature and all the beauties of consciousness, treasuries of wisdom and pleasure and beauty that non-fiction (with a few exceptions) can only dream of. The thing is that literature does not open its doors for just anyone at first glance. It takes years or decades of the reading of great books to become a good reader, and only a good reader will be able to access the secret powers of literature. Second, not all great literature appeals to everyone. It takes a lot of reading of great books to find those few great books that speak specifically to you.

How about getting psychoanalysis? Chronic boredom is often indicative of unresolved psychological issues.

This seems a safe bet.

I don't talk about 'my' experiences. Samadhi as an experience that one goes into and out of is not one thing. It is a whole family of experiences. The real samadhi is not an experience at all, but is simply the continuous Truth. Clearing the delusion that that is not the case is is the real peak 'experience'.

Who are you? First find that out and you will have your answer.

Struggle at what point with what exactly? Can you clarify?