The Elusive Mirror: Uncovering the Hidden Dimensions of Self-Awareness

Seeking the Self in a World of Not-Self…

"Who am I?" That's the million-dollar question, isn't it?

We spend our lives gazing into a mirror, seeking our reflection, only to find a distorted carnival version staring back. This quest for self-awareness is a bit like searching for a black cat in a dark room, especially troublesome when the cat isn't there.

But what if this futile search, this cosmic game of hide-and-seek, is exactly the point?

The World as a Funhouse Mirror: Reflections of the Not-Self

Discovering We're Not Who We Thought We Were…

Ever stood in one of those wacky funhouse mirrors at the fair?

Tall, short, skinny, or wide - you're never quite you. Similarly, the world reflects back not what we are, but what we're not.

Let's be clear, the world is a masterful illusionist, a Houdini of the highest order. We look outward, hoping to catch a glimpse of ourselves, but what we see are mere distortions. In 2019, I stared into life's mirror and saw nothing I recognized. Everything I thought I was - a son, a father, a man, disintegrated.

It's like watching a rerun of a show where you're the main character but have no clue about the script. Radical non-dualism chuckles at this cosmic joke.

It whispers, "You're looking in the wrong direction, buddy."

Peeling the Cosmic Onion: Layers Upon Layers of Not-Self

The Never-Ending Spiral Inward…

Here's the thing about layers:

Just when you think you've hit the core, surprise, there's another layer! Self-awareness isn't a one-and-done deal; it's more like peeling an onion.

Every layer stripped away reveals more not-self. It's a relentless inward spiral, a journey where the destination keeps moving like a mirage. In the throes of my awakening, layers of identity, beliefs, and past selves came off like old wallpaper. It was a messy, tear-inducing process (much like peeling onions).

With each layer, the question "Who am I?" echoed louder in the empty hall of my existence. The deeper I ventured, the less I found, and the funnier the whole ordeal became.

Talk about cosmic irony.

The Punchline of Existence: Finding Humor in the Not-Self

Embracing the Cosmic Joke…

Here's the punchline: The self we're desperately trying to uncover doesn't exist. It's the ultimate prank. We're chasing our tails, seeking a self that's as real as the Tooth Fairy. The joke's on us, and it's hilarious! During my meltdown, the universe seemed like a grim place. But post-awakening, it's like I was let in on the joke.

Life is a play, and we're all overacting. When we realize the absurdity of our quest, that's when the laughter starts. We're not the thinker, the doer, or even the beer-holder…

…we're the witnessing, the eternal audience to this divine comedy.

Laughing All the Way to Enlightenment

The Final Guffaw on the Path to Self-Awareness…

In conclusion, the path to self-awareness isn't about finding the self…

…it's about losing it and having a good laugh along the way. If you're searching for yourself, stop. Take a look around, chuckle at the absurdity of it all, and enjoy the ride.

The most profound understanding of self-awareness comes not from finding answers but from questioning the nature of our perceived reality. So, laugh a little - or a lot. It's the best medicine on this wild ride to nowhere. Welcome to the greatest show on Earth, where the main act is you realizing there's no you.

Isn't that just the best joke of all?