The false self is the sum total of all our
conditioning, our experiences, our past life karma, learning,
knowledge, emotions, values etc. We are indistinguishable
from our thoughts, our feelings, our understanding, our memory
etc. How to let go ?
The false self is so real that we can't
imagine any other way or any other reality.
Originally I wrote a long post but I have shortened it to a few
points based on what Thusness said, which makes it much clearer.
(but there are further posts next page)
In short: there is no false self nor true self, there is only 5
aggregates.
Do not think that that there is a problem in the five
aggregates. There is no problem with the aggregates, the 'problem'
lies only in the illusion that there is a self. The 5 aggregates
when experienced without the agent (watcher, thinker, doer, etc) is
a completely new dimension. They are the Buddha Nature. (see next
page for references)
However, when experienced with a sense/illusion of self,
whatever arises (all the aggregates and 18 dhatus) appears to be
problematic. In truth there are no problems whatsoever, only the
wrong understanding that self exist.
It should be noted furthermore, that even while the sense of
self is present, there is still in truth no-self/perceiver apart
from perceived. No-self is a dharma seal, an ever-present nature of
reality.
On the most direct path, there is no one to let go and no-thing
to be let go of and hence no 'how to let go'. Reality is 'letting
go' at all moments. There is only what arises and subsides
(self-liberates) every moment according to conditions,
luminous-empty phenomena roll on with no one at the center that can
seek nor distant himself (since there is no 'self') from the
self-knowing transience.
However if we are unable to arise this insight and with the
tendencies still strong, then we have no choice but resort to the
gradual path of practice. Resorting to watching the arising and
ceasing of the 5 aggregates as if there is a separate watcher but
with the right view that there is no self apart from the
aggregates. By practicing this way, insight into Anatta can still
arise eventually.
But if the path consists of practice without the right view,
almost without fail it will result in Advaita sort of
experience.
p.s. for a long and concise description of the different
'levels' of the path (from witnessing, to transmutation and
self-liberation, and more), you can refer to
http://awakeningtoreality.blogspot.com/search/label/John%20Welwood
