Friend: Dear Magdi, I would like to know what the role of Effort is, specifically in trying to see through the veil of separation. It is clear that there is no ‘me’ here. That it is a thought and a feeling. Both perceived by Consciousness. Yet this clarity is not lived 100%. It appears that often I (consc) slip into body-mind mode. Which invariably leads to a not-so-good experience. Then I realize the mistake, and feel like more effort is needed. Equally there is the thought that efforting strengthens the very illusion that effort is trying to see through. It seems like a paradox. What to do? . Thank you.

Magdi: “Dear Ganesh,
If indeed you are clear that there is no personal doer, then your question about effort is not a valid question. Who would be exerting any effort if there is no personal doer?
What you are saying is that on occasion there is clarity (about the illusion of a personal doer), and on occasion there is the impression that the personal doer is real.
When there is the impression of a personal doer, we exert effort in order to realize that there is no personal doer. How can any effort exerted by a personal doer reveal that there is no personal doer? All effort on behalf of a personal doer only serves to maintain that impression.
Having said that, when there is effort, take a look on whose behalf this effort is being exerted. Is it on behalf of a personal self or on behalf of love?
If it is on behalf of a personal self, take a break from effort and do something you like, such as going for a walk, listening to music or taking a siesta. That would be a better use of your time.
In time, you will find that you are slipping less often into the old belief of separation, and your slippage will be of shorter and shorter duration.
Love,
Magdi”

Friend: Thank you for pointing that out. Yes any effort is for the dream character. So the moment it comes to attention that ‘me-ing’ is happening, that is not of the dream. Then no further effort is required. Until the illusion seems to take over again. Is that right?

Magdi: Ganesh,
You need to understand that any effort, which is being exerted by an illusory entity, is illusory. That is why we speak of the ‘illusion of effort’ rather than (real) effort.
When there is awareness of ‘me-ing’, we are no longer ‘me-ing.’ We are in/as awareness. Until awareness is established, there is a path to be followed. The path of contemplation and stillness.
Of course, it is our love for truth which guides us.
Our love for truth is our love for happiness, and this love fuels our interest in seeing through the me-illusion.
Whenever we notice unhappiness, we have reverted to: ‘I am a limited personal self with all sorts of worries and personal concerns.’
At this moment of noticing that this belief is on board, we turn our attention to stillness and we do not proceed any further. This may seem difficult initially, since we are habituated to fight against unhappiness (sensations in the body are convincing). Fighting against unhappiness maintains the sense of separation.
Resting as presence is a non-activity which relaxes the patterns of ignorance and duality which pollute the mind.

Friend: Your explanation resonates really well. Just to confirm, this seems to be the pattern then:

Awareness -> Me-ing -> Noticing -> Awareness

Nowhere in this pattern is ‘Effort’. And you are saying that this Noticing, is a result of our Love for the Truth. The more it is, the more is the Noticing.

Also nowhere in this pattern is a separate ‘Me’ doing the ‘me-ing’. So it is all a play of Awareness?

Magdi: Yes Ganesh, that is the scenario (Awareness-> Identification-> Understanding-> All is well)
At some point, awareness is resting in/as itself without ever (seemingly) leaving its own knowingness. It is the experience of peace and happiness, but it is not the end of the infinite creativity of consciousness.
One could say mission accomplished in this Humanoid Dream Game. God is no longer interested in playing the game of veiling and unveiling itself. But God is infinite creativity and infinite potential. We do not know what is around the corner, but the repetitive game of identification and personhood has been deciphered.
Yes, it has always been the play of consciousness. There is only one reality. One player in town.

Friend: Amazing. Thank you for answering the question and beyond. How nice it would be to come out of this identification game once and for all!

Love
Ganesh