Unraveling the Illusion of Separation — The Subtle Trap of Mindfulness

Many people cherish “awareness” as an essential part of their daily practice. But that very awareness may, without our realizing it, give rise to a new self-image—“I am the one who is aware.”In this post, I’d like to explore how this subtle sense of separation can become a root of suffering, and how inner inquiry can gently dissolve that illusion.

The Observer and the Illusion of Separation

Mindfulness practices often encourage cultivating an “observer” or “witnessing self.”

But this can unconsciously create another version of oneself, reinforcing habitual thought patterns rooted in separation.

Of course, mindfulness is a valuable way to nurture awareness.

Yet the sense of “I am aware” gives rise to a dualistic experience—one where the “I” and the “object of observation” appear as separate.

This subtle split sustains repetitive thoughts and a quiet clinging to a self that is ultimately an illusion.

And it is precisely this feeling of separation that gives rise to suffering, rooted in illusion and misunderstanding.

What Am I?

To move beyond this duality, we must engage in meditative inquiry grounded in the question: “What am I?”

Rather than striving to become someone, in sonomama (as-it-is-ness) practice, we simply sit, just as we are.

This inquiry doesn’t seek conceptual answers, but gently dissolves the fixed illusion of a solid self.

In the practice of shikantaza—just sitting—the “I” at the center reveals itself to be insubstantial.

What emerges instead is a natural unfolding: a sense of openness, spaciousness, and emptiness (kū).

Emptiness and Freedom as Direct Experience

This realization is not conceptual—it is direct experience.

We begin to see that the “self” is a construct of thought, not a fundamentally real entity.

Through such inner inquiry, we gradually become free from the labels and identities shaped by ourselves and society.

We come to rest in the boundless presence of now, grounded in ease and peace.

In Closing

What is the self?

Perhaps it is nothing more than a story crafted by thought.

Through simply sitting, we gently step away from that story.

And in doing so, we find ourselves in a vast, open space—

a place of true freedom and quiet rest.

Words and Photo by K E I K O