Hmmmm… what kind of sense of self?
The sense of being “separated”, somehow?
If so, I think it comes from the awareness I mean the awareness of outside.
The sense of something that continues?
In this case, I think memories play important role.
But again, without awareness, I wouldn’t have the sense that something (self) was somehow already there, before.
Physical sensations give the sense of self in the physical world.
But awareness is required, too.
So, I guess it’s the awareness in conjunction with other things.
I don’t believe, but I feel the core “emptiness” to be more “real”.
So, in comparison, other things pale in the impression of “reality”.
Although it’s purely subjective as a declaration, I think it’s shared by all of us deep in our core.
Anything, including te idea/impression of self, is “real” to me when it bothers me.
When something pegs/pins me down, it is the reality for that moment.
Not much, in my case.
We need to be more specific. Benefit of what?
If you are thinking in social or political context, I don’t think anyone would really benefit from spreading either view on self.
And if someone tied, it won’t work because I don’t think there are enough people interested in thinking about this type of issue.
Probably, it’s important for anyone who cares about identification of self.
My view is somewhat in between.
I guess I benefit from it in the social context because it allow me to interact as if I exist and external world exists, while I do see and keep the view of “virtual/imaginary self and world” when I’m not bothered by anything.