It seems to me if we adopt the view of "self" or of "no self" then we'll stop looking. "I know the Buddha taught (self/no self) so no need to investigate this thing which arose." But that's just an intellectual thing... study of books... not actual practice. It doesn't do anything to wear through that deep-seated habit of "I making".
I really do find all my questions about anatta to be answered by SN 22.59.
I know passion hasn't faded out so I must've not found estrangement with one or more of the five aggregates.Buddha wrote:Bhikkhus, when a noble follower who has heard (the truth) sees thus, he finds estrangement in form, he finds estrangement in feeling, he finds estrangement in perception, he finds estrangement in determinations, he finds estrangement in consciousness.
"When he finds estrangement, passion fades out. With the fading of passion, he is liberated. When liberated, there is knowledge that he is liberated. He understands: 'Birth is exhausted, the holy life has been lived out, what can be done is done, of this there is no more beyond.'
If I haven't found estrangement yet then I must've not seen thus.
I've certainly heard it ("there is no self to be found"), but I clearly have more work to do before I've seen it.
To put it another way:
I still suffer. (1st NT)
If I still suffer then I must still be clinging to something. (2nd NT)
If I'm still clinging to something then I still have work to do developing the Path. (4th NT)
I'll know when I'm done. (3rd NT)
I think it's like someone tells you the end to a mystery novel. Jack says "The butler did it." Jill says "No, the maid did it." One might be tempted to simply believe Jack or believe Jill and stop reading. We might even argue and debate as to who should be believed. But it is only by reading the book all the way through that one can see for themselves who did it.