Recently in a Dhamma Discussion, I told the Dhamma participants to try to see a self in the dhammas they are learning about.
It seems backwards to ask people to try to find a self if the goal is to see anatta. However, it is my belief, you should try first, and then anatta will automatically come.
If you were all Christian… of course that would be dangerous. However, if one really tries to see self in any of the 5 khandas separately, that lasts just for a moment, with proper abhidhamma knowledge beforehand, seeing a self is an impossible task. Trying to do something that is impossible can be very insightful. We learn from our mistakes and failures. This is why I believe that the Buddha may have taught this way. Take a look at the quote below. While the Buddha merely say a few lines, it is my belief they were loaded with practice along the way. After trying, the Buddha asks the students who already knew the answer.
‘‘ taṃ kiṃ maññatha, bhikkhave, rūpaṃ niccaṃ vā aniccaṃ vā ’’ ti?
“What do you think, bhikkhus, is form permanent or impermanent?”
‘‘ aniccaṃ, bhante ’’.
“Impermanent, venerable sir.”
‘‘ yaṃ panāniccaṃ dukkhaṃ vā taṃ sukhaṃ vā ’’ ti?
“Is what is impermanent suffering or happiness?”
‘‘ dukkhaṃ, bhante ’’.
“Suffering, venerable sir.”
‘‘ yaṃ panāniccaṃ dukkhaṃ vipariṇāmadhammaṃ, kallaṃ nu taṃ samanupassituṃ –
“Is what is impermanent, suffering, and subject to change fit to be regarded thus:
‘ etaṃ mama, esohamasmi,
‘This is mine, this I am, this is my self’?”
eso me attā ’’’ ti?
‘This is mine, this I am, this is my self’?”
‘‘ no hetaṃ, bhante ’’.
“No, venerable sir.”— (SN) Khandhavaggo › 1. Khandhasaṃyuttaṃ › 6. Upayavaggo › 7. Anattalakkhaṇasuttaṃ (SN 22.59), p. 55