You say: One IS the thinking. Meaning the character is nothing else but thought.

Isn’t there also something which perceives thought? That which perceives thought, we refer to as I, don’t we?
This I is not made out of thought, or is it?
Take a look. It’s the same I that perceives this screen.

Thought is time but I is not in time.
Thought is appearance and disappearance. Self is beyond appearance and disappearance.