Have been using Sam Harris' Waking Up app for several years now. He makes it sound like the non-existence of the self is obvious and that everything is a reflection in consciousness. Are there other thinkers that derive the opposite conclusion (existence of self) from a similar approach (analyzing consciousness)?

Ha! So true. It still takes me to deep rabbit holes once in a while...

Hmm not sure. I've mostly surrendered the notion that it's something my intellect can or will ever understand. But it's certainty a fun game to dance around. Like the finger pointing at the moon analogy.