The Mind is the behaviour of thought hypostatized. Matter is not-mind. Were there no past, ignorance could not arise. There is thus no first moment of ignorance to be found. Furthermore, so long as there is still ignorance there is no good reason to expect a change in the order of things which is continued existence.
Self is a myth because there is no such thing as satisfied craving.
Self is satisfied craving. Craving is unsatisfied self. Perception of impermanence, in removing this false assumption, removes craving. The mind is the way the body thinks. The body is the way the mind acts.