Guidance to see its all just happening

[rav7]

LU is focused guiding for seeing there is no real, inherent 'self' - what do you understand by this? We are one, just the awareness witnessing

What are you looking for at LU? For further seeings that we are One, not a separate self.
In whatever practical way that is required to see this and the relevant guidance for this to be seen and further understood.
To understand that the ‘self’ is just a narrative that is playing over the top of what is just happening.

What do you expect from a guided conversation? No expectations, just to see what guidance arrives to see the illusion further and a deeper understanding of everything that is happening is just happening. To see this in form of practical experience.

What is your experience in terms of spiritual practices, seeking and inquiry? I’m currently studying ACIM

On a scale from 1 to 10, how willing are you to question any currently held beliefs about 'self? 10

[Anastacia42]

Good morning!

I was at ACIM student. it might have helped with concepts and thinking, but it never helped me to see. I think it has with a few people, but I don't know.

My name is Stacy and I can be your guide, if you would like.

One thing I want to make very clear up front is that with me, you must post every day. If you know yourself and your schedule are such that you cannot do this, tell me, "no," and someone else can guide you, please.
Yes, if once in a while you must post later, please post a note telling me when you will return.

If you haven't already read the disclaimer, please read it now and just confirm to me that you have read it. Here is the link.

http://liberationunleashed.com/disclaimer-2/

Also please read “Liberation Unleashed is not …” in the FAQ’s of LU. Here is the link.

http://liberationunleashed.com/about/faq/#faq-1041

Some housekeeping guidelines:

1. Post at least once a day, or every second day. If you need more time, or are unable to post for several days, just write a quick post on your thread to let me know please.

2. There is no one judging answers given, so please be 100% honest in your answers and inquiry.

3. This exploration is based on actual experience (AE) - smell, taste, sound, sensation, color and observed thoughts. Long-winded analytical and philosophical answers are best avoided and may even hinder progress. This is not a self-improvement process. There is no ‘self’ to improve.

4. Put aside all other teachings, philosophies, rituals, practices, books/reading and so on for the remainder of this investigation. Really put all your effort and attention in to seeing this reality, as it is. If you have a daily meditation practice, it is fine to continue that but is not necessary for this exploration.

Technology is not perfect and sometimes there is a glitch which can wipe out your responses. It is advisable that you copy and paste questions asked into Word, answer them there and then copy and paste them to your thread. Always save a copy of what you have done, it will save time in the long run!

To begin with, so that we both become aware of what your expectations are about this exploration. In your own words (not from actual experience, but just honest answers), could you please answer the 4 following questions:

How will life change?
How will you change?
What will be different?
What is missing?

Throughout this exploration I would like you to answer all questions that I have written in blue text. Please answer all questions even if I miss using the blue text.

Please answer questions individually, remembering to use the quote function to highlight the question being answered.

Below is a link to the video with instructions on using the Quote Function. Please watch it. Use the PREVIEW button to make sure your text looks right before you hit "SUBMIT."

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=660

What would you like for me to call you? What time zone are you in, please?

I'm traveling this week, so replies may be slower at times.

Loving,

[rav7]

Hi Stacy,

Thank you for your response. I am happy for you to be my guide.
I should be able to post daily and if I need to post later I will let you know.
I have read the disclaimer and the other link attached.

What would you like for me to call you? What time zone are you in, please?

Please call me Ravina, I am in the UK so GMT.

How will life change?

I can't be sure. I don't know what the future holds. However, I hope to be more aware that everything is just happening and the 'self' experience is just the narration that is taking place overlaying it.

How will you change?

I will no longer identify so much with the character and role 'Ravina' has played. Letting go of the idea of a separate self.

What will be different?

I hope there will be more awareness and presence of what is experienced in my daily life

What is missing?

Peace and presence.

Many thanks,

Ravina

[Anastacia42]

Hi Ravina

Good. You're expectations are pretty reasonable.

Now what comes up when reading the is no separate self never has been, never will be? It's all just a made up story?

Loving,

[Anastacia42]

Hi Ravina

Still there?

Loving

[rav7]

Hi Stacy,

Still here

Now what comes up when reading the is no separate self never has been, never will be? It's all just a made up story?

Relief and peace from knowing that no one did anything 'wrong' and that we can sit back and enjoy the ride because we have no control of the 'story' anyway.

Ravina

[Anastacia42]

Good. Welcome back.

This is how to LOOK for no self in the exercises - we call them "pointers' - that we will be doing here:

Colored Socks

There is a big difference between knowing that there is nothing to give up and seeing that there is nothing to give up.

Here is an example to illustrate the difference:

If I ask you what color socks you are wearing right now you have two ways to come up with an answer:

• You can think about it, you can think back to this morning and try to remember putting your socks on, and you can probably tell me what color you think they are.

• Alternatively, you can take a quick look at your socks and tell me what color they actually are!

Hopefully you would agree that you can only be 100% certain by looking.

For the purpose of seeing this "no self" idea, it is very important that you are clear about this difference.

Knowing is about knowledge which is all in the mind and we are not interested in that

We are only interested in looking at and seeing what is actually going on in your present moment-to-moment experience. We are only interested in your Direct Experience in the moment..

Direct or Actual Experience is

Seeing
Hearing
Feeling (Sensation, not emotion. Emotion is Sensation plus made-up thoughts & labels)
Tasting
Smelling
Thoughts Arising (but not their content)

Please let me know if you are clear about this or if you would like any further clarification.



Loving,

[rav7]

Hi,

Please let me know if you are clear about this or if you would like any further clarification.

That’s really clear. A fab example.

Thank you!

[Anastacia42]

You're welcome. Now let's see how well you understood.


Direct Experience - Labeling Daily Activities

Here's an exercise that I would like you to try as many times throughout the day as you can. Label daily activities simply color/image, sound, smell, taste, sensation, thought.

So for example, when having breakfast, become aware of:

Seeing a cup, simply= image/color
Smelling coffee, simply = smell
Feeling the warmth of the coffee cup, simply = sensation
Tasting the coffee, simply = taste
Hearing the spoon stirring the coffee, simply = sound
Thought about drinking the coffee, simply = thought

Just break down daily activities into these categories (which are all Actual/Direct Experience) and report back with lists exactly like the one above.

Post several of your own observations in a list *exactly* like the one above, please. Same word forms. Same order. EXACTLY.

Refer to the green list of Actual/Direct Experience in the prior post if that helps. Those are the only items any experience can be.

Loving,

[rav7]

Hi,

I’ve made a start to the exercise, can I continue to do this tomorrow too?

Post several of your own observations in a list *exactly* like the one above, please. Same word forms. Same order. EXACTLY.

Seeing a cup, simply = image/colour
Smelling tea, simply = smell
Feeling warmth of the mug, simply = sensation
Tasting the tea, simply = taste
Hearing the slurp, simply = sound
Thought about drinking tea, simply = thought

Seeing a bowl, simply = image/colour
Smelling eggs, simply = smell
Feeling the cold and warm bowl, simply = sensation
Tasting the egg, simply = taste
Hearing the fork touch the bowl, simply = sound
Thought about eating egg, simply = thought

seeing a tooth brush and paste, simply = image/colour
Smelling mint toothpaste, simply = smell
Feeling the vibration of the tooth brush, simply = sensation
Tasting the mint, simply = taste
Hearing the vibration of the tooth brush, simply = sound
Thought about brushing teeth, simply = thought

Ravina

[rav7]

Hi,

I’ve made a start to the exercise, I will continue to do this tomorrow too.

Post several of your own observations in a list *exactly* like the one above, please. Same word forms. Same order. EXACTLY.

Seeing a cup, simply = image/colour
Smelling tea, simply = smell
Feeling warmth of the mug, simply = sensation
Tasting the tea, simply = taste
Hearing the slurp, simply = sound
Thought about drinking tea, simply = thought

Seeing a bowl, simply = image/colour
Smelling eggs, simply = smell
Feeling the cold and warm bowl, simply = sensation
Tasting the egg, simply = taste
Hearing the fork touch the bowl, simply = sound
Thought about eating egg, simply = thought

seeing a tooth brush and paste, simply = image/colour
Smelling mint toothpaste, simply = smell
Feeling the vibration of the tooth brush, simply = sensation
Tasting the mint, simply = taste
Hearing the vibration of the tooth brush, simply = sound
Thought about brushing teeth, simply = thought

Ravina

[Anastacia42]

Hi Ravina

You can do it for as long as you like. You've got it.

Here's the next one:


Mind Labeling Experience

Here is an exercise which examines the way in which the mind labels experience - it takes about 20 minutes and you will need a pen a paper.

This exercise is broken into 10 minute lots. For each 10 minute period pay attention to any bodily sensation i.e. is there any tightening, or any relaxing?

For the first ten minutes write down what you are experiencing right now using the word “I”.

For example:

I am sitting on a chair,
I am hearing a clock ticking,
I am looking at a computer screen,
I am feeling hungry.

Get right to the point, no past or future fantasy, just a plain description of your experience right here and now.

Then for the next ten minutes continue writing down what you are experiencing but this time without using the word “I”. Just describe the experience as it is happening using verbs.

For example:

Sitting on a chair,
typing,
breathing,
blinking,
hearing the clock.

(Again, watch what is happening in the body.)

At the end of the twenty minutes compare the two ways in which the experience was labelled and answer the following four questions:

1. Is one truer than the other, and If so, which one?

2. What is here without labels?

3. Do labels affect the experience or just describe it?

4. Did you notice any differences in the body?

Loving,

[rav7]

Perfect thanks for the feedback.

1. Is one truer than the other, and If so, which one?

The experience without the 'I' because there is no self that the experience is being done to. Its just what is happening and an awareness of it.

2. What is here without labels?

Only the awareness of experience.

3. Do labels affect the experience or just describe it?

The labels just describe the experience.

4. Did you notice any differences in the body?

At one stage in the later part of the exercise I was seeing my pen and hand write but didn't notice sensation of this. I could see that it was just happening and there was no 'I' here making that happen verses the former exercise where it seemed like it was 'me' who was making the pen move and write.

[Anastacia42]

Okay, good. Now take a look at this:

Here is how to distinguish truth from lies.


We often lie every day & don't realize it.

For example, the grocery clerk asks, "How are you?" You reply, "I'm fine." While, yes. there is a sense in which we are always fine, even in the middle of suffering, at that moment, you were grieving the death of your dog, you had a slight sore throat & you had a headache, but you didn't feel like sharing all of that with the grocery clerk, so you lied, "I'm fine."

Also, it matters none at all how "distant" the remembered lie is. Besides the fact that time itself is fictional, a kind if lie, as we recall the lie it becomes present in this moment, as if it were happening now. This brings the body Sensation that accompanies lying.

Lies can be intentional or unintentional, conscious or unconscious, even so automatic that we ourselves are fooled.

The story of a separate "self" is a lie.

This is the lie you came here to see through. Therefore, it is helpful to notice the body Sensation of lying as one of the tools for finding the truth of no self.

You want to be in touch with body Sensations & able to clearly express them in words. This will help.

Lies are usually felt in the heart or solar plexus as a contraction that we may label as tight, heavy or tense.

In contrast, truth is usually expansive. We may call it loose, light or relaxed.

First, can you remember a time when you lied to someone you loved?

Here we count anything, lies we think of as "big" or "small" that "matter" or don't "matter."

How are you? I'm fine. No, your knee hurts, but you don't feel like discussing it with the grocery clerk.

It's a lie. A seemingly "bigger" one will work better for this exercise.

Find the lie. I don't need the whole story, just a few key words to refer to it.

Then scan your body for any Sensation (DE or Direct Experience), particularly in the gut or maybe the heart. Check very closely.

What is found?

If you think the memory you used wasn't clear enough, find another one or lie to yourself right now, make something up.

1 + 1 = 14 is a lie.

I love eating worms is (probably) a lie.

Or call up a video of a lying politician & notice what Sensations arise as you listen.

I will give you a clue: it is not that peaceful Sensation you felt before when you omitted "I." (refers to an exercise I gave before this one)

Please report back with what body Sensations (not interpretations) you feel. Bodies can feel hot or cold, heavy or light, contraction or expansion, etc.

"Peaceful" is an interpretation of a body Sensation, not the Sensation itself, for example.

Do you see that?

Loving,

[rav7]

What is found?

The lie was to my mum about a boy who was my boyfriend but I said he was just a friend.

DE of contraction in solar plexus and heart regions. General heaviness of the body too.

Do you see that?

Yes I see that 'peaceful' is just an interpretation of the sensation.