I have arrived

[coolpillows]

LU is focused guiding for seeing there is no real, inherent 'self' - what do you understand by this? I have seen this. I don’t even know if I need a guide but this sounds very cool!

What are you looking for at LU? Like minded souls I guess. Maybe a guide later on. Just curious. I see that I need to write more haha! I currently am a moderator on a Discord server that has people seeking and I enjoy the knowledge and time spent there so why not expand horizons!

What do you expect from a guided conversation? I don’t know that I need a guided conversation but maybe for deeper insight at some point in the future. I don’t exactly know what to expect but reading Gateless Gatecrashers … that experience is sorta what I might gain…

What is your experience in terms of spiritual practices, seeking and inquiry? I have been on the path for about 10 months and I have had lots of insight and breakthroughs. I can’t really sum it all up here. In a way I’ve been on the path my whole life I just didn’t know it, if that makes any sense.

On a scale from 1 to 10, how willing are you to question any currently held beliefs about 'self? 11

[Anastacia42]

Good morning,

Can you say that you SEE 100% that there is no separate self? (not just believe or think it).

Loving

[coolpillows]

Can you say that you SEE 100% that there is no separate self? (not just believe or think it).

That is a good question and I feel challenged to answer it honestly. (I started to write a response but seem to have lost it so I’ll go from memory.) I still refer to “myself” and use “I” and so on when speaking. But I have had periods of awakening and realizations that are phenomenal and have revealed to me that there is no self to be found. You use the term “separate self” so I would just want to clarify that you mean “self” as we normally refer to it. I sometimes see it as a wisp, something barely there. In a way it doesn’t exist at all. It’s been a process for me unfolding. As you might be able to tell from my original post, I wasn’t sure that this is leading to finding a guide and so on. In a way, I don’t see myself as seeking because I have found so much on my own! :) At the same time, I’m utterly fascinated with this discovery and continue to want to go deeper and learn all there is to know. Does that make sense?

[Anastacia42]

Okay then here is my usual initial post.

Please follow the instructions & Quote & answer the questions I placed in blue print.

Hi,

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?


Loving,

[Anastacia42]

Also, watch these, please:

https://youtu.be/vJQcD588g2w

and

https://youtu.be/PUDzrCLlrj4

Loving

[coolpillows]

Thanks for your reply! I’m giving you my best shot at these questions. I also have no issue with posting daily.

How will life change?

I don’t know exactly how life will change. I am wary of dramatic, momentous sorts of shifts in this process. Early on, when I was learning about “awakening” I’d hear about these bizarre, phenomenal experiences people had and, though I was realistically skeptical, it made me doubtful. Then when I had some breakthroughs, it was surprising and unpredictable, but in a positive way. Put it this way: I’d like life to be better. Call me crazy! Life isn’t that bad right now.

How will you change?

That’s sort of a trick question, perhaps lol. What is “you” in all this? I have been having some shifts through this whole thing already that are pretty remarkable, so I would guess it’s along those lines. I’ve been forgetting who I am at times. Like I am not here. Things look different. Like seeing things for the first time. But not exactly. It’s very hard to explain.

What will be different?

I really can’t say what will be different. I don’t know exactly what to expect but my answers above may shed some light on this answer.

What is missing?

This is a hard question to answer. I don’t know what is missing in a process like this which is still unfamiliar to me. I hope this answer is sufficient.

What do you want to be called?

Lee

What time zone are you in?

East coast GMT(-0500)

[Anastacia42]

Hi Lee,

Those answers are fine. We're just checking expectations . Yours are mostly reasonable.

Did you watch those 2 short videos?

color=#0000FF]Now what comes up when reading that there is no separate self, never has been, and never will be? That the whole thing was a made up story that we believed.
[/color]

Loving,

[coolpillows]

Yes I watched the 2 videos.

Now what comes up when reading that there is no separate self, never has been, and never will be? That the whole thing was a made up story that we believed.

I’m assuming you meant that to be blue and quoted so there ya go.

What comes up is it fits with my understanding since I’ve been down this road (on the path, what have you). For a second there, reading the first sentence and “never has been, and never will be” sounded a little final and unpleasant. But then with your clarification that it’s a story fits in perfectly with how I see the ‘me’ character that I’ve lived with. I’m fine with that. No issues.

[Anastacia42]

Yes. I did mean the question to be blue.

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,

[coolpillows]

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

I get all this. It’s basically the 5 senses. But the bit about thoughts might need a little clarification. Not exactly sure how I communicate about thoughts arising but not their content. May need some example or we can just see how it goes.

[Anastacia42]

Good & yes, there are pointers to help with all of this.

First, practice just Labeling with Direct Experience only.


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,

[coolpillows]

I just wanted to let you know I saw this and I’m doing it. But not ready to document everything. Some things are a little less easy to describe, or maybe I’m over thinking. Like just sitting in the car, waiting for someone, looking, no significant smells or tastes. Like uh, what do I taste? Saliva I guess. Just wanted to clarify. Thanks!

peace……

[Anastacia42]

Okay, but keep it simple. This isn't complicated.

Loving,

[coolpillows]

Here you go:

Seeing front lawn, simply= grass, house
Smelling simply = car odor, nothing siginficant
Feeling the car seat, simply = hands resting, back and legs, feet planted
Tasting simply = no significant taste
Hearing ambience, simply = hearing the sounds around, birds, car running. cars driving by,
Thought about waiting, simply = waiting for someone, documenting this experience, making note of the event

Seeing the computer, simply = the screen, the countertop it sits on, periphery
Smelling simply = nothing significant
Feeling simply. = sitting, feet crossed, back in chair, fingers, hands on computer, keyboard
Tasting simply = no signiicant taste
Hearing simply = some tinnitus, TV on in other room, fan of heater, distant car, sounds from computer
Thought simply = experiencing this moment, documenting it, thought about work to be done

Seeing fruit in a bowl, simply = cut up fruit, bowl, fork
Smelling fruit, simply = slight odor of fruit
Feeling bowl, fork, simply = holding fork, bowl, metal, ceramic
Tasting fruit, simply = food on tongue and in mouth, sweet, wet
Hearing eating, simply = fork on bowl, chewing, eating
Thought about eating, simply = nourishment, something positive

Seeing coffee, simply = cup to mouth
Smelling coffee, simply = smell of coffee
Feeling coffee, simply = warmth, coffee cup
Tasting coffee, simply = coffee, warm, fluid
Hearing coffee, simply = sipping, swallowing, ambient noise
Thought about coffee, simply = a ritual in the morning, waking up

Let me know what you think...thanks!

peace......

[Anastacia42]

Nope. You need to reread the instructions. Only Direct Experience should be on the right.

Please try again.

Much love,