The first step

[Robert1]

LU is focused guiding for seeing there is no real, inherent 'self' - what do you understand by this?
That every concept of self is just a copyandpaste, overlapping all self concepts no matter the content or subject. For example: "it's me that is breathing" is just as natural a process as breathing itself. Everything that is labelled 'me' is not unique, but has an heir of uniqueness, because of the standard-issue unique-looking body it came from.

What are you looking for at LU?
A shift in perspective that doesn't just go away. A shift that makes the hunger for enlightenment into something permanent and not satisfied by anything less. I'm sick of seeing 'interesting' things and adding them to my portfolio of interesting things to do with enlightenment. I want the real thing, the real shift, that makes the hunger for enlightenment REAL. I want LU to give me the understanding that enlightenment is my need and not just my silly want. A proper shift.

What do you expect from a guided conversation?
I expect strong questions that come from authentic reasoning, not just toying with me. From someone who has actually taken the first-step-realisation for themselves and is confident they can transfer it to me.

What is your experience in terms of spiritual practices, seeking and inquiry?
5 David Hawkins books, all the Jed McKenna books, Ciaran's work and individual private sessions with him, A Course in Miracles... ... Lots of things

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

[Robert1]

It seems no matter how hard I try, realisations and epiphanies never seem to stick. I'm here to make a permanent shift.

[Canfora]

Hi Robert, welcome to the LU forum. I'm Sandra and I can be your guide if that's ok with you.

By reading your introduction it seems to me that, at the time being, you may be a little stuck in some expectations and want's. That's ok, but it may keep you from a permanent seeing of what we are point to here in the forum.

A shift in perspective that doesn't just go away.

I'm not sure what are your ideas about what this shift in perspective may be. If by a "A shift in perspective that doesn't just go away." you mean seeing that a separate, solid, permanent self isn't real, then I can tell you from my own experience, that that's possible. It's like the experience of being a kid that realizes that Santa Claus isn't real. And after this seeing the realization stays in place, doesn't just go away because, when in doubt, you have learned the skills to compare thoughts - mainly doubts and expectations - with what can be experienced here now, in a way that lets you know a real self can't be found.

It seems no matter how hard I try, realisations and epiphanies never seem to stick.

When you mention trying what do you mean? Can you briefly describe what you are trying to do?

Take care,
S