Looking for a guide to explore the changes of life

[adam_brunt]

That's so interesting to read those passages from the past. I don't have any of those thoughts or challenges currently. I would say there are no anxiety problems. I don't see things as normal/not normal as relates to feelings or emotional processes and don't see a me as having any of problems. Whatever comes up is ok, but some things I felt challenged with in the past just aren't even there.

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[adam_brunt]

I feel like I'm done with questions. I would like to have a clearer understanding of Vedanta in order to discuss with others more clearly. That is all.

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[Bill]

Hello Adam,

We dont get into the specifics of any religious doctrine here.. like Vedanta. We dont get into it.
You could say much of what we point to here is a westernized version of it.. only loosely.... but many of the same ideas and concepts are used. I feel we are pointing to something far more basic than any religious doctrine.

The format here is that the guidee engages in the dialogue until they feel they are clear on things.
The number one thing we want clarity on is that there is no real separate self to be found.. anywhere.
Once this is seen... we have a format of some follow up questions ... we call them the final 6 questions.
We ask these when you feel you have seen through the self and are ready.. (in your view) for them.

Are you ready for these?

[adam_brunt]

Sure. I'm ready! Thank you

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[adam_brunt]

I feel that even though we might say what is being pointed to is very basic, the fact is that human suffering is being seen through. That is such an incredible gift. To arrive where you have always been. I feel very clear. It is undoubtedly clear now.

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[Bill]

OK Adam... here they are...

Please take your time and answer each one fully, when you are ready.

1) Is there a separate entity 'self', 'me' 'I', at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form?
Was there ever?

2) Explain in detail what the illusion of separate self is, when it starts and how it works from your own experience.
Describe it fully as you see it now.

3) How does it feel to see this?
What is the difference from before you started this dialogue?
Please report from the past few days.

4) What was the last bit that pushed you over, made you actually take the look?

5) Describe decision, intention, free will, choice and control. What makes things happen?
How does it work?
What are you responsible for?
Give examples from your recent day to day experience.

6) Anything to add?

If you prefer and its easier for you with the phone.. you can do them one at a time, or in groups.

[adam_brunt]

Ok. Thank you. I will get back to these when I have more time.

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[adam_brunt]

1) Is there a separate entity 'self', 'me' 'I', at all, anywhere, in any way, shape or form?
Was there ever?

There was the set of thoughts that are labeled as different things such as preferences, memories, etc. that were believed to be the story and identification linked to the sense of I am. As a separate entity, this person never was that imagined person. There are apparent preferences, forms, and decisions happening, but no one in control doing those things. Our being can be observed as a simple freedom from thought and the recognition of ourselves as not the thoughts, but the sense of aware presence that never leaves us. There is this happening, but to no one that was ever here.

2) Explain in detail what the illusion of separate self is, when it starts and how it works from your own experience.
Describe it fully as you see it now.

From my experience, you could say, the separate self is just an illusion made from the collected ideas, preferences, projections being attached to the sense of I am. This network of illusion is the source of suffering because you see yourself as a limited person that has to do certain things to feel a certain way. The illusion is chasing feelings and sensation as a source of experience that becomes part of the story. I think it must have started from the beginning when you are given a name and you are told certain things that you come to believe about yourself. You are given a role to play within a family and that forms you identity as a limited functional person that is constantly seeking love and approval in order to feel complete.

It is a tricky thing to have a constant running narrative in your mind. You begin to believe that this is just how life is going to be. Maybe you calm the thinking, but it appears that it will never stop. The judgments, the observations, the comparison constantly operating from an apparent field of lack.

Now I do not experience that constant narrative and comparison. There is just what is happening whether preferable or not.

3) How does it feel to see this?
What is the difference from before you started this dialogue?
Please report from the past few days.

It feels great to see this. I could tell something was different and after an hour or so I knew for sure that the shift had occurred. It really did feel that it happened to no one. All the teaching and reading I could remember really made such sense more than it ever had! Things still seem very much the same, but I can feel the difference of how experience is processed. I feel less reactive and more objective in everyday occurrences. There is a feeling of complete acceptance of what is. I feel so grateful for the sharing that occurs at LU in order to stay with the looking and become clear. I feel so much love for my family and the world. I feel more connected to people. I see us all part of the same movement.

I went back a reread some things from different books as a check in process with what had happened, and was just shaking my head in agreement. I completely understood and felt what they were talking about. This may not mean much to say, and could be clarified with some details about exactly what I read, but I don't think it is necessary to do that. I see how language gets tricky when talking about this. We are playing with words in order to direct things, but they can be dropped as well.

4) What was the last bit that pushed you over, made you actually take the look?

I think I was looking for a very long time, but there was so much processing and thinking happening that it just blocked my view incredibly. I had so many expectations below the surface. I thought I understood that expectations were not helpful, but that did not mean that they were not there sustaining identity. Understanding that there is not a specific way this will look when understood and that life will not be fixed seemed to loosen up my fixed identity enough to let the real seeing slip in. Then it felt like a switched just flipped.

5) Describe decision, intention, free will, choice and control. What makes things happen?
How does it work?
What are you responsible for?
Give examples from your recent day to day experience.

Those are all appearances. In reality, all those apparent occurrences just happen without a controller. Only thoughts associated with an I am sense make those concepts real. I can't really say how anything happens. Maybe scientifically we can make a distinction, but in direct experience there is no one to decide, to have intent, choose, control, or be responsible.

I am not sure how to give examples of things that do not happen!

6) Anything to add?

I would like to know how to stay solid in this understanding. Is there an after process to stay confirmed with what has been seen? It seems like there would be something further to do, but maybe not. I appreciate how ordinary everything is while being so extraordinary as well. All those ideas of what I may or may not do if I saw what I am not are just not an issue. Thank you so much for this gift! It is very special.

I have been curious about what happens when parents go through this process that have small children. Is there a way to raise a child with this understanding without confusing them! It seems like my entire family is working at creating an imaginary sense of personhood for my son. They don't know it. It's just the way all people in western societies seem to behave. It seems like a waste of time to me, but that is how they show love and I don't want to control that connection. Should someone become an imagined person first before exploring the reality of existence?

Thank you!

[Bill]

Thank you for the detailed response Adam....
Our other guides will be taking a look at the dialoge to see if there is anything
that's missing, or might ask another question or two. Being that the thread is a bit long
it might take a day or two.. I will be back to you then.

LU has several groups (discussion, aftercare, guide training) to address any lingering questions or issues
mainly in facebook. We will be sending this info to you when we are done here.
You probably will find it very useful. :)

[adam_brunt]

Ok. Thank you :-)

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[Bill]

Adam, the other guides looked and confirmed your answers without an issue.
Someone will be in touch in the next day or so, and your user name will turn blue, and then
more of the website will open up to you. When this happens be sure and check out this page (while logged in)

http://liberationunleashed.com/nation/v ... ?f=6&t=696

We have several groups on Facebook and you can also use those for learning about guiding
if that's something you want to consider, and also many for further discussion.
I'd encourage you to take a look at these and see what resonates with you.
Guiding is a good thing to do and learn if the inclination is there...
as it is a way to keep fresh and work with others.

Life goes on as it does. I wish you the best. :)

Namaste,
Bill

PS: Feel free to respond back with any questions or comments you may have.

[adam_brunt]

Life does go on indeed.

I do feel a tug to connect with others about all this. Just feels natural. I would love to also return the favor and lighten the load so to speak. :-)

How would I find the Facebook groups?

Thank you Bill.

Much love,

Adam


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[Bill]

Hi Adam,

You will get some info from us regarding the groups, with an invitation to a few.
Maybe that has happened by now as I see your name is blue... if not soon.

Im sure I'll see you on there.
Glad you're here! :)