No Title

[Hamano]

LU is focused guiding for seeing there is no real, inherent 'self' - what do you understand by this? As far as I currently understand it, there is no self. In sort of way I can see that it is an illusion as soon as I meet different emotions, the illusion goes away. There is no longer fear or limits, but rather love and gratitude.

What are you looking for at LU? Getting help to see behind the self and release stuck energy if there is some. I think it is. I'd love to get help to questioning myself to see "truths" and understand "non duality" even more. I'd like to "open my eyes" and see what is.

What do you expect from a guided conversation? Raw honesty with people who have been liberated and got an enlightenment. I don't expect it, but it would be nice to talk to someone that has been through a spiritual journey as well. I am happy with anything, as long as I get good questions that I really can open my eyes.

What is your experience in terms of spiritual practices, seeking and inquiry? I have been through the dark night of the soul since 2018. I have ever since been seeking in spirituality to relieve the pain, but now I am tired of seeing and I am at the end of it. "Non duality" is tit, and I already sometimes feel liberation in accepting that I am not.

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

[warissem]

Hi Miko

Glad to be with you in the walk to see through the illusion of a separate self.

There is a need to accept some rules of the forum :

Come here once a day to give answers to the questions : if you cannot do it, let me know
Be honest when giving the answers : that is to be sure that the answer has been seen not read in books or heard in audios or videos
Read the disclaimer text here : viewtopic.php?f=16&t=221
Learn how to use the quote function here : viewtopic.php?f=4&t=660

Let me know when ready

Best wishes

Warissem

[Hamano]

Hi Warissem! Thank you for contacting me!

I apologise for my late reply. I don’t quite understand this website.

Is there some other place to speak with you or do you prefer to keep in touch in here?

Best regards

Miko

[Hamano]

Hello again Warissem

I am wondering if you are still available as a guide or if you are currently busy?

Sending lots of love

Miko Owada

[warissem]

Hi Miko

I apologize for the delay. Anyway, here we are. I wish that you are committed to seeing through the illusion of a separate self thus taking the flow of question/looking/answers all along this dialog and let aside all what you know about non duality.

What is a self in your own words ? when it begins ?

Best wishes

Warissem

[Hamano]

Hi Wariseem

Thank you for your reply. I am happy to start this with you.

I will do my best to start looking and I am committed to seeing through the illusion of self.

The self in own words:
As I see the self, it seems to be a beliefe/illusion that makes a sense of separation. That it seems to be seen that it is «you» and «me». The sense of taking things personally and believing that «I» have control - that I am doing changes, I am walking, I am writing this to you. The sense of being totally separate.

When it begins:
I believe it begins as soon as a baby/child starts to understand communication. Then we learn that «I am separate».

Looking forward to hear from you again.

Miko

[warissem]

Good morning

As I see the self, it seems to be a beliefe/illusion that makes a sense of separation. That it seems to be seen that it is «you» and «me». The sense of taking things personally and believing that «I» have control - that I am doing changes, I am walking, I am writing this to you. The sense of being totally separate.

When it begins:
I believe it begins as soon as a baby/child starts to understand communication. Then we learn that «I am separate».

Yes, well done. Now, you need to look at the beliefs and deconstruct them. The illusion is in thoughts, that is why it is important to make a difference between thoughts, imagination, beliefs, memories, projections, assumptions, ... and what is here in plain view, in direct experience.
Direct experience is : seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching (sensations). Thoughts are known but they will serve only to communicate during this dialog. An example of direct experience : when I ask a question like this "what is the color of the sky right now". The answer wil given through memory or thought OR from direct experience. In the last case, you look through the window, SEE the sky and give the answer. If this is clear, give me 2 or 3 examples showing the difference between direct experience and thought story.

Best wishes

Warissem

[Hamano]

Hi Warissem

Thanks for your reply. Not sure if I understood your question correctly, but here is my answers to what was arising:

Thought story:

1. Growing up and living with «me» seemed to be quite painful.

2. In the story there seemed to be a dog that I loved very much for 14 years.

Direct experience:

1. There is no pain and aparently was/feels like it never was painful to anyone. But no one can feel, it is only emptyness and thoughts showing with no attachments. Thoughts and emptyness are simply appearing.

2. There is no dog and no one could love the dog. All there is is peace and love already. Time also seem like an illusion and it feels like nothing ever happened - but no one can feel it. Emptyness is appearing.

Is this what you meant?


Best regards

Miko

[warissem]

Hi Miko

Thanks for your answers but the two are thought stories.

Right now you are in front of the screen, reading these words : OK ?

Describe direct experience : what is going here now without going to thoughts.

what are you seeing ?
what are you hearing ?
what are you smelling ?
what are you tasting ?
what are your sensations ?

Sure thoughts are passing by during the exercise but don't give them a penny.

Do the exercise as often as you can during the day. Come back with some of the descriptions.

Best wishes

Warissem

[Hamano]

Hi Warissem

I understand.

Hearing:
Washing machine
Breath
Ringing in head
Tapping on the phone
Walking
Refridgerator making squeeking noise

Smelling:
Not smelling too much (just had covid)

Sensations:
Warm sensation around my nose
Warm sensation from dog lying on lap
Dog moving
Peace or calmness in body
Muscles relaxing
Moist in mouth

Seeing:
Dog on lap
Blue sky
Mess in apartment
Nature outside the windows
Books in the shelf
Sun shining on the wall
Trees moving

Tasting:
Taste of strawberry protein shake
Egg
Spinach
Truffle
Raisins
Peanut butter

:)

Miko

[Hamano]

Tasting could also be described as:

Sweetness
Bitterness
Roundness
Mildness

Best regards

Miko

[warissem]

Hi Miko

I think you understand the difference between direct experience (objectivity) and thought story.

A simple question : is there a you, Miko in direct experience ?

Don't stress yourself, seeing what is and what is not is the same thing as seeing the screen and not seeing Warissem.

Kind regards

Warissem

[Hamano]

Hi Warissem

Thank you for your reply and patience.

It seems to be seen the difference of the story and what’s just happening/direct experience.

There is no Miko in the direct experience. Seeing is happening. Feeling is happening. Tasting is happening. But there is no one. A certain «feeling» of emptiness is often arising - but «feeling» is just arising. There no one who feels.

Best regards

Miko

[warissem]

Hi Miko

Thank you for your reply and patience.

You are much welcome.

It seems to be seen the difference of the story and what’s just happening/direct experience.

If there is a lack in understanding, I'll give other examples.

There is no Miko in the direct experience. Seeing is happening. Feeling is happening. Tasting is happening. But there is no one. A certain «feeling» of emptiness is often arising - but «feeling» is just arising. There no one who feels.

Have you seen what is said above or it refers to memory, to what you read in books or seen on videos ?
If it was seen for good, just answer to these questions :

When it was seen that there is no separate self and at which circumstances ?

What was seen in your own words ?

Is there a seer or a knower of what is seen ?

Best wishes

Warissem

[Hamano]

Hi Warissem

This is a good question.

It seems not to be seen, but rather felt. When listening to non dual speakers, it resonates with what’s felt. For instance there is no judging anymore (even if I try), no searching for «the next» or become «a better version of self», no knowledge is «needed» and actually nothing is needed anymore. So it is more of an intellectual understanding of what is felt without actually «seeing» it, if it makes sense.

But after reading Tony Parsons’s «the open secret», it was seen that no one read the book. «Bliss» (laughter, lightness and happiness) happened for 3 days. But the clarity seems to have faded, so again - there’s just an intellectual understanding and might memory yes.

I hope this makes sense.

Best regards

Miko