Seeking a guide

[pawpawlover]

LU is focused guiding for seeing there is no real, inherent 'self' - what do you understand by this?
I can see that there is no real, inherent 'self.' To be sure, when I look for one, I can't find it. And still, this sense of self, or process of selfing, stubbornly persists on a daily basis, causing dukkha. I can see that the experience of suffering is born of resistance, and yet, paradoxically, there's no resistor, nor could one ever be possible.

What are you looking for at LU?
Initially, if deemed helpful and/ or beneficial, I'd like to have an assessment as to whether or not I've had a genuine awakening, or kensho. I've had many glimpses of not-self, but am tired of delusion, of entanglement, and am ready to break through to a more permanent, or stabilized realization. I'm hoping a guide can work with me to actualize this earnest desire.

What do you expect from a guided conversation?
I expect a guide to work with me under the mutually-shared values of Truth, honesty, and commitment. I expect daily check-ins with the hopes that this level of persistence and commitment will help to focus my often scattered energies. I expect my guide to help me see through hidden beliefs and misperceptions.

What is your experience in terms of spiritual practices, seeking and inquiry?
I've been a seeker for nine years. I've sat or served over a dozen silent retreats in various traditions. I lived with Bhante G at Bhavana Society Forest Monastery & Meditation Center for three years, from 2020 to 2023. My primary teacher during that time was Rupert Spira, and I retreated with him at the Garrison Institute on a number of occasions. I also worked one-on-one, in a similar fashion to LU during that time, with my teacher, Matthew Flickstein, author of "Non-Duality; It's not what you think." Today, my primary teacher is Angelo Dilullo, with whom I've attended several retreats, both in-person, and virtually. I'm a very active member of the Headless Way community. My primary practice of the last few years has been Self-Inquiry. I've recently begun deep shadow work and examining beliefs.

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

[Windaway]

Dear pawpawlover,

(is that what you prefer to be called?)

Welcome to Liberation Unleashed. It’s great to see you here!
My name is David, and I’ll be glad to assist in exploring your experience.

Here at LU we assist in the exploration of the idea of the separate self. This is a guiding based on experience that brings a shift in perception and is not a debate. It directly points to what IS through the use of exercises, questions and dialogue. What is expected from you is to LOOK carefully to what is being pointed at. It is this simple LOOKING (not thinking) that brings a shift in perception.

This is YOUR inquiry. I will not be giving you new ideas and beliefs; only assisting you in examining and questioning the ones that you already have.

Here, we are LOOKING directly into the experience of the senses, which is actually here and now, with the thinking stripped away. It is also known as Direct Experience (DE) or Actual Experience (AE). In this way, we are aiming to discover what is truly happening without the story we tell ourselves. For this process to work you have to answer with 100% honesty, and not relying on thought, imagination or memory - just reporting your direct experience. That would also mean leaving spiritual teachings, philosophies and science away during the inquiry. If you have a meditation practice, please feel free to continue with it as usual – it might come helpful.

Also now is a good time to ask you to read through some important links and let me know if you are OK with everything before we get started.

1) The LU Disclaimer: http://www.liberationunleashed.com/register/disclaimer/
2) The LU Terms and Conditions http://www.liberationunleashed.com/register/terms/
3) What LU is not https://www.liberationunleashed.com/about/faq/#faq-1041

When replying to a question, please use the quote function to highlight the question being answered. Throughout this inquiry, please answer questions individually, not in a bundle. Please watch the below video to learn how to use the Quote function. This will assist us in having a clear dialogue around the questions and answers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fAToDNh9hQ

It is advisable that you copy and paste questions asked into Word, answer them there and then copy and paste them to your thread. It will save you time in the long run, if a glitch in the system wipes out your answer. Please answer questions INDIVIDUALLY, remembering to use the Quote function to highlight the question being answered.

For the sake of the intensity of the inquiry let’s try to stick to a daily conversation. Of course, life happens, so if you need more time, please let me know. I will do so as well.

What time zone are you in?

I’m in Spain time.

If you're okay with everything so far, we can start.

[robebor]

For the sake of the intensity of the inquiry let’s try to stick to a daily conversation. Of course, life happens, so if you need more time, please let me know. I will do so as well.

Nice to meet you, David. I really appreciate your willingness to work with me on this. I hope that in the future, I can pay it forward.

What time zone are you in?

I'm in Washington, DC., which is EST aka New York time zone.

I’m in Spain time.

Jealous!

If you're okay with everything so far, we can start.

I'm ready to start tomorrow, Saturday, JUL 13th. Sending you much love..

[robebor]

(is that what you prefer to be called?)

Oops! I missed this. My parents named me Brian, but you may call me whatever you like. :)

[Windaway]

Hello Brian,

Nice to meet you, David. I really appreciate your willingness to work with me on this. I hope that in the future, I can pay it forward.

You receive what you give.
My pleasure.

Sending you much love..

Thank I like to get all the love I can!

Let's begin:
First things first, let’s get your expectations out on in the open:

1. What will be different when you realize there’s no separate self?

2. What do you expect to happen as a result of this?

3. What do you want not to happen?

4. What are you hoping for?

5. What is missing?

[Windaway]

Hello Brain,

To get some momentum going is essential to answer every day or two days. If our conversation is diluted in time the efficiency will also be diluted.

Will you be able to respect this rhythm of conversation?

I would probably be unable to answer Saturday and Sunday as it is my family time. But I will try my best.