What is real?

[BarryKilz]

LU is focused guiding for seeing there is no real, inherent 'self' - what do you understand by this?
What I understand as the "self" is a collection of thoughts and habit patterns that I identify as ME.

What are you looking for at LU?
To break through the delusion. To find an ally that can aid me in that effort. I can be mindful when I wake up in the morning, meditate and begin my day. But once I'm thrown into the mix of work, conversation, etc. I lose it. I use a mindfulness bell but even then, after awhile it fades into the background.

What do you expect from a guided conversation?
To help me see my own BS and break through chasing my tail. I can set my intention in the morning and begin to stay present but after engaging in the day, I'm lost in thought and even a mindfulness bell doesn't bring me back.

What is your experience in terms of spiritual practices, seeking and inquiry?
Started meditating in Zen over 20 years ago. See (at times), that my thoughts are not real and just appear and disappear. Found Simply Always Awake online and then Penilla Damore. Newish to self-inquiry.

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

[poppyseed]

Hi Barry
(is that what you want me to call you?)

Welcome to Liberation Unleashed :)! It’s great to see you here!
My name is Rali, and I’ll be glad to be your guide if you like.

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.

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.

Please read through “Liberation Unleashed is not …” in the FAQ’s of LU. Please confirm that you have read them
http://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.

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 as well.
What time zone are in?
If you're okay with everything so far, we can start.
Love
Rali