Seeing through the self-illusion with a guide

[willingToSee]

http://liberationunleashed.com/disclaimer-2/

I already read the disclaimer the first time I registered and I did read it again this morning.

Also please read “Liberation Unleashed is not …” in the FAQ’s of LU. Here is the link.

http://liberationunleashed.com/about/faq/#faq-1041

I just read the FAQ again for the second time.

How will life change?

In the past before reading about enlightenment and awakening, I would say that my life would become total bliss without a single problem...
After I read some books and watched some YouTube videos, I saw that it is a common thread between a lot of awakened people that life will be the same and I will still have to go through whatever life throws at me.
I saw people who said that waking up is boring, others that went through painful emotional releases, others that have to make drastic changes in their life and on and on....
So I don't expect anything magic anymore and I don't really have any clue how my life will change. I am looking forward to finding out.

How will you change?

To be honest, I don't know. I think It would be good to see through the illusion of self.
After Seeing through the illusion of self, I will be able to see clearly. I see it like removing tainted glasses and seeing what is there directly without the distortion of the tainted glasses.

What will be different?

Nothing will be different, except the sense of being an entity trying to survive in this insecure world will disappear.
Currently everything is viewed and processed through the lens of an imaginary insecure entity fighting with life and everyone else for its own survival.
After seeing through the illusion of self, I expect this entity and its vigilance and guardedness will dissolve progressively.

What is missing?

There is a vague feeling that something has been missing all the way from my childhood up to now. I could never put it in words! I tried to fill that void or lack with achievements, material possessions and friendship but to no avail.
That's what motivated my seeking a long time ago and it continues to fuel it. A question like is this all what life can offer. It's frustrating. It's like the search on the material plane does not deliver anything anymore except a temporary relief.
So it must be something within that needs to change and shift....

What would you like for me to call you? What time zone are you in, please?

Please call me Lahsen
Time zone : Eastern Standard Time Canada

[willingToSee]

Hi Stacy,

Here is how to distinguish truth from lies.

I read and understood what you shared.
I just heard the news and saw a politician lying to the whole world and I felt a constriction in my solar plexus, it is still there now but with less intensity.
I will try to dig into the past and remember some lies I told and see how the body registers that.
I will post my findings at the end of the afternoon.
Thanks

[willingToSee]

Hi Stacy,

Find the lie. I don't need the whole story, just a few key words to refer to it.

Then scan your body for any Sensation (DE or Direct Experience), particularly in the gut or maybe the heart. Check very closely.

Lying about studying abroad
I went abroad to study but didn't like it there so I returned home during the first month and lied to my family that the program was full.
replaying the story in my mind now, I felt a noticeable tightening in my solar plexus. Vey clear body reaction!

Lying about having to cancel a contract
I signed a contract with a company and I paid money, but changed my mind after that, so I lied to them in order to get back my money.
Revisiting the scene of the lie, I felt a slight tightening in the solar plexus area. Exactly the same spot as in the lie before but less intensity.

I played also with these two examples:

1-My name is Lahsen versus My name is Larsen
I didn't register anything different in the body


2- 3+4 = 7 versus 3+4 = 17
No change in the body sensations but the mind was screaming

I will keep practicing this with the numbers to see if that helps tuning into the body when telling the lie from the truth

[Anastacia42]

Very good. Pay attention wihen that tightness shows up.

Now this:

Label-Reality Correlation

There is a belief that labels have a one-to-one correspondence with ‘reality’. But there isn’t. Just like it is a generally accepted belief that labels like ‘good’ and ‘bad’ are inherent characteristics of ‘things’. But actually, they are not.

When you look at the word label ‘GREEN' , what is the actual experience?

Is the color red ‘experienced’, or is the color green ‘experienced’ as the label suggests?

Does the label ‘GREEN’ have a one-to-one correspondence with ‘reality’? Or does the label suggest something else other than what is here now (red colour)?

Is 'green' associated in any way with the experience of the colour red; or is green just a label that overlays the actual experience of red?

If the label ‘GREEN’ is replaced with the label ‘GOOD’ or ‘BAD’ , is the redness affected in any way as the labels suggests?

Does redness become ‘good’ or ‘bad’, or do the labels have no affect whatsoever on ‘reality’?

Let me know what is SEEN.

Loving,

[willingToSee]

When you look at the word label ‘GREEN' , what is the actual experience?

Is the color red ‘experienced’, or is the color green ‘experienced’ as the label suggests?

In my direct experience the color red is experienced. The color green was not experienced, only the thought about the color green arose.

Does the label ‘GREEN’ have a one-to-one correspondence with ‘reality’? Or does the label suggest something else other than what is here now (red colour)?

The label 'GREEN' does not have a one-to-one correspondence with reality.
The label suggests something else other than what is here now (red color). It suggests green color.

Is 'green' associated in any way with the experience of the colour red; or is green just a label that overlays the actual experience of red?

No, 'green' is not associated in any way with the experience of the colour red.
There is no doubt, green is just a label that overlays the actual experience of red.

If the label ‘GREEN’ is replaced with the label ‘GOOD’ or ‘BAD’ , is the redness affected in any way as the labels suggests?

No, the redness is not affected by the change of the label from 'GREEN' to 'GOOD' or 'BAD'

Does redness become ‘good’ or ‘bad’, or do the labels have no affect whatsoever on ‘reality’?

The redness does not become 'good' or 'bad'.
The labels do not have any effect whatsoever on reality.
This is very profound, I have never seen this truth about labels
I need to stay a little while with this truth and let it sink!

[Anastacia42]

Good. Here's a similar one. Take your time.

Friend/Stranger

Bring up a thought about a character labeled "friend."

Then bring up a thought about a character labeled "stranger."

Compare these thoughts.

Is there a difference in these thoughts?

Is there a true difference or is it just different content?

Now, bring up a thought about a character labeled "friend."

After that, look at a thought about the character labelled "me.”

Is there a difference?

Is there anything special about thoughts with the content "me-character?"

Let me know what is found.

Labeling the day, the Sensations, etc. does nothing to reduce their beauty or joy, but can hide them from our awareness.

Loving,

[willingToSee]

Hi Stacy,

Friend/Stranger

Bring up a thought about a character labeled "friend."
Then bring up a thought about a character labeled "stranger."
Compare these thoughts.
Is there a difference in these thoughts?

No, there is no difference between the 2 thoughts except the content. I can see that clearly.

Is there a true difference or is it just different content?

No, there is no true difference, it is just a different content.

Now, bring up a thought about a character labeled "friend."

After that, look at a thought about the character labelled "me.”

Is there a difference?

No, there is no difference, only the content is different, nothing else.

Is there anything special about thoughts with the content "me-character?"

I cannot find anything special about thoughts with the content 'me-character'.
It's weird. My mind does not like it that there is nothing special about thoughts with 'me-character'!

Let me know what is found.

From the precedent exercise, I can see clearly that the labels and concepts have nothing to do whatsoever with reality.
The me-character is only a concept present in the thoughts, that's the only place I can find it.
I feel like the hold of thoughts is loosening a bit, they don't appear as serious as before.

[Anastacia42]

The me-character is only a concept present in the thoughts, that's the only place I can find it.

Correct

I feel like the hold of thoughts is loosening a bit, they don't appear as serious as before.

Excellent!

How does it FEEL to see this?

We are looking for a shift in perception. If you have red Gateless Gatecrashers, each chapter describes such a shift. You can read that for examples.

Loving,

[willingToSee]

How does it FEEL to see this?

The whole thought/concept plane has lost its credibility, it's like seeing the lie for the first time.
The concept of 'I' is no longer in the foreground as before, the experience seems to be now in the foreground and the I-thoughts switched to the background. They look less serious.

I don't see any significant shift in perception yet!
I will keep looking.
As you referenced the Gateless Gatecrashers, I will read one or two chapters from the book and see.
I will report back tomorrow.
Thanks

[Anastacia42]

The concept of 'I' is no longer in the foreground as before, the experience seems to be now in the foreground and the I-thoughts switched to the background. They look less serious

.

Isn't that a shift in perception?

Do check the book & I'll watch for your reply tomorrow.

Loving

[willingToSee]

Hi Stacy,
I did read some chapters from the book.
I really don't know what to say.
There was a slight shift, I feel like I woke up from the dream of thoughts.
The self/me is seen through as only a concept, the mind is a bit quieter than before.
This morning I went to work and I noticed there was no complaining , no moaning about the transit, the cold and other things. It was effortless!
I feel more drawn to silence than before, not sure if this has anything to do with this shift.
On the other hand, I am a bit shocked, it is not supposed to be that easy to see this.
When I look back at all the spiritual books I read, the workshops I attended and the online courses I bought, I want to cry and laugh at the same time, it looks like a scam or a joke.
Please don't tell me this is it, there has to be something more to this.

With gratitude

[Anastacia42]

it

is not supposed to be that easy to see this.

Why not. It IS actually that simple.

But yes, this just a beginning. a door opening.

Watch these, please:

https://youtu.be/vJQcD588g2w

and

https://youtu.be/PUDzrCLlrj4


One model for looking at this is called Ten Fetters. At LU we only cover the first 3. There are groups outside of LU. some led by LU guides. that take it further.

Here is a list of the Fetters;:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fetter_(Buddhism)

and some resources:

Christiana Michelberger
https://findingawakening.com/about/

Vince Shubert

Weekly Free Meetup Times (Sydney, Australia time):
Saturday 9 pm,
Monday 6 am (for paid subscribers - recording only available to attendees)
Wednesday 4 pm (recorded and published on YouTube)
Friday 7 am (recording only available to attendees)
📍Check your local time: www.worldtimebuddy.com
⏱ Countdown timer for the next meeting on: www.wakingupwithvince.com (scroll down)
🧭 It’s always the same Zoom link; you can arrive late or leave early.

Meeting ID: 869 9148 5768
Passcode: 083035

Todd & Pernille Lent Damore

Yes, we still have a monthly Inquiry Group that's free, and that they are welcome to join.
We also have our Discord community which is free too.

Write to:
unfetteredmindfulness@gmail.com

We have some traditional questions if you are ready. Other guides will read your answers and may have questions.

Loving,

[willingToSee]

I will watch the videos and check the links tonight and report back tomorrow morning.
Thanks

[willingToSee]

Hi Stacy,
Thanks for the info!
I watched the videos and did some reading following the links you provided yesterday.
I see now that there is more work to be done and this step is just the beginning.

We have some traditional questions if you are ready. Other guides will read your answers and may have questions.

If you don't mind, I would like to stick around a bit longer and work through other pointers just to make sure I am not missing anything.
I have a question for you:
Are the two statements below true or I am just deceiving myself:
Seeing through the illusion of self has nothing to do with spirituality, robes, dogmas and gurus and being the lucky one!
Seeing through the illusion of self can be attained by anyone who seriously look into direct experience


With Gratitude

[Anastacia42]

That's fine. Yes both of those statements are true. I'll see what videos I might be able to find on that kind of thing

I have some pointers in my Dropbox that you might like. Try these 1 Be sure to listen to the introduction.
.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ksba3zhi9uuz ... hsk1a?dl=0

Loving