About Silvia

[Silvia1]

LU is focused guiding for seeing there is no real, inherent 'self' - what do you understand by this?
As I understand it, the lack of a real, intrinsic "self" means that what I think I am—a separate body and mind, with a defined identity—is actually a mental construct, a kind of illusion.
This sense of being "someone" seems to arise from the constant intertwining of thoughts, memories, and habits, which are automatically interpreted as belonging to

What are you looking for at LU?
I seek the possibility of reaching the truth and the end of self-created suffering.
In particular, I feel the need to see clearly what is real and what is constructed by the mind, because I have the impression that much suffering arises precisely from identifications and beliefs that are taken for granted.

What do you expect from a guided conversation?
Through LU, I therefore seek a direct and honest investigation that allows me to question these beliefs, especially the idea of ​​a separate “self,” with the hope that this will lead to greater inner freedom and a reduction in the suffering that seems to be generated by this sense of identity.

What is your experience in terms of spiritual practices, seeking and inquiry?
non-dual book readings

On a scale from 1 to 10, how willing are you to question any currently held beliefs about 'self? 9

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[Noro]

Hello Silvia,

Welcome to Liberation Unleashed. My name is Rowena and I am happy to be your guide.

First things first, a bit of housekeeping:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Please read the following documents from LU *carefully* and let me know if you have any reservations or doubts regarding them:

http://www.liberationunleashed.com/register/disclaimer/

and "Liberation Unleashed is not …” in the FAQ’s of LU.
http://liberationunleashed.com/about/faq/#faq-1041


4. Please make sure that you are subscribed to your thread. In the top left corner, next to "Post Reply" there is an icon that looks like a spanner. When you click on it there is a menu where you can select “Subscribe topic’. Click on it once. (To be sure that you are subscribed just refresh the page and if you click again should show “Unsubscribe topic”.)

6. Please answer all questions individually, not in a bundle, as this will assist us both in having a clear dialogue. Also 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.

7. When replying to a question it makes it a lot easier to follow the enquiry using the 'Quote Function' to highlight the questions and answers. Here's a video link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fAToDNh9hQ

Throughout this exploration the questions that I would like you to answer are written in blue text. But please check and answer all questions even if I miss using the blue text!!

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. And I will do so as well.
What time zone are in? I am in Belgium which is CET
If you're okay with everything so far, we can start.


THERE IS NO SEPARATE SELF

Read or say out loud the following sentence many times:

There is no separate self, no one in control, there never has been and never will be!

Take a moment and look into your own experience of your self. Notice what you can actually find.
Can you find anything that you can name or identify that is truly yourself, that is constant and invariable?

After doing it many times, let me know what was seen, felt, discovered.

Please share only your immediate experience when you say or read those words, take note of any thoughts that are emotionally charged, even if you think they might be irrational and any sensations that are noticed in the body. Look for any contractions in head, heart or gut. Please keep to your direct experience and stay away from discussing thoughts or ideas about a separate self.


With love,

Rowena