Is it possible?

[Maryann]

LU is focused guiding for seeing there is no real, inherent 'self' - what do you understand by this?
That the self that seems to be my identity is an assumption that seems to be really there but isn't and it's possible to see this.

What are you looking for at LU?
To not live from the illusion that the self is real. That the me identity can be seen as not really there and the strong sense that it is here can be questioned and not believed or lived from. That there would be no more need to seek and no feeling that this is not it and 'it' has to be found somehow.

What do you expect from a guided conversation?
That someone who doesn't have the sense that the me identity is real can point to what is false here. That something can shift if it is seen not to be real and true. That a line of questioning can - I don't know what.

What is your experience in terms of spiritual practices, seeking and inquiry?
Reading nonduality and listening to radical nonduality speakers. Tiny rare glimpses of not having a me identity looking out at a separate world. The last momentary glimpse showed that it was so simple that it was amazing that all the practices, religions, seeking etc were not necessary at all.

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

[Anastacia42]

My name is Stacy and I can be your guide, if you would like.

This is a first step. First 3 steps if you're using the 10 Fetters model.

It helps that you've had glimpses.

watch these, please:

https://youtu.be/vJQcD588g2w

and

https://youtu.be/PUDzrCLlrj4

This is just a beginning.

One thing that is helpful is to come to this forum
& post every day. Sometimes the site goes down. It will be back. Just come back later.

Yes, if once in a while you must post later, please post a note telling me when you will return.

If you haven't already read the disclaimer, please read it now and just confirm to me that you have read it. Here is the link.

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

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

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

Some housekeeping guidelines:

1. Post at least once a day, or every second day. If you need more time, or are unable to post for several days, just write a quick post on your thread to let me know please.

2. There is no one judging answers given, so please be 100% honest in your answers and inquiry.

3. This exploration is based on actual experience (AE) - smell, taste, sound, sensation, color and observed thoughts. Long-winded analytical and philosophical answers are best avoided and may even hinder progress. This is not a self-improvement process. There is no ‘self’ to improve.

4. Put aside all other teachings, philosophies, rituals, practices, books/reading and so on for the remainder of this investigation. Really put all your effort and attention in to seeing this reality, as it is. If you have a daily meditation practice, it is fine to continue that but is not necessary for this exploration.

Technology is not perfect and sometimes there is a glitch which can wipe out your responses. It is advisable that you copy and paste questions asked into Word, answer them there and then copy and paste them to your thread. Always save a copy of what you have done, it will save time in the long run!

To begin with, so that we both become aware of what your expectations are about this exploration. In your own words (not from actual experience, but just honest answers), could you please answer the 4 following questions:

How will life change?
How will you change?
What will be different?
What is missing?

Throughout this exploration I would like you to answer all questions that I have written in blue text. Please answer all questions even if I miss using the blue text.

Please answer questions individually, remembering to use the quote function to highlight the question being answered.

Below is a link to the video with instructions on using the Quote Function. Please watch it. Use the PREVIEW button to make sure your text looks right before you hit "SUBMIT."

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=660

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


Loving,

[Anastacia42]

Also, regarding whether it's possible - yes, absolutely. Angelo Dilullo's book addresses that

https://a.co/d/04tq5iYj

Loving,

[Maryann]

Hi Stacy. Thank you for your message. I'm in the UK and it's very late so I will watch the videos and answer the questions tomorrow. I'd like to be called Maryann. I don't know anything about fetters.

[Anastacia42]

Sounds good, Maryann.

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


Loving,

[Maryann]

How will life change?

Seeking will end. Unless it's a practical kind of seeking, which isn't a problem.

How will you change?

I won't feel that I am inside a body.

What will be different?

There won't be the sense of being a separate, solid me that is experiencing life and cut off from what is experienced.

What is missing?

I don't know. Something seems to be hidden.
I ordered Angelo Dilullo's book and then read ''Put aside all other teachings, philosophies, rituals, practices, books/reading and so on for the remainder of this investigation.'' I cancelled the order.
I've read the disclaimer.

[Anastacia42]

Good morning,

You can read Angelo if you want. He does "who am I?" and we do not, but we're basically on the same page. Some of the others aren't & we don't want to confuse you with multiple methods.

Your expectations are pretty reasonable.

Now what comes up when reading that there is no separate self, never has been, and never will be? That the whole thing was a made up story that we believed.


Loving,

[Maryann]

Now what comes up when reading that there is no separate self, never has been, and never will be? That the whole thing was a made up story that we believed.[/quote
What comes to mind is that I would like to stop believing something that isn't true. The belief has been there for a long time and I would like it to end but I have been unable to end it.

[Maryann]

Sorry. I forgot to preview and just highlight the question.

[Anastacia42]

Thank you.

This is how to LOOK for no self in the exercises - we call them "pointers' - that we will be doing here:

Colored Socks

There is a big difference between knowing that there is nothing to give up and seeing that there is nothing to give up.

Here is an example to illustrate the difference:

If I ask you what color socks you are wearing right now you have two ways to come up with an answer:

• You can think about it, you can think back to this morning and try to remember putting your socks on, and you can probably tell me what color you think they are.

• Alternatively, you can take a quick look at your socks and tell me what color they actually are!

Hopefully you would agree that you can only be 100% certain by looking.

For the purpose of seeing this "no self" idea, it is very important that you are clear about this difference.

Knowing is about knowledge which is all in the mind and we are not interested in that

We are only interested in looking at and seeing what is actually going on in your present moment-to-moment experience. We are only interested in your Direct Experience in the moment..

Direct or Actual Experience is

Seeing
Hearing
Feeling (Sensation, not emotion. Emotion is Sensation plus made-up thoughts & labels)
Tasting
Smelling
Thoughts Arising (but not their content)

Please let me know if you are clear about this or if you would like any further clarification.



Loving,

[Maryann]

Please let me know if you are clear about this or if you would like any further clarification.

I'm clear about what is direct/actual experience.
Thank you Stacy

[Anastacia42]

Great. Now practice this.


Direct Experience - Labeling Daily Activities

Here's an exercise that I would like you to try as many times throughout the day as you can. Label daily activities simply color/image, sound, smell, taste, sensation, thought.

So for example, when having breakfast, become aware of:

Seeing a cup, simply= image/color
Smelling coffee, simply = smell
Feeling the warmth of the coffee cup, simply = sensation
Tasting the coffee, simply = taste
Hearing the spoon stirring the coffee, simply = sound
Thought about drinking the coffee, simply = thought

Just break down daily activities into these categories (which are all Actual/Direct Experience) and report back with lists exactly like the one above.

Post several of your own observations in a list *exactly* like the one above, please.

Refer to the green list of Actual/Direct Experience in the prior post if that helps. Those are the only items any experience can be.

Loving,

[Maryann]

Post several of your own observations in a list *exactly* like the one above, please.

Seeing a pen,simply = image/colour
Smelling the ink, simply = smell
Feeling the pressure of hand on desk, simply = sensation
Tasting chocolate, simply = taste
Hearing the sound of paper rustling, simply = sound
Thought about the chocolate, simply = thought.

All the items are easy to notice except thought. It seems to go on unobserved and I notice that there had been a thought afterwards, in memory.

[Anastacia42]

Yes. Maybe do a few more, especially thoughts.

Loving,

[Maryann]

Yes. Maybe do a few more, especially thoughts.

I seem to get lost in the content of thoughts instead of noticing them. But I can see that thinking about washing the dishes, simply = thought.