Looking for guidance with direct inquiry

[erman]

LU is focused guiding for seeing there is no real, inherent 'self' - what do you understand by this?
My understanding is that what I experience as “me” may not be a separate entity that is actually there, but rather thoughts, sensations and experiences that create that impression. I understand this conceptually, but thoughts and doubts can sometimes be overwhelming, so having someone help me see whether I’m approaching self-inquiry correctly would

What are you looking for at LU?
I’m looking for practical guidance with self-inquiry and investigating the sense of being a separate self. I’ve been exploring awakening and non-duality, particularly through Angelo Dilullo’s work, and I’ve been trying to apply self-inquiry and direct investigation on my own.

The difficulty is that when I’m doing this alone, thoughts and doubts can sometimes become overwhelming, and it can be hard to tell whether I’m actually looking at my direct experience or just thinking about it. I’d really value having someone more experienced who can tell me when I’m getting caught in concepts, help me understand whether I’m approaching the inquiry correctly, and point me in a better direction when needed.

I’m not looking for someone to give me beliefs or answers, but for an ongoing dialogue where I can describe what I’m noticing, ask questions when I’m confused, and receive practical feedback and exercises to work with.

What do you expect from a guided conversation?
I hope to have an open and practical conversation where I can describe what I’m experiencing during self-inquiry, including my doubts and confusion, and get feedback from someone with more experience.

Sometimes I find it difficult to tell whether I’m actually looking at direct experience or just thinking and analyzing. I would like a guide to help me recognize that difference, point out where I may be getting stuck, and suggest questions or exercises that I can explore for myself.

What is your experience in terms of spiritual practices, seeking and inquiry?
I’ve been exploring non-duality and awakening for some time. I’ve read several books by Nisargadatta Maharaj and Ramana Maharshi, as well as books by Eckhart Tolle. I’ve also attended a retreat with Lisa Cairns.

More recently, I’ve been regularly following Angelo Dilullo and Rupert Spira through their videos and I’ve also read their books. Angelo’s approach in particular has encouraged me to take self-inquiry and direct investigation more seriously.

I practice self-inquiry whenever I can throughout the day, probably for several hours in total on most days.

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