Simply Seeing

[SilentSeeing]

LU is focused guiding for seeing there is no real, inherent 'self' - what do you understand by this?

A support to truly see, to see through the illusion. By this I mean seeing that there is no self, that everything is subject to change. I also understand this to mean that the “self” I believe myself to be constantly identifies with my thoughts and emotions and that these thoughts and emotions create my illusion.


What are you looking for at LU?

I hope and wish to find a direct pointer as support to finally see the truth and to be able to shed the thick layers which isolate and separate me. I wish to find the truth so that I can start seeing things as they are and not as I want them to be.


What do you expect from a guided conversation?

What I’m looking for in a guided conversation is a space that is honest, direct, and free of judgment. I value clarity and sincerity, and I would like the dialogue to unfold at a pace that allows for real seeing rather than pressure.
At the same time, I’m open to being challenged. I don’t need to be protected from the truth. I’m here because I genuinely want to see. There is a readiness in me to be shaken out of familiar patterns, even if that feels uncomfortable.
Some time ago, I participated in a five-day Zen-based process called The Art of Dying, where we explored letting go, holding on, and the experience of dying. During that process, there was a moment when it became very clear to me that what I usually take to be reality is, in many ways, constructed, shaped by thought. I could see how much of my experience, including my relationships, is created through thinking, and how much simpler everything actually is underneath that.
This glimpse was both profound and unsettling. It showed me that I hadn’t really been living as fully as I thought and then, quite quickly, that clarity faded again.
Since then, there has been a quiet but steady longing in this more deeply. Not from a place of urgency, but from a sincere wish to see clearly and live from that clarity.


What is your experience in terms of spiritual practices, seeking and inquiry?

I began this journey about six years ago. Like many people, it started with what I believed to be depression. I began body-based therapy and joined trauma-sensitive self-exploration groups. Over time, I found myself having unexpected experiences that felt more spacious and “spiritual” in nature, even though that wasn’t my original intention. Gradually, it became clear to me that there might be something beyond therapeutic work, and this led me to continue exploring.

Since then, I’ve taken part in various approaches and trainings, including spiritual dearmouring, family constellations, energy healing, and Shaktipat. Each of these has offered something valuable, yet none of them has fully answered what I’m ultimately looking for.

At times, there is a sense of wanting to step away from the search, simply because it can feel circular. And yet, there is also a clear recognition that something essential is unresolved. I can’t quite return to living unconsciously in the same way as before. There is a quiet but persistent sense that clarity matters deeply.

I haven’t been working for the past two years. My previous job in IT felt increasingly disconnected from what feels alive and meaningful to me, and I’m still in the process of finding a new direction.

In a family constellation, I was able to clearly see how strongly I tend to move into thinking. It feels almost automatic, as if attention is constantly pulled into the head. There is a heaviness in that, and a sense of limitation. In meditation, there are moments of deep ease, even a kind of quiet joy and connection with the heart. But these states don’t seem to remain once I return to daily activity, which has raised important questions for me.

If I’m asked how willing I am to question my beliefs about the self, I would say a 9. There is genuine willingness, but also a healthy respect for what this involves. There is some fear present and at the same time, a strong sense that this inquiry truly matters.

More than anything, I can feel how much energy is tied up in identification with thoughts and patterns, and how exhausting that can be. This creates a sincere interest in understanding what is actually true, beyond those patterns.


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

9

[Anastacia42]

Good morning,

Great information.

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

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?

From here on, let's keep to simple concise answers. No books, okay? We want to focus on direct experience, not thinking.

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,

[SilentSeeing]

Dear Stacy

That would be great if you are my guide. Looking forward to it. I will be traveling until Sunday evening. This means I will get back to you and to the answers on Monday. I am in Berlin time zone. My name is Deni. In which time zone are you? Thank you so much. :) Highly appreciated. :)

Kind regards
Deni

[Anastacia42]

Thats fine, Deni . I'm in US Central Time in North Texas

I'll look forward to your replies.

Loving

[SilentSeeing]

Hi Stacy

Yes, I have read the disclaimer and the FAQs.

How will life change?

I don’t know really. It might not change much. It might become easier, simpler in a way.

How will you change?

At first I might be surprised or shocked. I might become a bit more laid back. See things as they are. See the reality. Maybe also be more loving. See my own entanglements and projections. Laugh more. Control less. Talk less.

What will be different?

I might feel more inside of me. Turn inwards.

What is missing?

I do not understand the question. But I try. The juice might be missing.


Warmly,
Deni

[Anastacia42]

Hi Deni,

Good answers. Reasonable expectations.

On the last one. If you are looking for something here we are asking what is missing that you're looking for.


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

[SilentSeeing]

Dear Stacey

On the last one. If you are looking for something here we are asking what is missing that you're looking for.

What I miss is my clarity sometimes and a feeling of deep connection with all of life.

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.

I feel a hint of relief and sadness welling up inside me, along with a deep longing to truly experience that someday. And at the same time, there's a small part of me that refuses to believe that there is no separate self.

Warmly,
Deni

[Anastacia42]

Yes, that. Thank you.

small part of me that refuses to believe that there is no separate self.

Science has proven this in many ways.

One is simply to notice the smallest particle that you're made of. Say, an atom.

Now what is the computer or phone made of? Atoms. The air? Atoms.

So what separates you from the computer or phone?
No separate "self." See?

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,

[SilentSeeing]

Hi Stacey, yes I am clear about this. Thanks.

[Anastacia42]

No "e."

[Anastacia42]

Now 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,

[SilentSeeing]

Hi Stacy, thank you. Give me one more day to practice this. I'll return to you tomorrow evening Berlin time. :) Warmly, Deni

[Anastacia42]

Thanks, Deni. Be sure to copy the format *exactly *

Loving,

[SilentSeeing]

Hi Stacy, here we go. :)

Hearing the washing machine = sound
Hearing the thunderstorm outside = sound
Thought about checking the windows = thought
Thought about being annoyed about the loud washing machine = thought
Thought about cleaning the stains on the white wall = thought
Seeing the white wall behind my laptop = seeing
Feeling the coating with imitation leather of the steering wheel in my car = feeling
Feeling hungry = sensation
Thoughts about preparing a snack = thought
Hearing the buzz of the fridge = sound
Hearing the loud washing machine = sound
Thought about how annoying the washing machine is = thought
Feeling the seating of the chair = sensation
Seeing the wooden floor = seeing
Hearing the thunderclap outside = sound
Seeing the color turquoise of my fragrance lamp = image/color
Thought about the liking the color turquoise
Thought about my mother
Seeing the flash of lightning outside = seeing
Thought about the lightning
Hearing the rain = sound
Thought about coffee = thought
Feeling tired = sensation
Thought about going to bed = thought

[Anastacia42]

Good. Now let's take it further.

Mind Labeling Experience

Here is an exercise which examines the way in which the mind labels experience - it takes about 20 minutes and you will need a pen a paper.

This exercise is broken into 10 minute lots. For each 10 minute period pay attention to any bodily sensation i.e. is there any tightening, or any relaxing?

For the first ten minutes write down what you are experiencing right now using the word “I”.

For example:

I am sitting on a chair,
I am hearing a clock ticking,
I am looking at a computer screen,
I am feeling hungry.

Get right to the point, no past or future fantasy, just a plain description of your experience right here and now.

Then for the next ten minutes continue writing down what you are experiencing but this time without using the word “I”. Just describe the experience as it is happening using verbs.

For example:

Sitting on a chair,
typing,
breathing,
blinking,
hearing the clock.

(Again, watch what is happening in the body.)

At the end of the twenty minutes compare the two ways in which the experience was labelled and answer the following four questions:

1. Is one truer than the other, and If so, which one?

2. What is here without labels?

3. Do labels affect the experience or just describe it?

4. Did you notice any differences in the body? Look. There is a difference.

Loving,