The Gate

LU is focused guiding for seeing there is no real, inherent 'self' - what do you understand by this?
The life experienced is awareness - the body functions within this - all experience functions within this. A person with a fixed personality can sucessfully veil awareness and in doing so dimininsh experience. Living without an inherent self is freedom and a life in freefall.

What are you looking for at LU?
I am looking for reassurance and confirmation [a recent medical diagnosis had catapulted a me into the foreground] and although that is already stablilising, I am keen to communicate with a community of like minded people as I have only just discovered LU.

What do you expect from a guided conversation?
I expect reassurance, clarity, encouragement and truth and if there is a movement forward to be achieved, I would love that to be the experience. I assume the guide has a desire to share how to live this experience and I have the desire to receive it.

What is your experience in terms of spiritual practices, seeking and inquiry?
20 years or so meditation - Buddhist enquiry
Observation of subtle energy
Came across non duality 10 + years ago - various speakers from Tony Parsons to Rupert Spira
It is with gratitude and relief that I have come across LU recently - it is a beautiful surprise to know that this community exists

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

Hello Nib Im Merlin so you want some reasurance of your experience, so youve meditated and found yourself witnessing thoughts and emotion hows that been like for you?

Hi Merlin

Lately, very uncomfortable.

Hi Merlin, not sure if you've gone away but I'll try this anyway.

Witnessing thoughts and emotions seems to be replaced by just being caught up in thoughts and emotions at the moment.

Is it true?

Reporting this observation is true.

Siobhan (aka Nib)

Hello, thats when people usaully find this place when things become uncomfortable. When we start to become aware of the inner tormoil in us its like we can start to see this or listion to it or feel it from another vantage point. From this point on I will assist you in leading you back over and over again to your experience because your inner truth is the name of the game. Their is in some spiritual circles called illusion, and the big one we work on here is the Mind or some folks call it the ego or just 'MY' thoughts. We all have thoughts and emotions. So Can you tell me where they are?

Definitely in the foreground these days.......thoughts and emotions

Can you describe for me awarenes

Well only in the sense that it's indescribable.

Where is that awareness?

I guess there is no 'where' so awareness is not true

However awareness has been felt/used here as a refuge often.

It looks like the experience of that is changing/has changed.

For a me, that's confusing and disappointing.

For a no me - it's seen that awareness is not necessary.

The question arises - is awareness one of Santas little helpers?

What would be life without awareness?

Life would be just as it is........without awareness.

Awareness could be a crutch, a state, an add on, a bell or whistle, a reassurance, a pointer, a blockage, necessary or useful until it's not necessary or useful anymore.

Is it true? Is the sky blue?

Who knows?

Whats in your direct experience now? What is happening? Go into as much detail as you can.

Whats inside

Reading words
Hearing birdsong
Seeing movement of birds
Seeing movement of trees and hedges
Hearing the sound of a car
Hearing muted sound of tv
Birdsong
Sitting
Feeling one foot on a floor
Feeling hand holding phone
Touching screen of phone
Hearing door banging
Feeling of concentration on this task
Feeling arm resting on cushion
Thought arising 'is there anything else to add?'
Exhalation