The Gate

LU is focused guiding for seeing there is no real, inherent 'self' - what do you understand by this? It means that i let go of the incessent narrative that ia driving me mad and finally let go of this 'ghost'.
Additionally it means I Am in Union with All There Is. The sense of fear and loneliness is released and i can live to my highest potential in actuality here on earth and not wait for a hereafter promised heaven anymore.

What are you looking for at LU?
1.Freedom to be who I Am always.
2.To be led by one who has gone before me in shedding this self.
3. Live knowing i have dropped the unreal and can now face all situations with Courage and Love.
4. Finally be the Peace i have been searching for everywhere.

What do you expect from a guided conversation? I expect to be guided in a direction that is taking me to the correct path to be free of this self and its narratives.
The guide leading me would have the experience necessary to show me the way.
The practical support of a guide so i finally release the self.

What is your experience in terms of spiritual practices, seeking and inquiry? I have had the usual experiences of seek and never finding. I have chanhed religion from Christian to Bahai and to no avial. Then i let go of religion and the restarted and realised there is a Non dual path. I started A Course In Miracles in 2019 then found the Eastern teachings of Ramana, Papaji, Mooji, Gangaji, Nisargadatta and many others.

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

Good morning! (in Boulder, Colorado, US)

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

I was a Course in Miracles student for 25 years before finding The Work of Byron Katie, which is still useful, and Liberation Unleashed.

1.Freedom to be who I Am always.

You already have this.

2.To be led by one who has gone before me in shedding this self.

Yes.

3. Live knowing i have dropped the unreal and can now face all situations with Courage and Love.

The pointers provided can help you find this. There is no 'I."

4. Finally be the Peace i have been searching for everywhere.

You already are. These pointers will only help you to notice this.

One thing I want to make very clear up front is that with me, you must post every day. If you know yourself and your schedule are such that you cannot do this, tell me, "no," and someone else can guide you, please.

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?

Much love,

Good morning! (in Boulder, Colorado, US)

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

I was a Course in Miracles student for 25 years before finding The Work of Byron Katie, which is still useful, and Liberation Unleashed.

1.Freedom to be who I Am always.

You already have this.

2.To be led by one who has gone before me in shedding this self.

Yes.

3. Live knowing i have dropped the unreal and can now face all situations with Courage and Love.

The pointers provided can help you find this. There is no 'I."

4. Finally be the Peace i have been searching for everywhere.

You already are. These pointers will only help you to notice this.

One thing I want to make very clear up front is that with me, you must post every day. If you know yourself and your schedule are such that you cannot do this, tell me, "no," and someone else can guide you, please.

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?

Much love,

Hi Stacy,
Gratitude for reaching out and more so for having a Course background.
My one concern is the daily posts bearing in mind that this direct Pointing will get me out of my self made hell.
Is every other day or two okay with you?
Also here is where I give you my limitations that appear "real". I am surrounded by a flesh family that thinks this is weird. I still live at home with my parents at age 43, helping my father who has low vision in his small business is the way I earn money.
There are many expectations from parents and siblings that I will have this big job soon from out there that will solve all my problems and stop depending on them.
Yet I have accepted the role of a miracle healer, teacher, ad guide. Clearly all this seems very much make believe. I am willing to see what cannot be unseen and evolve from then on.
The questions you posted:

How will you change?
I will live finally live in Life Itself. Not in the shadows and fantasy world.

What will be different?
Since it is a shift in perception the unreal will be seen for what it is . A boof of nothing.

What is missing?[/color]
Now I miss the Alignment to Real Nature. I still think in me,my, mine, self,I.

What would you like for me to call you?
Please call me Dorothy.

What time zone are you in, please?[/color]
I am in the East African timezone (EAT)

Thank you,
Dorothy

Hi Dorothy,

Thank you. Your expectations are fairly reasonable.

Yes, you can aim for every other day. Just be regular about it. It seems to be important to keep the momentum going.

Please look again at how to use the Quote function. There was no need to quote my entire email - only the questions you are answering.

Use the PREVIEW button to check how it looks before you click Submit. It should have looked like this:

How will you change?

I will live finally live in Life Itself. Not in the shadows and fantasy world.

What will be different?

Since it is a shift in perception the unreal will be seen for what it is . A boof of nothing.

What is missing?

Now I miss the Alignment to Real Nature. I still think in me,my, mine, self,I.

Okay?

Here is the next question:

What comes up when is read that there is no "self," never has been & never will be? That "self" is just a made-up story?


Loving,

Hello Stacy,
Thank you for being my Guide in this Direct Pointing that is subtle (so subtle and easy to ignore) and Always Here.

The question:

What comes up when is read that there is no "self,
This "self" points to the pronouns used to possess the body and mind link. Since I walk about with this body and think with this mind it could be nothing other than myself.

" never has been & never will be?
The "self" is not existing in and of itself- it borrows from Life Itself and becomes distorted.

That "self" is just a made-up story?
Yes this made up story of the "self" was only necessary to survive in a world made to see fear as the only reality. Fear therefore helped my defenses, stories about "myself" and "others". This "self" had to be separate from the Truth to continue the lie that it was separate. It-"self" has been rambled as the lie of pulling wool over my eyes to not experience Life at all.

Thank you. Yes. That question checks for fears.

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)

No stories. Just Direct Experience.

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


Loving,

Hello Stacy,

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

Yes I am clear about Direct Experience. I no longer have to use a filter to try and interpret the world around me.
Here I can actually laugh at all the stories I thought real and gave alot of energy to and then apply this lesson in daily Awareness.
The irony is the Course tells us our senses are filling us with illusions. Yet here with the Seeing what cannot be Unseen we still use the senses.
Please let me know Stacy, how you reconciled these two teachings which are both Pointing at theTruth right in front of us?
Thank you,
Dorothy.

Hi Dorothy

The irony is the Course tells us our senses are filling us with illusions. Yet here with the Seeing what cannot be Unseen we still use the senses.
Please let me know Stacy, how you reconciled these two teachings which are both Pointing at theTruth right in front of us?

I didn't. Direct Experience brought me to experiential truth. ACIM did not - after 25 years of practice. Pretty simple.

Walk with this method & see what arises.

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,

Hi Stacy,
Thank you for your honesty in not resolving ACIM and Direct Looking.
In response to your question on daily activities and the Direct Experience -Daily Activities here it is:

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

Brushing my teeth, simply= seeing,hearing,tasting,smelling,touching

Taking a shower, simply= seeing, touching, smelling, hearing

Wearing clothes, simply = seeing, touching, hearing

Eating an egg, simply = seeing, smelling, tasting, touching

Walking to the shops, simply = seeing, hearing, walking

Seeing a glass of water, simply = image/colourless

Thought about drinking the water , simply = thought

Smelling rice and beans, simply = smell

Tasting the water, simply = taste

Hearing the spoon pick the rice and beans off the plate = sound

Thank you,
Dorothy

Good! You're one of the few who understood what "exactly" means. Thank you for that.

The point is that your description on the left is content of thought, made- up labels. On the right is Direct Actual Experience in this moment.

Now try this one:

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?

Loving,

Hello Stacy,
Thank you for your guidance.
Here is today's exercise:

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”.

I am itching the right foot and left foot and face,
I am leaning on a desk,
I am writing on a piece of paper,
I am swinging on a chair,
I am drinking tea,
I am looking at the lamp in the room,
I am hearing raindrops outside,
I am hearing cars passing by,
I am drinking water,
I am looking at the phone,
I am looking at the mirror on the wardrobe,
I am looking at the blankets on the table,
I am looking at the door,
I am looking at files,
I am looking at the curtains.

-The body was tightening at first then began to relax slightly.

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.

Itching,
leaning,
writing,
swinging,
drinking,
looking,
hearing.

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

- The body is relaxing.

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

None is truer than the other.

2. What is here without labels?

The Direct Experience
Itching,
leaning,
writing,
swinging,
drinking,
looking,
hearing.

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

Labels describe the experience.

4. Did you notice any differences in the body?

Yes in the first exercise I was tense in the body,
In the second exercise I was relaxing. Then a mild ache in the stomach started and then reduced.

Thank you,
Dorothy

That's great, Dorothy.

Here is how to distinguish truth from lies.

We often lie every day & don't realize it.

For example, the grocery clerk asks, "How are you?" You reply, "I'm fine." While, yes. there is a sense in which we are always fine, even in the middle of suffering, at that moment, you were grieving the death of your dog, you had a slight sore throat & you had a headache, but you didn't feel like sharing all of that with the grocery clerk, so you lied, "I'm fine."

Also, it matters none at all how "distant" the remembered lie is. Besides the fact that time itself is fictional, a kind if lie, as we recall the lie it becomes present in this moment, as if it were happening now. This brings the body Sensation that accompanies lying.

Lies can be intentional or unintentional, conscious or unconscious, even so automatic that we ourselves are fooled.

The story of a separate "self" is a lie.

This is the lie you came here to see through. Therefore, it is helpful to notice the body Sensation of lying as one of the tools for finding the truth of no self.

You want to be in touch with body Sensations & able to clearly express them in words. This will help.

Lies are usually felt in the heart or solar plexus as a contraction that we may label as tight, heavy or tense.

In contrast, truth is usually expansive. We may call it loose, light or relaxed.
[/b]
First, can you remember a time when you lied to someone you loved?

Here we count anything, lies we think of as "big" or "small" that "matter" or don't "matter."

How are you? I'm fine. No, your knee hurts, but you don't feel like discussing it with the grocery clerk.

It's a lie. A seemingly "bigger" one will work better for this exercise.

Find the lie. I don't need the whole story, just a few key words to refer to it.

Then scan your body for any Sensation (DE), particularly in the gut or maybe the heart. Check very closely. What is found?


If you think the memory you used wasn't clear enough, find another one or lie to yourself right now, make something up.

1 + 1 = 14 is a lie.

The Sun rises in the West is a lie.

I love eating worms is (probably) a lie.

Or call up a video of a lying politician & notice what Sensations arise as you listen.

I will give you a clue: it is not that peaceful Sensation you felt before when you omitted "I."

Please report back with what body Sensations (not interpretations) you feel. Bodies can feel hot or cold, heavy or light, contraction or expansion, etc.

"Peaceful" is an interpretation of a body Sensation, not a name for the Sensation itself, for example. Do you see that?


Loving,

Ilona is holding her monthly Deep Looking meeting:

Email her to register:

https://www.facebook.com/10003846935377 ... 28239906/
Loving,

Hello Stacy,
Thank you for this clarity. Truth and lies get mixed up in the make believe world. Finally I can now "see" what "I" am doing.

First, can you remember a time when you lied to someone you loved?

Yes many times to save "my image"
Recently my Mum found a new job agency taking people to Qatar in preparations for the World Cup this year. It was strongly recommended that I take Supermarket cashier. In my heart this felt off.. here I am as a miracle healer and strongly guided to start a spiritual center and live in community and partner with a friend who has been doing ACIM for years. Yet I just did not say anything back about the Truth I AM in Now.

Just last week my Dad asked me abruptly on Thursday to attend his cousin's daughter traditional African engagement party on Saturday. My first internal reaction was I will not make it as I have a Know Thyself Conference over three days. I told myself that " I am tired of my time being misused". "I lied and said it is Okay I will go". The end result is I never went and felt rotten, vengeful and I have not yet properly apologised. Looking back this was my time to serve my brothers and still attend the Conference.

Today, I lied to myself will finish this assignment first before watching any movie trailers or TV Series. I felt a tightness in my stomach and went straight to Youtube and searched for Magnificient Century on the Ottoman Empire and intrigues of the court and a deep curiosity of the harem. I felt stupid when I caught myself looking for the cause of death for Hurrem Sultan and Sultan Suleiman. I just had to take a hard look at my evading the "seeing" right in front of me.

What is found?

A feeling of smallness,
A feeling of I will be rambled,
A feeling of insecurity,
A feeling of what do I say,
I keep promising myself I will stop this people pleasing.

It manifests as:
Cold sweats,
increased heart beats,
tightness in the stomach,
the jaw feels tight on the right side,
tightness in the neck and back,

Do you see that?

Yes, now I can see that one is a result of the other.
Peacefulness, Happiness, Joy is a result of the body sensation of light and expanded,
Panic, Anxiety, Restless is a result of body sensation of contracted and heavy.

Gratitude,
Dorothy

Stacy,
Thank you for this sharing on Deep Looking by Ilona. I will have a look.
Dorothy