The Gate

LU is focused guiding for seeing there is no real, inherent 'self' - what do you understand by this? I have read and heard about "There is no self" being one of the primary teachings of buddha but I don't really have experienced it in my life. I know it is true but I have not realized(or understood) it. I am expecting that the LU guide will help me make self enquiries which will eventually lead me to realize the truth about self.

What are you looking for at LU? To reduce suffering. I understand that suffering is caused by our own mind and the self identification we have with our own thoughts leads to suffering. If I realize that there is no self I feel life will be a little bit easier. I will focus on the present and start living and enjoying my life. I believe that a lot of mental energy gets invested in maintaining the sense of self so after realizing there is no self I will have more energy to focus on the present.

What do you expect from a guided conversation? I am scared to do all these self inquiries on my own so it will be best if there is someone guiding me throughout the process. I have tried a lot of things in the past like trying to get rid of my past trauma but it did not go well for me. I expect a series of questions and follow up questions to my answers till I realize that there is no self it was all an illusion.

What is your experience in terms of spiritual practices, seeking and inquiry? I have done some meditation. I realize the less mental energy or focus I give to my thoughts and emotions they will come and go on their own hence focusing on breath or anything in the present moments helps clear the mind a bit.

On a scale from 1 to 10, how willing are you to question any currently held beliefs about 'self?
8

Hi,

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

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?

Is the 8 on the last question because of fears? If not,
why 8?

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,

How will life change?

I am assuming that if I see for myself that there is no self a lot of self deprecating thoughts
will not have any affect on me. Life will be less stresful. However after reading the FAQs I am honestly
not sure how this will affect my life.

How will you change?

My perspective on how I perceive thoughts and emotions might change after going through this.
Maybe I will be able to focus on the present more without caring about the story going on in
my head.

What will be different?

As mentioned previously, My perspective will be different. Other than that I feel everything
will be the same, the negative emotions I try to run away from or try to solve will still be
there maybe I will handle them differently.

What is missing?

At this point of time in my life I feel nothing is missing, I am happy.

Is the 8 on the last question because of fears? If not,
why 8?

Yes because of fear.

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

Please call me Rishabh. Time Zone: Central Daylight Time (GMT-5)

Good morning, Rishabh,

Your expectations are mostly reasonable. Good.

Now what comes up when is read that there is no self, never has been, and it's all just a made- up story?


Please watch & practice with this video:

https://youtu.be/jKX1llYtlKE

Loving,

Good evening, Stacy. Thank you for your time.

Now what comes up when you read that there is no self, never has been, and it's all just a made- up story?

Ans: First thought that comes up is without this identity/image how will I function in this
world. How am I supposed to behave without this image?
A small part of me knows that this is all a story. But I still get caught up in it every moment.
I also feel stupid that I have wasted a lot of time thinking about this made up self. Trying to
protect it from all possible worst case scenarios. But still I see no other path.

Please watch & practice with this video:

Thank you for sharing such a wonderful video. During the middle of the video when I was sitting
with my eyes closed listening to the audio I started laughing. Because the lady was asking me to
thank the fear and bow down to it. Fear which is my number 1 enemy which is holding me back from
living my life all I want is for it to go away and she is asking me to be friends with it.
Towards the end of the video when she asked me to relax the fear I felt some pain and cried a little
at the end. I felt like I wanted someone to support me, be kind to me while I cry in their arms.

I dont know if the above answer is relavant to the subject but I wanted to share it with someone.
Also should I practice this video daily?

Hi,

That's all very sweet.

I'm in a lot of physical pain today. Partly from COVID booster yesterday. I just want you to know I saw this. I will reply more fully - probably tomowing,

Loving,

Good morning,

I can't say my pain is better, but I'm replying with my right hand. My pleasure to help.

There is already no self.

Nothing changes, and everything changes.

I hope you have someone you can ask to hold you. You don't have to practice that video every day, but it does sound like it is helping, so you can certainly practice with it as much as you wish.

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,

Good evening Stacy, Thank you for you kindness
If it is causing you pain please take some rest, I can wait till you recover.

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

Yes I understand. So if someone says that there is no self, instead of trying to
remember something I have learned in the past I will just try to look for the self
in the present moment through direct experience.

I do not understand "Thought Arising (but not their content)". I feel that I recognize
the thought which comes up by its contents. How can one recognize thought without
noticing its content?

Good morning,

I'm better. Thank you.

How can one recognize thought without
noticing its content?

It's one thing to notice content & quite another to get stuck *believing* the lies that thoughts tell. We'll be practicing 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. This means *exactly*

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,

Posting meetings you might want to attend on Zoom

Zoom meetups

LU Monthly Meetup

3rd sat 6pm UK time & Sunday 10am London UK time each month
Topic: Unleashed Monthly Meeting
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 371 892 9853
Passcode: HmbSF4

For Seekers (& Guides)

Monday May 2
7am Sydney, Australia
This one - reoccurrence to be decided.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86991485768...
Meeting ID: 869 9148 5768
Passcode: 083035

For Newly Gated/One Foot Through

Monday May 9
5am Sydney time
Same link, meeting id, passcode
This one every fortnight

If those links don't work, let me know. They seem to have been shortened.

Thanks,

Hello Stacy, Good evening,

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

Seeing the Mobile phone screen, simply: image/color.
Feeling the screen while typing, simply: sensation

See myself in the mirror, simply= image/color
Picking up the brush, simply= sensation
Feeling the brush against my teeth, simply= sensation
Looking at the mirror while brushing, simply= image/color
Listening to the sound of the brush against my teeth, simply= sound
Listening to the exhaust in the bathroom, simply= sound
Feeling the cold bathroom floor against my feet, simply= sensation
Feeling the bathroom rug below my feet soft and cold, simply= sensation
Thought about scratching my arms, simply= thought
Scratching my arms, simply= sensation

Thought of going for a walk simply= thought
Looking for my socks and shoes, simply= image/color
Picking up my socks, simply= sensation
Hearing the sound of the air conditioner in the background humming, simply= sound
Thought about looking for the key, simply= thought
Looking for the key on the table, simply =image/color
Picking up the key, simply= sensation
View outside the house, simply= image/color
Feeling the light wind on my skin, simply= sensation
Fresh outside air smell, simply= smell
Slight pain in the big toe of my right feet, simply= sensation
Looking at the tree in the wind, simply= image
Listening to the birds chirping, simply= sound
Looking at the bird chirping, simply= image/color
Looking at cars going by, simply= image/color
Thought of calling my mom, simply= thought

Sitting down on the floor feet feeling the carpet, simply= sensation
Feeling the air from the fan, simply= sensation
Listening to the sound of the fan, simply= sound
Thought of cooking food, simply= thought
Thought of washing hand, simply= thought
Looking at the tap, simply= image/color
Using the cold tap handle to let the water flow, simply= sensation
Letting water wash my hand, simply= sensation
Looking at the soap, simply= image
washing my hands with soap hands rubbing against each other, simply= sensation
Looking at the process of washing my hand, simply= image/color
Closing the tap, simply= sensation

Tongue and throat dry, simply = sensation
Looking for a water bottle, simply= image
Pick the water bottle, simply= sensation
Drink the water taste cold, simply= taste
Looking for eggs in the fridge, simply= image
Picking up the egg, simply= sensation
Looking at the fork, simply= image/color
Picking up the fork, simply= sensation
Whisking the egg, simply= sensation
Feeling some of the spilt egg white on my thumb, simply= sensation
Opening the cap of the container for spices, simply= sensation
The sound of the cap twisting, simply= sound
The sound of powder pouring into the bowl, simply= sound
The image the bowl with the mixture, simply= image
Looking at the pan, simply= image
Picking up the pan, simply= sensation
Turning on the stove ignition, simply= sound
Looking for oil, simply = image
Sensation holding the cold oil bottle, simply= sensation
Pouring the oil on the pan,simply= image
Feeling the heat of the gas on my hands, simply= sensation
Looking at the bowl with eggs, simply= image
Picking up the bowl, simply= sensation
Pouring egg onto the pan, simply= sensation
Hearing the sound of the egg hit the pan, simply= sound
Looking at the egg in the pan, simply= color
Picking up the spatula cold on my fingers, simply= sensation
Flipping the egg, simply= sensation
Sound of the egg cooking, simply= sound
Thought of finding a plate, simply= thought
Picking up the plate, simply= sensation
Looking at that rice and omelette in the plate, simply= image
Seeing the spoon, simply= image
Tasting the Omelette with rice, simply= taste


Touching the cold tap handle, simply= sensation
Seeing the water flow from out from the tap, simply= image/color
Sound of the water flowing, simply= sound
Sound of the water hitting the plate simply,= sound
Thought of going to the backyard of the house, simply= thought
Listening to the leaves rustling in the wind, simply= sound
Wind touching my skin, simply= sensation
Birds chirping at a distance, simply= sound
Looking at the yellow flower in the backyard, simply= color/image
Looking at the insect crawling on to the flower, simply= color/image
"I can't wait to clearly see the insect", simply= thought
Looking for my glasses, simply= image
Picking up my glasses, simply= sensation
Wearing my glasses, simply= sensation
Small sensation on my nose and side because of glasses, simply= sensation
Slight pain in the left eye, simply= sensation
My eyes adjusting to the lens, simply= sensation
Smudge on my lens, simply= color/image
"Am I doing this thing right?" simply= thought
Feeling the soft flip flops on my feet, simply= sensation
Grass hitting my toes, simply= sensation

Looking for a towel, simply= image
Taking off my shirt, simply= sensation
Feeling my arms rub against the side of my body, simply= sensation
Want to take off the glasses, simply= thought
Taking off the glasses, simply= sensation
Getting into the shower turning the water shower on, simply= sensation
Feeling the cold water on my chest, simply= sensation
Breathing heavily because of cold water, simply= sensation
Sound of the shower hitting the floor and my body, simply= sound
Sound of the exhaust fan in the background, simply= sound
Thought about the past, simply= thought
Thought about my workload, simply= thought
Thought about my future if I am not able to complete the workload, simply= thought

Humming of the mini fridge in my room, simply= sound
My right shoulder popping sound when I walk, simply sound
Sound my legs make when I walk rubbing the carpet, simply= sound

Perfect! Does my little heart good. You would not believe what some people send back.

How does it FEEL to LOOK at only the Direct Experience of your 5 Senses and notice that Thoughts Arise and content means nothing?

Loving,

Good evening Stacy,

How does it FEEL to LOOK at only the Direct Experience of your 5 Senses and notice that Thoughts Arise and content means nothing?

It felt amazing. I cannot remember the last time I felt this much joy. Looking at
everything which I tend to ignore in daily life and instead of getting bored or
annoyed at the mundane things I felt a sense of curiosity and joy. There was no stress.

However I tried doing it again today with expectation to feel the same feeling I felt
yesterday only to get frustrated by my experience.

Also, I want to incorporate this practice in my daily activity
If I am alone doing my chores it works well but, while talking to people or
while working (I am a software engineer) if I pay attention to label my experience
I feel like I am not able to completely understand what the person is trying to say or what I am
supposed to do in my work.

Is there a way to live with the same joy and curiosity through out the day?

Good morning!

Excellent!

The reason the second time was frustrating is because you had expectations. Those will get in your way.

Is there a way to live with the same joy and curiosity through out the day?

Yes just allow it. However, it won't be some steady stream of bliss. It will come & go, probably for a long time.

Watch these, please:

https://youtu.be/PUDzrCLlrj4

https://youtu.be/vJQcD588g2w


Here is your next pointer:

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,

I am feeling slight tightness on my forehead
I am feeling some tightness in stomach
I am feeling my feet pressing against the leg on the chair
I am feeling my butt on the cushion of the chair
I am feeling my thigh pulsating
I am hearing the AC in the background
I am feeling slight pain in my right index finger while typing
I am feeling my left leg against the cushion of chair
I am feeling my heart beating
I am feeling my breath
I am seeing the screen of my laptop
I am feeling my hand resting on the keyboard
I am feeling a drop of sweat trickle down the back of my head
I am feeling the need to scratch the side of my face
I am hearing my roommate open his rooms door
I am feeling my belly rise when I breath in
I am smelling my roommate smoking a cigarette
I am seeing a chair across from me
I am feeling the carpet on my toes

sound of the AC
sensation of fingers touching the keyboard
breathing
relaxation
insect flying
sound of the keyboard
computer screen
thought
looking at the clock
static in the background
sound at a distant
itching sensation in the arm
sensation of both legs touching each other
blank
breathing
looking at the phone screen
slight pain in the forehead
chest rising with breath
itchy nose
itchy leg
breathing
sound of ac
thought
little more relaxation
looking at light bulb
looking at the window
breathing
insect flying
itchy forehead
cold sensation of leg of the chair against feet
mouth salivating

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

Both felt the same but the second one was much lighter and I was more open to
feel whatever was coming up. The first one felt a little heavy. Second one was better.

2. What is here without labels?

The experience.

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

Just describe it. But adding "I" to the label made it more heavy and I was a bit
more resistant of experiencing negative emotions

4

. Did you notice any differences in the body?

Body was more relaxed during the last 10 minutes. More open to the experience as compared
to the first half.