Seeking a guide
Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2024 4:31 pm
LU is focused guiding for seeing there is no real, inherent 'self' - what do you understand by this?
I can see that there is no real, inherent 'self.' To be sure, when I look for one, I can't find it. And still, this sense of self, or process of selfing, stubbornly persists on a daily basis, causing dukkha. I can see that the experience of suffering is born of resistance, and yet, paradoxically, there's no resistor, nor could one ever be possible.
What are you looking for at LU?
Initially, if deemed helpful and/ or beneficial, I'd like to have an assessment as to whether or not I've had a genuine awakening, or kensho. I've had many glimpses of not-self, but am tired of delusion, of entanglement, and am ready to break through to a more permanent, or stabilized realization. I'm hoping a guide can work with me to actualize this earnest desire.
What do you expect from a guided conversation?
I expect a guide to work with me under the mutually-shared values of Truth, honesty, and commitment. I expect daily check-ins with the hopes that this level of persistence and commitment will help to focus my often scattered energies. I expect my guide to help me see through hidden beliefs and misperceptions.
What is your experience in terms of spiritual practices, seeking and inquiry?
I've been a seeker for nine years. I've sat or served over a dozen silent retreats in various traditions. I lived with Bhante G at Bhavana Society Forest Monastery & Meditation Center for three years, from 2020 to 2023. My primary teacher during that time was Rupert Spira, and I retreated with him at the Garrison Institute on a number of occasions. I also worked one-on-one, in a similar fashion to LU during that time, with my teacher, Matthew Flickstein, author of "Non-Duality; It's not what you think." Today, my primary teacher is Angelo Dilullo, with whom I've attended several retreats, both in-person, and virtually. I'm a very active member of the Headless Way community. My primary practice of the last few years has been Self-Inquiry. I've recently begun deep shadow work and examining beliefs.
On a scale from 1 to 10, how willing are you to question any currently held beliefs about 'self?
11
I can see that there is no real, inherent 'self.' To be sure, when I look for one, I can't find it. And still, this sense of self, or process of selfing, stubbornly persists on a daily basis, causing dukkha. I can see that the experience of suffering is born of resistance, and yet, paradoxically, there's no resistor, nor could one ever be possible.
What are you looking for at LU?
Initially, if deemed helpful and/ or beneficial, I'd like to have an assessment as to whether or not I've had a genuine awakening, or kensho. I've had many glimpses of not-self, but am tired of delusion, of entanglement, and am ready to break through to a more permanent, or stabilized realization. I'm hoping a guide can work with me to actualize this earnest desire.
What do you expect from a guided conversation?
I expect a guide to work with me under the mutually-shared values of Truth, honesty, and commitment. I expect daily check-ins with the hopes that this level of persistence and commitment will help to focus my often scattered energies. I expect my guide to help me see through hidden beliefs and misperceptions.
What is your experience in terms of spiritual practices, seeking and inquiry?
I've been a seeker for nine years. I've sat or served over a dozen silent retreats in various traditions. I lived with Bhante G at Bhavana Society Forest Monastery & Meditation Center for three years, from 2020 to 2023. My primary teacher during that time was Rupert Spira, and I retreated with him at the Garrison Institute on a number of occasions. I also worked one-on-one, in a similar fashion to LU during that time, with my teacher, Matthew Flickstein, author of "Non-Duality; It's not what you think." Today, my primary teacher is Angelo Dilullo, with whom I've attended several retreats, both in-person, and virtually. I'm a very active member of the Headless Way community. My primary practice of the last few years has been Self-Inquiry. I've recently begun deep shadow work and examining beliefs.
On a scale from 1 to 10, how willing are you to question any currently held beliefs about 'self?
11