“The self is inferred, not actual”.
– Adyashanti
It feels like there is an entity called “I”, separate from the rest of the world, making choices and influencing what happens in life. It seems like this entity is what experiences, thinks, feels, decides and acts.
But what does the personal pronoun “I” really refer to?
Perhaps this “I” is a concept that points to nothing. It is a convention in language that has no actual entity behind it.
Understanding this intellectually is like someone describing a delicious meal to you versus you tasting it yourself. Seeing this for yourself –often after repeatedly looking in direct experience for the ‘I’ – is the beginning of a great unraveling.
Why?
Feeling like a separate self means protecting, defending, bolstering, and improving that self. It means living in fear, which may sound dramatic, but is the underlying psychological state most of the time. It means never feeling good enough. It feels as if “I” am distant from life at times, standing apart from what’s “not me”, bracing myself.
As it dawns that “I” is a word with nothing real behind it, life can begin to feel more simple and intimate. There is no self standing apart from it. No “me” needing protection.
Life is free to be exactly what it is. As Ilona Ciunaite says, “It’s not the end of suffering, It’s seeing there is no sufferer”.
How?
How do you come to know there is no fragile, separate entity standing apart from life? You look.
If it feels so obvious there is a “me” here, it shouldn’t be difficult to find, right?
We will ask questions such as:
- To what does “I” refer?
- What in direct experience feels like “me”? Is that really me?
- Where am I?
- Is there an experiencer? If so, where?
- Is there a thinker? Is there an ‘I’ that sees, hears, smells, tastes, feels? Where?
- What can the “I” thought do?
We will explore these questions using first-hand, direct sensory experience (self-inquiry) only; not theory, memory, learned knowledge, or any other concept.
This is not conceptual or theoretical. Continual looking in direct experience is the way to truly see what’s here…and what’s not truly here. This becomes very real when you look.
How this is different from other classes
Given the emphasis on looking in direct experience, that’s what we’ll do!
I will guide volunteers through this direct looking inquiry while others follow along.
There will be some context given at the beginning of our first class and some time for sharing insights and asking conceptual questions, but it will be minimal.
The primary focus of each class will be on what is immediately real and present here and now.
Who is this class for?
- You hear people talk about no-self but you have no idea what that really means (and you’re curious to know!)
- No-self resonates with you but it feels confusing or confronting
- You intellectually or logically know there is no separate self entity but the sense of being a separate self continues to feel very strong
- You want support in the inquiry process. Thought is very good at sidetracking this investigation so having someone supporting your looking, pointing out when you’re in thought, can make all the difference.
- You sense the freedom and relief in this realization but doubt, fear or expectations seem to get in the way
- You have a genuine curiosity about this subject and you’re willing to openly and honestly look at what’s actually here.
When
Classes will meet on Zoom and last 90 minutes
All calls will be recorded and shared only with registered participants
The calls will be Thursdays at 2 p.m. ET (11am PT, 7pm UK, 8pm CET) on January 16, 23, 30 and February 6
Investment
$199 until January 4th (after January 4th the price is $249)
**You automatically save $50 if you were in the Liberation Is book club, the Fall 2024 LSBC course, or are a member of Student Access Plus. (Discount will only be applied once)
“Things are not what they seem… Deeds exist, but no doer can be found”.
–Buddha
Frequently Asked Questions
I have looked for a self and have never found one, yet I still feel like the “me” is very solid and real. Is this course a good fit for me?
This course is perfect for you. This realization happens experientially. Continuing to look for the separate self, following what feels like “me”, eventually reveals what is obvious.
I have a lot of fear around there being no me. Is it possible that this fear will get in the way of my ability to look and my ability to benefit from the course?
Fear and expectation are very normal. They are thought. You will be guided to see the fear as thought and look into direct experience for the presence of a separate self.
I can’t make some, or any, of the weekly course calls. Are the calls recorded?
Yes. All of the calls are recorded, so you can watch them at any time. You’ll also have access to them after the course is done.
Have Questions?
Please share your questions here and we will get back to you. I would love to have you join the course!
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