You know what hurts? Bracing yourself. Holding yourself apart from what’s here. Not that you can, but believing you can and tightening and resisting life as if it’s going to slam into you.Bracing yourself for impact hurts.You know what doesn’t hurt so much? Being overwhelmed. Letting life overwhelm “you”. Seeing that what is arising is already what you are, no boundaries to mentally create and try to hide behind.  ***There are two things coming up to tell you about. First is a brand new class I’m leading beginning January 16th called No-Self Realization: A Thorough Search in Direct Experience for the Separate Self.  This 4-part class will be unlike other classes. We will inquire in direct experience, looking for the sense of I. I’ll lead volunteers through this inquiry while the rest of the class follows along. If you are confused about what “no self” really means, or maybe you know there is no separate I but it still really seems like there is one in experience, this is the perfect class for you. See more at dramyjohnson.com/noselfThe second thing coming up is the silent retreat in late February in Gatlinburg. TN.This retreat was designed for those who feel called by the still, unchanging silence that is your true nature.  Prolonged silence with others is a very powerful way to rediscover and devote to the truth of who you are. It’s also a very powerful way to watch the self-ing mechanism at play and to deeply see this sense of “me” as a thought that comes and goes.Space is limited on that one and you can see more at dramyjohnson.com/silentretreat The post EP335: Be overwhelmed  appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.

Lisa Natoli was our November guest speaker in The Community. This week’s podcast is a portion of our call.  I felt a huge resonance with what Lisa shares because things look exactly the same to me (although we may point in different ways) – she points to being in/as what is, as it is, welcoming it even…and that’s it. Be here, now, in the senses, in reality. Everything else becomes obvious from there.That’s easier said than done because attention so habitually goes back to thought abstractions, judgments, the sense of time, etc. But in essence, all we’re really “doing” when we go to the senses is being in reality. Who and what we are shines forth from there.  If you’d like to be part of our community and join live calls like this with guest speakers, as well twice per week calls with me and the moderators and a private forum for support, we’d love to welcome you! https://dramyjohnson.com/thecommunity/***There are two things coming up to tell you about. First is a brand new class I’m leading beginning January 16th called No-Self Realization: A Thorough Search in Direct Experience for the Separate Self.  This 4-part class will be unlike other classes. We will inquire in direct experience, looking for the sense of I. I’ll lead volunteers through this inquiry while the rest of the class follows along. If you are confused about what “no self” really means, or maybe you know there is no separate I but it still really seems like there is one in experience, this is the perfect class for you. See more at dramyjohnson.com/noselfThe second thing coming up is the silent retreat in late February in Gatlinburg. TN.This retreat was designed for those who feel called by the still, unchanging silence that is your true nature.  Prolonged silence with others is a very powerful way to rediscover and devote to the truth of who you are. It’s also a very powerful way to watch the self-ing mechanism at play and to deeply see this sense of “me” as a thought that comes and goes.Space is limited on that one and you can see more at dramyjohnson.com/silentretreat The post EP334: Welcoming What Arises with Lisa Natoli appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.

Being in silence is not about suppressing anything.  It’s also not about creating anything, such as an environment of peace or thoughtlessness or anything like that. It’s the exact opposite, actually. It’s about leaving everything alone to simply be exactly what it is.“What it is” is constantly changing. It is totally unknowable. It’s far too fluid to be known.  In silence, the self-ing process is more clearly seen. It’s like seeing how a magic trick is done; you can’t be fooled in quite the same way once it is seen. In that silence, the inherently safety in experience becomes obvious. The concept of safety is not even relevant there.  Consider steeping in this deep knowing in 5 days of silence with us in February. It would be an amazing way to start the new year. For better or worse, whatever comes and goes, things will not look the same afterward. ***There are two things coming up to tell you about. First is a brand new class I’m leading beginning January 16th called No-Self Realization: A Thorough Search in Direct Experience for the Separate Self.  This 4-part class will be unlike other classes. We will inquire in direct experience, looking for the sense of I. I’ll lead volunteers through this inquiry while the rest of the class follows along. If you are confused about what “no self” really means, or maybe you know there is no separate I but it still really seems like there is one in experience, this is the perfect class for you. See more at dramyjohnson.com/noselfThe second thing coming up is the silent retreat in late February in Gatlinburg. TN.This retreat was designed for those who feel called by the still, unchanging silence that is your true nature.  Prolonged silence with others is a very powerful way to rediscover and devote to the truth of who you are. It’s also a very powerful way to watch the self-ing mechanism at play and to deeply see this sense of “me” as a thought that comes and goes.Space is limited on that one and you can see more at dramyjohnson.com/silentretreat The post EP333: Noise is silence shouting appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.

What is meant by “no self”?  We use the personal pronoun “I” all the time. I am typing (or reading) these words, I am feeling anxious, I am ready for winter.   To what does that “I” refer? Can you identify or locate it in direct experience? In this episode, we’ll see the difference between direct experience and the content of thought. We’ll see why looking for the “I” or “me” in direct experience is the only way to go. This isn’t seen through conceptually. It only happens in immediate, sensory experience. I’ll lead you through some inquiries you can do as you listen and I’ll talk about an opportunity to do these inquiries repeatedly with a group of others over 4 weeks. You can see more about that here: https://www.dramyjohnson.com/noself***There are two things coming up to tell you about. First is a brand new class I’m leading beginning January 16th called No-Self Realization: A Thorough Search in Direct Experience for the Separate Self.  This 4-part class will be unlike other classes. We will inquire in direct experience, looking for the sense of I. I’ll lead volunteers through this inquiry while the rest of the class follows along. If you are confused about what “no self” really means, or maybe you know there is no separate I but it still really seems like there is one in experience, this is the perfect class for you. See more at dramyjohnson.com/noselfThe second thing coming up is the silent retreat in late February in Gatlinburg. TN.This retreat was designed for those who feel called by the still, unchanging silence that is your true nature.  Prolonged silence with others is a very powerful way to rediscover and devote to the truth of who you are. It’s also a very powerful way to watch the self-ing mechanism at play and to deeply see this sense of “me” as a thought that comes and goes.Space is limited on that one and you can see more at dramyjohnson.com/silentretreat The post EP332: No-Self in Direct Experience appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.

Dive into the intriguing idea that our notions of 'who' and 'why' might be mere illusions. Discover how the question of a singular 'doer' could reshape your understanding of agency and free will. Explore the impact of language on perception and reality. The discussion unveils a unique class experience designed to expose the concept of 'no self.' Plus, learn about an upcoming silent retreat, where extended silence could lead to profound self-discovery and a deeper connection to your true nature.

In Episode 224, I talked about a man who had been everywhere and tried everything looking for freedom, except one thing – being in What Is. One hundred and six episodes later, this still feels like perhaps the only thing to see. In this episode, I share several examples of the same – people suffering and looking elsewhere, working toward something, overlooking the clear and obvious “way”. It’s about reality versus imagination. It’s about coming to your senses. It feels like there really is nothing else to talk about! ***There are two things coming up to tell you about. First is a brand new class I’m leading beginning January 16th called No-Self Realization: A Thorough Search in Direct Experience for the Separate Self.  This 4-part class will be unlike other classes. We will inquire in direct experience, looking for the sense of I. I’ll lead volunteers through this inquiry while the rest of the class follows along. If you are confused about what “no self” really means, or maybe you know there is no separate I but it still really seems like there is one in experience, this is the perfect class for you. See more at dramyjohnson.com/noselfThe second thing coming up is the silent retreat in late February in Gatlinburg. TN.This retreat was designed for those who feel called by the still, unchanging silence that is your true nature.  Prolonged silence with others is a very powerful way to rediscover and devote to the truth of who you are. It’s also a very powerful way to watch the self-ing mechanism at play and to deeply see this sense of “me” as a thought that comes and goes.Space is limited on that one and you can see more at dramyjohnson.com/silentretreatThe post EP330: The way out is right under your nose: Part 2 appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.

I want to invite you to join me for a brand new 4-week course called No-Self Realization: A Thorough Search in Direct Experience for the Separate Self.  What exactly are we referring to when we say “I”? What exactly does that pronoun point to? Is there an entity there, separate from life? Where? As Adyashanti says, the self is inferred, not actual.  In this 4-part class, we will look for this self in direct experience.This class will be unlike anything I’ve done before. I’ll lead volunteers through inquiry while the rest of the class follows along.So, if you are confused about what “no self” really means, or maybe you know there is no separate I but it still really seems like there is one in experience, this is the perfect class for you. I’m super excited to spend 4 weeks looking in real time. I can’t wait to see what we find…or what we don’t find! No Self Realization begins January 16th. Go to https://www.dramyjohnson.com/noself to see all the details, including some criteria to check out to make sure this course is a good fit for you.  The post Special Announcement: Join me for a new course: No-Self Realization: A Thorough Search in Direct Experience for the Separate Self appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.

What if trust and wisdom are just constructs we cling to? The podcast dives into how doubt and anxiety shape our rituals and behaviors, proposing that enhancing trust in wisdom could ease compulsive actions. It challenges listeners to unravel the illusion of individuality, urging a deeper understanding of our shared reality. The conversation encourages a search for the true essence of self, inviting participants to question what it truly means to trust and possess wisdom in an interconnected existence.

Morning anxiety is explored as a unique blend of physical sensations and thoughts. The host shares how these intense feelings can be reframed into heightened awareness. An enjoyable morning energy acts as a gateway to self-discovery, inviting listeners to dive into their true essence. They also promote a transformative silent retreat in Gatlinburg, emphasizing the power of prolonged silence to connect with one's unchanging nature. This nurturing experience aims to help individuals rediscover the truth of who they are amid everyday distractions.

Dive into the complexities of doubt and how it interplays with anxiety and OCD behaviors. Explore the idea that doubt is tied to our perception of self, influencing our beliefs and thoughts. Learn practical strategies to ground yourself in the present and navigate through the burdens of self-identity. Discover how recognizing the illusion of a divided self can help dissolve doubt. Plus, find out about a live class focused on embracing silence and stillness.