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/noself

The 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/noself

The 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.

In looking for the doer, I often hear something like: “Who is doing all of this if there is no me and no doer?”

Does there have to be a who? Or is that who question just a remnant of the me-and-my-life perspective? Maybe there is no Who anywhere? 

It’s similar to Why questions. Does there have to be a why, or is why, reasons, cause and effect simply something a separate self wants? 

What if Who and Why are simply words that point to nothing?

***

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/noself

The 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 EP331: Who and Why are only words appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.

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/noself

The 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 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.

Are trust and wisdom needed? Who needs them?

Seriously, look. Can you find the entity here who needs to trust or align with wisdom in order to be okay? Where is that entity? 

Is there anything here lacking wisdom? Where? Really look in immediate experience and see if you can find it.

Is there something here to benefit from trust? What are we really talking about when we speak this way? 

***

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/noself

The 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 EP329: Who needs trust? Who needs wisdom? appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.

In this episode I revisit the topic of morning anxiety.

I experience strong physical energy in the morning at times as well. I actually enjoy it. 

The strong sensations serve as a way to let attention go straight into What Is. I use this early morning time to explore the sense fields, including watching thought arise and dissolve, and to explore any perceived boundaries or locations in direct experience. 

I’ll share a bit about how this morning energy looks to me at the moment and how it’s been an incredible portal into What Is. 

***

Join me for a 6-day silent retreat in beautiful Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

The retreat will provide a supportive space for you to steep in your essential being. 

You’ll immerse in what’s always here, unchanging, beyond the pull of thoughts, feelings and identities, in the absence of everyday distractions and conditioning. 

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. 

See more at dramyjohnson.com/silentretreat 

The post EP328: Morning anxiety appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.

This episode was Inspired by a question from a listener about how doubt seems to be behind her continued OCD behaviors. Her take was that she needs more trust in wisdom and less doubt for her rituals to finally come to an end. 

I give another take and explore doubt in a bigger sense. What is it? Why does it arise? What can be done, if anything, when you feel riddled with doubt? How does doubt relate to feeling?

I explore how doubt is one in the same with thought identification and belief in a separate self since all doubt is about ‘me’. 

*** 

Join me for a live, free, 2-hour class: The Silence at the Heart of Everything: Rediscovering What Never Changes on November 12th

In the class I’ll talk about the silence and stillness at the center of all things as well as several common benefits of prolonged time in silence. 

I’ll also tell you a bit about my upcoming Silent Retreat and answer your questions. Then we’ll have a quick break and an optional 30 minute guided-meditation-turned-silent-sitting together to give you a tiny taste of what’s possible. 

Register for the live class at dramyjohnson.com/silenceclass

The post EP327: Doubt  appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.

Today’s episode is the opening of another The Little School of Big Change call from the recent 6- week course. 

You are what’s here.

When pain is here, you are pain. When anxiety is here, you are arising as anxiety. When joy is here, what you are is joy.

Pain, anxiety, joy, and any other fleeting sensation doesn’t happen to you. You’re not a victim of what’s arising. When we believe we are, we tense and tighten and resist and try to self-protect. 

There is no you in that sense to whom stuff happens. Believing there is, is the source of much suffering.

*** 

Join me for a live, free, 2-hour class: The Silence at the Heart of Everything: Rediscovering What Never Changes on November 12th

In the class I’ll talk about the silence and stillness at the center of all things as well as several common benefits of prolonged time in silence. 

I’ll also tell you a bit about my upcoming Silent Retreat and answer your questions. Then we’ll have a quick break and an optional 30 minute guided-meditation-turned-silent-sitting together to give you a tiny taste of what’s possible. 

Register for the live class at dramyjohnson.com/silenceclass

The post EP326: Nothing happens to you  appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.

This saying is very common. 

Stay in the conversation and things will begin to land more deeply. 

Although this seems true at a certain level, it also invites you to fall into the common traps of “waiting, “someday” and “becoming”, which are all thoughts.

What can you do beyond simply staying in the conversation? We’ll explore that in this episode. 

***

Join me for a live, free, 2-hour class: The Silence at the Heart of Everything: Rediscovering What Never Changes on November 12th.

In the class I’ll talk about the silence and stillness at the center of all things as well as several common benefits of prolonged time in silence. 

I’ll also tell you a bit about my upcoming Silent Retreat and answer your questions. Then we’ll have a quick break and an optional 30 minute guided-meditation-turned-silent-sitting together to give you a tiny taste of what’s possible. 

Register for the live class at dramyjohnson.com/silenceclass

The post EP325: When “staying in the conversation” is not enough appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.

Life is constantly letting go. You don’t let go. You are let go. Who-you-take-yourself-to-be arises and dissolves as experience in each and every moment.Today’s episode is a portion of a recent call with the LSBC 6-week course where we explore the effortless, always letting go nature of life. ***Join me for a 6-day silent retreat in

The post EP324: Always letting go  appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.