In this episode, we explore the desire for more of a specific feeling, particularly joy.

It seems obvious, doesn’t it? Of course you want more joy. Of course more joy is available. Perhaps joy is even our “default state”. We obviously want to experience more of it!

As innocent and obvious as this may seem, perhaps what’s really happening is a subtle denying of what’s here now. It’s a subtle attachment to ‘becoming’, an attachment to an imaginary ideal. 

If you want more joy, what do you not want to feel? Can you feel that? 

Is what is right now really not joy?

***

Beginning in March, I’ll be leading a small group mentoring program based around my Change Coach Self-Study course. 

The mentoring group is perfect for people who want some personal guidance and feedback as they learn to support others in this powerful way. You will have the real-time, personal aspects of a live training experience in a time- and cost effective format.

You can see the full details here: https://dramyjohnson.com/coachmentoring/ 

The post EP339: Is more joy available? appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.

In this episode I walk through a practice in unbound consciousness I learned from Angelo Dilullo’s book, Awake: It’s your turn.

This is something I’ve been practicing for a few years, and it’s my primary practice on silent retreat.

This practice allows you to “get underneath” experience – to see from beyond the confines of content and identity. I highly recommend experimenting with this. Even if you don’t go through all of the steps, leaning into any of them is extremely expansive. 

You can see Angelo’s playlist on Unbound Consciousness on his channel, Simply Always Awake.

The post EP338: A practice in unbound consciousness appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.

In my recent week in silence I saw two things more clearly and simply than I ever had.

One, there is nothing to work out. The movements of life around the deep, still, silence that is always there are just movements. There is nothing in those movements that requires anything.

And two, those movements in consciousness (what we commonly call ‘thought’) are always collecting, integrating, and making nothing into something. 

When we have the opportunity to get beneath this activity and really watch it for what it is without identifying with the content, a feeling of freedom begins to bubble up.

***

Join me for a silent retreat February 23-28 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. You can see more at dramyjohnson.com/silentretreat 

The post EP337: Nothing to work out   appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.

In this episode, I give an overview of the way I see and work with anxiety.

I recorded this episode for people who are brand new to this way of viewing anxiety. I have been deeply impacted by this understanding myself and have seen the way it resonates as truth for so many.

At the beginning of the episode I mention a small group coaching opportunity specifically around anxiety. Even if you’re listening to this episode well after January 2025, please complete the short application if this is something you’d be interested in. These groups are something I would be open to running on an ongoing basis throughout the year: https://forms.gle/fdSWcaxq1o64hxh7A

***

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

***

Join me for a silent retreat February 23-28 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. You can see more at dramyjohnson.com/silentretreat 

The post EP336: The Anxiety Episode appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.

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/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 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/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 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/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 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.