AutoRicerca
AutoRicerca is the journal of the LAB – Laboratorio di Autoricerca di Base (Laboratory of Basic Self-Research), whose mission is to publish texts (in Italian and English) on inner and outer research. Standing outside the usual editorial categories, AutoRicerca offers to its readers writings of value (articles, dialogues, manuals, monographs, stories...) personally selected by the Editor.
Recognizing the importance of a foundational and integral approach to knowledge, the published works explore the frontier between the different fields of investigation. Even when of university level, they strive to remain accessible to the generic reader, provided s/he has curiosity, a pinch of scientifico-philosophical culture, and openness towards all-round research. However, AutoRicerca does not only want to provide theoretical and practical knowledge, but also to inspire. For this, among its pages you will find texts that can open not only the reader’s mind, but also her/his heart.
In accordance with the Berlin Declaration, which states that the dissemination of knowledge is only half complete if the information is not made widely and readily available to society, AutoRicerca is an open access journal. This means that the volumes in electronic format are freely downloadable from the LAB’s site. The open access to the electronic version does not preclude the possibility to order the paper volumes, the purchase of which is a way to support the mission of the journal.
Activities
The LAB is a private structure that offers various theorico-practical activities that are of interest for inner research (but not only), ranging from postural yoga to breathing and energy techniques, from meditation to conscious movement, from critico-constructive dialogue to the art of observation, from mental hygiene to the exploration of the limits of the human machine.
These different aspects, which the LAB’s attendees will be able to experience, both separately or integrated in a same moment of practice, express synergy between them, i.e., they are able to “work together,” producing results usually not obtainable individually.
For example, working with yoga asanas strengthens the physico-energetic structure, improving the quality of the meditative posture and favoring the harmonization of different possible energy imbalances. This facilitates the conscious work on subtle flows, which in turn creates a condition capable of promoting greater body relaxation, therefore also the ability to remain longer, and more stably, in the meditative condition.
The work with conscious movement, like dance, promotes joint release, frees congested energies, helping to tune and harmonize the different spheres of being, including the emotional one.
Over time, these and numerous other synergies facilitate the construction of a more stable psychophysical center and the acquisition of a greater level of self-awareness. This possibility is in turn enhanced by the work of self-investigation, the practice of observation and the responsible exploration of the frontier between real and illusory limits.
Some activities are offered on a regular basis, to the extent that they receive sufficient subscriptions, others extemporaneously (to be always informed about the proposed activities, you can subscribe to the mailing-list). Some activities take place in groups, others as part of individual meetings.
In a unitary perspective of the ancient science of Yoga, freed from its religious and cultural aspects, we will move our bodies, dense and subtle, to inhabit them more fully, in order to better inhabit the present moment and turn our gaze towards a brighter future [with Donatella].
When promoted consciously and accompanied by our breath, free dance becomes dynamic meditation and allows us to witness the possibility of flowing directly from our Being, without mental interference [with Massimiliano, Manuela and Elisita].
We all have the ability to touch the stillness and peace within. The breath is a tool available to all of us, which helps us return to ourselves and to the present moment to live better [with Samantha].
Conscious dance can be understood as a path that weaves an intuitive thread, guiding us from one experience to another, from one observation to the next. By meeting the dancer within, we discover how movement can carry us beyond the “me” with which we identify each day [with Massimiliano].
Books
Edizioni LAB publishes unusual texts that, due to their unique characteristics, are unlikely to find a place in traditional publishing. These include, for example, works whose content is not easily monetizable in the publishing market, or works that authors do not wish to modify or adapt to exclusively commercial logic. The volumes are only available in paper format.
Blog
This section of the LAB website brings together a series of short articles, designed to provide ideas for reflection and exploration. Unlike the more monographic contributions published in the AutoRicerca journal, these texts offer concise perspectives, targeted insights, and real conceptual “gems.” Their intent is not to exhaust a topic, but to inspire, stimulate further exploration, raise questions, and, in some cases, invite the reader to directly experience what is proposed, both in terms of reflection and practice.
There is a recurring linguistic signal in certain spiritual environments that should immediately alert a student—or a potential one. It is the systematic use of phrases such as: “what I’m telling you is only a simplification of something much more complex,” “some things cannot be explained in words,” “you’re not ready to understand this yet,” “this requires a more advanced level”...
The Vibrational State (VS) is a phenomenon documented in the literature of sleep medicine and neuroscience, but it remains poorly formalized within out-of-body experiences (OBEs). It is experienced during transitional sleep states, such as sleep paralysis, as well as in certain advanced contemplative practices. It is characterized by the emergence of intense, widespread vibratory sensations, often described as electric and pulsating, associated with a profound alteration of bodily consciousness and capable of inducing an OBE.
Soul writing is the name I have given to a writing practice with introspective, visionary, poetic, and experimental qualities—a form of writing that anyone can practice alone or in a group, a writing that aims to explore inner worlds and to observe life in search of meaning and, above all, of the soul’s perspective.
We all need a fairly well-developed psychophysical immune system to endure reality. If we interpret the transits of the year from this perspective, we will see that every planetary placement constitutes a collective challenge but also an individual resource. In other words, even if the collective situation will be extremely unstable and we are bombarded with increasingly surreal news, we will be able—with the help of the year’s energies—to refine a few capacities that will support our maturation.
Videos
The LAB’s projects also include offering valuable video content in the form of interviews, conferences, educational presentations, and practical ideas. The materials are available in both Italian and English, and sometimes also in French, and address topics of interest for inner and outer research. Below are playlists containing the numerous videos that have been published. Interested people are invited to visit the channel and, if they wish, subscribe to follow updates.
A Parlor is a place for meeting and conversation, where dialogue takes place in a relaxed manner between people who are genuinely interested.
This playlist contains a number of videos presenting the contents of various issues of the AutoRicerca journal.
Here you will find videos dedicated to the practices proposed by the LAB. Some offer an introductory description, while others can be used directly as a guide to carry out a practice independently.
Here you will find targeted, mostly short pieces dedicated to inner and outer exploration: fragments of observation and essential pointers designed to stimulate personal reflection and open up new perspectives.