AmarSG1

Rupert brought me further than any other teacher. His method of teaching is easy to understand for logical minds. I would recommend his meditations especially.

Look within yourself. Bullies have a 6th sense for detecting weakness in others. This is usually some emotional vulnerability which they then exploit. How are you vulnerable? Are you passive? Lack of assertiveness? Having difficulty setting boundaries? These bullies are showing you exactly what you need to face within yourself. Getting jacked, learning martial arts and standing up to them may work, but if you will feel the same inside, I don't think that will deal with the underlying cause.

Hi, I have been on this 'path' for over 5 years but only got very serious about it 2 years ago. Lately, I have been having big breakthroughs and I have come to the realization of my Self. Some days I can remain in this state for hours, usually after long stints of meditation. I realize now my Self is always shining, it's so obvious. My issue is that I have suffered from OCD intrusive thoughts/anxiety for many years. That was the main reason I got into spirituality, to end the suffering I have endured. This 'pattern' which creates these unwanted thoughts, sometimes feels unstoppable. Some of these thoughts are horrific. They have so much momentum and even though I have made so much progress, some days I just get lost in these thoughts. I suffered from these for most of my life since I was 4-5 years old, growing up in a fearful environment and being sensitive. Has anyone overcome intrusive thoughts? I know this pattern must be wired into my mind and deep into my body, I have tried alot of techniques and let go off alot of dysfunction. But this pattern is too strong. Is it a matter of time and consistently working to overcome it?

Hi Over the last few months, I've done a lot of work on myself, mainly meditation, self-inquiry. I've let alot of stuff go. Its been a very bumpy ride but I now feel much more settled and at peace. However, I seem to have alot more energy - its the only way I can describe it. I don't sleep much as I just feel like staying awake but I don't really feel tired. It just feels like I have a higher level of awareness then I have experienced in the past. The problem is, its a bit overwhelming at times. I wondered if there is anything I can do to integrate all this extra energy? Or will it just settle on its own? I already journal every day, exercise and do yoga a few times a week. Not sure what else I can do. Any advice?

@Charlotte Amsterdam. I'm not sure if the substance alone helped me much. But the whole experience certainly did. Suffering from anxiety and travelling to another country to take a unknown substance really helped me face some of my own fears. I would say that is where most of my growth come from. You could say the experience raised my consciousness. My capacity to meditate improved significantly following my ceremony. I did say to myself that if I was to do it again, I would have to do more than one ceremony. Usually, the first one will weaken your resistance and subsequent ceremonies will help you break through. I didn't 'breakthrough' therefore probably didn't get the medicines full effects.

I suffer from pretty bad anxiety and I did a single Ayahuasca ceremony. It went fine. The people at the retreat were so kind and compassionate that it helped give me a degree of trust which helped the ceremony to go quite smoothly. In my case, I felt as though the medicine wouldn't show me anything I couldn't handle. When I felt it was getting too scary, I seemed to be able to pull away. I also think the retreat organizers have some other substance to help pull people around if they are going through a very difficult time. They didnt't tell us this but I believe they gave another participant something to help them come out of their trip or atleast reduce the medicines effects.

Sounds like you're trying to be 'present' with your mind. This is a trap I fell into. Trust me when you find the sweet spot of the present moment everything is better, whether you're listening to an audiobook or doing whatever.

Hi I was just looking for some insights into my current experiences. So I have suffered from terrible anxiety and negative thinking for most of my life. Nothing I have tried has been able to relieve me from this. Now, I have been on the spiritual journey for a few years. This year, however, I have experienced the most spiritual growth of my life. In meditation, I am now at the point where I am able to get into a 'no-self' state and be totally free of all and any identifications. However, my negative thinking/anxiety usually pops up in this 'no self' state and pulls me out of it. My anxiety seems to be getting stronger the deeper the more I seem to awaken. I assume this is my ego trying to hang-on. But sometimes the anxiety feels unbearable. It is such a strange dynamic. On one hand, I am able to go really deep into myself and on the other, I am suffering the worst anxiety of my life. I think I am going to come to a breaking point soon where I will just have to let go of my ego. But something is keeping me clinging to it. Has anyone been through a similar experience or have any advice on how to go about this? Thank you!

These depressive feelings and emotions we feel are another aspect of ourselves. The quicker we can learn to accept and integrate them the faster we experience growth, from my experience. At the same time, don't push yourself too far. But also, don't try and avoid them. They are indicators of what you must face!

Binaural beats have definitely helped me deepen my meditation practice. I feel they need to be used regularly to get the full benefits

So I have practiced this breathing technique 3 times. Each time had crazy intense pins and needles in my arms and hands. Feel lots of energy in my body. Then a few days ago I was in a super deep meditation and my body went into the same state as if I had been doing this breathing exercise. Really strange. Freaked me out at the time that I actually broke my meditation. Still, i'll continue to experiment with this breathing method.

There's only one way to find out

@who chit I think the 'biological' thing might be a factor. I've always been quite sensitive and quite aware of my inner and outer reality.

@Privet You could call it intuition. When you know, you know.

Cannabis has been incredibly helpful for me on my journey. But I use it consciously. I smoke about once a week for developmental purposes. I notice people in the comments are against weed and that is understandable. But if you are able to use it consciously and you feel its benefits then I think it's a powerful tool to have,