astrokeen

@Viking , i was almost impressed at first glance. The thing to do if this happens is to bow to the moon 8 times, hop on one leg for 6 minutes and cry like baby for 2. Then the people you ate will emerge from your tummy.

@Soulbass , If you feel any different and so do others in a similar manner, that supports the notion that the eclipse is bringing about a change. I personally don't sense any energies - not sensitive to eclipses. Could you say what is it that you are experiencing.

@fireworld , I found your post very helpful. You were very successful with the focus in the breath practice. Therefore, 'do nothing' was perhaps not for you. Maybe it helps people who struggle with meditation in the first place and have not made good progress with other techniques. I am certain that fans of the 'Do Nothing' technique will probably tell you that you weren't doing it right or it was actually taking you down the path of the dissolution of the ego, but why ignore the evidence that you have and stick to something that does not bring you illumination or understanding. One year is a very long time to have given it your best shot.

@isabel , great question! Yes, how would you know you are enlightened, or know anything for that matter is not through the mind. Even if you entered a state of 'knowing' which was separate from your physical mind, you would return to the physical and know it or evaluate it using the mind. While you have this body, the mind is inescapable. Would like to hear from the enlightened on this.

I have come very close to experiencing the sense of a void and meaninglessness. I tried to see the positive in this and it seemed to me that letting go of any aspirations to construct meaning frees one to live for the moment, i.e., be fully present in the moment. One could simply marvel at the beauty or the complexities of life and be conscious of simple sensations and pleasures.

I nearly posted this topic in the "Meditation, Consciousness..." forum which would have invited much disbelief and comments like 'why enhance something that is an illusion, unreal or that needs to die'. Some reports on psychedelics speak of them rewiring the brain, or activating all parts in tandem. It would be great to hear more on this topic. Particularly from anyone who felt that their thinking abilities were enhanced so that they could be more creative or become better thinkers generally. Could psychedelics improve memory, for example, because that factor alone would enhance thinking?

Psilocybin Mushrooms Stimulate Growth Of New Brain Cells: http://reset.me/study/study-psilocybin-mushrooms-stimulate-growth-of-new-brain-cells/ "Researchers think that the psilocybin is binding to brain receptors that stimulate growth and healing, acting on the hippocampus, a small part of the brain that is essential to learning and forming memories."

Here's an article on research on brains of Ayahuasca users: http://reset.me/study/study-long-term-use-of-ayahuasca-linked-to-changes-in-personality-and-brain-structure/ Key finding: "ayahuasca users also performed significantly better in neuropsychological tests (which assessed criteria such as memory, planning and set-shifting) than the controls, responding with a higher number of correct responses and lower number of errors. In fact, similar increases in cognitive performance were observed in ayahuasca users in a previous study". This is attributed to DMT. Long term Ayahuasca use had similar effects on the brain as meditation.

@Leo Gura , @WorknMan , @Joseph Maynor , I'm going to list some research relating to neurogenesis and brain enhancement with psychedelics. Here's a quote from wiki on cannabis, although not well referenced: "Some studies have shown that the stimulation of the cannabinoids results in the growth of new nerve cells in the hippocampus from both embryonic and adult stem cells. In 2005 a clinical study of rats at the University of Saskatchewan showed regeneration of nerve cells in the hippocampus.[99] Studies have shown that a synthetic drug resembling THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, provides some protection against brain inflammation, which might result in better memory at an older age. This is due to receptors in the system that can also influence the production of new neurons.[100] Nonetheless, a study directed at Rutgers University demonstrated how synchronization of action potentials in the hippocampus of rats was altered after THC administration. Lack of synchronization corresponded with impaired performance in a standard test of memory.[101] Recent studies indicate that a natural cannabinoid of cannabis, cannabidiol (CBD), increases adult neurogenesis while having no effect on learning. THC however impaired learning and had no effect on neurogenesis.[102] A greater CBD to THC ratio in hair analyses of cannabis users correlates with protection against gray matter reduction in the right hippocampus.[103] CBD has also been observed to attenuate the deficits in prose recall and visuo-spatial associative memory of those currently under the influence of cannabis,[104][105] implying neuroprotective effects against heavy THC exposure. Neurogenesis might play a role in its neuroprotective effects, but further research is required."

@Quanty , you're a fount of knowledge. Bless you.

@Quanty , do you speak from experience? Could you say more? @Joseph Maynor , I have seen reports of long term effects of a psychedelic keeping the brain young, similar to meditation. Will post if I find it. But you think weed can help. In comparison to other psychedelics?

@lmfao . I'm from thereabouts too. Now even more curious. I'm from a city (only because it's got a cathedral) and the population is mostly young. Leaning more to the left. So 40% green I should think, 20% blue - which is unusual for UK.

@lmfao , which city though?

Don't start with the philosophers themselves. For the best birds eye view with examples of deeper analysis see John Hospers' "Introduction to Philisophical Analysis. My first degree was in Philosophy. Couldn't have managed it without this guide. It is quite brilliant.

Thanks for the tip. I was thinking more about productivity after the effects have worn off. Which could happen if the psychedelic improved the brain. This is different from psychological factors as in people feeling upbeat and less stressed after a psychedelic experience which would, therefore, positively affect their thinking abilities.

@Quanty , please elaborate. Are you saying that the coffee should be drunk before taking DMT? Or on its own. If the latter, how much coffee because drinking coffee alone does nothing?

@Girzo , the dark net markets are onerous to navigate to say the least. For newbies trying to gain access to DMT etc, they are a complete nightmare.

@How to be wise , I dislike this video - it is typical of Indian gurus trying to explain spiritual terms. They meander, make things complex, make the enquiring mind look stupid, are anti mind in fact , which defeats the purpose of clarifying anything. Sadhguru is not good at this either. While he may be an enlightened being, he makes a pig's ear of offering clear and concise explanations.

@Dinesh Karki , you need to use a username which is not your real name. At least mask your identity if you are about to do anything 'illegal'. Applies to your picture too.

@Mirror of Confusion , I am out of touch with what's in vogue at present. I trust Sri Aurobindo's set up, however, there are many others. I think it would be best to start in Pondicherry. You may then get first hand info about other Gurus and Yoga schools and traditions. Are you referring to Hatha yoga which is about the physical exercises with some pranayama or were you seeking Yoga meditation schools? The two are often distinct. The latter are not schools as such, rather they are ashrams which follow a particular guru. If you are looking to train in Hatha yoga, do look at the Iyengar school, which is a trusted and recognised tradition - article in Wiki. The have schools all over India. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._K._S._Iyengar

@Mirror of Confusion , yes, there are so many. Several in Rishikesh should be avoided. The ashram, whose Guru may have passed on, may presently be led by egotistical, dictatorial heads. Sri Aurobindo's ashram in Pondicherry as well as Auroville are well worth visiting. I have been there briefly, but know many followers of Sri Aurobindo - he was a great intellectual and that spirit lives on coupled with one of service and eco living. People are happy to discuss, debate, explain while remaining firm in their allegiance to him and the Mother. If you would like to meet a living Guru with a large following then do visit Amma's ashram in Kerala. Amma (Mata Amritanandamayi), also known as the hugging mother, has amazing powers to move people along their spiritual paths. Her first hug, according to many, bestows wonderful experiences if one is in a state of readiness. I personally felt healed, and a deep calm and contentment - there was nothing more that I needed or wanted to do. People report going into a deep meditative state or experience bliss. However, I disagreed with some practices of her Ashram: I found that non-Indians, i.e., white people from abroad, were given preferential treatment. They did not have to queue along with everyone to receive a hug. The had their own area with just a few people and were right up close to Amma most of the time. Their eating areas were also separate where they could buy (very cheaply) western style foods. Really?!! Why go to India then. The ashram shouldn't have pandered to their tastes. The Indians felt they couldn't venture into their dining areas or sit with them. It became a kind of apartheid.

@OBEler and @AMS recommended Psilohuasca.com and the guide, who provides 1:1 sessions in another thread. I wrote to him and responded to his questions whereby he could determine whether I would be the right subject for a 1:1 session for 5-Meo. I reported on my two recent experiences with psychedelics (purging with one session of Aya and a miserable dark night of the soul on shrooms) and how I had been a seeker of enlightenment for many years BUT he didn't think he could help me. This was his response: "I am honestly not sure if the path of psychedelics is truly yours. It all sounds like you have a very powerful mind, in regards to „seeking enlightenment. Maybe you have heard of Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja). One of his greatest quotes, which I heard of through Arjuna Ardagh is - "What is in the way of finding? (enlightenment) – Seeking of course!“ So this is exactly what I mean with a seekers mind. The mind always thinks it needs to achieve more of anything. It doesn’t matter what kind this more is. Just not what already is there, this moment, now. There is no goal, nothing to achieve, nothing to gain, nothing to improve. It is all already here and now. What psychedelics do is increase suffering up to a point where the mind just can‘t take it anymore and then gives up. BUT NOT FOR EVERYONE! Due to the nature of the mind all these positive only talk about psychedelics everyone thinks it’s the fast path, the easy way. BUT IT IS NOT. For some it is the right vehicle, just like for some meditation is. The thing is that all the "huffing and puffing“ (like the wolf trying to blow the piggies house down) you’ve been doing throughout your life to become "enlightenment“ kept you running away from the present moment and for the future "enlightened version of yourself“- which you surely will never find THIS WAY. Only seeking is in the way of finding! Reading how you describe your reactions (and it’s not only one try you had!) to psychedelics- it doesn’t seem to me that you should walk this path. Just like your difficulties with meditation. So why continue? ........To wrap it up. I am not sure if I would be able to provide a safe session for you. Especially a 5M session. This stuff is pure suffering for the MIND. If the mind "breaks open“, gives up- yes then it’s a path into non duality. BUT not for everyone. ..... Really, I do not feel you should continue with psychedelic drugs. There are ONE method. Upon questioning him as to how he would describe the mind that would be right for psychedelics, he responded - There's no such sort of general mind. It's more like the state of development one is in. Everyone has a different path to God within. However to see what is there one needs to stop looking for the future first. It's all about acknowledgement and gratitude for what is. So, I am confused. I don't understand how being a seeker disqualifies one. Surely, it is seeking that bring us to the point of trying psychedelics in the first place! Also, if I have an obstructive mind, shouldn't the recommendation be that I need to try other psychedelics first to experience ego-death fully before I venture into 5-Meo? What do you think of his response?

@OBEler and @AMS , you recommended Psilohuasca and Oliver, the guide. I actually wrote to him and then responded to his questions whereby he could determine whether I would be the right subject for a 1:1 session for 5-Meo. I reported on my two recent experiences with psychedelics (purging with one session of Aya and a miserable dark night of the soul on shrooms) and how I longed for enlightenment for many years BUT Oliver didn't think he could help me. This was his response: "I am honestly not sure if the path of psychedelics is truly yours. It all sounds like you have a very powerful mind, in regards to „seeking enlightenment. .... a seekers mind. The mind always thinks it needs to achieve more of anything. It doesn’t matter what kind this more is. Just not what already is there, this moment, now. There is no goal, nothing to achieve, nothing to gain, nothing to improve. It is all already here and now. What psychedelics do is increase suffering up to a point where the mind just can‘t take it anymore and then gives up. BUT NOT FOR EVERYONE! Due to the nature of the mind all these positive only talk about psychedelics everyone thinks it’s the fast path, the easy way. BUT IT IS NOT. The thing is that all the "huffing and puffing“ (like the wolf trying to blow the piggies house down) you’ve been doing throughout your life to become "enlightenment“ kept you running away from the present moment and for the future "enlightened version of yourself“- which you surely will never find THIS WAY. Only seeking is in the way of finding! Reading how you describe your reactions (and it’s not only one try you had!) to psychedelics- it doesn’t seem to me that you should walk this path. Just like your difficulties with meditation. So why continue? ........To wrap it up. I am not sure if I would be able to provide a safe session for you. Especially a 5M session. This stuff is pure suffering for the MIND. If the mind "breaks open“, gives up- yes then it’s a path into non duality. BUT not for everyone. ..... Really, I do not feel you should continue with psychedelic drugs. There are ONE method. Upon questioning him as to how he would describe the mind that would be right for psychedelics, he responded - There's no such sort of general mind. It's more like the state of development one is in. Everyone has a different path to God within. However to see what is there one needs to stop looking for the future first. It's all about acknowledgement and gratitude for what is. So, I am confused. I don't understand how being a seeker disqualifies one. Surely, it is seeking that bring us to the point of trying psychedelics in the first place! What do you think of his response?

I have often heard the criticism that psychedelics are a shortcut to spiritual experiences/enlightenment - one that would normally take many months if not years of meditation. But reading trip reports and the pretty awful ordeals one usually undergoes in the journey to the experience of infinity, it doesn't seem like a short cut at all. It takes enormous courage, preparation, undaunted and unflinching dedication in the hope that you will find that wonderful space. Meditation seems easy in comparison. And probably does not take much longer to reach the same point. @SaltyMeatballs , thanks for the advice.

@cirkussmile , thank you. Will try next time round :).