Surfingthewave

@Michael Jackson Yes - lovely description. We are programmed to feel that disconnect. But we are also programmed to connect. What we also don't realise is we can turn suffering into joy, like alchemy. We are programmed to want to go to the next level, to live in a state of need, of lack. We have literally been programmed (by culture and society) to feel this way. This is why Leo's teachings are so popular as he shocks you out of it. Very powerful. As you say we have forgotten.Or as I like to say, It's an unpacking, rather than a search. Put down the heavy backpack of expectations and free yourself.

@Michael Jackson Interesting points. I would have to disagree with you on the point about something missing. There Isn't anything missing at all - that's a very big trap. We can't quite get our head around this - as seekers think they have to look for something. It's more like a circle. You come back to yourself.

Yes, the instant release from thinking you so describe is the moment to moment awareness, or awakening. There are many traps but the biggest are: -Ego arising out of thinking you are Enlightened (the guru effect) - The trap of continued "seeking" rather than just being/practice - Thinking the destination is more important than the journey

@hyruga My point is if you were truly awakened/enlightened you really wouldn't care. This is a classic guru/follower issue - the forum is a place to chew the fat with others who are on the same journey- not to punish others for making progress on their journey. People are taking it all so seriously. This is classic ego worshipping. More people should start their own groups /forums etc as it means ultimately more people will benefit. Let go of such tight rule following. Why stop the sharing and spreading of knowledge. As I've said it's systemic. When the system needs to change, this happens and it's a good thing.

Grief and Nature Mixed feelings of grief can emerge from nowhere - triggers are unexpected, lurking in the dark ready to appear when you least expect it. My self care journey has been a good one so far - this week I have kick started an old hobby which has really helped connect with Nature and ultimately Presence. Perfectionism and overworking is hard to shake - however I've the insight to know when I get these feelings and how important rest is. "Adopt the pace of Nature. Her secret is patience." Ralf Waldo Emerson

@Someone here By realising there is nothing Missing. Don't get caught in the "Lack" trap. You don't need to do anything else. Just enjoy your life with these new deep and profound insights.

Getting back to the OP, I've had a look at the other forum - it has a different vibe and yes very similar. It's a systems theory thing. People will always go off into other groups, it's not so much splintering - it's evolving. There is infinite space for the evolution of such movement and groups. To pit them against the other is like saying what do you prefer tea or coffee. With awareness and love we welcome more groups like this as the more people promoting reality/spiritual growth the better. To describe it in the negative is frankly egotistical and rubbishing the very thing being promoted.

@Andromeda The fact that you have been meditating consistently for six years daily is a great achievement. I agree with @Carl-Richard - try intensifying your practice. How about a retreat? 3-7 days of meditation is a good way of doing this. Vipassana is the ultimate intensive or Shinzen Young has some good home treatment programmes if you want to stay at home. His advice is to retreat 1-3 times a year to intensify your practice and get professional guidance. Also look at getting specialist advice from a yogi/meditation instructor. If you have ADD there may be better techniques for you such as Strong Determination Sits or chanting. Other advice is bringing your meditation practice off the cushion and into your real life like micro "hits" throughout the day e. g. walking, washing up, working etc. Good luck.

@Consilience Fabulous insights here, keep up the good work. A breath of fresh air. You've motivated me to keep going deeper with the meditation. Please do keep posting the reports ?

@Raptorsin7 There are lots of forums, maybe let people make their own judgement about where they want to spend their time. @Consept So maybe you offer some different food? Nothing like a dose of healthy competition. My point is this community is bigger than one person. Maybe it's time to recalibrate, go with the times and update it. There are people in this community who want a bit more than want is currently on offer here (me included). And that's ok. Like Steve Jobs did with Apple, he reinvented what was on offer.

@Consept Artists steal ideas all the time, it's part of the creative process. We call it inspiration. Why do you think there are so many of these types of cases going to court. There are dozens of businesses where this has happened. Open your eyes. In the spiritual community to be so protective over your ideas/business/concept defeats the whole object of what you're trying to do in the first place. Otherwise it's just about a guy generating free content of long monologues about certain subjects. The Wizard of Oz type effect.

@ted73104 Yes but perhaps this is a good indication of the good people here with shared values are actually itching for something else. My own personal perspective is nothing new is really discussed here just the same topics. Perhaps Leo needs to rethink the format of what community connection really means. Maybe it could be time for him to get out, meet people, do QnAs or retreats for example as he so promised many years ago.

Why do you care so much @Leo Gura? So what if people want to start their own forum? It's not a conspiracy, it's free speech. Be flattered that people want to copy your successful format. The ego is a very subtle thing. Just remember why you started this project, and if people want to do something else, good for them. Be careful about banning the good people here. It's a shame what happened with @Nahm. Perhaps movements and groups like this naturally move into something else, so maybe let go.

@Esilda Yes the wim hof method seems to be a good one for some. Presence is right here, we just spend a lot of our time dwelling and ruminating over the past and future. The secret is, we have no control over this, we think we do. Rather than letting go, it's more of a becoming. We become being. Without judgement. There is no doing involved, practices can help you access it - such as meditation - as it can be difficult to access via thought. Letting go helped me with this. There are various methods it's about finding the right one for you.

Sharp focus Suddenly lots of things have come into sharp focus. The definition of madness: doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. I can see things really clearly all of a sudden and I feel strong. Things out of my control are no longer an issue. For many months my avoidant nature became the better of me as I sunk into a pit of repetitive over-thinking. But also I needed the rest. What has got me out this? Meditation, Yoga Exercise, Sleep, Diet. Presence doesn't judge. Presence gives you the present. The present is a gift that keeps on giving. Every moment has potential. What can you decide this moment? That you have infinite potential just like this moment. Kindness is free, easy and unlimited. Be kind to yourself and others.