Surfingthewave

@Someone here You can "quit" how you perceive society. Society is a construct. When you truly see this, you'll stop the searching. It sounds like you want freedom from your own perceptions. Keep doing the work and freedom is yours eventually.

What is desire? According to OHSO desire can never be fulfilled. So why do we endlessly chase desire? He goes onto say if you let go of this desire by being aware of it, you will receive great strength as energy from the endless desiring is released. What you are left with is silence. Perhaps we fear this silence when the desire is released. We fear we may loose who we are. I feel tired of all the desiring. When we look into this silence according to OHSO, like a still lake reflecting a reservoir of energy, we'll also see the universe reflected in it. Let's not forget OHSO also owned 93 Rolls Royces. Michael Singer talks about desire being blocked energy. He talks about us compensating for something being wrong in our life with desire. In fact there is nothing wrong. Meet the moment where you're at and let go of the personal. Where that leaves you is to live in excitement and joy rather than living in fear.

@Max_V Autism is a superpower. Own it. Your idiosyncrasies and eccentricity makes you, you, and the right person will fall in love with that. Start to see yourself as worthy of love.

Apparantly according to google the number 93 has significant symbolism - a compassionate meaning to help spread good to others. It's the Rolls Royce part that is mind boggling.

Life purpose Developing my life purpose has been an interesting path. What's been the most fascinating part of it is how I've tried to suppress it all these years. When I was 18 it was clear as day what I wanted to achieve in my life. This was shut down by various people and also perhaps myself. All these years later the artist within me wants to create and express the beauty of this world. However fear and being cautious has held me back. The art I created when I was younger was bold, expressive, unique and came from a place of no fear. It's mad how years of conditioning, distraction and life in general has changed this. As I awaken I am also awakening that deep part of my creativity that has been dormant and in the dark for so long, and I'm ready to express this part of my soul. Perhaps I'm allowing the expression of what is already my destiny? Watch this space as it was the space I really needed.

@SilentTears Thank you for your words. It can be a lonely path at times so it's good to know others share these struggles and how connected we are. I've come to realise the importance of documenting and journalling the journey. I'm often asked what practices do you recommend and journalling is one of the top ones.

@IAmPaulQuinn The answers to your questions can only be found through the journey I'm afraid, what is fulfilling for me will be different for you. The self help industry have created billions by trying to sell the idea there are steps to success. I won't tell you whether it works, there are no short cuts. You're 17, of course you want to chase beautiful people. When you get to 37,47 or 57 this will change. Good luck!

The fact that you are 17 and asking these questions is great, you are on the path aready. You are here. What I meant was chasing money is an illusion, like chasing anything. Illusion is a word with lots of heavy connotations , instead of illusion, perhaps chasing money and fame, success etc is a game humans play to justify themselves? Money is a tool to get you from A to B. There are no problems. Again, problems are just situations we deal with in life. These situations can be viewed as good or bad depending on your perspective. Don't start the path in the negative. Start with what you want to achieve and go from there.

We should chase nothing. We should let go of any chasing. Have a life purpose absolutely and a spiritual path if that's what you're into but enjoy the journey rather than the destination. Look around you at the beauty that is this world. If you don't see this, work on it. What can you create? Creativity is where life's richness lies. Money, fame, success are all indeed illusions created by society to make us think it's what we need. What makes your heart sing? Do that.

The seeker has returned with a vengeance. It's like you rip out the root but the weeds return. Surrendering can become too much of a thing, don't let it. In my Yoga Nidra intention this week I am allowing. I allow the moment to appear as it is, in all its glory. Surrendering for life to reveal itself is a state of freedom, of love, of beauty. My morning walk was mind blowingly beautiful. I sat and watched, listened and sensed "morning". Nature appearing as it is. The start of a new day, new opportunities, another day to enjoy the beauty of what is. There is no "more". My years of conditioning still wants to seek more. @Surfingthewave Who are you really? A bunch of conditioned thoughts, feelings, experiences. I know I am lucky to have this vision. Sometimes it is fun, sometimes it is tough, sometimes when you see what's truly there it's scary. But it's always changing, moving, growing.

@goldpower123 See yourself hitting the wall as you describe as a sign from the universe you're on the right track. Speaking from experience, when we hit a wall it's because we're about to make some significant gains. Backsliding is all part of the path. The main thing is you're aware of it, that's massive progress. Dust yourself off, pick yourself up and keep going. My final point to you is, what really is a habit? Break it down. It's a thing we do over and over, but why? I've been able to to deal with soft and hard addictions on the path and just laugh at my ego for all the game playing. However, new ones always crop up. It's sneaky but all part of the fun. Be kind to yourself. Every moment has potential, an opportunity for progress. Don't buy into the stories we tell ourselves.

@Raphael Yes our traumas can form a strong identity. It does become a strange loop. Yoga, journalling, talking to friends, walking in nature, listening to music and also taking time out to relax and process were other things that helped. I felt pretty exhausted by carrying all the heavy emotions around. It's important to be kind to yourself. Being afraid of resolving traumas is normal as it is a way of protecting yourself. In my experience working through it has super charged growth in other areas.

@Someone here It's one of the best questions you can ask. Use it as the basis of your practice, rather than theoretically to the forum. You are simply avoiding and procrastinating if you ask the forum. When you ask yourself - you are Self Enquiring. Ask only to yourself and ignore what others say.

@Raphael If you're resolving past traumas then this feeling of fear is to be expected, I went through something similar myself. For me the feeling of fear was not wanting to move towards difficult feelings. Once I had done, processed the feelings and integrated them they moved through me and I could let it go. It can stop you from self development. From my own experience, self care was reallly important during this process as was a good therapist. Also I stopped meditation for a while as the feeling of fear seemed to get trapped (for me meditation when dealing with my trauma not advised).

@neovox The ego loves a journey. Something to seek, something to achieve. The search for Enlightenment is a perfect thing for ego to get stuck to. When you drop the concept of it, as you so describe and focus more on the beauty of the present moment, peace and freedom arise. When we accomplish a goal we feel good, right? It's because the seeking has come to an end, but will quickly be replaced by something else. You cannot accomplish Enlightenment however, you just see more clearly. There are so many views and opinions as to this journey of seeking the Truth but really it's not anything, just a recognition. It is experienced experientially rather than achieved through thought, however. Keeping peeling back the layers of the onion, experientially, and you will most probably arrive at a realisation. The bullshit you describe is in fact the process that cannot be described. It cannot be found by "working hard" on xyz. Only you know when you have found it, as you no longer need to seek anymore. My one tip is follow your intuition, your gut, and not your mind.

You don't have to do anything Before Enlightenment - chop wood, carry water. After Enlightenment - chop wood, carry water. I've been feeling lost when contemplating the After Enlightenment bit. I realise it's not about doing anything it's about living life at a higher consciousness and trusting life will give me everything I ever need. Heavy Yoga Nidra session this week. Daily Breath work meditation. Following the Nidra session the next day I was feeling emotional, fragile and lots of thoughts. I was letting go of deep baggage to do with self esteem and identity. I no longer need outward events and feedback from others to feel good. I no longer need to work hard to get recognition. I no longer need success in my art to feel good. I do it to enjoy it. I feel good lots of ways, so many ways. This is massive progress and life feels light and free. My quest for wealth is deeply rooted in wanting freedom, which I actually have. Freedom from attachments to the now. I no longer put any demand on the moment. The Enlightenment trap is also the What After bit. Adyashanti talks about it in Emptiness Dancing. You are already free. There's nothing else you need to do.

@Gesundheit What you so describe can potentially be very damaging for people, triggering people's emotions. You're not helping people on here I'm sorry to say. Give yourself some love and attention you are looking for. That's the key to this. You will be helping others that way. I'm sorry to hear you are harsh on yourself. We attract what we give. Perhaps work on your limiting beliefs. Work on yourself rather than all this mental masturbation and justifying your position. Meditation, yoga, therapy etc etc.

@Gesundheit The dogged defence of the position you are taking , assumption of another's feelings or disregard for them and saying "your" a lot when interpreting another's comments. Agressiveness can be subtle but very clear. Absolutely you're right it is down to perception but the wider point is about what people gain from this position. It highlights a wider issue of males dominating over a female perspective when it comes to gender bias. A lot of people on here want to listen and learn, a lot of Enlightened folk want to spread joy and love to others. Compassion, empathy and love come with this work. Instead of jostling with the other (which as you say is imaginary) give yourself some self love. This work is counterintuitive. Think about the misuse of the term Enlightenment and perhaps how you have come to use it. @Samuel Garcia Great post. I look forward to hearing more.

@Gesundheit You say life has been rough with you, how so? Someone has been very aggressive towards you in your past, right? So much so you are carrying this anger into your present life. I would suggest spending time introspecting and contemplating the root of your anger. Shame is the basis for most anger. Good luck.

Psychological needs do exist after Enlightenment. Stop spreading misinformation. Or back it up with sources. Do you think you could be projecting? There seems to be a lot of perceptions of Enlightenment here, it is an incredibly unique experience so please be careful. Sometimes a thread needs to be closed. Moderators?

@Preety_India Who's they? It's not discussed much because this forum, particularly this part is dominated by young heterosexual males looking for dating advice. You're a breath of fresh air so keep it up! The status quo doesn't exist, it's just a lot of people moaning about the same thing from the same view point, creating fear. Opening minds with new experiences reveals a whole new "quo" and when it comes to dating this is needed. Gender and sexuality are actually fluid which impacts on the way relationships are perceived, therefore how dating is perceived. It takes a lot of consciousness and open mindedness to arrive at this realisation. Women don't want what a lot of men here think they do, but I'll be accused of gender wars so I'll stop here.

@Preety_India Great thread. I'm all for Game B, this is the way modern relationships are heading in terms of challenging and letting go of binaries around gender, sexuality, attraction, marriage,partnership, gender roles, prejudices etc etc Why does it make people feel uncomfortable though?

@Yahya Yes life is my passion. When you experience Truth, life becomes magical, mysterious and indescribable. Life becomes the most valuable thing, if you see it's infinite nature you will be passionate and grateful. You have to let go though and trust. Humans by nature want/seek to suffer as it keeps the ego alive. It starts with a sense there is something else. Follow that feeling and you will get there.

Because you are still believing the mind, the voice. Transcend the mind, you will find happiness there.

@Andrewww Think of five things that make you feel good. Do them, regularly. Now think of five things you are grateful for. Write it down. What brings meaning and purpose to your life? Pursue it. Do the above and you'll experience happiness.