Consilience

Thank you for sharing Leo ??

Unfocused meditation is weak. Cultivating concentration ability is where meditation starts to become extremely effective

I think I have experienced this. I had like a 5g mushroom tea experiencing where it felt like I was physically dying and energy was pulsating through my spine and rippling out of my fingers. Since the experience, the muscles around my spine will randomly pulsate and almost “push” energy through my spine throughout the day. And subsequent mushroom experiences seem to intensify the muscle spasms and energy. Not sure if Im being reckless, but I honestly dont pay much attention to it. I just try to allow it to pass when it wants. It hasnt interfered with sleep or my psychological state so meh. It seems like its making my body’s energy systems slowly more open, that’s the best way I can describe what’s happening. Like my chakras are opening. Which I dont mind. Either way, chop wood, carry water.

You should pick up the book “The Mind Illuminated” The techniques outlined are incredible for the cultivation of concentration

The concern is coming from a paradigm that coffee is bad because x, y, and z. I have a belief that caffeine and the stimulation of the nervous system is not optimal for self actualization work, or enlightenment. Even though I understand at a surface level that nothing is wrong, somewhere along the way I felt the need to quit, expecting to get benefits. But from what I've observed, these benefits never came.

From what I've gathered is a distinction is itself a distinction. So it's a strange loop, for starters. Secondly, a distinction is simply means of dividing reality into more and more objects. So the letter "S" is distinct from the letter "G." *Insert an infinite number of examples." The interesting part about this is that literally all facets of reality are distinct. You can either view reality as ONE whole unified conscious field, or you can view reality as a subdivided set of distinctions which goes on to literally infinity. So what is a distinction? It is a splitting of oneness, and it is itself. Distinctions don't actually exist per-say. In reality, there is only 1 holistic direct experience that is not separate from itself. But when we enter into the illusion of separation, a distinction is what allows this separation to unfold, and it can in fact unfold into infinity.

@pluto is it possible my natural reserves of energy are just lower than most? Perhaps 2 months wasnt long enough to heal from years of persistent use... Im not sure. I never abused caffeine, but I definitely have gone through periods where I would drink 150-200mg per day. It’s frustrating because the past two months haven’t really done much other than make me feel more lethergy in the morning even when using methods like water consumption, whim hoff breathing, etc. For the record, I exercise regularly and pretty vigorously compared to most. My resting heart rate is ridiculously low compared to most and moreover, when doing cardio, it takes massive exertion for me to get my heart rate elevated because of how in shape it is (I guess). I don’t think exercise is the problem. It’s like this mind dullness that promotes monkey mind. Grr

Thank you everyone for so much feedback. I will take it all to heart ??

My breakfast is usually beans, soy milk and a bagel. That’s my thinking too though. There is a lot of research indicating it has numerous health benefits. But it’s a weird balancing act given that it is addictive. But part of the addiction is the value I get from it just like with the brushing teeth example.

Absolutely. There are going to be stabilizer muscles (smaller muscles that play a role with balance and body control) that aren’t worked from machines. That being said, machines are a fantastic place to start and build up initial strength. But Id start investing time into getting proficient at barbell training. The main caution, however, is that improper form can create injuries so just be patient with yourself and take your time. I promise the long term benefit will pay off though, especially if this is approached from as a form of spiritual practice. The body will thank you.

Mindful lifting. Learn how to properly squat, hip hinge, push-up and row. Especially if you have a disease which causes muscle loss, you’re going to want to make sure your bones stay strong regardless of muscle mass which lifting will help with. Lifting will also help with muscle retention, as well as increasing your proprioception which is essentially body awareness. Eventually you’ll want to learn how to properly barbell back squat, barbell bench press, barbell deadlift and probably other barbell lifts such as an overhead press, pendlay row and Romanian deadlift. Yoga is also definitely a must, as ajasatya mentioned, but Id also work towards mastering these body movements as well. Dont worry about how much weight you’re lifting, but also focus on progressively getting stronger at them. The key though is mastering the movements and learning how to connect with your body, and breath as your lifting. Cant stress this enough for muscle retention and bone density. Eating more protein, Staying hydrated and sleep will also help with resistance training recovery. And actually so will yoga.

It is on his booklist. You should consider supporting Leo and purchasing the list. Not only does it help him out, but you’ll gain access to a library of extremely high quality books, including the Kriya Yoga book you’re looking for

It was a joke

None of what you just said makes sense. If you don’t see the infinity, well... sucks.jpeg. Anyways, for op, just remember this discovery cant be made with the mind. It has to be made with consciousness.

How can that which is finite take on an infinite number of possible forms?

The concept and symbol 0 is not that which is refers to. All language and symbolic representation is a map, not the territory. When I say 0 = infinity, it is pointing towards something, it is not to be taken literally. You cannot confirm infinity. Confirmation is a function of mind, not being. Being is infinite. You can either be conscious of this, or not. But trying to “confirm” is just more ego, more mind. The mind being a subset doesnt change the fact that it’s not separate. Separation is yet another function of mind. So if the mind is infinite, by definition, reality must be too because reality and mind are not separate, they are one in the same. Moreover, trying to create the distinction/duality of “reality” is still the mind. Without mind, all that’s left is one unified being.

Been really digging your posts man! This book has also helped tremendously with my meditation ??

Something which exists that has no qualities that can simultaneously take any an infinite number of qualities is infinite. 0 = infinity. It’s odd this isnt understood. Perhaps you need a direct experience of infinity either via psychedelics or meditation. Even on an intellectual level this isnt too difficult to grasp, as long as you’ve transcended the materialist paradigm. Moreover, this separation you’re creating between “mind” and “reality” doesn’t exist. It’s all one integrated, unified existence.

@Shadowraix Idk if ive fully or permanently activisted it, but every time Ive tripped on mushrooms or LSD, I feel a shit ton of energy pulsating through my spine. So yeah it really can happen with psychedelics. Crazy stuff.

Aim for 1g of protein per pound of bodyweight. There wouldn’t be any negative health consequences unless you have a problem with your kidneys. But just drink plenty of water and you’ll be fine. Best practices to strengthen the nervous system are hatha yoga and meditation. Both of these really help balance and mitigate the stress of resistance training, besides helping with contemplating the existential nature of reality

Look into Alberto Nunez. He is a professional natural bodybuilder who would eat poptarts during his contest preps. Zero effects on his physique because one’s physique is primarily determined by the energy balance of your diet since your physique is an energetic output. Obviously eating like shit will eventually catch up to you because you wont be able to train as hard, but thinking simple sugar is bad for building muscle is just inaccurate. Moreover, there is more and more research coming out indicating our understanding of glycemic load is incomplete. Individual’s response to sugar is dependent on genetics, activity level, how much protein and fat was consumed with the meal, and microbiota. Anecdotally, Im someone who’s eaten plenty of wheat and sugar and had very good gains both with building muscle and strength. It’s much more nuanced than simple sugar is bad.

The more mechanical explanation is that thoughts are literally not separate from “physical” reality. The space in which thoughts exist is the same space in which physical reality exists. All of it, thoughts, physical reality, emotions, attention, any phenomena or form, is existing within your consciousness. Understanding this lack of separation, and more specifically, this unification of mind with the rest of the universe, is crucial for understanding why the LoA works.

For gaining muscle, sucrose isnt anymore or less effective than more complex carbohydrates. For overall health, there may be better carb sources.

Athlean is not the great imho. Dude is jacked but that doesnt always mean much. Look into 3dmj ok youtube. They have an absolutely phenomenal series on nutrition and exercise. To make gains, both are needed. They’re a bodybuilding coaching group, but the principles still apply for non bodybuilders. Ill link the series below but just a fair warning, it's very information dense so be prepared. However taking the time to understand these principles will absolutely pay off.

What is the existential nature of separation? Ill spoil it for you: it doesnt exist. No part of existence is separate from any other part. God, consciousness, the true self, absolute infinity is not separate from itself, as separation is an illusion.