Jay S

I've watched all of Leo's videos on enlightenment and have also done lot's of independent inquiry work into the nature of self through meditation and personal development. There is one concept i often hear and it's one that Leo brings up also, that we are this person (insert name) that we think we are. That somehow our awareness has localized itself into falsely believing that we are this person in this body. I understand that concept, but what I have struggled with grasping is why has this omnipresent awareness chosen to localize itself into this body if it is a mistake. How come it not localize itself into say the coffee table or some other thing....why or how does it come to be that this awareness chooses to inhabit us and play this ego-self or error in identifying with the self...I welcome insights from our enlightened community

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A state of Not-Knowing is the path to Enlightenment...once we truly stop 'knowing' we are closer to the Truth free from our interference, judgement, beliefs etc...

I have heard of such a state of awareness, where you are meditating in whatever it is you are doing. I can't say I have personally reached such a stage yet, but I can conceptualize what you are describing. This is helpful for me, because I tend to struggle most with this aspect of self-development...balancing various things while still engaging in the practice...

I should mention that I do already dedicate 30-60 minutes daily to meditation practice and have done so for the past 2 years. I have had some great insights from this and it has helped me raise my awareness from where I began. Taking it farther, in terms of dedicating more time to it and also to retreats etc as @Leo Gura suggests in some of his videos, is more of challenge. The other challenge I have found is that when you meditate and reach a certain state, you walk out the front door and watch some of that progress melt away as you're caught up in the day to day grind...

I agree in many cases excuses are made and progress is stunted. What are you proposing precisely? Meditate how many hours a day? Do what to sustain yourself? Food/shelter/clothing etc...the truth is if this form, the human form is the vessel we are given for building on to whatever level of understanding we are born with...this particular machine requires maintenance and resources to be kept in working order...I agree once you've obtained the end goal, chances are the human body/form will probably not be any more valuable to you than a tree...but in the interim, until that time/experience/understanding occurs one must balance the obligations of life and cultivating higher knowledge....that's what I think at least, given my understanding thus far...of course I am not claiming any absolute right or wrong way

This is probably the most practical advice that was given to me by another advanced practitioner of meditation...at a younger age 30s 40s, divide your time as best you can and try to set yourself up to have more free time to dedicate towards this as you get older (ie. retirement)...Although at some level I understand that 'normal life' is an illusion...by existing here and now, at some basic level 'I' am in the game, whether I like it or not

I would liken it to learning, which can vary for different people based on subject matter or where they are starting off. When it comes to meditation, different people will generally struggle with different challenges. Depending on what your challenges are, it may take you a longer or shorter period of time to get somewhere noticeable. It's important to note, that just because you are not yet aware of the benefits of your practice it does not mean they aren't happening. Each time you put your attention towards it and dedicate time to it...you are progressing even if you don't notice it yet...

How do you balance your time when you have other responsibilities and obligations such as family, work, exercise and the list goes on. I am finding it difficult to dedicate distraction free time to this practice. Other meditation groups I have consulted have mentioned, giving up some of your sleep, waking up at 5am, earning extra to hire help and even just walking away from it all! Open to hearing some thoughts and suggestions.