nistake

I've been playing this sort of "game" that I watch a random youtube video (possibly a 'cringey' one) and I observe my reactions to it. Sometimes I judge instantly without being aware of it and sometimes I can bypass this knee-jerk reaction and I try to actually understand what's going on. I'll start, this is a great example: If you saw this girl on the street, it'd be so easy to judge. But as soon as you start watching the video, you'll realize that she's actually an intelligent person and nothing wrong with her. That's just her decision and that's it. Now this video is easy because you get the full backstory and context from her, but I'm curious what kind of other examples we can gather.

@Swarnim Uh, that's a good one @seeking_brilliance Well, then it's a great opportunity for you to contemplate this. I could hardly accept the full body tattoos, but watching the video I posted helped me a little bit, I think. @Hulia Yeah, that's a good question. Dog owners should be responsible with their dogs, especially if they're aggressive (I know, I know, another judgement...) @Value That's why we're here!

I'm sorry for your loss, it must be really tough for you right now. Hang in there, it'll get better. I've been watching some NDE videos lately and I strongly recommend that you watch some of these. Of course, watching youtube videos will not ease your pain, but these interviews are really convincing that there is unconditional love after all and your mom will be with you always and forever.

@Sempiternity I totally played out this scenario in my head

Yeah, I think that's it. Rupert may have misunderstood the guy at first because he thought the guy was asking "can LSD make me enlightened?" Then, at the end of the video, Rupert rephrased the question for him and the guy said that was the real meaning of his question.

- The Mind Illuminated by Culadasa: Very detailed and long book about meditation and mindfulness. It contains virtually anything you can possibly learn about meditation. - True Meditation by Adyashanti This book is also excellent but I'd say it's for mainly intermediate meditators who have the basics down and farily good concentration skills already.

Damn, just watched the documentary Who Are We (it's on youtube and it's amazing) today and now this thread pops up Thanks for the recommendation, I'll definitely check it out.

I heard that people who do standup are constantly observing their environment, looking for jokes. I'd say that's a good practise. Be on the lookout, try to make jokes out of the most ordinary events. Maybe carry a small notebook with yourself and jot down ideas on the spot and work on them later. That's what I'd do.

Preach. My favorite quote from Eckhart Tolle:

This has to be one of the most important videos from Adyashanti. Instead of going too deep. he just uses his usual everyday language to explain such a fundamental topic. Brilliant, if you ask me.

This is too spot on

I had a some sort of mini-awakening just yesterday. It happened in the middle of the night. I was lying in my bed and couldn't sleep. Now, this almost never happens to me because I'm a really good sleeper. However, I caught a cold a few days ago and so that pretty much interrupted my sleep. Anyway, I was wide awake, just staring at the ceiling. Various thoughts were circling in my mind and I was aware of them. I didn't try to interrupt them. As I was listening to them, my mind became much quieter. It got to a point when my mind became almost completely silent. Then the following thought popped into my mind: "hey, what is this silence, really?" That's when I started to contemplate this thought. After 10-20 minutes it hit me. Maybe that's actually who I am. That pure silence which is prior to any thought, image or mental activity. The silence which is infinite and can never be named or classified. There wasn't ecstasy, fear, existential terror or any spiritual fireworks. It was quite factual actually. This mini-awakening opened lots of possibilities, that's for sure.

"Especially if you hear about this shit called enlightenment"

I'm not really into games anymore, but this game 'Journey' looks really promising. Gonna try it out for sure.

Crazy how this simple and short song can evoke such sentimental feelings.

What Is Death? - How Immortality Works Absolutely fascinating

By applying the beginner's mind.

I'd say this is just a phase. I also experienced this and I came to the conclusion that all of my previous hobbies were pretty much just meaningless distractions. They didn't give me joy, relaxation, fulfillment. I did all of those things just because I was bored and I didn't know what to do with my life. After some contemplation I realized that this is maybe a common 'by-product' of self-actualization. You grow and your interests change. Nothing wrong with that. What really helps is having a vision and trying out new things. Contemplation is also huge. Maybe ask yourself questions like: What would I do if I had all the money in the world? What would be an ideal career for me? What would give me joy? Am I creative? What do I like to create?

Ah, the good ol' foot kissing.

@Heart of Space There are several more pages in that infinite book.

Yup, I'm pretty much in the same boat. Never had a girlfriend, but I'm fine with that. Not because of lack of trying though. Asked a few girls out, went on dates, but no success so far. I learned from my mistakes, then I moved on. No big deal. To be honest, I never understood the obsession with girls and dating. I always felt like some sort of outsider, because all of my friends started chasing girls around 15-16 and I was there, being single and just doing my own thing. Nowadays it's pretty much the same thing, but they took it to the next level. Getting married, having kids, etc. And here I am, still single and I really don't mind. I'm happy to be my own boss, working on myself, taking spirituality seriously, working on my future career and things like that. Bottom line: If I find a girlfriend, fine, if I don't, also fine.

@levani Why don't you do those things at the same time? If you have materialistic desires, so be it. Put in the work to actually get those. However, do consciousness work at the same time too. Meditate, do yoga, do psychedelics, you name it.