SamueLSD

I agree. The better you know the drug, the deeper you can go with it.

The argument went in circles a bit, he would explain why I had to leave and I would just say: "Oh... fair enough. But why do I have to leave?" As if I immediately forgot what he just said. Compared to the fear I had faced, and profound realisations I had while meditating and walking through the forest, I kinda just felt like he was more of an annoyance than something to be afraid of.

After weeks of preparation, my girlfriend, my dog, and I went camping in the middle of a huge rainforest known as the Otways. The plan was to stay for a about 3-4 nights, completely immersed in nature, with no electricity, water or food other than the supplies we bought. Once the first night was over, I took 400-600 micrograms of LSD at 9 am. The trip was extremely intense. After about 20 mins of meditation, I tried open eye meditation. And holy SHIT, the visuals were unlike anything I had ever experienced. However, questioning who is observing / what is actually aware of those hallucinations was far more profound. Unfortunately, as I was meditating on the rocks that were in the middle of the river crossing which our tent was next to ( see picture below ), i a truck pulled up nearby on the dirt trail that led into the depths of the forest. It was a park ranger. Still tripping, I had to talk to him and explain why I had my dog in a national park ( he was barking at the park ranger ), why I was camping next to a HERITAGE LISTED RIVER ( I was not aware of this ), and why I was camping even though it was banned across Australia due to the coronavirus. I kept trying to ask why I had to leave, and he just said " Because those are the rules mate. ", which I obviously didn't understand due to the acid, and I couldn't shake the thought that rules don't actually exist! I kept asking "But why are those the rules, I don't actually HAVE to leave". I also recall ( although now I regret it ) telling him to fuck off because he wanted to interview me, which again was because I have no understanding of authority, especially while on a psychedelic. It was an extremely surreal experience. He ended up getting pissed of with me and pulling out his badge and threatening to fine me. I had no choice but to pack up and leave. This is a perfect example of the governments inability to make effective decisions to stop a virus from spreading. Shops, hairdressers, etc are still open, but TWO PEOPLE cant even go camping! Anyway, Although I didn't reach a full blown awakening, I was able to observe my own thoughts and sensations within my mind, which further developed my understanding of my psychology, and I also underwent some valuable healing. I also had an insight that led me to understand that the things we feel, believe, and do are layers of ego that essentially hide the truth from us, and meditation / psychedelics "untangle" those layers. ( Explained poorly, definitely made more sense in the moment lol ) Here are some photos my girlfriend took : Dragonfly landing on my arm My dog, Buzz A creek flowing through the forest Thanks for reading!

Those are some good realisations, especially for your first trip on such a low dose. You're going to love the big doses.

Yeah man, I thought about the stuff you told me earlier, it really gave me some clarity, as well as the ability to completely submit to the experience and understand that everything I was experiencing ALWAYS has been there, and that the only thing that was missing was the realisation ( that I was in the process of having). Even post-trip, I understand that so much more clearly.

Also here is the ranger writing up a report, lol

This is a very broad question, as I am open to ANY answers or ideas. Is anyone aware of potential limits to stoicism, in terms of self actualisation and enlightenment? Or is it a philosophy that integrates seamlessly with these?

30 minutes is a good amount of time, I think. Morning 30, night time 30. The mind is different in the morning, compared to after the day is done. Both could be very beneficial. However, 1 hour would allow for a deeper meditation, and possibly a mystical experience.

Then the "absolute" isn't really the absolute? Are the deeper degrees of awakeness just a further transcendence of ego, or is the "default" state already free of ego... and the deeper states are just something that I just don't understand?

@IJB063 Thanks for the detailed answer If I am understanding correctly, Nietzsche is essentially saying the stoics in denial of being alive...? Interesting, definitely. It also seems like he is misinterpreting some of the stoic teachings. Of course all that we are is nature, you cannot escape it, but to live in accordance with nature more so means to be in control of ones impressions and desires / impulses. Also, self tyranny I believe is a misinterpretation. To be a "tyrant" over our desires, impulses, etc... is not SELF tyranny, as those things do not make up the self! Those things are not what our true nature consists of. If I am missing your point let me know

Assuming you haven't done them - find out for yourself. It literally doesn't matter for your first trip. Just have a nice setting, meditate, take notes, create art or something, become aware of your own body, and listen to music. Do not forget to listen to music. You wont fuck yourself up long term. Caution is good, but to have the best trip possible you should give into your curiosity. Childlike curiosity.

- Leo Gura ~ 2020

And that will hopefully be the basis for the legalisation of psychedelic substances; all medicine can have adverse effects. I'll agree to agree, however the magic doesn't really happen with low doses

@Leo Gura Malleable; can be altered to increase or hinder development.

Well, is it not? I am not speaking of physical damage. It's not going to give you actual brain damage, lol. Psychedelics can fuck with your mind to the point of psychotic break if you are not ready. But the real damage is when a horrible trip causes someone to fear ever taking psychedelics again, leading to a denial of the true power of psychedelics, and the refusal to believe that there is other than a material reality, which is especially common for young people, as I said. Damage to development, so to speak. This may not happen to you, or me, but to deny it can happen to others is ignorance.

Neuroplasticity, comrade. Your mind is so malleable when you are young! ( Which also means more damage can be done ) If you wanna be safe then wait.

Yes; however nothing is as toned as my own reasoned choice!

If you have come to the conclusion that abiding by these rules will not affect anyone else, the "collective", or hinder you own development, break them and be free! The spiritual freedom I feel after breaking the law is wonderful, I separate myself from a system that doesn't really exist. Antisocial means to me: behaving in a rude, cruel or disgusting manner toward other people.

For my fellow Aussies: Otways, Victoria. Perfect trip spot.

everything you can imagine, and much more.

The blame is partially on you for skipping the foundational videos, and impatiently going to a video that is not in your capacity of understanding. I am personally avoiding those kind of videos because when you learn theory that you aren't ready to rediscover, it is nothing more than concepts and ideas in your mind that cause confusion. Understand that you should keep an open mind when learning new information like this, and not to instantly take it for truth, but to rediscover the theory that is taught by practising it on your own. Like others have said, we have all been there, but we haven't lost our shit at the person who is trying to help us just because you don't understand what you are being told.

Thought is not necessarily understanding. If anything, thoughts bring more confusion! This is one of the reasons I started meditating, as 90% of my thoughts were as empty as daytime television. How do you expect to think yourself out of thinking? You can't, really. It's a self perpetual trap and it's frustrating, I know. Just try to accept confusion, and admit that you know nothing, and see this as an exciting proposition! Keep working on yourself and you will find clarity. Not all of the sudden, but gradually. With this, you will build momentum and more motivation to continue this work. Meditate every day if you aren't already.

All the stoics and those who inspired and taught the stoics. Epictetus, Seneca, etc.

Don't be a slave to your desires and impulses, friend. Will the rubbing of genitalia bring you fulfilment? NO, but your ego is probably saying yes. But trust me, it will not. Don't wish for your urges to be quenched, rather, wish for the virtue to remain indifferent when these urges face you! Stay on the path! god I am really just regurgitating stoic teachings at this point