John

It's just that these thoughts in particular are very sticky and are taking up a large chunk of the meditation time.. I guess I just have to stick at it right?

@Electron Did you watch the original or the new one?

Yeah that's pretty much the only confirmation I needed!

So I read See,Hear,Feel; Shinzens most up to date system so far and I just want to clarify something. When noting things under the label 'See', wether it is a physical sight or a mental image, I only ever use the label 'See'. Under his new system we would never label the actual physical sight or mental image? For example, "See Tree" or "See Thought", or maybe under the 'hear' label, "Hear alarm" for physical sound. It's almost as if being equipped with just the labels, "See", "Hear" and "Feel" is too simple for my monkey mind to handle! P.s. I am aware that "See Rest" or"See Flow" would be exceptions to this.

Does anyone have any helpful resources here? I have heard some of Shinzen Young and Ram Dass work on the subject but would really appreciate anything else people have come across. Information, coping mechanisms, insights, wisdom, specific meditations, etc.. Maybe even some of Leo's videos I have missed? I am experiencing a long and extremely emotionally difficult awakening.. Thanks, John

@Azrael I just completed the emotional oneness video and it was so powerful. I should probably give it a night's rest now before acting on it but can you lead me to some more of what is mentioned in the video? It was staggering but I'm also left feeling it was quite general. "Accepting your inner child" and listening to him and loving him and integrating him is a beautiful concept but Matt didn't list too many action steps. Any advice here? I have already ordered his book!

This question might stem from a flawed premise, but if it is flawed, please enlighten me! A couple of years ago, when coming out of a very deep clinical depression, I started to meditate heavily. I had just started a new job, social anxiety was rife, and my emotions were like the most torturous roller coaster you could imagine. Don't know how I survived it, but I'm here now.. I would do the following meditation practice: 30 minutes 'Do Nothing', 20 minutes 'Mindful noting', 20 minutes of the technique Leo describes in his 'no bullshit guide to meditation'. I was convinced at the time that if I just did this, every single day, the pain would go away. Especially the 'do nothing' technique. Looking back, I think my real belief at the time was that with this meditation stuff I wouldn't have to physically kill myself. I could just do it the meditative way. But it means that I would bastardize all of the techniques to this end. It meant that I didn't really focus as much on other aspects of my life like my relationships and sex and business and money. I just thought, "No, all of that is nonsense now, this hour and ten minutes you're doing every day will solve everything. Leo promised" And my question is this, how can I stop my ego, myself, from twisting these techniques to my own deep ends? Eckhart Tolle says to focus deeply on the energy field in your body, but what good is that when you're only doing it to avoid the awful torment of your mind? How long can you play that game? I crashed after six months.. And even though I still maintain a twenty minutes a day practice, I find myself..growing weary of myself!! Lately I have been considering buying an RSD programme and getting my love life handled, because awareness alone in this case, does not seem to be curative. Despite all the leaps in awareness I have made, there are black holes in my consciousness that still pull my strings. Man, this just turned into one big ramble, but so many people on here have been so helpful, I feel confident that someone might resonate at least a small bit! Cheers, John

You have understood my point exactly. Could you imagine someone who goes to Tibet for twenty years and comes back a cult leader, or someone who is deeply mentally ill? I certainly could! It feels like watching when watching Leo's videos or even Eckhart Tolle videos, they forget who they are talking to.. they forget that what they are saying is going out into the ether and then being taken in my by the most fucked up egos on the planet (maybe most fucked up is a bit harsh). But I guess all they can do is be true right? All Eckhart Tolle, for example, can do is be the truth and hope it gets through to me some way. I fucking pray that it does aswell.

@Leo Gura Is that not the cruelest Irony? That I'm stuck in a state of low mood and emotional turmoil (ie.Depression) because I don't want to face low mood and emotional turmoil (i.e emotional labour)? I'm going to Plum Village in France in a few weeks where I will hopefully be able to do exactly what you recommend.

This is a great post, fair play to you man!

@Azrael Do you know other videos where he talks more about this topic? I tried to get into Matt Kahn a while ago but my ego said something ridiculous like, "This guy is a phoney. Pretending to be Eckhart Tolle. Looks like he lives in his Mom's basement, must be a loser.. blah blah blah" And of course this was blocking me from one of the most helpful videos I have watched yet!

This is all exactly what I was looking for.. Thank you so much. John

https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene/videos I did the thirty day beginners challenge on this video and haven't looked back since. I'll be honest and say that I did experience some minor aches when I went on to try more advanced videos and some power yoga, but if you take it easy and stick to some of the slower classes you should be fine!

I'm trying here Rumi!!

Does anyone else find the language in Joseph Campbell's famous book to be really pretentious? Each page filled with annoying academic language? To me some parts of the book almost read like that episode of friends where Joey translates something he wrote using a thesaurus to make it sound smarter Most of you will probably tell me to check my ego and give the book another try but to me his ego seems ginormous throughout.. Especially when he gets to talking about nothingness and God. It feels like he drifts into academic language to escape the fact that he doesn't truly know what he is talking about.. Anyone agree? Or is this all my pathetic ego...

When Eckhart Tolle says to 'Watch the Thinker', are there any signs that let you know you are doing it right? Because many times I have done exactly what he warns against.. I have let 'the Thinker' sneak in the back door. Thoughts are there, I become more present, I feel a certain stillness, now I am watching thoughts arising and falling. But then the thinker sneaks his way in and says, "Here I am watching the thoughts" How can I dwell longer in the present moment? How can I truly know that it is the present moment and not another sneaky thought claiming to be the present moment? I hope that question makes sense, I really do. It's long but those of you familiar with Eckhart and further along the path can hopefully give me some insight here, I would greatly appreciate it. Cheers, John

@Trevor Herrick I began to experience Depression around 19 or 20 so to hear that you have had to deal with it from such a young age is tough. That is a really tough hand to be dealt, so the fact that you are here, and on this website, is huge. Well done man. I really mean that. I can't imagine where I would be without some of the more positive experiences of my childhood.. they have given me something to hold on to. But it sounds like you hardly even have that much. So if possible, try and take a moment to feel compassion for yourself. Maybe even congratulate yourself on getting to this point. Something in you is very strong for getting here, so trust that strength. @philosogi's advice is really good here. It might be worth looking into some sort of therapy. If you can find someone in your area who is fully qualified, referenced and experienced, give them a go. Be fully open and honest with them about your struggles and see where it leads you. All the best brother!

I had a dream recently where I was walking down the street with Eckhart Tolle and I asked him, "Eckhart, why is it that your suffering led to your enlightenment? When so many people around the world suffer so much, and it only leads to more suffering, even suicide. Suffering hides from awareness and is only ever the punisher and not the teacher. But for you, it seemed to have some sort of scientific effect on your ego, breaking it down until you could see it for what it is" I can't remember what he answered in the dream, could anyone help me with this? Cheers guys.

I know "Take Massive Action" stems from Tony Robbins. But could anyone tell me the exact book or origin?

Yeah, I'd really love to hear this one! Maybe people should post their links in here to helpful self-love and compassion vids? Also if people could talk about their experiences with the process, that would be cool! I have only recently been able to even tolerate smiling at my anxiety and holding it in awareness with a tiny scrap of love. it's not enough, but it's going somewhere..

Given Leo's recent video on pick up, is it still a good decision to try cold approaches on the street?

Hey Guys, I had very severe unipolar disorder a couple of years ago and was essentially a Hermit for a while. Very severe social anxiety as I returned to work and to friends etc, and even though it's been a while and it has improved, I still do suffer from it when meeting new people and just dealing with people day to day. Making small talk at work (with both customers and fellow employees) etc , is very difficult. I am trapped in my own head and still dealing with some depressive symptoms. Would appreciate any advice on this. Cheers, John

Thanks for all of the responses guys. This is an amazing resource to have.

You're 21 years old. Your body is pumping full of seeds that want to be spread. It's completely understandable that this urge would manifest itself the way it is now, in the situation you find yourself in. But you are swimming in murky waters my friend. Waves of sexual energy will come and go, erections, carnal desire, all of these things. But.. Think of the life experience that led a prostitute to where she is now. Think of how she must feel not knowing who you are, not knowing who it could be behind the number, and not knowing who the next guy will be after you... Only ever really knowing that this is what it takes for her to survive. You're coming from a sincere place man, but I think, if at all possible, try and avoid this route.

Still haven't made an approach...