Epiphany_Inspired

@STC lol...It's totally OK to laugh at me (my level of hair vanity is ridiculous!)...I actually, seriously, literally, *jumped back in my seat...my hands flew up and everything at the idea of needing personal development haircut!...lol...I have had short hair a couple of times...but I really, really, disliked it (cried myself to sleep until it grew back..lol...I think because I cut my own hair at age 3 and my grandma said i looked like a boy, no offense boys...lol)!...so funny, the justifications that come up...my resistant brain immediately thought of this photo a friend of mine took when she went to India of a beautiful man who had dreads that grew in what appeared to be endless rivers flowing from his body...I can't remember the exact reason for his hair...if he was simply in constant meditation, or something...but for now, i want to hold onto whatever he has...if I cut my hair, it may be later, closer to the pinnacle of my journey..i polar bear swim, etc..isn't that enough for now, to show I have the courage to evolve....I can practically sit on my current rosy, locks...I can keep my lovely "autumn faerie" hair...lol..

@Posho totally, what @Phil said....I'm totally the same, it is rare for me to exercise with no music (I even make up songs when I ride my bike...lol)....and I usually want to make meditation musical and more "fun" too...have you tried binaural beats....they saved my meditation practice after I had backlash....also using Mala beads makes meditation a little easier for me....mixing things up with some visualization & gratitude = more creative ways to add "fun"...and good practices regardless.....

@Martin123 I think it's awesome, but I don't fully grasp it yet either. Yes, it's kind of strange. I seem to fluctuate between Permitting and Inspiring at my best...always bypassing that stage in between....but I also dip way down to fear still occasionally, without ever really being at craving or vengeful in the middle....Spiral Dynamics is a little simpler that way....

Totally on the same page about "allowing" emotion. I often assumed I was "allowing", when I was only experiencing a little of it (beyond what I could suppress). I have a feeling that simply denying that our past emotions have any relevance in the present may cause issues. The same way our perceptions are like looking through layers of lenses coloured by past experiences, our emotions seem to be the same. It's on the tip of my tongue, but I can't remember exactly how Leo describes it..but I can give you an example with Teal Swan. She teaches us, when we go into our present emotion, to follow it back through time, eventually to the first time we felt it (usually in childhood). She uses this method to transform the past, thus transforming the present (all connected). For me, one of my most important recent understandings has been about the correlation between emotion and intuition. We can learn to use our emotions like barometers for our intuition....when things are, or are not in alignment for us....

@Gabriel David This is poetic and lovely, I'm in total agreement about not resisting emotion....so important! ....I'm a little confused though...can you tell me how you define "intellect" specifically for these *fear* based situations? Where my thoughts seem to differ, is on all of this planning...and precise decisions... I am starting to embrace Leo's idea that fear is never useful. So, planning, for safety reasons is sometimes logical (like bringing special equipment when climbing a mountain)....for the most part, I feel that too much planning can actually perpetuate fearful thought spirals....as it leads to "what if's" for me.....I am learning to have more trust in my capabilities without planning, and in the universe to help.....what do you think?

@Martin123 @MochaSlap, I totally agree with above. Arman recently introduced me to David Hawkins, if you look at his Map of Consciousness (attached) you can see the happiness level derived from the base emotion/ life view.

@Loreena Looks like you have a bunch to read already. You can PM me for more if you run out.....for some reason, despite the seeming cheezy-ness with it being such a best seller...and having this tittle.....I'm going to put this one first....because I feel it's the most personally-revolutionary for me: The Power of Now - Eckhart Tolle

People, including myself, often say how the timing of Leo's expressions seem quite serendipitous (with what's going on in our own lives). Just before this announcement, I had purchased a new 2017 calendar that gives daily "Insights from the Dali Lama" (maybe Leo got this too, lol). Anyway, I had been really enjoying the little calendar quotes, especially ones that really resonated with me that morning, but it was only today that I noticed the correlation with the blog. Having these more in depth insights to look forward to as well is awesome!

Quick little mini-podcasts are an idea too....somewhere in the middle between videos and blogs. There is beauty in the written word for sure. That said, sometimes, I really appreciate tone of voice, inflection, etc....as it helps me to better understand the intended meaning....I just feel misinterpretation often occurs much more easily with text....still, we are often more focused when reading; less able to "zone out".... So who knows...Stoked for this regardless!

I started one about diminishing fear...and I've replied to similar threads....so keep checking, there is more wisdom within the forum for you...try different key words....anyway here are three things that are helping me: 1. Shift the focus to what you DO want, beyond fear (visualize the amazing future outcomes you desire) 2. Trust in the universe, challenges are lessons, the universe is conspiring to help you....believe 3. Actually feel the emotion, truly, not just sort of feeling it while wishing it would go away....actually fully sink into the immersion of it....comfort and support the part of you feeling it....and eventually transcend it.....

Hey, Re: Leo's new video on big picture thinking. How does one go about the exact process of evolving beyond debating? As a young child, debating was in our top favorite things to do...me, and my best friend...so it's pretty intricately wired in my brain after many decades of doing it! It's crazy how my brain can usually, quite instantly, think of an insane amount of information to support my perspective...and super creepy that it actually seems "fun" to occasionally "argue" a point, especially ones that I may only agree with as a joke.... I want to keep diversity intact. I hope to be able to: radically-open-mindedly consider the other person's perspective.... sometimes I'd like to respectfully offer my perspective too, (to spread potential open-mindedness to others with the best intentions).....but then I want to stop, before it turns into all of that stuff Leo mentioned with defending points etc. How does one accomplish this. I doubt Leo meant that we should never offer up our own unique views...So, at what point does a difference of opinion go wrong? What are the specific things to watch for and avoid?

In the spirit of our Sage/Mystic research on numerous faiths, I noticed there does not seem to be any threads on *Huna* (same belief in non-duality/ universal oneness). I've just discovered it in a 1950's book by Max Freedom Long (growing into light...I think, it's upstairs). Anyway, here are some descriptions from random websites (I like the sort of Atlantis reference) * but do your own research, it's rad: "Huna comes from ancient times, it is one of the original arts and sciences of healing and spiritual development. We believe that it may be as old as 35,000 years and is a part of the original teachings of the peoples of the earth which were centered here in Hawaii on a continent which now, no longer exists. All that remains physically of that land are the mountain peaks of the island chain called Hawaii. Huna was originally called Ho’omana. Ho’o means to make. Mana means life force, equivalent to Ki (as in Aikido), Chi (as in Tai Chi) or Shakti in the Sanskrit language. Taken together the word Ho’omana means empowerment or to empower. Huna is about empowerment, about increasing your spirituality, energy, and metaphysical healing powers." "The people, called Kahuna, who practiced these techniques and teachings knew that all power and all force emanated from the One, the source of All -- all life, all energy, which in Hawai'i was called I'o. In those times, the same knowledge was taught everywhere else on the planet, too. The balanced system was an equally Male / Female system, where men and women were honored equally, where there were both male and female Kahuna. There are only remnants of this system around the Earth, because starting in 325 A.D, a wave began to sweep around the planet in an attempt to destroy the balanced systems -- the original teachings of the peoples of the Earth. The wave hit Hawai'i sometime between 750 and 1250 A.D. Hawai'i was very lucky to be so isolated. In other areas of the world the original teaching was wiped out earlier than that. There was a real concerted effort in western Europe to wipe out the original teachings which has persisted for thousands of years. These destructive pressures continue today in the world. One purpose of the original teaching was the study of the ways of increasing life force energy, to give every single human the power in his own hands, ultimate means to create what they totally want in their life. The notion of Life Force is a very important notion. What's also important in the process is also to learn how to make connections with the sources of Mana both inside and outside yourself. The scope of Huna is quite broad -- if you think of it this way, there is one teaching and it has many different names."

@Lynnel Thanks so much. What you say is totally true, especially when it comes to asking questions. Now, let's say I'm just having a regular conversation with a friend and I mention something about how our past experiences could be altering our current perspectives...the friend says that she doesn't "believe in that"....Do I: a) Change the subject b) Mention amazing research (neurobiology etc), that could empower her, that shows this is most likely true (this is what I'd normally do) c) Remind her that we have a subconscious, and how it works, (this is difficult as others assume - I'm trying to sound condescending or superior) d) Say that I respect our differences, and move on e) other? How many points can one bring up to illustrate a perspective before it becomes debating, trying to convince, etc? How would we know if we are just wanting to share and empower, or subconsciously wanting to be "right"? How do we go back and forth like you suggest, without emotions getting involved, intentionally or unconsciously? (even if I am able to *sometimes* keep my emotions out of it, others often aren't even aware of their emotions, and how quickly they are triggered and escalate when there are certain differences of opinion) How do we avoid others assuming we are "preaching" when we simply have a bunch of cool perspectives to share? How do we know that we are not actually "preaching" but from our subconscious? How do we avoid frustration with the often extreme closed-mindedness of others (that is the most likely culprit in inducing my "debate mechanism")?

Rad, thanks!@eskwire

@Azrael Let me know when you arrive in Vancouver, I live rurally, on the coast, not far away, I'd love to hear more in person... if you are able to share your integration insights. Thanks.

@Joshaps I just discovered these... amazing! There also seems to be a difference between getting some, and making one. Personally, I'm finding that these beads are an excellent tool. Creating your own Mala is like a mediation and ceremony combined... as each of the 108 beads is added, it is infused with the chosen mantra, and the final guru bead gives a lovely place to begin, end, or reflect. This infused mantra is fabulous for both mediation and energetic purposes for me (especially if the right semi-precious stones are used, and... for meditating when more focus is required/ mind is more chaotic). So many traditions seem to use beads, Buddhist, Rosaries, Rudraksha in India, etc... I think with good reason. I have not yet really experimented with transcendental, but I believe this is similar, yet opposite. The purpose of an-undefined mantra in transcendental is apparently to keep your mind from attaching any meaning to it. On the other hand, the mantra infused in your Mala is all about the meaning of the mantra... like mental chanting, like affirmations, like choosing your desired direction and focusing intention on it, in a few simple words, in a meditative way. At least that is my understanding, (and how the beads are useful for me sometimes)...plus, they just feel good...as they warm and interact with your body...I have also begun experimenting using the mantra infusion for sort of a visualization repetition, and it intuitively feels quite positive!

@Passionate You rock, thanks so much! @Elton Fair enough, I totally get that. Have you done any research about how the chemicals/ hormones/ endorphins/ pheromones, etc involved with intercourse effect women? Leo mentions it in one of his videos, but you may not have seen it (it might be one for women specifically). Anyway, although this obviously does not effect ALL women...through evolution, women have developed a bonding mechanism as a result of sex. The more times a woman is with a guy, the more bonded they become (likely evolutionary for the benefit of offspring)....I'm not sure of the exact logistics, but I think about 3 times is supposed to create a bond. Often this is with the "wrong person", and the bond can seem to be a connection, when it is actually just physiological (not energetic/ shared values, etc). This is one of the reasons many men, and women are into one night stands. For me, a couple of decades ago, I had a super rad boyfriend demand that I have an STD screening before we could sleep together. I was terrified, I wanted him to go with me. He wouldn't, and he broke up with me because of my fear. I realized and respected his integrity so much that it gave me the courage to do it. Yes, STD free! Since then, every boyfriend I've had, has had to get the same testing done, because I have enough integrity and respect for my own body to make sure I will be safe... in addition to using protection (as it's not 100%). I am putting in the energy and work into being open to everything...that said, intuitively there would need to be enough of a connection, to omit any bonding issues, and to be long-term enough to bother getting the testing done....I would still just like more hugs, or to hold hands with a friend like we're little Japanese school girls, etc....lol....

So, for me, amazing relationships and incredible sex have ALWAYS been induced by an energetic connection, not situations that are limited to physical attraction, primal urges etc. If it takes me years to meet someone I truly connect with, I easily and intentionally go without sex...until the new connection comes along. The few times I have been with someone with no connection, or a very limited one, it was pretty valueless for me. Sex can be incredible for everyone, and some are able to experience great enjoyment with only physical attraction, or even any other human, regardles of anything...lol...I have experinced the conscious side of sex in an evolutionary sense, and it's, wow! I don't really want anything else. That said, I didn't realize that my current waiting period is more extreme. As a result of some more recent trauma (always being denied hugs/ kisses in my last relationship). I have been neurotically/unintentionally going without ANY affection from ANYONE beyond 2 second greeting/goodbye friend hugs! Obviously I give and receive lots of hugs and snuggles with my child, but that's the only person! The other night, I had someone that just held me all night, full body hugged me, held my hands, stroked my hair, squeezed my arms, etc...With no lacivious intention, they intuitivly gave me the affection that I had no idea how much I was lacking!!! In my past "waiting between connection phases", I still snuggled with my friends on the couch etc, I just forgot lately that we need physical affection like food, and water! It was like I had a spare battery in my heart that I forgot about, it's finally re-charged!!! I've seriously gone about 3 years without any real physical affection, wtf? I have no interest in sex, unless I meet someone rad.That said I do need, real-extended hugs, cuddles, etc. Is it best to ask my existing friends for this, or is that weird after being so cold for so long? Those cuddle groups people go to always seemed like something that would turn creepy like mass unwanted groping by the pervz, or something....lol...? Does anyone have any experience or ideas? Now, please go off and joyfully hug someone extensively!

There appears to be a continuous stream of pick up posts here, mostly asking, should they do it. So, Here's my take, once and for all: Pickup is inherently predatory in nature. Regardless which gender is initiating, it's not a high consciousness activity... that said, each person must find their own path for evolution, and it *Apparently* helps some people gain confidence when other methods aren't working for them... decide for yourself, with your heart ( not your mind or other body parts... lol) what is best for you! Love your self regardless of pickup, love yourself first!

When Leo spoke about the lack of respect with throwing hypothetical cigarette butts into beautiful sand art, it was on a different topic.... but it represents integrity to me regardless. Recently, I have had an unfortunate series of events with a couple of individuals not just throwing a butt into my temple, but actually squatting down and shitting in it, spreading this shit (their dysfunction) in a chaotic manner through the beautiful rainbow Mandela of sand art that is the sanctuary of my life. At first I thought perhaps it was my Ego, as that seems likely.... but I now feel that Leo's description of how the monks would react to such disrespect to their work and integrity is actually the reaction we all deserve (maybe not the beating up, but definitely the *kicking out*). From Leo's video on dealing with toxic people, we learned that we can attempt to talk to people about the issues in a compassionate way, to try and work out the issues (before it comes to banishing). In this case, my multiple attempts to have my basic human need for respect met, resulted in further toxicity spewed at me directly, also intentionally & admittedly behind my back. I knew from the beginning that I do not need to "defend myself" to get the respect that I deserve, yet I tried that very unsuccessfully a few times anyway. I now understand 100% that I have too much integrity to give those that do not seem worthy of my trust, more of the intimate details of my life (when they continue to twist my words into something else, to use as weapons against me). My requests for privacy, and for them to stop spreading rumours, pretending to know my thoughts, feelings and intentions did not provide the boundary I had hoped for. It gave them more power to make further inaccurate assumptions and spread them as my truth. They twisted distancing myself, into "you must be hiding, dishonest" etc. None of my compassionate efforts, extremely loving gestures and words have had any positive effect. I understand now why those hypothetical monks would not have attempted to reason with the disrespectful, they would have simply kicked them out. We deserve to speak our own truths while being treated with respect and integrity, regardless of ego's similar desire. Including these two (separately lovely, together = a toxic codependent couple), I've now had to "banish" 4 individuals from the sanctuary of my life. There is one member of this couple that it is extremely painful to banish, formerly one of my best friends. If she could somehow see how her assumptions about my character are the opposite of my truth/reality, that her assumptions are totally inaccurate....everything would be cool again.... As that does not seem within my capabilities, I choose my integrity - banishment. I support people on the forum all the time, reminding them that we will likely eventually evolve to tolerate others dysfunction/ low consciousness. That said if they are throwing butts into our rad sand-art, we don't have to tolerate it. We will find people that DO respect us, treat us with integrity, give us the benefit of the doubt, etc. There are over 7 billion people in the world, and more people waking up to higher consciousness everyday!

@Deep @Kaity Yes, I can hug anyone, people, dogs, whoever! Our culture is pretty ridiculous though. If I hug another female friend they simply let go after 2 seconds max, many people tell me they " don't like hugs" (that must be neurosis), or clearly indicate energetically- that is the maximum hugging (2 sec) they can tolerate with a couple of quick taps to my shoulder, etc. Before, when I was naturally really affectionate, it would not have felt creepy if I hugged people more often/ longer... This reminds me of the "overly-desiring-type-guy" posts about pick up for sex... these guys are often struggling because they come off as too needy to attain the sex they want....I have not felt needy for affection...I had quite intentionally (& neurotically) distanced myself from it....but the result is now the same.... and I'm not sure how to got back to integrating regular physical affection as "normal" again. Ideas? @STC I totally didn't mean to give you a negative reputation, it was meant to be positive. There is something with the forum system... most of the time it tells me "you are not allowed to give a reputation" which is what it tells me when I try to change the one I gave you....i will try to change it again next time I log in....i'm super sorry!

@Joel Case Personally, I agree that yes, there are evolutionary solutions to the problems for humanity that are based in technology...but also.... great advancements that will occur with some level of release from it.... more connection to nature...without/ and beyond technology!.....

Thanks everybody! I totally didn't mean to start a battle.... if that's what happened... hard to tell with this one, if it's just different opinions, or if anyone's actually upset.... anyway.... the one thing I'd like to add is about the "Negs" mentioned above @electroBeam. Regardless if you find negs effective, or not.... It is much better for your own integrity, the woman's self-love, and the evolution of humanity/the universe as a whole if instead of negs, you give authentic expressions instead! Thanks, hope this helps...

@Kaity Thank you soooooo much, this means so much to me! I adore when someone leans their head on me, and it totally has that beautiful day effect on me too. In coercive control, the abuser is usually trying to force affection and sex on the partner. In my case it was more powerful to deny it. Affection was so natural for me, that it took hundreds of rejections of my hello/goodbye/goodnight hugs and kisses before I broke. I realize that western culture has various cuddle-neurosis (men & men, adults & children, etc)...but this fear of "affection- rejection" neurosis is new for me. In my last (terribly dysfunctional) relationship, I was continually told that I wasn't deserving of hugs/kisses. Consciously, I have recovered enough to know that I am deserving... but there are lingering barriers to regular affection for me. Some are societally triggered in others, but there is a real awkwardness with myself now too....mostly because I have gone years without it. What do you recommend, to bring physical affection back into my life again without having to be sexual with "randomz"... lol...? I can visualize the incredible bliss when this physical connection is a part of my life again, yes, it's amazing and powerful like you said! Thanks Kaity!

Looking for advice on increasing my LOVE frequency...also would this automatically diminish my overbearing fear frequency....or, are there additional techniques to evolve beyond fear that I could also work on (in tandem or separately), to create an increased LOVE frequency alignment....Are there specific ways to get in touch with my natural higher resonance? Thanks!