Epiphany_Inspired

@Siim Land I think I was actually making excuses on some level...I think I just got mixed up by the tittle; for me it roughly translates to "go the negative route", but everything you are saying is wise, and helpful! Even if I got the definition "kind of right", it's just my silly ego being afraid of the "negative" when that is simply a part of life we need to deal with, and not supress with our desire to have everything be - sunshine and rainbow-unicorns...lol... As far as physical stuff goes, I'm going bigger...the 6 bags of clothes I gave away (yes, I know that's ridiculous, you don't want to know how much I still have) wasn't enough...I'm selling my first car (kept as a collector), and other BIG crap I don't need...the mental crap is trickier...and intertwined with some of the physical crap...but I'm on both the Negativa and Positiva paths, thanks for sharing!

You likely haven't met EVERYONE at your school yet. Your will meet more awakened people as you continue on your journey. Keep your senses open for signs from the universe, maybe a poster for a conscious workshop, or something...

@Siim Land In theory, I love this, I have been working on this...I need to do more of this..i have way too much material/ mental crap that I am ridiculously attached to!...but for me this may not be the best route...I don't do well with focusing on the "bad/ negative stuff"....for me it might be better to focus on what I DO want, and allow what I don't want to begin to fall away , like a snake shedding it's old skin, and emerging like a fresh phoenix...What do you think? Love the video!

@Aamir King I had a really hard time with getting an account in the first place...and since then, I've even had it used as a weapon against me by a corporation...but still, I keep it for networking... when I post, I do so to point out the negative effects FB has on us, I try to empower others to bring social media to a higher level, etc.. surprisingly, it does seem to help a little...to inspire vision and revolution to a degree... I will admit that although I've managed to avoid the extreme addiction, I have used it for distraction at times too...that said, you can't deny the amazing networking capabilities...For example, I was just able to invite over 150 friends to my upcoming 40th birthday in minutes, accomplishing that on the phone would be intense...lol...just try to limit your passive browsing...

I really liked the tittle of this thread! These buildings are stunning!

@AlldayLoop I don't know definitively, but I would assume that is possible if you are using it for sedation. You could try three different calming oils and rotate them every few days...that said, I've been using peppermint oil for my headaches for decades with no tolerance issues, tea tree oil is always anti-bacterial regardless of how often it's used, etc...

Hey, just wondering what some of your top tools to dissolve stress include...in particular, overcoming stress-based reactions to unavoidable long-term triggers. I am looking for both surface based coping solutions, (like specific breathing techniques etch), and deeper root/resolution based methods. Please also include any insight you may have in preventing physical harm caused by the stress reaction. I have an enormous amount of gratitude that you've listened, and any suggestions you can provide are incredibly appreciated, thank you.

I want to bring in some light to complete this thread! I understand that my concern was just more fear. Leo assures us the backlash is temporary, so I have no valid reason to conclude that returning to meditation would mean I'd loose my sanity. I was fine with a 10 minute session today, I can work my way back up. This thread allowed me to realize the root of that fear too, it's a fucked up story, but I'm willing to share: In my 20's I had an absolutely lovely, totally sane boyfriend of 1.5 years. He attended an "indulgence party", it triggered schizophrenia. I didn't understand what was happening when we went on a road trip the next week, it turned into a nightmare. He didn't pack any food, blankets, or clothing... only the demonic masks and candles that I found him using in the forest, he started to rape a 70 year old man in front of me, then was taken in by authorities. He frightened and stalked me after that, etc... Despite being eccentric, and having bi-polar friends, I must have been harbouring an extreme fear of insanity related to the above. The extreme emotions and thoughts that can come out in this process were obviously particularly supressed so that I could feel more stable. I am still interested in advice that could help me if I encounter that type of backlash during meditation again (a massive overwhelming load of negative thoughts and images that come in a "hive" too large to handle)...Anyway, I am getting back on track with renewed courage. Thanks so much @Capethaz !

Intuition can manifest in physical indicators, for me, if something is "resonant", "right", a big "yes", just needs to be heeded, etc; I get chills from my shoulders down my arms. What Leo said about tension blocking intuition gave me a huge personal insight, the only times I've ever been truly bombarded with constant intuitive hits is while dancing (not choreographed)... If you don't dance, consider something like a massage, followed by some distraction free solitude (allowing you to feel it, and how it surfaces for you personally)..

Yes, Honesty and Trust are KEY. Control is not a healthy ingredient in a relationship recipe though. Any effort you make to tell her not to go is an attempt at control. You can be honest about your insecurities without trying to restrict her enjoyment of her social life or indicating distrust. Do not concern yourself with any of your perceived judgements of others there ("hate" etc), think only of your relationship with her directly. If the alcohol use at a dangerous level with blackouts poisoning etc, or there are rapes, gangs etc there, then perhaps it's fair to suggest she avoid it. If not, do you think you could get past these issues on your own by placing wholehearted trust in her? Why not go to another event yourself, and have a great time too!

@Capethaz, @Leo Gura I just watched "The Darkside of Meditation" video. Thank you so much Leo (I totally cried with relief)! I can clearly see the ego backlash now, exactly how it worked on me...insidiously! The "bees" insanity is exactly what happened to me, and it came with a full assault team, many of it's brother and sister derailleurs! I want to get back to my meditation practice, but stopping the bees was necessary (after three bouts of insomnia induced mania, stemming from meditation terrors). I feel I am at a crucial crossroads, I don't want to abandon meditation/ my higher path. I also don't want to end up institutionalized or become crazy enough to have my child removed (when I couldn't sleep for days, I'd go into fear spirals like inescapable webs, every thought took a novel to explain, terrible physical illness and I'd even shake). Without meditation, and with Miss Ego-Backlash's lovely suggestion I take up sedating fiction TV again (after a year off of it), I've managed to be calm, rested and stable again. I know how people in AA feel now. How do I get back on the mediation wagon, after about 2 weeks off, in a way that ensures I am still sane and functional?

My daughter and I were drawn to an audio book at the library, "Awakening Through Sound" by Chloe Goodchild (my child loves it!). This author claims that these 4000 year old sounds can help develop the " watcher" (what Eckert Tolle calls the" observer"/ "witness"), basically, our higher self beyond ego. This author uses various scales from classical Indian Music etch... Has anyone tried this vocal awakening technique? Besides being really fun for toddlers, are there any real benefits to integrating this practice? e.g...The book includes a DVD of postures which we haven't watched yet... are specific postures crucial (we've enjoyed listening in the car)?

Yes, totally into it!... Lavender is amazing... you can see proof of it's effectiveness by putting a drop on a fussy baby's pyjamas!... lol...I use mint oil for headaches etch... some really strong oils need to be diluted before applying to skin, but most are fine....and there are a few to avoid in the diffuser... but overall they are quite safe... if you have allergies, floral etch... avoid those oils.... and only use quality, pure, natural products...I like the NOW brand.... you can place a couple of drops in a water mister too... if you can't afford oils, holding a cup of steeping herbal tea is also lovely!

Research the work of Dr. Gabor Mate, he has had amazing successes with it! I think you definitely need to find a trust worthy facilitator!

@SimpleTruth me too! @Capethaz Thank you, I will get the book! I understand that fear can't kill me, that said, the fear and sleep dep combined can lead me down a path toward insanity and ill health.... I finally experienced what it must be like for my bi-polar friends, and I see how difficult it becomes to function. If I did not have a child, I would risk insanity to continue meditation throughout this stressful time....but I need to be stable, rested, and calm...something meditation used to help me obtain...now meditation has twisted into a forum for fear....I only have two friends of a significantly higher consciousness than myself, and they both recommended that I temporarily replace meditation with more gratitude practice etc ...I have never tried Transandental, perhaps having sounds to focus on might be ok (thoughts?)...it's just with no focus, my mind is going to realms I am currently too overwhelmed to tolerate...even though I wouldn't die, it is still dangerous for me to become unstable...does the book discuss this issue?

@Denis Thanks Denis, I will try that! Do you have a comprehensive list of natural things to avoid prior to? I take a St. John's tincture on occasion, if you are taking it for mood stabilization, perhaps 5-htp is a potential alternative...not sure if it's safe to combine either... Without getting into details about obtaining, if your location = river/ frog connection and your experience is facilitated by a local shaman/similar, please post (if you feel comfortable) relevant information about the experience: pre-emptive measures (like frog version of Leo's upside down technique), side effect minimization, helpful assets ( to bring mentally and/or physically), advice you were given (re: intention and integration, etc)....thanks so much!

@avk123 Culture! Find conscious and/ or creative culture...I don't know exactly what that means in your area (would depend where you live somewhat).. for me, it involves events that surround: Art, social awakening, alcohol/substance-free transformational dances, live music with conscious lyrics, Conscious book fairs, workshops/ talks...etc...

Although I like the concept that this method addresses the subconscious dysfunction as a major contributing factor for physical issues...I am not sure about the technology with the "machine" they use. In my experience, some of these machines can be very accurate, and others nothing more than flashy buttons....I am also curious if anyone has tried this...the word psychosomatic in the tittle is what I find most striking....for if the ailment is truly psychosomatic, it stands to reason, that the healing could be too....the question remains, does this technique actually work, or is it a "magic pill" trying to convince people that they can get out of doing their own work?

I'm doing some research...I like that it's an amino acid precursor found in foods like almonds, chickpeas, eggs, fish, elk, seaweed, etc....I find fermented cod-liver oil really improves my mental function, when I can afford it...lol...did you mean soya extracted? I just did some more research, showing positive results in mental function, Alzheimer's studies etc...but apparently has nasty side effects if you take too much....use your cautious intuition...coconut oil is also showing great results without the side effects....

I know that I have expressed my love of Turkey tail and Red Reshi mushrooms at least once on this forum (immune boosting, tumour shrinking, etc)...and how they are adaptogenic medicines (meaning that they adapt to your unique personal physical needs)...but I have discovered a new love, another polypore (the underside has pores like your skin, not gills) ***Chicken of the Woods*** (see picture). This mushroom is sooooo yummy, even the pickiest of eaters all seem to love it, plus it can reduce harmful bacteria in the body, and provide immune protection similar to the amazing astragalus! Harvest while bright yellow/ oranges (turning white is too old), use the aprox, 2 inches of frilly edges, cut up, fry in coconut oil and garlic, add to any savory dish...yum! Vegans, this = best chicken alternative ever! Important Notes: never harvest from conifer trees like eucalyptus or cedar (tummy ache) - oak is the best medicine! It's rare- but some people are allergic and will get some tummy upset even from the oak ones. Never pull the mushroom root out - just cut it near the base so that it can continue to grow. If you have oak and want to grow more, harvest a small section of the root with a knife and place in a drilled or natural hole in your oak, keep oak in a puddle, near river, or manually add water continually. ***Be sure to identify it correctly (pores, colours, etc) or buy from a reputable source!***

@Leo Gura....laughing so much....thanks!

@Capethaz @UndoTheCurse , Thank you both! This is not the first time on this forum that I've had CBT recommended (lol). I kind of dismissed the advice at first because I have already been through 2 programs at the hospital (which included it) for my brain injury. I now recognize, that I likely need an emotionally targeted version, not practical methods. I will have to research distracturns. Funny story: when I was in those brain programs, almost a decade ago, they included meditation. It was the only activity I did not put my full attention into. I only have 10-20% of my original capacity for ideas, imagination, thought streams etc per hour, I was convinced that meditation would "rob me" of more precious thoughts....lol....very thankful for Leo's ability to convince me otherwise.... Yes, I am becoming more and more aware of how many problems are BULLSHIT, especially perceived "possible" future problems...that said, I do have long-term unavoidable triggers too. For example, even though I am separated, my daughter still has a father, and I have no control over how toxic his words can be. I am unable to cut him, as he is her family....but I can control myself, and I hope to train my body not to react with a stress response to his toxicity ...for my child's sake as well, as she will feel whatever I do...stress from this has made me really ill, I have damaged my jaw, etc...all from my internal response....If I meditate with all of this stress, it is currently escalating my reaction...I have had to avoid meditation to avoid panic, resulting in major sleep disturbance etc.... I would love to get back to meditation, but the sleep dep it causes is really unhealthy for me right now....ideas?

This is an awesome thread Zane. I have been wanting the same thing more and more on my journey; a circle of creative, awakened, like-minded individuals (with a real "community" vibe). I have also found some niche events/activities that allow me to meet people on a similar frequency.... even though I am somewhat bold and eccentric, I am also quite introverted...so the new connections I've been making are often limited to the initial meeting...unless I make the effort to connect online, or see them in person again soon...or the universe intervenes with another synchronistic chance encounter... I know what it's like to be eccentric; I may not come off as creepy, but I do inadvertently offend &/or annoy people with my honesty (because I often see more than people want to outwardly show, and speak boisterously with no filter). I have a large circle of friends, but I've been connected with them for decades (pre-brain-injury)...and most have no interest in personal evolution, even if they are rad and creative. Recently, I thought it was just a neurosis, that I felt uncomfortable connecting with mainstream less-creative types; now I understand that although that is also true, I simply do not resonate with non-eccentrics in the same way. How do you interact with your new friends ....to the extent of establishing a whole new circle? I suppose this would mean spending more time with all of them, plus trying to connect them with the other new friends in the hopes that they would also bond?...What do you suggest? Is it better to just find an already formed circle that you'd fit into? Also, I love my current friends, dysfunctions and all, how would one transition circles (while keeping some ties to the old friends)?

@Ivansmarks The anxieties that you mention are not unique, they are some of the most basic human fears. Almost everyone has worried about dying alone at some point. Many people spend their lives obsessed with the subject, even people in relationships. Be brave, you would make friends if you moved...plus you could save a little extra for a councillor if need be. YouTube, this forum, and your home village friends (via online) can help you, but most importantly, you can evolve to help yourself avoid panic. In a sense we all die "alone" even if we are with someone, but more importantly, we are never really alone, because we are everything, we are one with the universe....

My response could be based on an underlying neurosis, or this may be a natural personal preference...it is still based on judgemental perceptions I am working to overcome... but I offer it to you regardless (on the off chance it provides some insight into women like me).... I seem to prefer the "in-between guys" too much confidence is not attractive to me at all, neither is too little...high confidence comes across as "over-confidence", arrogance, belittling, pompous, etc...while under-confidence comes across as meek, desperate, etc...One of the most attractive qualities I have found, in relation to confidence, is: an acknowledgement of their own self-worth/ love, while simultaneously remaining somewhat humble. I have noticed other women with different preferences, some women prefer low-confidence...although there may be neurotic, co-dependant reasons...