Epiphany_Inspired

A woman I know was supposed to go to India for some sort of initiation with a sort of shamanic elder woman in order to learn her teachings/ style of transformational psychological healing. To be accepted by this elder, this would have to face her greatest fear... this involved her dancing naked in a temple filled with snakes... she backed out, feeling unready... after refusing, she found out that she would not have had to face the snakes until after she had learned all of the teachings and would have been well prepared to transcend her fear............ as a child I adored snakes and coiled them all around my arms like jewellery.... I came into the house like this once and my mother *in one leap* was on top of the fridge screaming.... fear is in the eye of the beholder... i'd enter the snake cave with curiosity, but you'd have to shove me in, by force, to a dirty syringe cave... even if some candle light made it appear safe....

@Aquarius Happy Birthday

@Aquarius I get it... you feel you have too much alone time.... that said, it's not about being alone, or being with others... it's about being ok with it either way... it's not about romanticizing being alone, it's about being content in that place, without needing others... when you are alone do you feel content with there? or is there an underlying wish for companionship? that said, humans are typically social creatures... I will help the best I can because I see that this is causing you to suffer (keep in mind these words are coming from someone that finds bliss in hermitdom...as well as social stuff... )... seek out high conscious events, such as incredible workshops... seek music where higher conscious people may go... find others that enjoy nature as you do (there are hiking/ kayaking clubs etc) as far as intimate relationships go, (in general not specifically directed at you)...from my personal experience it's best to transcend needing a relationship before you have one... and to find someone you truly resonate with (this actually goes for friends too really)... wishing you the best new friendships and happiness in love

@Aquarius loneliness, like happiness, is an "inside job".... I remember 2 or 3 years ago, I had bought tickets to an event in another city for my birthday (new years), and all of the friends that were supposed to go with me cancelled, including my place to stay... I was alone just like you... now, I could have gone to an event that was "blah"/ drinking, just to have my friends/ "company"...but I chose to be where I wanted to be...and to have fun with myself... no booze, just a free flying lady, amazing music and costumes on the dance floor with no effort, I made some new acquaintances... and still know half of them today ... I feel you... birthdays are sensitive, and often the time when I feel most alone (people are busy NYE, and hung over NYD, so I have developed some loneliness neurosis re: my birthday too)... Totally, get it...yeah, sure, learn to meet new people (maybe choose places where higher conscious people go),... but learn to have a blast with yourself too... because really, you know yourself best, you know how you like to have fun better than anyone... enjoy your birthday with the best company ever, you... even date yourself...and fucking love it

@Aquarius the different values thing is key, crucial really! Please be soooooooooooo very grateful that you do not have a child with someone with opposing values! If motherhood is a future possibility for you, I suggest getting out before it's too late... love will always remain in our heart

@Light Lover I've worked in animation and illustration... I am far from a master... but I've put in lots of hours (back when I was able to look past my perfectionism and other crappy neurotic/ self-efficacy issues)... anyway, does your finger that holds your pencil have a bump where you hold it? one of the greatest masters I've known had not only the bump, but also a concave dent within the massive bump that fit a pencil perfectly (so gross, but so cool)! I only have the bump...and perhaps it's shrinking... Leo is right about just doing the illustration/ work being the way... there is no one that can tell you how....that said ...I will offer what I can from personal experience.... have the ability to simplify, find your unique style/ styles, decide if you want to do your own projects or work for a publishing company, play with different mediums...have some fucking fun and be less serious in the ways that hold you back... don't let your self-efficacy stop you like mine does... you've found an awesome purpose....I feel like a Nike commercial but "just do it", best wishes!

focus vs monkey mind, time management vs chaos, commitment vs distraction, mastery process vs perfectionism, consistency vs perceived freedom, limiting beliefs vs dedication, follow-through vs flakiness, and so much more...

It's partly because most people discuss gossip, small talk bullshit, etc... I really like this lady and her idea to switch up the conversation to "big talk". This will hopefully give you lots of ideas :

@Thanatos13 I'm going to provide my perspective...like food for thought....but I'm not interested in a debate, sorry....I write this simply as a gift of compassion...ok....so, if we can't assume there is something greater...then we could safely call death "the unknown"....with that, we could agree that in sudden death we MAY not have all of the *choices* we have access to in life...............it's as if you hold in your hand (the hand that votes for living) a "choose your own adventure" book with almost infinite possibilities, opportunities, and potential.... and in the other (suicide hand) you hold a novel with only a single journey.... yes, we don't know which adventure is "best" or "most beautiful"... but we do know, that if you choose to live, you can actually have *both books*! From every rational lens I look through... experiencing the infinite adventures of life first is the best course of action...and likely why we usually LIVE and experience all we can while we can! I hope to talk to you about this again in a decade or so... If you can get to happiness, you likely would no longer question the validity of life.... you wouldn't want to miss a single amazing present moment of it! Sending love and wishes for your ultimate happiness!

After Leo spoke about modern conveniences (not needing to take care of our survival) often making us lazy... pretty much rotting our brains...I watched a totally different video (another subject/ person)... they had a different take on the same thing....that modern technology such as electric heat gives us time to pursue our dreams....the strange thing is... that these opposing opinions seem equally true from where I stand...and I'm not sure how to navigate this as I set up my new life in a new location.... For example: If I can afford geo-thermal or some other more "eco" heating option...will I be less "mentally awake" than I am now dealing with firewood? I know I'd be in less pain, that sounds good...but...I'd loose the exercise, the strength and stamina, the breaks outdoors, etc...but... I'd be more environmentally friendly, and I'd have more time...is it just about mindfulness, not to misuse the time gained? on the one hand, it seems like the more helpful tech I can get my hands on... the easier, and simpler my life would be... the more purpose time i'd have ... (or distraction time ) ...on the other hand...the harder my life is (growing my own food, etc).... the more I thrive in many ways too....so confusing, right? ultra-city folks (for example: ones that are terrified of composting toilets or insects), peeps that have grown up with a silver spoon, younger generations that can only communicate through text or they get terrible anxiety, etc ...these are all examples of how the modern convenient lifestyle can have serious negative effects on our ability to connect with nature, our ability to be truly awake, our ability to handle our shit, and our ability keep ourselves alive independently of others....I like those skills, I don't want to loose them.... I prefer a hand crank mixer to an electric one, even if it hurts my hands...why? 1. it would still work if society breaks down 2. it's simpler 3. It's old skool/ vintage 4. I am doing the work (feel like I can trust myself more than a machine).... this is kind of how I feel about a lot of modern crap... then again modern crap can also be cool, life saving, revolutionizing, etc... so confusing, right?

@Leo Gura Love it! Good idea! Leo, you are always welcome as my guest especially if that helps with your travel expenses (we live a lot more rustically than Las Vegas though ). If you are going to Washington anyway, it's pretty easy/cheap to boat over here to the West Coast of Canada. I know people that do workshops, positive psychology, etc... If you are coming soon, I have an extra cabin here I'm not using (next to 1000's of acres of ocean front old forest, this will blow your mind if you thought your retreat trees were big)... If it's spring or later, i'll be moving (before june) to a new island that may be rad for you to visit too, lots of meditation stuff, etc over there...happy trails, if you can't get here, I'll do my best to get to Seattle, but no promises @Nahm such a good idea, you and your family can visit us too!

I was just catching up on Leo's Insights...and there was one from November (advice for visionaries) that brought me to tears...not tears of joy or sadness...but tears of realization... That blog imbued the truth of how the mechanism of my main neurosis/ issue (that holds back my purpose) functions. First, there is the related lack of mastery component...after decades of effort, my body can't remotely keep up with my mind...1% actually seems high...and the amount of ideas, concepts, and visions I have could also never be attempted in my meager lifetime...again Leo's 1% seems high... Leo says the solution is acceptance of this...that seems to me, at this point ,like I should be willing to accept eating nothing but dirt for the rest of my life...who would do that? (I guess a super hard-core monk...do I need to be that?)....At the same time, this unwillingness to accept the 1% has currently paralyzed me into producing 0%, and that's worse.... I don't currently have these acceptance skills, and the insight didn't really offer a step-by-step "how to" portion...has anyone else accomplished this? how do you choose which 1% to actualize? How do you have acceptance of the finite nature of your time/ life? how do you tolerate your current stage on a mastery path? Thank you!

This probably seems like another "why are you even asking" question to you guys...I promise, I really am *totally ignorant* and don't know how to navigate this. I have never been in a dating situation before that didn't at least have the *optimism* for long-term. How do you know if a short-term thing is still of merit, and when it no longer serves the parties involved: Is it "bad for" my child if I am involved with someone that does not care for/ bond with children? Are there signs or signals that would let me know when this has run it's course? (break-ups are usually less "expected") My time management sucks, I have a lot to do for my move over the next few months, and I really enjoy spending time with them...these seem like ingredients in a potential recipe for problems. How do I know if it is better to limit time together, or omit the time together (for my productivity), trial and error? How easy is it to get a kundalini snake back to sleep (if it was sleeping for years and has only recently re-awoken)? How would I determine if this a worthwhile part of our experiences, or if it is an enjoyable distraction? Thanks so much, wishing you love inside and out for 2018!

I've been seeing someone for about 6 months. They don't do long commitments, or children, and I have a child, plus some visions for a loving interdependent union someday. So, this is not serious or long-term. I have never been ok with this type of relationship before, and I'm super stoked that I can accept it, beyond neediness...as a growth experience! That said, I am moving to a new place, new home, new life, slowly - in stages right now. There are many benefits to this semi-relationship: love, like mindedness with PD work, fountain of amazing spiritual knowledge (from studies and experiences), Tantra studies/sex, real authenticity/friendship, mindful communication, gracious support, etc... There are also a few "cons". I'm moving (not too far, but a car or bus + boat ride away), my time preparing for my move is limited with a shitload to do, the lack of connection with my child effects her, and there is a lack of emotional comprehension that effects me as well....and it can seem like a distraction or addiction at times.... I know that I will have to say good-bye eventually, that there will be a bit of a grieving process, that we would likely remain friends and want the best/ happiness for each other. That said, I don't know how to determine when that time is right because I have never had a relationship start or end so freely...ideas? tips? insights?

@aurum @Nahm @see_on_see It's like you've all drawn a really simple line with chalk, and told me it's as easy as stepping over it...with only imagined obstacles if any....thanks! from my side of the chalk line...it looks a lot different... I will work on approaching the chalk with a lowered perfection shield... (if I am not devoured by monsters on the way there...lol...)

I think balance is the key...for me: some nice eye gazing is sooooo lovely, but if it turns into staring = creepy....some genuine complements can be super sweet, but if it goes over the top, or is just about boobs or something = creepy.... What are your best authentic qualities? Great, now beam those out to your crush like the sun is inside you...and if they are still creeped out, there are 7 BILLION other people on this planet, and a good fraction may be crush worthy!

yeah...find the friends that are likeminded and find the new ones too

@-T8Does your home have more than one room? Even a bathroom may give you "an office". Here are some ideas: -Shopping, eating out, and movies are kind of the opposite of PD hobbies. Are there any more "PD-type-things" you could do together that she would also enjoy when you spend time together (such as hiking in nature, making bucket lists, etc)? Then maybe the time wont feel killed/ wasted... -The boundary thing suggested sounds perfect! Maybe you can give her your new schedule, times that are designated for you?... then you are not having to sneak off/ ask permission. Maybe with some additional flexibility to add more spontaneous alone time when necessary (such as a chaotic mind that needs time alone asap). - It may not be simply extroversion with your girlfriend, it may be like a cake baked from her personality type, a lack of her own independent hobbies/ purpose, her cultural expectations of you, and a dash of possible neediness (no offense intended, I've been there). Perhaps encouraging her goals, projects, hobbies, etc might help? -Can you allow yourself to accept your own needs without feeling selfish? Can you find a balance where you can meet some of her expectations, while respecting that these living situations work best with an interdependent relationship? So, where you are not totally independent/ never intertwining your life with hers...and where she has a bit more independence, seeking socialization with other friends, and doing her own thing more often? Best wishes for you!

@SFRL , @Faceless Me too, my 4yr old child too...(sensitive emotionally, and intuitively)...I also see the value and the challenge...once the children are 4, the things they pick up can be voiced to others that may not be prepared to hear them... for sure....I used to filter my speech much more, but now I don't always do this...and kids can't really be expected to do that...if they notice someone is trying to manipulate etc, they may call it...etc...this may cause a little drama sometimes....but if these subtleties were out in the open all the time, people would realize what they are really doing/ saying and how it effects others more...it seems like a difficult thing, but a good thing to me...but who knows....

@Peace and Love did you ever find your answer? I am having the same problem....where the ego starts strangling the purpose like a boa constrictor.....I have the amazing visions/ tears of joy for my purpose, but my ego/ neurosis/ inner critic paralyzes me...you are at least making a real effort, I haven't been able to do that in a while.... @Leo Gura Does the course also help resolve ego issues that hinder this work, or just guide people toward their purpose? If so, I will try to get it asap (when I first found this course, the exchange rate made taking it more difficult...now, it seems as though Trump may actually be doing something for me...inadvertently helping me to take this course, right now our dollar is worth .2 more)

Some of the schizophrenics I have known were not long for this world for that very trait...I can remember so many times when they pointed out things I hadn't seen in this life/ culture likely because I had "put blinders on"....they also seemed to view beauty more infinitely, and love more deeply....

Enlightenment is: gaining the ability to remove the ego costume, and awaken in nudity as nothing and everything in an eternal realm; as an eternal.

@Ether anything that is fun at the time! Some examples: Growing food/ eating lovely food, spending time with friends or child/ spending time alone, almost anything creative (painting, drawing, jewellery, writing/ poetry, etc), dancing, live music events, adventures, nature time (everything from building trails or singing in waterfalls, to simply watching sunlight on water or leaves), ceremonies, herbal apothecary stuff/ medicinal mushroom hunting, playing music/ listening to rad music, singing circle, wild abandon, bike rides, surfing, industrial sewing, snuggling, boat rides, wearing bizarre stuff like capes and mad hatter type hats to tea parties, activism/ social or environmental justice events....shit....I'm going to stop now...just realizing how 1960's flower child - my fun sounds...and it's 2018...not that I care...lol....

I recently did a guided meditation that was very reminiscent of that image @Alien . It involved breathing in the positive symbol, and breathing out that negative symbol. It seemed rather silly at first, and then I realized how deeply we are connected to these symbols... and how obvious their meaning is to all. In retrospect, from a non-dual perspective, I guess it's a rather fucked up exercise...but that doesn't negate the fact that I felt great afterwards...lol...

I like the title of this post almost as much as the rad content!