Brian Greendahl

Do you believe it's possible for someone to be born enlightened? I know claim has been made of different beings historically, but what about in modern times? What are your thoughts, examples etc.?

It's a great value for the money. Definitely worth buying.

I think I'm going to be ok. lol. Being independent of outcome and giving weight to the arrows are two different things. Perhaps we're not fully in understanding of one another. I don't post here or anywhere with a particular outcome in mind. I don't know that I could safely articulate the reasons, motives etc., of others who post here. I don't know if they do or do not post with arrows in mind and I think to go beyond that or even give it much of my own personal concern would be giving the matter too much rent free space in my head. My understanding of the thread when it started was that it was being stated that others were posting with reputation in mind (up arrow down arrow). I felt it was not something to speculate on because it's just that, speculation. Being independent of outcome and not having attachment to outcome are two different things. If I post or respond in a thread, I'm not independent of the outcome because I have participated in the origin and directly, or indirectly, I will be a part of or have an association with that outcome. Do I have an attachment to it? Not at all.

No. But then I haven't claimed to be.

Perhaps you could take what you've learned and are learning and use it to benefit others. Teach others. It gives a "sense of purpose" and helps one to feel better about the whole "pointless" idea of life. In other words, if we're going to be here a while, why not create purpose and make it worthwhile rather than waiting it out?

Hindsight is 20/20. I doubt that he has any regrets but I'm sure there are things he looks at from time to time and thinks of how he would have worded something different or explained something different. Sometimes he sheds new light in more current videos. I would venture to guess that he stands behind any video he's ever posted.

They like a man that knows what he's doing. True story. No pun intended.

I think each individual has to answer or discover that for him or her self. For me it's been a process of discovery.

My opinion is that anonymity increases efficacy. Sometimes the more common we get with some people the less ability they have to be effective with us. Makes it harder from them to get through. I realize this isn't always the case nor is it a hard fast rule. If I knew all about Leo's quirks and defects it might be harder for me to take him seriously. Just my spin.

I stopped drinking coffee about 20 years ago. I noticed that when I stopped, all the aches and pains in my bodily joints went away. I asked my doctor about it and he said that it had nothing to do with the caffeine in coffee but rather the acid that it contains. He said that the acid in coffee contributes greatly to joint deterioration and calcium/cartilage breakdown. I don't miss the stuff. I've found that proper diet and supplement use negate the need for stimulants.

Carl Jung wrote in a letter to Bill W. Founder of Alcoholics Anonymous that Alcoholics drink alcohol(spirits) because they have a low level thirst to be at one with their creator (spirit). The oneness is never realized yet the elusive draw is ever present. When an alcoholic could achieve an enlightenment experience of sorts through spiritual growth or practice, along with meditation etc., freedom from alcoholic addiction would happen almost at once. This was further evidenced by the enlightenment experience Bill experienced which resulted in freedom from alcohol with no cravings or desires for the remainder of his life, 40 years or so. This phenomena has occurred many times over in the fellowship he founded. I realize there are those who debate this but it's a good illustration nonetheless. I know the question at hand here was about alcohol or substances in general and not addiction however I would venture to guess that someone of enlightened consciousness would not be inclined to alter their state. not saying it never happens, I would just think the inclination isn't there.

Leo has a couple of videos on depression. The video titled "why am I depressed" is spot on. I've suffered depression for years and always wanted, needed, expected, other people, circumstances, situations etc. to change, alter or shift in such a way that I deemed supportive or helpful. I had to learn that it was ME that had to take responsibility for my depression. This can be very hard, but very necessary. I had to realize that I was too self absorbed and expected everyone else to be absorbed with me also. I had to break this way of thinking. Meditation, spiritual practice and growth, daily self evaluation have all helped me a great deal. Getting out of self and into a more service oriented mind set has also proven helpful. I would strongly encourage you or anyone suffering from depression to watch Leo's video "why am I depressed." it's a must see. I don't mean to come off cold or callous. Depression is very real and very hard to beat but there are many things we can do on our own to lighten the load.

I would venture to say that while a positive point reputation may have no influence in a person's motive for a given post, a negative or down arrow point, after the fact, could quite conceivably arouse a reaction of some sort from that person. I don't necessarily believe that reaction would have to be tied to their original motive for the post.

When it comes to my thoughts on the activities of others I try to stick to what I can prove. My truth is, I have no idea what others are doing or why they do it. When I do, I have just that, an idea.

The type of music we are drawn too usually reflects a form of expression, even if we are just listening. That expression usually comes from a place that the mind is incapable of going. If it's not having a negative affect or causing you to become stuck in morbid reflection etc., I see no harm in continued listening. I've been playing piano for 45 years and spend a great deal of time listening. I've learned that it's a primary language with me and that the spoken word is secondary. It's a consciousness in it's own realm. I've went periods of time with no listening or playing at all and found that there is still music playing in my head no matter what I'm doing at a given moment. In light of that, I've moved towards that consciousness rather than resist it. Sounds kind of off the wall, I know, but that's just how I'm wired.

In addition to the two good suggestions from Saitama above, you might also try Leo's Ultimate Life Purpose course.

I would like to make a difference. I would like to leave all who encounter me better than they were before. I would like those who get to know me to get the better end of the deal. I would like for people to be better off for having known me. I would hope to somehow inspire, to teach, to heal. To help people believe in themselves. To help them overcome. To help people break through.

I actually got to spend some time with Tony Robbins around 10 years ago or so. He's the real deal. A definite game changer. He helped me immensely and my life has never been the same since.

I guess the title speaks for itself. My live in girlfriend and I lost her 9 year old son 1 year ago. Her grief has been enormous. Watching and experiencing her grief with her has been more than I would have ever thought. The average person is very ill equipped at dealing with or helping someone to deal with one of life's greatest possible heartbreaks.

Because you are young and have a vast economy of life ahead of you, I would encourage you to invest in Leo's life purpose course or something similar, and allow yourself a bit of time to discover what it is your suited for. It's a small monetary investment but would require a little bit of time each day or week. It gives you some insight to yourself and what you really are capable of and what your limitations might be. Give yourself some time. Life is a journey, not a race. if you take the time now to do some honest self appraisal, you'll spare yourself from mistakes and regret down the road. Best of luck to you.

I'm consistently an INFJ when I've taken the test.

I try to start out simple. When I get stuck I start my day with a morning ritual, prayer, meditation etc. I make a gratitude list and ponder on that for a few minutes. Then I make a list of things I can do today to better my life. Even if it's just small things. Then I take that list and set out to accomplish the items listed, checking them off as I go. I recreate this list everyday. It's amazing what you can do when you itemize what you want to do and take action to do it. It's just a small step to getting unstuck but it's a start.

Carmichael (Sacramento), CA, USA

Name: Brian Greendahl Age: 50 Gender: Male Location: Carmichael (Sacramento), CA, USA Occupation: IT Consultant, Public Speaker Marital Status: Committed relationship Kids: 2 grown boys Hobbies: Playing piano, composing music, enlightenment, meditation, personal development, reading, learning Vedanta. I got into personal development in 1988. I was in treatment for late stage, chronic alcoholism. I have remained sober since that time. Two years prior to getting sober, I was in an automobile accident in which I lost my left arm. This is significant because at that time I was an accomplished pianist and worked as a session musician in different recording studios for various well known artists. I was homeless for two years prior to getting sober. I've since gotten an education and opened an IT consulting company which has taken good care of me for twenty years now. I do public speaking on the dangers of drinking and driving, alcoholism and recovery, and overcoming physical handicaps or challenges. I still continue to play piano with one hand and have adapted quite well. At this stage of my life I want to get into life coaching as well as my musical and spiritual pursuits. Personal challenges I've overcome: Surviving a violent and abusive childhood. Survived a death experience that happened when I lost my arm. Learning to live and function with one arm. Overcame alcoholism and have stayed sober for 27 years Playing piano with one arm (hand). Started my own business. Raised two children by myself. Survived a tragic fall from a roof 3 years ago. Spent almost a year in a wheelchair. The death of my live in girlfriend's 9 year old son a year ago. What I'm working on now: Working on enlightenment Working on learning and practicing Vedanta. Working on being a life coach. Working on being the best version of me. Inspiring others.