WelcometoReality

@reflectivist I don't know anything about taoism but parts of the same teaching can sometimes seem contradictory. That is because that these different parts are true at different times in the enlightenment journey. The quote you are refering to seem to point to the "final" stage of enlightenment where ego has fully fallen away. The chase is more when ego is trying to get enlightened. The constant attention phase is when the first realization has been made and ego is trying to get back in control.

@username Like @Arik said it is common that ego will attack to try to gain back control. Also these past traumas that is resurfacing is ego falling away. There might be past experiences that you thought was resolved that is resurfacing, ego has a way to really hide these things. As these things come up notice how they are stored as tensions in the body. Usually in various parts of the belly. As you focus awareness on these parts the tension is loosening and they resurface as emotions and thoughts. It can be quite overwhelming but stay as awareness. It will stop once it's run its course.

In lower levels of consciousness wealth is considered synonymous with happiness. A rich person is happier than a poor one, because they can aquire everything that they desire. In higher levels this illusion is seen through. Wealth and status is just a tool that can be used just like any other tool. Wealth is no longer synonymous with happiness. Wealth is not pursued but if wealth is aquired it will be used as the tool it is.

@SaynotoKlaus What would you do if money wasn't an issue? Figure out a way to earn money doing that.

@rush lots of conditioning appears when there is struggle and there is not much struggle while meditating.

You are making assumptions on the future. Remove all plans you've made for your future life. Is there then any problems of you failing the test?

Wish I could help you see, but im really not that good at explaining it. Even if I were It is the unspeakable truth. Just drop everything you can see and eventually you will find the truth.

@Lorenzo Engel sit with the fear, investigate it, embrace it until it doesn't have any power over you.

Indeed. ? Completly stopped watching TV. I watch a tv series with my wife once a week on demand.

Yes there is still enjoyment but it does not come from what you do. That is less important. You might still like to play videogames after the enlightenment has run it's course and the personal will has dried up. It just won't be the same rush as you had before. Notice what you do to make you zone into the personal self. It is common to cling onto certain things, because it is terrefying to see yourself free falling away. It gets easier once you let go but I know it is frightening. Just let go. It is out of your control. It might be encouraging to know I still like videogames. ☺

You exist, just not in the sense you thought you existed. Can you drop that which you see you aren't? What is left?

@framu sounds like an enlightenment experience. What the mind will do is create thoughts and feelings that frighten to get back control. These will get less and less frequent with time.

Some hobbies fall away after enlightenment, some stay and some new ones has come up. First and foremost there is enjoyment of being. There is no holding onto certain activities, that is ego. One could describe it as passion towards being and this carried over to the activity if that makes sense.

@jcgiusto yes I do like his teachings. He talks about the impact of the realization on the person. The Jeffness that is. Not many teachers and gurus talk about that.

Indeed. Fascinating that ego can hide in such clear fallacies.

I can relate to that. I am enlightened. You all should listen to me. Be grateful of my advice and my time I give to you. ?

There are desires, there is just no "I" that is having those desires. @Augustin

Im not that into art but that piece is Beautiful ☺

Isn't it funny that, when all hope is gone, the joy of being begins. Mind concludes that no life purpose -> no hope -> hopelessness -> despair But that is just all in mind. Life is so beautiful without hope.

I believe it's jeff foster.

I think most people has experienced it. It can be described as being in the zone. Just a natural flow of acting in the present moment to whatever arises.

@Huz88 The psychological entity called the ego does not have free will and cannot accept that it doesn't have free will since it is just a series of thoughts. For free will to exist there needs to be choice and what is choice? Do you choose red or blue? "I choose red". Which is just a thought that appears in consciousness. What puts the thought there? Nothing and noone.

@likhil how did it feel? Was there any insight or realizations? Doubts are only mind, ignore it.