Sincerity

You don't experience anything else. And everything is equally invented then - which checks out. I acknowledge that even my awakenings to the Absolute are "invented", in that they are still limited, even if being recognitions of higher-order compared to the daily state. But be honest: you are speaking of something that transcends experience. Based on what? Are you there? Are you enlightened? And if not, then what are you talking about? You are just repeating beliefs (probably from Ralston) and not approaching it from genuine beginner's mind. I said that I won't comment on "enlightenment" as it's described by you because I don't know about that. That is epistemic humility. What are you talking about? I trust that if enlightenment exists, the truth-seeking process would guide me to it if that's in the cards for me. In whatever way is needed - through drugs or not. It doesn't matter. But again, this enlightenment isn't a goal of mine, especially since I don't know whether it exists. That, to me, is the proper attitude. One I can be confident in because I'm not believing/assuming anything per se. And so far I was guided to profound God-realizations and other awakenings. That I have no intention to dismiss as "just temporary experiences bro". You learn things throughout the journey, you discover them over and over, and they start permeating you. To me, this is literally just how life works. Or, you know, you can re-see dozens of times that experience is God. And it's not just about "a grandiose experience". It's not just "relative". Again, to me, you are in denial. You insist of something beyond experience (which is probably just your belief), and reject the validity of anything else - even though everything else is literally every moment. One you're writing from right now. And anything you'll ever see or understand will come from it. Now is God. Experience is God. Sorry, but it must take some huge mental gymnastics to reject your own recognition and go on a path of opposition to that. Because "I conceived it, so it's not true". Because that was just an "experience". Because it's "relative". In favour of believed "enlightenment". To me, these are like defense mechanisms invented to keep you from embracing God. I am trying to respond to your precise points. And I truly think that I understand your perspective better now. But I don't agree with it. I've walked my path and came to my own understanding (so far). What you're saying simply doesn't resonate. You're saying that everyone around you should listen. But are you? Honestly. Are you open as you think you are? @UnbornTao I don't feel like you're usually responding to my precise questions and points. So to recap: Where are you getting the notion of "enlightenment" from, "something that transcends experience"? Did you conceive it yourself, or did you take it as a belief? Are you enlightened? If not, what gives you the right to confidently talk about something that you're not living? Define what seeking truth is to you. Are you listening? Are you open?

Daily life is like a series of energetic quick time events. They usually don't last in seconds though - moreso minutes, sometimes hours. Maybe days.

This thread will be a table of contents for my energy-related threads and posts. Besides this, I will sometimes make posts here directly, talking about my understanding of energy, in case I feel something is not worth a thread on its own. Understanding the energetic reality of me is what I'm most interested in, and passionate about. I'm hoping this topic will reflect this, and be of use. I will be updating this thread, including previous posts I make in it. Let's goooooo!! ⚡

I was just talking about your statement quoted in my first reply. I don’t know what you’re responding to here.

Is what I said really something outlandish? What happens when you do just the bare minimum in life, in general? Does that lead to a good life?

I don't have a reference point for "enlightenment", and I doubt you do. I won't speak about something I don't have experience in. Though again: I reject the distinction of "an experience which is just this temporary futile thing" vs "a permanent enlightenment". Based on my best understanding, I believe that every experience affects you permanently, even to a small extent. My trips have affected me permanently. Literally every experience has. And regarding the "permanent enlightenment" - again, I won't comment. Define what seeking truth is to you then. To me, seeking truth is an energetic choice. One that I can make, and have, many times in my life. It's not about any action in physical reality in particular (like "taking a substance"), it's simply what you are guided to do if you are indeed acting on that intention. In practice this can take many forms, and it can include meditating while on a substance. From my experience, I am always effortlessly pushed towards doing a psychedelic trip at a particular time even when my rational mind is objecting to it. But when I see that effortless push arising in my mind, I recognize this energy for what it is and let it act through me. Because why would I block something that's light and effortless? And also, why would I insist on it? Both are incorrect. I simply have to let whatever wants to happen, happen. And from acting on that intention, immense beauty always emerges. Clear insights and profound realizations. Ones that affect me for a long time. This intention is not pushing me to only take psychedelics, of course. I can be guided by it throughout my entire day, every day. Whispering to you what's best for you to do at a given moment (I'm talking about the highest viable energy, NOT the path of least resistance). It's just letting Life guide you. What else to do but that? How else to arrive at truth? I don't know what "enlightenment" is referring to. I don't even know if it exists. But I've seen for myself that Experience is Absolute. That it's God. That literally everything taking place is God. Every interaction is with God. As God. So an experience is not just an experience. Experience is God. That's what I've seen dozens of times from genuine beginner's mind, so that's my understanding. I won't speak about anything else until I see something else. To be clear: I am open and I will let myself be guided to where the truth is. So far I was guided to what I mentioned above. These realizations have sunk quite deep into me now.

If all one does in a relationship is the bare minimum, they should have their relationship fall apart. Doing just the bare minimum is for the weak man. Or woman.

On a side note, this is the exact standard argument that "normies" have against growing understanding with the assistance of psychedelics. "It's just a hallucination bro! Just an experience! It doesn't matter, because the true reality is actually when you're not on a psychedelic! My standard daily state is the "correct" state, the only one from which truth can be assessed from! Why? Because it just is, okay? Just trust me!" This is literally the default position when you're not questioning it deeply enough. Again, state is inescapable. You are always in a state. The argument that you see reality in the clearest way from your daily baseline and all else is "an experience" is preposterous.

I see you added this just now, so I'll respond: literally every moment can be considered "an experience". This is something I said earlier which you didn't respond to. There's not a single moment where you're not in some sort of state and not being "in an experience". It's not just "what drugs do", it's every moment. I myself don't think in terms of "experiences" - that's a concept you keep insisting on (which to me is completely meaningless), and I'm wondering how you derived a bias against it. Considering what I said above.

@UnbornTao Uh huh. Okay, nevermind. 🤷‍♂️

Is it some outlandish concept to explain how you arrived at your conclusions? What you’re basing your understanding on? Besides „Ralston told me”? I’d have no problem explaining to you of how I got to my current understanding. And it’s not „I believe it because Leo said so”. Like come on, this isn’t serious.

@UnbornTao I’d be more interested to hear how YOU came to these conclusions yourself. Instead of referring to your authority figures and what they said. Did you derive it yourself? If so, based on what? Sharing your thought process would be nice (because what you have is indeed a belief system that you’re insisting on).

You can bet that bro will try to come back here eventually with another account. I would bet $50 on it.

Are you being sarcastic?

It’s def a minority. Most here are decent and thus „invisible”.

Engagement would definitely be easier if you replied to my arguments instead of linking me someone else’s response. But maybe you don’t care enough as well. That’s fine.

Yes And so are you.

I think it’s a turnoff when you share emotions from a position of weakness - that is, while still being under the influence of these emotions and needing to share them or get support. Compare that to sharing them after the fact while having distance to them. Speaking about them as something that took place, but you overcame it. Or, you can share current emotions from a position of masculine strength like „yes, it’s a bit difficult for me right now, but I’ll get through it. I know I’m strong, I’ll handle it, I believe in myself.” I did the last two with my ex and she was satisfied with it.

@UnbornTao Well, okay, I think I understand your position better now. And I don’t agree with it. But I don’t care to go over it anymore. Would be easier to discuss in person. It’s good that we have diversity of perspective here though. Contrast is appreciated.

I think there can definitely be overlap between insight and belief. Having what felt like a „profound insight” which later turned out to be false and based on fake foundations. I’ve had that in life. Being wrong is a bitch. 😆 But I wouldn’t draw insight as just a subset of belief. I think it can depend on 1) whether you’re approaching contemplation (especially on the fundamental) from genuine beginner’s mind and interest in truth and 2) whether your insights from this beginner’s mind repeat across time. I think genuine interest in truth for the sake of it is a mechanism that cleanses you of the corruption of invalid beliefs. Across a long span of time, that is. Doing the work to see truthfully and to throw all that isn’t true out, if you care about that. Having done that, I think the possibilities of true insight are real. And you’re obviously always still fallible, even if you care about truth.

God/Now is always elusive and non-solid. That’s true. But still, you can train yourself to know what to contemplate on and how to raise state to such a level that you have a profound awareness of God. I’m speaking from experience. You could do it too.

The goat is back 🔥

The same can be said for meditation. I don’t hope to awaken. I just do. Also, the same can be said for meditation and anything one does, basically. Yes, you can do things to experience effects from doing that thing. Memory is something deeper than „just conceptual”. It’s a profound thing. Yes, memory can be faulty. But you can also have clear memory and remember some things well. It depends on you. * * * * * I don’t feel you answered my questions regarding 1) there being different states and 2) state being an „attribute” of what. I feel like you avoid the simple truth that you are always in some state. State is inescapable. And dismissal of „experiences”, while it has a grain of truth to it, is also a bias and blindness of sort. All „experiences” affect you permanently, at least to a degree. And it’s also a bias to seek something permanent. Personally, I don’t seek „enlightenment”, I don’t hope to be done one day - I just love taking one step at a time. It’s a fascinating journey and I’ve had great success on it. I experience its fruits every day. At least that’s my impression. But honestly, I can’t help but feel like you’re deliberately covering your eyes from seeing some things. Well, maybe it’s just me.

Thanks for your perspective. What practices expand awareness, according to you? Does self-inquiry channel or expand awareness? Where did you get the distinction from? Have you validated it in experience? In my experience, focused contemplation on eg. „what am I?” leads to expanded awareness. After I shift in state (having focused for some time), I can let loose and bask in the glory of self-recognition (expanded awareness). Or go deeper.