eskwire

I agree. @DawnOfReality Values and beliefs can get entangled. Use mindful observation and allow yourself some time. I wrote down my list of values several months ago and, after having enlightenment experiences, it looks like something a small alien child wrote. I don't care about it at all. (Haven't done the LP course, so if he is offering a process that alleviates that problem, my apologies.)

@Sukhpaal Your questions and answers during contemplation should be clear and observant - short - rather than anecdotal and analytical. The depth is achieved by the rigorous consistency of asking about everything. Yes you answer questions with lists of examples, for example.

It's really not that bad or that big of a deal. People talk about it like you're jumping out of a plane into the sea. My first one was exhilarating and I felt an incredible reduction in inflammation in my head. Something I had longed for - I struggle with inflammation due to allergies to Earth. After taking a few dozen, it's not anything I flinch about except...... It is absolutely true that your back is the most shocking part and I have been wondering why! @Gabriel Antonio Do you know?

@Gustav You are thinking black and white thoughts about speed reading. I have looked into various speed reading methods - the one I liked the best would be considered speed reading because the word intake was certainly faster; however, by the end of the technique, I would have reviewed/read the material 4 times. This deepens comprehension and engagement in processing the material significantly (for me). I don't have this issue. If I read at a leisurely pace in a linear fashion, thoughts about reading some other way don't pop up. You said you used to beat yourself up about reading slowly. You have some sort of personal hang up about this. Were you shamed about how you read?

Would you rephrase your question?

@PetarKa I recently got back into this. It was lost and forgotten for a while and, when it is remembered, it sets a better track. In the end, Leo makes a point that raising your own consciousness is a means to another end - to contribution - and maybe also not. Because if you are enough of a vessel, God should be doing its thing whether or not you are hustling for a contribution. It can be seen that what is happening now is perfectly beautiful as it is. The project is taking off the blindfold. I contribute angrily all the time. "I'm such a giver grumble grumble grumble." Take out the grumbles and I'm contributing. Boom. @Leo Gura You mention caves and cabins in the woods. I've lived relatively isolated in the woods for a couple of years. I did a lot better this way and, once reintroduced to society, fell back into depression and anxiety quickly. Is there a further benefit to a cave or is this for literary effect?

There is a deeper loneliness than sleeping alone and that is sleeping with another when you are incomplete.

I am considering celibacy, permanently. If you have any personal experience, advice, reading, or clues into the following questions, that would be much appreciated. What clues are there to know if celibacy is the right choice for you? What about temporary celibacy, intended to be broken at a certain point in time? Such as, after so many years or after certain goals are met. Is considering celibacy at all, permanent or temporary, too cut and dry? What clues are there to know you can handle the vicissitudes of romantic impermanence and challenge without significant damage or wasted time? I am considering this because the fundamentally unfulfilling nature of romantic love has become more than viscerally clear at this point. To me, getting involved in the future with anyone seems like a dangerous gamble not worth taking. The cost-benefit ratio, opportunity cost, and risk shut the whole thing down for me. Of course, if I am simply operating from a place of fear, I would like to know that and face it. Thoughts appreciated!

Exactly. It sounds like you overly cared about this day date due to inexperience, so you acted awkward and scared her off. Keep messing up!!! Get those experience points.

@SFRL It's the opposite of childishness. Children are impulsive, selfish, myopic, impractical, ungrateful, and manipulative.

@Noname There are some concepts and practices in psych that are about watching thoughts and modifying them. This is completely in alignment with spiritual work. Of course, psychologists are behind on a lot of this. My therapist used the word "ego" from time to time. When i asked her to explain what it is to me, she couldn't. Like, they aren't mutually exclusive, they just don't get to play together as much as they should. You could help them play together so, in the future, a therapist could define such a word with some confidence.

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@ryancantfly End the friendship so he can find better friends. You know, ones who don't talk about firing him behind his back and publicly declare him a loser. Just a thought.

These results are jarring. What does your life look like?

@jjer94 Where do you live? It's berry season! They should be cheap.

Teach me your non-neurotic ways. How are you low activity? Look at all the effort on this one post.

@Mrkvn8 Firstly, I love this question because, as a sensation seeking person, this has been difficult for me in my still lower stages of development and maturity. Honestly, I want to get super drunk, fall in love, and listen to blaringly loud music with people I barely know. The routines and sobriety required for self-actualization are suffocating and depressing at times. Hikes, river rafting, and planning solo road trips seem like the most fun I will have. Of course, enlightenment experiences are fantastic and satisfy the urges of the sensation seeker. We can say we need to enjoy being still, but....come on. Motorcycle?

Cognitive Style - Intellectual Organizational Style - Flexible Energy Style - Extraverted Stress Management - Reactive Interpersonal Style - Collaborative Imagination - High Artistic Interets - About Average Emotionality - High Adventurousness - High Intellectual Interests - High Liberalism - High Self-Efficacy - Low Orderliness - Low Dutifulness - High Achievement-Striving - About Average Cautiousness - Low Friendliness - High Gregariousness - About Average Assertiveness - High Activity Level - High Excitement-Seeking - High Cheerfulness - About Average Anxiety - High Anger- High Depression - High Self-Consciousness - Low Immoderation - High Vulnerability - High Trust - High Honesty - About Average Altruism - About Average Cooperation - Low Modesty - About Average Sympathy - Low So....crazy bitch, at your service.

@Joseph Maynor Practice achieving results with small tasks. For example: Save up money for something. Exercise. Chant. Or look up breathing exercises that affect heart rate variability. Use the sedona method to quit a bad habit. ...everything you really do in personal development will improve your self-efficacy.

The suit metaphor really is fitting. I have only been able to describe enlightenment experience as being alive with nothing in the way.

Cybernetics is a field. It's not weird or out there. Just start with that word.

There are too many people around to say "excuse me" or "how's it going" or "crazy weather, huh" to everyone. You would be overwhelmed having to speak and respond so often. Sometimes, blabbing a nicety at someone is not kind or polite - it's just intrusive. Not speaking is a way to give each other some space when there is no space.

@alyra You need to start with a simple and impactful habit. In your case, you want to start a concentration practice. There are threads here about concentration and a video by Leo to help you start.

Same. I miss being able to walk. I used to live in San Diego with no car and walked everywhere.

@2000 Hm as a more forward female, I would say my approach is to make my intentions clear that I want to be asked out - make some of the first flirty moves, first contact, ask for phone number etc. But I expect to be asked out on the date.