TruthFreedom

@Aaron p welcome

When you are in one, just remember it is a temporary state, and it will pass.

You know you're doing well when you can read the Bible as a comedy

Here's some ideas: Learn a new language. Learn how to cook. Travel. Learn an instrument. Play a sport. . Don't listen to these people that tell you that you shouldn't force yourself. The truth is you may need to initially force yourself to do these things before they become enjoyable. But it will be worth it. 🙂

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@Sugarcoat 😏 I've been with about 40 women in my life. Didn't realise so many people here were sexless. Makes sense though.

I have come to the realisation, that the self-image is the entirety of the ego! I thought it was enough to just clear my mind of every thought and be still... but in the back of my mind, there was still a sense that I existed, and I was the one doing the meditation, and clearing the mind. In the back of my mind, there was an image of my face, my body, my personality, my name, my intellect, the voice in the head... but it's ALL the self-image. Get rid of the self-image, and you get rid of the ego! .......And then you find peace.....

For me, it was actually with a woman who was 8 years older than me. She wasn't particularly physically attractive, but her openness and quirkiness was beautiful, and her body was so soft. I was able to laugh a lot when I was in bed with her, and made her laugh a lot as well. So it was full of joy. And I remember waking up next to her, feeling so peaceful.

And this is God telling you, you don't need to be afraid. Ever.

Someone once said "A man who delights in solitude is either a Wild Beast, or a God". Edit: yeah it was Aristotle

@Hojo i am also very grateful for the internet, haha

I spend nearly all my time in solitude. Recently I've been communicating more with people on this forum than in real life. And I don't even spend that much time on this forum. I've found that I have become more comfortable in my aloneness over time, but it has taken a long time to get to this point. Not having to rely or depend on anyone has it's benefits. I have so much freedom and the only thing I am responsible for is looking after myself. I don't even have a pet. I have friends, but only one of them visits me. I've also had romantic relationships and I am pretty confident when it comes to the opposite sex, but I've had bad experiences in this domain, so I have been single for about two years. Men and women often ask me "why are you single?", because I have a lot of good qualities. I'm not tooting my own horn...but I am tall, handsome, athletic, smart, funny, talented musically, artistic, deep, interesting, unusual, eccentric...these are not things only I recognise - I get genuine compliments all the time. And I get lots of attention from women. Don't call me arrogant or big-headed, but a number of people have described me as "perfect". This is just what people have said. I don't think I'm perfect. Hahaha. Probably my biggest downside is that I'm too sensitive, and terrified of being hurt. i have been bullied at many times throughout my life, and this stops me from forming intimate relationships. Part of the reason I was bullied is precisely because of the good qualities I have. Because people were jealous. I'm also quite socially awkward. I am also aware that this wounded little child within is the real me, and I am not one for putting up a front. I'm not a good actor, and i can't be around people who are playing their false roles in normal day-to-day scenarios. It drains me. So that's why I spend most of my time alone. What about you? Do you spend a lot of time alone? And do you think solitude is important to be a "spiritual" person? Also, check out this Alan Watts video which has some useful thoughts on the subject. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DizHDS74bG8

I would say that the astral body is literally what you are, and doesn't have an "inside" and "outside"

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@Ishanga People literally float above their bodies and are able to witness things happening in the room, whilst their physical body is literally dead (no pulse, no brain activity) This has been verified, so to say that it is all within is simply false. Check out some NDE accounts on youtube.