Joel3102

I'm the same mate. Have horrible concentration, it makes it quite hard. Like in lectures my default is to zone out and I really have to try to concentrate. For me, what dramatically helps is stopping as many things as possible that create stimulation (dopamine hits). Cut porn and masturbation, social media, moderate TV and video games. Also establish: -Eating healthy -Exercise -Try mandatory book reading for half an hour a day -Play mind training games like Lumosity -Meditate your ass off Do all these things and you'll be set.

@Leo Gura I accept that the real Self doesn't die. What I still don't understand is what the brain has to do with it!? Why does this awareness need a brain to manifest, therefore making it seemingly obvious that consciousness is created from the brain???

I recently had two days where I felt I was enlightened. I discovered that I literally CANNOT die. It was like I couldn't believe I've gone my whole life thinking I was born and will die! I was more certain of this fact than the sky being blue. Bizzare experience for somebody who's been a hardcore atheist most of their life. However it wasn't reallly a positive experience... it kinda tripped the fuck out of me. Like what??? I have to live forever??? Mind blown.

I think I recall Shinzen Young (I assume a VERY enlightened man) saying that Enlightnenment is nowhere near the end of the path. He said he personally still sought professional therapy for behavioural issues after awakening.

Perth, Australia... anyone???

@Leo Gura That's a shame. I discovered enlightenment through pickup/RSD>>Personal Development>>Meditation>>Enlightenment. Very smart approach you have. I'm hoping the no BS spiritual approach grows in the Western, rational audience to a much larger scale in the future. Your channel is one great leap in that direction.

@Marina I fucking love Rupert Spira. His demeanour is just mesmerising.

Isn't non duality and solipsism different things? Solipsism is the idea that ONLY my mind exists and there is no external world, whereas from the non-dual perspective the objective/subjective distinction is false, however there can be more than one (or billions) of minds within the substance of infinite consciousness.

@Leo Gura Thanks Leo, but don't worry, I'm not planning on hitting the 5-Meo just yet. My average dose acid trip two years ago was fucking brutal, I have a lot of work to do on my consciousness first.

@Denis I transitioned from St John's to SSRIs. I was advised to wait about a week to prevent Serotonin Syndrome. I'd imagine the timeframe would apply to other substances.

@Leo Gura Well....fuck.

I've been dealing with similar issues, it's like once you swallow the red pill you're stuck between a rock and hard place. I find it's best to surrender and have trust in the process and that in the end, nothing is gonna kill you, and like Leo says, it's all ego drama. Have faith in the emptiness.

Do you think Enlightenment can be successfully integrated into a Western, more busy society with greater elements of commerce, technology as well as social life? Or once Enlightened will you want everything to be simple?

Jesus....this guy. It is however just one enlightened perspective, most enlightened teachers paint a much more rosy picture.

I've been running into a bit of a problem lately, when I enter a relatively pure Being, egoless state from lots of meditation, it seems to turn off that rational/logical part of my brain (prefrontal cortext/left brain/whatever it is). This is a problem when I have to study and focus on abstract things. It's not like my usual ADHD lack of attention, but rather I can be fully present but not engage abstract thinking. Is there a way around this problem???

I used to meditate 20 minutes a day very consistently with no troubles. However after delving more into enlightenment and non duality I did some strong determination sitting. I think I unlocked a part of my brain or a subconscious trauma, not really sure. I've been experiencing some of the Dark Night phenomena and having nihilistic feelings because I've realised the impermanence of everything and made contact with The Void. I am excited by enlightenment and want to keep pursuing it, however now I'm having extremely bad reactions to meditation, quite fast. Within 5-10 minutes of meditation the increased awareness starts tripping me out and my palms get sweaty ect and I have to stop. I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and hard place. I've gone past my old egoic driven self, but there is strong resistance to the inner work needed to produce greater levels of equanimity, and I need to still be able to function in the real world. Anybody have any advice how I could proceed? Start light and work my way up? PS: I am not ready for 5-Meo.

Hey all. I've been dealing with depression for most of this year and recently been getting really interested in enlightenment. I've been learning to become much more present, and had an experience I've never had the other day where the pleasure I derived from merely the sound of birds chirping was amazing. however my ego has been resisting this, as I used to have a strong self concept and want to improve myself for egoic reasons (become smarter, more alpha, better looking). This is falling away completely and it's causing me a lot of depressive horrible feelings, but sometimes it feels liberating. Has anybody else experienced the torment of the Dark Night of the Soul and successfully gotten past it where they are genuinely happier than ever. Part of me longs for my old self concept, but I know it's an illusion and not the true path to happiness. Any tips or guidance would be much appreciated.

Very helpful responses! Thank you

So about a month ago, I started trying strong determination sitting and did 3 sessions. This may sound crazy but I think it triggered anhedonia in me, as it came out of the blue and all of a sudden I had no capacity to experience pleasure or positive emotion. Maybe it was a coincidence. I'm slowly regaining my emotions back but I have been extremely depressed the last few weeks. Anyone have any negative experiences with such intense meditations? I'm scared to try it again.

Hey mate, I've been going through the exact same thing the past month. It's fucked. I'm slowly getting better though, slowly regaining interest in things, you can't force it or obsess over it too much. http://www.anhedoniasupport.com this program is being released soon and looks pretty promising