UnbornTao

This is precisely how it can turn out in the end -- us falling into the following trap: An average individual, as far as we know, is commonplace even by his own estimation. After becoming deeply conscious then he's considered genetically gifted. Nobody knows what role genetics play into this matter. That's the truth few are willing to admit. What's known is that that is a relative matter while enlightenment isn't. So, we might as well work on honesty which has much more to do with consciousness than environment or talent.

How does adopting a destructive intent influence your thought, speech and action? That behavior pattern manifests in subtle ways. Investigate its forms. Catch yourself doing them. Become aware of its effects on you and others. Once it is seen as disempowering and ineffective, being free of it becomes easy. Additionally: What allows you to make a shift towards generating a constructive intent on your predisposition?

@puporing @Space No. Enlightenment isn't a result. The notion that a drug can produce direct consciousness is ludicrous. That Leo thinks that enlightenment can't be "permanent" clarifies how he holds it: as some grand state –always temporal– with powerful effects on the mind induced primarily by drugs. Either it isn't clear that enlightenment is not any of that, or you're conflating "stuff" with the absolute. How could it be touched by experience? As an analogy: How could drinking coffee within a dream wake you up? Whatever you did within the dream before waking up is irrelevant in this regard. Waking up is on you, not factors and circumstances which are all relative.

Contemplation is setting out to experience what's true.

Huh?

@Leo Gura is it like saying that everything is occurring as a process?

So you are a state? The absolute isn't a state by nature. State is relative.

Well, first, abstract terms can be used very broadly. What are you referring to by spirituality? States come and go. Are you saying that consciousness is a state, or that existence and states are mutually inclusive? So if one isn't in an altered state, one doesn't exist? What do you even mean by state? You'll now come at it with Leo's narrative of "everything is a state" but thanks, no. No parroting.

Why would a lottery winner pursue anything at all after a period of relaxing and hedonism? Why wouldn't she? Do what you like. Learning and creating are the avenues I recommend. I'm sure there's plenty more than you realize. Explore that.

Don't know why I used that word. It's useful. It simply means: invest the regained energy from healthier habits into something constructive that you like. Refocus your energy on creating whenever you're urged to do something hurtful to your body. That personal challenge was about abstaining from the Internet and phone, not TV. Rarely, when I felt tempted to pick up the phone, I'd watch TV for a bit. Nice. Yes, that'd be more doable then. Cutting out all forms of stimulation at once would be overwhelmingly hard and boring. Don't get stuck in mental masturbation. Either do it or don't.

@Leo Gura Oldest mode of thinking

Why would the truth need to be sugarcoated? Seems to me like you're saying that communication isn't enough, therefore turn the truth into something that it's not so that it makes us feel good and entertained. Got it. But I'm talking about spirituality.

Which categories will you be using? For me it's either OneNote or Obsidian. Right now, I built a fairly simple structure on Obsidian, and I'm happy with that as it is efficient. Local file saving is key. Obsidian uses a text-based format, readable by any computer. To start from scratch, I'd make an Archive page, transferring all the old content into that folder. The book is going to evolve as time passes. You could also change your software at some point, that's a possibility to consider. Start with something good and go from that.

There're no means to enlightenment because it isn't the result of a process. That doesn't mean that it occurs just by wishful thinking, or that hard work isn't useful or essential in most cases. As a matter of fact, consistent contemplation and a state of not-knowing are your best tools. Enlightenment experiences are always sudden. Where else but now?

Why? That focus will mislead people. The goal should be facilitating, not hyping the content.

Mu

What is is already the case. What changes is your consciousness in the matter. Ignorant happiness vs conscious perception. In the latter, you see reality as it already is and has always been. So why be afraid? God is Unborn, so can't die.

How does one join ~~or align with~~ the feeling-attention in another?

One way to develop integrity: Keep your word. You don't have to give it but whenever you do, do what you said you were going to do. Either that or don't say it in the first place. By saying it, it is also meant through your actions (arriving on time, etc.) and internal dialogue, by talking to yourself. Start with something ridiculously small, something you would be ashamed not to do. Meditating for 10 seconds, for example. With time, done consistently, your self-trust will slowly build up, increasing your integrity. There will come a time when your integrity is such that your word will be powerful. At that point, you'll reflect whether to commit to something or not; you realize that if you give your word, it will fucking get done. So, better be cautious what you give your word to.

Linux is probably my favorite desktop OS. First of all, it's exciting and fun to learn. It's so incredibly flexible that for some it may be paralyzing to use sometimes. macOS goes second due to its consistency, beauty and efficiency (mostly hardware-related anyway). Looks like a polished, stable Linux for the average user. Windows is my last option in this list because it isn't as secure and private as Linux and macOS, which are Unix-like. Aesthetically, it's a decades-old jungle made out of several design languages put together over the years. A modern OS with such UI inconsistency is frankly depressing. Granted, it's much more versatile, open and customizable than macOS. Windows multitasking is light-years ahead of Apple's system, too. Lastly, it is obviously more prevalent. It can be found on dirt cheap PCs while Macs are ~~notoriously~~ fucking expensive.

Investigate your own arrogance, especially the subtle forms, the ones you hide from others and especially from yourself! And the arrogance that you show openly and are proud of! As an example, can you find arrogance in boredom?

Changing your relationship towards teachers and mentors - trust is useful but take care not to turn it into idealization and blind faith. The role of teachers is to guide and facilitate, not to do the work for you. Sounds obvious but many relate to another in that way without being aware. Put your ass on the line and keep it there.

What are each of these: Having insights and breakthroughs Becoming aware Achieving dramatic states Becoming conscious What are the differences between them?

What allows you to "stand on your own feet"? What's the experience like? How can it be generated? What's the opposite? Being unwilling to be held accountable by your actions? Avoiding the inherent loneliness that that would imply? Needing something or someone other than you to feel validated in thinking or acting a certain way?

Thanks for answering. It still smells weird to me, though. But hey, you know you. Enjoy.