UnbornTao

@Leo Gura Hey Leo, contemplate love without the drugs and achieve samadhi with it. And then tell me what’s the sound of one hand clapping.

Let’s create a distinction: possibility and probability. Don’t confuse those. Is it possible for anyone to become a genius? Absolutely. There’s no reason to think otherwise. If we’re truly committed and our actions reflect that commitment, then yes. What Da Vinci or Buddha did is an indication that it is possible for a human to accomplish such things. Is it probable? How likely is it to happen? I don’t know. Making the commitment is your responsibility.

@Chumbimba I think he is, at least on the consciousness apprenticeship program.

@eggopm3 Yep, same to me: 3-4 cups of strong “European” espresso. Quitting that addiction has helped me sleep better and be calmer throughout the day. Welcome to the forum, btw.

Modafinil isn’t addictive. In low dosages, it doesn’t cause anxiety, at least personally. I think it’s better than caffeine for productivity. With caffeine I tend to get too much into my head: more neurotic and anxious, focusing on insignificant details. With modafinil you “get out” of yourself, as if acting in a more extroverted way. Higher confidence, stress resilience, and reduced procrastination are also benefits. It also increases your focus so much; I suspect most people nowadays don’t know what real focus is until they either meditate a lot or try modafinil. Take into account that I have ADD.

Let me know when you become a Buddha Seriously.

Qualia Mind CBD oil Modafinil Maybe microdosing some psychedelics. Better nootropic than coffee: no coffee.

Drugs don’t increase consciousness, neither do they produce enlightenment. Only You can become conscious of You. That’s the meaning of direct. Bumping your head against a wall also changes your state. Enlightenment could happen in any circumstance or state — these don’t change the Truth of you. Physiology and chemistry are irrelevant to awakening. Drugs change your state and open your mind; you can even have insights and be empowered to pursue consciousness for yourself. Consider: A monk became enlightened as Buddha held up a flower. Let’s hold up flowers so that we can become enlightened! But there is not a cause-and-effect relationship. Ask Martin: he once said that ultimately it was himself becoming conscious of his true nature. The drug won’t do it for you. Also consider Timothy Leary or Alexander Shulgin. They didn’t become profoundly nor permanently conscious after all of their trips — apparently they tripped a lot. Timothy was really convinced that he could; he was wrong, though.

Hey Leo, are you going to add new books to the list? Btw, how is your book writing project going?

Has someone here directly experienced what love is? We can blindly fall into belief systems as if they were true, accepting what sounds good with no personal consciousness on the matter. Setting psychedelics aside: What are you conscious of now that you weren’t of before? Is it a matter of semantics? Perhaps bliss points to the same consciousness that Leo’s referring to as love.

You're assuming that they became conscious of what love is. In any case, what’s the opposite of love? What is then what we call love in the relative domain?

Your mind may still be confused as to what you went through. In the same way that a Hindu might say that he talked to Shiva, or something like that.

Two short yet very powerful ones: Ashtavakra Gita and Hsin-Hsin Ming. Maybe watch Buddha’s documentary narrated by Richard Gere. I’m too lazy right now to look it up. But learn to motivate yourself; waiting for something else to do it for you is disempowering. Also contemplate what you’re experiencing. That’s a good “spiritual” practice.

@Mind of a beast This could be helpful: “Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought.” - Matsuo Basho.

@Epiphany_Inspired Cold showers. Fasting could work, too. Whenever I fast energy comes up naturally after a few hours. You feel strangely powerful as if in an organic way. “Depriving” the body (brain included) as in nofap or fasting challenges increases my energy, among other things. Try out cold showers in the morning and let me know how it goes.

And no alcohol for me either.

Interesting. A week ago I started with these “challenges” rather spontaneously, I just didn’t drink caffeine for a day and decided to do the same with porn... Being addicted to both and cutting them off simultaneously has probably made it harder, but shorter. First few days: headache, irritability, fatigue, insomnia... Oh, I also stopped consuming processed sugar almost entirely, except bread, almond milk, etc. which contain sugar, too. However, I’m happy with what I’ve been able to remove — 90% of processed sugar at least. Day 10: improved energy throughout the day, better sleep quality, increased self-steem, mental clarity, etc.

Besides live events, Ralston is also offering relatively cheap online satsangs. https://chenghsin.com/register/satsang-with- ralston-online/ Maybe that’s a better option for now.

Depression is caused by creating a negative future. Watch Peter Ralston’s video for that. Pretty much everyone on earth feels that sense of emptiness. It could be said that’s why the spiritual path is taken. No circumstance will ultimately satisfy anyone. So start creating a positive future for you, maybe take the life purpose course, and pursue Truth, liberation.

@Emerald Thanks!

I just got Scattered Minds by Gabor Mate, I also suffer from ADD. That book may be useful.

Wonder, question. Ask: What am I? Become in touch with the sense that you don’t really know. And keep contemplating until you get it at deeper and deeper levels. Psychedelics might open your mind and inspire you to go all in.

Contemplate and go for the Truth, your concern is hardly relevant. I’d stop intellectualizing too much and go directly after the truth. Direct is the way to go, and contemplation is probably the most straightforward method for that. Meditation can be beneficial, but waking up is about the Truth. Do not conflate the search for Truth with beneficial mind states.

Hey Emerald, this sounds interesting! What’s in store for me? Would be fun to do one for yourself and show the results on this thread

@Insightful27 Have you purchased Leo’s booklist? Read God is Nothingness and SantataGamana’s books for learning real yoga. Maybe start a blog, post whatever you’re interested in. Hope that’s useful.