UnbornTao

Depends on what you're after. You'll go through states, that doesn't mean much unless you make it a big deal. I like being blissful and feeling good but states don't imply you're increasing consciousness. Are you for example any clearer on what state itself is? What insight or direct consciousness have you had? This is what I think is primordial. That's a laudable goal. Also, on the other hand, what is consciousness? What are mind and suffering? Before transcending anything we must first become deeply conscious of what that something is, otherwise we don't know what we're getting free from. I recommend to avoid taking anyone's words at face value, rather take an effective teacher's words as a way to ballpark your efforts. It sounds like you might be talking about what may better be called psychic phenomena. Self-survival and truth-seeking are different pursuits. In other words, what's true doesn't care about you. I agree that how you experience life is significant and that it is a very worthwhile study besides awakening, however those are different and it is useful not to confuse them. You can always ask: What is this experience about? Even: What are experience and perception themselves?

Approach.

Con-fusion: fusing with, fusing one thing with another, lack of distinction, conflating one thing for another. For example, our experience of fear is confusing, we confuse ourselves with the emotion, are carried away by it, and fail to make finer distinctions within the process of fear, like it being based on a future possibility, an unwillingness to experience something, an unwanted experience happening, and the possibility of that experience occurring in the future. We may also confuse possibility with probability, expressing one's opinions and another's in a sophisticated way with intelligence, etc.

@Dabidoe What is self? What is being you? Contemplating that goes first.

At the end of the day shifts in states are temporary whether magical, blissful and mystical. Pleasure and pain exist as the same dynamic. Don't get too hang up on the experiences and go after the truth.

The laundry.

Texts of that nature are not needed at all when it comes to self-transformation, depends on how you use them though. With enlightenment, no, because it is you and direct, best you can do is contemplate.

Okay, however keep to the question without jumping to conclusions, what you're looking for is a direct consciousness not an answer. happy contempltion.

Get what self and you are.

Paradoxically, even having to show up as the intelligent person might be motivated by a source assumption of being the contrary. If you assume something about yourself no matter how much external things you attain, it won't change what you're assuming. The thing is to recognize that's what you're doing and stop assuming it which is getting at the heart of the matter. I think this insecurity business goes right at the heart of what being a self is. Profound shit. But that's another topic, one that is worth personally looking into.

@Loveeee no insulting

I'm not conscious of the entire cosmos but thanks.

@HMD Find out who breathes (and perceives, emotes, etc.) and then tell me.

Holding that there's some "thing" might as well be a concept, too. "Concept" is also taken to be an object just as fear, joy, love or tree are. Concept is what creates and determines the experience of that "thing" for you. Without it, there couldn't be a "thing" there. In other words, our experience of everything is conceptually-based. We don't know what it is for and as itself. The "holding" itself is context which allows that "thing" to exist as itself in the first place. For example, language isn't just symbols, it is a contextual possibility that allows for the creation and existence of symbols. Without the context of language, communication, internal dialogue, math, knowledge or science can't exist. Context allows for the existence of whole worlds without which they couldn't even be conceived of; they simply wouldn't occur. Concept doesn't seem to be limited to language, and it is more than just a thought you have. For example, "self" may be a conceptually-based experience and yet it looks real and tangible for us. Concepts are imposed upon what's "real." Assumptions, a form of concept, in fact show up as "reality" for us. What language, context, experience, concept and perception are form the basics of our experience of life. It is an extremely worthwhile study which I'm currently pursuing mostly by means of personal contemplation. What is (reality) and what is concept?

@Loveeee What's your experience in the matter? The way I hear your posts on this thread is that you hold the matter as a cosmology. Go after whatever's true not after what's assumed or adopted, either from an internal or external source.

Stop pretending.

Don't take it on faith. For all we know it might be complete BS. Your experience is whatever it is. You feel bad about something, then acknowledge that, no reason to pretend it isn't there by adopting a belief that makes you feel good for the time.

Why? What do you mean?

Thank you!

The first one. I hear some of its points but still it doesn't sound like clear communication to me. Still think selling beliefs is common. But again, not to downplay the influence of beliefs, they can be powerful. For example, "framing" is useful advice, but at the same time it lacks grounding. "If wishes were horses, the beggar would ride." What did you take of it?

Let's not talk of God as if we knew what we are talking about. It's clear we don't, so better to remain honest. What is morality? The fact that it may be a human invention (do rocks care?) doesn't preclude or justify doing harmful things. It's not morality that prevents us from doing stupid things, it is our assessment that they're stupid, unnecessary and/or harmful. Actions have certain consequences. There are empowering and disempowering things one can do. And you are responsible for them. This isn't about morality but about what takes place in experience. For example, if you lie, you become a liar! As a result, your experience is diminished and your integrity broken. This point is not obvious nor recognized by many. If you tell the truth, and to the degree to which you do, you feel empowered and your self is embiggened.

I guess there are no easy answers, and the process may be slow. Have an excellent product and let it speak for itself as much as possible. The challenge is of course communicating through this obstacle. How can people know that your product is great? Provide massive value to people in social networks and be of genuine service. This may in turn spike their interest in your work, make sure others have easy access to your channel.

Depends on which image we come up with for what a man should be and act like. Choosing appropriate role models may be a good first step. Who do you consider to be manly? Why? Which qualities do we find masculine? Masculinity can be broadly defined. Certainly there are gentle, sensitive men that are masculine. Other qualities that come up are braveness, groundedness, maturity, authenticity, confidence, integrity, openness, expanded sense of self.

Start with how you experience dating to be like: you and another living entity, what do you want out of the exchange? You approach someone that you find physically attractive and your goal is making her attracted to you. Then act in a way that's aligned with your goal as the interaction unfolds. Whenever you notice yourself getting off track, make corrections. Ask yourself: Which principles are useful for attracting females? Anyone can make him or herself attractive to certain people. Practice, the rest are excuses. Keep going, you need to push through this emotional plateau you seem to be going through.

Reality is continuously giving you feedback on the consequences and appropriateness of your actions. Pay close attention and make corrections when necessary. Contrary to common belief, being corrected doesn’t make you wrong - quite the opposite! Correction guides you back to appropriate action (which is determined by the purpose of the relating). The mistake people make is persisting in doing things "their way" when feedback shows that such an approach isn’t producing the intended results. You must become increasingly aware of your thinking, feeling, and acting. Ask yourself: What's the purpose of this process? What works? What am I doing that is ineffective? What could be done more powerfully and effortlessly? What principles govern this field or activity?