UnbornTao

Slogan for a Dolce Gabbana spot.

As far as I know, he's done his fair share of psychedelics and other drugs. 5-MeO is not one of them. Once did 10.000U (crazy amount, don't remember the unit of measure) of LSD. He could equally tell you to become conscious of what he talks about before conflating truth with a change of state caused by drugs. Not against the intelligent use of psychedelics.

So he basically calls 5-MeO "toad juice" in order to trivialize and ground the matter, I would say. It likely is specially directed to people who start making up cosmologies and idealized fantasies around psychedelics. But he does acknowledge that changes in state can be positive and conducive to insight.

This one is huge. Responsibility. Actually being in the driver's seat.

Turn it off. Sell it, give it or throw it away. If you find yourself using it more than you like, your intention to freeing yourself from that addiction isn't solid enough. It might even not be there at all, which is proved by the fact that you still use it compulsively. Not saying you have to stop using it, or that it has to be used either, for that matter.

As a young man, I feel the same. Set enlightenment work (especially psychedelic-assisted) aside for a few years.

Definitely. Being alone is my preferred choice most of the time. Of course socialization is something I enjoy too, but it's like going on a vacation. When it happens, a lightweight approach is taken, being humorous and simply enjoying other's company. Getting out of one's head is healthy. Be in your body, be playful. Do it often.

For me they make it harder. Not that I have much experience with them. But certainly I get from them this spiritual feeling that makes materialism and success look frivolous. Try microdosing for effectiveness, focus, and health. I think that would have no risk on your goals. Regular doses? Relative to your concern, I would stay away from them. Check out nootropics and smart drugs like modafinil. Those will help you kick ass without running the risk of radically changing your values and agenda. So, I'd first achieve a relatively successful life regarding stage orange stuff, and then seriously explore psychs if that's what you want.

GNU/Linux is the option with the most potential. Just learning how to use it is a fun and multifaceted didactic experience. There are three main base distros (distributions) to choose from: Debian, Fedora and Arch. Most other distros are based on one of those. Debian is the most prevalent and stable, Arch the most cutting-edge, and Fedora a good middle-ground. All desktop environments can be used with any of these base distros, that is, they can be made to look the same. Some Linux downsides: fragmentation, lack of standardization, technical knowledge and at least some tinkering needed, not as beginner-friendly as Windows and macOS. One key factor to consider is whether you'd be willing to learn a new system or want it ready out of the box. Some distros and desktop environments to test out: Fedora + KDE Vanilla Debian + KDE, Gnome, Gnome with Material Shell Arch + KDE and Gnome Linux Mint and Pop!_OS (great for beginners and gamers) Kubuntu

This debates are fun but I can't see how they can be useful if one is not directly conscious oneself. We're restricted to exchanging beliefs and speculations.

Idolizing a teacher. Not expanding your information intake's sources. Being too quick to believe someone you admire Not following any teacher's advice, being too individualistic, overrating your skills as a beginner Feeling a need to fill your plate full with activities and knowledge. Avoiding silence and stillness. Thinking that "more is more" Instantly dismissing counterintuitive answers and solutions Being a liar. The more you progress, the more you realize you're full of shit Assuming consciousness work happens "elsewhere", instead of in your life and experience as it is now Taking hard-won knowledge for granted (it can also be minor, subtle or abstract) Not recognizing the healing power of simple awareness (like becoming aware of the root of an emotion or behavior) Holding pragmatism and gross achievement and things as the greatest values

Being closed. Assuming you already know. Taking easy or basic stuff for granted as if you already knew its full implications. Confusing knowing the theory with actual practice. Being too abstract and conceptual, not being grounded.

What is experiential listening? How often do you feel truly heard--as in, having someone actually get your experience? How well do you truly listen to others? It doesn't always have to be a profound or life-altering exchange. Still, it's rare, isn't it? I've been paying close attention to this dynamic lately. Someone tells me something, but it's as if there's a wall between us. You hear their words and understand them but that's not the whole story, is it? Listening requires grasping another's experience as it is, without filtering it through your own agenda. It's about their experience, not yours. This point bears repeating. Moreover, this act prioritizes the experience being conveyed rather than the persona behind the expression. Am I interacting with my own interpretations, beliefs, desires, and opinions in response to what someone said or what I think of them, or am I truly listening to them?

So basically Trump 2.0?

Often, individuals who would be the best leaders don't even want to become one. Leaders create a clear vision and purpose for themselves. Taking full ownership of both is key. The greatest leaders put themselves in the driver's seat. As a result, that attitude might inspire other people. Being a leader may be a side effect of boldly pursuing your goals, not something that is sought for itself. Although there may be missing elements or factors in this definition. What is leadership? Does it depend on personality, or can anyone who works on it become a leader? What does it require? Is it charisma, skill, authenticity, or a combination of those and/or other elements?

Purpose and fulfillment are independent of whether one is a leader or not. For some, being a leader helps. For others, it's irrelevant. That's not usually what they're after. What brings happiness and purpose is you.

Without fear, do you think you'd jump in front of a moving train? Of course not. You haven’t suddenly become oblivious--you’ve simply stopped generating the activity of fear. The emotion isn’t what keeps you from doing dangerous things; it’s the understanding that you’d hurt yourself that does. Fear isn’t actually necessary for taking sensible action. Knowing the potential consequences of a given action is enough to stop you from doing it. Fear is just an unnecessary add-on to that process. Then again, we tend not to be very sensitive to what we do, so the fear might be useful in those cases. Also, you could contemplate: What would it take for me to enjoy the fear?

You!

Taking full ownership of yourself and your life.

Perception is indirect. Is that what the title is referring to? Senses themselves are inventions -- biological ones. Science can't discover what reality is because it is a human invention and its function is investigating and testing objective facts (relative domain). The only way is through direct consciousness. A dogmatic scientist, being unwilling to deconstruct science, won't discover what's true because truth isn't confined to any human activity, the way science is.

Blueberries!

It wouldn't be being emotional but a matter of honesty. If the context and situation are appropriate, you can express your hurt, for example, by what somebody did to you. "I felt hurt when you said such thing about me." You can pretend the hurt, in this case, isn't there like many do. In intimate relationships, I see this communication as essential for its long-term health. Besides, being overly emotional isn't needed. You can admit with confidence a certain feeling was there, depending on the situation. Isn't this being a coward masked as masculinity? We're afraid to admit and communicate certain feelings. I'm not suggesting that we have to be "emotional", just plain honest depending on the context and relationship.

Did he think and grow rich?

Two of my favorites are: The open-mindedness series How to do research (and develop big picture understanding)

I didn't give much thought to my response and glanced over your post without much consideration either. Sorry 'bout that. You could delete the disclaimers about your worry to be coherent and work on clarifying your concern if possible.