MarcusJ

Question: Are relationships required for the per-suite of enlightenment? As I have started to walk the path my answer comes to: No! Yes, relationships can be a fire for self discovery but is not a requirement! Life and being human is just a conduit of the one universal consciousness. When the ego is dismantled or set aside then consciousness shines through and the wonder of it all is revealed. Yes... a journey without a relationship is a longer path... but my point is that its not required. I can only recall one Guru who was in a relationship, Echart Tolle. All the others I have seen were journeying the path as a single being in enlightenment, a counter part seemed un-needed to the seeker of enlightenment. Your comments and perspective my fellow bothers and sisters of the same single universal consciousness?

In the Netflix comedy / drama "Orange is the New Black," this technique was coined as "Edging..."

@Leo Gura We need your opinion on this tough one!

Not to be pessimistic... but all good relationships come to an end. It is just a question of time, the good one's almost last a life time.

I have been told when two parties become so different, one awakening, the other still heavily unconscious, Only one eventual outcome will be reached, she will leave. But take all that you can with your interactions... unconscious people do a great job activating the awakening's ego which is diminishing. This "burning of your ego in the fire" with her unconscious ego is an excellent teaching tool for you. You will find another...

When I noticed the problem I did the "Cold Turkey" approach. I stopped all of the addictive activities for 7 consecutive days. It help bring perspective for myself and it broke the "High" generated. I now am a 3 to 4 times a week with self pleasuring... Plus the longer you wait in between the more powerful the effect when indulged. ( The Key... moderation ) Hope this helps!

Zen Birthday Card...

@Wouter This would be a good starting place... makes sense with the path we are all taking... http://deoxy.org/psyexp.htm

@Matthew Lamot I agree... the people who reported on this were not initially on the path of awareness. To them it was just another experience.

Enlightenment is one of my goals in life... to slowly annihilate my ego. I've already successfully cracked it, through the "Power of Now." My other goals in no particular order: Think only when needed... the rest of the time be present in my awareness Meditate 3 hrs a day! Allow life to be syncroness...by following your passion. Help others find the path along the way... Be as healthy as possible for as long as possible!

@Eelco1981 I have read some peoples awaking to the higher self during extreme stress or near life/death situations. The common observation from all of them was how "un-empethetic" the higher self was toward there horrible situations. It appeared as if the higher self was almost being robotic or "cold" about the whole thing. Do this ...do that... maybe you will survive....and obviously they did. Your observation?

I suggest readying some the the Timothy Leary papers... very enlightening.

Resisting or stopping the watching of Porn will not solve the desire of it EVER! Pushing it away just gives it power over you. It is just a question of addiction... For myself Porn in its self is not bad. It is what it is. So, just like alcohol, or drugs, or food, you need to manage it. I had a daily habit... and it was becoming a problem. Something said to STOP for a while... this gave me perspective, and it can be useful in breaking an addiction. But as long as Porn is so easily accessible... it will be there.... waiting, especially when you don't have a relationship or a satisfying one.

I agree with all posters on your question, "Am I in Enlightenment?" I suspect you are closer than you think. You are like a snail on a razors edge... on the verge of being cut. Keep going.... you are doing very well.

@Eelco1981 Excellent video explanation of why we have a life.

I have been told we are all "Divine Consciousness" having a unique experience. Having a different point of view. The body / mind is just a Conduit for consciousness, a tool if you will. The problems just occur when the tool runs off unconsciously. The Zen master who fucked his students was just providing another experience for his students, and himself? The question is, was the Zen Master having an addiction? Or was he just providing a higher form of service? I'm not condoning his actions but there is far to much going on behind the scenes than meets the Zen eye.

Your "Divine Consciousness" does NOT reside in your brain... it never has and never will. Some say all thought comes exclusively from the higher self and is sent "Pony Express" to your mailbox, the brain.

How to be wise in the shortest amount of time? For the original poster, and just for you! 5.6 years. BUT, only if you maintain 1 hr meditation daily with out fail, even when your sick. You can NEVER skip a meditation; only then will your look back after 5.6 years with this dedication will you say.... "Haaa who was that person? 5.6 years.

A Journey Of A Thousand Miles Begins With A Broken Fan Belt And A Leaky Tire.

Travis is becoming 'The Dude!' Excellent!

Two cups in the morning work for me... just don't use sugar and I only add "Heavy Cream." Watch out for those non-dairy fillers; bad news. I find it helpful prior to meditation.

Most excellent young apprentice. You are taking your first steps into a larger world. Semi quote, Sir Alec Guinness, "Star Wars." - A true master.

There is a very simple solution to all these questions... everything becomes moot. Answer: Have no thought...

Materialism does not lead to bliss... but it's a pleasant misery. I think "Not thinking" about any of this is the best approach... Use Tolle's the power of now in this case. Drive your mind into the moment so hard that thoughts stop. Having this break can lead to an opening...maybe.