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@SOUL I disagree. He has seen beyond the veil and wants to give fellow seekers some pointers to see beyond it too. There's nothing wrong with that. You're closing yourself off to helpful information by getting caught in word games. Usually during awakenings people really want to tell others about the experience for various reasons, I know I did on my first few.

@Leo Gura Please can you post a photo of yourself when you were overweight? It would be very illuminating to see how far you've come with your health. And I'm just nosey I guess

I've meditated daily for 8 months now and my dreams, almost every night, are very vivid, not necessarily terrifying or scary though. They usually involve people or events from the past which were deeply ingrained for years and years. Sometimes I'll wake up and realise that I dreamed almost the whole night. If it's a sign that the old is being worked through, I say bring them on.

When you have a deep taste of truth, you'll know what's correct and what you can believe, what you know to be true, not through concepts, but through a deep intuition or wisdom that is beyond concept. You will not be able to speak it. Conceptualising is unnecessary. Science and the rational mind will look somewhat ridiculous to you. I like that you're interested in such a topic but this level of analysis will hold you back, in my opinion.

@OnceMore Meditation is probably your best friend here. It gives you great wisdom. It helps you to accept things as they are without needing them to be different. Do you meditate daily?

Take notes of the key facts/opinions/knowledge presented by the author which resonate with you, perhaps in bullet point form. This will give you a nicely condensed version of a lot of theory in a very quick to read, accessible format. The process of taking notes itself is very helpful as you will read each sentence again, and the ones which you take notes from you will read multiple times. If you're doing this for degree study I suggest typing the notes so you can easily rearrange them.

@ElenaO I think it's a good way to make sure there are no distractions so you can do deep inner work in a quiet spot. I am alone for at least 4/5 hours in a waking day usually so I'm kinda used to it in a sad way

@Nahm Cheers for the book hints. Shrooms I'm only new to so I'm gonna wait until I can take them in a familiar setting. It would be ideal after a whole day of walking and meditation though.

Nice rant there I understand your frustrations. I'd say meditation is about making you functional in this mad world we live in and accepting it ALL. This includes bitchy family members and friends. If you begin discussions of meditation with them, stop. It's a lot easier that way. Just keep doing it and take what you learn from it into the world. This tool is primarily for you just now, not anyone else. If they begin discussions with you and speak negatively of it, don't listen to them. Don't react emotionally. Just accept what they have to say and be thankful that you received the gift of meditation. This is a test of your commitment to the path. You will get to a retreat no problem, you just need to be patient for now. If you can't book a formal retreat, trying switching your phone off for a whole day, stay in your house. No entertainment, no music, no hobbies. Just meditate and between meditations, be still and calm.

I think the more you meditate and self actualize the less you'll do this, and you won't have to force yourself not to. There will be less urge. Your fulfillment levels will rise without external things changing much. I think this applies across the board with "negative habits". It's very good that you've realised and admitted this about yourself though, that's difficult for a lot of people to do. I think it's one huge reason why people use social media - we like to feel useful and of importance, which of course on the grandest scale we are none of. See how it works? What do I propose you do in the mean time? Delete the apps from your phone (sounds like I'm stating the obvious!). Delete some accounts. Look at your phone less. When these urges arise, they no doubt will, just be mindful of them. Does the urge come in the form of a thought, a body sensation? Contemplate why you feel this sense of lack. Contemplate why seeing some numbers on a screen would in any way fulfill that lack. Number 1: don't believe the bullshit your mind will come up with to keep you stuck in your old ways.

I'm wondering if other people get this too. When I first started meditating, self inquiring, learning about enlightenment, it was all great and it really resonated with me. I was bouncing around most days as I began this new journey in my life. I'd love to say I feel better after 7 months of the spiritual work but a lot of the time I'm never too high, never too low. Not overly passionate about anything. Just kind of okay with everything. I still see the spiritual path as a good thing but I don't know what to believe anymore. God, emptiness, Truth, true nature, I've had experiences of these things, but my day is now dominated by relating things to the truth and studying my egoic behaviours and it really gets wearing. It all makes sense to me, in essence I'm trying to achieve unconditional happiness and joy, which sounds great. But I can see that's just another thing I've clung onto hoping to make my life amazing in a way. I try to think about making goals for the future, think about what I'm passionate about and what I'm aiming for in this lifetime, but I just get a sense of how meaninglessness these things really are, and realise that it doesn't really matter if I achieve them or not. Anyone else go through these same emotions/feelings? I've booked a few days away alone in a couple weeks time, hopefully I'll get perspective on all this.

@WelcometoReality Happiness & peace, however those things may be created. That's all anyone's after in my opinion. Doesn't matter if you're Trump or a bum on the street.

• being alone - especially when I had depression I couldn't be on my own. It was torturous! Now I actually prefer it usually. • lack of noise - used to almost always have some sort of noise going on - music, TV. Now I can both embrace silence and some good music. • having no plans - used to really hate being "unproductive" with my time, now I appreciate having no plans so I can just do whatever I want! • other people's behaviour - when you start this journey it's easy to judge others. I still do, but a lot less. If they want to talk about meditation or enlightenment I'll talk, but I don't force it on them.

Keep going my man. Sounds like you're making progress. Maybe cut out your pot habit if you want to really go places though!

I say focus on yourself and be okay with being different. They may be perfectly content, you don't know how they feel for sure. The things they are pursuing are not disgusting, just different to what you're doing. As for them being your friend, they don't sound like very good friends to me! If you feel a connection/bond with them then keep them in your life. Otherwise, move on. New friends will come your way. I too sometimes feel a lack of connection with people, even with myself. I also find it more and more difficult to talk to anybody about this stuff - even something like my meditation habit. You will come to accept it.

Doesn't have to take 40 years. Could take less than 2 if you know what to look for and depending on your current situation. If you start doing that amount of meditation and self-inquiry every day you'll soon fall off track. Meditation habit, yes. I'd say minimum 30 minutes a day, of course if you have time then more is good. Self-inquire, yes. The process is about gaining awareness of the ego and your concepts and slowly seeing through them all until there's nothing left. You are removing the years of programming which is present. Bring silence into your life and eat well. I'd also give psychedelics a go at some point. Watch Adyashanti videos for sure. That's my 2c.

It's a difficult question to answer and, I think, a distraction. I don't know any millionaires personally to ask them if they're happy, but I do know it doesn't guarantee happiness. See the antics of many millionaires for evidence! I think the best barometer is yourself. Are you happier than you were before? Some days I am genuinely happy on levels I wasn't before, some days I feel like shit! But compared to where I've been it's heaven. I know that if I keep on this path I'll be in a good place, always.

First of all I want to say, I thought this was an epic watch, Leo, and one which really gets to the core of self-actualization. The video got me remembering things I've thought about recently. I've been really wondering why we need to cling to our viewpoints about life so much, it's just something we are experiencing! Why does there need to be such cherished, defended viewpoints? For example, "I need to wash the dishes!" "People shouldn't go on strike!" "My alarm should go off on time!". It makes no real sense to call anything "true" - for example let's take "I am 21 years old". First of all you need to believe there is a special thing called I which somehow gets "older"; you also have to invent calendars and clocks which can somehow help us to record how time evolves, whatever the hell it is, if such a thing even exists. Then 21 is a number which describes a quantity of things, not inherent to reality itself. Such a statement, commonly taken as a very real and tangible thing by a lot of people, really has no ground whatsoever. It doesn't make much sense if you dig deep. Such a statement may be useful however in everyday life, i.e. when you need to be of a certain age to get a job, drive a car, get a passport etc. Of course this was a very innocent example and I could be accused of splitting hairs, but if you extend it to all the little things you believe about life it could really show you how none of it is ultimately true, and together the realisation that each one of these statements is infact a tool, you can discard tools which do not serve any real purpose. Then you're getting real growth and wisdom. The part in the video I particularly loved was Leo saying "I will help you to break [the important, specific paradigms] down, and show you all the hidden assumptions that come with these paradigms, and all the dangers these paradigms pose to you and how they limit you." Inspirational, no bullshit stuff. It's like he's a messenger from reality coming to save me from all the shit I've believed in the past. One of my favourite actualized.org videos for sure.

I'd say don't believe everything (if anything!) you're taught in school. Our human discoveries are fine within the context of our own scientific approach to the world, but they don't say anywhere near as much about the world as we'd like. Don't get me wrong some of the medicine and technology humans have created is very useful, but if you want to know anything about existence or even yourself, I wouldn't get caught up in science or maths. They're useful tools though and yes knowing a bit is probably useful. Stick in with maths, science, maybe some language, take a philosophy related subject if you can. It will open your mind School is great for getting grades, then going to university/college, getting a degree, then getting a well paid, comfy job. If you apply yourself and listen to what your teachers say, study hard, you'll be good. Here in Scotland I think there's so much missing from the curriculum, I can't comment on where you're from of course. I reckon if the next few generations of kids were exposed to hardcore PD, spiritual and epistemological topics at school, it would be a different country. Probably won't happen unless we whip up a team of hardcore self-actualizers whose mission it is to save the education system, however. I did well in school through becoming very scientific minded, and I've almost got a maths-related degree now. BUT if I was at school now, I'd start doing some deep introspection, meditation and set out my proper life goals again. Really think about what I want long term.

Wouldn't say I'm enlightened but I'm starting to understand what enlightenment actually is through experiences I've had, rather than clinging to the ethereal concept. To say you wouldn't spend time on a forum when enlightened is a bold statement to make IMO. Yeah, you might not spend time debating enlightenment with people, but Leo's content/shadow work in general is still be extremely useful once you've had that realisation. One would probably get a lot more out of it. Besides there's nothing at all wrong with going on forums.

There's a lot of nit picking in this thread. Talking about it just makes it more complicated. I like Leo's stuff but he's too deep in the "really work hard to get enlightened" chat for me. Makes it seem ethereal and inaccessible. His channel has changed my life but I avoid the enlightenment videos. If you want some no BS spiritual teachings go see Adyashanti or Spira.

@Mondsee Okay I see what you're saying now, it was a lot deeper than I thought! Sorry. It's a very fragile subject to discuss. If I had to say, I'd say, yes go for the enjoyment while on the path. If there's still some lingering patterns of discontent arising within you while you're doing these things then notice that happening. They're you'll have spiritual growth and the enjoyment in one.

What's up guys. I did shrooms yesterday for the first time and I'm going to share my experience. This blew my mind. I'd say if you are into meditation and enlightenment then taking psychedelics is something to be considered! So, firstly, the set. I was alone in my house when I took them. No trip sitter, I just had a few buddies on alert in case shit hit the fan. I was in a great mood yesterday and I felt ready for the trip. I ate 1.5g - did my research and heard this is a good first dose. I went in in expecting some bright colours, a calmer mind, an exploration of my thoughts and emotions, maybe some insights into reality and enlightenment and where the spiritual path is taking me. Well, I got that. But those were just the tip of the iceberg. Let me explain more! Before I dropped did a 15 minute guided meditation to calm my body and mind down - I felt a little giddy and energetic. I dropped at 4:15pm, went and got a sick bucket and sat on my couch with a notepad, waiting for the shrooms to kick in. I didn't actually feel sick at any point which was probably because I didn't eat for 7 hours before the trip. By around 4:45pm some things were changing in my awareness. My mind calmed and I started laughing spontaneously at how aware I was. I've been meditating every day for 7 months and only occasionally get the such pure, calm awareness that I got within half an hour of my trip. I saw I should bring silence into my life and keep meditating, it felt good. Snow was falling outside and it looked beautiful. The blinds and radiator started moving a little bit in a wavy like pattern. My body relaxed and felt lighter. I sat with a smile on my face, waiting for the shrooms to really take effect, I knew A LOT more was to come. By around 5:00pm the peaceful effects really started to come on. Everything was so clear and perfect, it had an innocence about it. I said out loud "this can't be what's it's like", meaning surely reality can't be this still all the time. Then I just remember a sudden "click" where reality hit me in the face, the present moment became rock solid. It felt like the beginning of an awakening. Five minutes or so later, the "void" became so obvious to me. It was just there. Time felt very slow and reality felt dreamlike. I began repeating to myself "this can't be what it's like, there's more to this". I knew there was still more was to come. By this time it was around 5:15pm. Energy began releasing from my body that I didn't even know existed. It felt like I was having a full body orgasm. I was fully absorbed into the present moment. There were colours and beautiful thoughts but beyond the phenomena was the void itself. It was so obvious to me that this is what "God" is. Everywhere I looked, everything I touched, there it was. By around 5:30pm I was in a pretty thick non-dual state, by far the thickest I've experienced. The next hour or two felt like falling off a cliff. Everything I thought I knew. All the judgements I've made about people. All the suffering I've had in my life. It was all a complete joke at that point. I realised how much delusion there was. I was laughing, shaking my head and saying "No, no it surely can't be like this, really God, like really?!?". I found it hilarious to see through all the programming. The idea of a past and future, even an outside world, just seemed ridiculous at the time. I looked around my house and it was all that existed. I remember sitting downstairs and noticing that the idea of an upstairs to my house is just a complete fiction! I tried to remember any little thing about myself and the thoughts just bubbled away into the void. My name didn't make any sense. It was just an arising. I remember thinking " if this is all really how it is then what do I do with the rest of my life?". At that moment I realised there is nothing to do! All I need to do is experience this thing we call reality in whatever way feels right. I began trying to do some more introspection - I reminded myself that I was tripping balls and despite being in the non-dual state I had work to do, I had to tell my ego self how to live its life when it returned and give it advice. I couldn't come up with any wisdom in words other than to stop seeking, be present and have no expectations. Reality is here, you accept it or you suffer. This was so blatantly obvious to me. For a while I sat and spoke to the void. I said to it "but why though, it's so meaningless, what's the point?"; "Okay I can see why you did this actually I mean it is pretty cool." Obviously I wasn't getting any responses but wisdom was being poured into me - the stillness and pureness gave me the answers. Yes it's all meaningless, but it's beautiful if you look past your egoic needs and projections. It was like God was sarcastically applauding me for noticing its presence - like "" DUUHHH dude!". God was so overpowering and majestic that it made the human race look ridiculous to me. All the petty shit we concern ourselves with and suffer over, it's just a huge lie. Even enlightenment is ultimately a lie - there is nothing to do! There is nothing personal about this existence - just live it! It's a game, it's God's game. My ideas of what it means to be human were also changed completely. I remember sitting eating some food on my couch and for the first time in my life I felt like a creature - it felt like I was eating the food simply to keep this organism alive. I started questioning what it meant to be a human and there was no real answer to that question other than to experience reality. We are just a mechanism put here by emptiness to experience itself! It was crazy to realise this. I felt connected with being an animal and realised that all creatures on Earth are singing the same tune. I was just ignorant the whole time and didn't see other creatures in that way before. Looking back on the trip now there was some intervals during it where I didn't really know what was happening, I've just described a lot of the memories I do have but if I had a camera on myself there would probably be more to add. I came down fully by about 10:30pm. I just sat on my couch and contemplated what I'd just experienced. I was not expecting it from just 1.5g of shrooms, I've no idea what the bigger doses would do to me! I do plan to do some again to get some more perspectives and hopefully do a little more introspecting. I'd seriously recommend checking psychedelics out though - the words don't do justice to the level you get to with them. It's quite shocking actually. Hope you enjoyed the story.

I like meditating at night. Strict mindfulness practice is a bit heavy, I prefer either detaching from thoughts or just sitting lapping up the peace and quiet around me. If I do it right at the time between being in my normal day mode and being tired, it's great.

@Mondsee Nice story I must say and one I can relate to in terms of excitement with being someone new. I'm guilty of over thinking too, but my advice is not to over think things! If you want to have sex with someone, denying it on spiritual grounds is ridiculous. You experience life through the human medium - you're programmed to fuck to keep the species going! The more you repress, the more you create a barrier between you and reality, exactly the thing you're trying to undo. The two things aren't mutually exclusive. I'm not saying enlightenment won't make it better, I wouldn't know, but it will still be great if you've got the right partner and you're in the mood no matter how "unaware" you may be.