West

Can't forget Ralston! With Leo as the interviewer here:

Regarding pain, have you tried cold showers? That's my latest addition to my spiritual practices, a 3 minute cold shower in the morning! I find it very challenging to have high awareness in that situation, but it's a great spiritual workout. Out of curiosity, what kind of action are you taking? Life purpose, meditation or something else?

Wow! As a formerly active guitar player I gotta say, that guitar playing sounds amazing! I was jolted awake by the tenacity and energy of the "I'm a believer" intro. This is very inspiring. Kudos for having the balls to share it with everyone.

Yesss, beautiful! Love that. When I think about death, I don't really know if I'm afraid to be dead. What does scare me however is the potential pain and suffering that could happen during death. Like, being burned alive? Nope, I'll pass. I mean, it won't matter once I'm dead, but I would definitely be afraid if I knew that I'd suffer before I died. This is one thing that I'm both stoked and scared about when it comes to lucid dreaming; one of my greatest interests lately. It's a great way to confront death. A classic way to get out of a lucid dream is to die in the dream. Also, sleep paralysis? Nightmares? Shit, if you can stay fully present and non-dual during that, then you're pretty enlightened! I'm just picking up lucid dreaming again, but I'm pretty sure I'll have some bad dreams in the mix. Dear god, please save my soul...

Hello! The hair loss doesn't sound so good. Not sure if it's the vegan thing or something else. It's not my intention to make you change your diet, I will just share an alternative that you can consider trying out. It's called the bulletproof diet. It's similar to paleo and keto, but removes some additional 'suspect' foods and encourages some days with more carbohydrates to keep your hormones in check. You don't have to do the 'bulletproof coffee' thing (I don't), and you don't have to buy the things the creator of the diet sells; just go with the basic foods that you get at your grocery stores. Here's the infographic: Good luck

This is a topic that I'm focusing a lot of my consciousness work on at the moment. Peter Ralston is my go-to guy for contemplations about pain; he could sit through a drilling of his tooth without anesthesia without suffering from the pain. Actually, I think he said he barely felt it, which is weird. I think that your advice to accept the pain is good advice if followed, but that it's very unlikely that you actually will accept it without prior consciousness work on the matter. In my experience, I can try to accept pain when I stub my toe, and it helps. However, I can also see that without meditation I would suffer more, and that with more meditation I will suffer less.

I just got into lucid dreaming again. I'm currently doing a lot of reality checks daily, just in case I'm dreaming. I really encourage you to use this gift of yours. With lucid dreaming, sleep is all of a sudden turned into an opportunity every night to do the impossible! I mean, people pay millions to go for a trip into space, and here we have the chance to do this and much more incredible things for free. So indeed, what can you do in a lucid dream? Practicing skills: You can choose a skill you would like to improve upon and practice during your sleep. Physical skills are perfect for this; climbing, any sport, playing an instrument. When you have the opportunity to practice something in a dream, take bigger risks. This will open your mind to new levels of skill, and you won't be at risk; if you die you simply wake up. Just please make sure that you are actually dreaming. Hedonic pleasures: This one is a classic. If you eat a healthy diet that restricts certain things that taste amazing (such as croissants dipped in chocolate or some crazy shit like that), you can eat to your heart's content. When you wake up you'll be as slim as ever, and in my experience (I've done this once) the psychological craving is satisfied. I don't recommend this if it's something that will trigger an addiction that will spill over into real life (like smoking or drinking). Spirituality: It can be used for deep spiritual work because you realize first hand that your experience is entirely constructed by your mind. Stephen Laberge is an expert on lucid dreaming and its uses for spirituality, so I'll let him do the talking.

Oh shit! It took me a couple of days to realize this.The feeling of not knowing (that I've experienced during meditation) is actually exactly the same feeling as the magical feeling. It's just so incredible when I see through the content of my thoughts and really see that I in fact don't know anything about the relative world for sure. It's the ultimate stress reliever, I stop worrying about so many things.

The feeling that everything is magical is something I remember from when I was a kid, but has since faded away. I think everybody knows the feeling. It's like a combination of wonder and happiness. Things seem fresh and exciting. I love that feeling, and I want to find out how to experience it on a regular basis, because I feel like this is a deep need. I think there could be a connection between the magical feeling and nostalgia. Sometimes I feel nostalgic for old games that I played when I was a kid. The times that I've tried playing them again years later, the memories of the game are triggered and I get those same feelings for perhaps 20 minutes, depending on how long ago since I played. However, after those initial minutes I am in full grown-up mode, looking for the most effective and efficient ways to succeed at the game, while not feeling the magic. If I try to mess around like I did when I was a kid, I still don't get that feeling. It feels like it isn't the game itself that I'm craving, but the feeling that everything is magical. The same thing can happen if I'm re-watching series or movies that I watched when I was younger. When I re-watch a film after many years, I can suddenly see the bad image quality and that it's all acted. Being outside is kind of like that too for me. When I went out in nature as a kid, things seemed magical and alive. If I go out in nature now (especially if I didn't meditate earlier) it's mostly thoughts spinning around instead of enjoying the moment. It takes time for my mind to calm down, but when it does I kind of naturally seep into that feeling again. I'm not out in nature that much though. Perhaps we grow used to the content of our world? "I've walked in forests hundreds of times", "I know how movies work now; they don't surprise me anymore". Perhaps it doesn't matter whether you are thinking like a kid or a grown-up, but that it matters whether you believe thought that says "I've already experienced this before". I have also glimpsed the feeling during meditation. I experienced it once when contemplating "Does the future or past really exist?". I couldn't find any future or past, and I stayed with that for a few minutes until I got this feeling that existence really is a mystery, and I don't know a thing about it. That made it magical. I think I've lost that feeling in my everyday life because as I've grown older I have assumed that I know things about the world. Actually, check out this meditation/contemplation for experiencing the Now: Be aware of the thoughts that appear in your mind. Say to yourself "I will trust my direct experience, and only that." Don't believe your thoughts just because they tell you stuff repeatedly. Contemplate: When do these thoughts appear? The thoughts about what you are going to do in 5 minutes, when do they appear? Do they prove the existence of a future? The thoughts about what you were doing just 10 seconds ago, when do they appear? Do they prove the existence of a past that existed 10 seconds ago, or is that just your mind strongly insisting so? Think of a historical event that happened long ago. Do you know anything about this event except from the thoughts that are currently appearing in your mind? Do these thoughts prove the existence of this past, or is that just your mind insisting on it? Repeat until the magic happens. (Some of the questions seem to be pointing to a 'correct' answer, but it's just to provide some guidance.) Do you long for this feeling? Do you think that most of humanity do? Have you found a way to get that feeling back? My best bet for getting the feeling back is meditation (especially about time, perhaps) because it has worked before. Now that I realize that, I kind of feel like meditating.

Hey, that Matt Kahn video was great stuff! I hadn't heard of him before. I haven't considered much what he calls the feminine side of awakening, which is to surrender to the will of the universe and let it work through you. Just... so simple, but it feels right too. I can relate to your feelings about the exams. While I like the subjects that we have, doing exams is kind of a chore. I have a list of projects that I would like to start, but I feel like that time would be better spent at exam prep. In my experience motivation increases after the exams if I have projects planned for the holidays. It's an explosion of freedom! About your doubts about what you want to do in the future, have you taken Leo's life purpose course? I took it some months ago, and it was very helpful for figuring out my life purpose (as advertised). Perhaps that could be a cool project for your summer break?

Very cool journal! Have you given a lower-carb diet a try? Such as a ketogenic diet or paleo. I currently eat a ketogenic diet (high fat, low carb, moderate protein) and I feel less hunger and more focused. Perhaps something you can play around with.

Yesss, a life-long learner! I love to study a variety of things. Astronomy, archeology, the deep ocean, spirituality... all very mysterious and exciting stuff. I'm getting Peter Ralston's latest book delivered in a few days.

Hello! Goal of this post: Share a case about addiction to entertainment such as Youtube-videos, podcasts, movies, series and video games, and try to find ways to personally overcome it. My backstory: Age and gender: 21, male Interests: Astronomy, physics, meditation, music \m/, reading manga I started playing video games when I was like 4. I started playing Runescape around age 10; probably the game that has taken the most of my time. I've always had a passion for studying nature (especially outer space), but I didn't focus much on it because the games kept me occupied. Bought my own gamer PC at age 14 after having watched my brother play on his own for years. This allowed me to play the latest first-person-shooters, and without time limits. I played a lot through high school. I also got into watching Youtube, series and anime. Some of those shows have hundreds of episodes; you just never run out of things to watch. I got good grades because of an inner ambition behind all the crap, but I never had something like a purpose to focus the ambition towards. After high school I was enrolled in the military, so I was forced to stop playing games and I also stopped watching Youtube and series. This was a good detox. After the military I thought I was rid of my addictions, but they came back very soon during the summer. Last fall I started studying physics at uni, and after a 'mid-life'-crisis before the exams I went through Leo's life purpose course and found that my life purpose was astrophysics. I thought I was all set after I found out what I love to do, but the craving for entertainment has crept back several times since. (End of backstory) Almost every weekend this semester I have found myself resisting studying, while having intense cravings for entertainment. I didn't think much about it until I realized a couple of weeks ago that this isn't how it's supposed to be. I want a simple and happy life. My general mission in life is to increase my base level of happiness and peace of mind, and I know in my head what the most effective ways are to accomplish this. Meditate and pursue truth. Take massive action towards my life purpose. Live according to my values. The only problem is that oftentimes I don't do it. Especially during the holidays when the pressure is low, I waste my time on entertainment. Suggestions on how to overcome addiction to entertainment: My suggestions are focused on creating a positive force towards your life purpose, not just to create a vacuum by only removing the addiction. Meditate and do self-inquiry. Write out a sheet with your top values, your purpose in life and your top goals of the year. Read it every day, after you wake up and before you go to bed. Choose your top role models and visualize what they would do in your place. Would they be watching the latest funny Youtube-clips, or would they be too busy taking action? Surround yourself with the right people, find a community that want to grow themselves. This forum is excellent for this. As for meditation experience, I have meditated at minimum 10 minutes a day on most days for the past 2 years or so. Around 1 year ago I began non-duality inquiry. What I'm trying now is to participate in this forum and meditate more. 10 minutes of meditation a day is very little; I will bump it up to 60 minutes starting tomorrow. Some insights and behavioral patterns Meditation is by far the most effective way to increase the base level of happiness. The happiest periods of my life have been when I meditated the most and focused on my work. Entertainment creates a momentary high of happiness, but leaves your base level of happiness lower than it was before. On days that are focused on work I meditate more. This may be because of the lower stimulus and focus that is required for studying. I need more rest. These days are the days when I feel most fulfilled, at peace and alive. Despite experiencing a high base level of happiness and knowing the points above logically, I have still repeatedly been lured in by entertainment. This often snowballs into a binge session that leaves me feeling like utter shit when it ends. When the cravings are at their very strongest, I actually don't want to quit my addiction. All I want is the next fix. I have yet to find a good way to get out of this state once I'm in it without relapsing. I had a relapse yesterday and played a video game because I had huge resistance towards studying. In fact, this past week (Easter break) has been a big relapse. Earlier today I put a timer for 10 minutes and forced myself to sit down and study some electromagnetism. It was fun, and it felt great! I felt interested and alive after that short study session. It's just so fucking weird that I can feel so much resistance towards something I love so much. I want to structure my life so that I actually do my work every day, no matter what it takes. PS: For other people who need help quitting video games, you can visit the Game Quitters forum (and check out Cam's videos): http://forum.gamequitters.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTbbu5C5sq9VStQD2gvIN_g

I just meditated some more about the Now in my meditation session today. It feels weird that my mind insists that the past and the future exists, but the only thing that I experience is now. Also, the now seems dynamic; everything is moving. However, how can movement exist in a timeless space? It's a paradox, but it probably just takes awareness and time before a solid, juicy insight appears.

That sounds like a great idea!

@electroBeam Great to hear you found something that's working for you! I think it's important to get the basics of the theory down first though, so you have a rough idea as to what most women find attractive in a man. Also, watching and analyzing full-length infield videos is something I have found immensely helpful. Just to actually see how attraction works in the real world. While watching an infield clip recently I tried to guess what they would do next. Would they say something random, would they tease her, would they give her a compliment? If I did something different, could that still have worked? I try to develop my intuition like that; to get a feel of the situation and what I can do with it.

@Joel3102 I really recommend that you use pickup to supplement your non-duality- or meditation practice. There are lots and lots of psychological challenges involved when learning game. You will uncover so much shit that you weren't aware of before. I have kept a meditation habit for a few years, and before pickup it was easy to just tell myself that I had my emotions all figured out and mastered and that my awareness must be very high. However, when I started to do some cold approaches I realized how afraid I was to simply talk to another person. It was and is a reality check. This information is gold for my meditation practice, and I wouldn't have had it without pickup. I once read a (true) story about a monk who had an enlightenment experience after living and meditating in solitude in the mountains for some months. The sense of oneness lasted while he was there, but when returned to his home country, to his family and a city with lots of people, he lost that feeling of oneness. All of a sudden he was exposed to loud noises, traffic, stressed people etc., and these conditions were so different from where he had his enlightenment. Practicing both pickup and non-duality can feel like slower progress because you are in the midst of very dualistic situations (you and the girl), but my guess is that you will get a much more solid and well-rounded enlightenment once you reach it like that. Rupert Spira has some relevant advice:

@Dragallur Lol, you told them that? So brutal!

That's a sick meditation practice; over 3 hours each day! Nice work. I should step up my game.

You're my new productivity hero! Once I get going I don't mind spending the whole day studying if I rid myself of distractions. Not so good at that part yet tho. Also, 2-3 hours of meditation every day? That's nasty! What gains have you experienced so far from that practice?

Lol, that's beautifully savage. It's a great attitude for self-inquiry!

I'm not sure whether we can actually answer the 'why' questions. I'm not enlightened yet, but when I turn my awareness to the subject I can't find any answer to the 'why'. Here's Rupert Spira's take on the matter. What he says seems reasonable I guess, but I don't know how he can know whether what he is saying is actually true.

@Emerald Cool, I didn't know you were vegan (I've watched some of your videos). Are you vegan of ethical reasons, health reasons or both? What effects on your body have you experienced? I find the subject very confusing because of the different opinions and perspectives on what's most healthy. My biggest reason for not turning vegan is that I have read about many examples and personal stories of people who have eaten a pristine raw vegan and organic diet who experience a decline in their health and/or brain performance such as memory, which have returned when they re-introduced meat and animal fats. Many people get healthier on a vegan diet simply because their previous diet was so bad; low on vegetables and filled with S.A.D. foods which are processed and contain artificial, unhealthy additives. My biggest motivation for turning vegan is ethical and environmental. The less suffering the better, and as for the environment, meat production causes a lot of CO2-release. I haven't tried a personal full-blown vegan experiment yet. I'm currently eating and thriving on a ketogenic diet; lots of green veggies, lots of butter and just enough meat to get enough protein, and some carbs on workout days. I'm reluctant to compromise my health, selfish as that is. I'm eagerly awaiting the companies that are currently working on producing meat in the lab! It's happening:

I want to hear that music you hear in your head, it sounds pretty dope! How well someone masters the technique of their work is how well they can share it with the world. Even though that work can be tough, I find it all the more satisfying when you sit down to create. I study physics, and we learn lots of math and programming in order to become effective scientists. Persistence, patience and lots of mental energy is required for this. But then we get to apply the new knowledge to physics, which gives us the opportunity to calculate, gather information about and analyze all sorts of fascinating stuff about nature that we didn't have the tools to do before. You're probably in the same boat, whether it's improving your picking technique, learning to transcribe music from your inner ear to paper or expanding your knowledge of a music-creation software. All these things require mundane, everyday practice, but they will allow you to capture the magic when it arises. A hero needs to sharpen his sword before he goes into battle.

I was wondering about the difficulty of certain insights. Personally I have done a lot of contemplation/meditation about time (the absolute now) for the past months, with great spiritual gains. I find it very simple to ask "does this thing exist outside the now?" again and again. Every time I always find that all that I actually know about reality is what is currently present. When it comes to experiencing no separation, the separation seems to be much more tricky to see the truth of compared to time. It seems much more complex, since with time there is only Now, but with the self there are all these subtle layers of self that I don't experience with time. Do you find some subjects more difficult than others, or am I doing something wrong? Does it simply take more time and persistence?