Forestluv

I think you are attached to, and identify with, certain beliefs. The desire to engage with the belief is part of the attachment. It’s an evasive tactic of the ego that prevents observation of the belief. The ego/self does not like having a spotlight shined on itself. De-identifying and observing beliefs is a major ingredient of self-actualization. If these beliefs arise during your next meditation, perhaps you could observe them without attachment. Imagine you were sitting beside a river and each belief is a log floating down a river. If you can observe without attachment, next inquire “from where did this belief arise?”. It’s a difficult process, yet the liberation that results is worth the effort imo.

I sense that you are attached to a perspective - which is limiting and contracted. I can’t take you out of the perspective. It’s got to come from within. Humans often identify and defend their perspectives- usually in ways they are unaware of. One thing that helped me let go of perspectives I was attached to was traveling abroad and living with other cultures.

If you can let go of your perspective and contemplate, insight will likely apoear.

@brugluiz I noticed the center offers 10 day retreats for old men and another for old women. What do you think of having a 10 day retreat tailored for people with mental illness?

@brugluiz I read it differently. I think they are saying some individuals with SERIOUS mental health issues have attempted their retreat with an expectation of being treated for their serious illness. I think the coordinators are saying they are not qualified to treat people with serious mental illness. I would contact them and tell them your condition and meditation experience. It sounds like they accept individuals with mild to moderate mental illness.

@mkrksms The thread was hidden. You may have accidentally hit the “hide” icon, while editing. I unhid the post.

Below is the statement from the link you provided. It sounds reasonable to me. “People with serious mental disorders have occasionally come to Vipassana courses with the unrealistic expectation that the technique will cure or alleviate their mental problems. Unstable interpersonal relationships and a history of various treatments can be additional factors which make it difficult for such people to benefit from, or even complete, a ten-day course. Our capacity as a nonprofessional volunteer organization makes it impossible for us to properly care for people with these backgrounds. Although Vipassana meditation is beneficial for most people, it is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric treatment and we do not recommend it for people with serious psychiatric disorders.”

@MsNobody Great description!

The absolute is. . . Any word, concept, belief, idea one adds after “is” above is within absolute.

That would be a steaming pot of YES But hey, if the personality is gonna take a ride, be aware of it and roll. I recently got out of eight month relationship of fire and ice. Beautiful woman. Incredible, intense sex. All self-motivated. But I learned a lot and can move forward. And what a ride it was.

Yes! ?

@Key Elements There was no type of resistance or blocks in our conversation. It totally flowed smoothly. It was like we were reunited friends and were so excited to see each other. It didn’t matter if a person took the bus or train to get there.

It’s liberating in a sense, I don’t suffer anything like I used to. I’m not sure why sadness is present as well. It’s not like a “poor me” kind of sadness. It’s more like if my puppy died. I’d miss his spirit and I’d be sad.

@B_Naz To me this comes across as very self-driven. I’ve been down many self-driven paths. Sometimes I know it, yet still have to walk through it - I still have to create and work through all the personal drama.

If I look deep enough into anything ,I find it’s source is emptiness. I sense sadness, yet also a beauty about it.

We were both curious and open minded about each other’s paths. She told me her teacher told her not to do psychedelics - that it was good for some seekers, but not for her. Ayahuasca ceremonies are very common in this area of Peru. They don’t have the same stigma as in the U.S. She seemed grounded on her path without psychedelics. I on the other hand wanted to join an ashram after our conversation. Perhaps I should mention: my spiritual path was completely sober for 24 years. I was very much against combining drug use with spirituality. I often spoke against it. I just started psychedelic use two years ago.

Hi Dinesh. We can discuss our 5-meo experiences on the forum, but sourcing is not allowed.

@Key Elements A few days after I dd an Ayahuasca retreat in Peru, I met a woman who had just returned from six months in an Indian ashram (she had never done a psychedelic). We spent a whole day together sharing our experiences and insights. So amazing.

@Kiamber Blake Curiosity within an open mind is sooo beautiful. I’d dedicate a bit of time each day for exploring. Meditation, a contemplative journal, yoga etc. There are many tools. I’d go with what feels true for you.

It’s beyond language. The words are just pointers. Ya gotta go there. Once you experience it, life ain’t the same. It’s prior to concepts. If we discussed the concepts you raised, that would be within God (within consciousness).

@Nahm I’m still developing my intuition for when I’m clinging / chasing a trip experience and when it’s time for a new lesson. When I was a newbie, I wanted to return to that mystical place. One time I was scolded: “why are you coming back again for the same lesson you’ve been told three times now?!”

I would advise waiting at least a week. Tolerance spikes quickly and goes down slowly. Mindspace is the place your mind goes while tripping. New realities can arise with no visuals. Visuals can be enjoyable while listening to music, yet the deep spiritual juice is in the mindspace for me - not melting walls. Being relaxed heading into a trip is good. Also letting go into the trip. It sounds like you got a small taste of a psychedelic and are open and curious to explore more. That’s a great place to be.

Like the cricket chirping away on the windowsill right now.

God comes prior to the concept of perfection. God includes perfection and imperfection and any other idea human minds can come up with.

@Laymen Seasoned trippers use terms like "mindspace" and visuals. It sounds like your trip was a moderate mindspace with no visuals. I get the same effect with low/moderate doses. Visuals can be more obvious, yet for me the real juice is in deep mindspace. If you want to check for low intensity visuals try closing your eyes and relaxing a bit. Closed Eye Visuals (CEVs) often arise before Open Eye Visuals (OEVs). Also, you can spread your fingers and wave your hand back and forth. Check for "trails" coming off the your hand. I use this as my standard for how intensity the visual trip is.