Forestluv

@Nevon If during self inquiry my mind is analyzing the question and figure it out, I’ll pause to reset. That’s not what it’s about. For me, it’s more like sitting with the question in stillness with a bit of curiosity. A recent question was “what would happen if I allow everything in this moment to be exactly as it is”. I would just sit in stillness. Sometimes there would be an appearance that spontaneously arose from the ether.

5-Meo-Dmt report. I’ve done 5-meo about 10 times. My last trip was a couple months ago. Plugged 25mg. In my experience, I begin to grey/blackout at 30mg. 25mg is a strong experience with awareness. I had no intention heading in. I have always layed on my bed during the experience, yet this time I was called to my yoga mat after plugging. There was some thought resistance that I shouldn’t be doing yoga on 5-Meo. My coordination and balance would be off, I could pass out, I could injure myself. Those thoughts dissolved and there I was on my mat. I have not practiced yoga until recently - I just finished a 30 day intro series at home on YT. My sober yoga experience is that I am imbalanced, very inflexible and wobbly. My breath is often choppy or I hold my breath. I’m exactly what I would imagine a 48 y.o. man to be after a month of daily yoga practice. In contrast to yoga, I’ve had many years of meditation practice. During my first strong trip on psilocybin, there was a *knowing* that years of meditation did not bring. I had a similar sense here with yoga. That there was a knowing that years of yoga theory and practice wouldn’t have brought. With the ego dissolved, there was a massive expansion. There was no worry, doubt, hesitation, criticism or angst. There was just a knowing beyond “me” that knew what to do. It just appeared. The breathing, movement, balance, awareness and energy all flowing together. And none of it was *mine*. There was this presence like the knowing of yogis. The mat became a mirror of me. The mind and body flowed in ways I didn’t think it was ready for. Yet the mind/body just knew what to do - without any thoughts.

Why do you believe the thought that lsd leads to criminal behavior and heartless? Multiple scientific studies suggest otherwise. Psychedelics score very low on harm to self and others (well below cannabis and alcohol). In clinical studies, psychedelics have significantly relieved symptoms of depression, ptsd, addiction etc. Brain scans have shown psychedelic treatment to relax brain areas associated with self reference (the DMN) and fear (the amygdala) while activating areas associated with empathy - similar to meditation.

@Butters In the relative sense, experiences can seem profound and insightful. The mind loves to engage. In the absolute sense, it is simply another appearance with no more relevance than the appearance of bird calls outside my window.

Because you are going against the tide of a looong history of evolution and social conditioning. Your brain has evolved to accommodate a sense of self that is constantly reinforced socially.

@How to be wise The “personality” or “character” has values - which appears *within* conciousness.

Check out the iTalki community. It worked wonders for my Spanish

All and none of them. . .

@Arkandeus Letting go of control can be extremely difficult to the ego. There are so many nuances and subtleties to control.

It doesn’t have meaning and doesn’t not have meaning. Just is.

My personal will is evaporating. Often, there is no reason for my actions. No meaning or purpose. Just doing whatever.

Am I too good to fit into nature? After all, the rain just caused the drowning of thousands of insects. A snake just ate a cute little mouse. A squirrel pooped on the trail. Two birds have conflict over territory. It makes the office look like a love-fest.

How can seeking be selfish when there is no seeker?

@okulele The knowing isn’t like knowing a fact. It’s just knowing. After my sister died, I grieved. I *know* what it’s like to grieve the loss of a loved one. I don’t have to convince myself or anyone else. I have no desire to debate whether I really know what the grieving process is like. When I encounter someone who recently lost a sibling, there is a connection - a knowing. Similiarly, when consciousness/awareness/reality is present, there is a knowing - that doesn’t need to rationalize or debate. Later, my mind may try to interpret it and become confused, but that is expected since it can’t be figured out or understood.

And unlearn

@Key Elements For sure. It’s potent stuff. I’ve met people who are super careful and intentional with psychedelics and others that are carefree and spontaneous. I wouldn’t advocate being careless as it prolly increases the risk of unintentionally harming oneself or others. Yet. those who have a “whatever happens, happens” attitude seem to surrender soooo much easier.

Very nice. You are aware of your stage. Sometimes when I listen to nondual teachers, they say something like “at an early stage, the self may appear as. . . “ And I think “Omg! That’s right where I’m at!!”. It’s cool being somewhere others have passed

Really? I stumbled my way into my first trip. I messed up measuring on the scale and took about 120mg of 4-Aco-Dmt (about 6X a normal dose). It was the most profound experience of my life.

The character appears and disappears within consciuosness, just like everything. The character has no more relevance than an apple that appears in consciousness. Why give the self character any more relevance than a character that appears in a movie?

BINGO!

@Frylock Sounds like judging and assigning value. They are being, just like you are being and adyashanti is being

Hard to define. . . I’d say it is the character with a story that appears within consciousness

Notice how retreats describe finding inner peace, love, joy and serenity. Sunsets and butterflies. Why don’t retreats ever describe losing self control and going into full-on panic, terror and insanity. It’s all part of the deal.

My ego fought like hell and still does to some extent.

For me, psychedelics are the #1 tool. The only thing the ends The Story