Koyaanisqatsi

I'm happy to answer questions if anyone has any.

Yes. That infinite love is there always, for everything. For no reason, and without condition. It's always there, but separation/duality cloud it. It is, as was said, what you are. And there is more. If this is the first time you've seen this, it may pass (most of my glimpses lasted about 3 days), but it can be there always. Just keep on the path.

Beautiful. Definitely not good advice for early on, but at some point there can be a letting go (for some they simply say 'fuck it!' after decades of seeking) and then it can be seen that the search itself is separation. The practice once taken far enough is seen as part of the problem (but again, not for most of the time). It's paradoxical, but paradox is all that's left when meaning falls away.

If you haven't already, become aware of being aware. Keep doing this until that is all there is--until you are home. It 'worked' here. I can't say it was easy, but I can say that no one actually did anything. No one could ever or has ever done anything. Like everything, It just happened. This might be helpful: And yes, if only two words can be said, they should be, "let go." (of everything--and i mean everything)

It apparently went something like this here: it was seen clearly, deeply, in daily life--with no doubt left that there is no 'doer' and no free will. we are simply aware (awareness) distinctions and separateness fell away love was all that was left. this love is what we are. it is unconditional--it shines like the sun on everything. always. for no reason. it needs nothing. and the illusion simply covers it.

Everything is just happening. There are no doers. First this is seen with the mind, then in daily life. Then the idea of a 'me' or 'others' no longer makes sense.

This love is what you are. It is always here--the seeking and resisting simply hide it.

This video helped me a lot when i was in a similar place:

try this sometime--it helps me

Be aware of being aware. Rupert Spira teaches the same method as Ramana Maharshi, but I like how he has tailored it for our culture and time. Here is one of his videos--there are more, and he has a book dedicated to the topic.

I'm not saying anything against retreats, but meanwhile try inquiring into the one who is wanting this 'growth'. Who exactly is that? Where are 'they'? Can you find 'them'?

Read or watch some Rupert Spira. He will take you to that place right away and show you who/what you really are.

Try it with your eyes open sometime. It is quite powerful. Also look into Rupert Spira's concept of 'Being Aware of Being Aware'. I feel the same basic state in both experiences. Here's a video to get you started:

+1 for Rupert. His teaching is direct and clear.

Unless you just want to dabble in a language, if you don't plan to actually use it (by living in a foreign country, not visiting), learning a language is mostly a waste of time and effort. If you can't apply knowledge, you will forget it. I'd recommend learning something that will be more useful, and not just a 'feather in your cap'. But it's your life--do what you are called to do. This is just my two cents--I spent 10 years teaching ESL, and I've talked to a lot of people about languages and learning them. I find that most people want to learn a foreign language just to say they know another language. At least you've already learned one other language, so you can check that box. Also, I have learned Spanish, Nepali, German, French, and Japanese, but Japanese is the only language I really 'know' because I lived in Japan for years. By the way, Japanese is not a language I recommend you play with or try to pick up casually. If you speak English as your native language, you will need to forget almost everything you know about language and start over. But maybe you're into that...

From what I've learned so far, it's kind of both. There are a couple of distinct 'shifts' or realizations that permanently alter your consciousness, but these can be sudden or take time--it seems to depend on the person. In any case, seeing the effects of these realizations in your life can take time since we have decades of experience as separate selves and are therefore well-conditioned as such. Even those who have been enlightened for a long time can still experience egoic 'after effects' and need to deal with them (kind of like finding an old box in the attic, I guess). This is probably the same thing that @hundreth is saying, but it seems that some people can become enlightened quickly and/or with almost no effort, then go through a process of purifying their body/mind/life (or not--*cough* zen devils *cough*). Others undergo a process of purification, then become enlightened. I guess our/your mileage may vary... Also, it seems that if you have to ask, you are not enlightened. You might be in the process of it, but you have not had the full realization yet. I'll let you know once I get there.

Disclaimer: I am not enlightened--I am still searching. My ego/self is still fairly intact, so take all of this with a lump of (Pink Himalayan) salt. This is simply one perspective. I actually don't find a lot of value in many of the posts on this forum (nor most information I come across on the Internet or in the world) but a lot of that is related to where I'm at on my path and what I need at a given point in time. I find I need to 'cherry pick' quite a bit, and what I need and am able to take in changes over time. I also see it as my responsibility to deal with my ego and distractions, and find the truth that will help me. One way to think about this: The search for Truth/Realization/Liberation/Enlightenment is a lot like climbing a mountain--there are many paths to the top. Some are easy, some are hard; all are different, but have the same goal. Unfortunately, some paths involve more hazards than others, and you may have to deal with things like flying monkeys on the way. Also, some people have gotten lost along the way and are climbing a different mountain without really knowing it. It's no one's fault--the ego does not want us to reach the top. There are many distractions, and it's also hard to know what information is of value. It sometimes feels like finding good information is like trying to download freeware on the Internet without getting a virus. Some people have reached the top of the mountain and are telling the real truth about how to get there, but it's still related to how they got there, not to every possible path (thus different teachings from different masters). Others are telling the truth as they know it but they are somehow deluded (either they are on a different mountain, have stopped taking their meds, have had a psychotic break, or whatever--consciousness is very strange). Some people seem to see opportunity in so many people searching and outright lie--to make money, have fun, or just to mess with people. For what it's worth, from my perspective teachers such as Rupert Spira and Peter Ralston are 'no-bs' and full of wisdom. Thinking will not reveal the ultimate Truth--thought is limited and always biased. Direct experience will. Meditate, contemplate, self-inquire, have courage, and be 100% honest with yourself. And good luck... Peace

In my opinion, all ranking and achievements promote the ego. I have no need for points, titles, etc. as I find my ego liking these things too much. Liking and ranking promotes group think. Having many likes or posts (or none) does not mean anything. Who would care if someone 'likes' something I said, or if I like what they said? Certainly not my/our true self... Having said that, it is my responsibility and focus to detach from outcomes and let go of desires regardless of circumstance. This is not the only place in the world that promotes my ego. I'm ok with whatever happens.

Count me in! I was actually just recently hoping/wishing this would happen. I'm in Seattle, and I would be there in a heartbeat. It would be awesome to not only meet you, but others in the area who are into actualized.org. I'd also gladly pay at least $20 for admission. I know that room rentals, travel, etc. are not free!

You need to look inside, not outside of yourself. Your interpretations of perceptions are the cause of your emotions. Only you can figure out what is causing the anxiety. You need to contemplate it or 'feel into it' to get into the core assumptions that are behind the emotion. It isn't easy, and can take multiple attempts, but once you uncover the source and can look at it for what it is, you can then determine if it's a truth or not. Usually it is not true, and seeing as such will dissolve the feeling (effectively killing it at the source). I know this is a bit vague, but that's how I do it. Try asking 'why' a lot--you need to get to the underlying 'story' that you are telling yourself...

You definitely need to do more. At least 20 minutes to get 'into the zone', and then slowly lengthen the time as you can. Thich Nhat Hahn describes it something like this: Imagine you are a pebble thrown into a pond. You are sinking, but at first you are sort of 'wobbling' as you descend. Then, after some time, you come to rest on the bottom. This is when you are still. You can totally feel when this happens. He also describes it as a glass of freshly-poured (apple) juice that is cloudy. Messing with the juice will not clear the cloudiness, but if you just let it sit, all the sediment sinks to the bottom and the juice becomes clear. This is like your mind in meditation. I hope that helps.

I have a tip for this that really helps me. As was already stated, you definitely want to practice mindfulness meditation daily. Then, when you are doing things, I find the key is to slow down. We are often rushing about the day, doing one thing while thinking of the next. Purposely going slower while performing tasks like cooking or washing dishes really helps keep me mindful. Thich Nhat Hanh mentions something about making everything we do a 'rite'--as if it's a sacred task. Purposely going slow seems to help me achieve that, and keeps me mindful. Of course, before you can go slow you have to sort of 'catch' the moment--catch yourself not being mindful. That's what meditation helps me with.