The Don

Thank you. Yes. I was having those thoughts as well. People need help when it comes to the dark side of meditation. Maybe @Leo Gura didn't go through really difficult times and that's why he's not focused on the dark side of mediation. I also don't like the fact that Leo promotes ideas of meaninglessness. Thoughts of meaninglessness are really bad for people who experience the dark side of meditation. Take a look at this article: https://jackkornfield.com/purification-the-gateway-to-higher-states/, it will shine a light over you. It will help you to go through difficult times. It will help you understand what meditation really is.

I was watching @Leo Gura's video and I became more depressed when he talked about the meaninglessness of life. I just don't know how to get out of the trap of meaninglessness; this trap is creating my depression. It's awful. I can't describe it with words. P.S: I'm becoming a good meditator and I'm experiencing the dark side of meditation.

Hello. As I'm meditating every day, I'm becoming more mindful & conscious; as a result, I start to see the meaninglessness of life and I get very depressed. Seeing life in this manner is the main cause of my depression. How do I keep myself sane during this process? I don't wanna lose motivation and I don't want to live my life in a miserable state like this. I have an odd feeling that can't be described with words. All I wish for is to have a perspective on life that keeps me sane. How can I give meaning to life so I can be able to continue this journey of becoming more conscious? And enjoy life in general. Do I need God in my life? Do I need a philosophy of life so I won't despair? I'm doing my best to find something that holds me sane but nothing is making me satisfied.

Yes. I'm going through lots of mood swings. A few hours I'm depressed then I start laughing. It's unbelievable. Anyway, I must let it go and tell myself that it's just a sensation. I must tell myself that any kind of depression is tolerable. @Nahm, I truly appreciate your help. I didn't stop meditating.

Hello. This week I was working and I have an attractive female colleague who came up to talk to me about something that's related to the job we're doing. At that moment I noticed feelings of extreme awkwardness bubbling up and our conversation didn't work out too well. I felt anxious. I could see how she started to feel me as being awkward and she got awkward too. She picked up on my awkward emotions. She became awkward too because of me. Do you guys know what I'm saying? It was an awful moment. I need to overcome this. I can't go on like this. I'll never be able to be in a relationship as long as I don't feel comfortable in my own skin. At a rational level I know I have nothing to worry about when talking to pretty girls, but when I get around them, something from my subconscious mind is making me awkward. It's something that I can't control. What should I be doing about this?

@Leo Gura, I find myself in a situation of fear to try Psychedelics. I don't know what Psychedelics will offer. I just don't want to fall into a deep depression after I try Psychedelics. If I try some Psychedelics and become more conscious, won't I get depressed? Or if I'm going to try Psychedelics, won't I become a nihilist? These are my sincere questions for you. P.S: I've got a WARNING from @Natasha because I joked about "death" on a topic related to your booklist. Can I have that warning removed? Thank you.

Have you ever taken psychedelics?

Yes. That's true. But not in the Western world.

Okay. But people are having fewer and fewer children. This outcome can not be good.

I was just kidding. Lol.

The last girl I talked to was displaying signs of nervousness around me. You know when they place their fingers on the neck or compressing their lips. What I mean is pacifying behavior.

It doesn't matter what you read. You'll be dead soon. (P.S: I'm kidding)

I'm not getting close to her. She is approaching me. But when I get awkward, some of these girls get awkward too. Why is that? Why are they getting awkward when I'm starting to get awkward around them?

Thanks for the advice. What's @Leo Gura's video? I wanna see it.

If everybody would be gay, nobody would get married to the opposite sex and people would stop having children. When we stop having children, we don't reproduce ourselves and the population is starting to age. When we don't realize that life is temporary and that there are only three generations at every moment, Western Civilization dies. People aren't conscious of the fact the life is short and that family and children are fundamental to our society. Link: "US fertility rate is below the level needed to replace population, study says".

Start with a daily meditation habit. Be aware of The Dark Side of Meditation which is a good thing. Start reading books to get the information you need to develop yourself. @Leo Gura has a video on the importance of reading books. Once you are developing yourself, you can help others. You need to become a person who has to offer value; a massive value provider. You also need to be aware of your self-doubt thoughts. I am saying this because Awareness Alone is Curative. Right now, what I am saying probably won't any sense to you. But keep pushing through even when it is hard. “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” - Winston Churchill

Nope. Actualized.org is helping people.

Thank you, man. I truly appreciate your advice. I'm starting to notice what's causing my depression and I'm conscious of the fact that I'm getting significantly better. I know I'll be fine because I'm much stronger than I thought I was. Anyway, I hope as well that you're OK.

That is true. Right now as I'm writing this I'm pretty OK. I'm not depressed; at least not anymore. I'll keep myself mindful. Mindfulness is helping me a lot.

@Shaun, is there a video about this topic on YouTube?

Yes. Today I meditated.

Hello. Right now as I'm writing this sentence I'm feeling pretty good despite the fact that I've been extremely depressed. In the past few days, I've been experiencing mood swings and episodes of depression. I was hit by waves of depression. These negative emotions bubbled up because of meditation. Don't worry, it's not a bad thing. This is a sign of growth which we have to be grateful for; I'm saying this because if we never become depressed, how can we know what depression is and how can we know and learn how to get over it? How can we grow if we don't experience negative emotions? Anyway, I want to clarify a few things. 1. Anytime when you are in a state of depression as a result of your daily meditation practice, don't despair. The depression will subside; the depression will go away. 2. You will have a tendency to believe that depression will never go away. This tendency is irrational and will cause a deeper state of depression. On the other hand, this tendency to believe that depression will never go away is caused by the depression itself. Make an effort to realize this fact. 3. Be mindful of your thoughts while you are depressed. Any emotion caused by depression will distort the way you think and see the world. No matter how awful this state of depression is, keep being mindful. 4. Acceptance is the key. Just accept the state of depression as it is. Embrace it fully. After a while, even if it doesn't go away, it won't bother you anymore. 5. Remind yourself that depression is not permanent; remember yourself that it's gonna go away. Keep doing it daily. 6. Anything negative that bubbles up as a result of your meditation practice it's caused by your ego. As you become more conscious, the consciousness itself overwhelms the ego and that's the main reason why your ego is fighting back. 7. Don't stop your meditation practice. Don't let its side effects take over your awareness. Keep meditating. You'll thank me later. I sure this stuff will help you go through any side effects of your meditation practice. The good news is the following: after your depression will subside, you'll be better than ever. Fresh and motivated for life.

You have to go through a major state of depression and be mindful of it to understand what I'm saying.

Hello. Day by day, as I'm meditating, I'm becoming more conscious and at the same time, I observe the fact that I have a tendency to lose myself in nihilism. As you all know, nihilism leads to depression and despair. Who wants to live a life in despair? Nobody. When someone becomes enlightened, how does he keep himself happy? I know that happiness is not an emotional state. I'm talking about a different kind of happiness; for example, a sane and lucid mind. On this spiritual path, how can we give meaning to our lives? How can we keep ourselves safe and away from the trap of nihilism? I'm going through a tough time right now. I felt a shift in my consciousness and I notice myself becoming sad and a little bit depressed. Some people describe my feelings and the period I'm going through as the Dark Night of the Soul. I'm totally confused right now and I want to know if meaning is something that's up to us. I want to know if "meaning" is something we should strive for when going through dark days.

Alright. Have no desire. Is enlightenment a bad thing? Why did you try to let go of enlightenment?