okulele

not a book, obviously, but very much on point:

@andyjohnsonman 2 ways of thinking about the same thing, really.

exercise, diet, sleep, health

@Leo Gura How stable is the insight from your 5-MeO trips? Could you hold the awareness of God while talking to others, doing chores?

@Adam M Great report and good job

Let's see how this tight schedule works

That's fine, no real problem with that. Still unconditional love was present That is why it is unconditional, because it is love even when there is anger, upset and frustration. If you would look closely at your experience, you would find it there even in that situation, I guarantee. So, you were loving it, you just didn't realize.

@How to be wise Is it better to do with a specific moment in history? What about working with compulsive thoughts that come almost daily? Would you pick one of the moments they occurred or just worked with the thought by itself?

@How to be wise Great stuff! Thanks for sharing your insight

I'm not sure if you are aware of it, but we have a few threads about it already I think there is more than one way to go about Letting Go, but the essence of it is - you have to get to a point where the problematic situation/feeling is completely let go of. Forgotten. Gone. You don't even really remember what it was, that's how gone it should be. You just have to stop caring about the thing basically

Hi @lacsativ ! I am not familiar with Culadasa, although I heard about the book before. I might read it at some point, if I get the chance. Thanks for the recommendation I am familiar with the Ten Pictures of Ox-Herding. I love this system as it seems pretty consistent with my experience so far. I read about in this short book and I saw Leo's video, which was great. Oh, and also Shinzen's videos about it are amazing. Not with binaural-beats exactly, but I use Kip Mazuy's music for meditation. I find it very effective. Like this: Quite simple really. The formal meditation is exactly what you imagine a meditation to be. You sit down, set a timer, choose a technique and give your all to it. The informal meditation begins when you open your eyes in the morning. I usually set an intention right then to, let's say watch my breath and emotions all day, and try to keep it as best I can. Most of the day it's going on its own really, just a background thing, but every now and then when my attention is more free, I really give myself into it. I do it until I fall asleep. I would say, get in touch with the fact, that life is really a fascinating mystery. When you get it, meditation will seem very natural, as it is basically observing what is actually going on. For me, Alan Watts is someone who first really triggered this interest in me. Pick a time and spot where you will meditate every day. Start now. Use the forum, there are some great meditators here. Get inspired, get help. Anything you need. Maybe even start your own journal about your meditation and help yourself stay consistent that way? What are you drawn to? You mentioned Culadasa. Maybe his teachings are something you would like to look into and start following? Buddhism is definitely a valid path. I'd say trust your gut and go with a system/technique that seems appealing to you. Don't worry so much about getting the perfect technique or something, just start doing it. All of them lead to the same place ultimately. Yes. It's a life-long journey, and it's totally worth it

Shinzen Young's Outline of Practice https://www.shinzen.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/AnOutlineOfPractice_ver2.5.pdf Beautiful. Just as I thought, Shinzen created a very detailed and systematic approach to meditation. It seems to go very deep and very broad at the same time. The question I am facing here is, how far can I go with consciousness work? In the past the goal was to get 'enlightened', but as I understand it today, that is a rather vague concept. Get enlightened is a poor map. I need a better map. This one seems very clear. The goal will probably be to implement this map into my life, so that each part of my experience can be lived as consciously as possible.

I believe bringing a smile (loving awareness) into the internal organs can have a great benefit for the body's health.

I'll be starting a new journal, a different kind.

For about three years I have been working very hard to get "the thing". The big goal was to get enlightened. Plans were drawn out, strategies were made as if I was going to war. So much studying, thinking, micromanaging... And suddenly, something broke. For the past two weeks, the one who was planning and scheming, started becoming more and more blurry, transparent, insignificant. There is less and less of him. And when he does come, no power is granted to him. It's as if there is no way for him to get any power. I say him, but he is actually me, in a sense. It is confusing. It is as if I am dying out due to lack of attention from myself.

exercises like these can be helpful to let it fully express

@SoonHei ask the question "How does this guilt feel in my body?" Observe the feeling until it's gone.

Peter Ralston explores this a bit here:

I think the second book that Gammana published addresses the progressive versions of the exercises Yep, I just checked. The next level practices are in "The Secret Power of Kriya Yoga". Have you read this one?

I am like Superman, my eyes like laser beams. Whatever I look at, turns into no-thing.

Yeah, this is tough. By undertaking the spiritual journey, you will often seem different, maybe weird. Maybe instead of trying to communicate some theory that you heard, try to communicate your feelings? Why are you really doing it? What emotions are behind it, what is your actual experience?

There is a curious thing that happens when you admit that you don't know something. when you recognize, that you are ignorant. when you see that your beliefs have nothing solid supporting them. One of two things can take place at this point. ...either you quickly forget this fact and distract yourself from it. ...or you stay here, not knowing, being at a loss. If you are crazy or brave enough to choose the second option, the ignorance that you are basking in will start melting. As it will be disappearing in front of your eyes, you will notice what was hidden right behind it. You will recognize. discover. enlighten. So I beg you, my friend! If you are crazy or brave enough to look the unknown into the face, then stop. See the facts. See clearly, that you do not know.

Ahimsa A world filled with violence, outside as well as in, crying for a warrior to come and settle things. Daring and fearless the warrior comes in, stopping the madness from the silence of his being.