peanutspathtotruth

Dealing with this for years as well. In my experience the main problem is posture. I switched to sleeping on the ground because of neck and back pain - never had any back pain ever since, the neck is still coming back sometimes. Never sleep on your belly, it's the worst for your neck and back. Get a free test subscription and do this class once a day, nothing helped me more thus far: https://www.ekhartyoga.com/classes/309/neck-tlc Don't forget to cancel if you don't want to pay. Also, try one of those acupressure mats, I have one and I love it, really releases a lot of tension. I hope you find release in your neck soon! That pain can really be tough.

That sounds like you're doing well again? Are you able to get rest?

The Fountain by Aronofsky

Could you elaborate on that? What is it you know exactly to do now to free yoursef? I'm curious

@Chi_ One of the most important things I learned during this back and forth is that you can't hold onto what you learn. Especially not mentally. It's always good practice to let go of what you think you learned. What you really do learn and keep are changes in your very Being - energetical knots are resolved (be it on the mental, physical, emotional or spiritual level) and there's nothing you have to do to "keep it". Trying to do so stretches the whole process in my experience. Of course integration through reflection is very helpful and often necessary to deepen the lesson, but in the end - let it go. You don't really control any of that.

@Jack River Wow, beautifully put. You absolutely brought a point home for me. I think opening up to techniques might be something I need to face my reluctance to do so which was hiding there all along. And I will trust my own intuition about what is my path. The "direct" path really skyrocketed my progress lately, and now I will just incorporate some dedicated mindfulness practice. Welcome everything, hold onto nothing. Thank you ❤️

Good point. Trust might be the wrong word. I'd just say I don't take things as true just because it's said. I think we're on the same page here You don't, I hear you my friend. And I take it seriously. I will get into that. Thank you <3

Thank you for taking the time, this did widen my perspective on things. Very interesting what you say about the clear mind and the ability to meditate and how it could be connected to trauma and emotional baggage. I have to say I don't believe that it's necessary to get someone else to assist in this psychological work. But I also don't believe that I can do it on my own. What I mean is, I'm open to both possibilities and honestly, I don't know. And I can't trust what anyone says because how would you know that for sure? So I guess I'll have to find out for myself. You gave me the last push, I will look into what my insurance would cover. And I will contact winterknight. Thank you for the inspiration!

This thread got me thinking to open up to these techniques again, and I just ordered the book that is recommended here. But I want to give my opinion on this point, I'm not sure how serious you are, but still: In my experience, do-nothing is the same as Self-abiding, which is brought about through Self Inquiry. And since the Self is not some thing that is outside of experience, this Self-abiding means to abide as the knower, the known and the knowing. It's all the same. And in that Beingness, even when thoughts are around, it is the most inclusive form of meditation there is. Nothing is excluded, you open all channels completely without attending to anything in particular. Isn't concentration/mindfulness the exclusive technique? Isn't to withdraw from all experience but a certain one a way of excluding objects of experience? As I said, I ordered the book and I will get back into the foundations, because I'm sure that my Self-abiding and inquiry can benefit greatly and that there are other practical benefits to be had. But isn't that just a preliminary exercise for recognizing the true Self? Many teachers I like say so. And maybe that's why I believe it to be true, maybe I'm even lazy to put in the work. That could all be the case, I'm open to admit that if it is true. Isn't there some truth in that though? I'm curious what your perspective is.

@nistake I'd say don't do anything about it. Rest as the Self. Even the sensation is only an object of experience. You can always rest back as that which knows that

Yes, experiencing similar sensations. It started by feeling my heart glow immensely, now I also start feeling it on the right side. But to be honest, I don't pay much attention to that. It might be good progress, but "automatically" could also mean "subconsciously deceiving" because I also read a lot about that. So whether this sensation is there or not, I don't read it as anything significant. And when it indeed is, that's nice of course. But as Ramaji himself said, some don't experience that sensation and just rest in the emptiness/awareness.

Interesting that you say that, thank you. What makes you so sure about this though? I'd love to do psychotherapy, but it's not an option for me, I'm not in a position to pay for that.

Your closed mindedness is really sad. I recommend to you the book "Facets of Unity" by A.H. Almaas, in my opinion one of the greatest teachers alive today. He describes the facets of God, of Being, of Consciousness that you realize the deeper you go. There is "truth" for example, or "perfection". And there is "love". And you know what? In the end he says they are all facets of the one, but love is the one encompassing all of them. If that doesn't broad your perspective, watch a Matt Kahn video. You're saying "reality is xyz and because I can't see it any other way, that's the only thing that's true". That's basics 101 of how to approach this path. The closer you get to truth, the less you know about it. And you want to convince everyone how right you are and how false everyone else is. Go back to the basics, I beg you. Read the Book of not Knowing. I say all that not to antagonize you, but because I wish you only the best. I want you to see beyond your own constructs. For your own freedom. And frankly, your negativity is quite exhausting. Love ya <3

I also have to say that do nothing technique to me is most effective when combined with self inquiry and that to practice attention never got me far. Of course opinions differ and I use to come back to a short concentration practice whenever I feel I'm really restless. I have this opinion partly from Adyashanti, who in his book "true meditation" talks about exactly this point. But I have to add: When doing 1 or 2 hours of do nothing, equanimity and attention are trained automatically. Monkey mind is not the enemy! I like how Rupert Spira always comes back to the point that a thought never covers your true being. If you really look, and for me it took a while, then no matter the content of experience, you can rest as Self. Whenever I am trapped in identification with the mind, I inquire into the one who feels identified, and as soon as it is recognized I abide there. Effortless effort. Every effort, even concentration, comes from a someone doing an effort. At least that's my experience so far. I'm really open to your opinion, and maybe some years of mindfulness meditation prepared me for this, but my last dedicated concentration practice must be 6-12 months ago and I'm only getting deeper since I switched to do nothing. I have to be honest though, I sometimes think about adding a concentration practice again. I just wanted to show a different perspective. I can't find enlightened beings agreeing on this point.

Exactly, all this really feels like preparation of the system. The last month I was just thinking that the past 4-5 years of this work have just been a warm up. Without playing down what immense change this time brought, the real process still lies ahead. However creepy the trip might sound, it felt 100% right and in alignment with truth. Thank you for your help with all of this Leo. I wouldn't be here without you. I really mean it. Thank you!

Interesting indeed. It says the path was made for women, what does she say in detail about that in the book? I definitely see myself more on the side of surrender, grace, love and emotional sensitivity and I'm a guy. Would love to know if there really is any difference, because I might want to look into those

@Yog But only raising consciousness is only half the deal no? Isn't that exactly the point why transformation is to be approached simultaneously to consciousness work? What I mean is: of course raising consciousness is super helpful in its own regard when we talk about the Law Of Attraction. But to really make it flourish, isn't it important to use the co-creative choice we have to choose the thoughts that are in alignment with the consciousness that I am/we are? Of course, this choice might be an illusion and ultimately God's choice. But nevertheless, right now I can choose to think "I love you" and feel it. Isn't that choice, always chosen again and again, what brings empowerment to the mind and "gets it on your side"? I'm asking to understand that process better because I'm fairly new to LoA etc.

I suppose when you grow up moving a lot, on the ground, squatting etc., your body is very flexible and healthy, and to sit in a completely relaxed way is effortless. So for the past and for people in India for example, or those flexible enough, it's still valid. The erect spine definitely helps with wakefulness. But in the west, sitting on chairs all day, it's just not appropriate anymore for many people.

Very well written and beautiful insights. Thank you so much for sharing, you really nailed it, got me inspired pretty much <3

@AlldayLoop It's hard to pinpoint the exact sensation you mean. And it's not easy to say what is typical, but I'd say don't worry about it, unless it's painful. Really test all this experientially for yourself - when do these occur? Switch between lying and sitting down and really be mindful of how your focus and your headspace change as well. Find out what works for you and take your time Regarding the bilateral symmetry, it's just the proposal that to be symmetrical in your body while meditating and/or during psychedelic trips is crucial for the energy to flow properly and for surrender of the ego to happen more easily. I heard it from Martin Ball in his book "Entheogenic Liberation" and for me it seems to be a very important practice when tripping. I have no idea about its use in meditation but I would guess "it depends". I just mentioned it because when lying down in corpse pose, your body is symmetrical anyway, so that's nice

Reality Is Creating Kaleidoscopic You's But All Lifes Belong (to) One Allness

No it's not half-assing it. I do it for 2 years now and my lying meditation often gets deeper than my sitting meditation, especially these days. I change between sitting and lying down within a prolonged session so I have the direct comparison and I watch this very closely. But, and this is important, you have to be very clear and awake mentally, otherwise you're quite prone to being foggy. Just be honest about that when it happens. When it happens, I meditate with eyes open or, if it's really heavy I just switch back to sitting meditation. One more tip: I do it on an empty stomach (~14-18h) while intermittend fasting, in the morning, so that makes the headspace way more clear. The benefits of lying down for me are that I can relax completely which is just not physically possible for me when sitting. Also, although I can't say if it's really an important factor, I do have bilateral symmetry, which some suggest to be helpful. I hope that helps!

Amazing, very helpful!

Aaaaaaah same here, production-wise they are my idols!! Since you all mention Berlin, if anyone is gonna travel to Berlin, hit me up, I'd love to meet some of you and show you some nice parts of the city!