Is BEING worth cutting off all of my addictions?

[Truth Addict]

I mean by BEING; doing nothing and feeling good and liberated.

From my past experiences, when I let go of something, I struggle at first, but then eventually I experience freedom, and yes it's always been worth it.

For example: I've been so active on the forum for the last few months, and now that I have withdrawn from it for a little while, I feel so much better and liberated than before.

Most activities lead to excitement, a high that begs for a low, I don't want that.

BEING, on the other hand, is effortless happiness, a high without a low.

Right now, I am mostly addicted to music, not that hardly though, it's just that I always prefer listening to music while walking, I don't crave music if I don't walk unless I stay at home for a very long time.

There's no struggle for me about it, I'm fine with that addiction, so I'm not asking you to tell me to let go, I can still be addicted and happy.

My question is: Is completely cutting off music worth it? Will that bring me more peace and happiness? And is that a general rule of thumb? Does cutting off addictions reward non-linearly? Is less always more?

I'm asking that and I kind of know the answer, but I want verification from people who have done something similar, just so I can make a better decision.

It'll be hard, I know, but is the high worth the pain?

Edited May 12, 2019 by Truth Addict

[DrewNows]

Maybe it’s possible to liberate ourself from addiction all together. Habitual vs addictive activity is quite different imo. It’s not in the refraining to do something seen to be addictive but in the understanding of how the mind makes it something addictive through attachment of the pleasure we expect from it 

once you no longer see an activity as addictive then it can become a totally new type of habit that isn’t abused 

[Truth Addict]

12 minutes ago, DrewNows said:

Maybe it’s possible to liberate ourself from addiction all together. Habitual vs addictive activity is quite different imo. It’s not in the refraining to do something seen to be addictive but in the understanding of how the mind makes it something addictive through attachment of the pleasure we expect from it 

once you no longer see an activity as addictive then it can become a totally new type of habit that isn’t abused 

Well, I can't usually spend two days without music.

I enjoy music, really. But I don't feel good when I pass a certain amount of time without it. I think it's a habit and an addiction at the same time.

Activities need energy and focus, I can use them in other more productive areas in my life, both spiritual and practical. That's why I'm asking.

Edited May 12, 2019 by Truth Addict

[Ananta]

16 minutes ago, Truth Addict said:

My question is: Is completely cutting off music worth it? Will that bring me more peace and happiness? And is that a general rule of thumb? Does cutting off addictions reward non-linearly? Is less always more?

Most things done in moderation are fine and not a problem, unless one is in some way hurting yourself or others.

There's no need to cut out music, if you're listening to it in excess, then reduce the time spent to moderate use.

Problem solved.

[DrewNows]

4 minutes ago, Truth Addict said:

Well, I can't usually spend two days without music.

I enjoy music, really. But I don't feel good when I pass a certain amount of time without it. I think it's a habit and an addiction at the same time.

Activities need energy and focus, I can use them in other more productive areas in my life, both spiritual and practical. That's why I'm asking.

Addictions require thought stories wouldn’t you agree? Thoughts wrapped with emotional responses. 

If music is creating a distraction then do what you need to do and see if it’s possibke to immerse yourself completely to the point of enjoyment 

[ajasatya]

@Truth Addict see it for yourself. the only way to know the taste of an orange is by tasting it. seeing it won't be enough. reading about it won't be enough. even smelling it won't be enough. taste it already!

Edited May 12, 2019 by ajasatya

[seeking_brilliance]

@Truth Addict Learn to make music "in your head".  Especially if you teach yourself to WILD (wake induced lucid dream) whenever you want, the music would be just as real if not better than "real life". Also you can watch an orchestra of your music, or favorite real life song, while flying though the skies, or getting a blow job, or satiate any of your guilty addictions.  Need not. Want not. Sounds pretty win-win to me! 

[Truth Addict]

@Anna1 It's 1 or 2 hours a day, I think. But I'm not talking merely about music, there are other minor addictions, and they are using my energy, which I could use in more productive areas.

@DrewNows Music is kind of my meditation, I use it to calm down my mind. I rarely meditate without music because I find it harder, music helps me relax, and I could get immersed in it to the point where I'd lose track of time. I wonder if meditation alone is better.

@ajasatya Well, that's why I'm asking in the first place, I want to hear other people's experiences. I don't want to struggle against the addiction, it's a painful process, unless it's rewarding and worth it.

@seeking_brilliance Thanks, that's interesting, I've never thought of anything like that before.

[ajasatya]

2 minutes ago, Truth Addict said:

unless it's rewarding and worth it

do you like oranges?

[Truth Addict]

3 minutes ago, ajasatya said:

do you like oranges?

I like everything when I'm hungry.

[ajasatya]

2 minutes ago, Truth Addict said:

I like everything when I'm hungry.

then you're not hungry for Truth.

[Nahm]

        

        ?

[Truth Addict]

3 minutes ago, ajasatya said:

then you're not hungry for Truth.

Maybe, I might decide to not give up my addictions after all. I'm not having any problems with them.

If you could just tell me about your experience, then that could be very helpful for me. 

Edited May 12, 2019 by Truth Addict

[seeking_brilliance]

14 minutes ago, Truth Addict said:

@Anna1.

@DrewNows 

@ajasatya 

@seeking_brilliance

@Truth Addict  I'm working on it. I can verify it exists, just working on the doing it at will part. It's a simple as observing hypnogogic imagery without losing consciousness, and without moving. Can't even move your eyes, which is probably the hardest obstacle, especially when images are blasting past you.  Then the images get clearer and more detailed, and then you are in a dream, completely lucid and free to do whatever you want.   If you could do this at will, you could potentially shut off all desires in "real life" and just flow.  Even the most enlightened dude out there still needs approximately 8 hours of sleep so you can use that time to do whatever the hell you want. 

Edited May 12, 2019 by seeking_brilliance

[Preetom]

@Truth Addict

I think you already have enough subjective evidence to close this case. You yourself have noticed cutting off the forum increased the quality of your life.

BEING is infinitely more satisfying than doing anything or even getting ones nuts drained by 100 chicks.

We have all tasted Being more or less and we deeply intuite the infallible power of it. But the problem is this simple truth doesn't hit the home run through our thick skull once and for all because its imposibble to recreate Being through memory.

You are either BEING right now or chasing your tail- as simple as that. So as a result, we are damned to chase objects again and again in renewed cycles...until we really have had enough and just stop

Edited May 12, 2019 by Preetom

[ajasatya]

Just now, Truth Addict said:

If you tell me your experience, then that can be very helpful for me.

simply put, my experience is as follows: i had no idea about how good life could get.

my addictions were: porn, masturbation and alcohol.

life feels much better when you can live as an open book. contemplate how it would be like if your heart weighted as much as a feather.

[Inliytened1]

@Truth Addict This one is hard to answer on an internet forum.

But from my personal experience anything i have ever achieved in my life i have had to devote all my time to.  But it was out of pure passion to accomplish that goal.

What I'm saying is that if you want it bad enough you just will make it a priority in your life without thinking.  It will just happen effortlessly.

So how bad you want it?  Thats what it all comes down to in life.  Well, in the life of duality of course

Oh and yeah...fuck yeah it's worth it. 

It will melt you.  Literally.

 

Edited May 12, 2019 by Inliytened1

[mandyjw]

Do what makes you happy.

The thing about addictions is that we keep on doing them even after they stop bringing us pleasure. If you can stay conscious you'll know when you've reached that point. 

This is good advice. I should take it.  

[seeking_brilliance]

@seeking_brilliance 

6 minutes ago, seeking_brilliance said:

@Truth Addict  I'm working on it. I can verify it exists, just working on the doing it at will part. It's a simple as observing hypnogogic imagery without losing consciousness, and without moving. Can't even move your eyes, which is probably the hardest obstacle, especially when images are blasting past you.  Then the images get clearer and more detailed, and then you are in a dream, completely lucid and free to do whatever you want.   If you could do this at will, you could potentially shut off all desires in "real life" and just flow.  Even the most enlightened dude out there still needs approximately 8 hours of sleep so you can use that time to do whatever the hell you want. 

But then it raises a curious question. What if you break that flow state and begin craving the dream world? 

[Ananta]

37 minutes ago, Truth Addict said:

@Anna1 It's 1 or 2 hours a day, I think. But I'm not talking merely about music, there are other minor addictions, and they are using my energy, which I could use in more productive areas.

I've never heard anyone call listening to music an addiction. Maybe Id say its a preferance instead. I think music can be relaxing and enjoyable, it also doesn't hurt anyone in my opinion.  If 1-2 hours is too much for you to consider that "in moderation" for your lifestyle, then simply cut the time down. 

Anything else you're calling a minor addiction. I would ask the same question- is it being done in moderation? And is it hurting you or others?

Ps, I quit a long term nicotine addiction out a few years ago...now THAT is an addiction. It was being done from morning to night and definitely hurting the body.

Edited May 12, 2019 by Anna1