PsiloPutty

What about after the 2-hour mark? What happens at the END of your SD sits? And the guy above me makes a good point: strong determination sitting isn't a meditation technique as much as it is a technique to use while meditating. You can do self-inquiry while doing an SDS.

Ayahuasca. Spirituality wasn't even a blip on my radar before that.

It's hard to say if there's a ton of true science in replicating the different brain waves, but I err on the side of caution and always choose either alpha or Theta waves in the binaural beats videos.

Just be careful that you aren't surrounding yourself with accoutrements instead of slowly building a solid practice. I'm not insinuating anything, but there's a danger in that. I know a guy who got into mountain biking and bought a $1,500 bike, carbon helmet, water delivery system, new shoes, the computer that fits on the handlebars, and even a neat little mirror that sticks off of his helmet so he can see people coming up behind him. The only problem is, he figured out a few weeks later that he didn't like riding. Too much work. He wanted to love it, but once the initial dopamine-fest from the buying spree had ended, it was just him looking at his equipment and finding that he didn't really want to put it on and go out there. Don't be that guy.

@Maximus Yeah that's a really good point. There's a fine line between discipline and masochism. "Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself."

LOL, you remembered the jackfruit! It wasn't bad.... tasted just like pulled pork sandwiches pyramid Heh heh, what I said was PERIOD not pyramid. That's a funny image though. Homer Simpson's nirvana!

Sweet, sounds like you had a productive time! Had you done psychedelics before? If you're somewhat new, I sure wouldn't recommend going outside in public, that can get you really flipped out, as you already alluded to. When you're in that space it's hard to tell if you're doing anything that would appear strange and alarming to people driving by or looking out their windows. I could see myself stopping and staring at a Yield sign for an hour and thinking it was perfectly normal. Anyway, happy you had a positive experience. Rock on!

If you find any worthwhile information about it, instant message me if you would please. Thank you much!

@Hellspeed Depends on how much you fucked up until now. The process of fucking down is complex I love that part, brother. Well said. And yeah, I forgot to mention ego backlash. Matt, if you've never done a retreat before, you can expect some serious kicking from the baby inside of you. It's not going to like what you're doing, and it might take you a couple days afterward to get back to functional. I did a vipassana retreat earlier this year and was very thankful that I took an extra two days off afterward. I needed it. I mean reeeeally needed it.

Awesome, Matt. I have a week-long solo retreat coming up next month myself. I would say that when psychological issues and heavy emotions come up, you just welcome them, allow them to be there and allow them to leave on their own. Some techniques would have you make them the object of your meditation, and that's perfectly valid. Other techniques tell you to notice and acknowledge them, and then go back to your breath or whatever your object is. Also valid. Personally, I will likely stick with 1 technique the whole time, but if you have been interested in trying out a new technique, a retreat would be a good place to get it going. I mean, after 50 hours of doing it, it won't be a new technique to you anymore. The way I am structuring my retreat is starting at 6am, meditating for 1 hour, taking 1.5 hours off, but still remaining Mindful and present, then back to another hour of meditating, then 1.5 hours off, etc all day. That's 7 hours of formal seated meditation each day, and not any time spent without being mindful. I will pack in a cooler full of food and not see or talk to anyone the whole week, including text messaging. No internet no TV. I rented a cabin in the middle of nowhere, so even though it's not a good time of year to be outside on hikes and such, I will at least be in a very private location. I'll be curious to hear how your retreat goes, so don't forget to start a thread about it when you're done!

Psychedelics can help, but also do a Google search for skeleton meditation. It's been around for thousands of years, and it will help you to face the not-so-sad fact that you won't be around forever, and that it's okay.

Since it's legal, is it against the rules of the forum to ask for decent sources? I have never tried it.....but may.

Heh, that was funny. "Breakfast is ready. I eat all that's available....an orange and a banana." We had freaking awesome grub at the retreat I was on earlier this year. That was what kept me going mentally for the first couple days.

This is one of my favorites. Don't judge it right away....try meditating while listening to it. You'd swear it'd give you a headache, but it won't.

That was an honest post and an honest admission. I don't know you, but I'm proud of you for recognizing the situation and what you need to do to move forward. Get 'er done, brother.

I use inexpensive headphones and use binaural beats every day in one form or another. Love it. You don't need a whole lot of special equipment. I find them helpful, but don't go expecting cures for diseases and such. Here's a link to the headphones I have and love..... https://www.amazon.com/Mpow-Bluetooth-Headphones-Wireless-Memory-Protein/dp/B07585JXNZ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1544803534&sr=8-1&keywords=headphones+over

HA! You and I have similar experiences! The front of my head has been vibrating like crazy for the past week. Kind of an electric "wom wom wom wom wom" feeling, stronger at some times than others, and it sort of feels like the pulsing vibes you get when you stand real close to a big speaker with the bass turned up. I wonder if mine is maybe caused by the L-theanine that I take every day, but the ole pineal gland occurred to me as well. Glad you posted this.

I will watch it in a little bit here, but it's fun to see your name in GREEEEN!

Sounds beautiful and productive. No, I don't think you messed anything up at all. Perfectly normal to feel a little blue and lost for a few days after a trip. Be with the feeling of melancholy and allow it to be there. It will go.

This. Dissected out and distilled down, it's loneliness and existential fear.

Don't fight him. Welcome, allow and love. Happens to me too, friend.

That's a good analogy and I completely agree. Since I didn't see a little "LG" copyright by it, I'll use it in the future!

@Mortcintu Do you do multiple cycles of his breathing exercise, and how often do you do it? Not that it measures your internal progress, but can you hold your breath for longer periods than you could when you started? What more is there to learn when you buy the program?

Groundhog Day A cranky and harried man, caught up in the web of ego, attachment and aversion, finally finds liberation through surrender, kindness and love. Ha, that's my take on it anyway! (if you've seen it before and didn't squeeze anything spiritual out of it, watch it again with a new perspective. It'll play out completely differently to you.)

What ARE we? What does it mean to exist? Why are we here? Is there a meaning? What is consciousness?