Arman

Your question can't be answered because you're framing it on the false assumption that one can either choose authenticity or choose to be effective. They are not at odds. What is your definition of authenticity exactly? So are you telling me that who you truly are is at its root, ineffective? Do you think everyone's authentic self is ineffective, or are you telling yourself that it just so happens that YOUR authentic self uniquely has no impact? Authenticity is by nature effective because it's free from bullshit. It is direct, honest and collaborative. It sounds like the problem here is that you are looking at certain 'ego' behaviors and labeling them as your inauthentic self; then, after stripping or suppressing those behaviors, you're looking at what's left and you're assuming that is your authentic self, when really that is just yet another layer of subtle identity. Perhaps you're mistaken in thinking that is your authentic self because you haven't examined hard enough yet. It also sounds like impact and effectiveness are a core value to you; does that not mean they are a part of your authentic self? Why can you not work towards cultivating those qualities without labeling that process as inauthentic?

Altered brain chemistry is not going to be the root of the problem, it is yet another symptom of a root condition that will likely resolve itself given basic self care. Serotonin depletion is probably an oversimplification and there's little way of knowing if that's really the case. Those are symptoms of an endless amount of conditions and root causes. A common one can be emotional energetic upheaval that takes time to process out. I suggest not recommending anything that interferes with his meds. Eating lots of unprocessed fruits and vegetables, nuts, staying hydrated and moving the body will be more effective, like Safari Celeste said. He also needs to rest. The body knows best and it will balance itself out. Worry less. I'm glad you're caring for your friend. These things happen,

Callum has the right idea I think. It sounds like you're a little obsessed, but big deal, the mind gets attached to things. I think 'detoxing' is just going to reinforce the idea that it's some kind of problem. Just notice it. There is an energy charge behind the attachment that is using the image of Leo to express itself. If it wasn't on Leo it'd be on something else. So it's not a problem, just an opportunity to unravel it and grow. When it arises, notice it and unconditionally feel. It will unravel and have positive effects on the rest of your experience and other subjects.

Nicely done dude. Inspiring. Nothing wrong with pride - for some it is an important stepping stone for self love and growth. Pride raises people out of apathy. If you don't want to be proud, then transcend it and instead scale your perspective to see the beauty of what it is to set goals and meet them, and the majesty of mind, discipline, and all the factors that come together for these kinds of accomplishments. Gratitude not for what you've accomplished but for the life that you are a part of that allows accomplishment.

I would like to learn more about various breathing methods and their uses. In general I try to do deep yogic belly breathing and this proves useful, but I believe there are also other ways to breathe to encourage different kinds of being. I am particularly interesting in developing an understanding in how different breathing methods interact with and allow various movements and transformations of emotions or subtle energies. I think intention and presence can be very powerful, and may be synergized or leveraged with breathing techniques. I know for example that it's useful to breathe deeply, and I know that breathing into the pelvic floor can be grounding. I know that there are some methods like breathing in for 6, holding for 6 that increase energy and wellbeing, but I would like to move into the direction of understanding why. If you could point me in the direction of knowledge on these subjects, can add anything yourself, or have questions on the subjects that hopefully others can answer, then please share. Thanks.

Yes, are you excited by where you are? Do you have appreciation for the space you're in? Are you in a charged, yet gentle anticipation of the good things to come? If you have answered yes to these questions, you are doing well to be led by your intuition. If a choice is made out of fear, anxiety, stress, a state of lack, or any state of resistance, then this is the ego. These choices always lead to more of these feelings. To experience the voice of your intuition, relax yourself fully. Take the time to sit. Breathe deeply and fully for 1-2 minutes, then you may propose a question, or simply invoke higher guidance. Release all expectation, and simply receive. There is no effort to be involved here. If what you receive feels clear, and comes with a subtle (or not so subtle) joy, then that is your intuition. Listen to it, write it down, and follow it. Usually it will come in that sitting session, but if it doesn't, continue to relax and go about your day. The answer will come soon enough, usually in an interesting way, and when it does, you will know it. Wherever it takes you is the next step. Do not doubt it. Intuition is birthright, but it is also like a muscle that needs to be exercised. You must work against the conditioning of life that causes us to ignore our intuition 99.9% of the time. Practice builds faith, faith creates more ease in hearing and following intuition. Even if where your intuition leads you doesn't look like you expected, you must continue to follow until you see why. The next step leads to the next step, which leads to the next step. Good things happen, expansion occurs, and stagnation turns into movement. Rephrasing: If it feels good and clear, this is your intuition. If there is resistance and confusion, that is the ego. That's it, it is that simple, there is no need to complicate it any further. The only exception to this rule is when there is a subject or direction of significance which you feel excitement for but there is also some fear that you suspect may be holding you back. In this case, take action regardless of fear (the action doesn't have to be large, it could be something as simple as exploring the subject more, discussing it with someone, or taking relevant physical actions) then re-feel and check your emotional compass. You will then know clearly if it is the right path or not.

Yeah, unfortunately there was a rollback during the update. To be fair, let's look at what Kinesiology is really proposing here: that one can use muscle testing to find out any answer to anything in the universe, ever. Is this not divination? I think you said in the post before it was wiped that it's very contested within the scientific community. I haven't looked for myself but I'd say that's likely inarguable. Let's just propose for a moment, that what Doc Hawkins is proposing was true - do you think that the community would be able to accept it? That they could even see such a thing? He later amended that the practice only works for those who believe in God. Strange, to say the least, but again, not the kind of stuff that could ever make honest rounds in circles of the empirically minded, even if it was true. I would not say it is the case that the method works only for him... perhaps it did not work for you. There are many people who attest to kinesiology, and various similar practices, but naturally, who has confirmed such things in scientific establishments? I personally think the central mechanism works no different to tarot or iching. Frederick Dodson, author of Levels of Energy, said in his book that he personally suspects that David Hawkins didn't even use kinesiology for his own personal practice and when writing his books, as may have been implied - but rather used an even closer mechanism, by determining truth via internal energetic system and registering truth against the solar plexus chakra (if memory serves correct) and feeling whether it is blocked, or open, to determine truth. As for the stuff with his lawyers, well, lawyers and publishers don't always necessarily represent the closest interest and intentions of the author, but who knows.

I don't really know enough about the organization to contest that. Yeah, maybe. One thing is undeniable: his goal is to get you to practice TM.

You say you have first hand experience; how long have you practiced meditation? Elaborate pls

Sometimes incorrectly teaching a practice can do more harm than good. Something as simple as a pranayama practice, taught with fanaticism and without care, can create major disturbances in health and well-being. There are reasons many practices, teachings and cults chose to remain secretive and stick to lineage and initiation.

Just put your credit card details here on the dotted line and I'll tell you.

I'd just like to expand on some of these points, TM does catch a lot of criticism. This is a shame as the criticism is generally oriented towards the organization rather than the practice itself, so some may take it to think that the meditation is ineffective. The main criticism I see is the amount they charge for what people should believe should be free. This is a bit of a touchy subject. I will say that I believe there are good reasons for this. I'll say somewhat controversially, that people who pay for a teaching or practice will be substantially more inclined to stick to it, respect it more, and take more out of it. The fee's also allow TM to grow as an organization and spread the teaching more. I believe they have programs that teach it to certain areas that can't afford it for free. TM and similar mantra meditations can also be profoundly powerful. Mantra meditation can be very energetically stimulating, and part of the fee one gives to learn TM covers these two important bases that are not necessarily viable for someone who learns the practice from outside sources. From the website: There are 4 vital aspects of the teaching that ensure that it will work for you: Given what most teachers charge for basic programs, coaching, or whatever, I'd say a few hundred bucks or a grand is probably worth that kind of service, assuming it is of quality. On the subject of the 'secret' nature of the mantras - I believe there is or was good reason for it. I think it comes down to faith and intention, which can be very important for early students to stick to the path. Maybe the whole 'don't tell anyone' and mystical air they add to mantras is somewhat antiquated (it has, after all, caught them a lot of flack), but regardless of its effectiveness, perhaps its purpose or intention is in good spirits. Regardless of the fact that the choosing of which mantra on behalf of the student is somewhat more arbitrary than we thought, - I would not be so quick to throw the baby out with the bathwater in saying that you can pick any word. It's true that if you pick any word or sound and practice, you will get benefits, but the vibratory quality of certain sounds may be a mysterious and potent thing... the power of vibratory mantras may be a refined technology that those who haven't explored or studied may not fully understand. I believe, that inherent within certain sounds are certain universal qualities. My personal suggestion is actually to stick to whatever they give you.

I made a lengthier post here during the forum update but unfortunately it gone wiped. In short, yeah it's a very effective practice for all those things you have described. It's one of the most studied meditation techniques in the world in terms of research. Has lots of benefits. Check out this video man, a bit long, but it's worth it. I highly suggest you take up TM if you find it interesting.

There's an easier way Circle Circle Select Select Circle Select X Square

Could you reword your post? It's a bit confusing

This brings up an important principle when it comes to having comfort, power and magnetism in conversation and socializing, which is being OK with silence. To understand that it's not actually necessary to converse, and that it is enough to simple smile and acknowledge someone. That's it. That doesn't mean that you won't talk, or it doesn't mean that you are less inclined to talk - but it's a good foundation. When people are uncomfortable with silence, discussions become stilted, forced, and you start to into generic topics like the weather or asking someone where they work. Not that there's anything wrong with those topics, but when they come from a place of discomfort rather than curiosity and openness, then conversations are less flowing. Unless you are OK with not talking, then talking tends to be awkward. Therefore be OK with silence. Be OK with simply being yourself. Good conversations and connection, in my opinion come from a creative free flowing space. This kind of being is unfamiliar to those who are very logically minded. It is a fun, easy and effortless kind of being, and comes more naturally when we feel safe. From this space of being, you can talk about anything, at any time, with seemingly no context, and the energy flows upwards and expands to make you and the other person feel good. A lot of the roots of social awkwardness, in my experience, comes from conditioning which is protecting us from being attacked. The brain will physiologically lock you into a certain kind of meek behavior because it is evolutionary protecting you from staying in your lane and keep you alive. This conditioning says that if you expose yourself or become too energetic, too charismatic or spread your wings, then the head of the tribe will perceive you as a threat and kill you. It says that we must speak in a certain way and maintain a certain conversational curriculum. We think we must behave in a very certain way in order to remain safe. This conditioning is no longer helpful in modern society. In order to show the brain that we will remain safe, you can take action steps out of your comfort zone. You can give yourself exercises such as: Compliment several strangers a day. This is a fun one and feels good. Sometimes the mind can say "but isn't it a bit weird? won't they think I'm strange?" but you can watch how people open up and you make there day better. This lets you see that you can be giving in your energy. Even if someone responds oddly, you will see how you are still safe. You can also pick completely random subjects, the first thing that comes to mind, and open a conversation with a complete stranger. Or - the next time you find yourself in a conversation, pick any idea that free flows to your mind - if you feel stuck, look around you and pick the most random object and start talking about it to the other person. Do you think that might seem random or strange? Give it a go, and see how completely unphased the other person can be, as if it is the most natural place that the conversation was supposed to go.

Nice, I think we lost a few hours worth of posts though. About 1-2 hours ago I noticed the thread I made shortly prior had disappeared, then the last post from all the sections were all from 5 hours ago. It may be gone to the ether, but I'll take it as meant to be

Any position at all is fine. Some people with back issues fully lay down. Might make one more prone to falling asleep though. You can also try sitting on your bed with a pillow propped up against the wall. That's my preference.

Use back support, and/or find positions that don't cause you discomfort. Nobody says you have to be sitting a certain way!

In the face of fear you journeyed inwards thats straight sagely gangsta shit

Yes, when our circumstances are unpleasant, there is some relief in the idea of death, isn't there? Still, this way of thinking is one emotional vista of many. Sometimes it is a leverage point that allows us to raise to a more satisfying experience.

Consider seeing a doctor as well dude.

I have never experienced much pain in the third eye but used to experience a lot of pressure on it years ago, sometimes to the point of discomfort when I was going through lots of shifts. Sometimes it felt like a burning pebble throbbing in my head. What I would do is place the back of my hand on my forehead and stretch my fingers out, and kind of visualised the area opening up to allow it to breathe and allow excess energy to flow outward. Almost like you are 'opening' or 'expanding' the tight space which releases pressure. It would create instant relief for me. Give it a go next time. The pain is likely the result of more energy moving through energy centres as a result of living and practice. I would temprarily avoid interested we pranayamas and focusing on it in meditation.

One practical example of why I have come to agree with the importance of direct experience was several times coming to places of great pain and confusion. Taking the modern new age path, particularly with the internet these days, often means being bombarded and oversaturated with many ideas, practices, ideologies, techniques, etc; as opposed to historically when I think most people were only exposed to one or two paths at most. Sometimes I would feel so mixed up. 'Why am I struggling so much?' - then I would try to figure out what I should do. Create? Simply be mindful? Act? Pray? Or how about consider one of any ten million teachings! I felt confused and overwhelmed with options. I was always trying to figure out what was the 'right' choice without necessarily considering my direct experience (aka what is right for ME) with all these paths and hadn't considered on a very basic level what has been effective and what hasn't. My ego was attached so many methodologies that perhaps were not right for me at that time. When I came to this realisation I decided to strip as many beliefs as I could and simply do what was giving me relief in the moment and not which ideas 'should' work because my ego says they are correct, useful, holy, or any other number of attributes. Direct experience led me to what worked.

Try contacting Leo