RobertZ

As for MDMA’s similarity to enlightenment—I am not sure I can remember that. No doubt spiritual paths can connect us with…feelings of lucid intoxication similar to MDMA. I wonder why we are not always in a state of constant bliss, clarity, insight and love—like heaven on earth? To be so mentally clear, and so full of love…I think it is the same for MDMA and other spirituals: Goodness and Beauty ARE there all the time. Maybe people are aware of different aspects of IT at different times; then sometimes a person becomes more aware. May the amazement go on forever, as we enter the ever-greater and ever-greater. I wonder whether some lack of pleasure is unnecessary? Probably yes. I think back on my spiritual experiences…and my MDMA experiences…and the memories remind me to love and contemplate. I recently re-watched the fantastic episode about taking responsibility one’s own happiness—“How to Stop Being a Victim- The #1 Reason You Are Stuck” … that is such a good episode, and it helped me a blockage of misery.

Do not let education get in the way of self-actualization--whatever that means for you--developing community, body-building, practicing virtue, learning science, or taking psychedelic drugs. To me, education means trying to mix playfulness and fun-in-learning, with formal discipline and rigour. One of my family members completed a program in Theatre Arts--to develop and express herself. Afterwards, she did not fight hard enough for one of those unpaid positions in the arts scene; so her art career died then and there, at graduation. Then she spent years cleaning dishes, and struggling to get enough hours to pay for rent. Now she is finally upgrading her high school math, to apply to a diploma program that might end with paid employment. It takes a LOT to pitch an Art business. Consider that, some undergraduate degrees are more likely to land you a job (if you want employment before doing a graduate degree). Roughly, I would say the "easier" or "softer" the program sounds, the harder it will be in the world. Compare a program in neurological-imaging with a counselling degree. Probably, the counselling grad will be paid less and struggle more through difficult situations. Again, that is a rough generalization. Still, every educational program (especially difficult ones) turn out to be fascinating and even fun when you engage in the work. Most undergraduate degrees can get you into any graduate or professional program. So you might be able to do an English degree and get into medical school--maybe. People tell funny stories like, 'the only way to be successful is to do this one thing.' You will enjoy school when you engage with it. Get ahead by reading the textbooks. Some textbooks are very readable. Find Ph.D. dissertations through your university library database (e.g., ProQuest). Dissertations summarize knowledge on the subject. So by reading a little bit, you can get way ahead of everyone, and you will have free time to do other things. -'This Information analyst will collaborate with computer programmers to design artificial intelligence programs: Requires a Master's degree in Information Analytics.' 'This health inspector makes $80,000 per year: requires a Master's Degree in Public Health.' 'This tax law position starts at $180,000 and goes to $350,000 at year 5, with room for significant growth. A certified accountant + lawyer with a Master's Degree in tax law is preferred.'

@onacloudynight I am struggling with this development from Blue to Orange personally, so here are my preachy thoughts: First, your family probably already has some elements of orange in them. I agree with the earlier post. Appeal to their opinions on any orange topic—costs and benefits, financial investment, particular scientific studies (e.g., a research study about the health benefits of coffee). Blue people seek (among other things) equilibrium, stability, and predictability. The complexity of their values can develop when their perceived needs are met. My suggestion is to encourage them to utilize the resources they already have without rocking the boat too much. For example, surely they have time. Drives to succeed seems highly correlated with affirmations of independent exploration at a young age (as opposed to strict upbringings). So, appeal to their boredom at work. Reading a new book could reduce their boredom. Be interested in anything new they have done (e.g., going for a hike). Frame any resource use as virtuous. Joining a book club is courageous. It is fair to give back to society and volunteer in a community group (leadership skills). They probably have access to great information—but are they utilizing is resource effectively? Maybe they are just skimming FB and news headlines? A very generous gift of a paper subscription to a magazine journal, like Nature might be a partial answer for that. It is prudent to learn about what is going on in the world, like machine learning, the internet of things, and robotics. They might have access to significant educational resources, like pottery classes, book clubs, technical institutes, or student loans. Of course, any objective you propose should be feasible. It would be important to acknowledge worst-case scenarios they throw back in your face, as possible risks. Emphasize that these risks are not likely to materialize. With hard work, the success is almost guaranteed. It might be helpful to point out that the circumstances of their lives are different than other people: ‘Someone in your shoes has an opportunity to contribute to society in bigger ways.’ Finally, I think compassion has an essential role in the movement from orange to blue. As the pseudonymous saying of St. Francis goes, “Lord, grant that I seek not so much to be understood as to understand.” Blue may judge orange as lacking integrity and just trying to pull a fast one. However, people moving from Blue to Orange need to know that 'it's going to be okay--objectively.'

It is wisdom that resisting a trip can lead to a difficult time. Onset can bring experiences like a completely different psychological perspective (imagine seeing the world from 10 different people's perspectives at the same time), visual brilliance, clarity of ideas, the patterns on wood flowing like water, hilarity, deep contemplations, images, and time distortions. However, emerging thoughts can unsettle consciousness, as it realizes what is emerging is not 'under control.' This is the time when I have had some scary existential thoughts (e.g., freedom and doubt). Classically, a hallucination means a 'roaming thought.' Never mind sight--hallucinogenic substances can provide meandering coherence of logic for extended periods. For example, at high doses, mushrooms have allowed me to think through an idea cohesively, without losing my line of thought and without distraction, for well over an hour, together with unparallelled memory recall. To me, 'don't resist a trip' means ranting and articulating what I think and know. No doubt I am stoned; but I have a moment of sobriety. Compared to normal life, a trip can bring a few hours of profound sobriety. Stanislav Grof said that psychedelics are non-specific sub-conscious amplifiers. They bring up what is in the mind. Resisting a trip would mean opposing what is in the person's mind--no one needs to take psychedelics to repress their thoughts or emotions. A trip can sometimes entail a moment of ego death. Embracing this momentary 'death' of consciousness can lead to a pure awareness of a broader "self." Life continues after death. I have had to throw up and had to sit on the crapper at the same time. However, the come-down can also be very comfortable and cool: • Observing the stucco on a roof shift in geometric flower-patterns; • Seeing thousands of tiny diamond-colored stars sparkling in the background; • Realizing that plants are ALIVE; • Bathing in appreciation; • Being amazed at serendipity. I suggest no unexpected visitors, no obligations, no phone calls, and no emails.

Mu = Mystic Unity?

Hello, I would like to discuss a bit about empathy. First, I would like to summarize a few points that some other people around have made (excuse the plagiarism), and then indulge in a bit of speculation: • Empathy has neurological correlates. Mirror neurons reflect the feelings of other people. These feelings are malleable and adaptable, but mirror neurons may be quantitatively limited. Biological limits may be nuanced by complex genetic interactions [or neuroplasticity?]. • In general, empathy involves knowledge of another person’s point of view. It is an ability to relate to another person's thoughts, feelings, or ideas. Feeling what another person feels taps into our inherent unity. Empathy can delve into the sea of human consciousness. • Empathy is a sensitive cognitive recognition, and a vulnerable affective contagion. Empathy can bring pleasurable connections with attractive people and avoid help us to repulsive threats (broad engagement with reality is a point I want to explore further). • Spiral Dynamics Turquoise empathy interacts with all of reality, while Green is focused on consensus community. Sitting with someone who has a lower level of awareness—and really 'getting' them—can give rise to potentially disruptive energy dynamics. Two individuals in a dysfunctional relationship might need more profound emotional self-reliance, rather than more empathy. Thanks for sharing this information and fascinating thoughts! ——— To me, empathy seems to have a weakness: it can be vulnerable to brainwashing. Empathy is highly suggestible. It lacks some of the conclusive rigours that worst-case scenario thinking maintains. For example, one of the ways that empathy can get misguided is by projecting fear of suffering. I see another person suffering, and I feel very overwhelmed by fear and sadness. Thus, empathy can misguide a person to think that, 'If I put in my vicarious dues of suffering to the gods of vindictiveness, then maybe I won’t have to suffer later? Empathy might not be as sensitive to ugliness and violence as it assumes; it is tempted by scapegoating also. Empathy is not a magic pill, silver bullet, or panacea. It is also not a weapon against close-mindedness. Deep sensitivity, perception, and openness to the subtleties of human experience may lead to in-depth meetings of inner thoughts and transformative communications. Entering into the depths of human consciousness, and becoming a witness together with another person: at that level, it almost does not matter who is who—or whose experience we are communicating about. On the other hand, Charity (stage blue truth-force) is benevolent. It is generous. It is categorically concise. It has authorities, absolute rules, and it makes principled exceptions…sometimes. The difficulty with categorical thought is when it fails to listen to the realities of people’s lives. Of course, it can also get quite apocalyptic. There is a dynamic tension between stage green empathy and stage blue categorical logic. Empathy balances the blind-spots of “the law of love.” As an aside, utilitarianism can be very merciful. So what really happens when you break the rules? Nothing that bad, apparently. I am excited to join in this forum and read about your many amazing thoughts and projects!

I guess my question is how to increase empathy--or yes, love, consciousness, and awakening--without falling prey to fear? I feel that something in me is stuck. I want to open myself to Truth--without presuming that I already know the Truth. Then, I experience fear and doubt--even projection and scapegoating (e.g., mushroom trips devolving into paranoia). How to be less selfish?