Bill W

@Zigzag Idiot I can't even find any harsh criticism in your post, let alone anything I could think is linked to me

@abrakamowse Thanks for this, will watch later. Yeh, with my definition of belief, I know I cast the net wide on that, almost to the point that everything outside of completely verifiable fact is a belief. Verifiable being that more than one person would be able to verify it and agree it. So, for example, everything Leo talks about, for me, is beliefs. He believes this, that, and the other. If someone thinks they are God, for me, it's a belief they have. Not you, but I try to be subtle where I can because I've seen on this forum that when you say the word belief others can react like it is an insult calling their view a belief, like you are comparing their view to believing in Santa Claus. For me, belief is not an insult or a degradation. It is also not calling someone a liar. Leo for example, I believe he is very authentic and genuine. I don't strive to be ignorant or dumb, but for me, it's vital for my goals to actually remain as much in "not knowing mind" as possible, as for me, staying out of "black" and "white" mode is helpful. I've had a lot of problems with resentment in my life, and staying in "not knowing mind" can stop me forming conclusions that are based on my own agenda and my own beliefs. I don't see a lot on this forum really investigating personal bias either. I'm thinking out loud here rather than assuming anything about you!

Yep. But for me faith and belief is the same thing. Also, one persons dogma is another persons inspiration, guidance and/or comfort...Rightly or wrongly... Who gets to decide what is dogma? If I don't have faith in something or believe in something I just move away from it. Take it or leave it kind of thing. I could throw the word dogma at it, or not. I feel grateful to live in a society where I can pick and choose my beliefs and faith. Not everyone is so fortunate. What's the difference between faith and belief? Genuine question to see if I can benefit from your take on this ?

2 Billion people are cracking on with the Faith regardless. Doesn't seem especially destroyed. Can Faith even be destroyed? What do you think Shin? Can Faith be destroyed?

I admire you for still trying to do personal development and engage on here when you are in such a situation.

Hi Guys, Ever since I've looked to other ways of self-development such as spirituality and religion (which is only since 8 months ago) I've come to the realisation that many inspirational teachers have parts of their teaching or presentation that are at the minimum questionable, and at the most downright nuts. I also realise that I'm making a judgment when I come to these conclusions. A judgment that might not be true. Take OSHO for example. I'd never heard of him. I was in a bookshop (spirituality section) and picked up his book "The Buddha Said". I've reviewed that book on this forum. I'd say it is for sure in the Top 10 books I've ever read. To a degree, life changing for me, or at least opening up a new level of understanding. After I read the book I Googled him and found all this controversy about him. Before I hit my rock bottom and realised I needed to explore other ways of growing and coping with life, if I'd had read about OSHO on Google before buying his book, I'd never had purchased or even read the book. No way. I would have been embarrassed to even say I owned the book. I think what I'm trying to say is I have no real choice but to take away what I want from a teacher and leave the rest. I've yet to find a teacher where 100% of their teachings make sense to me, or are agreeable with me. I used to think I need to keep searching until I found this ultimate teacher. It's a crazy way to think, as my spiritual needs and goals will probably always be fluid and not static, so some teachings that I don't take too now, might hit the spot this time next year. I also have to remind myself that all these teachers / guru's are human beings as well. They all piss, shit, fart, cry and get anxious just like us. I also think a lot of them are obsessive just like a lot of us. I wonder if some of these teachers literally "can't stop"???? They will always be pushing the boat out, trying more extreme things, widening the net etc. Like addicts who never truly quench their thirst. Like gamblers who keep gambling until they win back all their losses. Like base jumpers who keep pushing boundaries and end up splattered on the rocks. My personal belief is that some teachers want their teachings to baffle people, to sound complicated so they can tell themselves "this is why it took me 5,10,20,30 years to discover the "Truth", because it's so damn difficult to find it". They have to justify their investment. Who would want to admit they have been "doing" spirituality for 10 years + but are possibly no more happy or advanced than Joe Bloggs who is 3 behind them in the queue at the grocery store. Joe Bloggs has never read a personal development book in his life, doesn't know what psychedelics are, and thinks "infinity" is something to do with Toy Story / Buzz Light Year. This post has just become a general ramble! Drew - Do you find Teal Swan useful?

I don't know anything about them to be honest Drew. In terms of addiction my wording was about not being able to use mind altering substances in moderation but it's a good point about whether they could be addictive. I tend to view an addiction as something you rely on to the point of detriment to your wellbeing even though you have awareness of the damage you are doing. The activity is performed for pleasure, avoidance or escapism. A compulsion to carry on the activity and withdrawal from the activity would be very uncomfortable at least initially. So by my non medical and non official definition of addiction, psychedelics would have a risk, especially in light of people chasing a perceived positive outcome by using them. If you can take or leave such substances and are not depending on them too much then it's not an addiction in my book. They may very well not be physically addictive. Yes I'd like to know more. You've motivated me to do that out of interest. I'm quite keen on brain chemistry but my knowledge is not advanced at all.

When I went to sort the threads by "last reply" in the spirituality section, 4 of the top 8 threads are about psychedelics. Half of me thinks this is drug taking behaviour that has been so normalised that people see it just as normal as having a bowl of cereal for breakfast, but half of me realises it's up to them. We are free to pursue our journey as we see fit. If something is helpful and not harmful to others who am I to step in? I'm talking forum wise. In my line of work I have a duty to be a bit more off the fence and try to minimise risk of harm to yourself if you are a client of mine. It's my job to support and encourage people to not take anything that is not prescribed by a registered/professional physician. I've overcome my initial urge when I joined the forum to jump in an accuse everyone of cheating on their way to "enlightenment". I'm glad I kept my mouth shut as I would have only exposed my own ignorance and judgmental attitude. I've never tried psychedelics and don't intend to as I have a track record of not being able to use mind altering substances in moderation. I haven't touched a drink or a drug in about 9 months. Prior to that I was drinking and drugging every day (alcohol and sleeping pills).

@jbram2002 Thanks for the post earlier about giving me permission to run wild & free on your journal.

I am currently working full-time. My job title is Health Keyworker and I support people who are unemployed into work. This could also be voluntary work or education that acts as a stepping-stone to paid employment. Most of my clients have a health condition and/or a vulnerability, but they want to work or return to work. I help manage the health condition and play a coaching role in terms of job applications, job interviews and starting a new job. A lot of it is about resilience, confidence building and problem solving. Also, managing relationships with others. I'm loving it at the moment. Prior to this I was a psychiatric nurse, so my mental health knowledge/skills are suited to my current role. I've a background in supporting people with a range of mental health difficulties and also addictions.

London, UK

I appreciate this might not be helpful but when I read your thread title I couldn't help think of two powerful things I've read. Slightly paraphrasing, but only slightly. Don Miguel Ruiz - You are the most important character in your own movie, but a secondary character in everyone else's movie. We are all the star in our own movie. When someone does something we don't like, we move their character into a different role, or write them out of the movie altogether. You cannot be the main character in someone else's movie. Harville Hendrix - In a relationship there is the initial honeymoon period where both people accommodate each others reality, then there is a power struggle as to whose reality is the real reality. That's when there are problems. There is either a compromise and a successful relationship (not so common) or there is a parting of ways as one or both decide they will not negotiate on whose reality is the real reality (this happens a lot).

Yes, as said also by Jbram. I agree with you. I agree with every word actually, except whether or not you are guilty. That I don't know! Good post. You nailed it. I don't want to dilute Jbram's journal with my own stuff, but while we are here, I don't care much for all this enlightenment, who is God, nondual, infinity stuff. I don't understand it and I don't really want to or need to right now. I have loads of tangible self-development stuff I am working on and there is enough things on this forum for me to get my teeth into that I do understand.

Have you seen the link (posted today) in the "is the forum addictive" thread. The man wanting to buy some new concepts. That's the memo I got. There is a few memo's going around possibly?

@Richard Alpert haha, that's brilliant. Should make it a sticky.

Enlightenment or psychosis Sorry, I'm in what might be called a devilry mood. When I'm in the devilry mood I feel like starting a thread called "I'm not enlightened, don't ask me anything" and see what comes back. Devilry is a word I never heard of before, can't help but smile to it. I can relate to some of what you experience on the forum. However, fortunately for me, whenever I reach that point where I think everyone is writing a load of complete BS, I stumble across a real nugget, some real inspiration that gets me thinking about things differently. It's also an exercise for me to practice humility and tolerance. I've had to stop myself a few times flippantly replying to a topic that I have no interest in. I'm not for a second suggesting you are not humble, I'm speaking about myself. Personally, it does me some good to pick out the nuggets and try to not get bogged down in nonsense. However, one man's nonsense is another man's inspiration. We are all infected with the human condition and everyone has their own way of controlling the symptoms I guess.

Looks awesome, thank you!

Your Avatar is scary. Was it taken during a nuclear bomb test?

I don't think he was saying everyone. He was just saying some people. I'm actually more interested in people's definition of addiction and the discussion around why addictions develop. Can't get enough of that topic right now. Honestly. I have become a bit obsessive with checking the forum throughout the day but if work is really crazy busy I don't check the forum and don't seem to suffer from not checking the forum if that makes sense. I guess it's interesting to see if there is a difference between obsessive/compulsive traits and an addiction.

@Anton_Pierre Thanks friend. Must admit, I don't do much breathwork BUT slowing down my breathing and deepening it when I go to bed has helped my insomnia a lot. I need to look at other examples of breathwork though.

Having struggled with various addictions to mind altering substances in the past, psychedelics are a big no-no for me. I simply do not have a track record of being able to use mind altering substances in moderation. Like you say, there are lots of ways to self-actualise and get spiritually wealthy.

I believe there is never a lack of motivation on any area we are struggling in. I am coming around to the view that motivation drives our unhelpful behaviour and we need to identify this motivation and release it and let it go. I believe we don't need motivation to move forward. We need to release the motivation driving us back. Then we will go forward automatically, even with zero motivation at all. I believe we can't be in neutral. Only reverse and forward. Hell or heaven to various degrees. Stop reversing. Remove the clouds and it's all blue sky and sunshine. Except at night.

Everything seems to exist if you believe in it enough.

Hi, This post is a heck of a lot more interesting than the topic title led me to believe. You write in the title "political questions" but to me I see "life questions". I'm a little overwhelmed with the amount of questions you pose but they are interesting. I hope to come back to this. For now this grabbed me I think a mentor can be such a great tool for navigating through life, or the life area you are focusing on. However, I think care needs to be taken to still keep somewhat in "not knowing mind" when beginning with a mentor, as they may not have all the answers themselves and you have to watch for projection anyway (yours and their projection). But to actually do the work and practice with a mentor can really speed up your own skills and development. You can learn from their mistakes they have made on the path. But still, you need to go through the growing pains anyway I guess. When I think of a mentor I think "what do they have that I want or need?". I've also learned to not be so perfectionalist minded when I try to spot a potential mentor as no one is perfect. As long as they are further up the actualisation ladder than me and can teach me things I need to know (not necessarily what I want to know) then they could be a good mentor. A good mentor sometimes has to tell you things you don't want to hear. Painful things. You need a good trust base for this to work.

I would get rid of all masculinity. All of it. Even whatever the most cherished and healthy elements of it are. Everybody would be 100% feminine. Then one year later I would collect all the statistics for crime, brutality and really bad devilry and congratulate myself on a job well done. Edit: If there were unforeseen side effects and complications with this I would reintroduce masculinity but under strict conditions. Abuse your masculinity at the expense of another and you will be put back to 100% feminine. Feminine not perfect. Still some devilry and brutality but not as bad as before this culture change