BlessedLion

I’m curious to your thoughts on using psychedelics in the path. To some it seems like catalyst, to others a huge delusion and distraction/addiction (Aubrey Marcus comes to mind) What hangs me up is that they can never permanently change your state or keep you awakened. They also seem aggressive on your nervous system. And come with high risk. Many great teachers - Ramana , Wilber, Yogananda, Sahajananda, Ralston, Igor, Rupert, Adyashanti who live in awakened states of consciousness never recommend psychedelics. My take is that they are helpful to open the mind and show what’s possible, but like Alan Watts says hang up the phone once you got it

No sweat brother, I appreciate you saying that though! I tripped on Peyote about 2 years ago and had a really bad time. I tried shrooms and mdma after that and both times I just got the message “yeah this is done”. Recently I’ve found more stability in Witness Consciousness just through meditation and long walks so I’m pretty content with it. Nothing against psychedelics though and you made some very valid point for a psychedelic path balanced with practice and integration

The photos have a strange beauty to them, showing the power of standing for something and also the depth of consciousness in that monk. @Emotionalmosquito I def agree most awakened people would suffer less but still even the most awakened would have a serious disdain toward being tortured and not just be blissed out. At best they’d go into Witness Consciousness to get through it

If you look at the past of most human history we are living in total luxury. Even having a roof over your head, AC, hot showers, a cushy job- it’s unbelievable to the shit our ancestors had to put up with. Is it unfair? Yeah, but at least you aren’t some slave with no rights living under some dictator psycho or king. There’s always room for improvement but we’ve also got it pretty good in terms of human history

He’s the best author you can read, by far imo I recommend Finding Radical Wholeness

It’s the only aspect of reality where I question Gods benevolence and Love

Honestly just the thought of that almost makes death or the end of the dream/manifestation a better option. That any beings have to go through that makes me just want the whole thing to end and we go back to being a singularity floating in infinity

I actually 100% agree with this. I think in life there are horrible things that happen but people learn, heal, etc but someone being tied up and forced to go through endless torture to me just makes no sense. I don’t see why it should exist just because it’s a possibility. It seems very unloving

Even an awakened person will suffer deeply if they are tortured. I don’t give a shit how conscious they are

I also struggle deeply with this. The body has so many nerve endings and is incredibly sensitive, never mind just normal hunger, sickness, old age, but then someone directly and methodically utilizing that? A part of me almost finds it unacceptable, even for God/consciousness to allow

I think it def gets fun after you break all your habits, delusions, and addictions which can be quite painful and require grinding. Or else everyone would be awakened and happy which is not the case. But I see your point. It’s a balancing act but it does get to a point (at least IME) where the disciplines become fun in themselves they are no longer a grind. I also agree it’s highly subjective and one must listen to themselves. I’ve gotten the clear message/warning to drop psychedelics and it’s working great for me. I have no desire to go back

I’ve noticed that as well! Yeah man for sure, I think if you’re committed and doing the work from all angles you’re good. Especially if you have that vision of a life long journey, everyone has their path

Yeah I think that’s a solid grasp on them. I feel like 99% of people using psychedelics aren’t nearly close to that level of work and seriousness. I sometimes wonder if it sets you back though, like if you’re trying to stabilize a permanent shift in awareness- state change- I sometimes feel like psychedelics mess with that process. I’ve heard some teachers talk about that and it makes sense to me

Thanks 🫶

Interesting takes. I’ve heard some yogis say that they can wreck the subtle bodies and cause massive setbacks on the path to a natural and stabilized consciousness (it’s not that you have no idea but can easily tap into your true nature) They do have benefit too but I think if your serious about stabilizing your consciousness you need to do it bucket by bucket (meditation, contemplation, yoga)

For sure - that’s why it’s the oldest profession in the world- it provides massive value. Long term though I think most men want more than just sex

Omg this is so true. I think it is largely unconscious as well

This depends on how you define “evolved” Personally I think Women are much more socially intelligent, accepting of life, present, content, more common sense, and yes generally smarter than men. But it’s not in like a book smart way, it’s in like a wisdom in living life way. They seem to have less resistance to society’s structure and life in general, much more empathy and ability to connect, and even a deeper spiritual relationship with life than men do. If you pry enough, most women will admit they have some sort of spiritual philosophy or connection to life but many men stubbornly stick to their atheism. Men tend to be analytical, robotic and stuck in their heads. Whereas women are more like present with life as it flows. I feel for men today as they have much less support and are becoming more and more isolated and demonized, and disrespected- many men hardly get the opportunity to step into their masculinity before being shamed, humiliated or put down. However I don’t think nature is stupid and I think in their highest healthiest forms men and women balance each other out perfectly. In an ideal relationship he can lead and be more strategic, planning, providing safety, grounded energy, stability and spine where she can bring energy, fun, life, beauty, flow, nurture, sexuality/sensuality, and inspiration. I think women today have had to be stronger than most men because of the lack of real men, and a lot of men feel useless and unneeded- so they crawl into the cobwebs of Internet forums and YouTube to spew mysogonistic nonsense and feel bad for themselves. I also feel many women have become massively delusional and narcissistic due to social media and it has rotted their minds and sense of self, their humbleness and modesty has eroded and they are addicted to preaching and social media validation like it’s crack. So this also creates of sea of women who are completely out of touch with true feminine energy and principles. So you have broken , addicted men with weak minds and inflated, narcissistic “queens” , add the gasoline of dating apps, porn, social media, and red pill to the mix and viola you get the shit show that is modern gender wars. It’s a shame, because I think in its natural form these 2 energies balance each other out beautifully. Again God is not stupid and there is a reason for both feminine and masculine energy. We just so rarely see it anymore.

I’ve seen the whole “free love casual sex” thing really damage a lot of women, especially young ones, only if a woman is like in her 40s saying that will I trust her.

That’s a solid quote

It is more chill in Argentina/Brazil, but still if you’re consistent with a girl having deep connected sex it’s only a matter of time

I don’t think it’s a paradigm man, it’s more like “true”. One of the reasons I dropped pick up is because it felt corrupt and manipulative and it was hurting women. Doesn’t matter if they say they are cool with it, chill, or okay with open, on a deep level it’s not okay for them.

It’s like paying for a roller coaster ride, you can pay to have a foursome with models- something nearly impossible in normal life- so experience it and move on. It’s not a lifestyle choice though and definitely shouldn’t replace dating and natural attraction.

I used to really judge this and think it was the most immasculine thing a man could do. As I’ve gotten older I see it differently, it like Lyuv said, it’s like fast food versus healthy food. It’s fine once in a while but if you make it your diet it will ruin you. I know many men who become addicted to escorts, especially living abroad. $80 and you’re having sex with a dime peice baddie who normally you would have to jump through hoops for for even a kiss. If you are clear on just needing sex/wanting to experience having sex with a gorgeous woman, why not? I more worry about the women and them getting attached or treated poorly. But you can definitely see an escort in a conscious loving respectful way, you’ll be rare though. Still, there is something about it that feels cheap, almost unspiritual. Like you’re not sleeping with her because you’ve developed your polarity, social skills and heart. You’re sleeping with her because you’ve paid, it’s like the shallowest most transactional reason you could imagine. At least when you date and have to pay for dinner and stuff she is still sleeping with you by choice and I think if you pay to play too much it wears at your soul and self esteem. I think it’s fine for the experience- like psychedelics, do it a few times, then drop it. Make that happen in real life. I don’t judge it though. Men very much have a strong sexual energy that most don’t know how to manage so seeing an escort is a “healthy” outlet. They know nothing of tantric celibacy, transmutation or semen retention so that’s what you get- hey, it’s better than rape/violence and even porn addiction

I’m currently dealing with this too. It’s tough. Just gotta put yourself out there and surrender to connections happening/things flowing I think what @something_else said is really true. There is this group Cohabs that does co living and it’s like the best in to have an immediate crew but you risk living with ppl who aren’t a fit