samijiben

@Leo Gura I suppose that's true, and "What's in it for me?" filters everything I look at. Spirituality means self-sacrifice.

The title says it all I feel like our culture (keep in mind I live in San Francisco, which is abundant with hipsterism and on the cutting edge of wacky ideas) has become a little too touchy-feely, thereby denying the importance of healthy competition. Not in the sense of what you're mental image may be, of a bloody pit of selfish egos fighting for validation from each other. I just mean a competitive mindset to better oneself and reach the top, even if "oneself" is an immaterial construct and just a mere accretion of beliefs.

Thank you! I feel so grateful for the members of this forum. It's almost like having a guru of infinite wisdom at my disposal (if the right person answers!)

Yeah, that's one thing I don't get about Leo's teachings. The part where you "are" everyone else, including Hitler and Osama and all other manner of people. It's not that it doesn't sit well with me on an emotional level, it just makes no sense, neither intellectually or existentially. I have had many awakenings, and in none of them have I become Hitler. Or Osama bin Laden. Or Jesus. Or Buddha. I'm just me

Dear friend, you are blinded by your own ignorance and concern with yourself. Who said God must serve you, or anyone? God serves no one. Do not try to reconcile non-duality with the issues of human pettiness. Whether in the realm of politics, or science, or whatever, the truth is always beyond ourselves. Humble yourself.

I have recently begun to dwell and get hung up upon this idea of "honor." After a few enlightenment experiences I cannot see how one can be so ignorant to sweep this away as "myself" and not hold it in a truly precious, magnificent regard: the Transcend Other; the Holy Thou. Call it what you may, my claim remains: we must humble ourselves before God

so competing with oneself? Can this be done in a truly conscious, deliberate, healthy manner? This route or path (call it what you may) seems to run counter to that of "sacrifice". Look at this way: you can become enlightened by saying fuck all and sacrificing everything in this very moment and merge into infinite love, blah blah -- ok, we got that. But how about the other approach to oneness, wherein one seeks knowledge from honor and rigor and dedication? @gettoefl

I agree so much. The problem, of course, is just what defines such an "integration!"

I don't mean to throw any shit in the cooking fire (if you know what I mean), but I would like to share a theme I have noticed with psychedelic use. Time and time again, it seems as though psychedelics are the real wild card of the spiritual journey, playing the "call to adventure" role, revealing the infinitude of possibilities in the universe. Psychedelics offer an outlet to dive into the realm of non-materiality. Because we are so ill-accustomed to that which lies outside our limiting, three-dimensional citadel of physical objects, we tend to crave the experience of that wonderful, joyous, undescribable place. However, sometimes we fail to honor this place. We need not treat it like an inner-Disneyland that we can visit at will to pig out on beer and rides and irresponsible things. We must regard this realm with honor. Leo misses in his teachings the "I-Thou" aspect of God. Many have talked about this, Wilber included, but most prominently Martin Buber, but that is entirely besides the point. All I mean to say is regarding God as oneself rather than as a Holy Other can become dangerous. That's what I have to say.

Indeed, yes, heed the wisdom of the wise Leo Gura

@Tim Ho Thank you! I have found, too, that the practices we enjoy most can act as the most powerful form of meditation, engaging us fully in the present moment.

I have just now begun to appreciate the possibility of conscious evolution. Though it essentially grounds Leo's work, this simple but profound concept has somehow escaped by nose. Sniffing into the matter, however, I see that this may very well be the highest intelligence of the universe. If anyone has read any books by Barbara Marx Hubbard, such as Conscious Evolution or Emergence, please share your thoughts, as this woman seems to clear a path in this nebulous field. Other advocates include Wilber himself, Neale Donald Walsch, Ervin Laszlo, and Mihaly Csikzentmihaly (the Flow dude). Anyways, I just want a start a thread regarding this very important but seldom spoken about concept. It could, after all, mean our self-development on our own conscious terms, both individually and collectively.

Sounds like a lot of responsibility...

@Preety_India That is beautiful. I cannot help but feel attracted to that "all-encompassing" definition. Yet at the same time, I cannot help but wonder, is it not subject to change? Do you recognize this definition of man as belonging to yourself? If so, you have my agreement. If, however, you wish to purport your definition to a "universal" standard, we will have to enter a disagreement...

@Preety_India lol. Here in America where men are children and children are, well... children too, there really is no proper definition for what constitutes a "man." Is there? How would you define this word? I am very curious indeed, as you seem to take an opinion on many of the posts here in "Dating and Sexuality." What constitutes a man?

Keep unwavering focus on one thing. You're goal is to become more observant, but that is a large task, as observation implies giving equal and unbiased attention to all things. You must start, therefore, with one thing, with one object, maintaining an unwavering focus upon it at all costs. Sit with it. Be still in its presence, and fully allow yourself to merge with it, such that "it" and "you" become indistinguishable. True observation lies in the depth of your experience. My object of choice is a stone.

As a young man myself, I cannot simply help but ask for information regarding how to be one. As such, I have stumbled upon The Rational Male by Rollo Tomassi, The Way of the Superior Man by David Deida, The Game by Neils Strauss, and countless other books I will not care to mention due to courtesy of the fee placed upon the Actualized booklist, which, by the way, I do wholeheartedly recommend. Anyways, back to what I was saying. I believe I have reached an understanding concerning the vicious deceptive nature of what some have deemed, and rather dubiously, "the red pill." Supposedly this special, red, one-size-fits-all pill will unlock the gates to the "truth" that underlies intersexual dynamics. This core message, this gist, this market ploy (take it for what you may), comes from the movie, The Matrix, wherein you either remain an unwitting prisoner to the flawed assumptions of the masses, or you take the implied "higher road" where objectivity awaits at the cost of your worries and unceasing obligation to the sheer girth of what Truth defines (or, selflessness). This is, of course, a metaphor for enlightenment, though I cannot same the same about the ideology. The general problem which Leo suggests and which I have now begun to grapple with does not concern the "efficiency" of the Red Pill ideology. Indeed, if you want vagina at the expense of your humility, look no further than this philosophy abundant with lies that will open the thighs. However, this all comes with a massive but implicit catch: a fundamental misunderstanding of the mind. If, after all, this ideology seeks to "reveal the truth," then should it not adjust its efforts upon hearing that it missed the mark, entirely? Apparently not, as the interests of this community only lie in one objective: sex. This ideology is founded on the exploitation of women, of acting like you have intrinsic value over them and that therefore it should not matter how you behave, for, in the end, they do need you, right? Regardless of this relative and largely insignificant truth, the Absoloute and highly significant truth suggests that this ideology is essentially flawed, and its path may lead you to a boneyard where no souls rest easily, filled with darkness and fear and crippling paranoia. To take the route of the red pill is to digest a methodology for seducing women built upon the groundless argument that Sex matters above all. In the absence of absolute honor to the Absolute itself, how can we expect anyone to fulfill such a role? Would not it be more wise to trust the only trustworthy being in the entire world—oneself—thereby walking the path of the inner-priest?

Does anyone play chess? I would love to play y'all on either lichess.org or chess.com. 1300 elo player here. Lmk...

I want to level a critique against Actualized that I guarantee you've never heard before. This has recently been brought to my attention. I should preface by expressing my appreciation and gratitude for your work, Leo. I speak on behalf of your audience and the members of this forum when I say your work has transformed my understanding of myself and reality in a positive way. With that being said, I believe your philosophy leaves out an integral component of spirituality: that of physical health. Now I know what you're thinking: spirituality is all about transcending the physical body. But transcendence does not mean ignoring what you're transcending, it means including it while also moving on to "bigger and better things." Let me specify what I mean when I say physical health. I do not just mean eating healthy and working out. I mean pushing your body to extreme limits, whether that's by lifting heavy weights, doing high-intensity training, running hard, rowing, boxing, swimming, playing tennis, playing basketball, or essentially any sport that you do not just play for shits and giggles but to train the body and reach excellence and peak-performance while testing your physical limits and pushing yourself physically in the face of adversity. I think running long-distance best exemplifies this. Then again, maybe as an athlete I am being biased and can't see it. But I think extreme physical endurance and strength are crucial to spirituality.

https://heartiste.org/the-sixteen-commandments-of-poon/ I don't really know if this is Red Pill or not, but if it is, please forgive me (I know it's banned here) Some of these "commandments" seem like good advice, others, a bit misogynistic. Share your thoughts

All good. Don't be worried about the shot. I felt like doo doo but cheeks after the second one too. All cold and shivery and shit.

As a boxer, I'd encourage you to pick it up; in the very least as a cardiovascular workout. Nothing wrong with getting the shits out on the bag. Plus, it makes for a sexy body (if you keep at it). One more bonus: if anyone ever wants to pick a fight with you, boxing will give you the confidence to whoop his ass (unless, of course, he does mma).

@Hardkill That's not what he's saying, I don't think. He's saying don't go up to a woman and ask her if she wants some dick. Instead, ease into it, kind of like with a new friend. You probably tell your best friend he's a fucking prick all the time, don't you? But you didn't tell him that the first day you met him. You were nice, you got to know him, you made small talk; same thing here. And if you do want sex on the first night you meet a chick, then you can do it, but you're opening line is never "wanna fuck behbeh?"

SHIT! my bad homies. Add me on Chess.com. InconspicuousNecromancer

@Goldzilla alright I'ma be honest. This last song is straight doo doo. Life is life - more like shit music is shit music. Lol no insults just speaking my opinion. Don't know how anyone can jam out to that