Toby

Look. I know what I am talking about from direct and my own experience. But I am not willing to disclose every private detail of my life. I agree with you that trauma and let's say integration is a very important part on the path. I can only say that I am not a therapist myself but I studied a lot of approaches in depth regarding trauma because it was necessary for me. And I took enough therapy sessions to be qualified to make a statement about trauma relating to spirituality. But I am not going into details here, because it might even trigger myself or others even though in my story there was no sexual abuse.

It is often not the situation what is traumatic but the reaction towards it. Some people are more resilient psychologically and physiologically than others. Minor things could be traumatic to someone while "major" things could not be traumatic to someone else. In fact there is a spiritual teacher (Isira) who - afair - woke up during being raped at 16 or something because she was able to surrender completely to the situation.

Healthy ego? Egos that are altruistic, loving, caring, can set clear boundaries and say no, are honest.

A good teacher knows how to deal with projections, idealisations and attachments from students. They point you back towards yourself. Not wanting to commit, wanting to do it alone could easily be the ego - at least that is my experience. But overall life plays out different for everyone, some might not need a guru to awaken, but I actually have not heard of anyone who deepened what they experienced without any form of guidance. Good example is Eckhart Tolle. His story goes that he was a little bit anxious, depressed and suicidal and then just woke up. The truth is he studied philosophy, psychology, mysticism, went to small religious groups and did the ACIM before his shift. After his shift he studied with several teachers (e.g. Barry Long) and monks. He also felt drawn very much towards Ramana Maharshi and Jiddu Krishnamurti.

There is some truth in what is written. The method: stay in awareness is the same as Nisargadatta or Ramana would prescribe as the shortest way too. Some things also sound true. What seems very off (to me) is why would someone enlightened take such an interest in New Age bullshit? Channeling, Crystals, Frequencies, Subtle Realms, "Keys", siddhis, ... This does absolutely make no sense to me.

Seems legit.

Do you recognize intermediate/"subtle"/"causal" realms (as high as they might be) also as illusory?

that's my gut feeling here. But of course, could be a projection.

Did you recognize yourself as that which does not expand or contract, which does not come and go? Yes or no?

When you are really conscious you would read the comments without resistance.... see how quick you can turn other people's arguments around.

I'm not so sure about this. How would you explain "Form is Emptiness and Emptiness is Form."?

Ask him if he could hold this forum/the people here in his heart for a few seconds. That would be great.

You are missing the third step of the saying: The world is illusion. Brahman alone is real. The world is Brahman.

You can only reach something in the dream. And what you can reach, you have to lose again. And the loser you can lose, will pop up again….Nothing has to go, nothing has to come. You are still in that idea that something has to change for you to be what-you-are….Inspite of all the happenings, inspite of all the presence and absence, whatever can be or not be, you are That. --Karl Renz

No, please don't waste time asking him our questions. Ask him your questions if you have one or just be still with him. That's the best way imo.

Actually a good question. Maybe just do what's necessary and what you can do and otherwise just feel the turmoil and trusting that everything is ok. Sounds easy maybe because I'm not in the situation myself. I actually have no good idea.

Letting them come and letting them go. Everything real and important will stay - even if it seems you loose it.

So, I was playing a little bit around with a web-framework today and created this little map here: http://advaitablog.webfactional.com/ You can find a selection of mostly Advaita-teachers here in Germany and Europe. If you resonate with Ramana Maharshi, Nisargadatta Maharaj or Papaji you could check them out.

Well it's nothing new or unusual that people go into psychotic breaks or episodes during retreats or during sitting with a teacher. It can bring up a lot of energy and unresolved patterns.

What country exactly are we talking about here?

"High consciousness" / "super consciousness" are some bogus terms of people that don't understand the journey imo. Awareness is often used as the "Absolute" - recognizing yourself - who you are. This is called usually Awakening. Enlightenment is then the process of living or embodying that recognition.

Might be a classic projection. So in addition to what's already been said, I would investigate my own mindset of "beating someone income wise" and see what of the problem with your friend remains.

Actually this one meditation I recommended to you is exactly about what you describe here. Maybe you don't feel called to do it, but I recommend at least maybe listen to it to get an idea in what direction to go. The Shadow work guide from @Martin123 is flawed imo as he portrays more the idea of raising vibration or emotions instead of dropping into or through an emotion afair. But hey, I'm sure you will find your way. Another thing that helps me personally to get more in touch with emotions is nature. Sitting under a tree is really good making one cry a bit imo.

i did two 100ug LSD "trips". Pretty unspectacular spiritually. I found that if "I" just let go, the attention is drawn into the mind. I instead watched self inquiry videos or listened to inquiry on audio or just watched at a picture of Ramana. Did make much more sense than being pulled into fantasy-land. But of course I'm inexperienced, so every answer would bring a new perspective.