Joel3102

I've had some success with social circle through uni. However, a lot of them aren't of the highest quality that I would necessarily commit to, plus they involved lots of alcohol which I'm not about anymore. I'd agree with you, if you live in a decently sized city there's more than enough fish in the sea for cold approach. The fact that you're approaching cold automatically conveys higher value than warm approach, cause who the fuck would have the bald to do that? Plus it grows you more in the long run because it's harder. Haven't done much cold approach myself but once I sort out my living situations I'll give it a crack. Have you found you have made decent progress?

It's a shame so many of the smartest minds go to just more success, progress, technology, rationalism etc. Seems to be that way because they have a blind spot from realising the limits of thinking and concepts. Imagine a world where the default for the most brilliant was consciousness and not success, it would be such a better place.

I haven't yet lol. How long you been using it for? I've been doing it recently and the upheaval is kicking my ass, lots of fear, ego backlash and crazy mind coming up. Plus horrible insomnia

I get this from time to time in varying degrees. I think it's a process of your mind reorganizing itself and reevaluating it's priorities when you start the spiritual path. You've seen through the facade that particular experiences and acquisitions can give you satisfaction, which is actually a positive step. It's only been two months, but hopefully if you stay on path you will start to experience more authentic motivation and joy in life.

Taking action is more powerful than just contemplating with this kind of thing. Contemplating can help, but you need real world action to prove to your brain you social fears are irrational. Something lik RSD might help you

@MiracleMan Good explanation. This is why I want to do a lot of meditation retreats and feel the pain of sitting and doing nothing so I can overcome 21 years of toxic overstimulation lol.

Maybe Western culture is anti-spiritual because it's hooked on dopamine, and our dopamine receptors have been gradually desensitized over the years to where the present moment isn't pleasurable enough

Similar thing happened with me man. I realised that a lot of my socialising was driven by self aggrandising to be cool/popular. This was necessary phase though, as I was pretty anti social in school so helped me get my skills up. However since getting into meditation etc, I've been becoming more introverted again because I'm realising it's just my authentic nature. Have a few good friends that serve you well and you genuinely connect with, but don't feel compelled to socialise just for the sake of being social if you feel there are bigger fish to fry.

Guys usually make the first move. As @d0ornokey, I would recommend getting well versed in RSD to learn the social dynamics of dating before you settle down with a girlfriend. The skills the will teach you will give you the abundance to truly find the right pick for you.

Leo's idea of the metronome app works good for me

Love Jim Carey!

Good stuff. I'm about a quarter through his MBT.

@Siim Land Yes, my friends will definitely roast me... but it'd be a good chance to learn to not care Australian culture isn't particularly welcoming to those who decide to go sober.

Hey guys, so my depersonalisation is back, and it's really bad this time. Feel numb and detached (not in the good way), disconnected from reality etc, all the usual symptoms. Anybody here dealt with DP disorder? Is it possible to overcome simply through higher consciousness and meditation? Keep in mind DP and spirituality/enlightenment are COMPLETELY different things, I've had experiences of both and they're almost polar opposite in my experience. Help would be much appreciated going through a pretty rough time.

I'm considering doing the same thing, I've reduced my drinking like 90% since discovering personal development, but I think doing this and going cold turkey would be a great option!

-Zen -Tantra -Daoism -Sufism

@ZX_man Usually temporary.

I'd be careful about jumping to the conclusion that you're experiencing depersonalisation just because the world is starting to seem a little less real. I've dealt with DP and it's really not related to spirituality as much as some think imo, it's a dissociative symptom in response to anxiety. Do you have any anxiety issues? If it is depersonalisation, don't worry about it because ruminating over the feeling will just allow it to persist.

I loved the rawness of the nightly retreat reports

Depersonlisation and enlightenment are very different things. DPD is an anxiety and dissociative disorder where you feel cut-off from the world and your body, to me it's almost an opposite feeling to enlightenment its subsequnt feelings of oneness. DP is literally a defence mechanism triggered by anxiety inducing situations. I understand that they have similarities, such as the feeling of unreality of this world, but don't confuse DP with the Truth.

I would like a breakdown on the different facets of spirituality. This would include enlightenment, and some of the paranormal phenomena that you've touched upon. Also the difference between spiritual purification and enlightenment. Is it possible to have a direct knowledge of Truth, yet still have miles of spiritual purification left? Or visa versa? Could one still be primarily living in monkey mind but still be enlightened? Also, are there enough free hours in the week to make serious progress working a 9-5?

My current thinking is to dinstinguish between: Low consciousness hermits - who can't socialise, play video games all day and have no direction in life High consciousness hermits - people who've trancesnded excessive socialising/partying ect I used to be more the first, then for a few years I was way too into partying/socialising/popularity, but it was kind of needed to up my social skills. Now I'm more and more interested in spending time in meditation or just being. People think I'm boring now lol.

Sounds good, I haven't done much of it but I've found when I do my awareness skyrockets

How does self enquiry in particular help, more than meditation?