UpperClassWhiteBoy

Do I: 1. Repeatedly try to let go of them, using a technique similar to Actualized.org video "The Power of Letting Go". 2. Try to let go of them, with the technique mentioned above. If I can't let go initially, use mindfulness with labeling to observe them as they are as raw perceptions and hope it passes.(I think this one would be best, since you try to see if you can just do the most simple thing of letting go and then if that can't be done, try to detach from it and have it subside that way) 3. use mindfulness with labeling to focus on them, and then try and let go each cycle.

I have never done mindfulness with labeling. Leo recommended it as a top technique within meditation but I feel like there is a lot of manipulation in this technique. What has been your experience with these techniques? Is mindfulness with labeling a more advanced technique? Is it more effective than the no manipulation method used in Leo's guided meditation video?

@LeoGura Since its been 30 days, can you do a blog post of when you think you will be coming back or/and an update on your healing and integrating process?

Random

Is it okay to go on walks, as long as you keep social distancing (6 feet) from people? I'd like to be able to leave the house and get some fresh air. I believe it's good for my mental health and it helps me wake up in the morning. I'm just wondering if this is okay, since Leo said that the virus is ramping up in the next two weeks and to stay in your house as much as possible. @Leo Gura

My purpose in my life right now is to be able to express myself in public fully. I have premonitions of being a jester-like figure, who sings and dances around in public. I know this draws attention and could be videotaped and put on social media. I am worried such a video could blow up and will get me fired from any corporate job, which I plan on having coming out of college for the meantime. Is this a realistic fear, and if so, does this mean I will have to find a way to be self employed?

@Leo Gura

I am looking to start a kriya yoga practice in the coming months but I have an anterior pelvic tilt that causes me low back pain. I was wondering if the seated cross-legged posture for yoga would help my problem or not. More specifically, does this cross legged seated-posture strengthen the abs or glutes while stretching the hip flexors?

The five states Ken Wilber discusses. What are the characteristics of them?

What are some ways to build up your work ethic. I intuit that developing a concentration practice is good. I have been using the pomodoro technique to break up periods of work. I can possibly see meditation as a good way to handle distractions. Any other ideas?

I want to focus on my work ethic and getting up in the morning. I watched leos video about dealing with strong negative emotions, which I know are bound to come up while working on this stuff. Leo said meditation can help with dealing with strong negative emotions but I am afraid of the dark side of meditation (which I guess is an ego backlash in a way) derailing my habits I am trying to put into place. I know I want to work on mindfulness and start a concentration practice because they won’t result in a big backlash. I know meditation is one of the most important habits you can have so I feel bad for not doing it. I consider myself to have above average mindfulness skills so maybe I can handle the habit but I just want some one else’s advice. Is meditation paradoxical in the sense that it causes ego backlash but can also help you develop the mindfulness to deal with it.

I had this realization today from Leo's video on Self-Deception. It would seem that life is inherently full of suffering. The only way to raise your levels of consciousness is to suffer for a temporary amount of time. Is life then not worth living. Im not contemplating suicide but I just don't see whats wrong with it. I guess high consciousness must be worth all the suffering. Is my mind self-deceiving me into thinking that the suffering is worse than it really is, if I suffer consciously.

@mandyjw Im having trouble understanding what you are saying. I get that suffering means not accepting. I am not trying to seek suffering, I am simply trying to make a change in my life. What does ego backlash mean to you? Is ego backlash not inherent to changing your habits? Or is accepting everything that comes with the growth process a way to prevent ego backlash?

@Shiva glass half full vs. half empty. I get your point

@mandyjw When I say accept the backlash I mean to be conscious with it and not resist it.

@mandyjw What you're saying is when ego backlash occurs through making a change in your life, if you accept the backlash for what it is, then you won't suffer.

I think the self deception is in thinking that high consciousness is not worth it. The mind is afraid of this so it delegates this goal as in being not worth achieving

@LeoGura

Hey, forum. I am a college student who just has very little motivation to do much. I find myself constantly wanting to relax, either by watching youtube videos or by meditating/practicing presence. I have very little desire to do even the most simple tasks unless forced to. I have trouble going to class and miss some homework assignments, but do not care as I keep it hidden from my parents. I have a hard time waking up in the morning because I feel like I have to be in a meditative/relaxed state to start my day and this emotional perfectionism also seeps into me procrastinating on doing other tasks. I feel like a have a deep desire for blissful states. I isolate myself because I find it hard to achieve these states around others and I care what others think about me too much. I can't comprehend how I will be able to motivate myself to work in corporate america. I feel like maybe I should become a zen monk in a monastery, as the many hours of meditation might suit me (although I heard that waking up early is involved and there's alot of menial labor, which I think I might enjoy as a spiritual practice). Or maybe I somehow convince my parents to let me pursue enlightenment and live with them, which I don't think they would be cool with as they are catholic stage orange. I currently don't have a meditation habit, I just believe I have enough awareness to slip into meditative states throughout the day. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this dilemma and what they did about it.

I have been thinking about a way to frame approaching woman.I sometimes think about what would I talk about and then I think about what makes something interesting to talk about. I think it can be boiled down to this. Approaching woman is about becoming comfortable with sexual tension and being able to accept your thoughts as they are and realize that the energy behind what you say is far more important, as well as having subcommunication that communicates that you are relaxed and confident in almost a meditative way

There will be times when I feel really good in my body for some reason and I start to lie down and meditate and my body will start to spasm and shake. it feels like there is this strong energy in my body and that my body will start to tense up to control it and thats when my body will start shaking. Anybody else have experiences like this?

Any ideas for how to go against the grain of society and push peoples buttons in a legal way?

@Taylor04 The thing is my breathing and heart rate are not out of control, so I don't have hypnic jerkings

@BjarkeT I have done the Starbucks challenge already. Looking for others suggestions to try

Any ideas for how to go against the grain of society and push peoples buttons in a legal way?