Ananta

If you really want to be an actor and it's what you're meant to do, then that's what you'll do. Things will align somehow for that to happen, if it's truly meant to happen. For example, 13 years ago I thought, ya-know maybe I'll be a nurse? So, I decided to take a few classes and see how it went. I was already 34 yrs old, so wasn't holding my breath. Anyways, it wound up I was pretty smart and was acing all my pre-req classes. Got in the RN program no problem. Before I knew it I got my license. So, in my opinion, it was meant to happen. Funny thing is now that it's said and done, I wish I would've gone for accounting or something. Something where you don't deal with people. Lol!

@Joseph Maynor It seems what I said triggered or disturbed you. I mean, talk about monkey mind, wow! Sorry about that. Have a good night.

You apprehend what you are, by seeing what you're not (Neti-neti). In seeing what your not, you see its unreality/falseness, then you can "BE" what you are. Beliefs need not apply.

Why do you say it's a belief? ....

Imo, Enlightenment is the recognition that the "apparent" you, isn't "you", never was.

It's the ego (I-thought), that is a special kind of thought, because it thinks it's real, that is the one afraid of death. In reality the body/mind is constantly changing (Inner- new thoughts/feelings, outer- cellular changes, wrinkles, etc), it could be said it's continuously dying and being reborn. Every night in deep sleep the ego and body, completely disappear. When you reawaken it's like being reborn. Extend that to afterlife realms, other life forms, reincarnation, ect. It all happens (if it exists) within awareness itself, the background, which permeates everything. Btw, what you really are can not be negated in Self inquiry, therefore it's the background/substratum and can't be negated with the death of the body/mind. Hope this helps a tad.

You currently are associated with the body/mind/sense organism. So, you think that it is you. This illusion is what needs to be seen through. Its the mind that is asking the questions above, as it wants to understand (that's reasonable), but when it starts asking should I just lay down and die. Be cautious. Ego can get a bit depressed when hearing some insights people say that it doesn't quite understand yet. Why is enlightenment a matter of urgency for you? Are you suffering? Are you suicidal? It's awakening "from" the body/mind, seeing it "ultimately" is an illusion (Mithya). Illusion feels very real, it has an "apparent" existence. When most believe its absolutely real, they are "asleep". The opposite term "awakening" is used for when one has insights/apprehends the great illusion is ultimately false. This understanding, clear seeing or whatever you want to call it, may only last a few secs to minutes in the beginning, then hours to days, etc. thats why it's called an awakening. It happens over time generally speaking do to the mind's mental tendencies to fall back into its routine patterns. It's spiritual, because it fits no other known category.

@Leo Gura @Azrael Thanks for the info. No, I could never do it personally. First, I have medical/medication reasons and second, I could lose my nursing license.

Really? ..and what are those countries? ...In the US, LSD is a schedule class I drug...right up there with heroin. If you get busted, it's the same penalty. He (Leo) does just have his own little posse here, doesn't he. It's absolutely amazing to me. State your opinion on a post and often times someone here will try to say either, "it's a concept!" Or "watch leo's videos"... you fell into the latter, very typical response from peeps on this forum. Even if they give a specific video, it never has what minute where to start the vid, relating to their point...no, they expect you to watch 60-90 min of, who knows what, to make their point. So, you might as well have said, I don't know what to think, unless its coming from a Leo video. I also can't tell you what they say enough to make any meaningful conversation, so I'll just tell you to watch them... lol. I'll tell you what I've said numerous times. I don't watch Leo videos. Not that I have anything against him personally. I didn't come here originally thinking I would or wouldn't watch his videos, but I don't care for the brainwashed effect many people here, imo, seem to have... If it has anything do to with Leo's "vids", then I'll just keep sayin', no thanks.

I remembered Tolle discussing that he had taken LSD once. I forgot about this. So, I looked for the clip. Here's what he says about it at 4:35.

This has got to be one of the most ridiculous things I have read in awhile. A drug "retreat".... Now you need a retreat to do drugs...bahaha How do they advertise for a retreat with illegal substances?? Do they screen recipients for mental illness or past episodes of psychosis? Is there a physician on-site if it, goes "bad"? Who get's the illegal drug charges if the retreat gets raided? ...just curious. I'm sure you've already asked they questions, so you're fully informed. Also, what's "very interesting" about someone becoming addicted to psychedelics? It's a drug, therefore can be abused. Sad really. Apprehension of one's true nature although mind blowing at first, does not require use of psychedelic's, at all. I'm sooo glad I didn't even hear of it as a serious method, until "this" forum. Therefore, I did not have to wonder if it was necessary, as I know it's not. It may be helpful for those that don't want to go the natural route. I wouldn't know, but needing to do it monthly, why? Did you not understand the trip the first time? Are you addicted to the "experience" of tripping? ...

Buy a crock pot! You can make tons of tasty meals easily. Examples- Pot roast and baby potatoes, baby carrots, 1/4 cup water and sprinkle a packet of dried french onion soup mix. Pork roast, rice, can of broth/water (amount depends on what rice needs in crock pot). Chicken breast, cut potatoes or rice, mix in a can of cream of chicken soup. (Add water if using rice) Etc.... Sloppy Joes are easy too. Hamburger, add dried mix and water. Ps, I don't know if you're a vegetarian if so, sorry!

He's probably not suffering much or its tolerable to him. Another words, there's no motivation to do the work. Lets face it, it's an enormous commitment, takes effort and some just aren't interested. He's no different then most of population.

Oh, sorry this is happening to you. This has happened to me in the past, emotional stuff just bubbling up out of nowhere (also not while meditating). I just sat with it, noticed it, didn't get caught up in a thought story about it and it would just resolve. Cry, scream, whatever..if it helps. Think of it as the unconscious mind purging itself. You are the "witness", of the purging, as long as you don't identify with it.

Things can just bubble up during meditation. You could just remain the witness/watcher OF it, instead of identifying with it. Sounds like something might be causing you to be anxious during your session? Are you trying to hard to get somewhere with it?

They don't really feel those emotions like others do... It only appears such for the people who are watching them.. All the liberated person feels is ups and downs in energy, and a little bit of subtle sensations... In other words, their emotions are not really like the emotions of people who are unconscious. Emotions of people who are unconscious are very solid, opaque and they get powered by thoughts and emotions back and forth for a while.. Emotions of liberated ones are like tiny bits of distant clouds which disappear without any effort. I would feel hesitant to even call them as emotions.. @Shanmugam You were "correcting" what I said (is this fault finding to you?...hmmm)... This was your first response to me in this thread. So, when you say- "You started it by finding a fault in my post.. " That's actually not true. You started it. My subsequent response to you in this thread, was in regards to your post above. Where I simply said "pleasure and pain persist after Moksha" and you have become completely bent out of shape over it. Even though your very next post was- " I didn't say pain and pleasure doesn't persist... Read my post again" ?

Yes, it is and yes, it does.

Yes, It took 8 years...searching in the wrong places didn't help. Also, the times of falling unconscious again for awhile, until the trusty suffering aspect awakened me again. I remember many years ago, on another forum asking, "how do you stay awakened?" A long term member was giving me advice and I said, "No, you misunderstand" ...I don't remember this stuff "at all" for weeks at a time..lol. Suffering always brought me back, eventually.

You don't need it for the initial recognition, but you do to "assimilate" that Self-knowledge. Especially, if you have questions/doubts and most do. That's why after 6 1/2 yrs of neo-advaita crap I turned to Vedanta.

This ^^^ right here. Now, you have my answer. You referenced how could I know for 100% certain.... when did I say 100% certain? When? Please post the quote where I say for 100% certain, if you think such quote exists, of course it doesnt. You've made a huge deal over 3 sentences I wrote in a post.

You wanted to know where I was coming from with what I say...and I told you. When did you say to imagine a situation?

@Shanmugam So, you want to know if I'm enlightened? I think everyone is enlightened, because all are "the Self" (awareness). The only reason people don't recognize this is due to ignorance of their true nature, rajas/tamas (gunas) and mental tendencies/vasanas. Which is all the "illusion" of separation. Once, you know/apprehend your true Self (here 6 yrs ago) and that Self knowledge is firm (here-this year), the knowledge is always available (mostly) and you know you aren't the doer (this is interesting, because there's a sense of doership, but when looked at closer..no doer). Its like switching between the person channel and awareness channel (my teacher said something similiar). You don't always have the thought "I'm awareness" constantly running, but when called upon the knowledge is readily available. You play your role and do your duties (person channel), but when wanting completeness, perfection, ect. you tune into the "awareness" channel. Knowing how to navigate and switch channels is part of "assimilation" of Self knowledge. So, yes, Anna has emotions. They come and they go. Good example, tonight when I got home from work my husband told me my son who already has 2 car loans (and lives at home) bought a $30,000 truck yesterday . I yelled, "What!!!!" and I was pissed! It lasted 10 minutes, but now, it's gone. In conclusion, it doesn't matter what stage of Moksha I/Anna am at...I "got" the great cosmic joke. Essentially, none of this matters, except to remove one's suffering. There is no soul emancipation with any of this... how could there be? You are awareness and awareness is associated with the world, as well as being "all" the actors. If one actor dies, you'll be associated with another and so it continues.... Hopefully, your demand for an answer has been satisfied.

Actually, you said first- "They don't really feel those emotions like others do... It only appears such for the people who are watching them.. All the liberated person feels is ups and downs in energy, and a little bit of subtle sensations... In other words, their emotions are not really like the emotions of people who are unconscious." You seem rather "certain" in this paragraph you wrote. Yes, you then say, you were talking about yourself, but then in another post say, "I don't know what happens after Moksha". However, you used language in the excerpt above regarding a liberated person and said you were talking about your own experience. See your contradictions?? Lol... what is this an interview? Oh, that's convenient... Ok, make that my answer too, interview done...lol!

This seems to be the crux of your post. Suffering leads one to find a solution out of suffering. First, one tries to not suffer by finding worldly happiness in chasing objects (success, money, sex, power fame, ect). When you realize that these don't suffice, then the search is on! If you come across spiritual teachings and get hooked, you become a spiritual seeker and the story goes... Point being, it's generally the suffering that keeps reawakening someone to the spiritual path or is the initial awakener. So, no your life hasn't been a waste, it's gotten you to where you are right now. Which is to end your suffering. This doesn't mean the circumstances of your life will or need to change. It's the identification of who you've been thinking you are, that needs to change, to who you really are. Anyways, don't think of the past as a mistake. There are no mistakes. Most don't start seeking without some amount of suffering, it's the great awakener, therefore a gift.

Thanks!