Max_V

To Existence/Presence/Beingness, there are no obstacles or problems. There is only ever more of itself. -Bentinho Massaro

@John Iverson Well instead of facing and working through fears, pains, you numb it and add more layers to it. That's my view on it, I could be totally wrong

Wow, that's a stage to be at. What does it take ?

@Shin are you able to do the recognition exercise 12 times a day? I tend to forget, so I get up to 7 times mostly

I was wondering this during contemplation. If the body does not belong to me, then who does it belong to?

Yes I am at this part of the course right now. Really powerful lesson I must say. Going to read it for the third time tomorrow before proceeding to the next lesson.

Now that I think of it, ever since I started doing consciousness work, I smile a lot more. Before I would always look depressed or 'angry' as most people would tell me. Now I've noticed my expression changing, my eyes are more open, and I have a gentle smile on my face wherever I go. I don't look at everything as 'something I have to deal with' or have to accomplish without error. I just let every thing pass and go as it wants to go.

How do you break old habits? What I've noticed on vacation is that it's much easier for me to go do self actualization work. I am more urged to meditate more, I read more, I draw and create more art. When I'm at home I slip back into old habits of gaming or procrastinating. I used to be addicted at gaming, and used this as an escape. Now that I stopped being addicted I play occasionally. When I'm at home it feels much more difficult to be productive since it so easy to fall back into my old behavior. How do I change this?

@severedfred Good point. I will watch them, thanks for suggestion, @egoeimai Awesome idea, I've been wanting to get back into piano. This is my perfect chance to replace watching random youtube videos with piano practice. Thanks a lot!

@John Iverson I don't know if you've noticed, but your message has projection written all over it. You should stop trying to tell others about their ego's and look at your own. Telling others about theirs won't improve their situation nor yours at all.

@Shiva hahaha love it

@starsofclay A beautiful cycle

@Markus hahah yes, I was quite suprised too Unfortunately never done it before so, no experience I can share with you hahah

Why so rude?

What I am is not somewhere, but at the same time I am everywhere

@see_on_see Ye I'm having trouble too now

You simply have to become conscious of the fact that certain thing are happening automaticly For example: You are walking down the street to buy something. Notice, your legs are moving automaticly, your arms are waving with them automaticly, you are automaticly engaged into thinking as you walk. Stuff like that. When you become conscious that you do this, you can start to do everything with mindfulness. I've been working at this hard myself lately, and now I can finally say that if you do this, you will be able to enjoy every moment that normally seems dull to you. Love is everywhere

I'd honestly not be able to do this, would get a panic attack then and there.

I don't have many yet, since my life did not start that long ago But one of my proudes moments was when I played 'River Flows In You' by Yiruma on the piano at my grandmothers funeral. I did not know anything of personal development back then. But this idea of mastery and giving it my all was very implemented in my head. I went through fire to learn this, practiced 4 hours a day as a 12 year old kid and was determined to show her. Kinda breaks my heart when I think back playing it before her just days before she passed away. We hugged it out after I finished playing for her, then days later my dad came to school to tell my she had left. So that was the last time I saw her alive aswell. When I played on the funeral it was not really the same because she was not there, but still happy I did it. I'm glad I got to say goodbye in my own way

This is so interesting, thanks for sharing!

"Your life is your life, don't let it be clubbed into dank submission" -Charles Bukowski

So I've been drawing since I was really young, mostly cartoon character that is. But since I've really stopped with watching tv as much, my inspiration is gone. How do you take creativity out on paper? I would really like to create something unique and that I can be proud of, but I simply don't know where to start. I've almost always copied stuff and drawn that, but now I want to make something of my own Where do I start?

@Ilya I'm reading it and I'm 17yo so you should be fine :). I'd say it's a mindblowing book and you could really get some amazing insights out of it Good luck!

Awesome replies so far, I will try all of them out and let you guys know if it worked I am really happy that I have decided to pick up drawing again, it's such an awesome way of expression

@Afonso 17 yo unite Do you have a specific time each day when you do self-inquiry? I'm kind of puzzled since I meditate 20 min in the morning and 40 min in the afternoon, so no real time each day where I can consistently self-inquire