kieranperez

"look at any legend of enlightened persons. There was always a character there."

I did this for 5 min with the goal being 30 min and less than 5 min in I just could not stop laughing. I just couldn't take the drum thing seriously after a certain point. I was fighting my giggling so much I couldn't continue the breathing pattern. I was in utter shock of what I was starting to feel because I haven't felt anything like that since I did ecstasy last (assuming that's what I took).

In terms of food, should I be concerned about doing this with a full or empty stomach or anything along those lines?

Excuses excuses excuses

Translation: Grumble grumble grumble

HAHAHAHAHA I'M DYING LAUGHING

LOLOLOL

I did it by not taking them anymore lol \m/

I actually haven't! Sex life has been in the toilet since like September by choice since I'm working on other things right now so I haven't really been able to test this out. So is your constant false skepticism that is clearly shown in all your posts.

"Psychedelics are not for stupid people." - Leo

So I live 2 blocks down the hill from the San Francisco Zen Center here obviously in San Francisco. I really want to start getting serious about my pursuit of enlightenment and I think having a teacher (or however it works in Zen) would be really helpful for me. However, I don't really know what to expect. I've always been really private about my meditation work alone as it is. I don't if my background as an Atheist is causing this block to be weird about this whole thing. Anyways though, I know @Leo Gura has talked in the past describing Zen as Stage Blue Spirituality and I kinda got put off by that a little bit in terms of my view of maybe attending the Zen Center. However, I want to be open. I would love to know your guys' thoughts on having an in-person teacher, the Zen tradition itself, and just what to expect coming from those who've at least studied or have practiced Zen with Zen teachers. I don't really know what to expect. I don't want to do something stupid and go up to a teacher and be like 'so... how do I work towards enlightenment?' Then next thing I know I'm being beaten with sticks.

Depends on the car. If it's hatchback or an SUV where you can collapse the backseats then that would be best. More space you can get, the better. Just don't get a ticket from a cop... Trust me... I've had that happen... It's not a fun experience lol

THIS IS AWESOME!

As of January this year I'm finally off all prescription medication since I was 5 (I'm about to be 23). Was on 6 medications and on ADHD medication for 17 years.

People need to grasp this

That's crazy given that he promotes grounded openness and being open to new possibilities of what's true...

So I had a haircut mishap when buzzing my hair... so I decided to make the best of it.. @Leo Gura not too far off I’d say

Your beliefs are not what’s true. True love is indiscriminate and is absolutely infinite

Imagine Leonardo DaVinci asking what he should name his art. You guys are the artists.

This honestly really depends on the change you’re talking about and what you’re shooting for.

Here’s what you do: Do what needs to be done. If you know you can’t tackle the entire thing, break it down into chunks to get to where you want to get to. There is no magic formula or technique for working hard.

I think it could go either way. Regarding the suicide note Vanish left, when I was suicidal a few years ago I pretty much had a very similar thought process. Granted, I kept pushing forward and things eventually changed for me but I know from experience that that thought process really can come from a place of actually "wanting to be heard." I really agree with @aurum. However, if what he's saying is actually true regarding his stories leading up to that suicide note, e.g. that 25 day starvation period and meditating so intensely, I could see that also as an act of that shows his level of Zen Devilry. Overall I think this really does show the magnitude of what enlightenment work can cause and the importance of understanding what Zen Devilry is and how this path is not to be half-assed. Really shows that you are in a metaphorical sense really are playing with fire. I think this was especially important for me because I have a lot of emotional issues that I definitely could relate to with this kid in some ways and now I know just how those inner demons don't just automatically go away as a result of an enlightenment experience. If you're going to pursue Truth, do so with diligence and understanding of what it is you're actually doing.