Charlotte

How do you know this? So if you can't provide a good answer then the question is bad? Where is this assumption? Why? Where? Again, where? How do you know this? No offense, but all I see here is a conclusion you derived from a bunch of assumptions.

@thisintegrated in reference to what you said above are you saying the question is badly formulated? Other than a 'bad' question? Because saying something is 'bad' is just as a vague statement as the original post you're critiquing? ?

@Steph30 are you aware of how 'pain' is actually produced and maintained physiologically in the body?

Have been literally thinking the same. I used to take what everyone said on here as gospel and absolute... My god was I naive, I had such a bias running and I didn't even see it (obvs). I question myself, who am I to give anyone advice? It all contains my biases, my worldview and beliefs, and 99% of people (please prove me wrong) take it literally, it isn't questioned (however this is an assumption). You have to be so careful. Most of the advice I see on here is regurgitated information, copies of copies of cloned beliefs.

@egoeimai hey you! Great to see you around here. I have been so busy with my first year at university. Some relaxing time now over the summer. Time to integrate and recalibrate Sugar and breads.... Instead of obtaining informatio from here, maybe you could eat what you want and don't want just by how you feel? I don't mean superficially feel either, I mean in alignment with what your body wants on the deeper level. Obviously this is assuming you know how to listen however. ?

Why? Intention behind it? Beliefs behind these food groups? ?

@puporing every time I Microdose I always seem to experience mushroom headaches.

Hi guys, I haven't been around for some time as I have been 110% focused on actualizing life purpose (1st year at uni) and simultaneously trying to manage a skin condition which took me by surprise. However, I have just finalised my first year and have much more time on my hands. In light of this, I have returned and thought I would share aspects and insights of the journey which I hope, could help others. I will start with a brief background for context. This will be the sixth year of consecutive education having left school with no qualifications I decided to return with the aim of university. Along the way, I noticed core limiting beliefs were at work, this was due to an array of factors that had developed in the earlier years of life, including sibling rivalry, and underachieving academically which led to self-fulfilling prophecies. These, along with other basic (minimal insecurities) formed to create the only obstacles that ever stood in the way of me achieving whatever I wanted to i.e., 'myself.' Throughout the duration of the first year at university, I soon realised dedication, workload and sacrifices that were needed to complete this comfortably and with a reasonably good score. This was going to require something of me I had never given, however, because of something 'within' I cannot put into words, I knew I was going to complete this one way or another, no matter what arose. Leo's content has aided me in listening and trusting the entire process, that and also that, 'something' i alluded to earlier which I cannot transcribe. I noticed that many if not all, students I came across ( I am yet to meet anyone to provide evidence otherwise) all identified with their work results and marks they received back from lecturers. However, because I know I am not my mark, I am not words, I am not anything, this truly helped me enjoy every moment of the process, I am able to reframe and recontextualise academic feedback into a challenge, a learning process, something to be enjoyed! (this is something I learnt as iI did fall into this trap in the initial stages which I elaborate on throughout) With regards to academic testing, such as assignments, my mantra was always, 'if you aren't enjoying the work and or the process, then fear had arose', I made it an utmost priority to enjoy every single moment of that first year, there was no outcome I was attached to or concrete goal I identified with, my intention was to (as realistically as possible) try to enjoy every moment, *regardless* of content or context. I am not the type of person to kill myself completing work in fear, in the beginning of the year, I noticed (due to my reaction to feedback) I was falling into this trap, the emotions and thought that accompanied experience (work feedback) was what you would have referred to as; suffering, however after observation and contemplation, I soon realised what I was creating, I was creating (unconsciously and unknowingly) a preferred and the desired outcome based on expectations, and if these expectations (mark) weren't met, they were then met with insecurities. An unhealthy cycle that will lure and capture many people for many years. As the months went by and both the learning process continued spiritually, and academically, I enjoyed every day more and more. I was also, alongside this, learning how I learn... to learn . This was a very interesting process, and one that took required a humbling approach. After some time, I realised I was comparing myself to other with regards to such things as; the speed of work completion, or, how quickly they are able to grasp a concept etc. As usual, I started the investigation by looking inward, why? Why was I comparing myself, I knew from the suffering and comparison, that there is work to be done. It soon surfaced that the comparison was again, expectations I was placing on myself. End of year exams proved to be the biggest accomplishment I had academically achieved in my adult life. Every examination process and performance has, in the past, been hell, why? because of laziness, and self-limiting beliefs. This time, I was not allowing a repeat of every scenario throughout history. I had a vision, I bypassed many limiting beliefs, I knew I had no idea what my capabilities were, I am infinite intelligence, my achievements are boundless, all I had to do was do it, that's it. That simple. Two 2hr exams, back to back over the course of two days, because of the vision, hard work and determination to actualise what I wanted, I absolutely smashed the exams, I even enjoyed them! I perceived it as an opportunity to apply what I had learnt, a chance to demonstrate and 'show off', and an opportunity to display the content I had immersed myself in. Bill gates is an inspiration, the way he immerses himself in every topic, he 'becomes' the topic so to speak, systematically studying the fragments of it which then he synthesis and studies the larger whole, it's beautiful! The way he demonstrates the power of infinite intelligence gave me insight into how we partially limit ourselves. I have finished the first year of uni, utterly proud of myself, smashing and deconstructing limiting beliefs, constructing new healthy patterns of behaviour and thought, and being able to produce the results I aim for through sheer hard work, a 'letting go', perseverance and allowing that 'deeper knowing' to guide the way. I hope this can help anyone on here. If you have any further questions I am more than happy to answer. And don't ever forget, the answer is ALWAYS = 'You'

Anyone ever read/listened 'The divided Mind' by John E.Sarno? Would love to discuss. https://g.co/kgs/aKWVWD

For some time now I have been contemplating the nature of thought and reality. I would often ask myself, "Why does 'out there' feel so different to in here ????‍♀️" What is the contrasting differences between the two and why do they contain they nuance differences. The other day in the coffee shop, sat with my dad, contemplating, it hit me in the face like a brick. Now intellectually I knew this before this moment, however, something about this realisation hit me so hard it made me feel sick, you know them type of insight's. I realised that thought itself, is what creates that duality to 'out there' & 'in here'. Though is what separates them, however, they are the same thing, made from the same substance. Now after all these years I have been following Leo, you would think, 'Well dur Charlotte?, Bit late to the party!' But a few years back, I realised I had taken on most things Leo says as blind faith, I had not undergone my own investigation to derive at any answers for myself. So, I worked on defragmenting everything I 'knew' and I wiped the slate clean (this process was painful as I realised I had built a sneaky ideology). And now here I am. I appreciate Leo's insights but am now more skeptical, and go off to on my own quest (I am also skeptical of my own skepticism and even any insights I may find along the way). So tell me, even when you do have insights of your own, do you continue to question? Does it drive you insane like me because THERE IS NO GROUND!? ?

@Nahm but surely there has to be some sort of arrival point ('me') at which to question from? And then you could question the questioner from there? @BipolarGrowth thank you for this. Absolutely agree with everything you said. You're right about falling in love with the just the exploration of it, however, I also am seeking answers, even though I know there really aren't such thing as answers. Or even an answer for that matter, or maybe there is, I don't know ? @gettoefl ?

I'm approximately 10 pages into this book and you know when something is so good you have to go back and read the page again because it's unbelievably insightful. Well, that X10. Highly recommended. Changing my life already. 'Feel the fear and do it anyway'- Susan Jeffers

@Carl-Richard thanks for your response! Will be ordering the recommended book. Look forward to any potential future posts you write ☺️ happy holidays! ??☃️

I love your worldview and take on systems thinking @Carl-Richard thank you for taking the time to write that up and present it the way you did. I read the whole thing. I am a first year psychology student at a UK university and what I have noticed is the way I approach any topic or theory is from a systematic theoretical perspective. However, I am aware I am only just scratching the surface. What would you propose one would do to become a deeper more holistic systems thinker?

Before every evening meal, I ask myself. "What am I grateful for today." And whatever comes up I acknowledge and pay gratitude towards.

I have suffered with eczema from birth and it has come back with the vengeance. It continues to spread all over my body. I am suffering deeply, it's greatly affecting the quality of life I live. I understand it can be exacerbated by stress , a poor diet etc, however, stress is minimal and any is managed, my diet is ok, not perfect but it's ok (plant based) doctors are throwing steroid creams at me and I have had to take a course of antibiotics due to it becoming infected. Due to be patch tested at the dermatologist shortly. I am aware Eczema can return in cycle's so I am guessing maybe this is just doing it's rounds? Any advice is massively appreciated. Thank you.

Thinking back, this developed after the mushroom trip I did, in which I do feel since then I have unveiled a plethora of issue which I mentioned. Would be be interesting for me to do another and dive ballz deep.

@Opo did you get tested to find out what it was within the plants you were reacting to? Do you know specifically what it was?

@Matt23 Thank you so much for the input. It would be interesting to know if the Eczema ever came back. @Michael569 Thank you for your input, always appreciated. Oh I haven't really gone anywhere, just grasping university life and facing fears and new challenges and exploring a completely different way of life for this chapter ? Diet- vegan eat sugar in moderation, plenty of beans legumes, fruit and vegetables, some mock meat, but I would say (currently) a ratio of 65-70/40, 65-70 being organic wholefoods plant based and the rest being processed. (Also I was 2 years into veganism when this started) Environmental- cold and dry environment does make it worse, however, this seemed to of redeveloped, out of the blue approximately 2 years ago (a lot of issues did seem to develop after my intermittent fasting year. I.e., tendonitis/eczema.) Omegas- I do take some suppliments but not consistently enough, ahi flower and these from Tesco (https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/255431548) Zinc and protein- again I take zinc suppliments but not consistently enough and protein is definitely more than enough as I lift weights therefore consume 120g approx daily (tracked via myfitness). B and D - I do take consistently, b12 and D3 regularly. Overburden immune or detoxification- no idea. Possibility as my tendonitis has recently flared alongside an eczema flare. I have been investigated for autoimmune disorders (particularly psoriatic & rheumatoid) which were negative. I had bloods, scans and a full MRI of the entire spine. Long-term stress - there is a higher chance of this than anything else mentioned. Since beginning this journey I voluntarily explored every area of the psyche and my heart possible by entering into therapy. Since that began I have healed many areas but unveiled many areas of the unconscious which were possibly hidden. I made a commitment to myself to align to my higher self and heal the inner child. I do feel like the Eczema and tendon issues are a psychosomatic byproduct of the attachment to mind and neurotic behaviours that have manifested. Meds and gut health - I don't feel my diet would interfere with gut health as I regularly eat fermented foods and even take gut health supplements to compliment. The meds is out of question as I don't take any. Although, I were prescribed propanol to take on the occasion to help manage panic and anxiety. Sleep - in general very good. Cycle - last time I remember having eczema I must of been early teens and then again early 20's, it does seem to have a 7 years proximity, I am now 31, and it restarted when I was around early 30's. I hope that helps gain some insight @Medhansh thank you very much. @Opo animal foods are not superior in anyway shape or form. I am able to get and retain all the nutrients (and more) from a plant based diet. The only ingredient animal flesh contains that plants don't is animal fat. I don't see how animal fat cured Eczema, only if you were deficient in other vital nutrients that you were not consuming via a plant based diet.

It took a few years but when it hit, it stung. I have come to observe how the mind will mistaken the map for the territory ?️. It will cling like no tomorrow, and not only cling (to the map) but also hide the fact you don't know you only know the map, intellectually. You won't know (not generalising only speaking from my own experience about myself) you only 'know' the map until you bring this to light and question it. You won't know until you directly experience the territory vs the map. What I have in fact, directly experienced, vs held as belief, I can count on one hand. This is profundity. It's amazing, why? Because I can let go of beliefs, I can clearly now differentiate between map vs territory, menu vs food. I can see and most importantly, feel the contrasting experiences. This is profound. Have you seen this? Felt this?

You get out of it what you put into it (or don't) and the mind set you have (beliefs, ideas) you hold whilst going into it.

@RickyFitts very similar to the experience of myself. Sometimes brute forcing our way through can have an adverse affect. Love, respect and patience. We are magnificent, a miracle, we are the universe. How could one brush this off and try and 'rid' themselves of themselves with an intention of nothing but love?

@Nahm @Alex_R Sorry @Alex_R and Willie please ignore tag's. Nahm one major burning question within me is centered around feelings. Feelings fleet, feelings are subjective and to me an energy. However, feelings can and *sometimes* do relate to something deeper, for example, I just spotted a mangled pigeon on the sidewalk, I decided to bury him or her, and within the the stomach I felt a deep pit like feeling, sadness. I honour that feeling, I don't disregard. I respect and accept that feeling. Another hypothetical e.g., being with a partner I no longer wish to be with, being in their company provides a deep, unsettling intuitive like feeling. I listen to that because it's a story, it longs for awareness, it longs for the light. So my question is, some feelings, yes, maybe even most, derive from thought, they fleet, and blow around like a bag in the wind. These fleeting feelings I see are limited, and superficial, however the other feelings I mentioned further up, are I would say from a deeper space. It's important to hold space for these feelings, and acknowledge them yes? I almost feel, 'feelings' could attach an unhealthy stigma to them, and be spirituality bypassed, when, I feel, fleeting, superficial, or limited feelings should be held, acknowledged and allowed. They had a story, which points you to a deeper lesson, and usually a huge chance for growth. What would you reply to this?

Thanks for all your replies. @Nahm I do see this with thought, I see the subtleties in the distinctions, however, I still identify, the identification is strong. I did contemplate why this identification is so strong and why the need to 'cling' to thought, something blurry appeared from this contemplation, a blurred feeling of fear, of loneliness. Thought is me, I am thought, thought I am, when the thoughts are gone there is nothing. I hold a belief that thought (me) is 'my' closest friend and has kept me safe. There is such a strong hold on keeping with this narrative so that the 'I" remains. It's beautiful nevertheless. Undoubtedly 'I' will deploy the strongest strategy there is on keeping this identification with thought. And that's okay as I surrender slowly, I surrender in love and with love. Keep returning to feeling and the senses.

@Sam Johnson let go and surrender to *everything* you hold in your mind. Everything, including the help you need, the ideas you hold about this topic. It seems, and correct me if I am wrong, you have a bunch of ideas in your head which you're trying to grasp with your mind. Let go of it all and be.