snowleopard

@nahtanoj Yes, it appears that science is gradually shifting away from the materialist paradigm -- even if it has some ways to go to recognize the profound implications of this -- and it is long overdue. And there are now more than a few serious, sciencentific types, even former hardcore materialists, who are now making the case for the primacy of consciousness. To name just a few: Bernardo Kastrup (one-time CERN scientist and computer engineer); Donald Hoffman (cognitive scientist); Stuart Hameroff (anesthesiologist); Bruce Lipton (cell biologist), and the list goes on. But it may have to wait for a few more institutional, tenured 'dinosaurs', teaching the same old materialist dogma, to be put out to pasture, before the shift can really gain momentum. I remain cautiously optimistic, especially given how many bright young minds are appearing in forums like this, with a willingness to throw off the shackles and the blinders, and dare to dream of something beyond what those dinosaurs are preaching.

@ADD Now you can also be grateful for those gossip-mongers, without whom you may not have inquired into this valuable insight ... teachers appear in mysterious ways.

It seems what manifests from infinite potential, is whatever is compatible with one's core beliefs, conditioning, expectations and identifications. However repressed and subconscious they may be, they can only persist here and now. So if there is a core belief that there must be some karmic accounting for 'past' deeds ... well guess what. Inquire, inquire, inquire ... Fuck karma

@Wyatt I'm not sure that there is intrinsic meaning in the phenomenal construct -- i.e. Buddhism's 'emptiness' includes being empty of meaning. But I don't intuitively feel that this is as nihilistic as it initially seems. Because, paradoxically enough, as others here have said, it allows for the unconditional creation of whatever meaning one may read into it, and thus the meaning of it all is to create the meaning of it all, which now seems the most profoundly meaningful reason of all. And if taken full circle, it is seen as emptifullness, all that is ... That which one is in essence, which needs no meaning other than to be That which manifest this wondrous dream, and then seemingly wonder what it all means.

I would gossip about them in a discussion forum ... sorry, couldn't resist Seriously, if you truly want to hang out with them, then you're probably just going to have to accept them, warts and all. I doubt that they're going to be receptive to your moral judgment of their behavior, which will alienate them enough that you won't being hanging with them much longer. You surely can't force them to change. Perhaps best to just try to be a clear example of what the alternative to such ego-driven behavior looks like, and trust that those who resonate with that example will quite naturally be attracted toward it, while those who don't, will quite naturally turn away. It's kind of the way of the Tao

@iTommy Yeah, I think I get what you mean, and it's actually an idea that has been given some credibility in the so-called 'many worlds' or 'parallel universe' theoies in quantum physics -- the idea being that, to some degree, every probability plays out. So, for example, if Tomminess is undecided about hanging with friends at a movie tonight, or staying home and reading a good book, then both events are played out in different 'worlds.' I'm not sure how plausible this is, or if it can be extrapolated into infinite versions of Tomminess playing out infinite probable events. In any case, I agree that, by whatever name, there are unlimited, unique individual points of view, experiences, expressions of That which one is in essence. And who knows, in its infinite creative potential, maybe even unlimited dreamed up realms in which each unique expression explores every possible path

You could also try a natural stain remover, like baking soda mixed with some hydrogen peroxide. I mentioned this to my spouse who is a nurse, who says if it doesn't fade away in a day or two, with normal bathing, or becomes inflamed and painful, then seek medical attention.

As it's your first time handling shrooms, it may well be related, and may be some mild reaction. Who knows. Unless it gets worse, or painful, I wouldn't worry about it.

Looks like some mild allergic reaction. Are you sure you weren't handling something other than mushrooms. My son gets something like that from touching latex products. Some are allergic to certain detergents, etc. To treat it, you can try an over-the-counter anti-histamine.

@RossE Beautiful, heart-felt, moving ... Again, I continue to be amazed at how psychedelics pull this off, revealing deep insights that took a long time to come to terms with here, without the benefit of such a powerful tool. Divine pychonauts of the world unite in cyberspace and spread the Logos !

Short answer, no.

If 'Reality' is referring to That which one is in essence, then all descriptors are like disposable answers to a koan. Are there infinite potential relative points of view and experiences? It's sheer speculation, but probably safe to assume yes. Which are real, and which are illusory, seems very much a question of consensus. Are there infinite 'Tommys'? Well, the case has been made that there isn't any Tommy at all, except insofar as it is imagined to be so. In which case, infinite Tommys seems a moot point.

It's only enlightenment if there's been the realization that this Joker doesn't exist, except as a fictional character, like everyone else

I can't really speak to specific body sensations, energy movements, perceptual shifts, etc. Assuming you are in good health, these will come and go. But going into story-mode about them isn't going to help the practice, and is just a counter-productive distraction, and totally optional. Focus on what remains when the sensations pass, without any story about it, that which is ever-present, the awareness of all things that pass. Rupert Spira is quite effective at pointing to this IMO ...

He is one who has journeyed the path of much suffering, addiction, hitting rock bottom, etc -- which can be seen in his countenance. I suppose his approach appeals to others on that path, and the path of recovery, as he can relate to those perspectives. He came through AA, and possibly (not sure) studied A Course In Miracles, and has some informal zen background. If you're wondering if his teaching and approach is valid, I suppose it is very subjective and relative to one's POV. I can't judge it, not having taken that kind of journey, but if it is working in some way for those who resonate with it, then to each their own. I seem to recall that I did watch his interview on batgap.com, when it first came out ... seemed like genuine enough guy.

@OnceMore I can only speak based on experience, and having experienced the passing of grandparents, parents, a newborn child, friends and lovers, even in the midst of the most profound grief, there is the possibility of the most profound love/bliss ... It seems there is neither cold-hearted detachment, nor needless, story-based, woe-is-me suffering. Just this ever-deeper appreciation for another mystery, another paradox, another wonder to behold. Anyway, best prepare for it, as best one can. Inquire, inquire, inquire, etc.

@Nahm I think I see what you're getting at too ... That the nondual state reveals the seeming paradox as only apparent. Paradoxically, the only 'doing' that need be done is the undoing of the apparent paradox -- which makes for a good 'who done it' story

@egoless @Nahm It's a fascinating topic ... Clearly, duality is imaginable, as it is nothing but imagined ... but is nonduality? Leo's insightful 'strange loop' pointer seems like a way to visualize this apparent paradox? It's like a kind of visual koan ... he may well have pulled it off

@egoless Yeah, it's a good question, how to visualize what can't be imagined ... Maybe that's where psychedelics come into play ... intriguing idea.

@Shiva And here I thought you were on the awakened side of the strange loop ... Get back to the 'other' side impostor!

@Source_Mystic I concur about the used bookstores, wherein I spent a lot of time in quiet contemplation. I don't recall now, but I probably picked up both of those paperbacks in such a store. As wonderful as the internet is as a source of such information, I still do miss that musty old smell of well-worn, dog-eared books, handled by countless hands, while wandering those labyrinthine aisles as a bibliophile

Somewhat of a synchronicity, before reading this post, I just finished watching a video on the Kashmir Shaivism take on individuality vs segregated egoity, and it may well be relevant to the inquiry. Take a look if so inclined ... Universal Egoity & the Fivefold Nature of Oneness

@Source_Mystic The Essentials of Zen Buddhism is a classic ... I have a beat-up old paperback copy of that too, and here one finds it, thanks to the wonder of cyberspace, freely available online. I also have a copy of The Way of Zen by Allan Watts from 1960, another such brilliant classic, and that too is available online as a pristine pdf version ... If you haven't already read it take a look here. Youngins don't know how fortuitous it is to have these resources freely available these days !

@Jedd Like Azrael said, this isn't unexpected; it isn't about 24/7 bliss ... Using the strange loop metaphor, try looking at it this way: That which 'one' is in essence is never dichotomized into two apparently separate opposing sides of the strange loop ... It is ever-knowing the only side there actually is. So it is not dichotomized into euphoria and depression, the extraordinary and the ordinary, the highs and the lows, and there is no exclusive identification as such. It is not any identity -- some happy me vs an unhappy me. To paraphrase the song lyric -- freedom is another word for no identity left to lose. There is only the strange loopiness of all that is, never not right here, right now.

@John Iverson Sure, when I've got a year or two to spare, I'll just scan 10,000 pages of hardcopy and email them to you as a pdf. I've read hundreds of such books, and I don't think I've ever asked anyone for a book recommendation. And I don't usually recommend books, because it's very subjective what resonates with any individual. Maybe check out Leo's list. Anyway, these days there's so much available online, that if you can't find something meaningful to read, then you aren't trying very hard. Google 'spiritual book lists', then check out interviews and videos of the authors, and if you like what they have to say, then you might also like their books.