okulele

That's what I asked my teacher, but the answer was that you do not need to know the meaning. Your consciousness is not separate and your own knowledge or lack thereof doesn't change the words power. By chanting this you are connecting to that particular facet of consciousness, whether you like it or not.

@PsiloPutty I just sit however is comfortable and chant for approximately 30 minutes. Often times I start moving quite a bit, since there is a huge amount of energy though. @now is forever well, kind of, I guess. The gods in Hinduism are kind of like archetypes Jung talks about - so you tap into different facet of Consciousness with different chants. Some chants make me express my loneliness and sadness, some of them my fierceness. But all of them seem to raise energy in me which leads to the same Emptiness. @Jack River No willing really. I just sing and the energy spontaneously rises.

I loved "Iron John" from Robert Bly.

My duty "To behold the power moving my limbs, to bow to the wisdom designing all things. To witness the beauty in my own sight, to feel the anger when it's time to fight. To laugh when the laughter comes out the mouth, to cry when the mind is lost in its doubt. It's just my duty, it's nothing great. I'm the king-servant, I'm the devil-saint."

Time for the Heart!

God, Meister Eckhart and Paul Chek Very much worth sharing.

Obviously there is a lot of suffering going on around all of us. I feel compassion for others, who can't seem to get out of it, and I try to help. Here is how: 1. I get into meditation. 2. I feel/visualize the person concerned. 3. I feel/visualize the situation that I see causes them suffering. 4. I connect with the emotion that is stuck there and causes the suffering. 5. I let the emotion which is at the root of it go through my body and be expressed. Does anyone have similar experiences? Do you think I might be actually effecting the other person or could it all just be inside of my limited mind? I'll be experimenting with this and I will try to get evidence, but before I do, I'd like to hear some opinions.

Thanks for the warning, I will consider it.

I have some experience with MDMA and I wouldn't really recommend it. It basically bursts your heart open making you extremely loving, compassionate and open. However, as rule, the heart is not ready for that, I think. It is a forced opening, it puts you into an very, very vulnerable place. That can be dangerous if you haven't gone through the natural, step-by-step process of opening the heart. You can get overwhelmed, traumatized, even intruded. Basically emotionally raped. Whatever you do, be careful!

Find your life purpose, find your passion. Delve into that.

Sounds like you are cut of from your emotions. Your heart is closed. Life feels dry, no flavors to it. Is that right? I'd suggest getting in touch with your emotions, although it might be a challenge because of your past . Does talking to someone and opening up to them to the point where you cry out your emotions sound possible? Do you have someone close, to whom you can really, really open up to? If there is no friend or loved one, maybe a therapist? Or maybe does prayer or loving-kindness meditation sound better to you? Both should make you emotional and open up the blocks. Or maybe physical stuff like deep breathing, osho's meditations or bioenergetics? I know this must be tough, I am sure there is a lot of pain inside of you and it is so big, you just habitually cut yourself of. But you CAN open up, bit by bit. You really can!

I'd like to see that too.

This is from the book "THE HINDU-YOGI SCIENCE OF BREATH by YOGI RAMACHARAKA" Check out the whole book on http://www.arfalpha.com/ScienceOfBreath/ScienceOfBreath.pdf to see what a Complete Breathe is. It's just 71 pages. Who knows, maybe it could help you? also Hope this helps

The answer just happens "A question's upon me, no answer in sight. Not know which choice, is the choice that is right. And I just don't know, and I don't know, and I don't know. And the answer just happens, all of its own."

Thanks for your encouraging comment! Well I do feel the need every day. I finish every evening seeing that there is so much old stuff to take out still. This will take a while, I suppose.

A couple of weeks ago I decided to consciously bring out the desire for Truth and God in myself. I sat myself down, sat a timer for 30 minutes and started going in, into my emotions, into my heart - in search for the longing. Although the longing was a little superficial and fake at first, soon it became stronger and stronger, bringing out a lot of emotions. Since then, I have been doing this every evening for 30 minutes. I sit down, I let my long trapped pain flow out, my heart to bleed (that is literally what it feels like). Sometimes some form of spoken, spontaneous prayer helps to induce it. I always cry, sometimes laugh. I tap into what seems like an inexhaustible saddens and fear, and also great joy just beneath. Sometimes the 30 minutes are filled with the body shaking and moving in strange (often disturbing) ways, sometimes love springs out and wonderful devotion to Life. It feels like there is no end to this pain and pleasure in my heart, which ultimately turn out to be very alike, often very hard to distinguish. These 30 minutes are full of life, full of love and never ever boring. This practice is very beneficial for me. I see how closed I was to emotions (being a very manly man in my mind), which ultimately led me to a lot of compulsive behaviors (the blocked emotions coming out unconsciously). I feel much safer with handling my emotions in a conscious way, now. Anyone doing a similar thing? Is this what the Christian praying is about? Is this the Hindu bhakti?

As everything, Leo's work can be used in a very beneficial way. As everything, Leo's work can be misused and lead you to being dependent and limited to his perspective only. No pros or cons. These are just your projections.

Hey @effy ! Sounds like you've got a real challenging situation there. I'm sure quitting your studies must have been difficult. Seems like you are a very brave person to make this tough decision. I'm just here to remind you to have some faith. The "I don't know phase" can be a real blessing. Annything can come out of it. Who knows, maybe even your dream life? Best of luck and enjoy a lot of fresh air!

Here is another example how meditation can get you in trouble. I was driving my parents' car to town, being mindful and peaceful. Suddenly electric like sensations shoot up my spine into my head and create ecstasy at the top of my head. Needles to say, becoming high as fuck in a matter of seconds while driving is a bit disturbing. Fortunately I was able to restrain the sensations and focus back on my driving. Still, think twice before you meditate, kids! It might get you in trouble!

Why be present? "I want to be present to witness the show. I want to be present to see the high and low. I want to be present to serve the world. I want to be present for love to take hold. I want to be present to feel your pain. I want to be present to change the game. Worry no longer, beings of light! I see you. I hear you. I feel your heart."

Throw yourself fully into the feeling of nostalgia and discover what it is that you are REALLY missing.

@Timothy I get what you are saying. I am also at a place in life where facing pain is what I must do. However I thought that the op could benefit from a bit of Abraham Hicks approach at this moment.

I agree with @Joseph Maynor . Turn your attention away from your fears and worries. Turn your attention toward what your heart deeply desires. Check out Abraham Hicks. She's all about becoming positively motivated and making your dreams come true.