Truth Addict

Programming your mind is not what you want. Though you can use this method in certain situations, but the best results come from more awareness, not less. Develop your awareness, it's curative by itself.

Could it be that 5-MeO creates another dream parallel to the original one?

So if one is aware of their thoughts and the true self, can they use video games to train their focus? Since some video games require much concentration. Thoughts on this?

Guys I need your advice. I'm stuck in my life, my life is full of addictions, and I'm a total loser, I failed at college last year and I expect failure this year obviously. I've been paralysed in every aspect of life for almost 2 years. I can't move forward, nor I can do anything about it. I'm poor btw, I don't have much money. Should I quit my life and join the army? Is this a good idea? Would it help to fix my issues?

@K VIL Yes it's calling me, I don't know about you, but serving the country here is mandatory.

@dynamics The main reason is lack of discipline and motivation. I think I expressed myself a little bit brief. I didn't say that I'm sad for being a loser, it was just a description of my failure all the time. @MarinM This resonates with me very well! I tried working many times before, and I was super-performing, I worked harder than everyone else, I got many rewards and raises. But I had to quit my job because I had to study, but again, here I am, I lack discipline. I worked at a drug store this year, and turned the place around, everyone there loved me back then, especially my boss. I left for almost two and a half months now, and instead of studying, I'm just wasting my time and distracting myself. This lack of discipline is killing me, and I don't have a life purpose, nor I have enough money to leave town or start a business. Yes, if I do succeed this year, I'm planning to work again. But I'm not sure that I will, chances are I'm failing. But even if I succeed and get a job, it will only sweep my discipline issue under the rug. That's why I thought about joining the army, I think it can help fix my addictions and discipline me.

@Brittany I might have to wait and see other ideas before I decide. But thank you ?

@Brittany Hehe, true. I just don't find anything satisfying. I also haven't found my life purpose yet. The problem is that I set goals but I can't achieve them, because I don't really have the motivation for them. I know my movement should be genuine, but I don't find anything to do honestly. Everything seems pointless.

@Brittany Thank you for your nice words. I get your point, but that doesn't change anything. I've been trying so hard to change, tried many different ways, everything failed. I feel like life is leading me this way. And I feel that I shouldn't resist it.

@pluto Thanks ?

@Faceless Why do you rank truth (experience) above illusion (belief)? In total nonduality, they're the same thing. The experience you're having right now can't be had without beliefs, also interestingly, thoughts and beliefs (contrary to experience) are the thing that makes experience make sense at all, because you can only have an experience if you have something to compare it against, which is thought, polar opposites, same thing actually. Without thought, how would you know that there is an experience happening?

It happens to 'you', just like life also happens to you. But who is 'you'? I don't know, and I'm not sure there might be an answer without belief.

Easy man ? You should be able to see that even the most fundamental truths about reality and how you aquire your information and sensations, cannot be trusted, exactly as thoughts, they're mere stories, only more intense. One dream within another. Ask yourself, why do you identify with your sight? How do you know that sight is yours? The answer is thoughts and beliefs, nothing else.

Not everything has to be serious. It's okay to have some fun

I actually understand that. I did many times rest in awareness (though I'm not completely aware or awake). Beliefs are no different from sight and hearing. The self wants to ground itself in illusion to feel solid and secure. Alright, we agree on that. But again, why not using beliefs to your benefit? Since even truth is an illusion.

I think you should replace the 'we' with 'I'. Only you shall answer your question.

Yes. What's the point of not believing? What's the point of living? What's the point of asking? What's the point of answering? What's the point of having or not having a point at all? You see, there are many layers of beliefs running. You just can't avoid believing. So choose your beliefs consciously. This is my advice. Inhaling contradits exhaling, and both create life (life = duality = nonduality), but who is right? Maybe everyone

@Joseph Maynor @Faceless I think you're both talking about the same thing from different angles.

And here we are running circles around forever. Maybe there is no answer to this question. The self is created by beliefs, and beliefs are created by the self. Chicken and egg dilemma. At this point, and after you saw raw reality (without beliefs), I think one should make a conscious belief, because this state of no beliefs is not beneficial, and maybe harmful to reality at large. Also, 'no beliefs' don't explain anything, so we're clueless forever or claiming to know while we truly know we're clueless. I think it is time to start believing. Believe!

@Faceless Actually, you can't perform in life without beliefs, whether you are aware of them or not. You and I believe, for example, that fire hurts, it's not a fact, it's a belief. (Movement of thought). And in fact, you're here discussing and interacting because you believe in something, I don't know what that is, but it's definitely a belief. But this is slightly off-topic. Here's the thing, you believe that beliefs are not the Truth (the map is not the territory). It's a belief. Are you aware of this? You really can't move forward in life without beliefs, and some beliefs can be better than others. You will have to choose. But you can't avoid belief. And no, I don't think of beliefs as illusions or facts, etc... Beliefs are just beliefs (not the Truth, not reality, not illusions, not facts. Only beliefs). The problem comes when we try to avoid them, claiming (believing) that they contradict with reality. Btw, it's nice having a conversation with you.

@Faceless There is one assumption that you might not be aware of when it comes to this specific topic, and that is you believe that beliefs are not reality itself, and that they are something contrary to the Truth. I don't know honestly, but why would you assume that too? Isn't that a belief?

It could be a theory if you wanted to. But when it's not, it's above everything else. I'm not there yet, I think. Doesn't matter. Can't trust anyone on this but myself, maybe I'm deluded by myself too, lol.

Awareness.

I see, but what is the grounding for that?

@Faceless I agree, thoughts are created by experiences, memories, etc... (self). But again, experiences, memories, etc... (self) are created by thoughts in the first place. Where is it all occurring and why?