Search the Community

Showing results for 'transformation'.


Didn't find what you were looking for? Try searching for:


More search options

  • Search By Tags

    Type tags separated by commas.
  • Search By Author

Content Type


Forums

  • Forum Guidelines
    • Guidelines
  • Main Discussions
    • Personal Development -- [Main]
    • Spirituality, Consciousness, Awakening, Mysticism, Meditation, God
    • Psychedelics
    • Society, Politics, Government, Environment, Current Events
    • Life Purpose, Career, Entrepreneurship, Finance
    • Dating, Sexuality, Relationships, Family
    • Health, Fitness, Nutrition, Supplements
    • Intellectual Stuff: Philosophy, Science, Technology
    • Mental Health, Serious Emotional Issues
    • High Consciousness Resources
    • Off-Topic: Pop-Culture, Entertainment, Fun
  • Other
    • Self-Actualization Journals
    • Self-Help Product & Book Reviews
    • Video Requests For Leo

Found 2,687 results

  1. @Truth Addict For a deeply enlightened Emotional mastery means simply absence of emotions no matter what in all circumstances. For other enlightened with lesser degree of transformation realisations insights emotions still appear and some react to that and some don't but at least enlightenment basic least enlightenment means not geting attached to emotions they are like passing clouds they don't touch them on the surface it will appear to others like that. Emotions are just appearences projections it appears to be appealing as real. The thought I hate Ralston consciously is an appearance projection which again is believed as real and the person truth addict is passing his judgements based on that. That's how ordinarily people believe judge act this is good that Is bad.This is the best that is the best etc isn't it ? I hate Ralston consciously knowingly I hate love Ralston consciously unconsciously knowingly unknowingly isn't it ? Even for the enlightened the communication has to be done to others and they best try to communicate in all possible means by the thoughts that are appearing to them in what ever language words they know knowing perfectly the life birth circumstances knowledge they have are not theirs nor their creations.It is just happening. (--- Note it is Truth Addict who imparted the wisdom to me now you are getting attached to the idea of detachment.) That's how judgemental reactive likes dislikes are transcended isn't it ? You are neither the experiencer experiences nor the doer creator.They are happening in the body mind that's not me and not my concern. I am not interested in the unreal - Nisargadatta Maharaj. What ever said are just intellectual understandings I am yet to realise experience the truth ???? @Nahm
  2. i used to smoke cannabis during my transition from stage orange to green but I quit 2 years ago since it wasn't serving me any longer. So far I have had 3 lsd trips and 2 mushroom trips. None of these even came close to the how incredible my cannabis trip was last night. I did it with a group in a friends room. I consumed it through 1 bong hit but I basically just sat on his meditation cushion and did my own thing while the others ate, talked, and watched youtube. When it hit, insight after insight just kept pouring through my head. Sadly, I forgot most of it shortly after. Some key takeaways: How much neuroses is stuck in my lower chakras: The healing power of cannabis is incredible underrated, I literally was just breathing and focusing on relaxing my anal, perennial and stomach muscles. As I breathed it felt like there was pent up, twisted energy that was being worked through. I feel like I've just dropped a heavy load that I've been carrying around for so long I've forgotten it was there. A recurring theme in my life-Elliot Hulse originally introduced the concept of 'dying to your old self' so you may become 'the strongest version of yourself'. What i've realized is that my identity level changes throughout my life have always been catalyzed by individuals. It is the individual people that I am drawn to, not their isolated teaching, their technique, their method, etc. Hence, I've been very drawn to Sadhguru before finding Leo although I've never actually made any attempts to go for his courses. Hence, I will go to his ashram during my summer break. DISCLAIMER: I do not advocate Elliot's recent developments as I feel they are myopic. Having said that, he is still a very valuable mentor to many people including myself. How powerful kriya yoga actually is-I've been meditating for a little over 2 years. I started off doing 5 minutes of anapanasati meditation (mindfulness of the breath) a day to 45 minutes a day. 6 months ago I swapped that for kriya yoga. Last night showed me just how goddamn powerful my practice is. I could feel my crown and third eye buzzing intensely. It's as if each time I used cannabis throughout the 2 years my sensitivity has been becoming exponentially stronger. It felt like it was activated but I knew I was still operating in a very limited perception. I felt that I could explode my reality by focusing there but I chose not to. Which leads me to my next insight-there was 1 particular book in the booklist that mentioned not to focus on the crown chakra until you're ready as it may have negative side effects. I'm only 21 and I don't feel like my life is in the chapter/phase where I can fully focus on seeking. Hence, I have to redirect my focus to building a stable foundation. Insights on my family dynamic-it's not something I'd like to get into the details into but in a nutshell, part of the reason I came down this rabbit hole was because my family is quite dysfunctional in many ways. Now is a time of transition for my family where we must heal, and I must lead this transformation. I've found the tool I've been looking for and will experiment with edibles. Thanks for reading
  3. An excerpt from an excerpt from an article. " Sustained encounters with objectless-awareness are in fact meaningfully relevant to ongoing transformation," Here, Samadhi consciousness exists as the peak form of non-dual attainment. That being said, it administers a very serious ultimatum. If one does not come down from absorption into the formless, then an inability to function in the causal world may result. Due to the notorious hardships of Samadhi subjects who endure this precarious experience, Ramakrishna believed that the subsequent “fall from grace” back into phenomenal reality could beneficially actualize an intermediary consciousness. Surmising that sustained encounters with objectless-awareness are in fact meaningfully relevant to ongoing transformation, he suggested Samadhi’s function, after having been summoned back to ordinary consciousness, was to gradually integrate the experience into Bhavamukha. This zone of liminal reception allows for a transformed multiplicity to join in with absolute One-ness, resulting in a sophisticated mode of non-dual perceiving. Through bhavamukha, personhood remains in-tune with the phenomenal world, as Ramakrishna himself, their life spared from complete absorption into One-ness for the continuing enlightenment of all beings. https://wisdomwayofknowing.org/resource-directory/on-the-imaginal-by-joshua-tysinger/
  4. You guys are amazing! @Nahm thank you so very much for your inspiration, loving and authentic advice which is positively constructive. The problem actually is hormonal-imbalance which I’ll get corrected ASAP. I’ll just leave you guys an awesome quote from a real hero. If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself. If you want to eliminate all the suffering in the world, then eliminate all that is dark and negative in yourself. Truly, the greatest gift you have to give is that of your own self-transformation. - Lao Tzu
  5. What is entailed in integrating trips? What are the common traps people miss when integrating their trips? What are you looking to do and focus on between trips to get really last changing and transformation from your psychedelic trips? What are the common hurdles to look out for? What are the normal yet very common challenges post-trip?
  6. recently i discovered a method in a book that explains a simple method on how to get a lot of things done by a method called D.R.A.T what means discipline, relaxation, attention, transformation. watching the last video i found out why the letting go of fear method doesn`t work for me. as i am in denial/avoidance of blue structures, what means i try to avoid structures that are stiff, normative, rigid, bureaucratic, over regulating and dogmatic. so in a sense i am in denial and avoidance of fear as these structures work or are installed to regulate basic fears. so in a sense i can`t work with the fear method what has some parallels to that method in how it works, let`s call it F.R.A.T fear, relaxation, attention, transformation because i`m in avoidance of blue discipline. somehow i wonder if it is a fear of using fear to solve problems as i`m not in fear of the basic survival stuff, so i`m more in lack of fear than having too much of it. so i was wondering if there are other methods to attain discipline instead of fear to then work with F.R.A.T on discipline. it`s really a little bit upside down. life purpose is not enough to overcome it, creativity is not fast enough to overcome it, fear seems to be a good regulator for discipline. also working with applying fear to what i am in denial about doesn`t really work because the avoidance/fear of discipline is bigger than the avoidance/fear of the survival issue. in that sense what to do if we already have let go of fear, through relaxation about it without being more attentive about it when the A in F.R.A.T becomes avoidance instead of attention? just realized, it`s a R.R.A.T problem or maybe an A.R.A.T problem (attention, relaxation, avoidance, transformation) even C.R.A.T (confrontation, relaxation, attention, transformation) is not enough to get to the root of the problem.
  7. @Scholar Sexual energy is used in magic in many magical traditions across the world. It is used in Tantra, Tibetan Buddhist sorcery, Thai magic, etc, etc. The reason why is, if controlled, can generate massive amounts of psychic energy that can than be used and directed to workings based on your intention. It can add huge amounts of power to magick. This magick can be used for inner transformation, enlightenment/awakening or manifesting one's will in the physical realm. Sex, in this context, is considered sacred and holy. Jason Miller wrote a great book on Sex and Sorcery that is mostly based on Tantra and Tibetan Buddhist sorcery. The term "occult" includes any methods to influence possible realities according to one's intention so doesnt necessarily just refer to Western practices.
  8. I wouldn't mind at all. Just now going offline though, but I'll pick this back up tomorrow. Hopefully I can offer something that's useful. Almaas's Theory of Holes and his teaching about 'sitting with it', whatever it is, until it transforms is one I may l touch on some more. 'Sitting with' triggers the alchemical transformation,,,. More later on.?‍♂️ Reminder to self. Three Centered Prayer and leaping out of one's grave.
  9. I've been reinventing myself lately. Starting new projects and following through. It's amazing what finishing a goal that seemed impossible does with the mind. The first time is the hardest, next time is going to ten times easier. For me that project was "Ambitions", an epic cinematic EP inspired by the inner drive to reach a goal. The challenges, journey and transformation a person must take in order to truly embrace and land in the newly created spot in life. I hope you like it! Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7FTaLG51n8&list=PLJHKS6bTFEp8KDG9kx5FZG5B_Ub-nEZfC Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/79OE5ilwsonbVI2KWo4TJg?si=zh6jWGxDTUSMS9Nx0GNNHA Apple Music: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/album/ambitions-ep/1473974965
  10. Been struggling with this for a while. I'm a tall and skinny guy. Also I dont have much motivation to workout and do a full body transformation. Any advise? Any book recommendations?
  11. I used to frown upon or even look down on the idea of “coping” but I’ve come to realize how inevitably necessary it is to experience when I think about what it actually means to cope or grieve after the loss of a loved one, I feel it is the allowing for a transformation of negative energy-pain,suffering,sadness, grief, loss,heartbreak- into Love, or perhaps the art if letting go It’s all love in disguise, loss = remembrance, acceptance = gratitude, cycle of life = love My favorite ways to cope have been listening to sad music, movies, writing letters to loved ones, and being alone, sometimes in nature
  12. After almost doing 50 trips of 5-meo and DPT. Like 40-10 ratio, I have come to follow with a lot more heart the tantric yoga and tantric Tibetan Buddhism. All these psychedelics trips have shown me from ***Personal experience*** that enlightenment is the goal but I will not achieve through psychedelics as they are not permanent. I would suggest my good friends here to research *Kalachakra* from Tibetan Buddhism. This book " Chakras energy centers of transformation by Harish Johari " is a great book on showing you visualization on each chakra. I am going to take it easier on very powerful psychedelics but forever thankful for the opportunity on having such mystical experiences that made me more hungry for actual enlightenment like Tilopa and Naropa and Padmasambhava and Jesus and Buddha and many others. Many Tibetan masters have gotten enlighten through the practice of Kalachakra which comes directly from the Buddha when he was giving lectures on *Vulture Peak*. I have also come to learn part of the *Dream Yoga* which is 1 of the 6 Yogas from Naropa. Everyday learning more and more. This is not the end of the trail my friends. I have yet to know of anyone that got fully enlighten like the Awaken above mention. He who seeks should find.
  13. @Inliytened1 Leo is right when he says the forum has given lot of freedom to the people to express their opinions much much much tolerant compared to the spiritual communities Indian ashrams zen monastries. People think masters monks will be very compassionate. They dont encourage asking questions at all.They crush the ego often. They hit you test your patience intimidate you crticize you rebuke demean tell you fool they test your attachment detachment likes dislikes give wrong guidance to see if one have the discrimination to call the bluff they will test how determined one is after truth how attached to money family opposite sex name fame lust and seeker ego and spiritual ego how disciplined one is how truthful how sincere dedicated ??? The prerequisites of Truth integrity listening with empty mind calmness equanimity tolerance to suffering dispassion to sense pleasures dedication compassion to all (but not attachment) and very very strong quest for Truth -Qualifications required for a seeker ??? The important qualifications are cutting the interest of seeking knowledge - but choose the path and practice - silence (no talking unnecessarily) no debates no intellual arguements. Seekers are not supposed to guide tell their experiences to fellow seekers. Speak only the Truth - Truth what they mean here what ones own experience.Not opinions not borrowed knowledge. Thoughts Speech Action should be the same. The path is not just sitting in meditation for half an hour but continously putting garbage in to the mind rest of the day Full concentration mindfulness of ones action every moment when in action work. ??? Actual spiritual life of monks can be learnt only if we have chance not just to interact but see how they live and spend time with them for couple of months. Indiscipline disobediance disrespectful words (bad words ) one will be thrown out. Daily routine. They dont emphasize or advice fast quick enlightenment. The emphasize is on purification-transformation of mind not just transcending the mind naturally. (Which is where differences come - dont get caught in purification trap - choose a middle path top down approach-bottom up aporoach etc) but neverthless I am ashamed of myself of where I am and where they are as a person and disciplined purified mind ????
  14. Haha jokes aside, Leo was a very important person in my transformation, and the friends I met here are so important for me, too good not to share. Thanks Leo for building bridges so I could meet those incredible beings That’s me and Justin watching the sunset today in Malibu, we meet from time to time to talk about the god bufo alvarius and self actualization stuff. It’s so amazing to have other people to share this crazy and beautiful path with has someone else met in person? Would love to see more pics ?
  15. Goes like: Truth (Pure consciousness, completely detached, completely being, no need of freewill, end of all suffering/no suffering) --> Everythingness (anything automatically coming out of it, all realms-each behaving in certain ways, some have more power of choice, some less, some closer to the Source-Truth) --> singularity (flow, transformation, black/white hole, Riding the Ox Backwards) --> ego (embodiment into your body, to love realm, as well as embodiment into the universe) _____ I was commenting on no freewill in this thread.
  16. @Leo Gura Perhaps a green version of Trump isn't the best way to describe it. I meant it more in the sense that Trump has taken over and is revolutionizing the republican party. I think Bernie could do the same in a Green version. For example, republicans are afraid to speak against Trump in fear of being shamed, primaried etc. Yet this is done with toxic motivations. I think if Bernie got the same level of public Green energy as Trump has red/blue energy, he could use that energy to transform the party up to Green - much the same as Trump has transformed republicans back down to red/blue. Yet Bernie is a healthy version of it. We are already seeing this transformation. After a few years of Bernie, Democratic politicians may be afraid to speak out against Bernie and his follows - in fear of feeling The Bern.
  17. Letting go quotes from the glossary. 2 of 12 from https://www.diamondapproach.org/glossary/refinery_phrases/letting-go The Personality Can't Let Go; It Just Stops Pushing If the personality stops pushing, it ceases to exist, because the very existence of the personality is a contraction, a pushing. So, when you follow this process, the part of the personality which is holding a particular tension will disappear when you see no more reason to push. When you realize that the pushing is useless, you stop doing it. This is still not exactly what is called surrender; it is what is sometimes called letting go. We sometimes think of it as the personality letting go, but even this is not accurate. The personality can't let go. It just stops pushing. And when it stops pushing, it disappears. There is no person which is letting go of something. There is no entity letting go of another object. When Ego Ceases Its Defensive Posture Completely then Being Acts This interdependence between ego and Being can also be seen in the process of inner metabolism. Ego on its own cannot complete the metabolism of experience and hence cannot bring about complete human development; Being is needed for this process to take place. On the other hand, Being cannot accomplish on its own the whole process of metabolism; it cannot dislodge ego when ego is defensive. From the perspective of the mind, Being can be resisted easily with a slight movement of ego; thus ego must first cooperate by relinquishing its defensive posture. It is up to ego to cease resisting. When it ceases its defensive posture completely, then Being acts. This is an important understanding for methods of inner realization. The work on purifying or understanding ego will not lead, by itself, to transformation. Being by itself cannot do it either. The work must be done from both directions—the letting go of ego defenses and the development of Essence.
  18. @ValiantSalvatore All kind of acts of violence - Murder,rape,terrorism,violence,abuse,cheating which harm others physically,mentally is termed as sin. Regarding lust - It is attachment to sensual pleasure it is a necessary mechanism for pro-creation.So by itself it is neither good or bad.Only if one is attached addicted to lust - sex as a means of pleasure seeking like all other temporary sensual pleasure then it is considered a bondage.Seeing the opposite sex as object of pleasure is not expected from a Guru. From the standpoint of a Guru who is supposed to see everything as one - god if is still entangled in petty lust identifies himself as body and and abuses his position as a master and indulges in sexual activity with the faithful innocent disciples then it is pure cheating.Doing great dis-service,harm. How can such person who is deluded with lust,greed can consider himself qualified to impart Truth,selflessness,purity to the upliftment of fellow humans from bondage-suffering ? Regarding enlightenment - There are no stages.Either one is enlightened or not enlightened. There are only stages in transformation of mind. With true wisdom it is said comes true humility,love,peace,compassion,un selfishness,patience,tolerance and compassion to uplift the humanity. So how responsible the Guru should be in terms of living as an example his actions and teaching.Such high standards are mentioned expected as pre-requisites for a Guru. But if an enlightened decides not to take that responsibility and chooses to remain free - mostly they dont interact with world and remain secluded.They dont disclose their wisdom nor claim themselves to be Guru. Traditionally monks remain as brahmacharies for 12 years and only after careful observation Sanyas is offered only if their mind is pure.
  19. @ben_pte There are so many diverse approaches to magick. First I would start with the philosophies about occult enlightenment and self transformation. There is some real power there. Become something that can be a tool for the divine and things can get very interesting. I like Damon Echols. He has a book called high magick that I got started on. He also does a great interview on Buddha at the Gas Pump where he dives deep in the spiritual ascent aspect.
  20. It is said that motion is an illusion constructed by our brains just as time is. Plants, fungus, or cells are not aware of what time is and therefore are not conscious in that sense. They might as well be just your conscious brain imagining things living on their own. It's nonsense to think that they are communicating with concepts and perceive motion just the same we do because we know that isn't the case. There are different levels of evolution. Ultimately, real world doesn't care about what we want to believe. Walls are still walls and we're still humans experiencing the physical realm. If you want to believe that there are unicorns flying and we're not human, then science is not for you. And death is transformation but not in the sense we think it is. The brain, together with all materiality - the universe itself - is contained within consciousness. Once we're dead, our senses and our conscious brain will be gone and there will be nothing like "me" or "you" left behind.
  21. Hey. Sounds rough. I don't think I've had the same degree of social issues, but I've had some so I'll share what I've experienced and learned. I've had, for the better part of my life I think, had trouble feeling connected and like I belonged. I felt I never really had social security and was always an outsider. After graduating and since then I've had long periods of isolation with not many people around me. If I did have people they were some family and a couple of other people. Even if I physically had some people I kept in contact with I would still feel isolated, stressed, and disconnected from them. I'm at a point now where I've been focusing on allowing feelings and behaviors to come through and have associated my social block with an intense pressure in my chest which, in previous years, had gone unnoticed. I've had moments recently where I was able to "turn it off", like a light switch using mindfulness, labeling, love, and contemplation. I'd be able to focus on the sensation, label it "allow" or "love" or "let go" or "feel" (or anything of that sort) and could release the sensation for a while. After this I'd be totally open and communicative with others and would actually enjoy being around them. I also noticed, which is new, that the feeling seems to be me rejecting others (perhaps from fear or of being hurt). Reiki, mindfulness and labeling, giving oneself love, sentence completion exercises, accepting the emotions, and self-inquiry I think have been major contributors to my successes. And psychedelics.... and compassion. It was actually through self-compassion that I experienced my most significant shift out of the social block. Connection, for me, is very important. I used to focus solely on enlightenment but I could never manage to live by myself without falling apart. I'm at a point where I realize that developing social connections is very important for my health and well-being and that it opens the doors to so much in life. Perhaps one day i'll be mature and developed enough to do the ol' "live in a cave alone" thing and focus on spirituality. Till then I think (for me) that human connection is a very important aspect of life and growth. Also, I think it's important to have a balanced and long-term view of healing/growth. I used to want to get it done with in an instant. I think that pressure was counter-productive. One's attitudes, thoughts, beliefs, and strategies towards healing and suffering can be almost as beneficial as the actual healing itself. Love and acceptance is probably a good place to start . Starting from a place of love makes transformation more smooth and sustainable. What attitudes, views, or beliefs in regards to your issues are a hindrance? What attitudes, views, or beliefs in regards to your issues are helping? Why do you want to change? Where haven't you investigated (in terms of therapies, aspects of yourself (somatic, emotional, memories, perhaps past lives or perinatal traumas)? What can you do to grow socially without being too far outside your comfort zone (no growth due to too much stress) or too far inside your comfort zone (no growth due to no change)? Can you notice if your issues are survival strategies? If so, what are you trying to survive? (I'd recommend Leo's Survival series if this question doesn't make sense) What do you want? Were there times when these issues weren't apparent? If so, what was different about those times? What's worked and why? What hasn't worked and why?
  22. Not trying to judge you my dude. Just offering you another perspective. Of course that article will say it's not conscious. Science will define what is aware and isn't aware of self based on consciousness being electricity inside a nervous system. This is kind of like using the word to define the meaning of the word. I'm making an assumption here, that means that you don't think plants, fungus, or cells, etc without a centralized nervous system are conscious? A radical interpretation of consciousness that I lean more towards everyday, is if it moves, it is conscious. Reality is ultimately groundless, so I could say it's all conscious to some degree. I believe the universe loves the game of hide and seek. I believe death is a transformation. While I may or may not be intelligent or conscious, I'll be something else: everything. I'll return to what I originally and always have been, still the universe. ? In the west, we demonize the hell out of death. But I've heard a couple good quotes. No one has ever done it and lived to tell us about it. And dying is perfectly safe. ?
  23. http://biologyofkundalini.com/ KUNDALINI - (Sanskrit kund, "to burn"; kunda, "to coil or to spiral") a concentrated field of intelligent, cosmic invisible energy absolutely vital to life; beginning in the base of the spine when a man or woman begins to evolve as wisdom is earned. Kundalini has been described as liquid fire and liquid light. The ultimate outcome of kundalini is the union of Will (sakti- kundalini), Knowledge {prana-kundalini) and Action (para- kundalini) http://biologyofkundalini.com/ Jana's energy amazes me. When you see everything she has tied together and researched, it's amazing. I've never talked to her or emailed her or anything. I've just enjoyed this site off and on over the years. I also like her for not being afraid of saying some far out shit. To be honest, there are parts of this book I have not read. Most of my time has been spent in a specific location of the book. This is a bit out of her chapter - toxic mind theory. Progressively it is coming to light that there is a large neuro-detoxification component to the kundalini phenomena. After reading Peter Levine, Robert Scaer, Alan Schore, Arthur Janov, Joseph Chilton Pearce and Ellie Van Winkle it is apparent to me that kundalini arises either spontaneously or through provocation in an effort to bleed of tension held in the limbic brain from the fossilized repression of emotion. Kundalini is a process by which the body is attempting to "throw off" its former conditioning through detoxification, death and regeneration. I am a big fan of the Toxic Mind Theory of mental and emotional illness which is described by Ellie Van Winkle at www.redirectingselftherapy.com/toxicmind.html He suggests emotional repression of the full expression of the fight/flight response and the consequent lack of resolution back to a neutral set point, results in the atrophy and toxicosis in catecholamine-noradrenergic neurons. A toxin is anything that cannot be utilized by the cell, and when elimination is impaired, toxins accumulate to intolerable levels and trigger a detoxification process. This cycle of toxification and detoxification shows up in the form of a mild to extreme disturbance in the emotions and personality. A kundalini awakening represents an intensive and extensive detoxification process during the temporary lifting of the repressive mechanisms of the "conscious" ego. Very many if not all factors lead me to this conclusion. For example fasting or going on a raw diet awakens kundalini because the body at last receives the energy and resources needed to bring about a detoxification crisis. Whereas the normal cooked diet requires so much energy and resources to process that it becomes an ally in the spiritual repressive mechanisms of the ego, as do all such addictions. Thus natural growth and transformation is thwarted as the personality clings to its past imprints by various means of self-suppression; including getting others to victimize you. Toxic Mind Theory is an elaboration of the stressing and unstressing process. A kundalini awakening is an amplified version of this normal cyclic detoxification process that affects us all. "A detoxification crisis is the sum of many crises in separate neurons, and depressive and excitatory symptoms may occur simultaneously. Whether symptoms will develop depends upon the extent of the toxicosis, and persons who are experiencing symptoms are healthier than those who are not because they are detoxifying their nervous systems." E. Van Winkle The bipolar shift from over excitement to depression is characteristic of nearly all mental disorders including addictions and Alzheimers. Van Winkle associates the hyperactive stage with excess norepinephrine and other metabolites flooding the synapses; first this causes excitation in postsynaptic neurons and then noradrenergic receptors become bound up with these other factors (dopamine, epinephrine, serotonin, GABA, peptides, amino acids and various waste products) and depression ensues.
  24. I think he offered a nice view at the global level regarding international agreements/laws vs. fragmented global nationalism. I think he was off the mark regarding the type of commentary that resonates with the liberal left. He gave John Oliver as an example of how the liberal left enjoys mocking "ordinary people" through comedy lacking substance. I suppose this is true for a portion of the left and it depends on how one defines "liberal". We could make a distinction between liberal and progressive. Yet the strongest resonance with progressives is not late show comedy, although it may provide relief. I would put the "liberal" group Zizek refers to as more upper Orange / lower Green. I'd put progressives at solid Green and they would resonate much stronger with independent news sources like TYT, Rebel HQ, Majority Report etc. At times they may delve into surface level mockery - yet it is with a cutting edge. Someone like Emma Vigeland is a prototypical solid progressive and she is all gravitas. This is where the depth, energy and passion is within the democratic party driving the transformation Zizek mentioned. I'm not sure if he is unaware how strong this segment is or if his point was that there are too many democrats within the "liberal left" that need to shift over to the "progressive left". I can see clear distinctions between corporate democrats and liberal/progressive democrats - yet I don't see clear distinctions between so-called liberal and progressive playing out. Progressives call out and rally against corporate democrats. Regarding his Democratic transformation, we are seeing it play out right now: Biden vs. Sanders/Warren. . . And Biden will not be the nominee, even with the support of mainstream media.
  25. @Danioover9000 Great question. Ive listened to a lot of talks about this because I had the same questions. Some people draw defined lines between black and white magic but I dont think it is quite that simple. Many people say that white magic is for spiritual evolution and black magic is for egoic desires. People that call themselves black magicians will use what many call white magic for inner transformation. People that would be considered evolved white magicians may occasionally use what many would consider to be black magic. Some people think that prosperity magick is black. If we have to spend valuable time working for money, I dont see a problem using magick to get money. Some people will use black magic on others for revenge and spite but what if you needed to stop someone who was seriously threatening you or a loved one? Im a "turn the other cheek" kind of person if it is just a bruised ego. Im the kind of guy that waves and smiles at people if they flip me off in traffic. I believe in showing kindness to everyone whenever possible. I wish ill on nobody but I have a personal life situation in which someone is trying to manipulate the legal system to take money that Ive saved for my retirement. Unfortunately for them, the best tool to protect myself is "black" magick. I will take it as far as I need to to make them rethink things. I believe it is intention that makes something "black" or "white" magick. Some people get off on darkness. That is not me. My values are love, beauty and truth but sometimes we have to enforce our boundaries through strength. Magick is a good way to deal with the "bullies" in life. I think black and white in this context is a false dichotomy.