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The New Kingdom The New Kingdom of Egypt (1550-1069 B.C.), otherwise known as the Empire of Egypt, was instituted when Ahmose I expelled the foreign rule of Hyksos who had reigned during the Second Intermediate period (1802–1550 B.C.).The New Kingdom includes the 18th, 19th and 20th dynasties. In the later days of this epoch (1292–1069 B.C.) eleven pharaohs obtained the name of Ramesses, as a result, this time is also called the Ramesside period. This period comprises the reign of today’s best known pharaohs of Egypt: Hatshepsut, Tutankamun, Thutmose III, Amenhotep, Akhenaten and many others. The celebrated relics of history such as the temples of Karnak and Luxor, Abu Simbel, Ramesseum, and the tombs of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the queens were built in the course of this time. Egypt, with a strong central government, saw a prosperous year with an expansion of its dominion and trade routes. The Eighteenth Dynasty Dynasty XVIII (1543-1292 BC), otherwise known as the Thutmosid Dynasty because of the four kings named Thutmose, boasted Egypt’s foundation to a prosperous reign. The advent of the New Kingdom ushered in the revival of Egypt; the Theban Kings ousted the Hyksos and the Egyptian armed forces enlarged the kingdom’s dominion by entering the lands of Palestine and Syria. Egypt enjoyed an unprecedented prosperity of economy, trade expansion, foreign relations, innovative thinking, and artistry. This was made possible because of a succession of great kings and queens and a well-structured system of administration. The appointment of official positions was based on merit and competence which allowed for effective advances in all scopes of the kingdom’s enterprise. Now Egypt is big.. This period was anything but uneventful. Thutmose I conquered and expanded Egypt’s dominion to Syria and Palestine to the west, the Euphrates River in the north, and Nubia to the south. Queen Hatshepsut and her successor Tuthmose III secured Egypt’s position as the first super power. Akhenaten and his wife Nefertiti occasioned the world’s first instance of monotheism. Dynasty 18 pharaohs List of Dynasty XVIII Pharaohs 1549–1524 B.C.—Ahmose 1524–1503 B.C.—Amenhotep I 1503–1493 B.C.—Thutmose I 1493–1479 B.C.—Thutmose II 1479–1458 B.C.—Queen Hatshepsut 1479–1425 B.C.—Thutmose III 1425–1398 B.C.—Amenhotep II 1398–1388 B.C.—Thutmose IV 1388–1350 B.C.—Amenhotep III 1351–1334 B.C.—Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten) 1334–1332 B.C.—Smenkhkare 1332–1323 B.C.—Tutankhamun 1323–1319 B.C.—Ay 1319–1292 B.C.—Horemheb 1479–1425 B.C.—Thutmose III 1351–1334 B.C.—Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten) The son of Amenhotep III and Tiye, Akhenaten He was the father of Tutankhamen (by a lesser wife named Kiya) and Ankhsenamun, who was the wife and half-sister of Tutankhamen—her mother was Nefertiti. In the beginning five years of his rule, he was referred to as Amenhotep IV. He continued his father’s legacy and adhered to Egypt’s polytheism. But then he went through a religious transformation; he forsook his cult of Amun and espoused the cult of Aten. He altered his name to Akhenaten, meaning ‘successful for’ or `of great use to’ the god Aten. And in the next twelve years of his rule his religious fixation led Egypt to a complete collapse. Akhenaten’s rule is one of anarchy; it is often referred to as ‘The Amarna Period’ (1353-1336 B.C.). This was due to the fact that he changed the capital of the kingdom from Thebes to a city he established - Akhetaten, which later came to be known as Amarna. This was a capital dedicated to the god Aten. It can be argued that Akhenaten was a pharaoh that brought the dynasty to its nadir. The Amarna Period was fraught with turmoil. Akhenaten implemented reforms aimed at establishing a single and supreme god. He pursued a policy of erasing the worship of other gods besides Aten. The names of the other gods were chiseled from monuments, the ancient practices were banned and temples consecrated to other gods were shut down. This era was a stark contrast from the polytheistic and religiously tolerant Egypt. The Egyptologist Zahi Hawass writes: “Dating to this point in Akhenaten’s reign was a campaign to excise the name of gods other than the Aten, especially Amun, from the monuments of Egypt. This was done with violence: hieroglyphs were brutally hacked from the walls of temples and tombs. This was probably carried out, at least in part, by illiterate iconoclasts, presumably following the orders of their king. [Akhenaten] carried out a religious revolution the like of which had never been seen before in Egypt. His reign represents a significant departure from religious, artistic, and political norms (42-43).” Akhenaten was notorious for his actions; in archival records, his successors referred to him as “heretic king”, "the enemy" or "that criminal". He remained an ambiguous entity in Egypt’s history until the finding of the city of Amarna in the 19th century. 1332–1323 B.C.—Tutankhamun Despite his short life, Tutankhamen (also known as Tutankhamun and “King Tut”) is one of the most renowned historical relics of our time. His golden sarcophagus is now an emblem almost indistinguishable from Egypt. The name Tutankhamen means `living image of [the god] Amun.’ During his time of ruling, Tutankhamen, with his elder counselors, made strides to collect the rags of Egypt that his father left behind. He re-established order, brought back the religion of Amun and repaired derelict temples. Tutankhamen’s early death is a contentious topic among scholars. Some argue that the severe wound on his skull attest to his murder; others adduce his incestuous birth as a genesis of his early death. What can be asserted though is that Tutankhamen’s death sounded the Knell of the 18th dynasty. The Nineteenth Dynasty Dynasty XIX (1292-1187 B.C.) was founded by Vizier Ramesses I; he was selected heir by the Pharaoh Horemheb. The 18th dynasty was unparalleled in power and thus was able to expand its dominion easily. The dynasty is perhaps best known for its series of military conquests in Canaan. The dynasty reached its peak during the reign of Seti I and Rameses II who spearheaded dynamic crusades against the Hittites and Libyans. The pharaohs of this dynasty were buried in Thebes in the Valley of Kings. The dynasty reached its peak during the reign of Seti I and Rameses II who spearheaded dynamic crusades against the Hittites and Libyans. Ramsses II was the third pharaoh of the dynasty. He is known to the Egyptians as Usermaatre Setepenre, meaning 'Keeper of Harmony and Balance, Strong in Right, Elect of Ra’. He is also known as Ozymandias and Ramesses the Great. Ramesses II is considered to be the greatest rulers of the New Kingdom. He commissioned Egypt’s many elaborate buildings of the time: the temples at Abu Simbel, the enormous tomb complex known as the Ramesseum at Thebes, the complex at Abydos, the hall at Karnak, the celebrated tomb of Nefertari –which was his first wife—and hundreds of other building. The period of his reign is seen as the zenith of Egyptian art. RamessesII is also celebrated for his conquests aimed at reclaiming territories of Levant that had been controlled by the eighteenth dynasty. His campaigns culminated to the Battle of Kadesh (1274 B.C.), fought between him and the Hittite king Muwatalli II. Karnak temple, by Karelj (2010) The pharaoh had the longest reign—he died at the age of 96. So long was his rule that when he died the Egyptian people feared the world would come to a devastating end. He later came to be known by the posterity as‘The Great Ancestor’. Ramesses II had over two hundred wives and concubines from whom he bore sixty daughters and ninety-six sons. He outlived most of his children. During the 19th Dynasty, Egypt had enjoyed an unprecedented affluence which had allured the Sea Peoples (they’re origin is unknown but they are believed to have come from the Aegean area). They had demolished the Hittite empire and now had their eyes glued on Egypt’s wealth. Although the Sea Peoples had attempted incursions earlier, Ramesses II had successfully kept them at bay. However, after his death, they managed to ransack Kadesh—then a territory of Egypt—and destroy the coast. Ramesses III engaged in a fierce battle between1180-1178 B.C., until he finally conquered them in the Battle of Xois in 1178 B.C. The Twentieth Dynasty After usurping power from Queen Tausret (Twosret), Senakhte (1189–1186 B.C.) founded the 20th Dynasty (1189 to 1077 B.C.). His time of reign lasted for three years only and was immediately succeeded by his son Rameses III who was to be Egypt’s last great king. After the rule of Ramesses III, Egypt was plagued by a legion of predicaments: a series of draughts, famine, below-normal flooding scales of the Nile, civil unrests and much besides. There followed a succession of kings named Ramesses; this was perhaps an attempt to redeem the past glories of Egypt. The administration also faced a resistance from the populace of Egypt, namely those from the colonies. The clergy was another thorn to the central administration. After Tutankhamen restored the religion of Amun, the priests of Amun had grown very affluent and had appropriated massive land. They were a threat to the administration; their corruption led to the decay of social cohesion and the central government. By the time Rameses XI (1107–1077 B.C.)had ascended to power, the clergy had gotten so powerful that the High Priests of Amun at Thebes were governing the south as de facto rulers; this among other things occasioned the collapse of the 20th Dynasty and ushered in a new era known as the Third Intermediate Period (1069–664 B.C.) followed. End of Ancient Egypt Dynasty 18 pharaohs List of Dynasty XVIII Pharaohs 1549–1524 B.C.—Ahmose 1524–1503 B.C.—Amenhotep I 1503–1493 B.C.—Thutmose I 1493–1479 B.C.—Thutmose II 1479–1458 B.C.—Queen Hatshepsut 1479–1425 B.C.—Thutmose III 1425–1398 B.C.—Amenhotep II 1398–1388 B.C.—Thutmose IV 1388–1350 B.C.—Amenhotep III 1351–1334 B.C.—Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten) 1334–1332 B.C.—Smenkhkare 1332–1323 B.C.—Tutankhamun 1323–1319 B.C.—Ay 1319–1292 B.C.—Horemheb 1479–1425 B.C.—Thutmose III Dynasty 19 pharaohs List of Dynasty XIX Pharaohs 1292–1290 B.C.—Rameses I 1290–1279 B.C.—Seti I 1279–1213 B.C.—Ramesses II 1213–1203 B.C.—Merenptah 1203–1197 B.C.—Seti II 1203–1197 B.C.—Amenmessu 1197–1191 B.C.—Saptah 1191–1189 B.C.—Queen Tausret (Twosret) Dynasty 20 pharaohs The List of the Rulers of Dynasty XX 1189–1186 B.C.—Setnakht 1186–1155 B.C.—Rameses III 1155–1149 B.C.—Rameses IV 1149–1145 B.C.—Rameses V 1145–1137 B.C.—Rameses VI 1137–1130 B.C.—Rameses VII 1130–1129 B.C.—Rameses VIII 1129–1111 B.C.—Rameses IX 1111–1107 B.C. Rameses X 1107–1077 B.C.—Rameses XI In the period from 1070 B.C. onwards, under the 21st dynasty, Egypt was split into two: the northern part of the region was governed by the pharaoh and the south by the High Priests of Amun at Thebes. This disturbed the nation’s unity. 1085-664 B.C.—The Third Intermediate Period Third Intermediate Period (1085-664 B.C.) lasted for about 400 years. Egypt saw political, social and cultural revolutions. During the 21st Dynasty there was a rebellion carried out by local officials; Egypt was also invaded by foreign forces from Nubia and Libya who reigned over certain areas and stamped their culture on the society. The period of the 22nd Dynasty, which began around 945 B.C., was founded by King Sheshonq I. He was a Libyan descendant who had conquered Egypt during the ruling days of the 20th Dynasty. In this era, the local rulers were autonomous. Dynasties 23 and 24 were poorly documented. The Nubian ruler of the kingdom of Kush, King Piye (752-722 B.C.) founded Dynasty 25. Egypt was once again united and the culture flourished. But it wasn’t for long, as the Assyrians under Esarhaddon set out to invade the country in 667 B.C. The Assyrians did manage a successful invasion but had no long-term plans to remain in the region. They left Egypt in ruins and vulnerable to the imminent invasion. 664–30 B.C.—The Late and Hellenistic Period Cambyses II of Persia attacked the defenseless Egypt at the Pelusium in 525 B.C. His approach was a rather ingenious one. Having insight into the religion of the Egyptian people, he had his army paint cats on their shields. This was because he knew that cats were believed to be the living representation of the goddess Bastet by the Egyptians. He also ordered for cats and other sacred animals to be driven before the army at Pelusium. Cambyses II was able to defeat the last kings of the Saite dynasty Psammetichus III (he was the son of Nechoa) at the battle of Battle of Pelusium. Egypt became a constituent of the Persian Empire. Persian rulers respected the Egyptian religion and culture; leaders such as Darius (522-485 B.C.) upheld Egyptian cults, built and restored temples. Xerxes (486-465 B.C.), however, was a despotic leader who sparked rebellions that extended to the reign of his successors. In 404 B.C., one of these rebellions became a successful one. This triumph ushered in the last period of native Egyptian rule, Dynasties 28-30. This period was abbreviated by another attack of Persia in the mid-fourth century. Under Ataxerxes III in 343 B.C., Persia was able to restore its power in Egypt. However, in less than a decade the army of Alexander the Great of Macedonia was able to defeat the Persian force and conquer Egypt in 332-331 B.C. Alexander was never seen as a conqueror; rather he was seen as a liberator. He instituted the city of Alexandria before moving on his pursuit of Phoenicia and the whole of the Persian Empire. After his death, Egypt was governed by a line of Macedonian kings—Alexander’s general Ptolemy being the first. Cleopatra VII was the last of the Ptolemaic rulers. Her defeat by the Octavian forces in the Battle of Actium on 2nd September, 30 B.C., led to Egypt’s annexation by the Roman Empire. As a Roman colony, Christianity became the predominant religion of Egypt and the people were forced to forsake their indigenous cults. Following the six centuries of rule by the Romans, Egypt was invaded by the Arabs under Caliph Umar in 646 A.D. and Islam was brought to the nation. In discussing Ancient Egypt’s fascinating history, the Historian Will Durant writes: “The effect or remembrance of what Egypt accomplished at the very dawn of history has influence in every nation and every age. ‘It is even possible', as Faure has said, 'that Egypt, through the solidarity, the unity, and the disciplined variety of its artistic products, through the enormous duration and the sustained power of its effort, offers the spectacle of the greatest civilization that has yet appeared on the earth.' We shall do well to equal it.”

When talking about the third eye Sadhguru will sometimes talk about people smoking pot. He says that "whether you do yoga or smoke pot the big thing is opening your third eye". He also says he isn't against anything that works. So Sadhguru is aware that drugs are legit part of some spiritual paths but he deems it an inappropriate path for the masses. To volunteer in his ashram you have to be psychedelic free for at least 6 months. What I say about psychedelics is that it is unclear whether peak experiences, be it of samhadi, non-duality or however you describe them, work toward your ultimate well being. Leo for instance states that the most important thing for him is to understand inner workings of reality but he doesn't realize that this doesn't necessarily mean much as he will have to let go of that knowledge when he dies, he's making the unwise move of creating a source of cling. He fails to integrate the significance of those trips in the greater context of the rebirth wheel. I can imagine few outcomes to Leo's path : - He dies of old age. Maybe he will be like Martin Balls or Chris Bache and decide to stop at some point or maybe he'll be like that chemist that did hundreds of different psychedelics into old ages. We'll say of him that he lived a life as a psychonaut. Now how will this life impact his futures lives and in betweens life and rebirth ? We don't know, we can imagine that after having those experiences he will be more resilient to experiencing infinity (I remember that between death and rebirth I sometimes hit points where I experience everything, like all people on earth at once and I panic and lose awareness), or less resilient because he wasn't able to live life without the help of psychoactive drugs, like any junky basically. Maybe those trips are messing his soul in ways we don't imagine. Or we can say that he's just enjoying his life with those trips and it won't make much difference whether he lives like this or otherwise. - During a trip he finds himself unable to come back to his body and dies for the world. If he panicks that would be hell, if he rejoice blissfully that would be heaven. Sounds random, but can we say that dying after a life of no psychedelics is any less random ? - So far his trips seem non transformative. Despite claiming that he hits ever deeper trips for a year now did he really transform ? When Sadhguru talks about his enlightenment he says that in a matter of few month his 23y old self was a very far away already. Would you say that Leo's vasana smells differently over the years ? So one outcome possible is that after experiencing ever increasingly deep trips he will hit a truth so powerful that it will indeed transform him. That is the hope of most psychonauts but I've yet to know of someone for whom it happened. But maybe his transformation was progressive and anyway he was already a successful teacher so there is not much to transform appart from fine tuning his style and teachings.

Is it possible to not only transcend but invent an entirely new more effective self for operating in the world? I know this is the core of Ralstons work on what he calls “Transformation” (Pursuing Consciousness) as has Sadhguru So for example, I can transcend my character as one that is represented as a Enneagram Type 6 and MBTI INFP into a consciously invented self that’s more effective towards realizing my life purpose for example. I know Wilber has said those things are pretty set in stone but (character traits and attributes) for the most part but I find my attributes just don’t align with what I would want to actualize as a life purpose.

After some not so extensive research it appears to me that there is a lot of mindfulness experience and knowledge, even mainstream research, yet it's still within the global ego! I believe that the complete goal is much more ambitious than that, such as described in the Bible: "I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality." - 1 Corinthians 15:50-53 So doing mindfulness practice from one's limited beliefs within the global ego will not cut it is my guess. The One intelligence must also be realized and that in my opinion requires going beyond mere mindfulness practice and expect not only some mental liberation but also a transformation of our biology.

None of this is what talking about in terms of transformation. Improvement of what’s already so is not transformation. None of the examples you brought up are transformation from the basis of what I’m talking about. David Goggins was an extremely traumatized and neurotic indinvidual and channeled that neurosis into a neurosis that got him to great levels of personal improvement. His ego structure is still very much similar though. This is not what I’m talking about. PUAs get good at manipulating their insecurity in such a way where they’re good at internalizing it and still get results with women. However, the same ego structure deep down is still in tact. Thins is going to be hard to explain if you haven’t gone over the work of someone like Ralston or something similar. You're talking about the change of something external at the end of the day. I’m talking a total tranformation in the internal mechanics. You cannot really achieve the transformation I’m referring to without enlightenment. However I’m trying to get more perspectives on this matter.

These have been my direct experiences, find what works for you and don't turn spiritual practices into religion and don't think that these spiritual teachings are my last teachings or that they are correct or your non-dual experience will be the same as mine. (Direct Experience + Healthy Scepticism) Because there is so much to cover, I will be constantly updating the page I will be making separate posts to organise them here. Bramacharya (Semen Retention) https://www.osho.com/osho-online-library/osho-talks/transformation-sexuality-celibacy-e4c4eb93-739?p=cd1c8868faa0cb2eac1ec286d0b5bc27 Hara Center https://www.osho.com/meditate/meditation-for-busy-people/hara-centering Don't let your Hara energy leak through pulsations, it's a bone below your navel. Tuck pelvis and abdomen sheath. Breathwork A foundation in breathwork is recommended as it will allow for some of the more advanced breathing techniques. Trapping Prana Lotus Position Advanced Breathwork Techniques Single-Lung Breathing Sound Utterances (Keys) Left to Right Brain Activation Lower Left Lung to Lower Right Lung Trinity (2 Lungs and a Testicle Pump) Left and Right Brain (Both Active) Pre-frontal Lobe (Blood Flow - Sajood) Mucus Cleansing Diet and Nutrition Water Cleansing Dry Fasting Salt Water Enema (Hydrating Organs)

It seems so. I have tried vaporising it using baking soda freebasing method. It's the worst bodyload I have ever experienced. Very nauseating, naturalistic visuals and experiences of body transformation. Felt like becoming a werewolf. I wouldn't recommend vaping. Also ate 130 mg once. Waste of material, not even a threshold dose.

This is a strange book. A 700 page monster labyrinth that I found impossible to read front to back but provided some interesting picking around in and spot reading. (Disclaimer)- My memory of the takeaway from years ago could be way off from what it actually says,,,,, By some, it would be a very heretical notion to say the least. Here it goes: The result of the historical Jesus produced the actual antichrist! Not in absolute terms but in the upside down manifestation of today's fundamentalist believers in Christ. "Dualistic Christians" of today's Christianity who in their imaginations (belief) cling to a dualistic fairytale version instead of a Teaching pointing to the transformation which results in the capacity for Christ Consciousness. Which he also associates with the second coming. How heretical is that notion?!? Especially on the surface of the statement.

I feel Elliot Hulse is putting a distorted emphasis on Patriarchy in regards to Eastern Christian Orthodoxy. From a larger frame of reference, Identification with Patriarchy is a promotion of violence. The following is about Claudio Naranjo from Wikipedia- "For in this book, which has a foreword by Jean Houston, Naranjo explores what he sees as the root cause of the destruction of human civilization (as evidenced in the 2000s (decade) as war, violence, oppression of women, child abuse, environmental endangerment, etc.)—patriarchy—and brings both the problem and the solution home to an intra-psychic level. Patriarchy, he says, has taken root over millennia in the workings of our own conditioned minds." The above is a small extraction from below excerpt. ?? Since the late 1980s, Naranjo has divided each year between his activities abroad and his writing at home in Berkeley. Among his many publications, he has revised an early book on Gestalt therapy and published two new ones. He has published three books on the Enneagram of Personality, as well as The End of Patriarchy, which is his interpretation of social problems as the expression of a devaluation of the nurturance and human instinct and their solution in the harmonious development of our "three brained" potential. He has also published a book on meditation, The Way of Silence and the Talking Cure, and Songs of Enlightenment on the interpretation of the great books of the West as expressions of "the inner journey" and variations on the "tale of the hero". Since the late 1990s he has attended many education conferences and sought to influence the transformation of the educational system in various countries. It is his conviction that “nothing is more hopeful in terms of social evolution than the collective furthering of individual wisdom, compassion and freedom”.[6] His book Changing Education to Change the Worldpublished in Spanish in 2004, was meant to stimulate the efforts of teachers among SAT graduates who are beginning to be involved in a SAT-in- Education project, that offers the staff of schools and the students in schools of education a "supplementary curriculum" of self-knowledge, relationship-repair and spiritual culture. In 2006 the Foundation Claudio Naranjo was founded to implement his proposals regarding the transformation of traditional education into an education that does not neglect the human development that he believes our social evolution depends on. His most recent book (2010), Healing Civilization: Bringing Personal Transformation into the Societal Realm through Education and the Integration of the Intra-Psychic Family, is both a continuation of and a turning point in Naranjo's lifelong work. For in this book, which has a foreword by Jean Houston, Naranjo explores what he sees as the root cause of the destruction of human civilization (as evidenced in the 2000s (decade) as war, violence, oppression of women, child abuse, environmental endangerment, etc.)—patriarchy—and brings both the problem and the solution home to an intra-psychic level. Patriarchy, he says, has taken root over millennia in the workings of our own conditioned minds.[citation needed] He also offers a remedy, which derives from the work of Tótila Albert regarding the "triune" being of our nature: the "Inner Father" (corresponding to the head), the "Inner Mother" (corresponding to the heart), and the "Inner Child" (corresponding to the instincts). As people learn to integrate these three "brains", Naranjo believes, they may bring about a functional, even divine, family within. And this, he believes, in addition to transforming education oriented to personal and collective evolution, could bring about the healing of civilization.[citation needed] In the Watkins' Mind Body Spirit Magazine he was listed as one of the 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People of 2012.[7]

Maybe this video will shed some light on Teal's relationship to money: Leo himself has said many times that he has spent a lot of money on his spiritual growth, and he also encourages his followers to do the same. Do you think he would do that if he believed that charging money for spiritual services is wrong? I would be interested to hear @Leo Gura perspective on this issue. There's nothing unspiritual about money. Money is a tool that can be used for both good and bad. You can do a lot of good in the world with money. A person with money is powerful. A monk who lives in a cave somewhere probably won't influence many people through his teachings. If we want positive transformation in this world, wouldn't you agree that we need money to do that, and it would be preferable the money was in the hands of highly conscious people instead of low-consciousness greedy environment destroying people? Would you have given Mother Theresa or Gandhi money so that they could have influenced even more people than they did? So many spiritually inclined people have this belief: "money is unspiritual", "money is bad", because we have seen so many bad things done with money. But it's not the truth of money. In reality, spirituality cannot and will not become mainstream (and consequently the world will not become a safe place) until spiritual people are willing to embrace money. Yes, it might be true that Teal is interested in creating social global change, whereas Leo just wants to understand everything, but I predict from my crystal ball that in a few years' time Leo will also want to be an even bigger part of social change than he is now. Of course, he's contributing so much already, but he might want to do even more later. After all, wouldn't we all benefit from highly conscious influencers? And Leo is definitely in a position to be one if he wants to.

The global ego is very much like the Matrix, not in a science fiction sense but in the way the global ego survives by using us humans as "batteries". The liberated Self will switch that around, so that we as individuals become the "system" that survives. This means that when we get rid of our egos and interact with other people who are still run by their egos, they will experience us as harmless, because the liberated people are only a threat to the global ego as a whole, not to the individual egos. This should create a synergetic effect where people with egos will experience it easier and easier to get rid of their own ego the more people get liberated. And the liberated people will actually not even be a threat to the global ego as a whole, if we use rational thinking, since the global ego has served its purpose so we understand its function and then there will be a peaceful process of transformation. Still, there will probably be structures within the global ego who will experience as being threatened if they don't understand the process and try to cling onto the old order of things.

@Leo Gura What are your thoughts on transformation? Is your expression more mutable now?

The main imbalance here is that there is an overt focused toward masculine highness over feminine lowness with regard to personal development and spirituality. And this is why it attracts who it does, and why the imbalance occurs. So, the masculine is all that has no substance of its own but can create change and transformation by enacting itself on a substance. It is related to the elements of air and fire for this reason. And it has to do with everything of the intellect and of the spiritual. The feminine, on the other hand, had substance and being but does not have the ability for change and transformation. It is related to the elements of Earth and water because of its groundedness in the mundane experience of life and our humanity. It has everything to do with the Earthly and ordinary. And it also relates to the emotions and existence itself. So, the masculine is about doing. The feminine is about being. So, this is a personal development channel. So, obviously a lot of that is about doing which is in the wheelhouse of the masculine principle. And it is also a very intellect-heavy and high-spirituality-heavy channel, which is also under the umbrella of the masculine principle. So, the topics covered and how they're covered will find an audience that values the masculine. But to add to this, it's important to understand that there is a shadow to personal development that everyone engaged in it shares to a certain degree. Often times, the shadow of why a person wants to develop themselves is to mitigate negative feelings about themselves (feminine) and develop more abilities relative to doing and having an identity (masculine). So, personal development's shadow often has a resistance to the feminine built in, and a retreat into the masculine. This is true for men and for women engaged in personal development. The way to actually balance and integrate on this forum would be to focus more toward feminine values like vulnerability, receptivity, atunement to our own emotional state, practicing empathy toward others, listening to the intuition, facing the shadow and the unconscious, and dropping the need to compete or be correct or to point out when someone else is incorrect. One thing I've noticed with the forum that's given me a bit of insight into the masculine is that there tends to be an intellectual focus toward higher up spiritual concepts. And on this forum, it often happens at the expense of being able to accept the mundane and emotional aspects of what's happening. So, there is a lot of denial and a hiding behind concepts to cover over emotional wounds. And perhaps a feeling like being right is the thing that makes someone valid. So, there is a lot of loftiness and idealism at the expense of noticing what's here now. But I also want to mention that I think this is a common pattern in society in general. It just shows itself a particular way on this format.

@Leo Gura I am also very impressed by how she conducted herself in this interview and am excited to watch her perspective represented on the debating stage. She is clearly displaying a deep understanding of the institutional, economic and foreign policy dysfunctions and is laying out a great policy vision for political transformation on many issues, with an undeniable systemic intelligence to implement it. However i do want to point out as freedom of the press, journalism and speech in general is a high priority for me that her take on the Julian assange situation and some other blind spots deeply concern me. 9:20 Backing away from medicare for all and opts for a more moderate plan, but to me there is no half measure on healthcare. 21:40 Sharing her views on the Julien assange wikileaks situation which made me have to pass on her and stick with candidates like Bernie and Tulsi Gabbard.

Do you have any record of your transformation of consciousness? I would love to know what your experiences are like.

Three good Enneagram books I recommend. The Enneagram of Passions and Virtues: Finding the Way Home Introduction This book is not simply about the enneagram. It is about inner transformation. It is about understanding some of the major characteristics of our consciousness in the state of personality or ego—that of believing and taking ourselves to be the person who is the product of our personal history. It is also about the changes our inner atmosphere undergoes as we become free of that identification. And finally, it is about skillful means, as the Buddhists would say: how to orient ourselves so that this transformation has the possibility of becoming a reality. Obviously, these aims imply that most of us are living within inner confines of which we are unaware, and that there is much more to us and to our potential experience of reality than we experience within the perimeters of ego. It also implies that it is possible to expand our consciousness beyond these constraints. This has been the endeavor of spiritual seekers throughout the ages, based on an inner intuition, or perhaps direct experience in extraordinary moments of deeper dimensions beyond those of ordinary consciousness. ,,,,,,,, Sandra Maitri's, "The Spiritual Dimension of the Enneagram: Nine Faces of the Soul" This review appeared in the 2003 July-August issue of New Dawn Magazine: ___________________________________ While the ideas inspiring the modern Enneagram concept can be traced at least as far back as classical Greek philosophy, the majority of material currently being taught about it, including the psychology of the nine Enneagram types, is the work of contemporary authors. In this sense, the Enneagram is not an established model, but a work-in-progress. Many fundamental ideas are shared by Enneagram formulators, but there are also significant differences and diverse theories about the types themselves, and the underlying philosophical base. A great deal of confusion even exists concerning the contributions made by different authors and teachers. The Enneagram was originally disseminated in the 1970s by enthusiasts passing around photocopied notes from Oscar Ichazo’s Arica School and Jesuit sources. These notes were not attributed to anyone, which made it extremely difficult to know who had authored them. As books were published, some clarity began to emerge, but even so, many assumed everything about the Enneagram belonged to an ancient “oral tradition” from the Sufis and was therefore in the public domain. For this reason, it is almost mandatory for a newcomer to read the work of students who received the first model of the teaching. The father of the modern Enneagram is Oscar Ichazo whose contributions were central to the development of the modern system. Ichazo linked the nine divine qualities or aspects found in Neoplatonism, Kabbalah, and mystical Christianity, to the Enneagram symbol. Most modern authors build their work on this model. Following this work was Claudio Naranjo, a student of Fritz Perls, founder of Gestalt therapy. Naranjo learned the Enneagram from Ichazo during his stay in Chile in 1970. He returned that year and began teaching the basic concepts to a small group in California. Naranjo combined his background in psychiatry with Ichazo’s teaching, and further developed the alignment between the nine types and modern clinical psychological categories, including the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) personality disorders, various defense mechanisms, and other personality theories. He developed additional ideas, and further applications for the 27 combinations of Enneagram types and Instincts. With the exception of A.H. Almaas and Sandra Maitri, no major Enneagram teacher or author has ever been a student of either Ichazo or Naranjo. More often than not, teachers and writers are part of the obscure and virtually untraceable line stemming from self styled teachers with their own methods and aims. While some of these may be quite progressive, the majority do not understand the concepts completely and interpret the Enneagram without knowledge of its essential properties. Sandra Maitri, author of The Spiritual Dimension of the Enneagram, is known as one of the Ridhwan School’s principal teachers who, with Almaas, taught the Enneagram system by Claudio Naranjo over twenty-five years ago. Her vast experience and direct knowledge and transmission of the initial concepts make her a formidable source for students interested in a different application of technique. The Enneagram has gained popularity in recent years as a system of understanding ourselves and others in which nine basic personality types – each having specific cognitive, affective, and behavioural characteristics – can be discerned. Nearly every modern Enneagram-related work treats the system only as a typology of personality, and while an extremely valuable psychological tool, its deeper purpose is largely unexplored. This is precisely where Maitri’s book is set apart. Rather than simply presenting the Enneagram as a definitive psychological typology, she seeks to illustrate the spiritual applications, and convey the original spirit and purpose of this body of knowledge as a tool for spiritual development. The Enneagram’s true function, Maitri explains, is to “point the way to who we are beyond the level of personality, a dimension of ourselves that is infinitely more profound, more interesting, and more rewarding.” Maitri shows how the Enneagram charts the disconnection from our inner depths, how each personality type develops as a part of this estrangement, and how traversing the inner territory particular to our type can bring fulfillment and meaning to our lives by bringing this deeper dimension to consciousness. She explores the nine types, the subtypes, the wings, and the inner movement of the Enneagram, all in the context of spiritual development. She includes a clear explanation of the concepts and methods for personal application, including a chapter on identifying your personal Enneagram type and the implications for your own development. For the reader interested in the development of the soul through an intimate knowledge of oneself, The Spiritual Dimension of the Enneagram is perfect. While so many spiritual models focus on the external factors, this is one of the effective few that find the path to spiritual development within the mind and personality of the individual. – Robert Buratti

I came to think that what I call mental enlightenment is actually enough. Because the evolutionary leap in biology and stuff will be an automatic consequence of a critical mass of enlightened people in the world. I came to this conclusion using the realization that "nobody is a doer" as the criteria for enlightenment. That's a purely mental conditioning. Of course, there has to be a change into the deeper subconscious levels of the conditioning of the mind, but still it's about the mind, not necessarily about the biology of the body. And actually, for example Eckhart Tolle has hinted about higher levels of existence on earth: "... when collective human consciousness becomes transformed, nature and the animal kingdom will reflect that transformation. Hence the statement in the Bible that in the coming age “The lion shall lie down with the lamb.” This points to the possibility of a completely different order of reality." - The Power of Now, ch. 9

@Mu_ yesterday one person uttered disrespectful comments and I gave him back.When I said this my dad you shouldnt have done that he is acting in ignorance.I said so I am,How I am not supposed to react when I myself is in ignorance and these so called spiritualists are so irritating in asking me to behave in a way as if I am self realised when I am not ???. The point is ego,mind will be there as long as a body is there. The treatment is for the ego,mind,personality though they are appearences in conciousness. Absence of identity or sense of seperate person is not absence of ego or personality or the mind. Emotional mastery or maturity of complete inner transformation of the mind,personality has to happen and the mind or ego or personality should be free all impurities lust,anger,hatred,jelousy,desires etc. The mind itself should become pure like the Self. Just non identification with thoughts or knowing they are not me is not enough but the very impure thoughts should be seen what they and should be completely eradicated or burnt once for all. Hence psycoanalysis or any form of purification is a must pre or post realisation. Traditionaly from the begining purification of mind is emphasized. The ego-mind is not an illusion but not permanant or real like the Self but yet they are real till body is alive. The identity is an illusion or maya. I dont take the absolute truths like nothing exists world doesnt exist Self alone exists etc though they are truths from absolute stand stand point is not practically useful for life as long as body mind exists. So one has to follow the relative truths of life world where the body mind lives and act accordingly. This is my practical understanding of Advaitha as of now. @winterknight Please free feel correct my understanding. ???

I would LOVE this! People into spirituality I feel need to have a better understanding at the interconnection between nonduality and politics. I notice a lot of people into spirituality (particularly on this forum) are quite politically retarded in regards to their understanding. If we want a more conscious and awakened world in a way that is both not a pipe dream and sustainable, we need a more conscious politics. Theres a reason Sadhguru, Buddha, the Dalai Lama, Krishna, and reknown mystics both past and modern, and have worked with the rulers of their civilization to help bring transformation for those in power in order to bring conscious transformation to the people.

Once it happened…Four men were walking in the forest. The first was a gnana yogi, the second was a bhakti yogi, the third was a karma yogi, and the fourth was a kriya yogi. Usually, these four people can never be together. The gnana yogi has total disdain for every other type of yoga. His is the yoga of the intellect, and typically, an intellectual has complete disdain for everybody else, particularly these devotional types who look upward and chant God’s name all the time. They look like a bunch of idiots to him. But a bhakti yogi, a devotee, thinks all this gnana, karma, and kriya yoga is a waste of time. He pities the others who don’t see that all you need to do is know that God exists, hold his hand, and walk in trust. All this mind-splitting philosophy, this bone-bending yoga is absurd to him. Then there is the karma yogi, the man of action. He thinks all the other types are just plain lazy. Their lives are pure self-indulgence. But the kriya yogi is the most disdainful of all. He laughs at everyone. Don’t they know that existence is just energy? If you don’t transform your energy, whether you long for God or for anything else, nothing is going to happen! There can be no transformation. These four people customarily cannot get along. But today they happened to be walking together in the forest. Suddenly, a storm broke out. It grew fierce. The rain started pouring down relentlessly. Drenched to the skin, the four yogis started running, looking desperately for shelter. The bhakti yogi, the devotion man, said, “There’s an ancient temple in this direction. Let’s go there.” (As a devotee, he was particularly familiar with the geography of temples.) They ran in that direction. They came to an ancient temple; all the walls had crumbled long ago; just the roof and four columns remained. They rushed into the temple—not out of any love for God, but just to escape the rain. There was a deity in the center. They ran toward it. The rain started lashing from every direction. There was no other place to go, so they moved closer and closer. Finally, there was no alternative. They just sat down and embraced the idol. The moment these four people hugged the idol, suddenly God appeared. In all their minds the same question arose: why now? They wondered, “We expounded so many subtle and arcane philosophies, worshipped at every possible sacred shrine, great and small, selflessly served so many people, did so much body-breaking penance, but you never showed up. Now when we’re just escaping the rain, you turn up. Why?” God said, “At last you four idiots got together.” From: Inner Engineering: A Yogi's Guide to Joy by Sadhguru

Yes. Transformation from the No-self to your ego, which is the body/mind/world. You will be No-self, then everythingness, then this singularity (aka, blackhole) that goes back to your ego.

I see the doomer/bloomer video as an analogy of spiritual transformation. Our modern day's equivalent of Zen model. "It's modern day's 10 ox hearding pics hahaha. Now we just have 2 stages to accommodate for our attention deficit."

Mm, yes transformation, baby!

@ivankiss Your subtle expectation is in holding patience to allow for transformation. That's fine but don't think you can't also have intent! Your art can come from absolutely any opportunity you pounce on! Suffering is fine and all but Love is expressed infinitely. Stay open and don't ever stop working on yourself!

No expectations. Purpose. The question is not "if". The question is "how". And knowing exactly how would ruin the fun part. It's all a part of the journey. Pain is welcome. No matter how hard to swallow. Wouldn't be half the artist I am without suffering. Love will always have the final word. And I...I will always dream. Transformation, baby!