I tried Leo's sitting down and staring at hand experiment - I have questions

[LoneWonderer]

@freddyteisen

2 hours ago, freddyteisen said:

@Leo Gura

Should you look at them sober or can you add a psychedelic to the experience?

Yesterday I tried to do the experiment again on a low dose of 5mg of 5meo and I can report at least in my case it was still quite challenging. I must be very lost in Maya. 😅 Moving my hand around proved much more difficult as almost every time my mind immediately reasociated it as "my hand" when movement was detected. However there were few instances were I did notice that what was before me wasn't "a hand" but un unknown. This was sorta freaky and like member MutedMiles has described above. I will keep practicing and report back.

Edited Sunday at 05:41 PM by LoneWonderer

[LoneWonderer]

What about the original experience I described in the post? Is this all just self delusion? An effect of the eyes? The merging into white light? Anyone could answer this question for me?

Edited Sunday at 05:39 PM by LoneWonderer

[Inliytened1]

16 minutes ago, LoneWonderer said:

What about the original experience I described in the post? Is this all just self delusion? An effect of the eyes? The merging into white light? Anyone could answer this question for me?

No this is the dream coming apart.  The buddah could make objects dance with his gaze.  And you are doing the same.  

Edited Sunday at 05:55 PM by Inliytened1

[Leo Gura]

4 hours ago, freddyteisen said:

@Leo Gura Seriously valuable tips. Thanks.

Can you switch focus between both hands?

Yes, although it adds needless complexity.

4 hours ago, freddyteisen said:

Can you also shift your focus to other objects in the room (I.e. use that heightened awareness for other objects?)

You can do whatever but your mind is likely to lose focus and weaken the exercise.

4 hours ago, freddyteisen said:

Should you look at them sober or can you add a psychedelic to the experience?

Of course it works on  a psychedelic but if you take the psychedelic you gain no benefit in training up your sober state of mind.

You need to train up your sober state so you are be conscious of God without psychedelics.

4 hours ago, freddyteisen said:

What to do when the mind says: “this is utterly useless. Why the f*k am I looking at my hand? There’s absolutely no point and nothing to gain from that.”

It's not useless, you are becoming more conscious of God. It just takes time and focus.

You can't go to the gym, do 5 pushups, and then say, "This is fucking useless." Nothing in life can be achieved with that attitude.

[LoneWonderer]

19 minutes ago, Leo Gura said:

You can't go to the gym, do 5 pushups, and then say, "This is fucking useless." Nothing in life can be achieved with that attitude.

Quite true sir.

[Butters]

@Leo Gura I tried with my pillow but didn't really do anything for me. Does it help to imagine something else in its stead? I tried turning the pillow into a cat, which also didn't work. 

[Leo Gura]

1 hour ago, Butters said:

Does it help to imagine something else in its stead?

No. You don't want to go into concepts. You need to rivet your attention on whatever is your actual direct experience in the present moment. Why not just use your hands since that's what's in front of you?

[TheEnigma]

3 hours ago, Leo Gura said:

No. You don't want to go into concepts. You need to rivet your attention on whatever is your actual direct experience in the present moment. Why not just use your hands since that's what's in front of you?

You once mentioned that if you can just sit calmly for hours and hours and still be in contentment, that's a sign your consciousness is high. But even when I am mindful, I still have a monkey mind. I still feel the urge to check my phone here and there in the few hours. Very very few people now can achieve what you say. I spoke to a psychiatrist and he said it's unrealistic to expect most people to be able to do this given our culture nowadays in Western society. And he mentioned that if I couldn't do it, it's okay too, most people can't do it. Everyone is different; Also that some people just have it harder because of circumstances or health issues, genetic limitations etc I've genuinely tried!! But I just couldn't always appreciate beauty for what it is in the present moment. I even remind myself things always can be worse. So what more can I do now to improve my state of consciousness?

Edited 2 hours ago by TheEnigma

[Leo Gura]

1 hour ago, TheEnigma said:

So what more can I do now to improve my state of consciousness?

You haven't even begun serious meditation or yogic practice. You don't even understand the effort required.

This is very advanced work. It require momumental effort.

I recommend you do Kriya yoga. But even learning that will require much more effort than you seem ready to give.

Without effort there is no God and no liberation. Sorry, but that's just reality.

You need to sit down and rethink your priorities and your work ethic. Your priorities are bad and your work ethic too poor.

Edited 1 hour ago by Leo Gura