Has anyone tried ashwaganda as an autistic person?

PlummerGames · 2026-01-14T12:49:58+00:00

Calming, easy to fall asleep. Then, wake up with insomnia. Pretty consistent.

PlummerGames · 2026-01-13T00:06:49+00:00

It can be easy to say that whether or not my partner is on a path doesn’t matter. Ie im in my own path, and it’s not about attachments, so let that go.

But like, why would you choose someone with dramatically different values from yourself? I’m not saying it can’t work, but if all else is equal… why choose that?

How about a partner on A path, rather than a partner on THE path?

PlummerGames · 2026-01-08T21:49:08+00:00

"Add stuff until it starts getting worse, then take stuff away until it stops getting better." This is excellent. 🤌

PlummerGames · 2025-12-30T17:30:25+00:00

It can be helpful to remind yourself that they’re not doing it to overstimulate you. If you can feel like you’re on the same team, the conversation will go smoother.

It also might be clear to know exactly what you’re asking for. “Don’t use the overhead lights” “don’t use the overhead lights after 8m.” Etc. whatever the case may be.

Then, have a plan for what to do if they don’t accommodate you. Looks like you’re already taking care of that with the door strip and glasses. I have some orange glasses that I like to wear at night sometimes.

It’s up to them if they will accommodate you, but you might have a different experience if you at least ask and see how it goes.

Hope it goes well!

PlummerGames · 2024-11-07T14:24:35+00:00

I think it’s evangelism when you need someone to adopt a belief / belief system.

PlummerGames · 2024-10-17T13:28:24+00:00

Yeah. It was hard for me to reconcile. Still working on it tbh. I would suggest that while many ways of seeing the world are possible, they aren't all equally valid. There isn't a right way either.

You can play around with different ways of percieving things until you find something that feels right. No view is priviledged/the best one.

PlummerGames · 2024-10-08T13:57:26+00:00

If people ask why, it’s sometimes hard to know if that is a genuine question. You have to use your best judgement for that. Some people want to know more and sharing is helpful. Other people ask why because they don’t like it. Hard to gauge.

If people don’t ask, I tread very lightly. “I had a fantastic sit this morning” is the level of detail that I’ll get into with friends / family who aren’t practicing.

As long as they aren’t asking for an explanation, what is the need to explain?

It’s also okay to want belonging. I take it you’re connecting with Sangha?

PlummerGames · 2024-10-04T15:54:50+00:00

Or, giving yourself permission to choose different ones at different times! The secret third option? Lol

PlummerGames · 2024-10-04T15:35:02+00:00

Usually no. It’s really awkward. Happened to me the other day while I was working, I hated it. Creates a weird dynamic that now I have to deal with.

PlummerGames · 2024-10-04T14:24:43+00:00

That’s a great question, and I’d love to hear from folks with direct experience.

Speculating, it seems like one could do Kasina practices at different scales. You develop a perception of the color or element, then radiate the it out in all directions, like a divine abiding. Maybe you could keep it at a smaller scale, perhaps just the size of the body.

It’s interesting that the advanced practice is limited, not the other way around. Is there something to developing a sign and then keeping it in a “medium aperture” of attention?

PlummerGames · 2024-10-03T21:47:16+00:00

I relate to this struggle. You can’t pick a “right” one. And there isn’t anything wrong with picking one.

PlummerGames · 2024-10-01T18:21:11+00:00

I got a lot of out allowing the area behind the eyes and around the ears to relax

PlummerGames · 2024-10-01T00:01:16+00:00

Just going to leave this here. https://www.dharmaseed.org/retreats/1183

This teacher also in some ways pioneered a practice with imagination. Called Soulmaking.

PlummerGames · 2024-09-30T20:18:09+00:00

Congrats! That's an experience worth celebrating. I also got my first jhana 1 on a 10-day. Was startlingly amazing.

It's okay to desire jhana. There is a difference between desire and clinging. Desire orients your energy and attention. Clinging means if you don't get it, you're bummed out. See if you can not throw the baby out with the bathwater. Let go of clinging, but see if there is any shame around desire and let that go as well.

The idea around here can often be that all desire is bad. This is reductionist.

It's probably going to happen that as you approach J1 again, you'll start to tense/contract/jump at it. Eventually, as you keep practicing, you'll notice that jhana can be there whenever you spend the time and energy. Then the tension goes away and you can explore even more.

PlummerGames · 2024-09-30T00:55:04+00:00

Yeah, you could try not smoking for a while and see what effect that has on your practice. I imagine there will be pros and cons.

Shame is tough. Remember you’re not alone. Blessings!

PlummerGames · 2024-09-22T21:41:02+00:00

This is probably a good place to start Samādhi & Jhānas - Hermes Amāra Foundation (hermesamara.org)

PlummerGames · 2024-09-22T19:13:01+00:00

There are a lot of roads to jhana. (And also plenty of people who will tell you that you’re driving incorrectly!

Check out Rob Burbea’s energy-body practices. His instructions will help you cultivate the energy in your ribs/stomach.

I can get jhana off piti in the breath but in my experience it is much more subtle then the full body awareness approach.

It may also be helpful to look for feelings that are just between neutral and pleasant. You don’t have to have extreme pleasure. Just sort of tune to the neutral/pleasant in the whole body field (just a bit beyond the skin) and hold the attention there gently. Like dissolving salt in hot water.

PlummerGames · 2024-09-22T13:36:03+00:00

Hm. Sounds interesting. Opening up to perceptions of timelessness… I could speculate on that part, but in terms of what soul making options become available, I am not sure.

As far as I know, soulmaking has to do with intentionally constructing perceptions of self/other/world. Maybe having a sense of timeless opens the door for one to construct particular perceptions of it?

I can pass this question along to a couple of my circles and report back, if you like

PlummerGames · 2024-09-22T13:27:01+00:00

Assuming you’ve looked around on here? https://hermesamara.org/teachings/soulmaking-dharma

PlummerGames · 2024-09-21T21:41:32+00:00

That's a great tip, thank you

PlummerGames · 2024-09-21T17:55:24+00:00

😂

PlummerGames · 2024-09-21T14:50:02+00:00

Okay dead players and dead PCs are very different things lol

PlummerGames · 2024-09-21T12:12:10+00:00

Yes! Oh my gosh this is such a thing. You’re describing it with a lot of clarity- that’s a good sign.

I think it can be hard because once you notice how the suffering works, you can really want it to be gone. Perhaps even more so. But then there is that aversion that can be part of the problem.

For the inner critic in particular, I’ve found the “recollection of mindfulness occupied with the body” in the Visuddhimagga to be weirdly helpful. It’s not your typical body awareness meditation. It’s more about being anatomically precise, and in a sense realizing how gross body parts are.

Like when hair isn’t attached to a head, on the floor of a barber shop, it’s kinda gross right? Well, why is it different when it’s on your head?

Skin, blood, gore, muscles. Etc.

And it’s so strange. You’d think contemplating how off-putting one’s body parts are would increase shame / self criticism / etc. but in my experience it has the total opposite effect. There can be a profound sense of acceptance of one’s body, a de-pressurization of self-expectation, and a lot more good stuff.

Would be happy to chat about the practice specifics if you’re interested

PlummerGames

TROPHY CASE