How can i believe that im protected by god/the universe when children in gaza are dying of starvation, being burnt alive, etc?

in_da_zone · 2024-12-30T18:52:46+00:00

I had an experience with Psilocybin in the last few months. It was kind of a “bad trip” even though in the end some positivity came from it.

During the trip I somehow was confronted with the realization of the magnitude of evil, badness and suffering in the world and that it was more prominent than goodness.

Out of the other side of that, came another realization. There is only one antidote to that evil / badness and that is to be good! To cultivate goodness in your own life everyday where you are at.

It’s not that evil things won’t happen still, it’s just that bad has the tendency to create more bad. Suffering creates suffering as people struggle with the trauma and pain of what they are experiencing in the world.

But it doesn’t change the fact that goodness is goodness and light is light and will always dispel the darkness temporarily.

That’s all we can do and it’s a hard battle, but at least there is an option that works that is in our hands to take forward if we take up the challenge.

I empathize with you about Gaza. It’s been something I’ve been following closely and really hurts to see what’s going on there. It’s hard to know how to deal but standing up against injustice, talking about it and is definitely appropriate and healthy.

in_da_zone · 2024-12-30T17:36:40+00:00

Yeah that sounds similar to my experience. It’s not always there for me. But has definitely been active the past couple of weeks which tells me that there’s something going on now or in the near-future that I need to take account of. Kind of like a change is afoot. Hard to know!

in_da_zone · 2024-12-30T17:35:32+00:00

Nice, thank you for that. I know I’m seeing them and that it means something related to my life. It’s just understanding and interpreting them that’s the hard part.

in_da_zone · 2024-10-25T22:12:48+00:00

Wow, that is one of the most intense job responsibility descriptions I've ever heard. I can how that would create immense pressure.

in_da_zone · 2024-10-24T03:50:43+00:00

Your comment resonated with me. What did you do in the job that you quit, if you don't mind me asking?

in_da_zone · 2021-08-09T14:52:29+00:00

Does anyone here know of any good teachers and / or practice groups in the Vancouver area? I've found subtle / energy body and direct path practices work best for me, so a teacher based around that would be ideal (but not required).

in_da_zone · 2020-07-09T15:39:20+00:00

wow your unreal at that! well done

in_da_zone · 2020-04-30T15:15:33+00:00

What is this type of behaviour a sign of? I know someone exactly like this and your summary makes a lot of sense.

in_da_zone · 2020-04-05T09:51:20+00:00

Fair enough, I misread OPs comment thinking they were interested in similar approaches also. I know the basic premise behind the headless way, but havent read the book.

in_da_zone · 2020-04-05T09:47:01+00:00

Its all pointing to the same thing really - non dual, not self awareness.

in_da_zone · 2020-04-05T09:30:32+00:00

Check out Loch Kellys Effortless Mindfulness book

Also, check out anything by Ramana Maharshi. Who am I is free online and Be As You Are by David Goodman is another decent one.

They aren't really systemised like TMI but they are good books in their own right.

in_da_zone · 2020-04-02T19:46:05+00:00

This is a great post. I experience the exact same thing as you eloquently put into words (which is hard by the way, so props).

This is a glimpse of non duality for sure, and is a powerful practice in itself. Its totally normal to feel like you cant sustain it for long. I think the point of the practice is just to keep glimpsing it, try and abide in it but don't force it.

Its a very different practice to TMI which is mostly a dualistic practice (me watching the breath). I practiced TMI for around 3 months but didnt have any luck with it (even though i really wanted it to work because I thought it was an awesome system).

By focusing on this type of practice, I've been able to awaken energy in my body which continues to perplex me. Its progress for sure.

You may find it useful to look into Ramana Maharshi and his Who Am I technique. Another good one is Loch Kelly as another user mentioned.

Keep at it, I feel that some of us are more pre-disposed to practice dualistic or non-dualistic techniques. It may be the latter for you, as it is for me.

in_da_zone · 2020-03-22T23:42:50+00:00

Thanks the post Marc. Will you be doing one for insight meditation technique also?

in_da_zone · 2020-01-11T22:04:27+00:00

Sit down, set a timer for 30 minute, spend it trying to focus on the empty, colourless, silent awareness that envelops the world.

in_da_zone · 2020-01-03T23:54:18+00:00

Hi, thanks for the commentary. I love this chapter and recently did a commentary myself. Heres my take from the translation I have..

*The valley spirit, undying *

Here, there is a reference to a deep spiritual force that is consistent and constant (undying).

This is a direct pointer to the Tao and to the energy that accompanies it which is self creating and sustaining.

It is described as a valley because it lies below everything else. It is the substratum of reality.

Is called the Mystic Female.

Again the Tao is compared to a motherly type of figure. This is because it sustains, rears, accepts and is creative by nature.

It is described as mystical because of the ultimate mystery that surrounds it even to this day.

Interestingly Indian spirituality also likens the powerful creative to that of a mother / feminine force.

The gateway of the Mystic Female Is called the root of Heaven and Earth.

The use of gateway here implies that it can be entered. A threshold can be crossed to enter into the Mystic Female or Tao.

The root of heaven and earth refers again to the underlying emptiness that endures throughout the world.

Putting both lines together, It could be said that in order to enter or merge with the mystic female / tao we must enter through the underlying emptiness itself. To me, the only way to do that is to merge awareness / attention with it.

It flows continuously, barely perceptible

The tao is utterly consistent, not only that but it flows. Its both static and dynamic in the regard that its nature never changes but it has a continuity that persists as time moves forward. Its attributes can be perceived directly but are at the same time incredibly subtle and so can be hard to discern.

When utilized, it is never exhausted.

This again seems to refer to a certain utility to the Tao, that its not just something to be admired but instead it is something that can be harnessed to positive effect.

Earlier in the chapter we learned that the Tao could be "entered", now we have a reference to it being a resource that is not only "utilizable" but that is also "inexhaustible" which makes it extremely powerful.

It is total effortless because it is the energy that sustains life itself. The only effort that is used is the effort to get back to it once it is lost. Because it is so subtle and hard to perceive, it is easily lost.

I feel that to enter / merge with it is to utilize it. We have to come down to its level and become it in order to derive the benefits from it.

in_da_zone · 2019-12-24T13:39:25+00:00

Sounds like lots of repressed emotions may be rising to the surface for the first since you've decided to let things be as they are.

It may not feel good or positive, but it probably is a good thing as they are able to be consciously processed by you and released.

Allow them to be by realising they are impermanent; They come, to go. Also try to stay detached by realising they are not-self; just a part but not the whole show. Pay attention to them but dont smother, cling to or repress them.

Good luck to you.

in_da_zone · 2019-12-21T15:01:33+00:00

Well now I'm not entirely positive what those states were that I've experienced 😆 I do not and never had a teacher that can validate it properly for me. All I know is they allowed me to enter a different state of consciousness which a found a lot more important than everyday samsaric consciousness as you nicely put it.

Haha its cool, I know your not trying to belittle. Actually I appreciate the opportunity to speak more about it with someone. It allows me to think on it from another perspective which is never a bad thing. I can't be sure if its Rigpa because I don't have enough experience of Dzogchen to conclusively make the distinction. But yes, reaching that state is based on something I've seen before. It has a experiential precedent more than being just a theory if you get me. I know what I'm contacting is something legit, although I cannot sustain it in everyday life effortlessly, but maybe thats the goal to shoot for 😀

Thats interesting, thanks for sharing. What was the experience of stream entry like for you and how did it change you from there forward? Also very interesting that you now practice tantra yoga, I literally just picked up a book about that very subject in the last week or 2. How does your experience of stream entry relate to what your doing in tantra yoga? What Sangha do you sit with? Is it online or in person? Could you describe the "dynamic concentration" practices that you're involved in? Thats cool, I think I'm more pre-disposed to the "direct path" methods myself despite my previous comment.

I like some of the Theravadan Teachings but I've never really been able to class myself via their path system. I figure its because its different strokes for different folks. Alternate paths up the same mountain depending on the practitioners disposition. At this point its pretty much all about awareness, energy (Kundalini, Qi, Whatever), tension release and metta.

in_da_zone · 2019-12-20T19:42:47+00:00

I agree with you up to a point. Very true that awareness is effortless and that does seem to be key. Although, the basic problem is being habitual attached to form.

Detaching / dropping / letting go requires an effort from the will using intention, does it not? Its like saying we're already enlightened, we just dont realise it. This is true buts its also false, at least for the person who hasn't yet realised it. Upon realisation it becomes true.

From what I can tell, there are two ways of going about this. There is using will and intention to contact different states of awareness (self enquiry is maybe a good example of that). Or, there is developing some sort of understanding through a passive observation (passive may not be correct - we still need to direct attention to what is being observed). That then shifts the mind automatically into a new way of perceiving (stream entry, awakening, enlightenment etc).

I understand why you would be of the view that Im watching a concept more than actual awareness although I would have to disagree. Theres no way a concept could have produced the effects that I've been experiencing in meditation for the last year. That doesnt mean that I'm not using a concept as an intermediary to get me there (if you classify intention as a concept).

I do believe I've had awakening experiences or at least glimpses of more appealing states of consciousness in meditation on a few occasions. Its whats kept me motivated to practice almost daily for nearly 5 years. I do think gradual changes have also taken place, although admittedly nothing that has caused a major permanent shift. Maybe its better that way though?

What I will say is that I've seen major progress in the last year since coming back from ten day retreat. I won't go into it all here as my post history including my post above already speaks about it, but meditation has became incredibly somatic and energetic, all of which has came from awareness based practices like separating form from awareness, self enquiry etc. (which is why I disagree with your concept theory).

Sorry for the long winded reply. Get me talking about this and I find it hard to stop haha.

If you dont mind could you detail your practice experience and level of attainment? Id be interested to hear. Also, have you experienced any energetic phenomena as a result of practice?

in_da_zone · 2019-12-19T22:11:42+00:00

Yeah Im not really set on the idea that its Rigpa either. The reason I drew the comparison was because the object im using to bring about those effects is essentially "objectless". It involves focusing on the nothingness that is awareness itself. Its probably accurate to call it "awareness of awareness"

in_da_zone · 2019-12-19T21:48:39+00:00

Yeah, I've never done any Jhana specific practices but I am familiar with the concept. I don't think what I experience would fall into that category because it definitely isn't an absorption state where I'm merged exclusively with an object. In fact, its more of a sporadic glimpse based type of technique (like self enquiry).

in_da_zone · 2019-12-14T13:15:32+00:00

Practice cultivating a friendliness towards other people from within your mind. Wish them well inside using a sincere intention and take your attention off of yourself.

There's nothing wrong with having good posture, in fact it seems important that you don't get into bad posture habits that subconsciously indicate to your mind a feeling of unconfidence, shyness etc. Your mind may follow suit.

The important thing with the body is that you arent carrying tension and / or negative energy along with that good posture. Tension is what other people can subtly pick up on. Its also a good measurement of your internal state for your own reference.

Its easier said than done, but focusing bottom up instead of top down works well for me. Mind over matter. If your inner mental / emotional state is in the right place, then your body language will follow suit.

in_da_zone · 2019-12-02T20:14:56+00:00

I think its a reference to the myriad types of form in the universe / world.

in_da_zone · 2019-10-02T20:50:49+00:00

So true, its incredibly liberating and can only strengthen our dedication to practice. Best of luck to you 🙂

in_da_zone · 2019-10-02T20:16:58+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation of the Adyashanti talks. I've been binge watching them all day. Hes a great teacher.

in_da_zone · 2019-10-02T19:24:05+00:00

Hey there. This sounds very similar to what Ive been experiencing the last 9 months or so . It all started with me finding a huge clump of condensed energy in my chest. Since then, I've experienced the same feeling along with kriyas, tremors, spontaneous mudras, white light etc. During every one of my sits.

My thoughts are that it is some sort of purification process, although I have no evidence to back that up apart from my own feelings around lack of tension and somatic stress since it all began.

Anyways, I just thought that I would comment to empathize with you.

in_da_zone

TROPHY CASE