48 posts shown.
I wasn't sure if this belongs under spirituality or psychology—if it needs to be moved to psychology, feel free to relocate it.
It hit me recently just how narrow most people's perspectives are when they face life events. They tend to view everything through this incredibly tiny lens, immediately labeling situations as strictly "good" or "bad." Take infidelity, for example. Most people see being cheated on as an absolute disaster—a total negative. They spend their time cursing their partner and feeling like they wasted years of their life on someone who didn't value them. It becomes this constant, looping thought in their head. It’s usually only much later, after some time has passed, that their perspective actually widens. They might eventually see that betrayal as the opening they needed to find someone actually worth their time. Or maybe they realize it’s a chance to finally focus on themselves—picking up a new hobby or developing a skill they ignored for years. You could apply this to pretty much any situation, whether it seems major or minor (though "major" is always a matter of opinion). You never truly know where certain turns or decisions will lead you... yet people act like they "know" exactly what a situation means for them right from the start.
What do you all think is the reason for this?
Life
I'm here, though I couldn't tell you why.🤔
Kate Nguyen2 said:Hey everyone! So, I was scrolling through this other political thread the other day—total rabbit hole situation—and it got me thinking about how little we actually get as a society when it comes to psychology, psychopathology, and just... human behavior in general. There was this one specific case being discussed about a terrorist who everyone swore was just this totally chill, harmless guy. And it hit me—that pattern repeats *so* often. That "quiet kid next door" or the "perfectly polite neighbor" who suddenly snaps and commits some horrific act... it’s terrifyingly common. It’s the same thing with domestic violence, too. Neighbors and friends are always left standing there like, "Wait, what? But he was such a gentleman!" or "She was always so bubbly and sweet!" while they're actually suffering behind closed doors. Not even mentioning all those tragic cases of self-harm or suicide where even the closest friends didn't see it coming until it was too late... I know empathy and just plain old caring are huge factors here—people tend to look the other way or downplay red flags because, let's face it, it's not their business—but I can't say it's always like that.
My thought is—hear me out—what if we doubled or even tripled the amount of psychology classes in our public schools? In a perfect world, every student would learn how to spot the warning signs of depression, violent tendencies, narcissism, or manipulation... plus, they'd actually learn how to react, how to deal with it, and more importantly, how to help themselves and others.
Another big change that I think we desperately need is making a chat with a psychologist or psychiatrist part of the standard annual physical checkup. Sadly, so many mental health issues go completely unnoticed until things reach a breaking point. People are still so heavily stigmatized and just plain uninformed about mental health, which honestly just makes everything so much harder for the person struggling.
I realize this would cost a ton of money and time, obviously, but in my opinion, it would pay for itself in the long run. I'm curious to hear what you guys think... and if this topic has already been covered, mods, please feel free to merge this.
Good ideas, but I highly doubt the government or those in power actually care about people becoming self-aware or understanding their own minds. And frankly, it's not true that we know little about the human psyche... we actually know quite a lot. The problem is that what we *do* know is mostly used to manipulate the masses rather than helping people become empathetic and happy.
Matthew Cruz44 said:Well, I actually did manage it—it happened once, a little while back now. I haven’t really brought it up before because, honestly, I can be a bit vain about these things, and I worried that talking about it might somehow muddy the waters or cloud my own mind.
I don't regret sharing it, nor am I sitting here desperately trying to make it happen again.
It felt like one of those singular, unrepeatable moments in life, much like the mystery of birth or death; you can't just pull it out of a hat whenever you feel like it.
That specific instance was wonderful, though I’ve had other experiences that were even more beautiful. Generally speaking, I find myself drawn toward experiences that feel a bit more grounded in reality.
I don't really want to try and pin it down with words, though we have sort of sketched out the general idea of what it was.
I certainly don't view it as something lost, because it remains perfectly intact within my memory.
My take? Gurus like Eckhart Tolle or Ram Dass probably live in that state of non-individualized consciousness—completely without an ego. Maybe I'm wrong, but who knows? It’s all unprovable anyway.
silverwolf98 said:Actually, I think people used to call that *kensho*.
So, consciousness wasn't "his" because there was no "him" in that moment, or something along those lines? But then again, who actually goes out looking to achieve a state like that?
It’s a bit of a labyrinth, isn't it? 🙂
Well, kensho is a Buddhist term, after all.😁
Drake, exactly.
Anyone trying to chase that feeling is essentially chasing a ghost—it's unreachable.😁
Is there actually a distinction between kensho and samadhi, or are we just looking at different labels for the same experience?
silverwolf98 said:Since you’ve been practicing "Inquiry," have you actually "succeeded" in feeling consciousness without that nagging sense of being separate from it?
It only happened once... basically, I completely lost any sense of subjectivity. Consciousness wasn't "mine" anymore—not tied to an ego or anything. There was no distinction between myself and the outside world, if you catch my drift. I think you do.😁
The weird part? It happened right in front of my mirror. I could see my physical reflection perfectly fine, but there was zero identification with it. No connection at all.😁
If I'm not mistaken, I think yoga practitioners would call that samadhi.
Matthew Cruz44 said:I find myself drawn to the topic of enlightenment for rather obvious reasons, which is exactly why we’ve all gathered here in this corner of the internet.
Actually, I find this particular topic much more pleasant to dwell on.
Fantasist suggested that everything discussed here is essentially the same thing, which led Fazlija to point out that if he truly feels that way, he should just take his grievances elsewhere instead of derailing this specific conversation about the life and legacy of Alan Watts.
I am more than ready to take on this challenge.
Fazlija As I was reflecting on this earlier, I couldn't help but think about how much our perspectives shift depending on the lens we choose to look through, almost like how one might observe a shifting landscape from a moving train window in the Midwest. It brings to mind certain observations made by Joseph Bailey41, who always seems to have such a unique way of framing these deeper truths.
If we decide that the outward structure doesn't really matter, then I suppose we could certainly pivot this conversation toward more profound subjects like meditation techniques, the art of quieting the restless mind, or even the elusive nature of enlightenment... there is certainly no shortage of deep waters to dive into. However, for me, the vessel is just as important as the contents, so I find myself wanting to hold steady on this particular topic regarding our memories of Alan Watts—that true apostle of Buddhism. 🙂
Since you brought up Hesse—who, let’s be honest, isn't exactly what we're hunting for here given he was primarily a literary novelist—I still find myself circling back to one specific insight of his tucked away in that Nobel Prize-winning book of his.
We can’t ever truly grasp the absolute truth in its raw, unadulterated form; instead, what we are actually doing is navigating a constant, lifelong process of aligning our own inner selves closer to it. It’s less about capturing a destination and more about the intentional act of positioning one's own being in relation to that ultimate istina.
Perhaps we should simply accept the idea that we are constantly shifting our position within this vast existence, forever moving through layers of reality, which means we can never truly pin it down or fully grasp its essence. And honestly, if you think about it, there is a certain liberation in realizing that we don't actually *need* to capture it at all.
I wouldn't say I'm particularly swept up in all this excitement, to be honest. It’s more that a very similar realization just sort of drifted into my mind through my own personal life, much like a sudden change in the weather catching you off guard while you're out for a stroll.
It’s quite fascinating how our entire perception of reality shifts depending on where we choose to stand. From one particular vantage point, certain things in our lives feel perfectly pleasant, almost effortless in their comfort. But the moment we shift our perspective—moving just a few steps to a different position—that sense of ease can vanish entirely. It’s much like looking at a landscape from a hilltop versus standing in a valley; the scenery hasn't changed, but your relationship to it has completely transformed. When we make that shift, the mind begins to chase after that lost sense of pleasure, yearning for the comfort it once felt, and in doing so, it loses its stillness. We end up agitated, caught in this restless pursuit of a feeling that was only ever dependent on where we were looking.
It seems much more productive to simply quiet the noise at its source, rather than frantically chasing after those fleeting moments of pleasure once they have already slipped through our fingers.
I find myself quite curious to see how Fazlija's perspective unfolds on this matter, along with the various insights from the other members of this forum regarding such a challenge.
How much damage can gnosis actually do—that deep-seated urge to constantly probe and dissect everything—if we have to face the reality that the ultimate Truth remains just beyond our grasp? It feels like a bit of a trap, doesn't it? When you wander into uncharted territory where your old mental maps fail, what on earth are you supposed to lean on instead of that relentless questioning? There’s such a flood of populist nonsense floating around these days, all those trendy slogans telling you how "amazing" it is to step outside your comfort zone, as if simply being uncomfortable is some kind of spiritual shortcut to enlightenment. But without a solid way to navigate the unknown, isn't all that overthinking just a recipe for getting lost in the woods?
I don't actually think they're all that bad, if you ask me.
It looks like they’re finally offering some kind of response.
So, here’s the question that’s been swirling around my mind lately... You know that feeling when something is providing you with this profound sense of comfort? It’s as if the ego becomes completely mesmerized, falling into this quiet, tranquil state where everything just feels right. But then—and this is the kicker—something shifts. Maybe you physically move, or perhaps there’s just a subtle internal adjustment, and suddenly, that blissful comfort starts to slip away. I was wondering if any of you have ever encountered this specific phenomenon, where the ego, sensing that loss, begins to make these incredibly loud, almost desperate demands to reclaim that pleasure at any cost? It’s like a sudden, frantic tug-of-war within the self. I'd love to hear your thoughts on why that happens and how you perceive those intense, grasping impulses.
🙂
I think we first need to draw a line between the mind and consciousness, because they aren't the same thing at all. You can try to quiet the mind as much as you want—using mantras, breathing, whatever—but eventually, it’ll revert to its old ways because that's its nature. The monkey mind exists for a reason. The function of the mind is survival, not grasping at the istina or mystical experiences. And naturally, the mind is wired to seek pleasure and flee from discomfort. Desire and aversion are just two sides of the same coin—movement. Consciousness, however, doesn't need to be silenced because it isn't in motion. It’s always there, acting as the calm, unchanging backdrop to all mental activity. Its very nature is simply "to be."🙂
The nature (essence) of the mind is "to do."
The nature (essence) of consciousness is "to be."
Joseph Bailey41 said:I’m honestly not quite sure what "achieving awakening as a direct experience of reality" actually means, or why meditation would even be necessary for it. For instance, if my cat suddenly bolts and jumps right onto me, I am definitely experiencing reality in that moment. And if I happened to be napping? Well, then I'd certainly wake up. 😁
I think they mean reducing the influence of the mind, which tends to "color" everything we see. Consciousness "sees" things directly, but the mind just constructs the image it wants to perceive.
And this whole idea of emptying the mind... honestly, who knows what everyone actually thinks it means? Clearing out negative thoughts and emotions? That seems pretty much impossible... though maybe, over time, you can learn to stop identifying so closely with them.
bluemason3 said:People love to mystify ancient languages, especially when they're used for religious texts. Hindus hype up Sanskrit, Muslims lean into Arabic, and Christians were stuck with Latin for ages.
Just myths.
Unlike praying in your own language, using Sanskrit usually means you lack a direct grasp of the meaning. You miss out on the instinctive cultural context, the symbolism, and the iconography—which probably means you aren't even truly "involved" in the moment.
On the other hand, if someone believes the nonsense (stuff that's either unfalsifiable or just plain wrong) about Sanskrit being the "most ancient," the "most complete" language with "perfectly precise sounds" or "highest vibrations," then a placebo effect might actually work. In that case, it could genuinely feel special.
It doesn't really matter if it's a placebo or not; the main thing is that it works.
Honestly, doing absolutely nothing—just pure meditation—is actually pretty great.👍
bluemason3 said:Not really.
Hmm... I actually thought there was some kind of inherent power tied to ancient Sanskrit...
mistybison said:This is... well... 🕺 😁
Mantras are genuinely effective tools for quieting the mind and improving focus. 🙂
But are Hindu mantras actually "more powerful" than ones you just pick out yourself?
Robert Ruiz2 said:🥱
I tried focusing on my breathing, but since I usually breathe all wrong, my mouth starts tingling and I get all dizzy. Music actually helped the most; I have such an overactive imagination that the music would just carry me away...
Thanks for all the advice, everyone. I think I'll start with just five minutes at a time.
One more thing—do I really need to sit in that formal posture? Can I stretch my legs out? Or maybe just lie down while I'm starting out?
And what if I just drift off to sleep? That doesn't count as meditation, right?
Don't try to control your breath... just observe it. Direct your attention toward it. It also helps to do a few rounds of deep breathing right before you actually start meditating.
The posture doesn't matter that much—as long as you're comfortable.
Sleeping and daydreaming aren't meditation.😁
The goal is to become more aware of what’s happening in your own subjective experience... essentially, raising your level of consciousness.🙂
It’s nice to see someone actually drawn to meditation... those people are few and far between lately.😁
The real key when you're starting out is building consistency—meaning you actually stick to it. Without discipline, you aren't getting anywhere, just like in any other part of life. My next suggestion would be to experiment with different techniques. There's a massive amount of stuff online, but honestly, for a beginner, focusing on your breath is usually the best way to go.
Ideally, you should try to meditate every single day, but if that feels like too much, at least aim for every other day.
How long you sit isn't really the priority at first; as I mentioned, it’s about the continuity rather than doing one big session once a week—otherwise, you won't see much progress. Even if you only manage five minutes every day, that's still better than dragging yourself through an hour-long session once a week. It'll be much easier to extend your sessions later on.
The next—and arguably most important—piece of advice is this: don't try to force your mind to go quiet, because that's simply impossible. You can't actually stop thinking—so, in a weird way, trying not to think is itself a thought, if you catch my drift😁.
Think of the contents of your mind—the thoughts, emotions, mental images, and so on—as a passing show. Try to remain as the observer (the consciousness) without identifying yourself with the "show" itself. It’s going to feel difficult at first, but if you stay persistent, you'll get there eventually.
Good luck.😉
I can't make sense of this one—there's nothing here to work with. Give me some actual content to transform. kaže:
Hey everyone.
Sorry if this topic has already been covered... Anyway, I’ve always been a pretty shy person—at least, that's how I've always seen myself—unless I'm around people I’ve known forever and actually trust. I had mostly made my peace with it, thinking it was just part of my DNA, but now that I’ve finally graduated, it's turning into a massive headache. Even though I know I’m actually good at what I do, I completely freeze up during job interviews. My voice starts shaking, my mind goes blank, and I just can't find the right words—which means I never actually get to show them what I'm capable of. 🤷 It’s starting to get under my skin—really getting to me—and I’m honestly at a loss. Does anyone have any actual advice on how to move past this? I can't just sit around the house anymore, knowing that I'm being rejected simply because of how I'm presenting myself.🤦
You really need to work on your self-confidence. Low self-esteem is pretty much the root cause of shyness—it’s that constant, nagging worry about what everyone else thinks of you that keeps you in a state of perpetual tension and anxiety. That's the core issue right there. As for techniques to help you settle down before stressful situations—so you can actually handle them without spiraling—give meditation or deep breathing exercises a shot. They’re incredibly effective at calming the nerves, even if it takes some time before you start seeing real results. Still, it's a much better path than relying on anti-anxiety pills, where you just end up building up a tolerance anyway.
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