Consciousness

restlessmarlin6 · 2003-10-29T20:06:12+00:00

Look, I’m asking this without any judgment or anyone trying to lecture me on morality 🙂 I was wondering if there’s actually a way to reach those elevated state…

hollowviper72 Regular

268 messages
joined May 2004

#41 · Nov 26, 2003

Karen Sanchez19 said:hollowviper72 asks, "So, what kind of meditation do you actually practice? Why don't you share some of your experiences here—maybe some of the interesting ones?"😁

Well, like I mentioned before, I really don't think we need to overthink the whole concept of expanding consciousness. If you're meditating for that purpose, it should be as straightforward as possible. That’s why I don't have these massive, cinematic stories to tell... I could mention the sensation of feeling the Earth spinning beneath you, or those moments where you suddenly realize just who you *are*... but honestly, those things are too vast for words—it's much better to experience them firsthand. People far too often get trapped in these mazes of technicalities, obsessing over overly complex techniques that end up becoming an end in themselves. They forget that the ultimate goal is merely the destination at the end of the path—if we start philosophizing about every single pebble on the road, we'll have a hard time ever reaching our destination... not to mention that we risk losing sight of the goal entirely. The road becomes the point, and the journey turns into nothing more than aimless wandering.

All you really need to do is find a quiet spot and let go of all the tension in the world. It's like if you've ever tried floating in a calm river—just relaxing and watching the sky drift by wherever the current gently carries you. That’s exactly how meditation should feel.

Brian Moore2 Active Member

93 messages
joined Jan 2003

#42 · Nov 26, 2003

Karen Sanchez19 said:With just a bit of effort—maybe a few months of practice—the average person can actually get pretty good at mastering astral projection techniques.

So, tell me, did you actually pull off an astral projection, or are you just reciting theory about how "easy" it is supposed to be?

I’m curious if anyone else here has experimented with breathwork. Has anyone managed to trigger those intense full-body vibrations through breathing alone? I'm talking about that sensation where your lips start trembling and you hit a state that feels almost like an orgasm. Anyone? Thanks. 😎

Karen Sanchez19 Regular

483 messages
joined Dec 2003

#43 · Nov 26, 2003

hollowviper72

Why is it impossible to find any actual techniques for transcendental meditation anywhere? Is there even such a thing as a written guide, or am I right in assuming that the teacher
holds all the cards here?

😁

Karen Sanchez19 Regular

483 messages
joined Dec 2003

#44 · Nov 26, 2003

I’ve burned through plenty of books and spent countless hours lurking on various forums dedicated to astral projection. If there is one thing you need to burn into your brain, it’s this: consistency is everything. You need a daily practice—not too much, not too little. We're talking about roughly 15 minutes. It’s simple physics, really. If you slack off for an entire week and then try to make up for lost time by cramming it all into a single day, you’ll hit a wall. It just won't work.

Now, let's be honest: I am a fundamentally lazy person. The mere thought of maintaining a strict daily routine makes my skin crawl.😱

Brian Moore2 Active Member

93 messages
joined Jan 2003

#45 · Nov 26, 2003

There is a massive difference between someone just reciting facts they read in a book and actually having skin in the game—having gained real-world experience through the grueling, daily grind of hard work. 😉

Karen Sanchez19 Regular

483 messages
joined Dec 2003

#46 · Nov 26, 2003

And look, if you actually have some firsthand experience with this, then speak up...😛

Anonymous Veteran

3.6K messages
joined May 2005

#47 · Nov 26, 2003

bipolar2000
It sounds to me like you're talking about expanding consciousness.

Basically, you're describing what you personally want.

Tinchi
It’s the same with people... having too much awareness can lead to a total crash. Excessive happiness eventually gets replaced by sadness... You have to find balance..

You can't stay in a state of pure ecstasy forever. It's like high voltage without any flow—you end up getting stuck in one spot, and the wire just catches fire...
Flowing, immersed... Unobstructed, free... Fulfilled, released... Finished, at peace... Lost, then found forever...
Drugs only give you a borderline state of consciousness, not a true trance state. You first need to be centered, and then something needs to transition you into a genuine trance, but in a way that allows you to return to your normal self effortlessly. Drugs don't work like that.
In the West, the whole idea of (pro)expanding consciousness is often looked down upon because, especially in the USA, people went way too far with those kinds of experiments. By the late 60s and 70s, it became clear that the issue wasn't expanding consciousness, but rather grounding it—making it conscious. Making ordinary life feel extraordinary.
But Americans actually solved this quite practically by leaning into the concept of technique. At its core, it's all just different techniques used to reach the exact same summit.
What good is magic or alchemy if you aren't spreading that alchemy from yourself to others?
What's the point of yoga, meditation, or physical exercises if you aren't flexible within yourself?
What's the point of bhakti if you haven't accepted who you are?
What good is light if you aren't the lighthouse?
A man's embrace... ditch the drugs and the yoga... and suddenly Patrick Mahomes is back in Washington, D.C.
😉

hollowviper72 Regular

268 messages
joined May 2004

#48 · Nov 26, 2003

Karen Sanchez19 said:hollowviper72

Why is it impossible to find any actual techniques for transcendental meditation anywhere? And do written techniques even exist at all? I assume a teacher plays a massive role in this process.

😁

Honestly, you don't need a teacher. The beauty—and the simplicity—of this kind of meditation is that the instructions can really be boiled down to a single sentence: "Find a quiet spot, relax, and let your mind drift." In my view, it’s entirely up to the individual to discover what "letting the mind drift" actually feels like for them. Some people naturally gravitate toward paths that others might not even recognize. It leads me to realize that meditation techniques are a lot like personalities... well, you know how it goes—it depends on the person! In that sense, a teacher acts more like someone you share experiences with rather than someone who holds the key to unlocking your consciousness. No one else can do that for you, and there truly is no such thing as a "one size fits all" technique—especially when we're talking about expanding consciousness.

A quick search on Google for "transcendental meditation" brings up about 45,000 results. If I had to guess, maybe 5,000 to 10,000 of those aren't just fluff pieces or general info, but actual offers for books, programs, and various resources on the subject. So, clearly, written techniques *do* exist. The real question, of course, is whether those techniques are actually worth your time, or if they're just another attempt to commercialize spirituality.

Karen Sanchez19 Regular

483 messages
joined Dec 2003

#49 · Nov 26, 2003

Believe me, there aren't any actual written techniques out there—just books filled with vague, sweeping generalities that offer zero practical substance.

Let’s try to actually define "meditation" here, since it’s such a broad, catch-all term that people throw around without thinking. How would you personally define it?

You say, "find a quiet spot and clear your head," but besides just obsessing over "nothingness," the mind can be harnessed for all sorts of other things. For instance, one could focus on constructing an astral vehicle to facilitate consciousness transfer, which triggers astral projection. Does that fall under the umbrella of meditation, or is it something else entirely?

Paul Campbell3 Regular

259 messages
joined Feb 2004

#50 · Nov 26, 2003

Just an empty mind... that's it.
Focus on a single point and let the thoughts just vanish.
The principle stays the same everywhere; it’s really just about how you handle the technical side of things.

Casey Palmer5 Regular

470 messages
joined Jan 2016

#51 · Nov 27, 2003

Paul Campbell3 said:Just clearing out the mental clutter... that's it.
Focusing on a single point and letting thoughts just drift away.
The core principle stays the same regardless; it's really just about the technical execution.

Yeah, that’s exactly how I handle it too. There isn't any deep philosophy or complicated stuff involved.

At the end of the day, nobody can actually teach you how to manage your own mind—you just have to figure it out for yourself. And honestly, it's not even that hard, it's all down to willpower...

hollowviper72 Regular

268 messages
joined May 2004

#52 · Nov 27, 2003

Personally, I think the most accurate way to describe meditation would be as a "Consideration of All"—or what we might call an "overview of totality." See, my take is that "emptying the mind"—that intentional break in the constant stream of thought—is really just one step in the process. It’s how we detach ourselves from those tiny, nagging everyday problems and obstacles, essentially prepping ourselves to face the full scope of reality. And this process? It isn't strictly confined to those quiet moments of sitting still. In my own experience, after practicing silent contemplation for a while, you reach a state where the meditation carries over into everything you do, even when life gets incredibly hectic. Your entire perspective shifts; you start seeing the world through a different lens. At that point, *not* contemplating the Totality becomes the challenge, which is funny because it was the exact opposite when I first started. You could almost say a split in consciousness occurs—where one part of you is busy paying the bills, while the other is quietly continuing that contemplation.

As for astral projection, well, it all depends on your personal experience. There are several stages to it, and while everyone talks about those "full projections," I actually find myself leaning toward "partial" ones. To be honest, you don't achieve partial projection through some specific, rigid technique; rather, you simply "grow into" the method. Much like continuous meditation, a partial projection means you're constantly keeping one foot in that realm. On the flip side, the sensation isn't quite as overwhelming. I view partial projection as an inevitable byproduct of continuous meditation. As for full projection, I won't comment much there since my experiences in that specific area have been somewhat limited. But I am certain that every form of perceiving the Totality is striving toward the same ultimate goal...

Brian Moore2 Active Member

93 messages
joined Jan 2003

#53 · Nov 27, 2003

No123 said:I’m curious if anyone here actually practices breathwork? Specifically, has anyone managed to trigger those full-body vibrations, where your lips start trembling and you hit a state that feels almost like an orgasm? I'd love to hear your experiences. Thanks. 😎

Anonymous Veteran

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joined May 2005

#54 · Nov 27, 2003

A teacher isn't strictly necessary.

I mean, you usually need some kind of guide—someone or something—unless you're an actual deity descended to Earth. I’m not talking about a guru who dictates every single move and forces you into a specific technique. I mean more of a mentor who supports your natural progression and mindset, someone who can point you in the right direction when you need it.

In my own experience, after spending enough time in quiet contemplation, you eventually hit a state where that meditation just carries over into everything. It stays with you even during the most chaotic parts of daily life. Your entire perspective shifts; you start seeing the world through a different lens. At that point, *not* being in a state of contemplating the overview of totality becomes the struggle, which is the exact opposite of how it feels when you first start. It’s almost like your consciousness splits—one part of you is busy paying the bills, while the other part is just continuously meditating.

👍 🙂

hollowviper72 Regular

268 messages
joined May 2004

#55 · Nov 27, 2003

#WildCard said:You always need some kind of teacher—someone or something—unless you’re an avatar who descended to Earth personally. And I don't mean a teacher in the sense of someone barking orders or forcing you to follow a rigid technique; I mean a guide who supports your natural path and your inherent attitude. Someone who can simply point the way or offer a bit of perspective.

That actually brings to mind those lines from Enigma...

"There is no teacher
Who can teach anything new
He can just help us to remember
The things we always knew..."

I have to admit, speaking from my own life experiences, I’ve developed a bit of an aversion toward people who label themselves "spiritual teachers." Unfortunately, I’ve seen firsthand how some of them try to exert dominance over their "students." Even if it isn't happening to you directly, watching it happen to someone you truly care about feels just as heavy. But, I shouldn't veer too far off track.

Having a companion on these paths—a "fellow wayfarer" with a bit more mileage under their belt—can certainly be a positive thing. Sadly, though, more often than not, you run into charlatans who are really just looking for a platform to peddle themselves and their own agendas. There are exceptions, of course.

In many ways, it's better to start the journey on your own. Questions will inevitably arise... there's that old saying that a teacher appears only when the student is ready. It’s not that the student seeks out the teacher, but rather that the student has evolved enough to finally notice the teacher who has been standing right beside them all along. And honestly? That teacher doesn't even have to be a person. Sometimes, the sky is the best teacher. Or a rock. Or the stars. Or even a blade of grass. It all depends on where we happen to be on our journey...

Anonymous Veteran

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joined May 2005

#56 · Nov 27, 2003

hollowviper72 said:"There is no teacher
Who can teach anything new
He can just help us to remember
The things we always knew..."

And honestly, a teacher doesn't even have to be a person. Sometimes the sky is your best teacher. Or a mountain peak. Or the stars above. Even a blade of grass. It all just depends on where you are in your own journey...

👍 And that's exactly my point 😉

Casey Palmer5 Regular

470 messages
joined Jan 2016

#57 · Nov 27, 2003

hollowviper72 said:I have to admit, based on my own life experiences, I’ve always had a bit of a distaste for people who go around calling themselves "spiritual teachers,"

... but there's that old saying that a teacher only shows up once the student is truly ready.

I'm right there with both of you on this one.

swiftcobra15 Regular

305 messages
joined Dec 2002

#58 · Nov 27, 2003

Wild Card said:There’s always some kind of mentor, someone or something
you need to guide you...

It reminds me of that old saying: No one is truly your friend, and no one is truly your enemy.
EVERYONE IS SIMPLY A TEACHER. 🙂

And when we talk about the Teacher (with a capital T), there's a rule to follow:
If you find yourself doubting, then that isn't your teacher.😉

Ryan Wilson2 Regular

387 messages
joined Dec 2002

#59 · Nov 27, 2003

swiftcobra15 said:You know that old adage: No one is your friend, and no one is your enemy.
EVERYONE IS SIMPLY A TEACHER. 🙂

And when we speak of the Teacher (with a capital T), this rule applies:
If you harbor doubt, then they are not your teacher.😉

Hold on just a second... either everyone is a teacher, or they aren't. Pick a side. 😉

Ryan Wilson2 Regular

387 messages
joined Dec 2002

#60 · Nov 27, 2003

hollowviper72 said:... there is an old saying that the teacher appears once the student is ready.

Ah... here I go again, trying to find a flaw in everything. It seems I am destined to be nothing more than a constant critic, much like 😈

However... I cannot bring myself to fully agree with that proverb; in my estimation, it is only half the truth. One must consider that finding a worthy student is often an uphill battle for the mentor, simply because most people are lazy, intellectually stunted, or driven by nothing more than a shallow desire for quick results—usually fueled by greed, lust, or the pursuit of status.

Therefore, I would propose a necessary expansion to that sentiment... the student appears when the teacher is ready.

Consciousness

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