Messages

I sense the youth of most posters here.  I could be wrong, but I'd bet a demographic study would show a sharp decline in people's interest in metaphysics and serious spirituality as they age.

(I'm referring to men, I guess.  Who knows about women; they tend to get into various self-help stuff in middle age.)

Then there's me.  I've never really lost my college dorm room fascination with the grand, deep mystery of our existence.  I am right in the middle of middle age now; I've definitely gained a world of insights over the past 20 years, and my drive for deeper understanding and discovery is stronger than it's ever been.

If I believed in such things, I'd feel that I've somehow been selected for an extraordinary journey.  I know, we all would like to think that, but my circumstances are kind of extreme.  I've had a densely eventful life.  I've done so much and experienced so much, I truly believe I've lived more than some people would in ten lifetimes.

I'm not trying to brag.  It hasn't all been fun.  The fact is, the first few decades of my life are a story of unusual privelege and hard-won success.  Then, in the last 10-15 years, fate turned against me (if I believed in such things), and delivered me a series of misfortunes and heartaches which you wouldn't believe if I told you.

It all sucked, but I wouldn't go back and change a thing.  The most painful experiences open your spirit to new directions of growth.  Those of you who know what I mean know what I mean.

So anyway, I'm at this key point right now.  I'm free and mostly unemployed, but I have some cash.  If I can find the boldness, I'm seriously thinking about taking off on a quest.  (My wife will be ticked for a while, but our kids are either grown or taking the long dirt nap, so it won't really do harm to my loved ones.)

So the question is, where would you go and what would you do?  Right now I'm thinking Mexico in my Ranger 4x4.  Shamanism.  Real de Catorce sounds really cool.  

But then, I'm a druggie and I'm thinking peyote.  Would I be better off going to Asia?  I just don't want to waste time learning some BS religion or whatever.  I want to find the SOURCE.

Feedback most appreciated (except for Christian zealots and the like, I'm sick of that noise)!  

Good times!

Anybody look at this website "Awakening to the Dream"? http://www.awakeningtothedream.com/index.html

A lot of it seems spot on to me.  I might buy his download.

I searched Google for "Metaphysics Forums", and AP came up number one.  Just the kind of thing I was looking for.  Great job!  Can't wait to dig in.

With all due respect, however, I have to say it puts me off a little to get hit so hard with book sale come-ons as soon as you arrive at the site.  I know you gotta make a living - don't I know it - but still, it felt a little heavy.

quote:The book's title is Understanding the Grand Design – Spiritual Reality's Inner Logic.  I believe that it is the first book that explains the mutual basis of science and religion...

At least he isn't making grandiose claims.  

I think even trying to write a book on these kinds of subjects is a self-defeating exercise.  I mean, you devote this huge effort to putting your hard-gained insights down in writing, right?  You have to come up with some great new Principle, Method or Revelation.  Otherwise who's going to pay to read it?  

To Hell with that noise.  The very process is so corrupting as to render it pointless.  The written word is the part that comes out of somebody's rear mental sphincter.

I say, beware of any terminology that uses capital letters or acronyms.  They are the great barriers to enlightenment.

quote:Originally posted by EnderWiggin

 Once I am out of college, I'll probably go straight-edge.

That's what I did and didn't do it again for 20 years.  Probably a good idea when you're trying to buckle down and get a career etc. going.  Still, looking back, I think it would have done me good to indulge a little from time to time.  It would have been a better decision for me if I'd kept the reefer and sworn off alcohol, which is where I'm at today.

quote:Originally posted by Aries

I lived in Alaska most of my life and they are the closest place in the US to have it legalized. We smoke it in public and no one says anything. Its actually legal to have small personal ammounts on you as long as you do it in your house. And growing more then 3 plants is just a misdermeaner.
Alaska has been trying to get it legalized for awhile now.. and they are pretty close.
I smoke weed every day. And being raised in alaska I started at the right bold age of 9 years old.
Im not retarded and I dont have any respiratory problems, although I did have short term memory problems at one point but it is fine now.
I would like to say that smoking weed for the most part is harmless. The only down side is the munchies []
-Aries

I say thank God for weed (so to speak).  I disagree with the "no motivation" comment.  At least for me, pot may make me a little lazy sometimes, but it also helps me organize my thoughts, find my real priorities, make decisions and take positive action.  

I was trying to explain to my shrink the other day why I value cannabis and don't have any desire to give it up; the amazing way it boosts my creativity, facilitates higher thought processes, gives me access to insights, and aids long-term memory and visualization.  I told him that it does more to break through my chronic depression than any of the expensive brain drugs he's tried on me over the years (during most of which time I was "clean and sober").  I might as well have been talking to a brick wall, you know how it is.

One of the anti-drug propaganda commercials really bugs me, where the kid turns in a paper and it's all written in stoner/slacker lingo, and the v/o says "Pot.  It doesn't make you think better.  It only makes you think you think better."

I test about as well on intelligent tests high as I do straight.  I don't doubt that there are studies out there which show otherwise for the general population, but if people don't test as well stoned I don't think it's because they're stupid.  It's just hard to concentrate on written problems when your mind is in high gear.

On the contrary, I find that weed can release powerful bursts of creative intelligence.  This has not and may never be proven in the current social environment, because (a) such things are very difficult, if not impossible, to quantify and test for, and (b) no funding is available for such research.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25964-2003Dec23.html

Oh the gagging hypocrisy!  The Cana-bitches are taking the astounding progressive leap to decriminalizing possession of up to 15 grams of weed (with stiff fines for any civil offender).  To offset the political outcry, including alarmed blustering from the Bush administration, they propose to jack up the criminal penalties for production and distribution, while the US threatens a border crackdown.

Why the furor?  "Marihuana" is not harmless, you see.  Its biggest, most obvious health risk is respiratory damage.  So we must fight the growing, multibillion dollar Canadian industry of producing much stronger and "more dangerous" varieties.  The kind you - uhh - don't have to smoke as much of.

Great.  After a month with nothing but moldy-smelling ditch weed, I finally get hold of some really nice nugs, but who can afford them these days?  I guess the official gummint position is to keep the quality down, so that any kind of regular use is as damaging as possible to our health.

quote:Originally posted by holy reality

I doubt it'll be outlawed, becuase not many people know about it.

Basically, DON'T TELL ANY OF YOUR LOSER FRIENDS ABOUT THIS DRUG, don't talk about it on non spirituality based forums, etc....

My loser friends?

quote:Keep the irresponsible a**holes that more or less are responsible for the illegal status of drugs (neglecting the corruption of the government and the strong holds of the alcohol and tobacco industry and our stupid dogmatic puritan values) off of Salvia and keep them on X and Meth and all those other stupid drugs and you'll keep Salvia legal.

So now, I have a very serious question here, and I know I shouldn't post this, but oh well, here I am doing so....

My parents are a bit facist when it comes to drug use. They forbid me to use anything, regardless of it's legal status, but I am an adult (and living with them).

I want to try salvia very badly, as well as perhaps these legal amarita mushrooms that are said to give you a very Alice like trip....

But to do so would... well... it would go against their will... I dont' care about their will too much but it does feel disrespectful in doing so, at least, while I'm living with them. But on the other hand it is extremely intolerant and selfish of them to forbid me to experiment with NATURAL substances... I mean who do they think they are, the government?

I realize that by responsibly experimenting I could very well jump start my as of this far uninspired attempts at gaining spirituality and understanding of things.... and yeah sure there are some small risks too, but that's okay, I'm fine with them.

And I realize that objectively speaking my happiness and spirituality matters a lot more than some stupid FORCED agreement to not use drugs while living with them. I mean, hell if I were a christian it'd be like them saying "you cannot pray."

Becuase really Salvia has been a staple in many religious practices for thousands upon thousands of years dammit.... to people back then it was no different than going to church or praying regularly.

So it's like... what should I do? I figure I should probably not do it given if caught with it they are only going to SPY ON ME (yes, they spy on me, and yes, I have plenty of solid proof, and even admittance from them about it) more (isn't it illegal to monitor my computer activities since I'm an adult?) and lose more and more trust for me.

I don't like them at all, but I do love them a lot and I don't want to destroy whatever form of relationship we may have right now.... but enough is enough and I feel oppressed and violated... even to the point where it affects my dreams, I mean hell that's probably why I'm getting raped almost every night... I have all these issues with oppression and invasion of privacy and it does feel violating... and I hate wondering whether this is going to be read by them or not but I'm not sure they know about these forums yet.

If they do, leave me the f*** alone, please, this is horrible parenting... it's not like I'm sitting here plotting killing sprees... I'M TRYING TO EXPAND MY MIND, and whether you agree with it or not I'm an adult and you have no right to tell me I can't do so, at least, with legal substances... I understand not wanting me to do illegals while living with you completely.

(I hate living in Nazi Germany (a.k.a USA, "land of the free" where you don't have due process and can be spied on without warrant, and you're just as bad as a thief or a rapist if you smoke a plant)

I have the same problem with my wife.

Surely you can rationalize the salvia with a pretty clear conscience. Start sampling the mild herbal preparations of herbs like ginseng, gingko biloba, St. John's wort, stuff like that, that claim to have mental benefits.  Keep the bottles in the kitchen with the vitamins.  Get them used to it.  If they can't handle that I'd blow them off and start doing what you want for crissake.  But hopefully they'll get used to the idea that you're an herb nut.  

Then buy some salvia extract prepared for sublingual use.  Show it to your parents, tell them its just a cool new herb.  You won't have to smoke it (which is a hassle anyway).  You won't trip as hard, but it lasts a little longer.  I like it.

If Mom or Pop wants to try it, let 'em.  Sounds like they could use some mind expanding experiences, and it's great fun watching people get off.

Good luck.  Salvia rules.

quote:Originally posted by singularity

quote:Originally posted by jilola

What every path boils down to is, is the fact that the path is where You are. The trick in all of them if to figure out and realize what You really are.
The value in enduring all the hardship of physically searching for the right place, the right guru, the right time is all good and well ,and for many people its necessary, provided one realizes the answers sought have always been right there within oneself.

So given the choice of the path I'd choose nothing.

2cents & L&L
jouni

I think that is pretty insightful.  I actually have a working idea of "what I really am", much of which fell into place in the past few months.  I wonder if it's similar to yours?

I like Kakkarot's response.  I totally get off on wild nature (or what current facsimiles thereof still exist), and my tourism is almost always eco-.

I'm like both of you, I tend to look inside and distrust dogma of any kind.  But I was thinking more about getting some exposure to, and maybe formal instruction in, a worthy spiritual tradition.  Is there such a thing, or are they all bullsh*t?

quote:Originally posted by OverDriven

quote:Originally posted by singularity

quote:Originally posted by OverDriven
You have much to learn.

I don't doubt that for a minute.

So, what are we talking about?  Do you contend that "literal" out-of-body experiences, as I defined them, can actually occur?

Are all of you familiar with the hospital room experiments that have been done involving random number generators?  (Strictly speaking they concern NDE's, but same principle I think.)

I am absolutely saying they are real.  There are many experiments that have been conducted that show very strong evidence for the existance of OBE.  Many experiements have also failed.  Everyone will say this, but you have to try for yourself.  What do you have to lose?

I'm ready, bruthas and sistas.  My body pretty much sucks anyway, I'd love to shed it once in a while.  

Plus, my "real" life ain't so hot these days either.  It resembles nothing so much as the field of some epic battle, one in which all sides have just been pretty much slaughtered.  As dawn rises, heaps of dead bodys, ruined structures and wrecked war machines litter the silent, gently smoking landscape as far as the eye can see.  Look up into that dead tree.  See the entrails and body parts hanging in the high branches.  Already, the jackals and hyenas have started their gang fighting on the periphery, jockying for position in anticipation of the coming feast.

Bah!  Where was I.  Is there a good thread or article on the site you folks can point me to, something to help me get up to speed on OBE's.  I'm ready!

To any of you who have never "really gotten off" on salvia, I'd like to say this.  I am an inveterate "recreational" drug user, with many years of experience with just about any substance which will catch me a buzz.  I am in reasonably good physical and mental health for my age, and a fully functional practitioner of a "learned profession".  I say this only to encourage you to take this post seriously.

Salvia divinorum has given me some of the most extraordinary, liberating, enlightening, terrifying, and profound experiences I've ever had or could imagine.  I've never had any kind of remotely similar effect from drugs, dreams, program of meditation, religious or spiritual commitment, or everyday "reality".  Nothing can possibly prepare you for it.  It is very wierd business.

I can say this because I remember thinking it as I popped back from a salvia trip.  At such moments, I often think to myself "I should devote the rest of my life to studying this plant and this experience".  But the actual fact is that you can't remember what it was like when you aren't there.  Every time I do it, the first (last)thing that goes through my mind is "holy sh*t, I forgot it was like thiiiiiiiiii...."

The intense part only lasts a few minutes, you're pretty much back to normal in a half-hour, and the toxicity and hangover are practically nil.

I would be happy to provide any information, even though I shouldn't because it's gonna end up being outlawed, like it is in Australia.

quote:Originally posted by OverDriven
You have much to learn.

I don't doubt that for a minute.

So, what are we talking about?  Do you contend that "literal" out-of-body experiences, as I defined them, can actually occur?

Are all of you familiar with the hospital room experiments that have been done involving random number generators?  (Strictly speaking they concern NDE's, but same principle I think.)

quote:Originally posted by beavis

I would try (but not guaranteed to succeed) to show you for free, but I dont think you want to drive 1500+ miles.

No, not without a guaranty.

quote:Originally posted by kutabare

when did she die?
You can only find her within a week of her death then she goes into the other stages of death.{ only for a week due to the etheric energy is being decayed and is going to shrink}

sorry if I seem rude, but I know this from a chiqung book about etheric energy ,death and superstitions.

Interesting.  How about slow cancer deaths after a period of coma?  I had my first first-hand experience recently of this frightening phenomenon.  The last few days, it seemed as if the person - her energies, whatever - had already fled.  Or maybe we just chose to think that.

My wife and I also lost a child, suddenly, a few years back.  My wife remains convinced that she will meet our child again.  I see things differently, but still positively.

Oops, gotta save that for another time...

quote:Originally posted by beavis

singularity, I have proved to 5 people that I can do telekinesis. But there are not enough of us around to give live demonstrations to everybody, and disbelievers call videos fakes regardless of how real they look.

Well that's pretty damn cool.  How much do you charge?  I'm free this week.

TK is an easy thing to prove or disprove.  You can't evade the question with a knowing wink or shrug.  

You announce your intention to move object A via TK.  Object A moves.  No other explanation is discernable.  The procedure and witnesses are unimpeachable.  Then you have proof.  How hard is that?

I assume TK is fiction, otherwise we'd all have seen proof already.

quote:Originally posted by fallnangel77

Why so critical? This is a great site. Astral Dynamics is a great book, but all or almost all the info in it can be found on the forums and the free guides that Robert has written. He does not try to prevent the info from showing up in the free areas. I could never say that this is just about making money. One never has to buy the book to find help. But the book is well worth the money. Maybe you should do a little looking around before jumping to judgement.

Totally, fair enough.  I shall do so.

Jesus, sorry dude.  Just MHO.

Whoa.  My first reaction is, if you're telling the truth, you may be clinically psychotic.  Not that there's necessarily anything wrong with that.

But are you guys serious?  I've been a pretty open-minded seeker for a long time, but I've never experienced anything like that.

Are you talking about dreaming, or something else?  I have awesome dreams from time to time, and I'd love to cultivate that.  I saw that movie Waking Life, which was excellent.  I think about the thing where you're supposed to become aware that you're dreaming, and I'm not sure about it.  I seems to me that, in the kind of primo dreams I sometimes remember, it's not that I don't "know" I'm dreaming. I think my dreaming mind (for lack of a better word) is in a different place that it fully recognizes.  It's as real to me as real can get.  

Controlling dreams?  Sounds awesome but it's a long ways off for me.  

Back to OBE's though.  A strict definition has to be that a person is moving around without his or her body through everyday reality.  By "person" I guess I mean the conscious mind along with some physical senses - vision and hearing? Smell/taste? Touch?  And here's the clincher - the person is able to witness and report back on physical events which occurred out of the presence of his or her physical body.

I don't tend to believe it happens, but I could be convinced, I guess.