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topdog82
Death Spirit



Registered: 07/16/10
Posts: 7,992
Loc: California
Last seen: 5 months, 3 days
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Where should I go from here? (To grow spiritually)?
#22126578 - 08/22/15 12:03 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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I have spent the past two years almost daily doing the following: meditating for about 50 minutes total daily less than 5 psychedelic trips. Usually lower and lighter doses Cutting back on how much weed I smoke significantly reading about 20-60 minutes usually about a spiritual/religious/philosophy topic writing in a journal every night
I feel that I have reached the point where I want something "more". By this I mean that I have grown significantly but I have reached the point where the best way to continue growing is to meet with likeminded individuals. Do any of you guys have any recommendations on how to go about this? When it comes to this topic, there are a lot of charlatans and cults (ie. scientology, and Transcendental Meditation). I figure "Art of Living" is the only one that I know of that seems to be well managed and open minded
Although I have no specific religious views, I generally have interest and lead my life according confucianism, taoism, hinduism, jainism, and buddhism
Does anyone have any recommendations/experience?
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Thunderbird310
Caps


Registered: 02/19/14
Posts: 187
Last seen: 4 years, 7 months
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Re: Where should I go from here? (To grow spiritually)? [Re: topdog82]
#22126610 - 08/22/15 12:10 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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You could try looking on meet up. If there isn't anything already out there for you to join you can create your own group
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akosi
Stranger
Registered: 03/08/15
Posts: 51
Last seen: 8 years, 2 months
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Re: Where should I go from here? (To grow spiritually)? [Re: Thunderbird310]
#22126635 - 08/22/15 12:18 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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breath work, kundalini yoga, ayahuasca, or herbalism. Pick your potion.
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Psilosopherr
A psilly goose



Registered: 02/15/12
Posts: 12,278
Last seen: 1 month, 10 days
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Re: Where should I go from here? (To grow spiritually)? [Re: akosi]
#22126718 - 08/22/15 12:45 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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topdog82
Death Spirit



Registered: 07/16/10
Posts: 7,992
Loc: California
Last seen: 5 months, 3 days
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Re: Where should I go from here? (To grow spiritually)? [Re: Thunderbird310]
#22126944 - 08/22/15 01:27 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
akosi said: breath work, kundalini yoga, ayahuasca, or herbalism. Pick your potion.
For yoga I was going to look into this:
http://www.amazon.com/complete-illustrated-yoga-Introd-Marcus/dp/B0032EW6A8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8 I know very little on kundalini yoga. I am saving up for ayahuasca. I should be able to go next next summer to south america
But generally speaking, I was hoping to find a platform of likeminded people that I could meet in person with. I love the shroomery as it has given me the chance to bump into a few users likemoonshoe, deff, markthegnostic and a others who have really propelled my spiritual path. I feel that if I could meet in person on a monthly basis it would be more productive
Quote:
Thunderbird310 said: You could try looking on meet up. If there isn't anything already out there for you to join you can create your own group
I was thinking about this as well. But I am trying to go a proper organization of some sort. Sadly, I feel a lot of the "spiritual" and "new age" community is guilty of saying a lot of far fetched or illogical things ie raw vegans and frutitarians are an extreme example of this "cooked food is a fad". It is too often also intermingled with the "PLUR" and rave scene. MDMA and raves are fun. But I wouldn't say I gained profound spiritual insight from raves or plur scene. And I think beyond the first few MDMA experiences, I am really just using it for "fun" and it didn't really help me spiritually
I figure this type of "PLUR" crowd could be avoided at an Art of living center as it is typically run by grown adults in the 30-60 range. Not that I have anything against PLUR culture, but I have met far too many people who are into "new age spirituality", and have the center of their practice as rolling and posting psuedo-intellectual quotes on instagram that mean nothing with buddhist monks in the background
I know I come off as a little bit of a curmudgeon or a cynic but I feel this is an important topic. A lot of my time has been wasted thinking that these types of people were good sources of knowledge when trying to understand the wisdom of the east. Going on meetup will attract there types of people. But I might as well try
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Cowb0yNeal00



Registered: 06/05/13
Posts: 11,059
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Re: Where should I go from here? (To grow spiritually)? [Re: topdog82]
#22130475 - 08/23/15 11:19 AM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
topdog82 said: I have spent the past two years almost daily doing the following: meditating for about 50 minutes total daily less than 5 psychedelic trips. Usually lower and lighter doses Cutting back on how much weed I smoke significantly reading about 20-60 minutes usually about a spiritual/religious/philosophy topic writing in a journal every night
I feel that I have reached the point where I want something "more". By this I mean that I have grown significantly but I have reached the point where the best way to continue growing is to meet with likeminded individuals. Do any of you guys have any recommendations on how to go about this? When it comes to this topic, there are a lot of charlatans and cults (ie. scientology, and Transcendental Meditation). I figure "Art of Living" is the only one that I know of that seems to be well managed and open minded
Although I have no specific religious views, I generally have interest and lead my life according confucianism, taoism, hinduism, jainism, and buddhism
Does anyone have any recommendations/experience?
whats in your journal?
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MarkostheGnostic
Elder



Registered: 12/09/99
Posts: 14,279
Loc: South Florida
Last seen: 3 years, 3 days
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Re: Where should I go from here? (To grow spiritually)? [Re: topdog82] 1
#22130529 - 08/23/15 11:39 AM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Spiritual life exists on 2 axes, the vertical and the horizontal. The vertical axis is introverted, inner-directed, contemplative and subjective. It deals with your intrapersonal development alone, isolated from the world of others. The horizontal axis is extraverted, outer-directed, active, and objective. It deals with your interpersonal development and that of others who come in contact with you. What you are describing is clearly the vertical axis. It is necessary to develop the horizontal axis in order to flesh out and manifest the inner in the outer. I think you would appreciate the book entitled The Way of All the Earth by John S. Dunne. I believe he expands the notion that after one has 'been to the mountaintop' and experienced the glory of Unification at the highest centers of consciousness, one has to descend from the peak to the valley and the marketplace in order to share what one has received on the mountain top, just as the archetypal figure of Moses is described as having done with the Sacred Law carved upon tablets of stone. Your experience[s] will be written "not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart." - 2 Corinthians 3:3
Read these 5 reviews on Amazon. There is a used copy for .01¢ + $3.99 S&H. You won't regret this $4.00 purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Way-All-Earth-John-Dunne/dp/0268019282/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440351181&sr=8-1&keywords=the+way+of+all+the+earth
-------------------- γνῶθι σαὐτόν - Gnothi Seauton - Know Thyself
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c0sm0nautt

Registered: 05/19/08
Posts: 10,303
Loc: The Astral Realm
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Re: Where should I go from here? (To grow spiritually)? [Re: topdog82]
#22130934 - 08/23/15 01:28 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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What are you afraid of? Go and do that.
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topdog82
Death Spirit



Registered: 07/16/10
Posts: 7,992
Loc: California
Last seen: 5 months, 3 days
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Re: Where should I go from here? (To grow spiritually)? [Re: MarkostheGnostic]
#22130959 - 08/23/15 01:36 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
MarkostheGnostic said: Spiritual life exists on 2 axes, the vertical and the horizontal. The vertical axis is introverted, inner-directed, contemplative and subjective. It deals with your intrapersonal development alone, isolated from the world of others. The horizontal axis is extraverted, outer-directed, active, and objective. It deals with your interpersonal development and that of others who come in contact with you. What you are describing is clearly the vertical axis. It is necessary to develop the horizontal axis in order to flesh out and manifest the inner in the outer. I think you would appreciate the book entitled The Way of All the Earth by John S. Dunne. I believe he expands the notion that after one has 'been to the mountaintop' and experienced the glory of Unification at the highest centers of consciousness, one has to descend from the peak to the valley and the marketplace in order to share what one has received on the mountain top, just as the archetypal figure of Moses is described as having done with the Sacred Law carved upon tablets of stone. Your experience[s] will be written "not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart." - 2 Corinthians 3:3
Read these 5 reviews on Amazon. There is a used copy for .01¢ + $3.99 S&H. You won't regret this $4.00 purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Way-All-Earth-John-Dunne/dp/0268019282/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440351181&sr=8-1&keywords=the+way+of+all+the+earth
good post and book reccomendation. I will order that book tonight
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topdog82
Death Spirit



Registered: 07/16/10
Posts: 7,992
Loc: California
Last seen: 5 months, 3 days
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Re: Where should I go from here? (To grow spiritually)? [Re: c0sm0nautt] 2
#22130964 - 08/23/15 01:36 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
c0sm0nautt said: What are you afraid of? Go and do that.
I did. I am joining the Art of living. Or at least I am joining a trial session later today
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ivander
Paragon of Animal



Registered: 11/01/08
Posts: 1,519
Last seen: 10 months, 29 days
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Re: Where should I go from here? (To grow spiritually)? [Re: topdog82] 1
#22131152 - 08/23/15 02:33 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Never stop asking questions. Every next step you take, Is just another first step in a infinite row.
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Those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music. - Nietzsche I've never faked a sarcasm in my life. True story.
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Cowb0yNeal00



Registered: 06/05/13
Posts: 11,059
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Re: Where should I go from here? (To grow spiritually)? [Re: ivander]
#22131173 - 08/23/15 02:37 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
ivander said: Never stop asking questions. Every next step you take, Is just another first step in a infinite row.

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topdog82
Death Spirit



Registered: 07/16/10
Posts: 7,992
Loc: California
Last seen: 5 months, 3 days
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Re: Where should I go from here? (To grow spiritually)? [Re: Cowb0yNeal00] 1
#22135114 - 08/24/15 11:37 AM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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I ended up going to an art of living intro course as well as having an epic 4-aco-dmt trip this weekend. Both have given me a renewed sense of direciton
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deff
just love everyone



Registered: 05/01/04
Posts: 9,406
Loc: clarity
Last seen: 46 seconds
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Re: Where should I go from here? (To grow spiritually)? [Re: topdog82]
#22135497 - 08/24/15 01:31 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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awesome!
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MarkostheGnostic
Elder



Registered: 12/09/99
Posts: 14,279
Loc: South Florida
Last seen: 3 years, 3 days
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Re: Where should I go from here? (To grow spiritually)? [Re: topdog82]
#22135663 - 08/24/15 02:18 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
topdog82 said:
Quote:
MarkostheGnostic said: Spiritual life exists on 2 axes, the vertical and the horizontal. The vertical axis is introverted, inner-directed, contemplative and subjective. It deals with your intrapersonal development alone, isolated from the world of others. The horizontal axis is extraverted, outer-directed, active, and objective. It deals with your interpersonal development and that of others who come in contact with you. What you are describing is clearly the vertical axis. It is necessary to develop the horizontal axis in order to flesh out and manifest the inner in the outer. I think you would appreciate the book entitled The Way of All the Earth by John S. Dunne. I believe he expands the notion that after one has 'been to the mountaintop' and experienced the glory of Unification at the highest centers of consciousness, one has to descend from the peak to the valley and the marketplace in order to share what one has received on the mountain top, just as the archetypal figure of Moses is described as having done with the Sacred Law carved upon tablets of stone. Your experience[s] will be written "not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart." - 2 Corinthians 3:3
Read these 5 reviews on Amazon. There is a used copy for .01¢ + $3.99 S&H. You won't regret this $4.00 purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Way-All-Earth-John-Dunne/dp/0268019282/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440351181&sr=8-1&keywords=the+way+of+all+the+earth
good post and book reccomendation. I will order that book tonight 
Good for you! I think it will speak to the ecumenism you described. Another, more famous book is Frithjof Schuon's The Transcendent Unity of Religions, but if my memory serves me correctly, Dunne's book may speak more to the process of 'coming down to Earth' so-to-speak as a necessary correlate to transcendental experiences. After one's finitude dissolves in the Infinite, unless one physically dies, the second movement is for the Infinite to be born in the finite. This is the meaning of the alchemical dictum (also found on the arms of the Eliphas Levi's Baphomet), "Solve et Coagula." Lama Govinda refers to the 'ascending path towards unification,' and the 'descending path towards realization.' He also refers to the 'complementary experiences of OM and HUM' as the same reflexive movement, from the Brain Centers to the Heart Center, respectively. Nobody can remain at the peak of a mountain for long. It is breath-taking in its expansive view, but its rarified, pristine atmosphere is sterile and doesn't support human life. One must descend from the peak where human life is possible.
-------------------- γνῶθι σαὐτόν - Gnothi Seauton - Know Thyself
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topdog82
Death Spirit



Registered: 07/16/10
Posts: 7,992
Loc: California
Last seen: 5 months, 3 days
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Re: Where should I go from here? (To grow spiritually)? [Re: MarkostheGnostic]
#22137560 - 08/24/15 08:52 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
MarkostheGnostic said:
Quote:
topdog82 said:
Quote:
MarkostheGnostic said: Spiritual life exists on 2 axes, the vertical and the horizontal. The vertical axis is introverted, inner-directed, contemplative and subjective. It deals with your intrapersonal development alone, isolated from the world of others. The horizontal axis is extraverted, outer-directed, active, and objective. It deals with your interpersonal development and that of others who come in contact with you. What you are describing is clearly the vertical axis. It is necessary to develop the horizontal axis in order to flesh out and manifest the inner in the outer. I think you would appreciate the book entitled The Way of All the Earth by John S. Dunne. I believe he expands the notion that after one has 'been to the mountaintop' and experienced the glory of Unification at the highest centers of consciousness, one has to descend from the peak to the valley and the marketplace in order to share what one has received on the mountain top, just as the archetypal figure of Moses is described as having done with the Sacred Law carved upon tablets of stone. Your experience[s] will be written "not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart." - 2 Corinthians 3:3
Read these 5 reviews on Amazon. There is a used copy for .01¢ + $3.99 S&H. You won't regret this $4.00 purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Way-All-Earth-John-Dunne/dp/0268019282/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440351181&sr=8-1&keywords=the+way+of+all+the+earth
good post and book reccomendation. I will order that book tonight 
Good for you! I think it will speak to the ecumenism you described. Another, more famous book is Frithjof Schuon's The Transcendent Unity of Religions, but if my memory serves me correctly, Dunne's book may speak more to the process of 'coming down to Earth' so-to-speak as a necessary correlate to transcendental experiences. After one's finitude dissolves in the Infinite, unless one physically dies, the second movement is for the Infinite to be born in the finite. This is the meaning of the alchemical dictum (also found on the arms of the Eliphas Levi's Baphomet), "Solve et Coagula." Lama Govinda refers to the 'ascending path towards unification,' and the 'descending path towards realization.' He also refers to the 'complementary experiences of OM and HUM' as the same reflexive movement, from the Brain Centers to the Heart Center, respectively. Nobody can remain at the peak of a mountain for long. It is breath-taking in its expansive view, but its rarified, pristine atmosphere is sterile and doesn't support human life. One must descend from the peak where human life is possible.

This sounds like a great book too. Unfortunately, I have a large stack of books to read already. I will put this on my amazon wishlist for now
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MarkostheGnostic
Elder



Registered: 12/09/99
Posts: 14,279
Loc: South Florida
Last seen: 3 years, 3 days
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Re: Where should I go from here? (To grow spiritually)? [Re: topdog82]
#22137982 - 08/24/15 10:30 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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It was just a suggestion, but for me an influential and memorable book which I read in 1976 as soon as I arrived in seminary.
-------------------- γνῶθι σαὐτόν - Gnothi Seauton - Know Thyself
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jesserayhatchtrue
master



Registered: 08/25/15
Posts: 121
Loc: ravenna ohio unitedstates
Last seen: 8 years, 5 months
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Re: Where should I go from here? (To grow spiritually)? [Re: topdog82]
#22138375 - 08/25/15 12:48 AM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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just one recomendation patience young jedi
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