juliank

This is a wonderful report Lerner! It sounds like it has really made a positive impact. When I get the money I think I may splurge and get the package. Right now, I am on Day 4 of just simply doing the main breathing practice with retention. I love it already, it feels incredibly strengthening both on a physical and subtle energetic level. I sense that if properly used it can really open up energetic blockages. I have been doing the cold showers, which I admit I had been doing already but going from warm to cold, now I just do straight cold and the difference is immeasurable. Do you think it's possible to see decent progress just doing the breathing technique and just extending the holds? Cheers.

He has been doing the media rounds, and I sense this method getting wider exposure very soon. A lot of the self development personalities like Tim Ferriss et al, are doing interviews and Reddit has a whole sub-reddit devoted to him. I had been meaning to start the method myself, and started today. Yes, you can feel something immediate and tangible very quickly. It induced strong prana shaking in me, leaving me with a sense of calm and strong buzzing energy. I imagine coupling this method with strong visualization can lead to some great results. Any experiences from folks doing this ?

I've been experiencing an inordinate amount of sexual energy around this New Moon. It's a massive spike, and while my desire ebbs and flows, this is way too much to be ignored. Also, people have been incredibly forthright and smiley lately, as in getting lots of random smiles from strangers. Again, way above the average. At the end of the day as I consider this and any other phenomena on the path, my natural response reverts back to "who gives a shit"? 1st world spiritual problems. Keep practicing, stay childlike, pliable and unflappable in the midst of shifts, and observe changes with an unflinching eye of equanimity and generous amusement and compassion, putting very little stock in whether it's a new moon, old moon, purple moon or moon made of cheese

Meditation. 40 minutes a day makes the remaining 23 hours and 20 minutes a completely different experience than if I don't meditate. Exercise used to have this effect but it's not as strong anymore. Yoga is better but still doesn't compare to 40 minutes of uninterrupted silence to start my day. The only problem is that I need for it to be 30 minutes or more for it to have this effect, 20 minutes is fine but won't have that strong centering effect that permeates the whole rest of the day. I know of no other substance/drug/or activity that has the most bang for the least amount of time invested. Perhaps, being in the throes of complete love with another human in the early stages is comparable.

I like where this discussion is going but when I first read this post, I was coming at it from a completely different perspective. One that is rooted in a discussion I have been having with many of my male friends who are cultivators. It's similar in what OldChi said that ascension can function as an ego trap whereby one runs away from certain "earth driven" experiences out of fear. It's running away from doing work with one's own shadow or earth elements by saying to that part of the psyche " I am a spiritual person" hence, I will cover up my lust/ego desires under this guise, instead of doing the real work of exploring this dimension fully and coming out the other side. Hope this makes sense....

Transcending Moral and Ethical Standards To Achieve a Limitless Divine Action The human mentality, by its nature, tends to separate things into hard and fast divisions. It is no different in the realm of moral rules or ethical standards. The mind then wants to apply these rules universally and in a rigid manner with the concern that if we once let down our strict code, we will quickly slide into depravity, lawlessness and vice. We see this pattern repeated all around the world where the law is “black and white” or the doctrine of the religion or moral philosophy are “absolute”. It is clearly true that ethical and moral codes provide a real benefit in the culturing of the consciousness of humanity, and they serve a serious and positive purpose. It is also, however, quite true that any strictly construed rule or law that has no room for adaptation to new situations and circumstances, or that does not apply a deeper sense and understanding, at some point becomes an obstacle to further growth and development. It is just this type of conflict of moral codes and their application to new circumstances in life that bring about the moral dilemma, the conflict of duties, such as Arjuna was faced with in the Bhagavad Gita. Sri Aurobindo provides a solution that accounts both for the temporary necessity of such rules and the need for growth and change: “But even on the human level, if we have light enough and flexibility enough to recognise that a standard of conduct may be temporary and yet necessary for its time and to observe it faithfully until it can be replaced by a better, then we suffer no such loss, but lose only the fanaticism of an imperfect and intolerant virtue. In its place we gain openness and a power of continual moral progression, charity, the capacity to enter into an understanding sympathy with all this world of struggling and stumbling creatures and by that charity a better right and a greater strength to help it upon its way.” As we evolve towards the wider, higher and more power consciousness of the Divine standpoint, we find that the rules that govern the mental and vital life of humanity are too limited and too rigid and must be replaced by something that is more flexible, and which embodies the Divine consciousness more perfectly than mental rule-making: “But the divine manifestation cannot be bound by our little rules and fragile sanctities; for the consciousness behind it is too vast for these things. Once we have grasped this fact, disconcerting enough to the absolutism of our reason, we shall better be able to put in their right place in regard to each other the successive standards that govern the different stages in the growth of the individual and the collective march of mankind.” As Sri Krishna tells Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita to “abandon all Dharmas”, the seeker eventually must be prepared to give up the mental scaffolding that has supported him during his advance through the stages of human growth and evolution in order to truly carry out the divine sacrifice and act according to the higher Will without limitations.

As someone who has done it all substance-wise, yes spiritual fruit tastes sweeter and is richer than any external drug ever could be. I wouldn't worry so much about becoming "pure". This is an illusion of the mind in it's nascent stages of spiritual practice. Focus on daily practice and cultivation first, and these questions you are posing regarding purity and liberation will solve themselves naturally. Your questions sounds like you are asking to be convinced. Experience is that which will convince you that you have chosen rightly, nothing anyone can tell you will drive the stake deeper into your heart than your own experience. Find a practice, and work at it daily, then later on will these questions either seem completely silly or will they actually have some relevance for you. I know it may not be sexy answer you want, but this path is about how we learn to hold each moment, not theoretical musings on some far-off future and how we may feel about it. Blessings to you and I sense you are ready to dive in. Go for it, the water is nice .....

This is great, Spotless. You need a blog or Youtube channel. There are many out there disseminating more nonsense than you can imagine on the web. We need more voices like yours writing and speaking for a larger audience. Just a thought.

Spotless, Would you be so kind as to outline more specific dietary guidelines for us seekers who are in the throes of a major energetic shift ? I already eat what I consider to be a healthy diet - a largely Paleo- Mediterranean organic style, but always interested in hearing advice from those who are deeper on the path, Thanks

I have been seeing this number and repeating numbers ALOT lately. It has increased tenfold in the last couple months. I have friends who are having this experience also. I have read the many theories on the net; the one thing that I am certain of is that there is a spiritual component to all of this. Beyond that too much speculation is a distraction imo, I just keep my head down and focus on practice.

I was hoping the members of the board could lead me to resources or give me advice on how to safely open or balance my throat chakra. There have been 3 major instances in the last year where in social settings with people I don't know and it's my turn to speak, a lump is created in my throat, my voice breaks and quivers and a great fear comes over me. It happened again tonight which forced me to leave the meeting I was in before I had a full blown anxiety attack. I am committed to addressing and fixing this problem once and for all with your help hopefully. I know that the throat chakra is related to not speaking my true self and this certainly applies to me. The thing is in a one on one setting its fairly easy for me to speak my true self but when its a group of strangers I lock up, the lump is created and my heart starts beating and the anxiety kicks in. It can also happen in a large group of people I know well but it's not as bad although it still exists in a muted fashion. My diet is excellent, I exercise regularly, I do yoga, I meditate daily, so it's none of these possible issues. I am thinking it's related to my past in some way. Although I have certainly suffered in my past I don't ever remember it being related to fear of expressing my self. I don't harbor any resentments of ex-lovers, friends or family members. So I am ruling that out. I was hoping there might be a specific meditation practice, visualization, asana, book, or anything really that could directly help with this issue. I thought about seeing an energy healer but after all the horror stories I have heard about energy healers on this board I am ambivalent about going that route unless they came very well recommended.

I love how topics that directly connect to my recent experience are at the top of the forum. So I have consciously been practicing this over the last few weeks. I was doing an attenuated version months before with the top part of my tongue, but now the underside of my tongue connects to my soft palate aka as nabho mudra. http://savy-international.com/yoga/nabho-mudra/ I don't know if it's placebo effect ( i do not think it is) but when I perform nabho mudra throughout the course of my day I notice my mind quiets, I feel more focused and grounded within 10-15 minutes. I experimented with this directly a couple days ago. I had drank 1 coffee, and 2 hours later I drank 2 shots of espresso. Needless to say, I started to notice that edgy anxiousness that comes with drinking too much caffeine. I then proceeded to perform nabho mudra and within 15 minutes I retained the energy boost from caffeine but the nervous anxiety had completely vanished. I then went on to do some of the most productive writing work for the next 4 hours. This was not only attributable to the caffeine, I know this from personal experience because when I drink caffeine I usually have to take bathroom breaks, get involved in distractions at the cafe by people watching, but with nabho I was hyper-focused and internally very calm. I am a believer and will continue this practice. The jaw issue does concern me so I make sure to keep my jaw as relaxed as possible, slowly I will work on pushing my tongue back further while maintaning a fully relaxed jaw.

I can get as low as the woman in the video and with my knees at 90 degrees but the issue I have is my torso sinks forward. I cant have a fully straight back. Inflexible hips maybe ?

I started doing the horse stance, and I agree with everyone's posts. Amazing effects both internal and external. I can get used to this Are there any videos from the web that are good for a beginner. I have been using this one for my main reference. Thoughts ?

@ Liminal Haha, I love the talking aloud in nonsensical languages. Today I chanted after my meditation and that felt good, I could see how just using my voice in a more intentional way will help. Usually I wont chant because that anxiety creeps up about what my neighbors would think or say but I got over it. Also, I have a guitar that I play and have been wanting to sing but the fear re-asserts itself. What strikes me about all this is that even though I do see how approval is a part of this issue, I don't understand why I have no problems in one on one settings, in fact I would say I thrive in those. For those who are aware of the Myers Briggs approach to psychology I am an ENFP, so I'm wired to read people's emotions and act accordingly. In group settings it's difficult for me to be able to read so many people's different inflections, perhaps there is something there.

I want to thank everyone for their responses. Much appreciated. @ Steve. Your response certainly closed in on a certain aspect of the matter. I suffered with approval issues when I was younger and slowly but surely have been climbing out of this hole, especially in the last few years but still not out of the woods. @4absolute. I do not lie, or very rarely. However, I do think the issue of approval is a part of it, but also I would add that this work setting does not support being my authentic self. That type of openness is shut down and not encouraged if not outright frowned upon. The reason I mention this is because yesterday I had just come back from a community garden where many people congregate. I spoke in front of others with no anxiety and in fact with a great sense of ease and openness. That setting supports me in being my fullest self and I flow in it. However, life will always have conditions that are not ideal and not supportive if not outright antagonistic to one's well being and authenticity. I need to be able to access that calm centered place as soon as the contraction appears. The problem is that this energetic block becomes so overwhelming that no matter how much I attempt a "gentle observing allowing" approach it's a stubborn monster that will not abate haha. I will look into Toastmasters, and will also try and look at the Anthony Demello material.

Bump. This issue has flared up again, but is manifesting in a work setting. As soon as I walk into my work space I feel a tightness or lump in my throat. I am in the midst of trying to leave this job as the energy flow here is not good, but would love some practical advice on how to gently unblock the throat chakra. I am certain this is the issue. Again my diet, exercise, yoga and meditation practice are consistent but I think there is an energetic block here that may have some root in the past that I haven't quiet figured out. Any help would be much appreciated.

This thread needs photos.

I am going to let this sink in for a while, but I can certainly sense in to what you have said as having much resonance for me. Thanks again.

This was a very good response, Spotless. You actually touched on some things that I am personally dealing with, so your words were much more useful than you could probably imagine. Thank you. I understand what you mean about most love, even if it's driven by spiritual desire as coming from a place of resistance or of wanting. That being said, this still does not touch on Buddhist practices of loving-kindness. I am curious to hear your thoughts on why this is a core component not only of Buddhist teachings but many yogic teachings as well, specifically the writings of Yogananda and Ramakrishna who repeatedly exhort devotees to relate to others via the heart space. I understand that while this loving intention in the initial phases of our spiritual evolution may be hooked to ego, as love grows in wisdom in understanding, the ego will eventually dissolve by the fire and light of love's maturity. This is something that is touched on in the writings of Aurobindo as well. I have practiced the neutrality that you speak over the course of many months and to be quite frank I felt stumped in my progress. I also found myself becoming distant from other beings. The joy of communing with others was stripped from me in my "neutral presence". From much of what I have read, I understand that eventually in one's own spiritual growth one does go beyond likes or dislikes. I do believe this relates to what you mean by being fully present with zero agenda. It's quite possible that I may be more wired to be a bhakta and feel very distant from the jnana approach. I recently went through a contemplation intensive where it was all jnana: We spent endless hours asking questions such as "who is the I thinking these thoughts", and while I completely understand why this work was important it left me cold and anxious, frankly. Not so much out of resistance which I can ascertain in my physical being but from a place of unengagement. I have always been more drawn to devotional teachings and hence my interest in loving-kindness practice. Let it be clear, I am not attempting to defend my practice, I am simply stating where I am coming from and am open to hearing your feedback so that perhaps I may gain new insights that may shift, even if it's slightly the center of gravity. Blessings.

Spotless, I believe you were referring here to Magic specifically, so excuse me if I am incorrect in my assumptions. In my practice, I do send loving and kind healing intentions to family members, friends, and all sentient beings. This has been largely influenced by Buddhist practice of meditations on compassion. You don't include such practices in what you were referring to in this paragraph, or do you ?

I would stay clear of Chrism. There has been numerous accounts of malpractice by many young women all over the web. Seek and you shall find. KAP is a solid resource however. http://www.kundaliniawakeningprocess.com/

I know this may sound like a silly topic but here is the context: I have been dating a girl for 3 months and our relationship has been running very smoothly. It's what I would call "even keeled". We have had lots of fun...but since we both live busy lives its also been tethered around our routines. There has been zero drama. Last night there was drama. She cried over what I did. On a scale of 1-10...cheating being a 10...what I did would be considered a 5. She would agree. After she cried we talked and sex ensued. Very good sex. She seems WAY MORE into me now than ever. As men, we think that if we make our women cry we fucked up. We did. But...a small dose of emotional upheaveal within the context of an otherwise smoothly running relationship is not bad. I would say its even healthy. Yes, I would say it aligns with the TAO. Thoughts ?

Daeluin, thank you for your insight. This is fascinating to read about and inspires me to delve a bit further into these topics.

Update: As of this weekend there has been a massive shift in her behavior. She has become more affectionate, more attentive, initiated sex more often, and has been more engaged in general. I hesitate to interpret this shift as purely attributed to the drama that ensued on Thursday but that her behavior has changed is undeniable.