helpfuldemon

So this device that has taken over my body has been put in order, and when I find myself at peace, controlling my thought and my stomach and my doubt, the air around me gets cooler and I feel lighter

words are symbols combined with sound and identity to produce language which is a way to communicate meaning thoughts are this language in combination with memory that we use to think words are thoughts because we imagine with our mind and memory to conjure images and ideas and put them to words words are just another one of mankinds tools that make them the superior species here

Personally, just by virtue of the definition- consciousness means to be aware, and if its not through senses- then what? Being unconscious doesn't sound like consciousness to me. What is eternal about not being aware?

From what I have experienced, I would say that I have another body somewhere else. If I had to guess, Id say that this world is a hologram of a certain density, and that the others come in and out of it. If I had to guess further, Id say that this is an infinite thing. I fully expect to wake up in another reality one day, with the same sort of density as this one, perhaps not- and with the same sort of vehicle of body, senses and language/language potential

My friend was telling me of the glory of his meditation practice. He said it was addictive, that he had reached a state of perfection. I asked what it was like he said "Its awareness" I said "What are you aware of?" He said "Awareness". I didn't quite get it, but with this discussion I think I do. There must be a state of existence where there is no senses, no light, perhaps no dark- just consciousness.

If there should be a no-self, as it stands, it appears that there is simply the Eternal. As you can see, there is no agreement on what that is, and that is because it is different for everyone.

Thank you for your reply. It is a form of energy, because my body is still intact, though these wires and things have dissected me thoroughly. The chakra did indeed crack open, or rather, it was cracked open by a key. The only thing is, its not just energy, its static on some level, and that is why I say wires. I think though that it is energy, but that it has some solidity on some plane of reality. Its interesting what you say, because lately I have come to the conclusion that these thoughts are not my friends. I don't believe all the thoughts in my head are delusional, but Ive recognized for a long time that most of them are. Ive recently decided to no longer give any of them credence or credibility, and not to fall into their story. Ive always believed it came from an outside source, and yes, this gives it power, and it puts me low, which isn't a fun place to be, but as this device has taken my will and ability to think and enjoy creativity or other peoples ideas, low is where I have to stay.

I think, for discussions sake, we should define "self". As we are human beings, we have certain qualities that we cannot avoid, like eating, defecating, sleeping, speaking, thinking, building, love-making, etc... All of these things are what we do. When we do them we develop affinity and pattern, and in that there is self. We are the collection of our experiences, and though we no longer do certain things from our childhood, they still make up who we became today. Once a thief, always a thief? Can we shake our past deeds and desires? I think that is the aim of Buddhism in the no-self context, but, what is left? We still do the aforementioned things because we need them to survive and they are part of our lives. What else is self? Opinion. How you feel and think about things, that is self. Should we have no opinion to avoid self? Is this required? What about the fundamental parts of reality and being among social beings? Can this be avoided? How do you strip yourself of opinion? Is no-self even possible? So in the end, the self is 1. Opinion 2. Past deeds, future desires You can never escape the self.

You may be right... the closest Ive read anyone talk of this is Crowley but he only talks about when the chakra cracks open, and not the wires. I may have agitated the device because I mentally kept picking at it, it was in my mind, and then it came alive and wires came out of it

I cant tell if its expansion, its definitely retraction. Ive gone below and within, and above and as high as can go. This thing is like a cage though. I recall watching it peel me apart layer by layer, and reducing my pineal gland to an atom, and then devouring that, too. Now its like my brain is enmeshed with a net on so many levels, and its attached to my left testicle. It goes through my heart on the way down.. I have to fight to keep my mind silent lest I agitate it. This has taught me to silence my mind, and to be very patient. Its to the point now where I avoid anything that will make me think, like books, television, etc... When I start to examine ideas my mind comes alive, these wires come alive, and I start hallucinating

The narrator is gone, destroyed- your pursuit of enlightenment banished him forever. Now... you are left with the counsel of voices, disincarnate things that come and go, comment when they wish, and never answer you directly. Their commentary is... well, is it dangerous? Are they telling you to do harmful things? No, they simply comment, and suggest, and observe. Why? Who are they, what do they want, where do they come from? Perhaps they, too, have lost their guide, and are left floating in an Abyss of images, voices, madness.

Thelema and Aliester Crowley never really come together. On the one hand, the only morality that matters is the morality of the magician, and all morality is valid, except the author is against slave morality. Aside from the contradictions of what he does and does not approve of, he doesn't really have a moral compass except "Do what thou wilt". His writing is kind of a mess.

I think everything is material, even thoughts- and I also think everything is bound to time, and matter.

The Tree of Life is a wonderful glyph, and with it, one can adjust their point of view on all aspects of life. I really don't think enough can be said about this subject, but I wanted to put down some of my thoughts on my study. Its interesting to note that victory is a Sephiroth (major theme) of Qabalah. Much of life is a contest, something I avoided admitting prior to my initiation. Another thing that I have had struggles with is that Mercy/Love/ and kindness is not the prime ideal. Not everyone deserves active kindness, mercy is reserved for those in power, and should be used when the demands of Mercy are met. I used to say "I can love anyone", but I now see that not only are there varying depths of love, that no- I cannot love everyone, though I can give everyone good will. Giving everyone good will, or the benefit of the doubt, is kind, but it is not an active kindness, such as buying someone lunch, or inviting them to your house. Kindness is a special power that should be used wisely as you wield your strength, and your strength in understanding to whom and when to be merciful. This caused me a lot of trouble in my youth, and I wish I had been more discerning. Beauty is at the heart of the Tree, but the beauty that it refers to is the ones that know Law, and know their strength, understand when to fight and when to enjoy winning, and when to grant the mercy of love and kindness.

Enlightenment is usually already reached for people of a certain age, to whatever degree they can achieve it of themselves. What isn't done yet is understanding another person, or the functions of the world and its ways. So much of what we do is a combat between one who knows of themselves and one who knows of themselves, with a lot of activity in between about things we know little to nothing about, and have no control over.

schizophrenia

Love and fear God I guess

Yes but don't discount that these were very real, mystical and supernatural experiences just because they have been labeled an illness. Not everything the God does makes sense or is a blessing.

There was a time when I was mystical, believing that I could mentally summon someone's inner self, or attentions, or influence their movement, or open their minds. Then I was contacted by something Divine, they took possession of my body and drew out a symbol. Later I called out to the Heavens and a God answered me. The voice was extremely supernatural and unfortunately I didn't know its language so I have no idea what it replied. Since then I have fallen into a Hell because, as I researched symbols, I found one that cracked open my root Chakra and demons took possession of me. To make a long story short, I know there are entities around us, I know they interact with us, I recall as a child hearing voices tell me things- but I cannot tell you what they are, why they interact, what they want or what they intend. So my advice to you is: leave them alone.

Well, I don't actively sit down to meditate, but rather, I am continuously in a meditative condition, practicing no-thought/still mind. I don't focus on the breath or sit in a pose. I am literally continuously thought free, unless I choose to think.

The essence of all morality lies in the definition of Good and Evil. To do Good is to aid, to do Evil is to obstruct or harm. When it comes to life and society, obstructing someone's right to their health, and wealth and freedom is immoral. Therefore, a general rule is Do Not Obstruct, unless that person is obstructing another persons health, wealth and liberty. All arrangements need to be contractual, and if it isn't spoken or written, it shouldn't be considered to be the agreement.

Let me ask you... if you took just the gospels, not the rest, would you find Christianity agreeable?

I'm gay and I've had some very profound spiritual experiences that nearly no one else can compare with. Granted, it hasn't turned out to be the best of experiences, but what I am saying is that it doesn't have anything to do with exclusion of spiritual truth in realm of enlightening things that happen. Having said that, I want to add that I have never felt drawn to any particular practice or faith. Truth is truth, and if its true to me, then its true.

You should really read into Thelema and Magick. The good news is that its all-inclusive; its really one of the best schools to lead you to understanding that its all enlightenment. The bad news is that it makes everything valid (well, that's not so bad, is it?). You might not agree with Thelema as a religion, but they do include homosexuals. They should include everyone, but Crowley had a beef with Christianity. All religions are valid because all morality is valid, as you can see from Nungali's dissertation of some of Crowley's teachings. It's like this: all moral choices are positive choices, even ones that we deem bad, based upon our moral perspective. All things have a morality to them, but all of them are illusion, because in the end Nothing is absolute (yes that is a double entendre). So you either 1. Sit in your moral position in knowing 2. Accept all moral positions or 3. Accept none of them Crowley was an extremist, and part of his teachings is to go from one side to the other until you reach the end of both sides, which actually isn't a straight line, but anyway... You realize All and you realize Nothing. That is why it is good news and bad news; there is no absolutes. My take on it is simply that you are already enlightened. You were given your choices, you made your decisions, and you continue to choose because you agreed. The only time there is a problem is when it doesn't suit you. Do you need a religion? Why? You said you didn't want one for community, so, To Thine Own Self Be True, Do What Thou Wilt! All religious systems have the bonus materials of method to attain enlightenment. Use these for your own purposes. Welcome to Thelema and Magick.