dwai

It means that (imho) once the absolute is realized, then suffering, pain, pleasure etc are no longer experienced through the mind of the limited entity (self). But it requires realization proper, not an intellectual understanding.

There is nothing apart from the absolute. What you see bound by time and space are just appearances

They are not distinct from each other Everywhere In Advaita Vedanta, this "Samsara is Nirvana, Nirvana is Samsara" is presented as follows - Asti, Bhati, Priyam, Nama and Rupa. Asti - Being Bhati - Shining Priyam - Love Nama - Name Rupa - Form While ordinarily we only see Nama and Rupa, the wise also see the Asti, Bhati and Priyam aspect of phenomena. If we stick with only names and forms, there is impermanence. Once we see the Absolute Consciousness shining forth as Existence (Being), Consciousness (Shining) and Bliss (Love) through that impermance, we see the Absolute is always present.

Nothing bad unless you’ve taken what is called a “sankalpa”. Sankalpa is a promise between yourself and a deity (for instance, with Lord Shiva) to perform certain practices/ritual for a certain period of time. Depending on the deity and the type of practice (tantric ones are both potent and dangerous at the same time), stopping your practice is not a good idea. But if it’s just your own personal practice, there is no harm in stopping. Only that usually when we undertake a spiritual practice it is especially normal to encounter difficulties (consider it as being tested) - those who can persevere will grow, those who don’t will not (or not as much).

Spent most of yesterday in Death Valley, CA. Interesting thing about it was as we descended to below sea level, my dantiens filled up, expanded, and a high tone started ringing in my ears. Curious if anyone else has had similar experiences.