Boy

@dwai: First. Be humble. Even though you have awakened, your jiva will run its program. Two. The parable of the archer. The arrow was already in the air when you realized the Self. Ishvara doesn’t care about your awakening so the arrow will keep on flying and hit its target. Don’t worry about it. Three (and one through three is all the same message). You can’t force it. If you think you can then you didn’t get the memo. You are beyond creation. Just keep on until the knowledge sticks. Four. Don’t listen to Arramu. If you think you are the doer, and that doing will somehow set you free, then you are already lost. Apologies to Arramu. Good luck! @Jeff: Don’t confuse the mind with the ”witness”. It’s as they say - when you know you are the Self, these kinds of questions don’t matter. To answer your questions more precisely: 1) Witnessing is not controlling. What you see, you see through the jiva. It’s said - but it’s hard to grasp - that the Self is not an experiencer. 2) Yes, if by ”you” you mean the jiva. Vedanta speaks of uphadis and it will help you understand the Self to an extent. 3) Yes and no. You confuse the Self with the jiva. This again goes back to the truth of non duality. There is no spoon. 4) Absolutely not. And your question doesn’t make sense 5) We walk in circles. When you see the truth you’ll know. And when that happens, please get in contact with others who’ve seen it, otherwise you’ll go through being an asshole like me, or even worse - become a ”guru”!

@taoteching99: 1. Yes. Feels overwhelming. 2. Yes, if it's realization of the truth. @Jeff: Yes, absolutely. It's called self realization nowadays. Many, but not all, make a difference between self realization and self actualization. The latter .. well, it's another story.

@bubbles: I love your writing! (edit: and I agree 99.99999%) Now, it's not sexy, but pertinent to this thread and quite useful - look into self realization vs self actualization! It's perhaps too vedantic for your tastes but I believe the logic applies nonetheless. I was/remained a proper asshole for a few years for example, but then I got it together somewhat. I think you'll go through the same. Much love!

@bubbles: that's a sad story, bubbles. Please, if anything, remember than a long time ago on the internet, some asshole told you that enlightenment is not bullshit. @Foundit: You really are self made, Foundit! Congratulations!

@bubbles: that is very true in a way. have you ever applied this fierce criticism towards a mirror? I'm thinking of your link in particular. Perhaps you could see me as a representative of "life"

In my opinion, exploring the concept of "narcissism" is probably the worst entry point imaginable if your goal is to heal.

Spot on!!

It was pretty much Jeff's choices all the way. Here's a nice look into his personality .. I agree fully when it comes to mr Jones.

lol, yes and don't forget that anyone who questions this is obviously a nazi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5_pidiEEWs That guitar solo!!!

Sounds good. If I understand you correctly you know the truth. There will be some further things to work out, but I think you'll manage. Otherwise you'll know where to look. This forum is not it btw

I'm no teacher but that sounds legit enough to me, brother! I especially like your answer on 4. Some folks recommend you put your feet back on the ground again afterwards and I'm inclined to agree. For example: It shouldn't be a burden to be around other people, should it? You already know, of course. Also, I think you better get reacquainted with time . Do you mind speaking a little bit more about my first question? I believe you must have had at least some inspiration from the great rishis? (I wrote a lot too!) much love but don't forget to keep a cool head!

I'm happy for you Foundit! Do you mind a few questions? 1. How did you finally get it? 2. How long did it take? (Conventionally speaking.) 3. Approximately how long ago did it happen? 4. Have you confirmed it in any way? 5. What (if anything) is different from before you got it? (thoughts, feelings etc.) 6. Is there anything left for you to do? kindly, D

I really would put opinion to the side. If you are interested in vedanta, you know where to look. Moksha is not ananda. That is incredibly misinformed, and when someone misunderstands vedanta to such a degree I would be wary of his conclusions on kashmir shaivism.

Yes, but he's got vedanta wrong

The doctor and the swami are not members, I'm pretty sure. My position is that of traditional vedanta. Why won't you go to the sources? (I'll read through the thread to see if I missed something. brb) edit: not really.

Extreme amounts of misinformation and impotent intellectualism in this thread. Sad to see.

@Shad282: those are some wonderful thoughts. partly, what you are speaking of is reality testing. it’s an ego function. many spiritually inclined people have weak egos and have great trouble distinguishing reality from fantasy. you need to accept reality. then your questions regarding the partly-part will be answered without a doubt. did you hear me? WITHOUT A DOUBT. this is done with a therapist in lieu of the father. it’s not complicated, but you will have built up many defenses against reality which will take serious effort to break down. there’s more: there is a higher reality. this is why you’re on this forum i presume. vedanta, if you take it seriously, will take you all the way. when you get ”enlightened”, preferably while in contact with a good teacher, all of your problems will disappear. you won’t die as well

You lack willpower. Not even the "dao" will help you with that. Time to wake up. Find real men to learn from. Good luck.

TRUTH

@soaren: Of course you can't have ego strength/resolve without ego. The trick is not believing you're an ego. Forget about other people. See post #5. Forget about post #7. Post #9 is important. Don't worry about death.

You lost me at "simply likened".

@Loveherbs: You can't avoid those side/negative effects, my friend. Are you sure you want to through with this? It's not necessary (your addiction is natural and will come under your control naturally), but if you really want it I'll echo the advice along the lines of teacher and slow and steady.. Good luck!

You are awareness. The mind, quiet or not, is an object in you.

I'm in the the "ain't none"-camp. Consider this: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq2bfSzkTfU (not that I agree with every little detail).