Practicing the Power of Now

@Gogo:
Gogo what's your experience with:

- meditation
- emotional/mental control
- positive thinking
- self-discipline

@Manwhore:

I think i've said in another thread that I don't follow meditation as religiously as other dudes cause my thought patterns are kinda simple and not too complicated with that internal voice that bothers most people. But when i do actively do it the practice is on and off - have you done meditation for long periods of time, like a month and seen a drastic chance in your character MW?

I feel it's especially useful when you're taking on a lot of responsibility and need 'space' to clean out your mind for 20-30 mins a day, i haven't undertaken anything too serious in life being as young as i am, but when i truly become tested more often i'll probably reap a lot of benefits from this practice.

Over the last year and a half since i've been into RSD I've made a real effort to control my emotions, and mental acuity when dealing with challenges or conflict. My self esteem was really shit in high school; it's toughened up since then by reading tons of RSD articles, or reading awesome books and following a much healthier diet while putting myself thru shit time and again out in the field to the point where i don't put any superficial value on my intellect or looks when i'm out taking action. So i'm pretty sound emotionally i would say; i'm a lot better at studying people and seeing what type of emotions govern their character, i.e. my older brother is very negative and skeptical - i don't let his frame affect me as much i would have when i was younger.

I'm generally positive, but like most people when i procrastinate too much or don't challenge myself with new things i fall into a negative spiral and indulge in distractions whilst not taking right action. My self-discipline could do with a lot of work; i used to be half assed about most new things i tried out (drama academy for instance), or the bass guitar i've got laying around in my room which i've never really dedicated myself to learn. 'Game' has been the only thing so far that i've thrown myself into deeply.

@Gogo:

Hey man, that's AWESOME that you're the type of person that just goes with the flow, naturally, without having to do much meditation or anything. I love hanging out with guys like you, in fact, I sorta make it a point to hang out with naturals that have that sort of attitude, just because it's one thing I lack and being around it is awesome and it's something I totally respect.

But yeah man, I can't speak for manwhore, but I can say that for me personally, the entire direction of my life was flipped due to meditation. You already have a lot of great qualities that meditation really helps people establish, but yeah, I would recommend just doing it like once or twice a day for 30 days and see what happens.

Not everyone is the same and not everyone has the exact same issues, but the fact is that EVERYONE has some kind of issue, one way or the other, that exists in their head and is bullshit and consistent meditation, from my experience, simply allows you to relax enough that you can really be brutally honest with yourself and, at times, go down into that "cave-like" area and just kind of take a look around. Granted, this takes a pretty long time to get to.

I mean, after about 6-7 months of consistent practice, I did my first 5 day, 12 hour a day, meditation retreat. Basically, it was no talking, no eye contact, no reading, no writing, no music... no nothing. And we would medtiation for 12 hours a day,have our food, in silence, while meditating... etc.

That experience, basically is like a bootcamp. What I mean by that is that during that 5 day period, you REALLLY hit on shit. But, obviously, that's not real life and the REAL benefits come from doing that and then continuing your practice afterwards and working on all the issues that you discovered during that 5 day period. It is crazy though how settled you become after 5 days straight of 12 hour a day meditation.

I mean, it's one of the craziest things, to see like really mature people. We're talking, therapists, businessmen, teachers, combat vets, people who have started their own very successful businesses... all sitting on their cushions, and by the third or fourth day, literally like 50-60 percent of the people in there are just silently crying on their cushions, not moving, not making a sound, just tears rolling down everybody's face. This happens because after a couple days, your mind gets TOTALLY still and each thought that comes, is like a HUGE stone being dropped into a completely flat body of water and you really feel it.

So like those deep thoughts, like, "I don't deserve love"- that's a big one for a lot of people, actually... but these thoughts hit you like a ton of bricks and you really have to be settled and have a strong mind to go down, feel taht thought and then step away and sort of just watch it and not get taken under and destroyed by it. If that happens, it's best to step away, regroup and try at another time. But when you are able to do it, it's incredible because I remember at one point, I had that exact though... it was after like my 4th day on my 2nd time doing one of these, and the thought was, "I don't deserve love" and I remember literally having that thought, stepping back, observing it and then out of nowhere I had this fit of uncontrollable laughter. I just couldn't stop laughing. It was the most amazing feeling because I had gotten to a point where deep down, I recognized just how fucking silly that thought was and the fact that it was something that had controlled my life for so long, just seemed absolutely HILARIOUS to me.

Anyway- long personal anecdote... but yes, meditation is a different experience for everyone. But I don't care who you are, if you meditate for long enough and go deep enough, you will have thoughts that bring you to your knees and force you to back out and go back when you're ready. If anyone tells you that this isn't the case for them, they are either lying or they haven't gone deep enough or they are like some kind of rediculous jesus figure (so they are lying).

It's an incredible tool for anyone and everyone. Now, like I said, not everyone needs to get as into it as I have.. it's a personal choice and people should make up their own mind about how much they feel they want to do, but what I can say is that no matter how much of it you do, there will be benefits from it. Like even if you just do it a couple days a week, you will just feel better... Like sure, doing it a couple times a week, probably isn't going to change your life, you're probably not going to get down and really enable yourself, through the meditative proces, to make core, identity-level observations and the subsequent lfiestyle and identity level changes that it can produce... But that's not for everyone.

wow. nice little write up buddha. the part about everyone crying and you laughing at "i dont deserve love" is the best. I think meditation and emotional control is something I need to really work on. I mean i'm pretty stable but i grew up around a lot of bullshit and still have a bit of that around in my life. even though im stable now, I sometimes fear thats just a hard shell around a soft inside. like im just acting tough because i know its what i should be doing but still got those demons inside. yeah. i think i will look into this shit more. cause i would love to be able to laugh at whatever shit is holding me back now. i guess the first step is to find out what that is though.

but i really already see the value in it. before i even knew what meditation really was i knew that my moments of clarity were when i was in a meditative state (i just didn't know what to call it then). like sitting on a canoe in the middle of a lake, backpacking alone for a few days, working out, etc. I've had some deep insights pop out of nowhere when doing some of this stuff.

@icewahine:

lmao, the first time I did, I was absolutely one of the people crying. I literally cried for like 3 days straight. No joke.

But yeah, after I started laughing, I got up and went in to see the "Dharma teacher" who is an experienced monk or like guides the retreat and is there for people to talk to and like you go in and sit in meditation in front of her and just tell her what's up..

And I remember going in like SO EXCITED... haha i was like, "I had this thought and I just started LAUGHING" and I started giggling again... and she just goes,

"Buddha is smiling" lmao... these people are pretty funny.

But it's funny, cause for as long as I've been doing this shit... if I take like 3 weeks and stop meditating... I go literally CRAZY lmao.. it's fucking insane. Okay, not crazy, but I become super weak and start to let things happen to me, instead of being the strong, passionate, GO HARD LIKE A MOTHERFUCKER dude taht I am.

@icewahine:
Eh. Give yourself more credit ice. And if you have any doubts just take it out and look at it.

@Manwhore:

Manwhore's killin it tonight.

But yeah man... It's one of those things, where it's kinda like, "Is it even worth it?"

It's a path that I've taken and it's kinda like... can't look back now.

But I will say this- Shit gets WAY WORSE before it gets better. So it's like... idk man, I don't think the hardcore path is for everyone. No need to go looking for shit that isn't there : )

@buddhagames:

lmao, also, I gotta give this just as like a precaution

Anyone reading this:

DO NOT go into one of these hardcore retreats without some meditation training.

YOU. WILL. GET. ROCKED

Do a lot of meditation on your own, or at a meditation center or wtvr, just like daily stuff beforehand.

The mind is pretty intense stuff. It is not to be taken lightly.

And yes, I'm being dramatic... But also- Seriously, don't do one of these unless you're at least somewhat prepared.

lmao- at my first one there was some chick who came in and wasn't prepared and I remember it was at night, candles were burning, it was a 2 hour long straight meditation, no break, no walking meditation to stretch the legs and the whole room just had this super intense vibe cause it was the 3rd day and everyone was really starting to get settled

And like she had just come for that night... like she was starting off that day and literally... like halfway through, the girl runs out of the room crying and doesn't return... swear to god.

Although- if you are going to have a mental breakdown... doing it around a room full of monks is probably one of the better places it can happen. So idk, maybe it's a good thing : )

Ha!

@Gogo:


I actually just picked up the power of now, about two thirds in, came at the perfect time. I personally have found that it helps with the biggest sticking point i think alot of people have in this game, which is becoming state-dependent on female validation. Becoming super present allows your default joy/happiness to manifest, and besides helping with your life outside of game massively, will allow you to assume value in set without IOIs and feel good without macro momentum cultivated from lays and number closes. The worst thing about validation is actually getting it, and getting that dirty high that makes you a shittier person and makes you feel icky when you look back at it. Unless ofcourse youre grounded enough to be able to appreciate a little validation without letting it affect your sense of self :).

@Falc:
Falc look at the title of the book in your hand, then look at the title of this thread, then look back at the title of the book in your hand. Then back at the title of this thread.

Notice anything?

@Manwhore:

Practicing.

It's a constant practice. Constant action. Simple. Meditation and game are so fucking similar it's stupid.

Meditation = life = constant action = practice = never quite there = be chill with that

He's got the wrong book. But yes that IS the difference in the focus of the book. Practicing the Power of Now is the actual direct application of what Tolle teaches and guides us towards.

@Manwhore:

Yes, yes I did. I lol'd

Lolerskates!

It happens ALL the time. Im like.. NOOOO, Practicing the power of cock. People invariably get the wrong book 80% of the time.

Silly german yard gnome

Lmao ya this makes the linguistic-analysis philosophy nerd side of my brain tingle. Goddamnit eckhart, in publishing two literary masterpieces on how to get rid of mental chatter you have succeeded in stimulating mine.

@Gogo:
I've read: the power of now, and a new earth.

Just downloaded the practicing the power of now audio, will give it a go. Manwhore, Is it good to listen whilst doing other shit or should you just focus on it purely?

yo kris - if your attention is focused on it then your good. i listen to it while just chilling but also while doing menial stuff. tried it while doing work, like labour stuff but i can't play attention. most of the time i listen to it while driving and even then my attention wanders if im doing some crazy maneuvers, like merging or scary left hand turns.

yo kris - if your attention is focused on it then your good. i listen to it while just chilling but also while doing menial stuff. tried it while doing work, like labour stuff but i can't play attention. most of the time i listen to it while driving and even then my attention wanders if im doing some crazy maneuvers, like merging or scary left hand turns.

Meditation often involves an internal effort to self-regulate the mind in some way and can help in clearing the mind and ease many health issues, such as high blood pressure, depression. I really like you thoughts.

Meditation Retreat

Awesome.

I can attest that meditation transformed my life.

Emotional fortitude, internal fulfillment, absence of anxiety......

The list goes on. If you're not meditating, you're missing out on the MOST BENEFICIAL practice for your life.

The habits you execute today determine the man you are tomorrow.

I was one of those people...

I cannot count the amount of times I've listened to Practicing the Power of Now. Sometimes the whole thing twice in one day but at least 10-20 minutes.

It allows me to see the matrix

I listened to way of the superior man yesterday and today. His way of meditative breathing is really cool and I started applying it even though its really similar to simply mindful breathing and body awareness. keep the spine erect, breath into the genitals - you should feel a tingle or arousal there, keep your mouth closed and tongue on the roof of the mouth to transfer energy.

Reading the post I made near the top of the thread about me having doubts about my solitude.. Man I can't believe that was only a few months ago. But David Deida talks about living connected to your deepest purpose. That only becomes apparent to you if you have a still mind and strong consciousness or else your going to be ruled by superficial purposes. That's achieved through meditation and other like practices.

My roommate and I were just in the car coming back from chipotle. I bought practicing the power of now as well as "gateways to entering the now" on audio cd. The gateways thing has this seriously intense meditation music that makes you feel high. But the point of me writing this is this, we listened to tolle speaking on the way back. Tolle was talking about not deriving your sense of self from the mind...accomplishments...achievements...materials...whatever. The usual stuff. This is pretty liberating fucking stuff. But my roommate said after the car ride "This might just be me, but I can't see how you can be successful in today's society with that stuff." I just kind of smiled at this. But he does have a point. But he also misses the fucking point. You do this stuff not with the intention of making an identity out of it...you do it because you are alread "enough" and its just something you enjoy doing which in turn makes the doing better. Im sure that most people would seriously trip balls if they listened to tolle.