01/03/13.
LSDenthusiast.
Re: Meditation better than psychedelics?
Meditation is entirely worth it. To briefly give some back info on me. I've never given it up. I've been meditating daily for 8 or 9 years now. Plus other disciplines. But bringing awareness into everyday life is as important as meditation. And eventually your practice will merge into a new way of living. Otherwise if you separate your meditation from the rest of your life, you won't make much progress at all. It's all or nothing.
We have to get two things straight here first. Are you trying to get into non existence, which is when awareness is temporarily absorbed. There is no experience, no visions, no bliss, no awareness. Sometimes referred to as the Self (the capital S not little self) or Nirvikalpa Samadhi in Hinduism.
Or you're interested in exploring the more psychic/occult dimensions. There is an infinite number of experiences to be had through pursuing that. Which are amazing, however in my experience they happen suddenly and when you least expect them. They take you by surprise. Almost as if there is a chink in your armor and they slip right in unnoticed until Bam! There is an intense vision. As intense as psychedelics, if not more. And I've taken large amounts of smoked DMT and ayahuasca when I was younger. I no longer use any psychedelic at the moment and haven't in years.
Also another major Samadhi, is realizing you're the same life in everything. You realize I am Life, all pervasive through all forms. You see and feel yourself in everything. This can also be experienced with eyes opened. Its usually referred to as Savikalpa Samadhi in Hinduism. There is a specific way to steer yourself into all three of these.
What can be used to increase the intensity of meditation? Most people don't want to hear this, but its absolute 100% celibacy. Don't get me wrong, it won't be easy. You will at times struggle with intense desires. But its entirely worth it. If anyone wants to try it, you don't have to commit to it forever. Just say, "Ok, I'll fully commit to celibacy and meditation for 30 days" Meditate everyday. After that you can go back to not being celibate or maybe you'll want to go longer.
Another thing people don't mention often. Meditation combined with other disciplines will greatly speed up your karma. Meaning it will come at you stronger, faster and more at once. This is what gets people to stop meditating or the opposite is they get no benefits or experiences because they never fully committed to it.
Imagine a pot of water. Its relatively warm. Now you add in meditation and disciplines such as celibacy and the heat is turned up greatly. All of a sudden a rolling boil begins and lots of bubbles rise to the surface. That is the karma. This can stem from unresolved subconscious issues internally. Or more externalized Karma. I'm not saying this to scare people off, its just the way it is. If you don't believe me, try it out. Its life challenging you more, because your ready for it. How else are you going to grow and become more aware.
If you're interested, Hatha yoga is great for helping with being celibate. You will have a lot more physical energy. You need to exercise and/or do something to help transmute this excess. Most people knock Hatha yoga, because its so simple. But observe how you feel first, do them and observe how you feel afterwards. You'll be surprised. It doesn't need to take long. 15 minutes is fine. Try doing these poses, then afterwards sit down and meditate for however long you want. I highly recommend this link that has a series of hatha yoga with the best positions designed to ready the nervous system for meditation. I don't bother with the visualizations, I just deep breathe and relax. But if you want to do the them, go for it
http://ebooks.gutenberg.us/himalayanacademy/sacredhinduliterature/lws/lws_rs-01hy.html
...ha I'm surprised you remember me. Yeah I had a great time as a monk. Was living at the monastery for about 3 years. I went into it thinking I was going to stay for life, but my perspective changed with experience. I left mostly because I didn't have the enthusiasm for the culture as much as I had for the inner practices.
I realized being a hindu monk also involved being able to identify fully with the culture and to really feel 100% about every aspect of it. I don't feel as though I'm a part of any specific religious culture. I tend to agree with Mckenna about culture not being your friend. Still some of the best years of my life though.
02/01/12
http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/15749123#15749123
