Having a long standing, formal spiritual practice like meditation does make you more prepared and more likely to have an awakening.
But I also know people who've had various awakenings through:
- psychedelics
- tantric practices
- reading a profound book
- help of a guru
Etc.
Conversation
Having a framework does seem to be helpful for doing the work, otherwise the "I am insane" period post-awakening can last longer and be more damaging.
It also seems that dissolving the framework is a good idea after the work is done, so it doesn't turn into dogma.
4
1
6
Replying to
Don't forget the "I am insane" period *before* awakening. Without a map, it's really easy to get stuck there. Potentially for the rest of your life.
1
1
3
How's your experience of dissolving the framework been?
I can't even bring myself to respect any framework to begin with, so I wouldn't even know where to start... I'm sure it's easy to slip into when the results come, though - judging by every enlightened person I know.
2
Replying to
Really good point about the "I am insane" period before awakening. The potential to get lost there if going without a map is maybe even greater than post-awakening, because there is less clarity and one is more prone to delusion.
2
1
Replying to
I am on some sort of cusp now, I think.
I have normal days, and days where I identify as much with my sole or any other sense object (don't know why the sole, but it's really persistent) as with any "normal" sense of self.
1
If I didn't know this was completely normal, I can guess it might throw me for a loop or five.
1
1
Replying to
Yeah, the depersonalization is one of the scarier side effects. It still gets me.
2
Replying to
I actually don't mind so much. It gives me the vertigoez, which can be severely uncomfortable, but I find it very soothing.
Disinhibition, on the other hand... I'm way too much of a mess to deal with that gracefully, though it's been getting better lately.
1
Replying to
I have my own reasons for finding depersonalization scary (family history). Vertigo is a good way to put it.
As for disinhibition, I hear you. I have found certain practices that really help that, both with release and discipline.
1
Replying to
Are they in your megathread? I'll get around to reading that later, but I'm too tired to process it now.
If not, feel free to pass along.
Replying to
No, but I can tell you about them next time we talk.
The short version is "letting the animal be an animal, if at least in imaginary situations".