Thanks for the article Scott. Your writing always resonates deeply with me. It also reminds me to stay focused on my own spiritual evolution. I have a tendency to be very focused for a while, even to the point where I start to gain traction, then I fizzle out and before I know it, I'm back in the matrix again. Then something happens to remind me that I have strayed from the path I intended. Do you have any insight as to how to integrate this practice permanently into my day to day experience? I've considered Mantra's, tattoos, etc. It feels a bit like a fog descends and you slip back into old patterns. Then a learning moment will arise, like an overly emotional anger response to something, and I will lash out. Seconds later, I will say, "Well ,I blew that one." Or, "I've got to learn to self arrest before the outburst." I suppose that is just where I am at right now with it, but I want to be better. I think at times, I am being too critical of myself though, in all of life's performances. I suppose that even if I don't control the emotional response in the moment, it still becomes a growth opportunity by becoming aware of what just transpired, and then working to uncover the source of the discomfort. Thanks again for sharing your story. It has been quite valuable to me, so much so that I am feeling compelled to become a paid member. You're making an important positive impact here and the effort is greatly appreciated.
Jason - thanks so much for the kind words. I'm glad it's having a positive impact on you and I can relate to being on a commitment roller coaster. This was very much my journey with meditation in the beginning and things like giving up drinking.
In terms of developing ultimate commitment, it seems like this happens when someone becomes humbled by an event in life and kind of realizes this is the only way. Like there is no other choice. I don't think we can force that on ourselves, but the fact that you are reading this and have the humility to admit this means you're already on your way.
More practical recommendations I would have are:
1. Consume spiritual content (books). Fill your brain with this material
2. Have some sort of daily spiritual practice that serves as a reminder of what's most important to you, in addition to working on your presence
3. If you can find a teacher, do that. It serves as accountability even if its not the right one. Set an intention and maybe even write it out that you want to find someone to be your guide as you earnestly desire to evolve to your highest expression.
With all of these things, consistency comes back to sticking to the things you like. So make sure you aren't doing certain practices or reading certain things because you "should" but find the stuff you genuinely enjoy. Hope this helps and thank you for your support
Loved this! While I've not yet experienced reality to the fullness that you describe, I can sense the potential that exists. I may not be asking this the right way, but do you know of any cause and effect experiments one can do to jump start the process? When I ask this I'm not trying to trick the system or cheat, but rather I'm supposing that the more faith one has that reality responds to us (and vice versa) the more intensely we can experience it. Does that make sense? Thanks for taking the time to share all of this.
Thanks Bodhi! Again, I can only speak and hypothesize from my own experience, but my sense is that our subconscious contains a massive amount more information then our conscious mind. I don't know that any type of conscious mind doing/thinking will have as much of an impact as just the long and steady process of untangling your subconscious. I think generally trusting reality will result in greater levels of consciousness, which will result in greater abilities to recognize things and start to step into authorship. But I am not sure there is a way to skip ahead to that part or experiment with it...not sure if I am answering this correctly.
or just listening more closely to your intuition, then acting on it.
I started picking up trash as a spiritual practice. At first, i would only do it when no one was around -- felt self-conscious;
then i mainly would only do it on the side streets -- i walk a lot;
then, started just doing it more, whenever the impulse struck me.
Sounds silly/trivial, but each step challenged me to listen to myself and the universe more.
This, in turn, strengthened my faith.
Whether it's picking up trash or something else, just pay attention to the things you are drawn to doing, then challenge yourself to do them - from littlest first step to next step to next step, etc.
Great job capturing the pivotal realizations in your journey.
I believe we are all here to experience Free Will and the outcomes of our choices. That happens through living, not meditating in a cave for months, although those folks also have a purpose in the grand design.
I loved what you said about the matrix and how people have to wake up yo who they truly are, versus what society has told them is true.
Interesting piece of work. Thank you Scott. My own journey spurred many leaps of growth through loss, not psychedelics; whichever way we get there, challenges are inevitable and must be overcome through our choices.
I wrote a piece called The Hawaiian Fire Protocol about how my unresolved issues followed me to paradise. We cannot run away from the things we need to face. They will always find us.
PS thank you for prodding me to start my own Substack! “My Weird and Wonderful Life “ is up and running.
Loved this, Scott! It tracks exactly with my experience too! Thank you for sharing your enlightening experiences in such an illuminating way - and I very much appreciate the practices.
This makes perfect sense. For me this manifests as lots of synchronicity, from encounters with people to situations that seem far beyond coincidence and that sometimes make me laugh. On knowing whether I am on the "right track," certain events seem to conspire (synchronicity there too) that suddenly bolster my decision, like "oh wow, huh, that makes moving forward with my decision easier." This reinforces that it was the right decision. In the opposite situations where I want something and despite repeated effort things keep falling apart -- for sometimes the silliest or slightest of reasons -- it seems to be a clear sign to not push in that direction. It feels like the more I try and ignore it, the hints and signs grow bigger and bigger, like you say, and that as long as I am aware of them and notice them, and then heed the advice, things continue unfolding more smoothly and usually in interesting ways. Pretty fun, actually.
Thanks for the article Scott. Your writing always resonates deeply with me. It also reminds me to stay focused on my own spiritual evolution. I have a tendency to be very focused for a while, even to the point where I start to gain traction, then I fizzle out and before I know it, I'm back in the matrix again. Then something happens to remind me that I have strayed from the path I intended. Do you have any insight as to how to integrate this practice permanently into my day to day experience? I've considered Mantra's, tattoos, etc. It feels a bit like a fog descends and you slip back into old patterns. Then a learning moment will arise, like an overly emotional anger response to something, and I will lash out. Seconds later, I will say, "Well ,I blew that one." Or, "I've got to learn to self arrest before the outburst." I suppose that is just where I am at right now with it, but I want to be better. I think at times, I am being too critical of myself though, in all of life's performances. I suppose that even if I don't control the emotional response in the moment, it still becomes a growth opportunity by becoming aware of what just transpired, and then working to uncover the source of the discomfort. Thanks again for sharing your story. It has been quite valuable to me, so much so that I am feeling compelled to become a paid member. You're making an important positive impact here and the effort is greatly appreciated.
Jason - thanks so much for the kind words. I'm glad it's having a positive impact on you and I can relate to being on a commitment roller coaster. This was very much my journey with meditation in the beginning and things like giving up drinking.
In terms of developing ultimate commitment, it seems like this happens when someone becomes humbled by an event in life and kind of realizes this is the only way. Like there is no other choice. I don't think we can force that on ourselves, but the fact that you are reading this and have the humility to admit this means you're already on your way.
More practical recommendations I would have are:
1. Consume spiritual content (books). Fill your brain with this material
2. Have some sort of daily spiritual practice that serves as a reminder of what's most important to you, in addition to working on your presence
3. If you can find a teacher, do that. It serves as accountability even if its not the right one. Set an intention and maybe even write it out that you want to find someone to be your guide as you earnestly desire to evolve to your highest expression.
With all of these things, consistency comes back to sticking to the things you like. So make sure you aren't doing certain practices or reading certain things because you "should" but find the stuff you genuinely enjoy. Hope this helps and thank you for your support
Loved this! While I've not yet experienced reality to the fullness that you describe, I can sense the potential that exists. I may not be asking this the right way, but do you know of any cause and effect experiments one can do to jump start the process? When I ask this I'm not trying to trick the system or cheat, but rather I'm supposing that the more faith one has that reality responds to us (and vice versa) the more intensely we can experience it. Does that make sense? Thanks for taking the time to share all of this.
Thanks Bodhi! Again, I can only speak and hypothesize from my own experience, but my sense is that our subconscious contains a massive amount more information then our conscious mind. I don't know that any type of conscious mind doing/thinking will have as much of an impact as just the long and steady process of untangling your subconscious. I think generally trusting reality will result in greater levels of consciousness, which will result in greater abilities to recognize things and start to step into authorship. But I am not sure there is a way to skip ahead to that part or experiment with it...not sure if I am answering this correctly.
Hi Bodhi,
Try picking up trash; lol.
or just listening more closely to your intuition, then acting on it.
I started picking up trash as a spiritual practice. At first, i would only do it when no one was around -- felt self-conscious;
then i mainly would only do it on the side streets -- i walk a lot;
then, started just doing it more, whenever the impulse struck me.
Sounds silly/trivial, but each step challenged me to listen to myself and the universe more.
This, in turn, strengthened my faith.
Whether it's picking up trash or something else, just pay attention to the things you are drawn to doing, then challenge yourself to do them - from littlest first step to next step to next step, etc.
m
Thank you, Mark!
Great job capturing the pivotal realizations in your journey.
I believe we are all here to experience Free Will and the outcomes of our choices. That happens through living, not meditating in a cave for months, although those folks also have a purpose in the grand design.
I loved what you said about the matrix and how people have to wake up yo who they truly are, versus what society has told them is true.
Interesting piece of work. Thank you Scott. My own journey spurred many leaps of growth through loss, not psychedelics; whichever way we get there, challenges are inevitable and must be overcome through our choices.
I wrote a piece called The Hawaiian Fire Protocol about how my unresolved issues followed me to paradise. We cannot run away from the things we need to face. They will always find us.
PS thank you for prodding me to start my own Substack! “My Weird and Wonderful Life “ is up and running.
Thanks for the note Patricia. I agree that eventually we gotta pay the bill on the unresolved issues at one time or another!
CONGRATS on starting a substack. I just subscribed and excited to learn from you : )
Awe! Thank you.
Looked interesting - I joined you too!
Scott, This is a beautiful piece of work. It flowed from beginning to end and helped me realize something about my own journey. Thank you. D
That is wonderful to hear Dave! : )
I really love this article, Scott. I very much resonate with your observations. Much love ❤️
Thanks Flo! ❤️
Plucked the words out of my head - thanks for giving me a rabbit hole to go down, Scott!
Thanks Khalen! Hope you enjoy what you find : )
Loved this, Scott! It tracks exactly with my experience too! Thank you for sharing your enlightening experiences in such an illuminating way - and I very much appreciate the practices.
Thanks Keena! It's cool to hear that others out there have had a similar experience. I appreciate all the support on my content : )
This makes perfect sense. For me this manifests as lots of synchronicity, from encounters with people to situations that seem far beyond coincidence and that sometimes make me laugh. On knowing whether I am on the "right track," certain events seem to conspire (synchronicity there too) that suddenly bolster my decision, like "oh wow, huh, that makes moving forward with my decision easier." This reinforces that it was the right decision. In the opposite situations where I want something and despite repeated effort things keep falling apart -- for sometimes the silliest or slightest of reasons -- it seems to be a clear sign to not push in that direction. It feels like the more I try and ignore it, the hints and signs grow bigger and bigger, like you say, and that as long as I am aware of them and notice them, and then heed the advice, things continue unfolding more smoothly and usually in interesting ways. Pretty fun, actually.