Session 3

For this book we meet Alex who contacted me via my website, to better follow his spiritual path with some advice about practices, Alex also was dealing with some long standing issues – especially severe anxiety. However we quickly established a weekly “session” where we placed mental health into the context of the wider picture of real spiritual practice which transcends all of Life and the Universe.

Here (in following blogs), are partial transcripts of what we said followed by some summaries.

The transcripts may have a note on who is the speaker.

(The summaries are AI generated)

N.B. Summaries relate to the incomplete conversation. The eventual book will contain the complete transcripts., Summaries & further author comments

Discussion session 3

R

Hello. Hello. Hello. How are you going?

A

Going good. Going good. That’s good. I’m still experimenting with my life. I’m experimenting with the story of my life. I’m being experimenting on for the aliens. (Joke). Yeah, just treat my body with a little bit of respect.

Today’s topic might be interested for other people. Yeah. I’ll show my own experience just briefly. Good. See if you like it or not.  I decided after a little bit of research to switch from Benzo and the other anti-depressants. l want to clear it all off the system with the help of Kava powder.

R

Okay. I sometimes use a Kava capsule if I’m going somewhere, like a restaurant, just to feel a bit calmer in the noisy atmosphere. I don’t take much. If I take two, then I get very sleepy. It doesn’t make me higher – it just relaxes me a little bit.

A

The reason why I brought up Kava is because I’ve been contacted by a local institute of health to do the study on me for free.

The other thing I mentioned to you was those sleep products.

R

You can get “Easy Sleep” from the supermarket, for about $10 a bottle. It has Valerian etc. in them. I take half a tablet occasionally If I’m really restless and I need a good night’s sleep. Iit doesn’t knock me out, it just makes things a bit smoother.

A

They are better options than going on Benzos, based as a good living example. It’s my second time in my life. I was on Benzo’s first time about eight years ago. I’ve took three months to get rid of it.

Now I’ve been prescribed for 12 month, and I’m struggling to get rid of

I drop a very, very small amount at a time. The body has got a bit of an attachment into it, and the mind has a strong attachment to it. It’s hard.

Mantras help keep me alive. When I’m awake, that’s what I do.

Especially if I feel like there’s some interference or something tricky.

I keep doing it until I feel okay. This is the critical point I wanted to

R

I’ll just do it whenever I can remember to do it. It goes on in my background all the time anyway. And every now and then I think, wait, and I’m more focused on it. It comes more into my foreground.

Then I get answers to my questions because my ego thoughts go out of the way. A true answer can form. Mantra is your power, the consciousness power to choose.

The thoughts that we are referring to are involuntary compulsory thinking. It’s not you. They are coming from the mind.

When you have a mantra, you get a clear mental thought about how to proceed with a certain issues. Then you’re using the mind as a valid spiritual tool.

But it’s not really, as I said, me thinking. It’s me switching off and allowing the Shakti to drive the energy.

A

Can ask a simple question? Who makes a decision to use mantra?

R

The consciousness awareness drives that decision, not the mind.

No, the mind wants to chat, the mind wants to go for a future/present/ past scenario.

The guru gives the mantra. The inner guru, or the outer guru. That’s the Shakti in teacher form. Yes there seems to be a decision made by me or you or somebody. That yes, I will listen to that guru, or inner outer voice, instruction.

When you do that, you may be saying, I’ve had enough of everything. I don’t really like life. I don’t believe in any more.I really need something I’m desperate. There’s some story in the background.

Whatever the drive, eventually you start to bypass the mind, body,

Life and The Universe – all the stuff going on.You start to go through it, transcend it even.

There’s the Jiva Atma. Jiva – the individual. Atma – the soul. Jiva Aatma, is connecting with the Param, the great Atma. Param Atma.The cosmic consciousness. There’s a connection going on.Because the mantras come from that cosmic consciousness. They’re tailored down to the individual consciousness by the Guru.

A

There is a reason why I’m asking this, because minds job is to go in to the future, or past. To support ego. Ego doesn’t have to die. This is me. This is my job, my family. But Ego will die if yYou’re not paying attention to it.

But actually you don’t die because you can’t die. There’s no such thing as their thing anyway. Nothing can die. Life is eternal. All goes on consciousness.

Dying is mind that doesn’t want to stop thinking, worrying, predicting, controlling the future. It can be problematic.

R

That’s the thing I have to make a warning about. Because when you get into that No Thinking area, you can find sitting and doing nothing to be very – kind of distressing eventually. In sensory deprivation people get psychotic and go mad if they have sensory deprivation. Just sitting somewhere so quiet at the mind stops. So there are some risks involved with doing the spiritual journey. There could be a boredom that arises and drives, a practitioner, mad. Then they go out and become a raving junkie/addict. (Or whatever).

So it’s not just take a mantra and it’ll be fine. Mantra is wonderful, but you need to be careful about what you’re doing here. There’s some strong powers involved. And the death of the Ego is a horrendous business seemingly. But it actually isn’t.

A

There is a solution that I come up after your words last time.

I do mantra only for a short period of time. If I’m awake and not sleeping, then I do a normal meditation. If I see my thoughts are still destructive, I come back to the mantra.

R

The mantra goes into the cosmic ether, the Akasha, the Csmic sound.

And then the mantra disappears into that soundless sound.

And then when you’re there, you can simply go to the breathing meditation which is without sound.

You do Sohum. .So means the Cosmos. Hum means: I

I am one with a great cosmic consciousness. It’s not specifically a mantra .It’s just a recognition that you’ve gone into that space.

Then you simply become the witness .

A

So what I do, though, is different, because mantras are not really that integrated into my life yet. What I’m more integrated with is paying attention to the breathing and the tension into my abdomen.

When I see tension, I breathe into it, as I embrace it as a signpost to paying attention to the present moment.To me, the present is everything.

R

Looking at the abdomen Chakra, you have the mantra, Shrim, pronounced striim. .When you’re focusing on that area, you’re seeing all your wealth. What you have is what you bought with you over many, many lifetime’s maybe. Of course, it’s all the wealth of all the experiences that’s contributed to your life to this point.

Discussion continues, but not included in this blog.

Summary of session 3

The article presents a free-flowing dialogue between two individuals discussing personal development, specifically through the use of kava, mantras, and their struggles with anxiety, depression, and the use of benzodiazepines (Benzos). They discuss their experiences with these substances, particularly kava’s calming properties, the potential of natural remedies in mental health treatment, and the psychological and spiritual aspects of using mantras for personal enlightenment. The conversation continues to explore the complexities of self-awareness, the ego, and the idea that suffering is a natural part of life. Both individuals share their own perspectives, experiences, and insights into how they navigate life’s challenges while seeking to transcend their current emotional states.

Paragraph Summaries

    The discussion begins with a casual exchange about daily experiences, transitioning into a more profound exploration of their personal journeys. The speaker expresses a desire to treat their body with respect while experimenting with life.

    The speaker shares their decision to discontinue the use of benzodiazepines and antidepressants, citing their exploration of kava as a natural alternative for managing anxiety.

    The conversation delves into the use of kava for calming effects, with anecdotes on its usage in social settings and its comparison to alcohol consumption.

    They discuss the challenges in preparing kava drinks and express a desire to document their conversations into summaries, considering the potential for these discussions to form the basis of a book.

    The idea of transitioning from synthetic drugs to natural remedies is explored, with an emphasis on personal experiences and upcoming participation in a health study.

    The speaker reflects on their ongoing struggle with benzodiazepines, highlighting the psychological dependencies that develop over time with such medications.

    An important theme of mantra practice emerges, whereby the speaker attributes their self-discovery and clarity to the use of specific mantras, discussing how these can shift mental focus and emotional states.

    The conversation transitions to the relationship between thought processes, spiritual practices, and the perceived mental health issues, emphasizing the importance of embracing emotions rather than resisting them.

    They discuss the complexities of enlightenment, articulating how mantras can help transcend human experience and alleviate suffering, while acknowledging the ego’s role in personal identity.

    The dialogue concludes with a focus on both the existential nature of suffering and the potential for growth through understanding one’s inner workings and spirituality. They express the importance of remaining aware and connected to life’s realities while incorporating meditation and mantras into their daily experiences.

Highlights

    🌱 Kava as a Natural Calming Alternative: The discussion about transitioning from prescribed medications to kava highlights a growing trend towards natural remedies in mental health management.

    💬 Value of Mantras in Personal Development: The discussion on the use of mantras brings out their potential to help individuals focus and find clarity within themselves, aiding in emotional regulation.

    🔄 Understanding Resistance in Emotional States: The recognition that resistance to pain can exacerbate emotional challenges provides insight into self-compassion and acceptance.

    📖 Documentation of Conversations: The proposal to document these discussions into written formats reflects a creative approach to self-exploration and personal storytelling.

    🌌 Exploring the Ego and Enlightenment: The exploration of personal identity and the interplay of ego in spiritual work raises important questions about self-awareness and human existence.

Multi-Angle Analysis

The article is a rich tapestry of introspective exploration, touching on various themes such as personal growth, mental health, spiritual practices, and the impact of community dialogue. From the conversational tone, listeners can glean the importance of vulnerability and openness when sharing experiences, which fosters a deeper understanding of oneself and others. The juxtaposition of traditional medicine against natural remedies adds to the discourse surrounding mental health, prompting readers to consider alternative approaches. Discussing mantras not only emphasizes spiritual awareness but underscores the critical role of mental focus and intention setting in daily life. Furthermore, the acknowledgment of emotional resistance leads to important reflections on how one’s approach to pain and discomfort significantly influences overall well-being.

Key Insights

    🌟 Embracing Natural Remedies: The shift from synthetic medications to natural alternatives like kava speaks to a larger societal desire for holistic healing that respects the body’s wisdom.

    🧘‍♂️ Mantras as Spiritual Tools: Practicing mantras can be a vital part of personal development, allowing individuals to cultivate mindfulness and find peace amid chaos.

    💖 Suffering and Resistance: Aligning with the idea of accepting one’s emotions as a pathway to understanding can provide deeper insights into the human experience.

    🎓 Ego and Identity: The exploration of ego reveals the complexities of self-perception and how it impacts personal evolution; moving beyond ego-based identities can open pathways to enlightenment.

    🔄 Documenting Personal Journeys: Sharing experiences through writing not only validates the struggles individuals face but can also resonate with a wider audience seeking hope and guidance.

FAQs

    What is kava, and how is it used in this context?

        Kava is a beverage made from the root of the kava plant, known for its calming effects. It is discussed as a natural alternative to conventional medications for anxiety and stress management.

    How do mantras contribute to mental health and well-being?

        Mantras can help regulate thoughts and emotions, promote mindfulness, and facilitate a state of calm, thereby contributing positively to mental health and personal development.

    What role does resistance play in emotional health?

        Resistance can lead to increased suffering; acknowledging and embracing emotions can help individuals process their feelings more effectively and cultivate resilience.

    What are the potential benefits of documenting personal conversations?

        Documenting conversations allows for reflection and insight sharing; it can create a supportive community narrative and may inspire others undergoing similar challenges.

Conclusion

The dialogue captured in the article reveals a transformative journey that emphasizes self-discovery through natural remedies and the spiritual practice of mantra meditation. These elements combine to foster personal growth and emotional resilience in facing life’s challenges. By embracing all aspects of their experiences—including struggles with medication, society’s pressures, and the complexities of the human psyche—they underline the necessity of authenticity and vulnerability in the journey toward enlightenment. Through documentation, the participants hope to share their insights with others, contributing to the wider discourse on mental health and wellbeing. As they navigate their paths, they highlight that the intersections between personal experience, spiritual practice, and conversation hold the potential for profound transformation.