Yes! Non-duality is not exclusive of duality. It just recognises that it's not the fundamental reality. As you alluded to, we seek to know ourselves by contrast. Freedom can only be experienced if apparent limitation appears to exist. That's how the whole dream is created. The fact it's ultimately illusory does not negate its significance. In fact, it makes it even more profound.

@@AlexShailer we seek to understand logically the things that we are meant to experience from the soul. Humans who already get it in touch with non-duality concepts already are familiar with philosophers who explore the awe inspiring mistery of life itself such as Alan Watts. Something inside of us points to integrate the transcendent beyond our own lives, yet we seek to confine every single thing to a logical concept inside of our minds so that we can get the sensation we are in control. What im trying to say is, when you speak about "surrendering", you lose virtually everyone who hasn't (yet) understood we are the strenght that beats our heart in deep sleep, more than we are the conscious ape that works behind the desk Surrendering implies that having the capacity to "understand the concept", is not as important as trusting that "innerstanding" no concept at all is what paradoxically leads to making all concepts valid inside their own sphere of influence. The fact that 2 things can be true simultaneously is the same as saying that every viewpoint has its blindspot, and there, you can surrender the "experience" and logical reasoning for the awe that makes you cry when you see a newborn child in the arms of his or her mama

@@AlexShailer reflecting: I said I understood their point. But their point was my point at one time. It ebbs and flows from moment to moment, and there is where I particularly focus my present moment for real time inquiry. Asking God,Grace,Source,Tao or whatever you resonate with to send you a sign Is a bit diff for each individual existence, but the point remains. If not, Surrender to the fact you don't feel it and move on, then it won't matter Till it matters for your individual self Or doesn't. Let go of the outcome. If plant medicine finds you, it might be it's will and not your luck, so I would suggest researching if its viable for yourselves Not talking to you Alex, as a self, I think you might get what i'm pointing to , and I think most commonsense path to follow is surrender, even more if your logical mind rationalizes awakening so much

Yup!

He said look at it , but what to look , did you get that ?

Wonderful!

Great to hear!

Thank you very much.

That's great to hear!

That's great to hear!

I'm not sure why you'd want to do that specifically. But you can soften the attention so that two or more sense perceptions are more pronounced at the same time, like a diffused spotlight.

@@AlexShailer oh yes, I meant I notice it in 2 places. It's like split attention. I don't prefer it at all. I have the intention to move to sound, but thoughts remain. It feels like I don't know how to remove attention from the thought space.

I know what you're on about, as in, when you pay attention to thought, consciously, the identification with it can drop along with the thought. But you can pay attention to thoughts, mental images, and imagination, consciously, ie. At the same time, aware that I AM that/Consciousness

​​@@AlexShailerbut how do you know that the part paying attention to the thoughts is not just another part/system of the brain? I'm not sure if there have been any studies that prove that the mind can or cannot observe itself. On that note what even is "the mind"?? It's kind of like a crowd. A crowd doesn't exist until there are people. Does the mind exist without thoughts?

@@bsways does there have to be a study? when it helps it helps! People get out of depressions, anxiety just knowing!

Everything I'm saying is real as far as I'm concerned

If you meditate with a goal in mind, you miss the point, because you're looking towards the future. Since the future is a concept, then you will never get there. All you have is the 'now'. (quote from Alan Watts) This kind of thinking allows you to be in the 'now' but, more freely, to truly experience it. To detach from constantly having your attention dictated and directed. Because the 'now' is all you've ever had, and all you'll ever have, then enhancing the state of the 'now' will enhance your experience of existence and your entire life.

Go to alexshailer.com There's a whole website and resources there.

Sure!

Alright smarty pants

This is a controversial topic. To me a hint of brown indicates peak ripeness, tastiness, and texture.