Originally posted by Zanick
You say that these entities are real, but in the area of metaphysics this is sort of a dirty word. In ontological terms, real refers to something which exists independently of human consciousness, as opposed to existing within the realm of ideas. For example, I agree with you that these entities do exist in some capacity; I do not, however, contend that they enjoy an extra-personal reality, separate from our own minds - rather, I liken them to objects of Jung’s collective unconscious. So while the distinction appears to be pedantic at first glance, I insist that it is significant to dissecting our positions on the matter.
First of all, thanks for an awesome response man.
I mean they are real in the sense they are experienced as real. This doesn't mean they are real as you or me, but this doesn't matter unless you're into the spiritual side of things. For self-improvement it doesn't matter if its actually real because you experience it the same way either way.
That being said. I would like to believe they are beings experiencing a different kind of existence, in a different layer of reality.
However, i am not in a position to make 100% certain claims about any existing theories on the topic and i'm totally aware of the possibility that it might all just be wishful thinking but its interesting to delve into.
Originally posted by Zanick
Personally, I do often wonder if there aren’t beings which are constituted purely of consciousness, existing only in our minds and impacting only our thoughts because it’s the only suitable environment for them found on Earth thus far. I’d imagine they might be like all other life on Earth: primarily concerned with survival, and modifying their immediate surroundings to accomplish it.
That's an interesting idea. Not long ago i saw a clip with this guy talking about a virus or parasite that the majority of the world is probably infected with. We've seen mind control in bugs and some animals i believe. This guy speculated that suicidal and other irrational behavior could be tributed to this parasite or whatever it was. I can't find the source right now but i'll look into it. Anyways, this would have major implications.
Here's a slightly different case i was able to dig up.
https://www.sciencealert.com/mind-altering-parasite-transmitted-by-cats-linked-to-several-brain-disorders
Originally posted by Zanick
I’m not sure what the “gateway experience” refers to - is this the rush, felt in the beginning of a DMT trip? Either way, I don’t believe the CIA had any success in experimenting with remote viewing than they did in testing LSD on civilians to produce mind control. It was just a huge waste of money, a lot of suffering for innocent people, and, if Americans gave enough of a shit, it should have cost them our trust.
Originally posted by Zanick
Now, on the subject of fluoride: I’ve opened my ‘third eye’ some years ago, and I feel it pulsating even now. Yet, the public water supply I drink from has the maximum amount of fluoride. People here are no less empathetic than anywhere else, nor are they more violent, less intelligent, etc. In fact, one could say I’ve observed much the opposite, at least in this municipality. How can you account for normal spiritual and ethical behaviors in an area with so much fluoride?
Nicotine seems to have an adverse effect on fluoride.
http://12160.info/forum/topics/nicotine-has-an-adverse-effect-on-fluoride-which-is-a-neuro-toxinThis suggests that there are ways to counter it, possibly a healthy diet? an unhealthy diet? It definitely matters what you consume.
Also, not all water contains fluoride. Water is imported and exported from all over the world. And most people do prefer their sugary beverages to water.
Originally posted by Zanick
On shedding the ego: I really think psychonauts need to do away with their appropriation of the Freudian term, because doing away with that mental structure for the span of a few minutes would probably not be an idea worth repeating. I do, however, agree that something is going on there and that we ought to keep doing it. What might be a suitable alternative to the term ego, I haven’t really considered.
What do you think is going on? Any speculations?
Originally posted by Zanick
I don’t think your idea of possession is provable. In order to verify that a faustian pact has taken place, you would need to see a receipt, which would require that the entity had generated some kind of invoice. I don’t believe that demons, as we have imagined them, have much use for receipts or invoices, much less commerce, so I don’t think we can witness any sort of feat which is better explained by demons than by human achievement. That said, I have offered myself to demons sincerely before and received nothing, so you might say that I’m jaded to the notion of possession.
May i ask how you offered yourself?
The literature i've been looking into is quite ritualistic in the way that sacrifices are made and specific psychedelic compounds are consumed. The "victim" if you will, is doped and sent to meet these entities, make a deal with them, and the entities will then latch on to the soul of the victim effectively following them till they die. Is this what you did?
Originally posted by Zanick
So for philosophical reasons, I’m going to call all of this stuff the unitary conception of life-after-death because it alludes to a linear concept which is found throughout Western religious canon, describing generally what is supposed to happen after dying.
UCLAD is increasingly problematic as we learn more about the natural world in that it presupposes that consciousness is not housed in the brain, but that it is rather a non-local field of extra-psychical activity which can travel, think about itself, and manipulate matter of its own accord. Apart from the obvious, demonstrative difficulties presented with this view of things, there is a great problem with a dimension consisting of formless entities that somehow lends them out to our own. Why are they doing it, and how? I think these questions must be addressed, at least, in order to make the UCLAD thesis a defensible one.
I believe how and why is beyond our current understanding of things. I mean, obviously we can't be expected to understand or comprehend the motives of such entities as they appear to exist in a vastly different worlds than ours. But lets assume you are an interdimensional entity and that i suddenly pop into existence in front of you. Most likely, you would try to communicate and i would definitely be trying to return the favor.
Originally posted by Zanick
What does “true self awareness” look like and how are we rewarded for cultivating it?
Well there seems to some disagreement on that.
Some believe that its a state of mind that when reached will allow you to dedicate yourself completely to the task at hand, some refer to this as being "in the zone" This can also apparently be taught via meditation. And also being aware of being seems to be key in most cases.
Originally posted by Zanick
who is the “They” luring me and on what authority are they doing so? Where are they and what are their intentions?
Who knows, past ancestors? workers in a system that needs maintenance just like we are? gods?
Originally posted by Zanick
I’ve seen those in the midst of lucid dreams and sleep paralysis, I can’t say I’ve ever witnessed anything to make me believe them to be responsible for anything other than frightening me. How can you claim to know their purpose only from these fleeting encounters?
I didn't. I have done some research on the subject and while there's several mentions nobody really seems to have too much info on it.
But what the fuck? interdimensional spiders...
