FAN-FREAKIN-TASTIC! A friend of mine sent me one of your newest videos, and I fell in love with you on the spot! 🤭 I hit the subscribe button, and have adored every story you've told to date.❣️ I wish I could've been a miniature person in your top pocket so I could have been with you through all of your travels. But at this moment, I'm very happy and content to be watching you tell your wonderful stories on this platform. 😊 Thank you so very much Neal for letting me, us into your memories. ❤❤
Your stories are so beautiful and bring joy to my life. I turn 83 next month and believe "with a smile on your face and love in your heart all is possible". Enjoy the beauty of it all. AH
Imagine what the world would be like if the world leaders, homeless, those suffering in poverty, and all of us think like Neal... Would be 100x better.
Yes, Neal. In quiet moments, and I do mean quiet, I submerge into such as a leaf. Or a rock. Or an animal. I do not pretend to see or know everything. But I do understand the substance deep inside then. Peace and life and creation. It is beautiful. 🤩
This one really made me think. Those are the best stories, the ones to reflect on because if you don’t, you will miss the message thrown to the Universe. So well done! Thank you.
"We rise by lifting others" Robert G. Ingersoll. You, my friend are totally inspiring with your beautiful story telling. They are love letters for the soul.
You're a great story-teller and it's good advice - to embrace our experiences. I will try to remember it and be 'in the moment', maybe the idea will ... take root. 😏 Thanks for sharing with us.
I understand this feeling. I've had lots of near death brushes. Due to a severe mental illness that gave me a death wish. In fact, since I was depressed lots, these near death euphories were my only experiences where the depression was absent. So, this only made me risk more. Long story short... my illness got worse, I sought help from doctors, it only got worse and worse. I was so desperate at one point, I was begging my therapist for ketamine. I had heard it gave temporary relief. I was literally on my knees begging for help and stating I was literally at the end of my rope and was desperately trying not to breakdown COMPELTELY. I was getting nowhere since it's only a clinical trial and doctor's were not going to give it a try. So, I remembered back in the day, there were magic mushrooms. I figured, close enough, and I asked my adult son to try and find me some. He got some old ones that were weak. But, I didn't know it, but I had then done a micro dose. It was working. So, I bought some fresh ones and was slowly upping the dose to find the right level. But, oops, I grew up in Canada at the time the were introducing metric. This meant my brain had two measuring systems, but since I am dyslexic, in my brain they go back and forth and I mix them up. This caused me to screw up my measuring and I converted wrong and ended up taking a "heroic journey". I thought I was taking a gram, but I took close to seven grams. Oh my. Oh my. Long story. The point is this. After I realized my mistake, and after I realized I "swear word", and after I accepted that I was going to die, and it was okay, I went on my trip. The universe literally opened up and I was one with everything. My dead mother and father were in the mix and I could feel their presence. Oh, but don't think I had visual hallucinations. I've never gotten them no matter how many hits of tab I did back in the day. Once I did an experiment and did a whole lot and never saw anything that actually wasn't there. Long story... again. So, these were mental projections and not visuals distortions. The walls of my room were still there, it's just that my mind could travel through them and could entire all of existence as only a small point that completely surrounded me. Maybe, because I can't possibly remember, but maybe, it was just like being back in the womb. Anyway, just saying I understand the universe. But can't describe it to you accurately. And the end of my long story, the mushrooms worked. My depression and anger ebbed away, and it was replaced with wonder. The universe opened up, and the cloud over my head disappeared. It's sunny now. AND, to quote the prophetic words of the great Buddy Ryan (John Astin) , from Night Court, "I'm feeling much better now."
@@nealfoard I'm sorry... and Canadian... I know you meant your reply as a compliment, but I went to a very dark place almost immediately. My fault of course. For you see, I finished your quote and went onto to do my own performance aloud... "a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury. Signifying nothing." My bad... I know you meant well. You see I obsess over words. Tale. I was compelled to go there. Thank you. I'm over the darkness of The Scottish Play.
wow. you're a fantastic storyteller you are so good at it I often wonder if these are your stories or you are a really good teller of stories .. with the power of a personal touch
Loved your story. I had a similar experience in 1975 in the San Gabriel mountains north of Los Angeles. I was a young buck, newly married with a new baby in a crib. My mojo was rock climbing. One fine afternoon I was up the mountain, with zero equipment, hand over hand climbing. I was suddenly in the situation that you described. Could not go up, and could not go down. Panic! The thought then crossed my mind: what the hell was I doing: trying to kill myself? I had huge responsibilities to my new son and my wonderful spouse. I was the leader of 25 soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen who looked to me for leadership, and here I was hanging in space. Like you, I was gifted with new energy and life, and lay heaving for new breath on this steep mountain side after achieving new safety.. That was when I heard another voice! "I am king of the world" the voice declared. That voice came from about 100 feet below and 200 feet to the side of me. I replied, loudly, "No you're NOT. Silence from the "King". I still wonder what that poor fella thought about the voice from above.
Now - [whenever I see one of those "stock" pictures of a bristlecone pine up in Inyo County, California, in the Sierra Nevada Mountains] - I know that I'll think of this touching story about your experience as a 14-year-old ............ i.e., trying to find some peace/calm in your life, you know. Transcendent, 'just totally ~*t.r.a.n.s.c.e.n.d.e.n.t.*~, Neal.
You get up next to a living thing that old and something feels different. Objectively, there’s something going on. It should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Often roots are overlooked. In anything. Love. Hatred. Division. We see the tree as either beautiful or dead. At the base of either, often hidden, are the roots of it. How were they nourished? How are mine... Love others. Don't listen to nourished and encouraged far too often hatred. Instead listen to your community. Be that strength. Don't wait for another to do it. You do it.
If your experience was anything like what I experienced, you were also surrounded by the perfect calmness and peace that defies any mortal explanation. Not everything can be explained by medical science and human functions.
Yes, I remember a great sense of calm. I also remember a peculiar sense of forgiveness... a kind of universal sense that we have to be very reluctant to judge others.
@@nealfoard Precisely; a feeling of deep compassion, understanding and mercy. I have often wondered if having that feeling 24/7 would be too much for we humans to bear; and if that is the reason that feeling is impermanent.
I had the same exact thing happen to me but I had to let go. I started falling knowing the impact was going to kill me so I shifted so I that would land flat and right when I hit the ground......I jumped up and kicked the covers off and woke up out of my dream.
Been there. Once I had a dream where I was falling down a long staircase, and then just decided I would land softly and I did. It's the weird phenomenon of controlling your dreams. You have reminded me I need to take a course in how to do that.
That comment was actually supposed to go on the video about enthusiasm where you end with a comment about sounding like a gerbil if you had to imitate a yell again.
@@mikhaelaa Ha! Well, I think it's mostly because I DON'T understand how any of this works. But that's cool. You're here. Meanwhile, there's a fantastic poem by an old Persian philosopher named Hafez that just slays me: "The small man builds cages for everyone he knows, while the sage, who has to duck his head when the moon is low, keeps dropping keys all night long for the beautiful rowdy prisoners." I can't completely figure out if that applies here, but something tells me the point isn't how many people you reach. It's just that we're together in this thing.
@@nealfoard Well said. And believe me, my friend, you should keep it that way (not understanding how these things "work"). Thank you for putting out your work out into the world. Perhaps, in that poem, you're the sage - leaving keys to whomever will choose to free oneself; to unlock his/her potential and to tap into one's humanity. And perhaps, too, that "small man" lives inside each and every one of us, preventing one from experiencing greatness. Side note - isn't it amazing to experience the differences of approach between East and West? After living in Canada most of my life, I repatriated to Africa at the age of 35, and I'm much better off because of it (for many reasons and by the way, you should have received an email from me!).
...And I'm glad you did, Mr. Wanner-sounds-like-honor. Here are my favorite videos: ua-cam.com/video/KfzNbzur8dw/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/bhv-vpDH8u4/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/v0gx7CS-ZaA/v-deo.html Neal
@@RCodyWanner I stood next to the team manager during the mayhem and he said, "For most of these boys, this will be the only time in their lives anyone will ask them for an autograph. Thank your little girl for that."
Two things. First, "trippin' balls" put you into a new category for me, and you were already pretty far up there. Second, more and more neurobiologists are saying in moments like that, where something eye opening or profound has changed our neurochemistry, it's actually bringing down the facade we've manufactured for ourselves and allowing us a peek at reality. Not our own reality, but the universal reality. It's happened to me twice and I'm different for it.
I am glad you've had the actual experience. What you describe above has the ring of truth for me. In my case, it felt very much like a window opening and closing. I did Ayahuasca once, and the effect was nowhere near as revelatory and clear as what I experienced in those mountains. I can't shake the feeling that my experience as a teenager had something to do with not being able to see or feel any other human presence.
@@nealfoard my "events" spawned from a deep thought pattern. I happened upon a place where the world appeared raw and in its natural form, organized particles. It reminded me that I'm made of the same stuff, but it wasn't a nihilistic feeling, which it easily could have been. It was more a oneness. Scary, to be sure. Any time we realize we're not the construct we've built for ourselves it feels naked and raw. Anyway, this is another in a really interesting series of videos. May you never run out of stories.
Your neuroscientist friend sounds like a mechanic who thinks they can race cars, because they know how to make the car go. Our society is likewise filled with people who knows how to make money and therefore think they know what life is all about, because their life is all about money.
An oldie and Good Lord Neal, What a gem!!
"tripan' balls"?
You've become my favorite story teller. Thanks for the beauty and inspiration!
My Gawd Man! You are one HELL of a story teller!! I am in awe and on the edge of my seat till the end! Thanks YOU!!
Hey thanks for that. My friend from Mumbai would smile. 😎
🙏🏼 thank you for that! I appreciate your review. 😎 more videos to follow.
"douche canoe" 😂😂😂😂 and I've known quite a few of those in my time!
FAN-FREAKIN-TASTIC! A friend of mine sent me one of your newest videos, and I fell in love with you on the spot! 🤭
I hit the subscribe button, and have adored every story you've told to date.❣️
I wish I could've been a miniature person in your top pocket so I could have been with you through all of your travels.
But at this moment, I'm very happy and content to be watching you tell your wonderful stories on this platform. 😊
Thank you so very much Neal for letting me, us into your memories. ❤❤
Your stories are so beautiful and bring joy to my life. I turn 83 next month and believe "with a smile on your face and love in your heart all is possible". Enjoy the beauty of it all. AH
You gave me chills. Bless you.
Hi Neal. So very glad UA-cam offered this to me today. Next time you pass an old tree, be sure to send your regards to that very old pine. 😊
Yup. I shall follow through on that. 🌲
Love it!
Wow, what a profound experience, Neal. All I can say is thank you for sharing. Please tell your friend from Mumbai the same.
I am so happy that root was there at that moment, or how else would our lives have been enriched by this amazing storyteller! Thank you Neal!
Thank you Henry. More stories along these same lines to follow.
Imagine what the world would be like if the world leaders, homeless, those suffering in poverty, and all of us think like Neal... Would be 100x better.
Thank you for such a kind sentiment, Jonathan.
This is Fire 🔥 thank you for sharing
Thank you! I appreciate that. 🥾🥾
Yes, Neal. In quiet moments, and I do mean quiet, I submerge into such as a leaf. Or a rock. Or an animal. I do not pretend to see or know everything. But I do understand the substance deep inside then. Peace and life and creation. It is beautiful. 🤩
Profound yet basic. Yet another wonderful story. Thank you, sir!
This one really made me think. Those are the best stories, the ones to reflect on because if you don’t, you will miss the message thrown to the Universe. So well done! Thank you.
thank you for your kind note.
"We rise by lifting others" Robert G. Ingersoll. You, my friend are totally inspiring with your beautiful story telling. They are love letters for the soul.
I appreciate that. Thank you.
Another great story!! The gentleman from Mumbai put this story into perspective...very insightful!!
Yet another awesome experience. Thanks for sharing!
Your life lessons fill my heart. Thank you always...for sharing
You're a great story-teller and it's good advice - to embrace our experiences. I will try to remember it and be 'in the moment', maybe the idea will ... take root. 😏
Thanks for sharing with us.
Douche canoe? Can't stop laughing. Thank you for your inspirational stories! Please, keep them coming and I'll keep sharing
Thank you, David. I appreciate the encouragement!
@@nealfoard Appreciate the content. Looking forward to your speaking engagements, maybe?
I understand this feeling. I've had lots of near death brushes. Due to a severe mental illness that gave me a death wish. In fact, since I was depressed lots, these near death euphories were my only experiences where the depression was absent. So, this only made me risk more. Long story short... my illness got worse, I sought help from doctors, it only got worse and worse. I was so desperate at one point, I was begging my therapist for ketamine. I had heard it gave temporary relief. I was literally on my knees begging for help and stating I was literally at the end of my rope and was desperately trying not to breakdown COMPELTELY. I was getting nowhere since it's only a clinical trial and doctor's were not going to give it a try. So, I remembered back in the day, there were magic mushrooms. I figured, close enough, and I asked my adult son to try and find me some. He got some old ones that were weak. But, I didn't know it, but I had then done a micro dose. It was working. So, I bought some fresh ones and was slowly upping the dose to find the right level. But, oops, I grew up in Canada at the time the were introducing metric. This meant my brain had two measuring systems, but since I am dyslexic, in my brain they go back and forth and I mix them up. This caused me to screw up my measuring and I converted wrong and ended up taking a "heroic journey". I thought I was taking a gram, but I took close to seven grams. Oh my. Oh my. Long story. The point is this. After I realized my mistake, and after I realized I "swear word", and after I accepted that I was going to die, and it was okay, I went on my trip. The universe literally opened up and I was one with everything. My dead mother and father were in the mix and I could feel their presence. Oh, but don't think I had visual hallucinations. I've never gotten them no matter how many hits of tab I did back in the day. Once I did an experiment and did a whole lot and never saw anything that actually wasn't there. Long story... again. So, these were mental projections and not visuals distortions. The walls of my room were still there, it's just that my mind could travel through them and could entire all of existence as only a small point that completely surrounded me. Maybe, because I can't possibly remember, but maybe, it was just like being back in the womb. Anyway, just saying I understand the universe. But can't describe it to you accurately. And the end of my long story, the mushrooms worked. My depression and anger ebbed away, and it was replaced with wonder. The universe opened up, and the cloud over my head disappeared. It's sunny now. AND, to quote the prophetic words of the great Buddy Ryan (John Astin) , from Night Court, "I'm feeling much better now."
That is an extraordinary tale, and an extraordinary journey. Whooooeeee, that's an adventure.
@@nealfoard I'm sorry... and Canadian... I know you meant your reply as a compliment, but I went to a very dark place almost immediately. My fault of course. For you see, I finished your quote and went onto to do my own performance aloud... "a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury. Signifying nothing." My bad... I know you meant well. You see I obsess over words. Tale. I was compelled to go there. Thank you. I'm over the darkness of The Scottish Play.
Wow! That really is a heroic journey. Glad you're in a good place. Well done, brother.
wow. you're a fantastic storyteller you are so good at it I often wonder if these are your stories or you are a really good teller of stories .. with the power of a personal touch
Thank you for your kind assessment. Most are my own experiences.
Loved your story. I had a similar experience in 1975 in the San Gabriel mountains north of Los Angeles. I was a young buck, newly married with a new baby in a crib. My mojo was rock climbing. One fine afternoon I was up the mountain, with zero equipment, hand over hand climbing. I was suddenly in the situation that you described. Could not go up, and could not go down. Panic! The thought then crossed my mind: what the hell was I doing: trying to kill myself? I had huge responsibilities to my new son and my wonderful spouse. I was the leader of 25 soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen who looked to me for leadership, and here I was hanging in space. Like you, I was gifted with new energy and life, and lay heaving for new breath on this steep mountain side after achieving new safety.. That was when I heard another voice! "I am king of the world" the voice declared. That voice came from about 100 feet below and 200 feet to the side of me. I replied, loudly, "No you're NOT. Silence from the "King". I still wonder what that poor fella thought about the voice from above.
Hahahahahaha! That is gold. Absolute gold. I wish I could have seen his face. Stay awesome.
Still laughing at your story. I have the feeling the authority with which you yelled your reply was apparent. Go forth and remain awesome.
@@nealfoard As a mid level Army (Major) officer at the time, I was accustomed to using my command voice, Sometimes it worked!
It’s like you’re touching the face of God
Thank you for that.
yep
Now - [whenever I see one of those "stock" pictures of a bristlecone pine up in Inyo County, California, in the Sierra Nevada Mountains] - I know that I'll think of this touching story about your experience as a 14-year-old ............ i.e., trying to find some peace/calm in your life, you know.
Transcendent, 'just totally ~*t.r.a.n.s.c.e.n.d.e.n.t.*~, Neal.
You get up next to a living thing that old and something feels different. Objectively, there’s something going on. It should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Second time I've watched this. And it won't be the last. Thank you.
Dammit! Every time! 😢 😭
Beautiful message to absorb... you have met some wise people in your life. My guess is they are all around you as you draw them in. How lucky for you.
I have been graced by a lot of wonderful people. I haven't yet told the stories of the ones I most admire.
@@nealfoard looking forward to more
Great story, but how did you get down from up there?
Hahaha! The long way around. 😎
NDEs confirm and add to this experience of heightened consciousness and connection to all things.
yep... the ultimate Zen moment. learning experience?
Often roots are overlooked. In anything. Love. Hatred. Division. We see the tree as either beautiful or dead. At the base of either, often hidden, are the roots of it. How were they nourished? How are mine...
Love others. Don't listen to nourished and encouraged far too often hatred. Instead listen to your community. Be that strength. Don't wait for another to do it. You do it.
Be the life giving roots.
@@thaduke4663 Hey Duke, what an incredibly thoughtful insight. Thank you for that. Well put.
If your experience was anything like what I experienced, you were also surrounded by the perfect calmness and peace that defies any mortal explanation. Not everything can be explained by medical science and human functions.
Yes, I remember a great sense of calm. I also remember a peculiar sense of forgiveness... a kind of universal sense that we have to be very reluctant to judge others.
@@nealfoard Precisely; a feeling of deep compassion, understanding and mercy. I have often wondered if having that feeling 24/7 would be too much for we humans to bear; and if that is the reason that feeling is impermanent.
I had the same exact thing happen to me but I had to let go. I started falling knowing the impact was going to kill me so I shifted so I that would land flat and right when I hit the ground......I jumped up and kicked the covers off and woke up out of my dream.
Been there. Once I had a dream where I was falling down a long staircase, and then just decided I would land softly and I did. It's the weird phenomenon of controlling your dreams. You have reminded me I need to take a course in how to do that.
Could you ever sound like a gerbil? You've got a great voice and engaging presentation. Keep encouraging us all.
Ha! Thank you.
That comment was actually supposed to go on the video about enthusiasm where you end with a comment about sounding like a gerbil if you had to imitate a yell again.
@@johnlaufer5795 I gotcha. I knew what you meant. But I respect the clarification. I appreciate a man who doesn't like to leave loose ends.
This guy. I found him on tiktok. I now follow him on UA-cam and IG. His stories are epic and they always make me smile.
Thanks, Bonnie! I appreciate the review. If I am making you smile, then I'm happy. ;)
How in the world does Neal not have 10x the following that he deserves? Love your videos, sir!
That’s awfully nice of you to say. For now I’m glad that everyone here is so dang cool. 😎😎😎🤜🤛
@@nealfoard @theurlord99 Precisely because he's that kind of guy that doesn't do it for "followers". He understands.
@@mikhaelaa Ha! Well, I think it's mostly because I DON'T understand how any of this works. But that's cool. You're here. Meanwhile, there's a fantastic poem by an old Persian philosopher named Hafez that just slays me: "The small man builds cages for everyone he knows, while the sage, who has to duck his head when the moon is low, keeps dropping keys all night long for the beautiful rowdy prisoners." I can't completely figure out if that applies here, but something tells me the point isn't how many people you reach. It's just that we're together in this thing.
@@nealfoard Well said. And believe me, my friend, you should keep it that way (not understanding how these things "work"). Thank you for putting out your work out into the world. Perhaps, in that poem, you're the sage - leaving keys to whomever will choose to free oneself; to unlock his/her potential and to tap into one's humanity. And perhaps, too, that "small man" lives inside each and every one of us, preventing one from experiencing greatness.
Side note - isn't it amazing to experience the differences of approach between East and West? After living in Canada most of my life, I repatriated to Africa at the age of 35, and I'm much better off because of it (for many reasons and by the way, you should have received an email from me!).
Whenever anyone asks me what "raconteur" means, I'll just send them to this channel.
Ha! You've made my day. Much appreciated. I need to get business cards that say that.
Amazing. Im loving your Arabic / Indian accent too.
oh snap -- found it here as well
...And I'm glad you did, Mr. Wanner-sounds-like-honor. Here are my favorite videos: ua-cam.com/video/KfzNbzur8dw/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/bhv-vpDH8u4/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/v0gx7CS-ZaA/v-deo.html
Neal
@@nealfoard glorious every one -- but your daughter coaching sanchez to that win, that was somethin else
@@RCodyWanner I stood next to the team manager during the mayhem and he said, "For most of these boys, this will be the only time in their lives anyone will ask them for an autograph. Thank your little girl for that."
@@nealfoard 😭😭
Two things. First, "trippin' balls" put you into a new category for me, and you were already pretty far up there.
Second, more and more neurobiologists are saying in moments like that, where something eye opening or profound has changed our neurochemistry, it's actually bringing down the facade we've manufactured for ourselves and allowing us a peek at reality. Not our own reality, but the universal reality. It's happened to me twice and I'm different for it.
I am glad you've had the actual experience. What you describe above has the ring of truth for me. In my case, it felt very much like a window opening and closing. I did Ayahuasca once, and the effect was nowhere near as revelatory and clear as what I experienced in those mountains. I can't shake the feeling that my experience as a teenager had something to do with not being able to see or feel any other human presence.
@@nealfoard my "events" spawned from a deep thought pattern. I happened upon a place where the world appeared raw and in its natural form, organized particles. It reminded me that I'm made of the same stuff, but it wasn't a nihilistic feeling, which it easily could have been. It was more a oneness. Scary, to be sure. Any time we realize we're not the construct we've built for ourselves it feels naked and raw.
Anyway, this is another in a really interesting series of videos. May you never run out of stories.
I love trees
Excellence
Thanks Brian. 😎
Suszq - I love every one of his storiesémessages
Thanks Susan! Happy new year 🎆!! I appreciate that.
Whether you know this or not, you are a channel from the other side.
What a beautiful thing to say. I appreciate the thought. Thank you for taking the time. Stay awesome.
Your neuroscientist friend sounds like a mechanic who thinks they can race cars, because they know how to make the car go. Our society is likewise filled with people who knows how to make money and therefore think they know what life is all about, because their life is all about money.
100%. Ah, there is so much cleverness and so little wisdom. Sigh.