In my experience, phasing out sugar over a few days make the transition much less intense. I have been on the wagon and off the wagon several times over the years. For me, a cheat day is almost a guaranteed relapse. Thanks Eric!
I did cut out added sugar again (down to 10 grams a day)...and the withdrawals have not been nearly as bad as the first time (when my daily added sugar intake was probably 100+ grams of added sugar per day). I have just been really thirsty and peeing a lot.
@@NondualityChannel As I mentioned in my comment about your bout with pneumonia, I strongly advocate water fasting for a few days or a week. It purifies your body and eliminates cravings. Plus, it really intensifies your spiritual growth (even for an enlightened being like you!)
Sugar is something I'm trying to overcome now. I agree, I think it's about weaning yourself off. It's so nice to be free from sugar though. It feels incredible
I learned to eat fruits on an empty stomach I also eat veges and nuts Your body cleans up over time and you feel perfect Great set up for energy meditation and a relaxed mind that sets you up for enlightenment
I was an addict that woke up TO being an addict. 11 years ago I woke up spontaneously, and continued being an addict the entire time. I even sobered up only to get addicted to other objects in my life. As I finally reached the "end" of my path, it started to become clear to me that I was running away from myself this entire time. Yes, you can be addicted. Look at Alan Watts, he suffered until the day he died yet had this profound wisdom. Don't think that you are anything more than human, because you are still limited to basic human functions. Yes, you may be infinite consciousness, but see how frail you become once you strip yourself of all the addictions you've been harboring. The toughest addiction of them all? Thinking! Good luck out there, and trust me guys, no drug can top what you can feel once you are fully there. I am. Namaste.
Thank you so much for this video. It’s so beautiful how the universe aligns seemingly “random” videos/signs for us every step of the way, this was exactly what I have been struggling to find an answer to. Many blessings to all :)
Such a great video! Thank you. From what I have read of Nisargadatta Maharaj, I heard that he was addicted to smoking tobacco, and he would chain smoke bidis which are a kind of Indian cigarette. Makes complete sense that the body can be addicted and yet there is no suffering.
I had been smoking weed pretty regularly for about 3 years. The spirit guardians wanted me to stop. I never understood why so I eventually looked it up. When I became aware that it was lowering my high vibration, I stopped immediately without any care. When suffering from alcoholism for years before Awakening, I couldn't stop. I see what you mean but I totally feel as if I can stop anything I want now.
If you can be addicted with no suffering then you can just as easily quit the addiction with no suffering. Either way is fine, we all die very soon anyhow. I believe thru awakening we can choose to quit addiction so as to support/love others who suffer from addictions.
I like coffee. Caffeine is a drug. I go through cycles of drinking it and abstaining. During caffeine withdrawal, I experience mild headaches, but not irritability because, for me, the headache is merely data, and most importantly, my doing. I liked the coffee, I drank it knowing I would eventually cycle off of it. If I don't want to feel the pain, I'll take something for it.. and that's that.
Coffee is very psychologically addictive for me as well, as in I feel brain fogged and miserable if I don't have my morning cuppa. I wish I could just give it up but I've unintentionally become a coffee snob. I've even joined a special coffee club membership at my local supermarket and drink only the finest imported coffee. It's actually ridiculous but I can't quit coffee. I've managed to cut out sugars, meat, chocolate, bread. Caffeine is my Achilles Heel (and my Kryptonite 😜)...
@@nat998 but seriously...come off it! COFFEE! you adorable, admirable soberlings!!! Don´t get air addicted next...(i write in good humour if this is an englishly understandable phrase) xx
I had my 1st spiritual glances closely related to my cocain addiction.... now many years later still generally addicted to all sorts of chemical compounds, but my main addiction is to the beautiful stories we call life. Also it way funnily more suprising to find out i can cold turkey stop with almost no withdrawal, stil i am a bit afraid of the withdrawal of the egoic tales
Great question. I think someone enlightened is more aware of their addictions and in a better position to address them. I am one of the fortunate who have been able to sample everything and put them aside if I start to see them impacting me negatively. The one I haven't gotten a firm hold over yet is sugar.
Yes, I feel so. I was on many deadly and addictive prescription drugs and I used kratom to come off of them. I also then quit a 48 year cigaretter habit. The drinking of beer has fell away. I no longer eat sugar or junk food. I am dependent on hratom for many reasons. If I tend to use more than usual, my body responds with symptoms like dehydration, But I will just wait until the time comes where this can then fall away. It saved me from way more than any harm it has caused.
I used to believe that an enlightened person would not be addicted to anything. Then I learned that Alan Watts was an alcoholic. To my mind if Alan Watts could be an alcoholic enlightenment does not preclude addiction.
Very grateful for this video ..i found zero carbs helped put the body into ketosis so it uses stored fat as fuel and not sugar/carbs as fuel. The body makes the switch .this has akways been my achiles heal in regard to being awake and having this sugar addiction..i dont have the addiction. .body does. Woohoo. So much clarity now. Thankyou .
Thank you :) I am working with health and the different aspects of it, so I'm always interested in different perspectives -I'd like ask some clarifying questions.. everyone is more than welcome to answer :) You say "Givng the body one day of candy so it doesn't feel deprived".. The "I like candy" /desire for candy isn't that purely mental? People cure these things through hypnosis, near death experience, falling in love, psychedelics etc. And why would theses harmful addictive substances occur as tempting in "this person's" illusory reality? Why would I be drawn towards something harmful in my dream? and why would the body be drawn to this harmful energy, if it's not because it is of the energy/"reflection" in the present (and the mind's attempt to seek stimulation/away from it)?
I’m trying to live a life free of marijuana addiction after nearly 30 years of almost daily use. Not many videos I’ve found on the non-dual understanding address this issue and I Am so grateful for it.. any other pointers anyone? There is little to no guilt or shame apparent around this but the body continues to want what it is used to so where to from here? Lol I was REALLY hoping that it would all miraculously evaporate into a cloud of “Love n’ Light” upon the recognition of my true nature but oh well..lol!
New Mexico legalized last year, and everyone switched to dispensary weed that I do not trust since the government got involved. A good friend recently tried to quit smoking weed and faced a physical withdrawal so bad that he had to go back. I guess with that info, you should taper first.
Can i just say, if you are reading labels on food , you are already eating the wrong stuff. Eat basic wholefood... and nothing from factory farming. And try and walk as your primary way of getting around. If you're lifestyle and job dosent permit plenty of walking everyday, then change them. I say this to everyone. Good luck.
It is experienced here that in the course of realizing, needs, and following that, habits started to change by itself. Eating meat and drinking alcohol left me completely, sugar intake reduced drastically. Processed food was no longer accepted by the body. This was no doing, there was no intention, agenda or plan. It just happened. The body, not messed around by the thinking mind, came to exert its own innate wisdom and started to balance the needs accordingly. There are no concepts involved. I don't consider myself vegan, or anti-anything. Occasionally, eating meat happens for instance when visiting a restaurant or friends and nothing else is available. There is no problem in this. But left alone to its own innate needs, other choices seem to happen. Of course, unhealthy habits can prolong or even prevent this process of clarification from happening. Western eating habits certainly will. All around us, in advertising, supermarkets, the unnatural examples of friends and family, we are presented with these habits. Even if the mind is gone, vigilance is still a good thing to not blindly follow. But even when this occasionally might happen, the body will clearly protest (all be it only the next day). If we pick up these signals, and listen to the body, all will correct itself. Some signals are more difficult to pick up, because they only present long term, causing diseases, or being overweight. Of course this will be accepted in liberation, but this is neither here nor there. Nevertheless it is a sign of the body not allowed to be in complete touch with itself because of disturbing influences. The human body naturally has the mechanism to store fat (and sugars/carbohydrates will be stored as fat) to use in bad times. In our modern abundance, these bad times don't happen anymore, which allows the body to grow too much stock. Modern foods and eating habits are designed to mess with the natural signals of the body to limit its intake. So the body will be cheated into eating too much. This is why additional vigilance is required. Even when liberated, we need to use the clear thinking power of the brain to see through this and change habits and prevent orchestrated outside manipulation. Besides freedom from the known, we need freedom from the unknown as well. We must protect the body from this slow and veiled poisoning taking place. If we refrain as much as possible from processed foods, pastry and concentrated forms of natural food (like in fruit drinks (self made or not), tomato sauce etc) and in stead buy only fresh vegetables, eat only fresh fruit in whole units, this will limit our intake naturally and take care of all excess. When the balance in the body is restored, it will by itself no longer crave for this kind and amounts of intake and falling of the wagon will not occur.
I've never associated enlightenment with light, seeing. I've always felt it meant succeeding to make your soul lighter, less heavy, suffer less. You understand better why and how, so you're not as riddled as someone who keeps asking why, how come ?
I have no sugar addiction, no withdrawal, alcohol yes, I actually feel better the day I quite eating sugar but alcohol I'm restless irritable and discontent for a year.
It’s trippy but it’s true. However it doesn’t preclude that we can use this to circumvent our addictions by applying it to the suffer which draws us towards them. But as you know enlightenment isn’t a static state, it’s an understanding that is part of an ongoing and dynamic process
dear Sir, I have been watching your highly informative vids for a long time already; let me add my personal point here, maybe provocing a comment or differing experience. I KNOW FOR SURE WHO I AM (sorry for the capitals) and still sense what is called "languor" in latin, a hollow boredom which is unbearable if not stuffed with all kkinds of stuff; my blood or pee test would make the worst doping sinner a saint in comparison. I just sem not to bear life as such, and yet, i.m.h.o. the definition of "E" is to know for sure who I am. Thanks for reading / any comment on this. Do I have to meditate more (which Sankaracharya ridicules, after the illusion has been seen through); will I lose my body sense over time, fall asleep forever, what next, or will I be having to go to the park each day after I took NIL...Ißm sort of desperate with a view this state would be like this, hardly bearable soberly, for all eternity. Thanks folks. Sori for redunancy (?). xx↗?
depends on how awake u r i have perids of peace no desires etc yet yes am addicted and last of ego hates it I'm far from done enlightenment wise and am still dealing with child abuse trama etc
Sorry any mistakes, my english stil a work in progress. Is it any easier to an enlightened person to drop out of an adiction? From what I understand, a normal person needs a lot of will power to resist the craving of an adiction. But an enlightned one doesn't experience craving or resistence. So even if they can still have physical symptoms of withdraw, once they decide to acept the withdraw, do they have to use some kind of will power or the will to use the substance goes away at the moment of the decision?
Withdrawal is the body craving...and that still happens after enlightenment. I don't think it is any easier to get out of addition because of enlightenment.
Hi Eric, any advice for someone that is dealing with extreme abuse in the form of narcissism? Right now im in my room sleeping in my bed and i feel an awful lot of pressure and scared. So do i just wait this one out and use this as a comment for relieving pain temporarily? In the sense that i am fully present but feeling residue.
Look at this "me" under pressure and scared. Question. Investigate. Also, why are you holding onto the past and imagining futures? Right now you are in your bed and no one else is there...so instead of pressure and scared there could be deep peace.
@@NondualityChannel oof i needed that. The lid is almost off the pressure cooker. Even tough these sensations are imagined, there is no real pain and time doesn’t exist. I still feel it and we all know that it is the ego trying to hold on to bullcrap!
love that...is that an actual experience to follow the "crucial insight?" - can I impact it in any way? - you know; let me know, too. please reply, Booby Mamma. nice name btw. you´re forever save from me ;)
"Can you be enlightened and suffer from an addiction?" ~~~ Trick question! ;) The Enlightened do not 'suffer', period! Alt. question; "Can the Enlightened be addicted to something?" Most certainly! The doctor might have you on all sorts of meds that might have to be gradually lowered until zero. That is an addiction. Many are addicted to the sweet seductive fruits of the ego and will kill to defend! Many are addicted to their beliefs. Etc...
I drank alcohol a lot before being woke. I like getting buzzed. I didn't even want to stop drinking. But my body doesn't seem to want alcohol anymore. Even when I try to get drunk, my body wants to stop drinking before I finish my first drink. lol 🤣😆.
@@paulmetdebbie447 yes seems like it just giving the body a chance, by getting out of it's way letting it's heal itself, and realising there's no you as a separate entity make it easy, ah, naturally easy, love you all.
@@reece1685 If you have determined to stop, then yes...ignore the urge to continue. Or determine not to stop and continue. Whatever you want to do is exactly what the Self wants to do as you.
Hej Eric. Thanx for this Video. Am wondering rather about the time BEFORE enlightenment is happening.. its somehow contradictive.. we're supposed to let everything go and give all up in order to reach enlightenment in the first place..how is this possible if we're hooked on something? Or if the brain/the mind still believes its needs something in order to be well... id appreciate anyones comment on that. ♡
The only thing that needs to be given up is the idea of "me". This by derivative includes "mine". So people are told to give up everything and give up all...but this will not cause enlightenment. It is only a practice to diminish "mine" and by extension diminish "me". Nothing is held onto after enlightenment, but giving everything up before will not cause enlightenment. In fact, as long as the illusion of "me" is believed and the "me" holds power...it is impossible to let everything go and give all up. The "me" will always believe it needs something in order to be well/happy. Even if was possible and everything physical, emotional, and mental were given up...there was still a "me" doing all this and so the "me" is still being held onto. The "me" saying - "look at all that I have given up and let go of...why aren't I enlightened yet?" Let go of what you can...and delve into the "me". Question. Investigate. See that you are not that. Also, regularly be still, be silent, and be fully aware (not even thinking).
Thank you so much for your reply Eric. So one last question i have, is how is it possible to drop the me while being addicted though..i (think) to know exactly that if i try to quit smoking, i dont accept reality as it is right then, since the emotions and feelings arising are to unpleasant to bear for me..i feel uncomfortable and i crave ..and finally i reach out for the smoke or food.. however if i continue to smoke i can meditate 1 or 2 hours and be relativly calm throughout the day watching myself..so to speak as long i keep my bodely needs being fulfilled..isnt then the mind controlling rather then the real I who knows better then to harm myself? Arent i somehow bypassing reality with all its pain and fear that underlying those addictions?
So to clarify my question/my thoughts.. My mind or the me then still says: am in control of all you are doing, so you 'need' to continue to smoke ..and so therefor 'am' also in conrol of you're not being able to let go.. I guess you're suggesting if even dropping the thoughts and questions all about this too?
@@munirah_a The body will have additions prior to awakening, during, and afterward. You are not the body. When the body does not get what it is addicted to the body will have withdrawal symptoms, but still...you are not the body. None of this matters regarding the shattering of the illusion of "me". Smoke or stop smoking...whatever you want to do is exactly what the Self wants to do as you.
Doesnt enlightenment mean increase in ones concious choices. So wouldnt dropping of addictions be easy and not so difficult if one chooses. As one can disassociate from body n mind to a greater degree than avg person. One should be able to easily accept withdrawal symptoms. Secondly if we accept fever, sickness easily like you mention then we may not take urgent steps on time to save ourselves or others. We could waste precious time in taking effective treatment
Enlightenment is not about increasing conscious choice nor is it about disassociation from the body/mind. How can the dissolution of the illusion of separation lead to disassociation? But the enlightened one does fully accept withdrawal symptoms and so does not suffer due to them. It is as it is...neither easy nor difficult. Which acts more quickly to save themselves from sickness, the one who accepts they are sick...or the one who denies they are sick?
Like you say for an elightened person ego is no longer the master but a slave. Also the wise person may identify with the body and mind in a different manner than an average person (less attached perhaps the word), so would they not just watch the cravings rise n fall and not give into addictions.
Thanks for the video. I wanted to ask you for your opinion on reencarnation and who would reencarnate if we are all one and there is no such thing as a “me”
You were never born. You never die. There is no body. There is no mind. Who or what is addicted if there is no body or no who? Addiction comes from the ego self, past thoughts, mind, thinking there is some body here and there. Where do the "addictions" come from? Where do the "withdrawals" come from? Doesn't "addictions" mean unstoppable craving, dependence on substance or thing? Is the mind in control? If you crave, like and "unconsciously" eat sugar candy all the time, everyday, then it means the mind is in control. If you suddenly stop eating candy, you feel there is an extreme sense of demanding more candy (withdrawal symptom), then it means the mind is demanding more candy. You said it, enlightenment is the shattering of illusioned mind. If you are truly or authentically enlightened or awakened, what does the candy taste like? A candy is a candy, but it is not a candy, what is it? 🙏
Before liberation, the mind might ask questions like these. After, the body will take of this by itself. There is no backwards engineering in liberation. It is not about changing habits deliberately in order to get liberation. Liberation will happen or not, and if it does, some habits might change. But liberation is not a matter of peculiarities of behaviour, it is about freedom from the Known, not freedom from habits. It will all be taken care of.
All addictions are the same. Do I have to be celibate to awaken - ua-cam.com/video/gKNmNTg_lHw/v-deo.html The same applies...semen retention is not necessary for enlightenment.
Thank you for your very lucid answer. Can one be enlightened and still be what is commonly referred to as an “introvert”? If the answer is “yes”, is introversion experienced differently after awakening?
I was an introvert before enlightenment and remain an introvert. I have not noticed a change in how it is experienced, just that there is no longer suffering involved.
@@NondualityChannel Thank you for taking the time to respond. That is very helpful to know. Then, we need not blame or judge ourselves for being this way. It is just natural. Another aspect of what is.
It’s been a while but thought I’d chime in. Sometimes introversion is actually fear like social anxiety. I know because I had it. Now that I’m more awaken I’m much more engaged with people often talking openly with random people I meet because I’ve overcome the subtle conditioning of avoiding. So some aspects improve as fear is removed. But if you enjoy solitary activities for their own sake, this will likely remain
Top advice, quality presentation. Thanks Eric 🙏. Question: How would your good self contrast 'enlightenment in terms of longevity'? (I tend to concur somewhat with a Mr Jung quote that life begins at 40, anything prior is practice).
@@NondualityChannel but is this illusion of longevity shattered more often than not beyond the approximate age of 40 years in any particular individual?
@@NondualityChannel Thanks for the replies Eric. Yes, I realise that people can awaken at a younger age, one has awoken from my information age 7. My understanding would be that it is perhaps more likely for an individual to become enlightened beyond age 40 years in our modern era due to the stranglehold of western conditioning. Would you say this might be the case or that their is equal opportunity of becoming enlightened either before or after 40 years?
I'm trying to learn but I really like smoking marijuana and I thought to myself your sinful man for this but I just can't feel bad every day I have to work through a brain that has been traumatized for over 23 years of trauma plus adhd and weed helps the adhd symptoms and other symptoms to go away and I feel more intuned with world I just feel I have a vail if you will with out the weed ..
Also; Compare the nutrition of beef and eggs to all other "foods" and be amazed. But doctors like ken berry, anthony chaffee, shawn baker and others have hundreds of videos explaining in great detail why meat is essential and all other so called food is not. I was very skeptical at first. Not anymore.
I did! And Heres the thing, if you are not grounded in your body and physical reality. You Will experience a come down sooner than later. Specially if you start playing with intoxicatings as i did because i thought i was invincible. I did that and almost killed myself, and experienced a crazy psychosis trying to come back up in vibration and conscious awareness. Also if you practice Lets say non duality the last eshalon Is coming full back on the human with no desperation whatsoever between what you call mind-body and awareness . Dont bypass your emotions and dont be a fuckin ghost forever. Thats boring. You are living on earth. So work on your human being, ground yourself, Let your mind work and do things you love. You are alive.
What is a family other than a concept of the mind, and a bundle of shared habits and convictions? Go beyond this. No baby is born addicted naturally. It is only layers of conditioning that will cause this. The body will have its vulnerabilities, but it is always the mind that uses these cunningly to assert itself.
Yup, most humans are addicted to carbs. Here I am, 9 months later, 8 months of eating only meat, eggs, some cream, salt and water and I, like tens of thousands of others on the carnivore diet, have the healthiest body/mind ever. Consider this; agriculture has been around for maybe 15 or 20 thousand years. Genetically modified fruits and vegetables for maybe 2 or 3 hundred years. The foods that fill supermarket shelves today, less than 100 years. Before all that, humans have been eating meat for millions of years. Also, consider this; Some humans are profiting hugely on the new foods and on medicines and medical procedures and vitamins and supplements and on and on and on. 😐 Enlightenment doesn't change reality, it reveals it. But if we've been conditioned to think a certain way, ideas such as that humans are omnivores, that conditioning will remain unless we learn otherwise.
I personally don't think their is a single enlightened being living. If said person existed all of humanity would know because this being would transcend to an elevated form of being. Many people had brief enlightenment experiences but cannot hold it within the vessel. One that is truly enlightened would shine their light so bright that even being within the vicinity of them would lead you to enlightenment. There's higher levels of consciousness that people have reached but it's been thousands of years since we've had a truly enlightened being.
Sadhguru JV, seems like an enlightened being, in his presence, if you are open, his energy will change you, some of the most profound spiritual experiences I have experienced were in his presence
@@boobymamma1877 he's definitely at a higher level of consciousness but still not enlightened. He even says the same as me in regards to being able to touch others or be around them to receive divine knowledge and revelations. I'm a huge fan of his and have made and consecrated a special Yantra because of his more deep esoteric sciences. Essentially I've made a giant crystal ball dedicated to Shiva . At times it even starts to come alive and move. Most don't believe me but a few close friends have come to my place to witness this themselves and they still can't rationalize what they have seen. I'm going to keep breathing life into this deity in hopes to bring full life to it's image. Then go around with solar touch blinding folks with the light lol
@@DMTmates wow your creation sounds cool! so do you think you are enlightened? I haven’t watched any of your videos yet I just ran across that one this morning
@@boobymamma1877 no I don't think I'm enlightened but my end goal in life is to become such a being to uplift humanity to save it from itself. I'm into some really deep stuff which has given me the ability to see and experience that such a thing is possible but not easy. The doors to heaven don't open easily that's for sure lol
In my experience, phasing out sugar over a few days make the transition much less intense. I have been on the wagon and off the wagon several times over the years. For me, a cheat day is almost a guaranteed relapse. Thanks Eric!
I did cut out added sugar again (down to 10 grams a day)...and the withdrawals have not been nearly as bad as the first time (when my daily added sugar intake was probably 100+ grams of added sugar per day). I have just been really thirsty and peeing a lot.
@@NondualityChannel As I mentioned in my comment about your bout with pneumonia, I strongly advocate water fasting for a few days or a week. It purifies your body and eliminates cravings. Plus, it really intensifies your spiritual growth (even for an enlightened being like you!)
Sugar is something I'm trying to overcome now. I agree, I think it's about weaning yourself off. It's so nice to be free from sugar though. It feels incredible
I learned to eat fruits on an empty stomach
I also eat veges and nuts
Your body cleans up over time and you feel perfect
Great set up for energy meditation and a relaxed mind that sets you up for enlightenment
I was an addict that woke up TO being an addict. 11 years ago I woke up spontaneously, and continued being an addict the entire time. I even sobered up only to get addicted to other objects in my life. As I finally reached the "end" of my path, it started to become clear to me that I was running away from myself this entire time. Yes, you can be addicted. Look at Alan Watts, he suffered until the day he died yet had this profound wisdom. Don't think that you are anything more than human, because you are still limited to basic human functions. Yes, you may be infinite consciousness, but see how frail you become once you strip yourself of all the addictions you've been harboring. The toughest addiction of them all? Thinking! Good luck out there, and trust me guys, no drug can top what you can feel once you are fully there. I am. Namaste.
Thank you so much for this video. It’s so beautiful how the universe aligns seemingly “random” videos/signs for us every step of the way, this was exactly what I have been struggling to find an answer to. Many blessings to all :)
Before enlightenment, drink beer, eat pizza. After enlightenment, drink beer eat pizza. Namaste🙏
Yes! After many years of progress, I still eat my favorite foods!
It’s interesting to hear, it’s easy to think enlightenment solves everything including addictions.
Such a great video! Thank you. From what I have read of Nisargadatta Maharaj, I heard that he was addicted to smoking tobacco, and he would chain smoke bidis which are a kind of Indian cigarette. Makes complete sense that the body can be addicted and yet there is no suffering.
I had been smoking weed pretty regularly for about 3 years. The spirit guardians wanted me to stop. I never understood why so I eventually looked it up. When I became aware that it was lowering my high vibration, I stopped immediately without any care. When suffering from alcoholism for years before Awakening, I couldn't stop. I see what you mean but I totally feel as if I can stop anything I want now.
Your words and insights really resonate with much of the non attachment aspect of spiritual work I have been cultivating and reinforcing. Thank you!
If you can be addicted with no suffering then you can just as easily quit the addiction with no suffering. Either way is fine, we all die very soon anyhow. I believe thru awakening we can choose to quit addiction so as to support/love others who suffer from addictions.
I like coffee. Caffeine is a drug. I go through cycles of drinking it and abstaining. During caffeine withdrawal, I experience mild headaches, but not irritability because, for me, the headache is merely data, and most importantly, my doing. I liked the coffee, I drank it knowing I would eventually cycle off of it. If I don't want to feel the pain, I'll take something for it.. and that's that.
Coffee is very psychologically addictive for me as well, as in I feel brain fogged and miserable if I don't have my morning cuppa. I wish I could just give it up but I've unintentionally become a coffee snob. I've even joined a special coffee club membership at my local supermarket and drink only the finest imported coffee. It's actually ridiculous but I can't quit coffee. I've managed to cut out sugars, meat, chocolate, bread. Caffeine is my Achilles Heel (and my Kryptonite 😜)...
@@nat998 but seriously...come off it! COFFEE! you adorable, admirable soberlings!!! Don´t get air addicted next...(i write in good humour if this is an englishly understandable phrase) xx
@@jensmaass9056 🤣🤣🤣🤣👍👌
I had my 1st spiritual glances closely related to my cocain addiction.... now many years later still generally addicted to all sorts of chemical compounds, but my main addiction is to the beautiful stories we call life. Also it way funnily more suprising to find out i can cold turkey stop with almost no withdrawal, stil i am a bit afraid of the withdrawal of the egoic tales
God has been helping me break out of all addictions and unhealthy patterns
Great question. I think someone enlightened is more aware of their addictions and in a better position to address them. I am one of the fortunate who have been able to sample everything and put them aside if I start to see them impacting me negatively. The one I haven't gotten a firm hold over yet is sugar.
Yes, I feel so. I was on many deadly and addictive prescription drugs and I used kratom to come off of them. I also then quit a 48 year cigaretter habit. The drinking of beer has fell away. I no longer eat sugar or junk food. I am dependent on hratom for many reasons. If I tend to use more than usual, my body responds with symptoms like dehydration, But I will just wait until the time comes where this can then fall away. It saved me from way more than any harm it has caused.
I used to believe that an enlightened person would not be addicted to anything. Then I learned that Alan Watts was an alcoholic. To my mind if Alan Watts could be an alcoholic enlightenment does not preclude addiction.
I didn't know that 😳😳
Karl Renz
ua-cam.com/video/UOPqoZniLU4/v-deo.html
Yeah, Alan was quite the character! A genius, but had his personal hangups, like pretty much all of us!
@@nat998 one might say he played the role of human quite perfectly.
@@nat998
The Egg
ua-cam.com/video/h6fcK_fRYaI/v-deo.html
Thank you again Eric, so helpful. 🙏
This is guy is 100% correct. Good stuff.
Very grateful for this video ..i found zero carbs helped put the body into ketosis so it uses stored fat as fuel and not sugar/carbs as fuel. The body makes the switch .this has akways been my achiles heal in regard to being awake and having this sugar addiction..i dont have the addiction. .body does. Woohoo. So much clarity now. Thankyou .
Thank you :)
I am working with health and the different aspects of it, so I'm always interested in different perspectives -I'd like ask some clarifying questions.. everyone is more than welcome to answer :)
You say "Givng the body one day of candy so it doesn't feel deprived".. The "I like candy" /desire for candy isn't that purely mental? People cure these things through hypnosis, near death experience, falling in love, psychedelics etc.
And why would theses harmful addictive substances occur as tempting in "this person's" illusory reality? Why would I be drawn towards something harmful in my dream? and why would the body be drawn to this harmful energy, if it's not because it is of the energy/"reflection" in the present (and the mind's attempt to seek stimulation/away from it)?
I’m trying to live a life free of marijuana addiction after nearly 30 years of almost daily use. Not many videos I’ve found on the non-dual understanding address this issue and I Am so grateful for it.. any other pointers anyone? There is little to no guilt or shame apparent around this but the body continues to want what it is used to so where to from here? Lol I was REALLY hoping that it would all miraculously evaporate into a cloud of “Love n’ Light” upon the recognition of my true nature but oh well..lol!
New Mexico legalized last year, and everyone switched to dispensary weed that I do not trust since the government got involved. A good friend recently tried to quit smoking weed and faced a physical withdrawal so bad that he had to go back. I guess with that info, you should taper first.
@@edie4321 Cheers for that Mate! Much appreciated
I'm wishing you much ease. If it is your time, it should fall away. It starts with an intention. I intend you have great ease in quitting.@@108lukas
Can i just say, if you are reading labels on food , you are already eating the wrong stuff. Eat basic wholefood... and nothing from factory farming. And try and walk as your primary way of getting around. If you're lifestyle and job dosent permit plenty of walking everyday, then change them. I say this to everyone. Good luck.
Hi Eric. Great video. Could you do video on anxiety especially social anxiety.
It is experienced here that in the course of realizing, needs, and following that, habits started to change by itself. Eating meat and drinking alcohol left me completely, sugar intake reduced drastically. Processed food was no longer accepted by the body. This was no doing, there was no intention, agenda or plan. It just happened. The body, not messed around by the thinking mind, came to exert its own innate wisdom and started to balance the needs accordingly. There are no concepts involved. I don't consider myself vegan, or anti-anything. Occasionally, eating meat happens for instance when visiting a restaurant or friends and nothing else is available. There is no problem in this. But left alone to its own innate needs, other choices seem to happen.
Of course, unhealthy habits can prolong or even prevent this process of clarification from happening. Western eating habits certainly will. All around us, in advertising, supermarkets, the unnatural examples of friends and family, we are presented with these habits. Even if the mind is gone, vigilance is still a good thing to not blindly follow. But even when this occasionally might happen, the body will clearly protest (all be it only the next day). If we pick up these signals, and listen to the body, all will correct itself.
Some signals are more difficult to pick up, because they only present long term, causing diseases, or being overweight. Of course this will be accepted in liberation, but this is neither here nor there. Nevertheless it is a sign of the body not allowed to be in complete touch with itself because of disturbing influences. The human body naturally has the mechanism to store fat (and sugars/carbohydrates will be stored as fat) to use in bad times. In our modern abundance, these bad times don't happen anymore, which allows the body to grow too much stock. Modern foods and eating habits are designed to mess with the natural signals of the body to limit its intake. So the body will be cheated into eating too much. This is why additional vigilance is required. Even when liberated, we need to use the clear thinking power of the brain to see through this and change habits and prevent orchestrated outside manipulation. Besides freedom from the known, we need freedom from the unknown as well. We must protect the body from this slow and veiled poisoning taking place. If we refrain as much as possible from processed foods, pastry and concentrated forms of natural food (like in fruit drinks (self made or not), tomato sauce etc) and in stead buy only fresh vegetables, eat only fresh fruit in whole units, this will limit our intake naturally and take care of all excess. When the balance in the body is restored, it will by itself no longer crave for this kind and amounts of intake and falling of the wagon will not occur.
I've never associated enlightenment with light, seeing. I've always felt it meant succeeding to make your soul lighter, less heavy, suffer less. You understand better why and how, so you're not as riddled as someone who keeps asking why, how come ?
I have no sugar addiction, no withdrawal, alcohol yes, I actually feel better the day I quite eating sugar but alcohol I'm restless irritable and discontent for a year.
It’s trippy but it’s true. However it doesn’t preclude that we can use this to circumvent our addictions by applying it to the suffer which draws us towards them. But as you know enlightenment isn’t a static state, it’s an understanding that is part of an ongoing and dynamic process
dear Sir, I have been watching your highly informative vids for a long time already; let me add my personal point here, maybe provocing a comment or differing experience. I KNOW FOR SURE WHO I AM (sorry for the capitals) and still sense what is called "languor" in latin, a hollow boredom which is unbearable if not stuffed with all kkinds of stuff; my blood or pee test would make the worst doping sinner a saint in comparison. I just sem not to bear life as such, and yet, i.m.h.o. the definition of "E" is to know for sure who I am. Thanks for reading / any comment on this. Do I have to meditate more (which Sankaracharya ridicules, after the illusion has been seen through); will I lose my body sense over time, fall asleep forever, what next, or will I be having to go to the park each day after I took NIL...Ißm sort of desperate with a view this state would be like this, hardly bearable soberly, for all eternity. Thanks folks. Sori for redunancy (?). xx↗?
Thanks
Thank you!
@@NondualityChannel 🙏
depends on how awake u r i have perids of peace no desires etc yet yes am addicted and last of ego hates it I'm far from done enlightenment wise and am still dealing with child abuse trama etc
Sorry any mistakes, my english stil a work in progress.
Is it any easier to an enlightened person to drop out of an adiction?
From what I understand, a normal person needs a lot of will power to resist the craving of an adiction. But an enlightned one doesn't experience craving or resistence.
So even if they can still have physical symptoms of withdraw, once they decide to acept the withdraw, do they have to use some kind of will power or the will to use the substance goes away at the moment of the decision?
Withdrawal is the body craving...and that still happens after enlightenment. I don't think it is any easier to get out of addition because of enlightenment.
Thank you 🙏🏽
I find having a mineral supplement like Redman real salt, helps sugar withdrawal.
Hi Eric, any advice for someone that is dealing with extreme abuse in the form of narcissism? Right now im in my room sleeping in my bed and i feel an awful lot of pressure and scared. So do i just wait this one out and use this as a comment for relieving pain temporarily? In the sense that i am fully present but feeling residue.
Look at this "me" under pressure and scared. Question. Investigate. Also, why are you holding onto the past and imagining futures? Right now you are in your bed and no one else is there...so instead of pressure and scared there could be deep peace.
@@NondualityChannel oof i needed that. The lid is almost off the pressure cooker. Even tough these sensations are imagined, there is no real pain and time doesn’t exist. I still feel it and we all know that it is the ego trying to hold on to bullcrap!
@@aimane3375 Find out what you’re getting from staying stuck and then decide to let go and move on
@@GratefulZen dude dont tell me what to do when my will is in gods hands it doesnt make sense
@@aimane3375 okay, sorry!
You’re not attached to the body and what it does or doesn’t do, it’s not you, it doesn’t matter, no judgement
love that...is that an actual experience to follow the "crucial insight?" - can I impact it in any way? - you know; let me know, too. please reply, Booby Mamma. nice name btw. you´re forever save from me ;)
🙏
"Can you be enlightened and suffer from an addiction?"
~~~ Trick question! ;)
The Enlightened do not 'suffer', period!
Alt. question;
"Can the Enlightened be addicted to something?"
Most certainly!
The doctor might have you on all sorts of meds that might have to be gradually lowered until zero. That is an addiction.
Many are addicted to the sweet seductive fruits of the ego and will kill to defend!
Many are addicted to their beliefs.
Etc...
I drank alcohol a lot before being woke. I like getting buzzed. I didn't even want to stop drinking. But my body doesn't seem to want alcohol anymore. Even when I try to get drunk, my body wants to stop drinking before I finish my first drink. lol 🤣😆.
This is exactly what happens. The natural body, not being disturbed by the cravings of the mind, will re-arrange its needs and habit by itself.
@@paulmetdebbie447 yes seems like it just giving the body a chance, by getting out of it's way letting it's heal itself, and realising there's no you as a separate entity make it easy, ah, naturally easy, love you all.
Hi Eric, would you say that enlightenment rejects nothing as it includes everything?
Sure. Self alone exists...Self is everything and Self is not rejected.
I stopped vaping a few months ago but there is still a urge to do it what should I do?
Ignore the urge.
@@NondualityChannel does this apply to all urges? Urges to watch porn, urges to drink alcohol, eat chocolate etc?
@@reece1685 If you have determined to stop, then yes...ignore the urge to continue. Or determine not to stop and continue. Whatever you want to do is exactly what the Self wants to do as you.
suffering and happiness are One
Suffering can cease...happiness can remain.
Hej Eric. Thanx for this Video. Am wondering rather about the time BEFORE enlightenment is happening.. its somehow contradictive.. we're supposed to let everything go and give all up in order to reach enlightenment in the first place..how is this possible if we're hooked on something? Or if the brain/the mind still believes its needs something in order to be well... id appreciate anyones comment on that. ♡
The only thing that needs to be given up is the idea of "me". This by derivative includes "mine".
So people are told to give up everything and give up all...but this will not cause enlightenment. It is only a practice to diminish "mine" and by extension diminish "me". Nothing is held onto after enlightenment, but giving everything up before will not cause enlightenment. In fact, as long as the illusion of "me" is believed and the "me" holds power...it is impossible to let everything go and give all up. The "me" will always believe it needs something in order to be well/happy. Even if was possible and everything physical, emotional, and mental were given up...there was still a "me" doing all this and so the "me" is still being held onto. The "me" saying - "look at all that I have given up and let go of...why aren't I enlightened yet?"
Let go of what you can...and delve into the "me". Question. Investigate. See that you are not that. Also, regularly be still, be silent, and be fully aware (not even thinking).
Thank you so much for your reply Eric. So one last question i have, is how is it possible to drop the me while being addicted though..i (think) to know exactly that if i try to quit smoking, i dont accept reality as it is right then, since the emotions and feelings arising are to unpleasant to bear for me..i feel uncomfortable and i crave ..and finally i reach out for the smoke or food.. however if i continue to smoke i can meditate 1 or 2 hours and be relativly calm throughout the day watching myself..so to speak as long i keep my bodely needs being fulfilled..isnt then the mind controlling rather then the real I who knows better then to harm myself? Arent i somehow bypassing reality with all its pain and fear that underlying those addictions?
So to clarify my question/my thoughts..
My mind or the me then still says: am in control of all you are doing, so you 'need' to continue to smoke ..and so therefor 'am' also in conrol of you're not being able to let go..
I guess you're suggesting if even dropping the thoughts and questions all about this too?
@@munirah_a The body will have additions prior to awakening, during, and afterward. You are not the body. When the body does not get what it is addicted to the body will have withdrawal symptoms, but still...you are not the body. None of this matters regarding the shattering of the illusion of "me".
Smoke or stop smoking...whatever you want to do is exactly what the Self wants to do as you.
Thank you Eric, ill shoul see if it sinks in and reaches me ♡ thanks for your time and patience
Doesnt enlightenment mean increase in ones concious choices. So wouldnt dropping of addictions be easy and not so difficult if one chooses. As one can disassociate from body n mind to a greater degree than avg person.
One should be able to easily accept withdrawal symptoms.
Secondly if we accept fever, sickness easily like you mention then we may not take urgent steps on time to save ourselves or others. We could waste precious time in taking effective treatment
Enlightenment is not about increasing conscious choice nor is it about disassociation from the body/mind. How can the dissolution of the illusion of separation lead to disassociation? But the enlightened one does fully accept withdrawal symptoms and so does not suffer due to them. It is as it is...neither easy nor difficult.
Which acts more quickly to save themselves from sickness, the one who accepts they are sick...or the one who denies they are sick?
Like you say for an elightened person ego is no longer the master but a slave. Also the wise person may identify with the body and mind in a different manner than an average person (less attached perhaps the word), so would they not just watch the cravings rise n fall and not give into addictions.
@@amitghildiyal3411 "just watch the cravings rise n fall and not give into addictions" - what is wrong with having a cookie?
Thanks for the video. I wanted to ask you for your opinion on reencarnation and who would reencarnate if we are all one and there is no such thing as a “me”
Try these two videos:
ua-cam.com/video/y8lOCItMQB0/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/MNb4qijqHJE/v-deo.html
@@NondualityChannel Thank you very much, I will watch them❤️👍🙌🏼
Of course you can
You were never born. You never die. There is no body. There is no mind. Who or what is addicted if there is no body or no who? Addiction comes from the ego self, past thoughts, mind, thinking there is some body here and there. Where do the "addictions" come from? Where do the "withdrawals" come from? Doesn't "addictions" mean unstoppable craving, dependence on substance or thing? Is the mind in control? If you crave, like and "unconsciously" eat sugar candy all the time, everyday, then it means the mind is in control. If you suddenly stop eating candy, you feel there is an extreme sense of demanding more candy (withdrawal symptom), then it means the mind is demanding more candy. You said it, enlightenment is the shattering of illusioned mind. If you are truly or authentically enlightened or awakened, what does the candy taste like? A candy is a candy, but it is not a candy, what is it? 🙏
What about masturbation addiction?And do you find semen retention necessary for enlightenment or is ejaculation accepted also?
Before liberation, the mind might ask questions like these. After, the body will take of this by itself. There is no backwards engineering in liberation. It is not about changing habits deliberately in order to get liberation. Liberation will happen or not, and if it does, some habits might change. But liberation is not a matter of peculiarities of behaviour, it is about freedom from the Known, not freedom from habits. It will all be taken care of.
All addictions are the same.
Do I have to be celibate to awaken - ua-cam.com/video/gKNmNTg_lHw/v-deo.html
The same applies...semen retention is not necessary for enlightenment.
Thank you for your very lucid answer. Can one be enlightened and still be what is commonly referred to as an “introvert”? If the answer is “yes”, is introversion experienced differently after awakening?
I was an introvert before enlightenment and remain an introvert. I have not noticed a change in how it is experienced, just that there is no longer suffering involved.
@@NondualityChannel Thank you for taking the time to respond. That is very helpful to know. Then, we need not blame or judge ourselves for being this way. It is just natural. Another aspect of what is.
@@chrisalonge7095 Yes, there is nothing wrong with being an introvert.
It’s been a while but thought I’d chime in. Sometimes introversion is actually fear like social anxiety. I know because I had it. Now that I’m more awaken I’m much more engaged with people often talking openly with random people I meet because I’ve overcome the subtle conditioning of avoiding. So some aspects improve as fear is removed. But if you enjoy solitary activities for their own sake, this will likely remain
Top advice, quality presentation. Thanks Eric 🙏.
Question: How would your good self contrast 'enlightenment in terms of longevity'? (I tend to concur somewhat with a Mr Jung quote that life begins at 40, anything prior is practice).
Enlightenment shatters the illusion of longevity.
@@NondualityChannel but is this illusion of longevity shattered more often than not beyond the approximate age of 40 years in any particular individual?
@@philwyatt2176 I was 31. The Buddha at 35. Ramana Maharshi was 16.
@@NondualityChannel Thanks for the replies Eric.
Yes, I realise that people can awaken at a younger age, one has awoken from my information age 7.
My understanding would be that it is perhaps more likely for an individual to become enlightened beyond age 40 years in our modern era due to the stranglehold of western conditioning.
Would you say this might be the case or that their is equal opportunity of becoming enlightened either before or after 40 years?
@@philwyatt2176 Age of the body does not matter...just because the body is older, it does not increase your odds of enlightenment.
I thought that enlightenment was associated with the end of craving
Craving and withdrawal are two different things. Enjoyments and addictions can still happen after enlightenment.
I'm trying to learn but I really like smoking marijuana and I thought to myself your sinful man for this but I just can't feel bad every day I have to work through a brain that has been traumatized for over 23 years of trauma plus adhd and weed helps the adhd symptoms and other symptoms to go away and I feel more intuned with world I just feel I have a vail if you will with out the weed ..
Also; Compare the nutrition of beef and eggs to all other "foods" and be amazed. But doctors like ken berry, anthony chaffee, shawn baker and others have hundreds of videos explaining in great detail why meat is essential and all other so called food is not.
I was very skeptical at first. Not anymore.
Addiction lower your vibration pot hinders manefestation
No, if you have reached enlightenment then it is a choice not addiction.
The natural mind and body will not make such a choice.
@@paulmetdebbie447 interesting assumption
I’m addicted to breathing air and drinking water
I did! And Heres the thing, if you are not grounded in your body and physical reality. You Will experience a come down sooner than later. Specially if you start playing with intoxicatings as i did because i thought i was invincible. I did that and almost killed myself, and experienced a crazy psychosis trying to come back up in vibration and conscious awareness. Also if you practice Lets say non duality the last eshalon Is coming full back on the human with no desperation whatsoever between what you call mind-body and awareness . Dont bypass your emotions and dont be a fuckin ghost forever. Thats boring. You are living on earth. So work on your human being, ground yourself, Let your mind work and do things you love. You are alive.
I would like to believe you but families do suffer from addictions. So I respectfully disagree.
What is a family other than a concept of the mind, and a bundle of shared habits and convictions? Go beyond this. No baby is born addicted naturally. It is only layers of conditioning that will cause this. The body will have its vulnerabilities, but it is always the mind that uses these cunningly to assert itself.
The short answer is no, the real question is do people really have any understanding of what "enlightenment" actually is?
Yup, most humans are addicted to carbs. Here I am, 9 months later, 8 months of eating only meat, eggs, some cream, salt and water and I, like tens of thousands of others on the carnivore diet, have the healthiest body/mind ever.
Consider this; agriculture has been around for maybe 15 or 20 thousand years. Genetically modified fruits and vegetables for maybe 2 or 3 hundred years. The foods that fill supermarket shelves today, less than 100 years. Before all that, humans have been eating meat for millions of years. Also, consider this; Some humans are profiting hugely on the new foods and on medicines and medical procedures and vitamins and supplements and on and on and on. 😐
Enlightenment doesn't change reality, it reveals it. But if we've been conditioned to think a certain way, ideas such as that humans are omnivores, that conditioning will remain unless we learn otherwise.
I personally don't think their is a single enlightened being living. If said person existed all of humanity would know because this being would transcend to an elevated form of being. Many people had brief enlightenment experiences but cannot hold it within the vessel. One that is truly enlightened would shine their light so bright that even being within the vicinity of them would lead you to enlightenment. There's higher levels of consciousness that people have reached but it's been thousands of years since we've had a truly enlightened being.
the incarnate soul we know as ISVS was an enlightened christic being however no one next to him got enlightened.
Sadhguru JV, seems like an enlightened being, in his presence, if you are open, his energy will change you, some of the most profound spiritual experiences I have experienced were in his presence
@@boobymamma1877 he's definitely at a higher level of consciousness but still not enlightened. He even says the same as me in regards to being able to touch others or be around them to receive divine knowledge and revelations. I'm a huge fan of his and have made and consecrated a special Yantra because of his more deep esoteric sciences. Essentially I've made a giant crystal ball dedicated to Shiva . At times it even starts to come alive and move. Most don't believe me but a few close friends have come to my place to witness this themselves and they still can't rationalize what they have seen. I'm going to keep breathing life into this deity in hopes to bring full life to it's image. Then go around with solar touch blinding folks with the light lol
@@DMTmates wow your creation sounds cool! so do you think you are enlightened? I haven’t watched any of your videos yet I just ran across that one this morning
@@boobymamma1877 no I don't think I'm enlightened but my end goal in life is to become such a being to uplift humanity to save it from itself. I'm into some really deep stuff which has given me the ability to see and experience that such a thing is possible but not easy. The doors to heaven don't open easily that's for sure lol
You sound like an addicted person justifying their addiction pretending they’re enlightened.
Thanks