Thread: My Journey of Transcendence and how it has changed me

I've been on a journey of enlightenment and ascendancy that has completely changed me in body and in mind. I've started this thread to post MY thoughts, enlightenment's, and theory of "stuff". I welcome others opinions but please if all you have to post is some religious or scientific trolling, please expect no reply to your post nor will i even acknowledge it.

I'm gonna post some of my quotes and poems, some of my art and most often just what's on my mind. It will encompass things such as dreaming, Lucid-Dreaming, some of my philosophy regarding life and other matters, some techniques i've found helpful with dream control, some of my art that has been inspired by my change of mindset and other weird things about me. If there's anything you want to discuss with me regarding anything i post but don't want others trolling you about it feel free to PM me, i'm online 75% of the day and will be more than happy to talk to you about any of it, in thread or in PM.

With that stated, here is my first entry:
MementoMori's outlook on life so far...
In my journey i continue to become more and more disconnected with my physical body. With each passing day I continue to see this body as almost a glove that my mind uses to interact with this reality. I can almost "feel" what is filling the glove. When i look at anything, I do see it's anchoring nature of hardness and being a object, but I'm starting to really see every thing as a part of me and me as a part of it. I find that with each passing day i can almost see the energy that makes up all things. When i think of something such as... a ball, sure i see the ball and see how it interacts with other objects, but more than not it breaks down in my mind to being a gathered mass of particles that form this object this way.

So i can no longer look at the ball as just the ball but more of a swell of energy that i interact with threw my swell of energy. When i look out over a sunset over a field with clouds and trees and what not, yes i see it for it's enormity and it's rarity and beauty, but now i'm starting to look from different eyes that, even from my point of view sees that large field as a speck on another speck on yet another speck on yet even another speck. What i mean is that i can see the diminutiveness of our world, and even our galaxy. When i look up into the starry night, i don't get that sense of eternity, but more of a feeling of compression and openness. I honestly feel like a cell on the skin of the earth. So i guess what i'm saying is i'm becoming more aware of my role and connection to all things in this existence-

-MementoMori

I'm really looking forward to this! What a great idea. And you might have inspired me to start my own similar thread. Not completely sure I'm ready to share all that info with the rest of the world just yet though.

Since you are going to be posting stories, art, poems, etc...do you think this would be better suited for the artist corner? I can move it if you like, but if you'd prefer that it stay here, that's just fine as well.

yeah, i'll probably have a pretty good bit of art on here, so i'll just have the philosophy as my side notes to the art, i actually was debating on which of the two to put it in lol.

And yeah, i'm not one hundred percent sure i'm going to post EVERYTHING but i'm going to post most of it, because hey it's just my opinions and views. I'm not trying to persuade anybody, it's basically going to be my way to express myself to the Dream View community and allow others to float around and see if there's anything in Memento's head they might find interesting or helpful with any aspect of LD'ing or whatever else...

Nice start! In fact we seem to be in very similar places right now. A few days ago I had a profound non-dual type experience that sounds very similar to what you describe. I felt the entirety of everything around me as a vast ocean of cause and effect and just completely submitted to it. There was an awareness that existed outside my physical body, watching it react to the world. Its happened a few times since then. Its an amazing experience to say the least.

I'll definitely check back here, I love reading other people's accounts of these things. Perhaps we can learn from each other .

as do i

and i will certainly keep this thread updated as much as possible!
Also i believe there is always something to learn from the views and opinions of another

Here's a Lucid Dreaming logo i made for the DV Academy...

MementoMori's thought's on arguments and the act of arguing:

Being divorced i have been in many arguments, being from an authoritarian family with such an open mind and tough spirit i have had many many arguments. I am very skilled at intelligent debating and arguing. But I find it very detrimental to ones health to actually fight and scream and yell in an argument. For one it takes the argument to an entirely new level that is extremely stressful. That stress can impact, and does impact many parts of your life. This for me includes dreaming. I find that the more I'm stressed the less i dream and if i do dream i never gain lucidity in them if the stress is still there when i fall asleep.

I also find that arguing for the sake of trying to hurt the other only ends up making yourself feel like an ass afterward if you care for that person at all because you eventually will find that the reason you were arguing never overshadows how you care for that person (in most cases). So one should Always breathe deep and slow in an argument and keep a level head. One should go into any argument with a set goal created before they enter the argument but most importantly before they give any thought to the emotions that arise at the beginning of the argument. Keep this goal in mind the entire time, and always remember who you are arguing with. Sometimes we argue with all the assholes we've been faced with that day or, even worse, that week.

When arguing, no matter what never carry that argument with you, nor any emotions or ideas or visualizations that arise during it. These will embed themselves into your subconscious and over time become who you are, and most of the time they are angry ideas and mad thoughts. This is especially detrimental to your relationship with loved ones if this occurs in an argument with one of them.

No matter what never - never, ever let yourself become so upset that you lower to the point where you start cursing and calling the other person names. The first reason this is harmful to oneself is that you may be expressing your current anger at that person and not your true impression of them, yet they will take it for your impression of themselves on you. Most of the time after the argument you will find that that persons opinions do not change your relationship with them or how you feel for that loved one, or at least it should not. Because to want someone to share your exact same beliefs and opinions is to ignore what it is to be human living amongst other humans. Two minds thinking alike sharing the same interests, same beliefs, and the same opinions never can think "outside" the box to better their enlightenment in life and their life in general. This can be proven simply by the renaissance. Two dissimilar minds that can debate in a professional and enlightened way can compare and contrast thoughts and ideas, and build on each others perceptions of those ideas and thoughts, but when one disagrees with the other, to ruin such a beneficial debate by allowing foolish anger to cloud ones mind can hinder that persons progression in business, love, and life.

~MementoMori

Originally Posted by MementoMori

i'm online 75% of the day and will be more than happy to talk to you about any of it, in thread or in PM.

I hope that percentage was an exaggeration. There's only so much a person can learn online!

I honestly feel like a cell on the skin of the earth.

I like this analogy. :3

You mention dissociation, disconnectedness, and oneness. That's not how I approach things, though I'm sure at one point I tried it out.

The most important thing is to keep going. Don't get hung up on one perspective, even one you've held for a while.

lie to your parents

Originally Posted by fairytale complex

lie to your parents

I fully and wholeheartedly disagree with this. I find it becoming easier and more satisfying with each passing year for me to acquire more respect and understanding from my parents because i have withheld very little from them. There's not so many things i've hid from them that you can't count on one hand. It may cause upset or anger to arise but if you continue this, to share everything with your parents, over time they will know you for whom you are which is what most all adult teens wish of most of their parents. Also, stand honest in your opinions and strong in your demeanor and they will almost always know your are being honest, and that there is no tearing you down which unfortunately very many parents do while trying to 'build' their children to who they would like them to be. Be honest with your parents, it will surely do much better than telling them lies.
lol, soon to come Memento's thoughts on parents and children...

I find working hard to Lucid Dream only pays off after a day or two of rest from the practice. Although i also find it easiest to perform DILD instead of WILD. Meditating for about thirty minutes before bed, just laying in bed clearing your mind tuning your thoughts to one vibration, then releasing them and letting go of your body completely can help to put it to sleep quickly. This is especially useful if you've had a long hard day.

~MementoMori

a random badge i did for Dv, just toying around in GIMP

Originally Posted by MementoMori

I fully and wholeheartedly disagree with this. I find it becoming easier and more satisfying with each passing year for me to acquire more respect and understanding from my parents because i have withheld very little from them. There's not so many things i've hid from them that you can't count on one hand. It may cause upset or anger to arise but if you continue this, to share everything with your parents, over time they will know you for whom you are which is what most all adult teens wish of most of their parents. Also, stand honest in your opinions and strong in your demeanor and they will almost always know your are being honest, and that there is no tearing you down which unfortunately very many parents do while trying to 'build' their children to who they would like them to be. Be honest with your parents, it will surely do much better than telling them lies.
lol, soon to come Memento's thoughts on parents and children...

I fully and wholeheartedly disagree with this. Maybe not, but I do disagree with it.

My parents are Catholic. If I told them, "Hey, see you later guys. I'm off to go smoke weed." They would flip. Lies are necessary for civility in a world where social morals are based on fear(I live in America, I don't know about you). Other people's parents would probably flip in the same way if they told them they were gay, or an atheist.

I really wish that my parents could fully understand me and accept me, but I fear this is impossible. We have a healthy relationship, but it certainly isn't as deep or meaningful as I'd like it to be. How can it be, they forced me to go along with their religion for about 6 years after I stopped believing in it. Even now the only reason I get out of going to church is because they think I'm a Buddhist. But I have to be a part of some religion for them to feel like they are good parents, so I lie.

Originally Posted by stonedape

I fully and wholeheartedly disagree with this. Maybe not, but I do disagree with it.

My parents are Catholic. If I told them, "Hey, see you later guys. I'm off to go smoke weed." They would flip. Lies are necessary for civility in a world where social morals are based on fear(I live in America, I don't know about you). Other people's parents would probably flip in the same way if they told them they were gay, or an atheist.

I really wish that my parents could fully understand me and accept me, but I fear this is impossible. We have a healthy relationship, but it certainly isn't as deep or meaningful as I'd like it to be. How can it be, they forced me to go along with their religion for about 6 years after I stopped believing in it. Even now the only reason I get out of going to church is because they think I'm a Buddhist. But I have to be a part of some religion for them to feel like they are good parents, so I lie.

I understand how you feel. But to lie to them is to present your parents with a false image of who you are, so as they try to make decisions and judge you for the things you do, they cannot do so thoroughly and correctly because they don't know who they are judging nor is there a connection between the parent and child on the most basic of relation. It may upset them, but the best thing you could do is be completely honest with them. Now, regarding the issue of drugs, i grew up in a divided home, oh and i live in America also in christennessee where everything is christianity or wrong at least with the older people here. Now, if you're parents would say put you in a reform school or send you away at all for it, then yes, keep it as a personal thing at least until you are an adult and live in your own home. But, ultimately if they would condemn you for something without opening their eyes to see that that drug isn't ruining you nor will it change the fact that you are still their child, then be honest with them anyways. Don't begin in your home what will ruin you in the rest of the world, that is, don't let others stereotypes of you cause you to live a life you don't want to live. If they can't look past that and see that you're still their loving child and it didn't make you a bad person (in the sense of going a committing crimes because of it) then it's their fault they are so narrowed minded. You cannot try to please others always, because then you begin neglecting yourself. Never ever neglect yourself, i'm not saying hold yourself first and foremost above all others 100% of the time but do not try to fit yourself into others pre-fashioned mold of you.

Stand up and say this is me, this is who i am and what i love and what i want and what i believe take or leave that's your choice.... or don't, but the later is a sad unfulfillable way of life.

I agree with you about the parents. I used to lie to my parents all the time, now I am very honest with them and have found that they are much more accepting and much cooler than I ever thought. Also I am older now, and they realize that as an adult I an responsible and can make my own choices, but still, I've told them some crazy shit that I never ever thought they would have accepted. Looks like I have a lot to catch up on in this thread though. Also I love that picture of the blue world...what did you use to create that? It's just lovely.

I haven't posted in here in a while, but i have something to share once more.


I was in a Taco Bell drive thru two days ago and ordered a chicken/steak quesidilia with a soft taco and baja blast to drink.
I asked for a steak quesidilia instead of chicken.
I awaited until i was on a long open stretch of highway to eat my food as i was driving a manual transmission.
I ate the soft taco first, and had a drink of my baja blast.
I then proceeded to eat my quesidilia, i bit into it and immediately realized it was chicken instead of steak.
I'm not one to complain, and i'm a Zen Buddhist so i shouldn't've.
But i wont lie, the thought arose and i became slightly irritated as i chewed the chicken.

Then, something amazing happened.
From this single simple event, so small and insignificant seeming.
I arrived at an insight into life and took yet another step on my journey to enlightenment.

I suddenly had this wave of happiness spread over me.
I realized that although it was a mistake, it was one that changed my day.
I enjoyed the chicken quesidilia and how it tasted.
I realized that i received a wonderful surprise from a mistake.

The insight i received from this is:

Do not look at failures, mistakes, and problems as things that which you should become so upset over and
disregard as things to move past or out of. Instead, look to them, and see what diversity and joy they can bring by teaching us things.
Try to see with acceptance that a problem is not always a hindrance but in most cases can be the vessel by which you arrive at the solution, and in doing so you have gained a certain knowledge from it.

~MementoMori

When we have found happiness within ourselves, such becomes a way of life.

In this sense, we can understand that there are actually no real problems or failures in the world.