Did you give up alcohol?

[runstrails]

Went out with friends last night and over a period of 4-5 hours had 2 glasses of wine with dinner. Should have skipped the second glass. The first glass helps with presence, the second really interferes. Lapsed into odd, unconscious behavior after the first glass. Its clear to me that a certain amount of discipline is required to lead a conscious life--especially when one is not entirely free from the ego/separate self.
So back to light, simple meals, lots of exercise and no more than one glass of libation

Its kind of funny when you think about it:
We already are awareness/Self but yet it takes some effort to sustain that realization.
On the other hand, ego/separate self is an illusion, but its so easy to fall back into its clutches

[Sighclone]

We already are awareness/Self but yet it takes some effort to sustain that realization.
On the other hand, ego/separate self is an illusion, but its so easy to fall back into its clutches

rt -

It is a delight to hear the periodic "play-by-plays" of your spiritual path. There is another thread concerning the neural biochemistry of awkening/ego. Probably the best current book on that is "Buddah's Brain" by Hanson and Mendius.

If we can say that ego (actually a verb, 'egoing' is better, since finding the "ego" is like trying to put a cloud in a box, on a scale, etc.) has a foundation in the brain, then it is reasonable to expect that repeated experiences of pure awareness will also stimulate the formation of pathways, etc. And that booze is a mixed blessing.

Your new habits of being are fresh. X number of years of egoic conditioning have produced default pathways which are really old and strong. No surprise that the more fragile network gave way to the older one with the addition of that powerful drug. I also enjoy a glass of wine or beer from time to time, by the way, as does Eckhart.

Andy

[runstrails]

Thank you, Andy. Kind and wise words as always. Buddha's Brain has been on order for me---since you recommended it

[Ananda]

Alcohol doesn't inhibit or decrease consciousness (or the Self). It does, however, effect concentration, and Self awareness, which is why it's not a particularly good or practical idea to attempt any form of meditation or practice when under the influence of alcohol. I drink alcohol at social gatherings, and when I've drank too much the hangover the morning after simply says 'You don't need to drink this to have a good time', which is always a fun reminder

Alcohol addiction on the other hand is another matter entirely and would no doubt severely inhibit any progress towards spiritual knowledge or Self-realization.

So, basically, any addiction is counter-productive, everything else is fine in moderation.

[great2be]

The body has it's own natural intelligence and sensitivity, which when not dulled by habit, cravings and desire will not be at all interested in over-eating, alcohol, drugs and stimulants. Here, no fasting, dieting, abstinence or willpower are required.

[Sighclone]

The body has it's own natural intelligence and sensitivity, which when not dulled by habit, cravings and desire will not be at all interested in over-eating, alcohol, drugs and stimulants. Here, no fasting, dieting, abstinence or willpower are required.

How true is this?!?! I decided to lose some weight...just by being sensitive to real hunger vs. any of a variety of other reasons for eating. Bingo, weight coming off. Also, I developed a twitch in my eyelid -- researched the web, found caffeine was one of the causes. Stopped all coffee (I was drinking maybe two cups per day) Second bingo - no twitch.

I think the process of awakening sensitizes our intuition (ET said as much in a recent Newsletter), and all we need to do is really listen. Thanks, g2b.

Andy

[Natalie]

My reply to mukau seems as if I was demonizing alcohol. I wasn't. I wanted to say that for some (me) stopping was not that simple or easy. If I could have just one drink, I would. I think those of you who can, are lucky. My husband enjoys a drink or two or three of scotch once in a while.

The body has it's own natural intelligence and sensitivity, which when not dulled by habit, cravings and desire will not be at all interested in over-eating, alcohol, drugs and stimulants. Here, no fasting, dieting, abstinence or willpower are required.

Totally agree. Two years ago, I followed my "gut" and stopped eating all processed foods, fast foods, and all sugar and flower products. I do eat whole wheat breads and pasta and use stevia to sweeten my coffee. My energy level increased tremendously when I stopped eating the processed and fast foods and I rediscovered my love affair with strength training AND my thyroid gland "miraculously" started working again. I no longer take the artificial hormone. My doc is not 100% sure there is a correlation but I know there is. Our physical bodies are wondrous creations of infinite power and innate wisdom.

Natalia

[Natalie]

Not "flower" flour

[kiki]

Natalie, you can easily edit your posts if you've found you've misspelled something or want to add or delete something.

[mus3cho]

I would like my next feat to be giving up caffeine. I drink the world's strongest coffee in the morning and am well aware of the caffeine withdrawel syndrome that includes a very gnarly headache. I would have to take at least a week off of work to "detox".

I wonder, though if that would really be necessary. I wonder if one of my ancestor's wasn't running through the jungles of South America chewing coca leaves along the way. There is just something about my make-up that likes to be vibrating with high energy. Maybe I should just accept that and move on.

I guess purification would include not ingesting excessive amounts of any one substance. I don't know, I've never had the occaison to participate in an authentic purification ritual. Maybe I could do that, too.

Anything is worth a try. What's to lose? Give up alcohol and see where it takes you.

[SmartestFool]

I didn't give up alcohol 100% yet... I've been an alcoholic for years. However, it really messes with the ego. I found myself, finally, able to not drink most of the time (compared to my previous routine), and the best : I feel uncomfortable being drunk, and unhappy. It changes the mind a way I can't enjoy anymore. I realised drinking alcohol was also filled with an anticipated fear of the day after (regrets, hangover).

[Dcdc]

I don't drink alcohol, but not because I think/concluded that I should stop it; I just bring my self to the present moment the most I can, and it is absolutely rare me, in the present moment, wanting to drink alcohol.

For another hand, I use marijuana - and I can use more, less or nothing in the future; who knows?

In my opinion, it's not about create "rules/patterns" or overestimate "understandings" about the world and/or about how we should do, because these things can create attachment, and are just mental form as well. I mean, look to cats, for example: they don't create theories or macro-understandings about the world and, then, try to follow it. They are just present and let their consciousness to act one moment at time without attachment.

So, from my point of view, as we "know" all the things are the same and are interconected, we should always act without creating suffering, for example. But for the rest, we should just be present and let our-true-selves to just be there and live. Maybe in one opportunity we decide to drink some coffe or have a glass of wine; maybe we, in the present moment, deny that and pass these opportunities for years. We are free :- )

[Guy Struggles]

You know, to be honest it may sound strange, but I almost miss it.

I drank quite heavily and regular from about 30-50 years old. On and off to some degrees but oh there were times when I experience a 3 day hangover. And that was the *key* for me. Finally it was the 'hellish' aspects of the dreaded hangovers that showed me the way. I had a conversation with my older brother about it. He used to hit it pretty hard back in the day but escaped it's clutches sooner than I to his credit. When we were talking he simply said when I asked him about it... 'the hangovers just aren't worth it'. And somehow that stuck. I guess those words went deeper than I'd imagined, because of course... he was right. So again, now I probably only have 2-3 drinks A MONTH I *almost* miss it. That special 'high' when listening to music was my special addiction. But alas and again - the next morning... the next day would result in a mix of somewhat melancholic regret based deep mental punishment session (the 'come down'). uggh - I'm older now and the truth is, I just can't handle that self inflicted punishment anymore.

Don't get me wrong, I'm quite convinced that if I could drink BUT NOT get that dreaded monumental hangover I'd probably still be drinking just as much. Hey, I got pretty good at making super nice drinks too! VERY enjoyable to sip down while listening to my favourite music on a great stereo system. Makes me feel sorry for those who can't, don't or won't come to this conclusion, if especially those who surely have FAR worse come downs from taking any variety of whacky drugs you can get hold of these days. I just can't see myself ever getting hammered again to be honest and I wish I'd realised it sooner. Will I still have a drink or 3 when listening to music or socialising, sure will! BUT will I get hammered, not very likely.

Regards,
Guy.