Investigate the ‘self’ (the ego, the feeling of being an interior subject) through meditation, aiming to conclusively discover its absence, which is the ‘punchline of meditation’ and a core insight.
Engage in practices like Dzogchen or the ‘On Having No Head’ exercise by looking for the ’looker’ or the center of consciousness, realizing its absence instantaneously to experience pure, centerless awareness.
Develop the skill to observe negative emotions and the thoughts that fuel them, allowing them to dissipate quickly rather than being prolonged by continuous rumination, thus gaining a ‘superpower’ over your mental states.
Practice Vipassana meditation by paying open, unconceptual attention to whatever you notice (breath, sights, sounds, sensations, thoughts, emotions) without trying to get rid of them, but rather perceiving them clearly without getting lost in thought.
Cultivate non-distraction through meditation to achieve ‘flow’ or ‘peak experiences’ on demand, even amidst unpleasantness, by focusing attention and collapsing the distance between observer and observed.
Recognize that psychological suffering is often linked to being lost in thought and identifying with the ‘self’ as the thinker of those thoughts, making this understanding the first step to addressing suffering.
Engage in contemplative practice as a form of mental training to prepare for inevitable difficult times, as your mind’s state is your primary resource for peace and happiness during adversity.
Explore spiritual experiences (like unconditional love or self-transcendence) independently of religious dogma, recognizing that such experiences are universal and not exclusive evidence for any single faith.
Recognize that thoughts arise spontaneously and you are not their author or the ’thinker’ of them, which helps to de-identify from the inner monologue and reduce suffering.
Recognize that all experiences, including thoughts, sensations, and the feeling of ‘self,’ are contents within consciousness, and consciousness itself is the prior, empty space in which they appear, not contained by any of them.
Acknowledge that psychedelics can reveal different experiences of the world, but be aware of their uncontrollable and potentially destabilizing psychological risks, making them not a recommended daily practice.