Embrace “wise selfishness” by recognizing that humans are social animals who find their greatest happiness in helping and connecting with others, aligning self-interest with altruism.
Regularly check your motivations and consciously turn your “inner dial” towards compassion, as this is a continuous practice beneficial for everyone.
Aim to move in the direction of compassion, using figures like the Dalai Lama as a guide, without stressing about reaching extreme levels, as even incremental progress improves life.
Engage in the willing suspension of disbelief, especially when encountering esoteric or unfamiliar concepts, to allow for curiosity and interest rather than knee-jerk rejection.
When encountering esoteric or unfamiliar topics, respond with curiosity and interest to foster a more open and receptive mindset.
Use meditation to train your “sixth sense,” the mind, as it is the primary tool for mental cultivation.
Engage in single-pointed or concentration meditation by focusing on one object, such as your breath, to stabilize your mind.
Use analytical meditation to examine the nature of an object or experience, such as an emotion, by investigating its causes, effects, and underlying reasons.
When experiencing emotions like pain, anxiety, or happiness, use analytical meditation to investigate the nature of the “I” or “me” by continuously asking questions about its form, extension, and flavor to loosen its grip.
When experiencing sensations (sights, sounds), ask “By what?” or “Who is there?” or “Who is even asking this question?” to investigate the nature of consciousness and the observer.
Engage in meditation practices to familiarize yourself with the basic, subtle nature of your mind, rather than trying to create something new.
Work to recognize and cultivate a subtle, panoramic level of awareness to become more aware of your environment and internal mental processes, leading to liberation, well-being, and equanimity.
Work to reduce self-centeredness, as this allows for greater authenticity and presence in relationships with others.
Strive to escape the “skull-sized kingdom” of tech-induced isolation, polarization, and general self-involvement to broaden your perspective.
Utilize scientifically validated practices (like meditation) to expand your perspective and escape self-involvement.
Lower your internal walls and be open to experiencing the presence of individuals who have trained their minds for compassion, as this can have a profound effect on you.
Practice experiencing deeper, subtle levels of consciousness during sleep, as this training can prepare you for recognizing subtle awareness at the time of death.
Cultivate awareness during sleep to be aware of your dreams while dreaming (lucid dreaming), strengthening the awareness muscle for use at the time of death.
Use simple strategies and training, such as moving a finger when you recognize you are dreaming, to cultivate lucid dreaming and strengthen awareness during sleep.
Strengthen your “awareness muscle” throughout life so that at the time of death, when external stimuli cease, you can recognize the true nature of your mind, which is a golden opportunity for insight.
Strive for authentic experiences that lead to an irrevocable insight into the illusion of the self, producing a permanent and transformative change in perception.
Recognize that enlightenment is possible in this life, not just at the time of death, and strive towards it.
Pull your head out of self-absorption and broaden your perspective to gain a better view of life and improve your experience.
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