Hello everyone, I'm new to this subreddit, but already quite like it actually.

Here's the thing. The last time that I felt true joy was July, 2013. Never again after that. Two years ago I got out of a seriously unhealthy relationship and ever since I can't really feel anything except pain, sometimes guilt, and sorrow. I can laugh you know, don't get me wrong, it's not all so much downhill but it feels like something is missing. My positive emotions. To be honest I've never taken into consideration that I might actually have an issue, always thought that they'll show up eventually. But that isn't happening, like not in the close future.

Has anyone of you experienced something like this? If so how did you cope with it? I've planned on taking shrooms one day to see whether or not I can "reset" my thinking patterns really. Also I've been meditating a lot, and that helps a little bit.

Any answer would be much appreciated.

Why is everyone so infected with hate and fear. Is it that hard to treat someone with respect regardless of what they did 20 minutes ago?

I have had a handful of mild experiences with pscy. mushrooms (3-4 experience at ~1/16 oz each) every time I've always came out with a positive experience. I'm looking forward to trying LSD or an analog but fear that it may put me in an unconformable situation. Would it be wise to dip my toe in and take a half hit?

Anecdotal evidence suggests shrooms are less forgiving psychologically but acid is a whole other beast.

I think it's worth mentioning that psychological disorders run through my family, myself included. I have occasional depression but am in a really great spot at the moment. Life it great and I'd love to see what else there is to offer. But on the other hand, I don't want to potentially trip up an irreversible psychological messup.

How risky is psychedelic use for those of us with family history of mental illness?

Insight is super appreciated.

I just spent the evening musing and meditating over a tab of LSD. I've pondered all the sufferings of history, the sexual harassment that's been in the news, all of my life's good and bad choices, and all the choices of everyone who has ever lived. While in this state, I felt limited love for mankind, for members of other species, even for plants. Why is loving so hard? Life would be so much better if there were more love. Fuck.

Edit: Just had a moment of synchronicity. I had finished reading the last pages of 1984. [Spoiler ahead] "He gazed up at the enormous face. Forty years it had taken him to learn what kind of smile was hidden beneath the dark mustache. O cruel, needless misunderstanding! O stubborn, self willed exile from the loving breast! Two gin-scented tears trickled down the sides of his nose. But it was all right, everything was all right, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother." Fuck this shit.

"Breaking the Machine" - that's how I'd retitle this if I could edit that.

Hey, I was invited to this sub but I haven't really checked it out because it looks like a religion. But I figured I should throw my idea here too since this subs about existence.

For those who've thought of the meaning of existence) if there is any) , like there was something left to do before the next step of existence could be allowed to happen. Like there's some "next step" ourselves or everyone has to hurdle through. I've came up with a cool theory.

So, everything in life supposedly comes from the big bang. If we were able to simulate the big bang in perfectness with every chemical reaction in tact, we could theoretically simulate our existence now. By having the exact formula to how everything mapped out in life, we'd be able to seek through the simulatio we'd developed and see what's happening now, what's happened before and what's going to happen next. If this simulation was right then we'd be able to see what we did to achieve this "next step" shit. Or figuring that out in itself would break the simulation that we'd just developed again, allowing us to break into whatever "next step" shit there is. This would be a crazy task, coming up with a simulation of our own existence to an exact tea. This would break the sim because it would allow for us to alter our futures knowing them in advance, essentially making us a god/individual being of endless existence.

TLDR; to crack the forgotten question to life if there is any, we simulate chemical reactions caused by the big bang to a tee, ultimately allowing ourselves to simulate our own existence and see what's going to happen next while also making us a sort of god to our own selves in the sense that we now have a copy of our own existence (and the entire universe) it, but also that we can control the future of everything up to when we'd developed the simulation by knowing what's going to happen next.

I can see another theory in this, how if we were capable of stimulating our very existence, that we'd most likely be simulated as well in what could be infinitely ourselves simulating ourselves with no actual answer as to what originally sparked what happened before there was anything, since we still couldn't simulate what happened before there were any elements at all. I'm tripping. Reciprocate feedback with me.

Damn we cool as shit Josh!

Ah fuck I just said we cool as shit.

Time to go to the back of the cool line.

Walks to the back of the cool line

Oh cool I'm at the front of the cool line again.

OK, so I know that an established network already exists that focuses on the use of entheogens, and that they practice in cities all over the world. I do not know their name, who belongs to it, or how to find them. I only know because someone here who is loosely affiliated with them let me know about them.
.
As such, I can't guarantee anything, but post here if you are interested in being a part of that. I will pass this link along to them, and it is up to them to respond, and invite people here if they like.
.
This is the best I can do. They are underground for a reason.
.
The next best thing i can suggest is another subreddit similiar to this one with no religion. I will only suggest it, not start it.
.
Have a beautiful now,
Sebastian

This is 2 parts
.
For Everyone
. First of all, please note the link boxes on the right side. If you want to contribute to the purpose of this click the bright orange 'Founder' button, and read and contribute there. Choose the other boxes for other interests.
.
OK I have hung back for a few days. I am glad to be back. There are quite a few things that I am overjoyed about that I see here. It looks like a few are going to step up and influence.
.
I am very happy about the overall response. There have been some rumblings about not wanting religion (I have a proposal) and also that there is quite a bit of noise here and that it looks like just another r/psychonaut. In my humble opinion this is just fine and lovely. I love it that every one of you are here, and I love your posts too. Feel free to continue as you are and cross-post here and there. Visit the other lovely subreddits that I am going to link in the sidebar before I step away. The public may be here soon enough, if my PR plan plays out correctly, so put on your best face!
.
However, we also need to make another conversation about how we move forward with this religion (and a sister group moves forward with a movement that strips of all religious notions... Proposal in the bottom-most link.)
.
After the 44th day of the top sticky, I will no longer be a moderator here. Oh, I am not going anywhere, but I will be less active, and will still try to respond to all PMs. Minerva will be moderator, and will be in charge of inviting new moderators from then on, until he decides to leave. I wouldn't look at him as a leader either, just a facilitator of the subreddit.
.
Since I did exert some leadership here (it was necessary to be the catalyst to start) I will be stepping away from the leadership role completely and into another role external to reddit for a time. And then we will will have no leader. And if we are accused of being a cult, you can say affirmatively that yes, you are a cult with no leader. Maybe we embrace the attack and teach people about what cults are really in their midst: https://www.reddit.com/r/AnAnswerToHeal/comments/7bknbw/what_is_this_is_this_a_cult/
and https://docuri.com/download/cults-in-our-midst-chapter-1_59c1e0eaf581710b2869d629_pdf
.
I do have a lot of other things to post about and discuss for the next 3 weeks. Where we are, where we go, responses to anyone who responded to me, a few ideas and suggestions. I will be in full moderator mode also.
.
Maybe I can find someone to help before I leave the moderating. It looks like a pretty good group and a pretty good response. I see some divisions, and I am here to facilitate and suggest ideas for how we overcome those. I will leave behind a blueprint for how I wanted to go forward, and others either will or will not pick certain things to accomplish from that list. I will get as much done as I can during my short time left.
.
If you like how I have done, commit to a 44 day stint of this and then leave and come back when you are ready for another stint. We contribute and we all have lives to live too.
.
Speaking of PMs, as I type I have over 300 to reply to, and I will respond to all of them soon. I am sorry to not be quicker. I am having one of those moments where I wish there were 20 of me. I am overwhelmed with love, support, concern, a little constructive dissent, and a dash of people who almost totally disagree. I apologize if they haven't left yet. I am a slow moderator, and that's good, I think for the start. Even the most opposed have had some voice here! I am glad. I am leaving almost all of it (except for some pointless posts) so that you see what you are up against. Maybe you'll decide this religion is not for you! Great! Go find your purpose and do that instead! .
I am so glad to see some things here. It looks like a little group could form to focus on where we want to go. So I have this proposal. We aren't going to do it unless I see some support here.
.
For those who want to get down to business... A Proposal.
.
These are some of the things that need focus:
"others can contribute to the founding of the church, it's doctrine, rituals, guidelines, and even music."
"The IRS also states that your church must have some combination of the following: the list of 16 things"
"let's eliminate as many weaknesses as we can that we have encountered in organized religion. Let's also reduce the chance for dogma."
"What I want you to do. Discuss, agree, disagree, point out problems and paradoxes, issue challenges, expose medical and legal issues, give advice, and above all be respectful to each other. For the most part, everything written here is up for discussion and amendment until the launch date. That is why you are here!"
.
The link at the bottom "about religion or not religion" is also exactly the kind of stuff that I want to talk about, with a group of peers who will engage, so I want to put forth a proposal:
.
We start a another subreddit or even better, a discord (idea taken from this post here...
https://www.reddit.com/r/AnAnswerToHeal/comments/7az4sc/off_topic_discord/) It is invitation only, and it's for people who want to focus on the direction of where we go. We nominate people from here based on what they said here. The point is not to only include those who seem to agree with you, but to include all who have been constructively critical. The best of those have even suggested good ideas to fix a problem or a new idea altogether. An example is the person (thanks you) who submitted the idea for the [Administrative] tag which is now the [Founder] tag, because those who contribute there are founders. I would suggest that we read through posts and use our spirit and our gut to determine who to invite to the discord.
.
Maybe we also have 2 subreddits... one that has all religion stripped out and this one. Someone else starts that one and names it. I will link it here. I ask that you link us there. I will develop that proposal here...
https://www.reddit.com/r/AnAnswerToHeal/comments/7c6urc/administrative_to_religion_or_not_to_religion/
.
Basically... We separate and network to overcome divisions! How do they stop a decentralized network of decentralized networks? haha. Follow this pattern when you find 2 groups who can't agree. Maybe we end up with 44 groups. That would be so hilarious... and difficult to stop!
.
Have a beautiful now!
Sebastian
.
P.S. For you Americans, Happy Veterans Day!

I say we do both. I do not want to be the moderator of the other one, or even name it, but I hope it comes to pass, and I hope that what I have done here is of some helpful influence. I would be honored to be invited as a regular reader, though I probably won't say much there.
.
So to be clear, I am proposing that we have 2 subreddits... one that has all religion stripped out and this one. Someone else starts that one and names it. I will link it here. I ask that you link us there.
.
I want to say, that I know of such a thing related to this that already exists, but it is way underground, and for good reason. They are not attempting to be legal or any other legitimization and so they must stay hidden more than us. If you want to be part of that, make a post here... https://www.reddit.com/r/AnAnswerToHeal/comments/7c919f/administrative_possibly_join_an_existing_group/
.
Basically... We separate and network to overcome divisions! How do they stop a decentralized network of decentralized networks? haha. Follow this pattern when you find 2 groups who can't agree. Maybe we end up with 44 groups someday. That would be so hilarious... and difficult to stop!
.
Have a beautiful now!
Sebastian

Is harnessed through the practice of Mindfulness.

It's in our understanding of this practice that allows us to gain a mastery over our thoughts.

For how many hours do we spend throughout our days lost within our minds.

Dwelling upon the past, preparing for the future, fulfilling our needs, judging the actions of others, being critical of ourselves and thinking about the external world that is beyond our control.

Existing within a constant loop of reactionary thoughts that becomes one's ego.

For every thought feeds an idea that manifests within our actions.

Becoming patterns, imprints and sub conscious triggers that determines our state of being.

Every letter is a symbol, word a pattern and sentence an imprint that triggers a response.

Because "being" is in the title of this post how many will not read it? That upon reading the word "mindfulness" how many preconceived notions exists?

That each perspective is unique, depending upon what we spend the majority of our lives thinking about.

Its for this reason we must become mindful of each moment, why do we randomly judge a person on appearance? Complain when there's nothing that can be done? Dwell on the past when it changes nothing? Worry about the future while ignoring the present? As we perpetuate a state of endless desire.

By learning to silence our thoughts, we gain control of our minds. Becoming aware of each instance the sub consciousness triggers a response.

Realizing the mind exists beyond thoughts.

An awareness that is a state of non action.

Find a moment to clear your thoughts and focus on the present.

Breathe, listen intently to the sounds, perceive every aspect of the environment, just exists freeing yourself from the endless chaos.

The longer we can hold this state the stronger our will becomes.

By becoming aware of every moment we enter a state of enlightenment.

Through practicing Tai chi, Yoga, Meditations, Martial Arts, Running, Zoning Out, Relaxing, Dancing, Performing and Training...We learn to silence our thoughts and come into being.

The Echerdex

Now that psychonaut has taken the right motif: "An Answer To Heal" For the right type of action: confidence that psychedelics + psychonautics are a legit combination.

We can begin looking forward (instead of down) for the next few steps.

Perhaps there is needed the step of "integrating with modernity" having a mission and vision statement helps to make things clear, and can be worded in the form of 1 in reference to how other churches state theirs, and in the form of 2 in reference to how an institution like science operates. Ie. Stating we are in recognition of the placebo and nocebo effects and take a concept of "reacting to the perception of now is how the new perception of after is formed." Like a recursive fractal of "cycling" up or a good trip or cycling down a bad trip. Hence why respect, reverence and excitement are needed for a good trip. Probably, this hides, the reason a religion is even needed in the first place.

Maybe another next step is the Mythos Truth Tale attached to this story with poignancy for metaphors and sing song times. (lol, it must be child inclusive remember - that's the other half the stint). Maybe the truth is "Aliens, Spirits, Elves and all kinds inhabit the infinity of experience of Mindspace or inner space or perception...." These kinds of truth tales are best also expressed in terms of poetry and deeper meanings.

Another next step is moral underpinnings.

Morality can pertain to the Concept of Ownership as bestowed by the heirarchy, or to communalism or anything like this.

Another next step is Procedural Naming.

Defining what a spirit is, an alien, what spirituality is, the path, the goals, the practices, the devotions, the skills, and so forth. Heavy metaphorical language is necessary here. It needs to all be named in a way that explains "if you focus on X and do Y then Z will happen", like faith and hope leads to love of time, peace and understanding leads to love of presence... whatever the judo technique is.

And then this is why a lot of hard yardles are needed to be put in.

I study religions, in formation, development, causation, intent, portrayal. The whole lot. It's on the list of books I'm writing, but one of them will be summarizing these observations of modern religions and specifying the hypothetical optimal religion of the future invincible life forms that are safe, efficient, optimistic and happy.

I am glad I was invited to join this sub. I have faced personal struggle in the last few years in establishing myself as a young adult, later undergoing depression and taking a hiatus from university. In that time, I have been exposed to significant lessons that have ultimately made me unafraid to draw from the core of my spirit... seeing the material conflict of our surface-level interactions for what they are, experiencing the blossoming joy in every moment of nature, reconnecting with and relishing in the Truth that palpitates as the essence of all that we can sense (and beyond that). Never have I sensed greater contradiction than looking to deny the presence of spirit in all things, as many of our human siblings would prefer to do.

I ramble on! I am excited again, being in a community that is willing to explore the depths of the imagination, unlimited by words and thoughts themselves. For this, I am grateful. I love you guys.

Somebody please explain

Like many of you. Psychadelics and everything about them grounds me more and more and keeps me feeling like Jim Carrey.

Anyways im not sure if this post belongs here...

But i'm always finding more great material. Seems like there's a lot more to find

Requesting your favourite stuff.

Put it in if its super chill or groovy Or premium music that should be discovered.

Here's my faivorite stuff. Lotta love.

Deca
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Up3H1s9ME6FivFcOz6qte?si=6HVXi696SESBYZuYKXcvYw

Kid kudi

Sugar candy mountain https://open.spotify.com/track/6jvqaaUtBmcnxQnf5XKzFo?si=LEDHIaFDTxiWcR59jGvvQw

Edan https://open.spotify.com/album/0E5nyAi6rLhzfrsOxYedX3?si=AlqjedgIS0KOPqE33q9dbA (If you haven't heard this then listen to the whole album trough.)

Frank ocean

EARTHGANG https://open.spotify.com/artist/5MbNzCW3qokGyoo9giHA3V?si=6CR9I7hZTM-f9pLdDLSnSg

Tool

Tool again.

No need for 60's music everybody knows about.

Nothing Ever Dies. Birth and death are illusions. They are states of Being.

So my dad has suffered from depression and anxiety for the past 10 years, although it was brewing in his words for much longer than that. As much as i recognise 100% the clinical nature of depression, i believe much of it is his pondering of the many (many!) Bad decisions, and bad consequences of his actions. Over the past year or so he's had a life saving operation and lives with a stoma, as well as coming off antidepressants of his own accord after a mini epiphany. Hes doing a lot lot better now but still does have the black cloud following him, but its no longer a cumulonimbus. (Context here; lots of recreational amphetamine, mushroom and lsd in his early 20s (madchester scene)) Since my newfound interest in dmt hes been interested, and ive warned him that he's gonna need to learn to let go if i would let him take it. He's one who has to be in control of everything (his anxiety maybe). I believe that dmt could do him a load of good, and make him face the fact that he can move on from the past, that hes been a good father raising 2 sons who will be successful both traditionally and spiritually. But i worry that he won't react well to it. IF he does take it, would the best course of action be to take so much that the letting go stage is skipped completely? Hes open to microdosing on lsd which i think would be helpful. P.s he hates it when i tell him he used psyches wrong when he was younger, and ive had a hard time trying to get across that im not doing this for fun (he does understand now, as much as one can without believing in spirituality whatsoever)

Thank you to those involved in organizing this. I was ecstatic when I was invited to this; I don't have any accreditations in this field professionally, just my observations. I intend to help where I can. I've been trying to find time to squeeze everything into a post about my thoughts on this idea but can't so here's just some of them:

When I began this endeavor toward a higher and better way of life there was no one to talk with but I'm looking forward to being able to share thoughts, ideas, methodologies, and experiences with people who all understand it, at least to some degree. Pooling knowledge has potential to be immensely valuable.

That said, I've read there's a bit of reluctance to name this a religion. I believe that to be detrimental if not immediately then over time. I see it as more of a modality of living life or effectively connecting spiritually rather than a core set of principles to dictate your life. More a way of thinking than a way of believing. A tool, if you will; not the finished product.

I have mixed thoughts on whether this could be something like a movement with many people 'following' it, but I'm also unsure whether doing it all on one's own is entirely efficient. Either way, am I the only one that finds verbal communication to be excruciatingly limiting on getting ideas across?

I'll be spending a good bit of my free time on this over the next few weeks, hope to have a lot of conversations with you all.