tapping into your inner self

[liza123]

how do you tap into your inner self? it is said that you can get answers from within you. how do you raise that awareness to a higher level to get answers?

[seekinghga]

Meditation and yoga are good starts.  Simple introspection, which may just be a form of the two practices I gave, is also valid.  What, you didn't know that?  j/k  : P

[Enigma]

Any good tips on meditation? 

[seekinghga]

Any good tips on meditation? 

Sure.  For the serious, ascetic practitioner, there is Raja Yoga (http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Complete_Works_of_Swami_Vivekananda/Volume_1/Raja-Yoga). 

For others, basic "candle gazing" or other activities depending on the alleged "Ganzfeld Effect" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganzfeld_effect) are sufficient in bringing interesting altered states of consciousness.  When used in conjunction with psychedelics the effects of such practices can be quite prolific.

[liza123]

Meditation and yoga are good starts.  Simple introspection, which may just be a form of the two practices I gave, is also valid.  What, you didn't know that?  j/k  : P

Well, I do know that . But, I wanted real life experiences and more ideas..wanted to get people discussing

For the comment about meditation and yoga, did you know that Raja Yoga refers to meditation? So, it is either yoga or meditation. Yoga is the union of your soul with the Para Atma(GOD)..there are many yogas like raja yoga, karma yoga, etc. I cannot believe that a Nyana Yogi like you did not know that!

[liza123]

"For others, basic "candle gazing" or other activities depending on the alleged "Ganzfeld Effect" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganzfeld_effect) are sufficient in bringing interesting altered states of consciousness.  When used in conjunction with psychedelics the effects of such practices can be quite prolific."

Indeed, they can. They can even take you to Alice 's Wonderland with your own desires added to give such a beautiful experience.

[anaklio]

One thing is for sure...we are not in touch with our inner self when we are with others. Social influence plays a large role in our behavior. How we feel when we are alone in bed or in the shower...that must be our inner self.

So it doesn't have to be anything fancy (e.g., meditation). It's more taking sufficient time alone to listening to yourself.

I know TONS of people who are never alone. And I often ask them...How do you expect to know yourself?

[liza123]

One thing is for sure...we are not in touch with our inner self when we are with others. Social influence plays a large role in our behavior. How we feel when we are alone in bed or in the shower...that must be our inner self.

So it doesn't have to be anything fancy (e.g., meditation). It's more taking sufficient time alone to listening to yourself.

I know TONS of people who are never alone. And I often ask them...How do you expect to know yourself?

When we are alone ,our minds are clear(without any disturbed thoughts) and we feel calm and peaceful, maybe, we do connect to our inner self. According to Zen Buddhism, that you can 'meditate' or connect to your inner self while you are doing house chores, etc....inner self-awareness can be achieved even when we are carrying out mundance activities

It is a good thing that you ask that question!It is an important question. In today 's busy world, it is important to take time and reflect. Or else, there might come a time when it is too late to do so...and you wonder what you did with your life!

[voodoo scientist]

Superman and the existence of "our true selves" are the greatest American myths of the 20th century.

[liza123]

Superman and the existence of "our true selves" are the greatest American myths of the 20th century.

But, this so-called myth as you put it started out in the East and is still being practised there.

[voodoo scientist]

Ignoring the dumb semantics: Actually, in the East (I assume you're referring to buddhistic thought), the dissolution of self is what's practiced, which is the opposite of what you're saying. With the discovery of neuroplasticity, the notion of a "true self" has gone out the window. Your brain is changing all the time, and as you read this, the concept of "you" is dissolving piece by piece, to be replaced by a new "you".

And there it is, the new "you", with the adoption of the information you just gained. Now wait ten seconds for "your" brain to process it.

...

...

...

Now we have an even newer "you," with the information you gained, and the information "you" gained from processing that information - regardless of whether "you" rejected or accepted it as a whole, the very processing of information changed "you".

[liza123]

Buddhism has been divided into different sects. There have various practices. Hinduism is another religion which talks about 'tapping into inner energy' and 'true selves'.

And I forgot, a previous research indicated that there are 4 sections of our selves/personalities. 1-we are not aware of and others are not aware of; 2-we are aware of and others are not;3-others are aware of and we are not aware of 4 - we are aware of and so are others. According to the study, there is much to learn about our 'true selves'

[voodoo scientist]

Cite your studies and I will review them.

[liza123]

Cite your studies and I will review them.

Come on, voodoo scientist, that was a famous study(if I am not mistaken, it was a psychology study or sth like that) carried out years ago. I am 'lazy' to go and dig into the past(consumes much time!) right now. When I have more time, I will get the link for you. With regards to Hindusim, Buddhism, etc, it is a wide topic. Give more time to dig something for you. 

[voodoo scientist]

Cite your studies and I will review them.

Come on, voodoo scientist, that was a famous study(if I am not mistaken, it was a psychology study or sth like that) carried out years ago. I am 'lazy' to go and dig into the past(consumes much time!) right now. When I have more time, I will get the link for you. With regards to Hindusim, Buddhism, etc, it is a wide topic. Give more time to dig something for you. 

You're not going to cite any studies, are you?

Edit: Here's an idea - don't fall back on research and studies if you're not going to allow us to review them. It's not substantiation, it's a worthless appeal to authority.

[Karaten]

how do you tap into your inner self? it is said that you can get answers from within you. how do you raise that awareness to a higher level to get answers?

God, obviously.

[ConsciousPuppet]

     This topic started because someone [Liza] was seeking answers. So im wondering what questions are you trying to answer? What is it that you want insight about? What have you been thinking about or going through?

Also:
     I would like to ask what are we referring to when we talk about an inner self? Can i be something inside me without realizing that i am? Then it seems to be a matter of consciousness. A self that is inside me? Inside where? If its inside my self then is it my self? If its in my self but its not me then there's someone inside me? What about the outer self?
     I wonder about its nature or origin or existence.

[jamesjames]

One thing is for sure...we are not in touch with our inner self when we are with others. Social influence plays a large role in our behavior. How we feel when we are alone in bed or in the shower...that must be our inner self.

i think a good challenge is to find a way to feel a similar sense of self even under social influence

[liza123]

Edit: Here's an idea - don't fall back on research and studies if you're not going to allow us to review them. It's not substantiation, it's a worthless appeal to authority.

voodooscientist, perhaps, you should pause and think for a moment. no. 1: people read books/articles which might not be with them NOW. no. 2 : i do not have a 'list' of what i have read etc just for you. in simple terms, when i say that i have to dig, that is what it means. as a matter of fact, i was being kind...


http://www.hinduonnet.com/mp/2002/11/21/stories/2002112100470300.htm...link about inner energy(just a sample) . For details, you need to read the Vedantha books  and find more information based on the sample!And I am not going to buy books and send them to you. Sorry!neither am I going to waste energy answering questions about Hindusim which is a wide topic as mentioned before.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schools_of_Buddhism... work on it from here..

[liza123]

     This topic started because someone [Liza] was seeking answers. So im wondering what questions are you trying to answer? What is it that you want insight about? What have you been thinking about or going through?

Also:
     I would like to ask what are we referring to when we talk about an inner self? Can i be something inside me without realizing that i am? Then it seems to be a matter of consciousness. A self that is inside me? Inside where? If its inside my self then is it my self? If its in my self but its not me then there's someone inside me? What about the outer self?
     I wonder about its nature or origin or existence.

I am talking about the inner self, subconscious,unconsious. There is so much to learn about ourselves or 'inner selves'. There is so much of unexplored potential inside, etc.

[liza123]

Cite your studies and I will review them.

I just realised that i will be wasting my precious time digging for the  4 segment study about human selves. Because, as you said, "I will review them". It is as if you are so very authorised to do so and the possible comments you will come up with..... And then again, if you are so very interested, go and dig your self. That study was published on hard copy ages ago. And continue commenting whatever you want. I have learnt from experience to ignore certain posts ....it is the wise thing to do!

PS- this applies to everything...Hinduism, Buddhism(sample links already given), more study needs to be done; i cannot be giving 'abc' class for you. learn to live and live to learn...practise this and you won 't be wasting other people 's time asking for links about such vast topics, etc. it seems to be the perfect sort of deviation game that you play. i remember your comment about the Oxford dictionary after i gave you very clear evidence. If you think that Oxford itself is not good enough(after 'misquoting' it and me correcting your misquote!), what would be the purpose of digging for you?Nah! I am not that foolish to waste my precious time for you!Sorry!

[voodoo scientist]

Let me get this straight: You quoted studies in order to appeal to authority, then decided you're too lazy to actually cite the studies you quoted as an appeal for authority, and now you're playing the victim because someone asks you to cite the studies you quoted?

That's interesting.

[Ajna]

(my apologies if this has already been suggested, but i was too lazy to read through all of the thread... lol)

If you are not limiting the question to strictly natural means... and you would accept the involvement of external influences... Tripping on a substance such as psilocybin is highly recommended. It magnifies the influence of your sub conscious mind... your "id" in Freudian terms.