Damo Mitchell discusses the misconception that spiritual awakening is painful, emphasizing the importance of foundation work. He explores shifting from an external to an internal state, finding inner peace across spiritual traditions, and navigating the challenges of awakening, including stress and isolation's impact on mental health and chi deviation.
Awakening process is peaceful, not emotionally violent.
Internal work leads to true peace and bliss.
Chi deviations may lead to distorted sense of reality and mental health challenges.
Deep dives
Misconceptions in Internal Arts
There are common misconceptions in the internal arts that can be dangerous. Some believe that the awakening process in internal arts is emotionally difficult, but this might not be true. Awakening is a peaceful process, and the belief that it is emotionally violent can hinder progress. Proper understanding of awakening and differentiation from mere insight into the mind's workings is crucial.
Foundation Work in Spiritual Practices
For many practitioners, the initial motivation for engaging in meditation or spiritual arts is to alleviate suffering or discomfort. Achieving peace and alleviating suffering is often viewed as the end goal, but in reality, it is the foundation work for spiritual practice. True spiritual progress goes beyond mere peace and involves a deeper understanding and connection that surpasses personal suffering.
Going Inside and Inner Peace
The key to spiritual progress lies in going inside, where true peace and bliss can be found. Being 'inside' means transcending external influences, thoughts, and dreams, leading to a state of profound peace and joy. The discomfort experienced in the process of going inside is a sign of remaining outside, emphasizing the importance of reaching a state of internal peace.
The Misconception of Internal Work Through Somatic Experiences
Engaging in constant mental or external work isn't directly correlated with spiritual awakening or inner connection. Integrating shadows or somatic experiences doesn't automatically lead to inner peace. While psychological adjustments and therapy are valuable external tools, true internal work involves going deeper within to find peace and bliss rather than continuing external cleaning. Failure to properly go inside may lead to heightened sensitivity and Chi deviations, especially during times of isolation, potentially causing mental health challenges.
The Dangers and Solutions for Chi Deviations and Mental Illness
Chi deviations, heightened by stress and isolation, can result in introspection to the wrong layer of 'inside,' creating a loop of body sensations and thoughts, leading to a distorted sense of reality. People with Chi deviations and mental issues tend to believe their own thoughts, exacerbating their condition and energetically affecting those around them. The cure involves either engaging more in external activities to reset reality perception or mastering true internal work, touching upon peace and bliss inside to alleviate symptoms.
Damo Mitchell doing a late night podcast on the idea that 'a spiritual awakening is a painful and chaotic process'.
Damo explores this idea and explains why he doesn't see this as an accurate statement as the suffering is unrelated to the awakening process itself. He also looks at the nature of suffering when on the internal path, the nature of 'going inside' as well as a common form of Qi deviation which is similar to a psychotic break.
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