hi yall it’s been awhile since I checked in! Last week when meditating, I noticed a pronounced ringing in my ears. I’m pretty sure it’s tinnitus and am not sure how long I’ve had it. That being said, once named, it’s been quite distracting when meditating. I watch the mind judge as the new label has turned something previously inconsequential into a noticeable distraction. It’s funny how this can happen with our attention. I’ve read posts about people using tinnitus as an anchor or gateway, which is the goal. However, at this point, I’m still in the acceptance phase and also kinda laughing at the absurdity of how long it took me to notice. If any of yall have experience with this, would love to hear! Other than that, continuing to sit for 15 mins in the morning and without a timer before bed. I’ve been playing with using the tinnitus as a reminder to be where I’m at, as I notice when the mind is quiet.

How did your meditation practice go today? If you didn't practice yet, could you make a commitment to take 5 minutes for yourself right now? Share your practice below via GIF, comment, or question. A rising tide lifts all boats.

Nondual 1 meditation: Commenting on the meditation allows other men to find us, and it helps with your reflection. Any questions, ask below!

Hey guys! It's been awhile since I've checked in. Hope ya lads are having a good start to the year and all that jazz. Been going through my journals this last year and found this quote as I began unraveling my attachment to the thinking mind: "Since my lil intellectual renaissance in my late teens, I thought I would find the answer in my thoughts. Answers found in the words resting in a self lingering behind the eyes. However, I'm starting to see that the deeper answers are not found there. They are fundamentally at odds with concepts--something different entirely. You don’t need to be in the Andes ayahuasca-fueled string-snapping plane of existence to experience the expanse of the universe. To see the truth of what you really are. You can be that now. And remind yourself when you forget, ready to forget again. The ego dance is quite a game in that way. But alas, the universe plays. This path is cultivating and growing a slow-burning ember, rather than blasting a flame thrower. It persists. You can carry it with you through moments of ecstasy and moments of turmoil." Sending love and encouragement as you guys find strength, purpose, and peace in your practices this year! Super grateful for Brandon's teachings and this community.

About a week ago, I had a lucid dream experience like I've never had before, and it started with practicing open awareness in the dreamscape. I've lucid dreamt in the past (classic flying, talking to an entity and wondering if it's part of my mind, etc) but at every interval between dreams, I would wake up. This time, as the dream was coming to a close, I became aware of the space around be, as I've been practicing in waking life. At least for me, dreams come in little reels, changing settings, emotions, and characters in between. I never remember any of these transitions. However, this time, reality stretched like a rubber balloon being pulled apart. If I had any ability to be nauseous, my stomach would've flipped upside down in my torso. Suddenly, I was in a new reel, and lived it out completely lucidly. Then another balloon stretch transition (wooooah). And then a different reel. This went on for the better part of an hour and the things I did and characters I interacted with were fascinating. I woke up and checked the clock and it felt like that amount of time had actually passed. I didn't feel rested, but in recollecting the astral travels, I excitedly realized the memory behaved the same as just any other memory. I've read that the completely aware and englightened maintain awareness in the dreamstate, but never had expereinced what that looked like. I'm not a great sleeper, so maybe won't dive too much into it for now, but the experience has slightly shifted my experience of this reality. When we wake up again, it's all the same awareness. Sorry for the rant (I tried to avoid the specific dreamtalk which can be eyeroll-worthy and dull and focus on the awareness aspect) but just thought I'd share. Does anyone else do this practice during sleep? How often does it happen and how has the practice shifted your perspective?