Hello,
May I suggest reading some core teachings from ramana maharshi, the foremost modern sage from india? In particular his method of “self enquiry”
Thanks
Sanjay

Don. . .I hear ya. . .I just keep trying to do the Sadhana that Nissie recommends. Kind of a Lonely Journey. God Bless Ya ol’ Soul

Don, this is many years later and you may not see this – but I’m a huge fan of Maharaj that had the same issue. It’s not Maharaj’s fault, actually. His is a very… I want to say, “advanced” philosophy (although he only ever says one thing, which he admits) and it is *very* negative in the logical sense of the term. It almost appears nihilistic.

My life improved greatly when I realized that the body has its own intelligence and life must have its own purpose and intelligence, and we have to respect all of this. This means practicing celibacy, no drugs, exercising, eating well, and so on. A person’s depression could be caused by many issues – most often a lack of energy due to some sort of mental obstruction (a bad job with highly toxic coworkers) or physical issue (like excessive sex). That being said, my own life became more functional and integrated *after* I did an extensive “retreat” period where I was almost exclusively focused on meditation. Sometimes, you become functional and then move into meditation, but often it can go the opposite way. But the process of my life becoming more enjoyable and purposeful took many years after this meditation period. So things can bear fruit but the fruit might take a while to manifest.

If you or anyone else is having issues, I recommend an approach to life where you try to find balance physically, mentally, and spiritually. Wellness in all categories, essentially. Aurobindo is much better about this holistic approach, in my view, and I read him more than any other spiritual author now (well, really his wife).

I find that all the spiritual greats tend to stress different aspects of existence – Ramana Maharshi and Maharaj are very “bare bones”, but Shinzen Young, Franklin Merrell Wolff are westerners with great insights, and Aurobindo and his wife Mira Alfassa are a treasure trove of insights. But for anybody reading this, even simple things like excessive caffeine and poor sleep can several hamper your quality of life. Sometimes we need to respect the body! It is here for a reason!

Peace

I would suggest knowing thyself. I would recommend looking into the idea of nondualism.

I also suggest making the habit to live in the present moment as much as possible since that is where life is happening. There is no past or future. Only the eternal now. Along with that, look into silencing the mind. To turn the thinking off. Putting a silence to the monkey mind.

Understand that the worst that can happen to us is death and once we die there is nothing left in terms of a person suffering or hurting. It’s liberation from suffering indeed.

Hello Don,

Your statement “I’m simply a fearful and unhappy person, who constantly wonders…” is your answer. Are you sure this “person” is who you are?

What is a person anyway? An idea, projected by the mind, believed in by you (Consciousness) as yourself, because you believe yourself to be the mind. Are you not watching the mind, and all the thoughts come and go? Is not even attention watched by you as it is focused or in a state of distractedness?

Attention moves, but have you moved? Thoughts come, but did you come with them? Thoughts leave, did you also leave?

Even the idea of being a seeker is also seen. You are not a seeker. You are Consciousness aware of the idea of being a seeker.

Nothing is far away. Nothing is even near. You are Here. Right now.

What if everything you have taken yourself to be is completely false?

Are you willing to look into the possibility that you are far greater than a bundle of thoughts, perceptions and feelings?

What if you cannot be contained in words and images? What then can describe you?

You are not thoughts. You are not feelings. You are not the body. You are not the mind. You are not attention. You are not experiences. You are not any object that is tangible, and can be seen.

Who are you?