I constantly find application for the lessons of Ending Unnecessary Suffering and those of the Increasing Consciousness Group, especially with respect to getting things done. Case in point: I've recently organized an introduction to consciousness workshop, which could be seen as an abject failure. Only a single person showed up. (Though we had a really good time together.) I could have worried before the workshop whether anyone would come. But I knew it to be pointless (at the point where nothing could be done about it anymore.) And I could have felt bad about it afterwards - but what for? It would be just like rubbing salt into the wound. My mind is helpfully suggesting rather unhelpful courses of action, such as not organising a workshop ever again. What would that achieve?! (Aside of protecting my fragile ego, obviously.) I need to be clear on what I want, and why. The intelligent course of action is to learn from the failure and change my approach so that I will be more successful next time. It is kind of fun to watch what the mind (or rather the "small self") is trying to do, and figuring out what I should actually do instead. The two key lessons I am applying here is 1) knowing what thoughts only cause unnecessary suffering and not engaging in them; 2) not allowing emotional turmoil and the fears and desires of the self to take control, instead, staying clear on purpose and seeking an intelligent way towards to goal. As Peter wrote: "Breakdowns or negative thoughts and feelings regarding actions toward a committed goal, are not inconsistent with commitment. In fact, they are likely to arise in contrast to the reality of committed action. What is inconsistent with commitment is remaining with these breakdowns — ineffective behavior, despair, resistance, upset, fear, incapacity, etc. — not whether they come up or not. They would not arise without one taking a stand in the first place. Commitment is what moves us through them, rather than have them stop us."

I spontaneously sat down for a solo contemplation just yesterday for the first time in a while and noticed something strange. Even though I think I practice this work a lot, most of it is still in the domain of life management. During the contemplation I got to a core part of my experience which I rarely visit. I was reminded how mindblowing this work actually is, when it is done for real. I know this experience is available, but it doesn't occur to me to visit amongst all the problems and challenges of life. Even when working on being complete, it is a life management driven endeavour. It feels great. Wanting the truth, being curious about the reality of anything is a different project. It is amazing how fast I forget the experience of practicing consciuosness work. By it's nature it is deep and goes to the core. It seems that the mind cannot remember depth. A memory of depth is nothing compared to the experience. Even when I had that expereience many many times. If I want it to make a real difference in my general life experience, if I want to have a more core, more real, deeper experience as my default, the only way around that is to expereience the depth now.

I think it would be very valuable to get Sam Harris (https://www.wakingup.com/) to interview Peter Ralston. Listeners in Sam's meditation/lectures/conversations app would benefit from it, and more people would discover the potential of this consciousness work. The question is, how? Do you know of any way to reach out to Sam Harris, or do you know someone who might? If so - let me know and let's do this together! 🙏

Thanks, Viktor, for the video and exercises! I'll let you know if anything comes up 👍 "Notice the constant drive to be comfortable. Do not ignore it, judge it, or make it wrong. Just see it as part of your experience. Watch how it shows up in your body, your choices, your relationships, your work, and your inner life. ​ Then ask yourself: "How would my experience change if I did not care about comfort at all? How would my pursuit of truth change?" ​ You do not have to become uncomfortable. Just see what becomes available when comfort is no longer the issue." Notice - if you only pursue comfort, what would happen? What happens in your career if you only pursue comfort? What happens in your relationships if you only pursue comfort? What happens in your life if you only pursue comfort?"

Hey all, I have facilitated a great Being Complete online workshop a few weeks ago and made some income on it but during the current phase of my life I'm not in need of it. For this reason I have decided to donate this amount to people that are interested in doing this work and are in genuine need of funds to finance their efforts. There is a limited amount at this point but if you wish to attend a workshop, please write an honest message to me about your situation, describing your geinuine interest and which workshop you'd like to attend. (please at this poing only consider one of the smaller ones). Best! V