Talent in subjects: That made me chuckle.

Glad I could help.

Again, I have no idea. My guess is that enlightenment could just wrap one's mind at some point in time, might as well happen at random. It might also be the result of studies, physical and mental exercise, diet, psychoactive, mind altering substances (pretty sure those would play an important role actually), prayer, meditation, why contemplation should work or not is beside my current understanding of the topic. It's also very possible that all those things are worthless.

Sounds too good to be true. If it was, though, it might be worth pursuing a career in contemplation.

That's likely the right approach to getting pissed or not. Beside I would admit that Dung never uttered any comments that would suggest the possession of an enlightened soul.

I was not being serious, sorry if I offended anyone. My take is that the poster has not idea what the soul is, and neither do I. Peace.

Mind enlightening me more on your parents too? I'm curious as to the strong influence.

Oh! I thought of this earlier when you first mentioned Campbell. Are you familiar with Joni Mitchell? She was highly influenced by Campbell's work, and inspires me in many ways. She also always considered herself a painter first, though the singing is what made her fame. Google her work, paintings and songs, I think you may enjoy.

Congrats on the clean and sober. Hopefully the cancer is staying away. When discovering MBTI, I did exactly the same. I do take hiatuses at times, but always love being back. It is satisfies this social intellectual stimulation that I need, and find that I retreat here when becoming exhausted because I've forgotten to acknowledge it.

Lifelong? It is apparent by your high level of insight. Very fascinating stuff you're dealing with. I'm currently revisiting a lot of this (synchronicity?) and am currently reading a book I bought a while back in an antique soda shop/book store in Sonora (Hwy 49, gorgeous!). It's called "The Soul's Code: In Search of Character and Calling.." by James Hillman (pub.1970). I struggle with allowing at times, and this idea of daimon is a lot about that. Whether it applies in-depth, there are some core lessons I can learn through understanding these philosophies. I also connect the Being State you speak of with this "allowing", which I feel is become necessary in my life. My determinate mind can only get me so far, as with my spiritual practices (though the spiritual practices seem to get me closer to "allowing" than other routes).

I will make it a point to look further into the Monroe Institute and PMH Atwater's views on death. Was introduced to Elisabeth-Kubler Ross's work (at random?) earlier in life and she prompted me to really study death to understand it, and it has led me to a level of peace and understanding with it. Are you familiar with any of her work? The Wheel of Life: A Memoir of Living and Dying is a great memoir that encompasses much of her life and work with death, and I believe was finished post-paralyzing stroke. It is very insightful, as it comes from a very personal approach, though does get "out there" as she recalls later parts of her life. Though as out there as it gets, there is a lot of great wisdom in her experiences (and this woman was ALL about experience).

I also struggle more than usual on here when explaining my thoughts in a grammatical way that will bring more understanding. When accessing these deeper levels of thought, they tend to stream, then flow, then rush at times. I re-read some of my words sometime and think "that is not how I meant that to come across!". Durr, it's annoying, but I never mind a good edit, and exercise my right do so often.

btw, I think your revised comment provided a lot of clarification. You are presenting a level of insight that many might not completely understand, including myself, however that's when clarification helps a ton. Were you prompted to do a lot of this type of research by your experience with alcohol/cancer? Or have these topics always been of interest?

*Read top to bottom - ran outta space*

Just a heads up, I don't often click on links at random, however you cited yours and it is definitely a topic I'm interested. I have yet to look further into, but do look forward to it. The OP prompted a quality discussion on death, which prompted quality feedback. Whether her intent was attention seeking or not, I thing the thread had good substance, while also providing comfort (it's okay to be human and admit comfort is..comforting ). People participate on this board looking for comfort a lot of the time. People also make intelligent comments for similar attention-seeking purposes.

Your feedback/insight is very valuable, and sounds to come from a place of serious research. However, are you interested in anyone else's views? Or are you only interested in stating what you think is truth, cited through exhaustive links, and expecting everyone else to see from your point of view? (considering not everyone has the same desire as you to investigate certain topics more in-depth) And I am not running away either, EGO doesn't deter me (unless toxic), I am here and interested. Though please don't disregard me because my understanding is not the same as yours.

When looking back at my comment later, I did cringe (just a little bit!) at the sound of it, but then remembered again why I did it. I wanted to see the thread discussion continue, versus a "didn't you get what I was putting down?" type of exchange. I'm beginning to understand that may be how you come across in general, which is fine, that is how you prefer to present your self (and your case). I happen to be in the same way with "sense something, say something", it comes from a place of caring vs. wanting to be right/superior (though I am aware of how it comes across at times and have made a conscious decision to consider that in the future prior to posting). "Calling out" vs. "policing" to me means more of a "heads up" vs. "you're right/wrong". And yes, it was passive-aggressive at worst, but did it resonate at all? Sounds like it might have. Your feedback on my comment definitely resonated with me.

Regarding my post count(?), I have read some of your views, as with many others'. I share a lot of views that people may not understand. I am okay with that. If people want more information, they can ask me, but they still may come to a different understanding (if any) or opinion regardless. I'm okay with that too, I don't need everyone to get it. They are my views, not theirs. Though I do enjoy sharing them.

Thanks for the carrot! I appreciate those over the stick, which I generally respond to by raising my stick. I also appreciate Campbell's work, though I can say it's been years since I've done any serious reading up on him. Bob Monroe I am not familiar with and look forward to understanding the points of view raised through his and Campbell's research together. Sounds like you've done some intense study on "consciousness" and have come to some pretty strong viewpoints on the topic. It is definitely something I'm interested in, and I do appreciate you sharing it.

lol.. pardon for not being more direct. Yes, that is how you came across. I thought the seriousness of the thread that was being ignored through the back/forth, and it prompted me to say something. It's not my intent to police your behavior, again, just felt prompted to call it out fr the sake of the thread.

Tolerance. As in attempting to understand somoone's feedback without being snarky.

Thank you. I'm sorry you don't understand my point of view.

The quotation from Campbell, you'll notice, indicates that love is 'composed of joy, peace, and sadness' (amongst other things).

My love for my father, and the pain I feel at his loss, are therefore not mutually-exclusive, but rather part and parcel of the 'same state of being'.

There is no 'dysfunction' in feeling pain for the loss of someone you love. Indeed, going by your own cited source, it is healthy to be sad when a person you love dies.

Nothing, and no one, will convince me that it is dysfunctional to be in pain because my father is not with us.

Your Campbell quotation supports my view on this matter, not yours.

Good luck with your spiritual journey.

Interesting site. I look forward to checking it out. Thank you for sharing!

RBM, sometimes there is no solution to pain, whatever the suggestion. I feel pain about my father's death because of my deep and continued love for him. Pain and love aren't mutually-exclusive feelings.

I don't know. Good question.

I think she is ESFP. I don't know much beyond that, if its true. She's a good boss.

Thanks for the recommendation. I ordered the DVD "Afterlife." BTW, did you ever get a chance to read "The Lost Secret of Death"?