Soul Sickness, Meaning-Making and The Shadow with Alex Ebert

[@gypsyjuice]

"The misery required to prompt spiritual investigation..." that line stands out to me as a very decent definition for "dark night of the soul"

[@THIRDEYEDROPS]

I think on the extreme end, for sure.

[@BallBatteryReligion]

I know that's a damn good way to describe what happened to me. I had an intense experience (psychedelic) that weirdly didn't "dissolve my ego" as I expected it would during the trip (I was also resisting it) but in the following weeks I felt the closest to what I would describe as a prolonged ego death. And afterwards, I entered a very dark place on basically every level. Physically in bad health, depressed, financially destitute, exiting a very long relationship, nearly homeless and succumbing to vices. It was just allll the bad things at once lol. But, the combination of depression and plenty of time to myself led me to some deep existential and spiritual questioning and introspection. And as one thing got better, so did another, then another. And I came out the "other side" far more self aware, with newfound acceptance and my creativity and curiosity reignited even more powerful than before I'd lost sight of them so long ago. Creativity and curiosity are my strongest, natural inclinations. Once I realized that and how integral it was to my identity and well being, I started living in a way that allowed those traits to be satisfied and integrated. My depression and anxiety almost immediately subsided. I'm no where close to whole, and even lately its gotten dark once again. But I now know what to do, and I know I'll not only be okay: I'll be better than before.

[@hermeticmoth]

42:00 this is why I love Seneca's odd relationship with Epicurus. Seneca was known to harshly criticize Epicurian school of thought, but over and over Seneca told Lucilius that he was deeply compelled to understand it and be willing to accept where he was wrong -- often calling Epicurians part of his community. It sounds so simple to do that, but is so humanly difficult to allow that kind of dissonance in radical acceptance.

[@samuelhumphrey5908]

Yes ❤

[@CALCANEUS3535]

Such a good conversation. I mean, any good and wonderfull thinker seems to only shine brighter when wonder dipping and melding w Michael! So blessed to have you! When will you have Vervaeke in for a chat?

[@THIRDEYEDROPS]

Would love to. Tried reaching out to him recently actually.

[@TerryLynnMercer]

Doom fades because love is all there truly is, beneath it all - always.

[@good_ant]

Wow I'd never heard of Edward Sharpe but I used to LOVE IMA Robot. Been enjoying this conversation and had no idea he was the singer of that band. Brings back great memories of childhood and playing SSX Tricky.

[@THIRDEYEDROPS]

Haha, I remember that game too. Good times.

[@kathleenkaleookalanismith8724]

Okay I’m obsessed with this talk 😮

[@THIRDEYEDROPS]

🙏

[@angelcandelaria6728]

The Brand segment was life changing

[@brunopapas]

Michael, this was remarkably good, a conversation without riffing so much on the mythopoetic archetypes that we can make use of to make sense of all of this. I understand the value of such maps that help you navigate reality, but I feel more than often they do a dis-service to the whole experience as they create containers. The 5D one is just one example of the immense BS but there are so many that instead of helping and leaving space for the joy of the mystery that each one of us holds inside to unfold, they just algorithmically label things. It seems to me that can be as many labels of the experience as per the amount of people in the face of the earth (it's a feeling). On another note, I truly appreciate your one-man band attitude and the labour of love you putting into all that you're creating - it is a blessing to be able to enjoy such conversations. Does it need to be in a studio setting or could it be a WALK-N-TALK format with all of it's unexpectedness that can arise in a defined time slot? Just imagine... 🎶🎶🎶

[@THIRDEYEDROPS]

Thank you my friend ☀️

[@glp1realtalk]

Fabulous episode!! :)

[@milohecht1837]

With comfort comes complacency. Complacency in self as with everything else.

[@sophiasometimes9818]

Exactly what are you fortifying I can relate with a few subcultures I’ve mingled with.i decided a long time ago that I’m just not a scenist not a real word but I just can’t wholeheartedly be part of a scene I can connect with people on different levels without having to agree or like the same things.Not to say that some ideas don’t piss me off but are humans more than just some of their stupid ideas?it’s a balance for sure.

[@jakesmith6792]

I've been hoping that you guys would reconnect! Thanks for another great episode! ❤

[@THIRDEYEDROPS]

✨🙏✨

[@kathleenkaleookalanismith8724]

Oh my goddddddd I love this man you are interviewing 😂

[@THIRDEYEDROPS]

He’s a smart handsome fella.

[@kathleenkaleookalanismith8724]

Are we all really comfortable though? It seems that we are extremely uncomfortable deep down on the inside. The “angst” exist in us all and we will have to answer that call eventually as individuals and then ultimately as a community

[@THIRDEYEDROPS]

I don’t think we’re that comfortable. But many of us are comfortable enough to be complacent.

[@kathleenkaleookalanismith8724]

@@THIRDEYEDROPS I see! It can be scary for change but I will say, the more we partake of freedom and taste the ecstasy of it, perhaps that will entice the complacency in people to move from curiosity to action 🥰🫶🏽✌️

[@CALCANEUS3535]

Really good point. I think we are in what John Vervaeke would call, modal confusion. We are mistaking the “having mode” for the “being mode”. We actually long to be in love and to become wise, instead we have a lot of sex and have status symbols. Kind of like mistaking being full for being nourished. We’re just comfortable enough with fillers to not seek to venture out in search of substance.

[@kathleenkaleookalanismith8724]

@@CALCANEUS3535 thisssssssss 🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽💕💕💕

[@mikareno11]

In regard to connection of others, I reckon what determines quality of life n longevity is connection with self I do reckon spiritual growth is faster when I’m single Thanks for the upload Listened to this while I was cleaning the home

[@igorkuna290]

Bookmarking 51:35 for future replays ❤

[@akerr5823]

I still not sure what 5d is , but I did hear a cool thing that is about softening and opening up …

[@gitannagitanna]

Love this! ❤️‍🔥 refreshing & resonant 👌😺

[@THIRDEYEDROPS]

✨🙏✨

[@brunopapas]

22min - "It no measure of one’s health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society." - J. Krishnamurti

[@brunopapas]

where can i find the door to 5D

[@MissAmericarules]

Want to share this to Twitter

[@rabbitcreative]

"As long as Man continues to be the ruthless destroyer of lower living beings, he will never know health or peace. For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seed of murder and pain cannot reap joy and love." - Pythagoras (Live vegan.)

[@claudesilverio677]

Alchemy⚗️ a neverending repeating cycles of monads,- negrido, albedo, rubedo - , the self undergoes so many transformations, so many possible masks to wear😅😢, but always around the anima mundi.

[@MissAmericarules]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jerryk3280]

Question everything. Especially your own beliefs 🙂

[@tigg777]

❤

[@driggerfireon5760]

Nose-ear -nose ear itch :)

[@GeistMeister]

i’d love to watch these but all the ad breaks make it impossible 👎

[@THIRDEYEDROPS]

The audio version will go up next week with no mid rolls. Unfortunately KZbin ads are important for my survival.

[@CALCANEUS3535]

@@THIRDEYEDROPS no worries at all! Your incredibly rich content and knowing the ads afford you a means to a living are more than worth the temporary inconveniences!

[@Flowstatepaint]

May you blow up in the name of glob 💥

[@THIRDEYEDROPS]

🙏🙏🙏

[@MissAmericarules]

What is your Twitter name

[@THIRDEYEDROPS]

Not very active on Twitter! But thanks you! it’s just thirdeyedrops