Vin: The Myth of the Cosmos

I’m wondering what you are looking for -feedback on subtypes? Our perspective on the theories presented in each of the videos? I’d like to help but I’m not sure how- offering my own perspective or experience with these topics or theirs or... feeling confused and curious and would love a little bit more clarification @auburn

Great, thanks @auburn I'll start with some thoughts on the Esoteric's...

On Carl Jung:

"If I know a thing, I don't need to believe it."  This resonates with me.  I don't consider myself as someone who ascribes to any particular belief.  I understand that we all have "beliefs" but my experience is that identifying with these beliefs become catalysts for limiting behaviors-usually negative ones- and it limits the full experience of what is actually the reality. Unless I know it, in a felt sense ( and this isn't reality in the objective sense ), whatever I'm believing at the time is temporary-as is my life.  The felt sense is the part of myself that is unchanging, timeless, effortless.  Even putting it into words is limiting the truth of it.  I also really appreciate and resonate with Jung's perspective on death.  Of course, its something I fear at times, but my ideal self sees it as just another thing that happens and it is not as limiting as the mind makes it out to be.  I'm just changing forms into another aspect of consciousness.

On Shauna Shapiro:

"Actually experience and embody mindfulness on a felt sense."  I've spent some time in meditation communities and feel a bit ashamed and unworthy when I see others spending years spinning their wheels trying to master this concept.  A little ashamed that to me this is a no brainer-state of living that is natural.  One can't "try" to be mindful-kind of defeats the purpose.  Its more of an action of stepping out of the way of your true self.  The mind wants to attach labels to everything to feel in control and safe.  Mindfulness is a way to observe that pattern, and to practice non judgement.  Observing is second nature to me.  The observer is always on and I'm aware of this part of me. This part is a no-brainer.  The 'non judgment' aspect is where I can struggle.  I can be critical and hard on myself for the ways I don't show up.  I judge myself more harshly than others- if I observe myself and start to drift, I judge myself for drifting.  Then I judge myself for judging the part that judges. Ha! A strange thing. I can see a lot of myself in Shauna, and think I could easily be someone who teaches mindfulness because its fairly natural to me- and I don't often judge the others who are struggling, and have endless amounts of patience. Well, actually I can get bored and restless just like everyone else but I tend to find my threshold is greater.

On Sevan Bomar:

Admittedly I couldn't watch this video because I am afraid of the concept of Hell.  The word is still a bit triggering to me because I grew up in a Christian church that rammed the concept down my throat. So I can't comment on this topic.  But if I had to guess- he's probably saying that hell is a concept constructed by the mind and believing it is actually what creates the realm.  Otherwise, it wouldn't exist in consciousness. If people stopped believing it, it wouldn't exist...

Anterio Alli:

I've never heard of the 8th Circuits. Funny how a lot of these theories have 7 or 8 levels (graves, chakras, spirals).  First thing that comes to mind is that its just another way to explain the "levels of consciousness", and 8th circuit can be achieved after passing through all the circuits.  I would relate the 8th circuit to be the ultimate state of being unidentified with the body and being one with universal consciousness. I have a lot of dreams with that emergent level of uncertainty and out of body experiences.  I don't think they are that special or mystical.  I've never been that into those mystical worlds-well not in the way that people describe them.  To me, the 8th circuit is just like the 4th circuit- nothing mystical-just the way it is.  At any time one can step away from the body.  I'm more interested in inhabiting the body, fully, and welcoming the physical heaviness that exists there.  Sure I like being in the clouds, but a long as I'm inhabiting this body- I want to embrace it fully and find ways to ground down.  I'm not interested in going up.  I want to move down, deeper.  The void is real, its just not as abstract as this guy makes it out to be.

Adi Da:

"Being that which is already the case."  Hmm, while I agree with the overall principle of not identifying with reality as permanence and I get what he's saying- I feel that what Adi and others like him teach can end up being harmful.  I've noticed that people have a tendency to use the "no self" as way to bypass the ego and all worldly concepts.  Too much identity/agenda with becoming "no self" can actually become an identity in itself.  Guess what Adi, I am here, in this body and happy to be.  Its silly how this teaching seems to glorify the transcendence.  True transcendence to me is to embrace all that is, even the murky, wart covered, broken parts of oneself. To me, the ego is a friend, not a foe.  Its about befriending it, not transcending it. 

Ekhart Tolle:

He was one of those lucky bastards who was able to have a full blown awakening without spending years on the path to enlightenment.  I'm a fan of Tolle, and I love the concept of being aware of the agenda. I think its such a delicate balance to try and share ones own experience with reality in a universal language.  The person who asked the question is a great example.  The whole point of the teaching isn't to just let life blow you around, but its about dropping the agenda of trying to be something its not.  Acceptance to me is dynamic-its not a passive thing.  I love the internal resistance concept.  "The road to hell was paved with good intentions." Really examining, 'is this my intention', or 'is this my agenda'.  My issue with Tolle is that he's an example of someone who pretty awake/realized.  He's not able to relate to most people in a way that they may need.  Someone to hold their hand, wash their butts, etc.  The power of presence can do this- but I think his teachings would be more powerful if he wasn't an NiFe type.  People may need someone else who's more down to earth to translate his teachings in a relatable way. I don't think its as natural for most to be in this state so effortlessly. He does make it look easy, and Of course, I'm a big fan of him, and love the way he laughs as he teaches.  It is all pretty hilarious if you think about it:)

A personal narrative from a NiFe:

It’s a strange thing, the land of Introverted intuition. Seeing the world from a place of complete and utter awe- both at the mesmerizing beauty and the seeming ignorance of its inhabitants. One of this kind instinctually knows it has a body, and can even appear to blend effortlessly with its human brotherhood, looking no different from anyone else. However, upon closer reflection, it becomes clear that this person sees the world from a different lens.

The feeling of being a person of dominant Introverted intuition is rather difficult to put to words but I’ll try:

The brain seems to operate on its own devices. Paradoxically, when this function is doing nothing, it is actually the most alive. It is as if Nothingness is its greatest resting state. It feels as if the mind is like a soak in the hot tub- the soothing whir of the jets kneading it’s cohabitants into a pool of softened flesh, streaming the warm water caressing every inch of her skin. A feeling of paralysis overtakes the entirety of her being.

When she emerges from the tub, she is refreshed, flexible, soaked in warmth, as steam rises into the cool air, absorbing the superfluous moist residue. Everything becomes nothing, nothing is everything. The very act of soaking in the tub is the action. Nothing needs to be done. All is well. Then, out of seemingly nowhere- actions that need to be taken are clear. Things one was unsure about suddenly become decided. No analysis, no inquiring with friends, no hands on testing required.

From this place, all actions and decisions are not dramatic- to the Introverted Intuitive. To the outside observer, she may appear to be strange and uninformed, even bullish. But inside- it’s a well of peace, openness, and clarity. There are no friends or foe, rights or wrongs, Black or white. It’s all relative. From this place, attachment to objects is not entirely possible. Rather, the Introverted intuitive realizes that it is constantly relating, fluidly, to all beings and existence as a whole.

There becomes less fear of the unknown, because in a sense, all is already known and exists somewhere in consciousness. There is a sense of peace with that knowledge. She may not be a lawyer or have children or know what it’s like to die. But somewhere, someone else has lived these experiences- and that provides comfort and appreciation for all the different walks of life. She is able to see that everything and nothing exists inside of her.

She often ponders why/how others can’t see the truth of reality, but this is fleeting, for her truth reminds her that indeed, they do know, at the deepest level of their being.

It brings to her heart a vast understanding of all feelings, perspectives and judgments, and uses her heart as a catalyst of remediation, and although it can be quite uncomfortable, she understands that she must host this portal for all of mankind.

A young introverted intuitive may experience crippling insecurity and self doubt. She may catch herself in the grip of pleasurable sensations. She might obsessively worry about all things great and small. She may learn to dampen her intuition, out of fear and immaturity, and to keep herself feeling safe.

As she ripens, so does her capacity to hold herself and others with a tender, yet incredibly powerful heart. She develops deep trust for the hot tub in her skull, and learns to step out of the way of its function, with each passing day becoming more and more secure and safe in its care.

Her greatest gift is she can understand and hold the most horrific parts of existence, with compassion and free of judgment. She knows her purpose is already fulfilled; even though it may not manifest into collective reality until she’s departed the earth. She knows no time, rather abides in a place that has no beginning, no end. The unchanging, ever present expansive eternal.

Good question. That might be something to explore deeper... as an NiTe, how do you relate to the above?

I haven't seen as many NiTe's into this mysticism.
But those that are usually have a less zen bent to things, and more of an edgy quasi-materialist esotericism. Julius Evola & Wolfgang Pauli come to mind.

leeleechirps2.0 - That summary is just priceless. I'm still soaking it in (heh), but its precisely the type of account that will help so much in extracting out an in-depth profile for this type.

Maybe we can call a few other Ni-leads for their thoughts too: sitbone , ayoungspirit

mikesilb - Ah, well there are some. Sorry, I was just focusing on Ni-leads for the OP. But I'll post some below.

Regarding Ni's nature... yes actually the secondary qualities of Ni (i.e. holism, equanimity, phlegmatic, relativism) which come from Pi-lead, contribute to that sort of relaxed state. A Je-lead with an Ni subtype will not want to 'relax' fully onto the undifferentiated non-ego, and such concepts. And that's because ego comes from the differentiation process "J" - and Je cannot exist without "motive" or "vector" to try to have agency/agenda in the world.

(Not even regular Ni-leads will necessarily want to enter that fully undifferentiated soup, but Ni heavy Ni-leads tend towards it. And there's at least an awareness of that option/gateway/path ever in mind for the Ni-lead)


FeNi-Ni Ralph Smart

Discussing how to unlock your subconscious mind and get anything



Discussing how to manifest magic money



^
Notice how despite the Ni themes, there's still a focus on "getting something" or "making money".
Ni is not a pure experience here, but an aid/facilitator to the primary function.

FeNi-Ni Oprah Winfrey

Discussing "everything is happening as it should", "there are no mistakes"



^ Again, it starts with desires to do/move/make decisions... and then Ni steps in and gives Oprah some equanimity of mind to realize.... even if things don't go well, it's all happening as it should. Ni here is used remove the judgmental edge off of Fe, and bring in holistic acceptance.

FeNi-Fe Will Smith

(not an Ni-heavy, but to give contrast...)

Discussing choice, manifestation, changing the laws of reality and performing self-alchemy



^ There is some imprint of Ni's themes in his philosophies, but he's guided by Fe's myth instead; of Meaning, Manifestation. "being an idea" (N) and making oneself shine for the world to see (Fe).

Can one be a NiFe type and NOT good at long term forecasting ? I don’t like to pick one future possibility - sure I can imagine them but it seems silly. Often I get caught seeing multiple persectives and have a difficult time picking the accurate prediction- when they all seem possible. Idk, maybe I’m the only one but talking about the future of the government or economy does not interest me in the sightest @auburn

It can be iffy associating specific practical skills to particular functions, at least beyond vague trends.

I'd say that preoccupation with the cosmic-level long term is more distinctly Ni-ish, while more direct "price of Apple stock next quarter" kind of forecasting is much less type related.