| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Lili
Netherlands
372 Posts |
 Posted - May 12 2010 : 07:51:49 AM
|
Hi Folks,
I increasingly started to dislike drinking alcohol even very rarely and in small amounts (e.g. 1 glass of wine). 6 months ago I had to discontinue smoking as could not stand it any longer. In other words I didn't quit intentionally, but rather could not contine (if that makes sense). I was not a heavy smoker (0-5 per day), but did smoke for 15 years. Now I am afraid the same is happening to alcohol, which I was never addicted to, but now I find I don't react well to even small amounts, and also find alcohol taste repulsive. Any thoughts? Lili |
|
|
Shanti
USA
4854 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2010 : 08:26:07 AM
|
My experience is exactly the same.
I did not give up drinking alcohol, it gave up on me.  |
 |
|
|
sagebrush
USA
292 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2010 : 08:26:38 AM
|
I am not too sure why you are afraid that you no longer would want to drink alcohol. From my perspective that would seem like a bonus. Not only are you going to save huge amount of money, alcohol is not offering any benefit to a healthy life. I do hear reports on drinking a glass of red wine may be helpful for some heart reason, but not sure if this is true.
I do drink. Today, I would not consider myself in the mood to consume alcohol. But, I do drink and go thru cycles of drinking alot and then not drinking at all. Mostly, I drink because of nerves or anxiety..like it seems to ease my social ackwardness/fears. Or maybe now and then I love a few cold beers after, lets say, mowing the lawn. HOwever......it never seems to agree with me. I get very moody and fiesty, and always regret having drank anything.
It is a trap, and I get stuck in it. So, consider yourself lucky or blessed that you may no longer be hooked into that.
|
|
|
|
Clear White Light
USA
229 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2010 : 08:57:14 AM
|
I very rarely drink. But I drank only occasionally even before beginning meditation and yoga practices. However, beginning daily meditation quickly decreased my already low alcohol intake to pretty much 0. Mostly I gave it up because of the effect it has on my mind and ability to concentrate later when I try to meditate. I gave up red meat for the same reason.
It's good to stop using these things. They are fine in moderation, but even in moderation they can interfere with the effectiveness of our practices. |
|
|
|
Lili
Netherlands
372 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2010 : 09:58:03 AM
|
Hi Folks,
Good to know this can happen. I am somewhat alarmed though because I did not have an alcohol problem--was drinking approximately once a month and very little, now can't even do that. I wonder after smoking and alcohol, what's next  |
|
|
|
CarsonZi
Canada
3189 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2010 : 10:52:16 AM
|
Hi Lili and All
I personally totally still enjoy having a beer or two. I can't remember the last time I got drunk, but when I go out with friends to a hockey game, or work on house renovations, or dozens of other scenarios, I still quite enjoy having a drink or two. I think what has changed for me in this regards is the intention behind drinking. Before it was "escapism" for lack of a better term....trying to take myself out of the "pain of reality" a bit (or a lot  )....now, it is more with the intention of celebrating existence. I love the taste of beer, I love the social aspect of having a drink with friends, I just all around like having a beer at times. I really don't think there is anything "wrong" with enjoying a drink (or NOT enjoying a drink), I think it is all a matter of personal preference and the intention behind drinking that makes it "ok" or not for someone involved in spiritual practices. But, that said, everything is subject to change at any time. I felt the same way about marijuana not so long ago. I quit smoking weed chronically quite a while ago, but I would enjoy having a toke or two with friends or in dozens of other situations....now, I really don't tolerate it well at all (which is strange for someone who smoked a quarter ounce or more of high quality bud everyday for over a dozen years). I can't even have one lungful when I am around others (as it makes me quite anti-social and makes me just want to do yoga practices) and I don't enjoy it even when I am alone. SO, this could easily happen with alcohol as well, but it hasn't yet, and I am not trying to "make it happen" either. I've surrendered to this entire process and I will enjoy what I enjoy....until I don't anymore.
Love!
 |
|
|
|
Christi
United Kingdom
4514 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2010 : 11:20:37 AM
|
Hi Lili,
Yes, the same thing happened to me a while back. I started having strong reactions to alcohol and had to give it up completely, which was a shame because I really liked it.
quote:
I wonder after smoking and alcohol, what's next
White sugar, refined wheat, chocolate and sex, in that order. Sorry to have to break it to you like that.  |
|
|
|
CarsonZi
Canada
3189 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2010 : 11:28:15 AM
|
Hi Christi
quote:
Originally posted by Christi
White sugar, refined wheat, chocolate and sex, in that order. Sorry to have to break it to you like that.
I don't think that is "the order" for everyone (probably goes without saying though). Personally I have already cut out all white sugar, refined wheat and chocolate, but I still enjoy beer and sex, sometimes even together. Don't forget about meat too....I think that is something that also gets dropped at some point as well.
Love!
|
|
|
|
Christi
United Kingdom
4514 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2010 : 11:48:56 AM
|
Hi Carson,
quote:
I don't think that is "the order" for everyone (probably goes without saying though). Personally I have already cut out all white sugar, refined wheat and chocolate, but I still enjoy beer and sex, sometimes even together.
Could be a slightly different order in Canada.
quote:
Don't forget about meat too....I think that is something that also gets dropped at some point as well.
I stopped eating meat 24 years ago (voluntarily), so I don't know how that fits into the purification picture. |
|
|
|
JDH
USA
331 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2010 : 11:49:34 AM
|
Hahaha!
Went from about 10 drinks a week, down to about 1 drink per month since starting AYP. Not on purpose - just not feeling the enjoyment from it anymore, but still feeling the hangovers. |
|
|
|
CarsonZi
Canada
3189 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2010 : 11:55:57 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Christi
Could be a slightly different order in Canada.
Always with the location distinctions
quote:
Originally posted by Christi
I stopped eating meat 24 years ago (voluntarily), so I don't know how that fits into the purification picture.
I was a vegetarian from the age of 16 (when I got my first pet) until October 2008 (a total of 11 years) after having the kundalini awakened....then I REQUIRED meat to help combat some of the energetic symptoms (energy stuck in the head).....have yet to drop it again, but I can already feel it is on it's way out. 
Love!
P.S. I was a REALLY unhealthy vegetarian....I lived off 3 cheese pizza pops and veggie Subway sandwhiches.  |
Edited by - CarsonZi on May 12 2010 11:58:59 AM |
|
|
|
Christi
United Kingdom
4514 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2010 : 12:07:22 PM
|
Hi Carson,
quote:
Always with the location distinctions
You know what they say... location, location, location.
quote:
I was a vegetarian from the age of 16 (when I got my first pet) until October 2008 (a total of 11 years) after having the kundalini awakened....then I REQUIRED meat to help combat some of the energetic symptoms (energy stuck in the head).....have yet to drop it again, but I can already feel it is on it's way out.
Yes, I considered re-introducing meat during one phase of my kundalini awakening a few years ago, but decided not to for ethical and purity reasons.
quote:
P.S. I was a REALLY unhealthy vegetarian....I lived off 3 cheese pizza pops and veggie Subway sandqhiches.
Sounds like you are doing really well now.
Congrats. |
|
|
|
CarsonZi
Canada
3189 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2010 : 12:30:52 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Christi
You know what they say... location, location, location.
Hahaha
quote:
Originally posted by Christi
Yes, I considered re-introducing meat during one phase of my kundalini awakening a few years ago, but decided not to for ethical and purity reasons.
Yeah I get that. It was hard for me to break my "meat-fast"... I felt like I was "backsliding"..... but it was really the only thing that made the difference and made that part of the awakening bearable (the only thing I could find anyways).
quote:
Originally posted by Christi
Sounds like you are doing really well now.
Yes, much much better....healthier in every aspect I can think of. Dropped the drugs, dropped the self-torture, dropped the anger, dropped the need to be "right", dropped basically everything that was causing suffering. Now the only thing that seems to still cause me to suffer is the near constant desire for sexual intimacy. But even with that desire/attachment still intact, it is a much more peaceful and enjoyable existence now....something worth celebrating every single moment of every day .... All thanks to the AYPractices and the support of all of you here......prostrations at the feet of every single one of you. _/\_
Love!
|
|
|
|
emc
2072 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2010 : 12:37:47 PM
|
Yep, couldn't agree more with all posts above! For me it happened absolutely involuntarily and I'm (read: the mind is) still pissed off about it! 
For me the order was:
nicotine (was addicted to both cigarettes and the Swedish speciality snus = snuff I think in English)
meat (fish is still ok though, once in a while when I need grounding with heavier food)
alcohol
sex
coffee
black tea
dairies
and just lately I'm starting to feel that
white sugar
refined wheat and
chocolate
is soon to be banned since the stomach gets really upset from it.
Why is the mind pissed off? Cause it's not getting anything in exchange. Life is just getting more and more ascetic and boring.
If I'm also gonna be on a pitta diet and a sugar free diet overall to get rid of candida (which I suspect is one reason why the stomach is upset, I've eaten penicillin which makes candida grow)... there's almost nothing left to eat or drink that's fun in any way. Rice and broccoli. That's it, sort of.   And that is torture for a pitta, since I'm ALWAYS hungry and interested in food and I can't stand an empty fridge... 
It's funny, though, cause after approx 4 years with no alcohol, I tried some a few weeks ago - and was surprised to find it didn't affect me at all. I didn't feel any "dizziness" or anything else from it, and no hang over the day after. It might be going in phases what you can take or not take during the purification process...? |
Edited by - emc on May 12 2010 12:48:53 PM |
|
|
|
Lili
Netherlands
372 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2010 : 12:51:10 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Christi
quote:
I wonder after smoking and alcohol, what's next
White sugar, refined wheat, chocolate and sex, in that order. Sorry to have to break it to you like that.
Oh oh -- you're right it's a bit abrupt i already dropped sugar and refined wheat, also moved from regular to dark chockolate--so not much left for me really
Tried to become vegetarian too but still have cravings so didn't quite succeed |
|
|
|
Lili
Netherlands
372 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2010 : 12:55:37 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by CarsonZi
Hi Lili and All
I personally totally still enjoy having a beer or two. I love the taste of beer, I love the social aspect of having a drink with friends, I just all around like having a beer at times. I really don't think there is anything "wrong" with enjoying a drink (or NOT enjoying a drink)
I agree with you Carson--have one to my health and to the health of Christi and EMC next time |
Edited by - Lili on May 12 2010 12:57:38 PM |
|
|
|
Christi
United Kingdom
4514 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2010 : 1:02:27 PM
|
Hi Lili,
quote:
Oh oh -- you're right it's a bit abrupt i already dropped sugar and refined wheat, also moved from regular to dark chockolate--so not much left for me really
Enjoy the dark chocolate whilst you still can. |
Edited by - Christi on May 12 2010 1:44:44 PM |
|
|
|
Christi
United Kingdom
4514 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2010 : 1:07:01 PM
|
Hi carson,
quote:
Yes, much much better....healthier in every aspect I can think of. Dropped the drugs, dropped the self-torture, dropped the anger, dropped the need to be "right", dropped basically everything that was causing suffering. Now the only thing that seems to still cause me to suffer is the near constant desire for sexual intimacy. But even with that desire/attachment still intact, it is a much more peaceful and enjoyable existence now....something worth celebrating every single moment of every day .... All thanks to the AYPractices and the support of all of you here......prostrations at the feet of every single one of you. _/\_
Pranams. |
|
|
|
emc
2072 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2010 : 2:20:50 PM
|
|
|
|
|
Christi
United Kingdom
4514 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2010 : 3:22:32 PM
|
Hi Lili and all,
On a more serious note, here is an exerpt from an email Yogani sent to me once when I asked him about increasing my practice times during a period when I was becoming very sensitive to certain foods. He gave me permission to reproduce what he said here:
"Once purification and opening become stabilized, sensitivity to foods and environmental factors becomes much less, and we can eat foods we could not along the way, though we may not be inclined to. So the higher sensitivity isn't only about the food or anything else that may be regarded as "toxic." It is also about the rate of purification that is occurring and the nervous system's process of adaption to the new dynamic.
So the sensitivities are a symptom of purification and opening. Because the sensitivities are there, increasing purification and opening could increase the sensitivities, leading to more discomfort. The rash episode and other notable collapses in the Secrets of Wilder story were included to illustrate the point."[Yogani]
So it looks like food and drink sensitivities are just a stage of the purification process. Good news for us all, on many levels.
Christi |
Edited by - Christi on May 12 2010 3:33:40 PM |
|
|
|
emc
2072 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2010 : 3:42:36 PM
|
Hehe, when we finally can go back to sex, drugs and rock'n roll... we're not gonna want to have it...
It's like one of my teachers told me:
- Now I'm old and supposed to live on my memories... but I have forgotten all of them!?
|
|
|
|
Christi
United Kingdom
4514 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2010 : 3:59:10 PM
|
|
|
|
|
Lili
Netherlands
372 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2010 : 4:42:45 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Christi
Hi Lili,
quote:
Oh oh -- you're right it's a bit abrupt i already dropped sugar and refined wheat, also moved from regular to dark chockolate--so not much left for me really
Enjoy the dark chocolate whilst you still can.
Hehe Christi glad the British humour is the last to drop on the list (which is why you didn't even list it)
Guess as you say makes sense to settle for dark chockolate--while I still can |
|
|
|
Christi
United Kingdom
4514 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2010 : 4:51:11 PM
|
Hi Lili,
quote:
Hehe Christi glad the British humour is the last to drop on the list (which is why you didn't even list it)
If I ever loose that I'll give up yoga. Everything else I can live without. |
|
|
|
manigma
India
1065 Posts |
Posted - May 13 2010 : 01:48:23 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Lili
I increasingly started to dislike drinking alcohol... discontinue smoking...
If the quality of food can alter the state of your mind.
The state of your mind can alter the likes of your food. |
|
|
|
Tibetan_Ice
Canada
758 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2010 : 11:48:40 PM
|
Hi :)
I haven't had a drink for about 27 years.
:0
TI |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Do you drink alcohol?
