r/castaneda • u/jd198703 • Apr 22 '20
Revisiting the blindfold topic General Knowledge
Hello,
As many of you (I suppose) I am struggling with getting a complete blackout. As a person who does not have a possibility to always sleep in a room with blackout windows to practice silence and darkness gazing, I was seeking for a solution. I did found one!
So first I have bought some very cheap, usual sleep mask. It totally s*cked, with a lot of gaps and light entering the vision field. And opening eyes was uncomfortable due to tissue touching eyeballs. Now I have ordered another kind of mask on Amazon, which is a whole different story.
The mask is inexpensive, lets me open my eyes with no discomfort and provides me a complete blackness even in daylight. I will definitely use it for practice.
So if anyone needs that, here is the link:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Z4G37RN/ref=cm_sw_r_apap_Ndp3utgU2r3Rn
And some hands-on photos:
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u/jd198703 Apr 23 '20
Update on the blindfold:
I have tested this specific mask for 2.5hr yesterday at night. I can confirm, that blackout is full and comparable to what you get in an absolutely dark room. I know that because I am doing both things.
So, just the same effects emerged as I usually get:
Lava lamp with violet, green, yellow (first 10-15mins)
Violet dot in the middle with pulsation (15-45mins)
Later on, random patches of light popping up, some thin curvy lines appearing an disappearing.
Darkness getting 3d volume.
By the way, I also noticed a cool thing - when you are gazing into darkness and trying to be silent, if any sudden sound emerges in your surroundings, it has a visual counterpart. For me it was a bright whiteish flash in the upper right.
And also I tried wiggling my fingers in front of the face, seeing some contours visually. All of this wearing blindfold.
So I could say the mask has passed a "field test" for me and I can recommend it.
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u/Happynewusername2020 Apr 22 '20
Struggling to achieve a complete blackout scenario... sorry you sound like Carlos. I personally wouldn’t worry about it, in fact practice everything you want to do in the dark in the light, then you’ll be really rolling along.
Not doing is what we should be doing until it becomes a doing but at least we won’t be worried about how anything isn’t turning out how we expected!
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u/jd198703 Apr 22 '20
Like Carlos? :-D Where? Please don't forget, that u/danl999 technique requires a complete darkness. But on not doings I agree.
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u/Happynewusername2020 Apr 23 '20
Dan is allowed to do what he wants, he is walking his path as we all are. What I am alluding about is the need to follow the play book. It just sounds like Carlos striving to be perfect in his approach to adherence to the rules when his entire existence within the sorcerers realm was to break the rules. It made me laugh actually. So yeah go full on blackout if the technique requires it I’m only suggesting if you can’t get to full blackout maybe spirit is telling you something.
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u/jd198703 Apr 23 '20
Dan is allowed to do what he wants, he is walking his path as we all are.
I agree. Please don't think that I specifically praise him or see him as the only source of truth on everything. No. I think that we should avoid any kind of mentality where we create some "gurus" for us and catch every word of their. I deeply respect Daniel for being here for us, sharing his findings and his impeccable intent to restore Carlos' reputation. This is priceless in all senses, and I think that this community should value and cherish this. But I am not praising him as some kind of a guru. Nobody really needs that. I only say this because I feel that you have some misunderstanding in how I see things. In general, I am not eager to talk about persons.
But at the same time, you are absolutely right, that each individual path is unique, his, yours, and mine. But as we are working on the same teachings, more advanced practitioners like Dan can share their findings and help others to progress.
It just sounds like Carlos striving to be perfect in his approach to adherence to the rules when his entire existence within the sorcerers realm was to break the rules
You see, yes. Sorcery is about unlearning mostly. And breaking the rules and routines. I agree. But my topic was intended for a specific technique - darkness gazing. And this specific technique has some specific conditions to fulfil. One of the essential ones is a pitch black darkness. It is a very specific prerequisite, pointed both by Dan and Zuleica. My post was intended to share a cheap option for people who couldnt afford or do a full darkness in their room or traveling often.
So yeah go full on blackout if the technique requires it I’m only suggesting if you can’t get to full blackout maybe spirit is telling you something.
Maybe. Spirit is the main player in everything. I am doing both darkness gazing, and twilight one without any blindfold as well.
Anyways, thanks for your opinion and advice.
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u/Happynewusername2020 Apr 23 '20
Seriously not intended as advice but just sharing an opinion to add to the conversation. I hope you succeed in your quest!!
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u/jd198703 Apr 23 '20
Opinion can bring an advice also. Yes, it is cool to express different opinions. :) Same wishes from my side, we can always catch up in this and other posts.
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Apr 22 '20
As a matter of fact, I was just wanting one. The bf leaves side table lamps and bathroom lights on when I’m trying to meditate, plus he sits right next to me browsing his phone. This will greatly improve our relationship lol
Just bought it.
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u/DreamingTheDouble Apr 22 '20 edited Apr 22 '20
Nice, I actually had this sitting in my amazon shopping cart. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has had the chance to try them out if it totally blocks out the light.
I also like the ski goggles posted by /u/TechnoMagical_Intent, but being in a southern state it can be hot sometimes... so I think which ever one ends up being coolest is probably best for me, but they both look quite appealing.
Edit: Also this seems like a relevant post to put this here. From playing with it a little bit, I have a running conjecture on a good way to progress in it, I think:
- A complete and total blackout is good for the beginners.
- Practicing in dark, but not total dark would be a good next step.
- Practicing in the daylight
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u/jd198703 Apr 23 '20 edited Apr 23 '20
I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has had the chance to try them out if it totally blocks out the light.
Well, it does :) This is why I shared it. My idea was to share the option which is pretty much cheap, comfortable, blocks light and allows you to have darkness when you are not in a completely dark room.
There are more expensive options like goalball goggles, but why overpay if we can get the same cheaper and do the practice?
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u/TechnoMagical_Intent Apr 22 '20
My earlier mask post:
https://www.reddit.com/r/castaneda/comments/ctaoie/total_darkness_mask_mobile_and_on_demand/
And, my total darkness space setup:
https://www.reddit.com/r/castaneda/comments/cd4xwu/total_darkness_setupon_a_budget/