Pre-Existing:

Watch your thoughts but don't "connect" with them, just let them come and go.
You are not those thoughts because you are able to observe those thoughts.
But you are also able to observe that your are observing your thoughts.
You are not the observer, then.
What are you?
The observer of the observer?
Can the observer of the observer be observed?
How infinite are we?

The Simplest Way to Slip Into Expanded Consciousness

The very first exercise my mentor in theosophy gave me to do was to stare at a candle flame with no thought in my mind, even the thought "I'm staring at a candle flame".  He told me it would help my focus... I had no idea what was to come.  By his prescription, I performed the ritual for five minutes in the morning and five minutes at night, every day.  After a relatively short period of time it became easier to stay focused on the observation of the flame with an empty mind, and to maintain that focus for longer intervals.

One day, as I was doing my nightly ritual, it unexpectedly happened. My entire identity, my whole sense of 'self', dissolved into nothingness. What was left was just pure awareness, pure being-ness, pure "is-ness". I was in all places in my room at once, I was all things, I was all times, I was no longer me.  The effect of this experience does not last, contrary to what many people who chase "enlightenment" might believe. After about two days, I was back to living out the story of "me".

Fortunately, there is a method to help bring it back quicker.  First, don't stop the candle exercise. It will bring the desired state of consciousness back more easily. Second, when in that state, create physical cues that will make your brain associate the experience (for example, rub the bottom of your ear every few seconds while in that expanded awareness). Eventually you will train your brain to re-create that state almost at will. Congratulations, you are now a psychonaut.

The important point is to get over yourself and just DO IT. Don't intellectualize it or complicate it. Just "observe candle, no thought". Simple.

Enjoy navigating the waters of the reality that exists outside the mundane, boring, limited daily experience!

The Truth About You

From Guy Ritchie's movie, Revolver. This hits directly at the ultimate truth of our self-created identity.

There is something about yourself that you don’t know. Something that you will deny even exists until it’s too late to do anything about it. It’s the only reason you get up in the morning, the only reason you suffer the shitty boss, the blood, the sweat and the tears. This is because you want people to know how good, attractive, generous, funny, wild and clever you really are. “Fear or revere me, but please think I’m special.” We share an addiction. We’re approval junkies. We’re all in it for the slap on the back and the gold watch. The “hip, hip, hoo-fucking-rah.” Look at the clever boy with the badge, polishing his trophy. Shine on, you crazy diamond. Cos we’re just monkeys wrapped in suits, begging for the approval of others.