They definitely opened my mind, but I think that had more to do with my denial of my gender identity, as it was still part of the trip that I had to willingly accept washing over me.

I see it kinda like caffeine. Sure, it can stimulate you and “wake you up,” but it isn’t going to do anything to someone who is intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally comatose. You need to want to change something in yourself, to be willing to do what needs to be done for your own and others’ good, whether or not it hurts.

People like this make is horribly difficult to get anyone to even try meditation, as they go around convincing everybody it’s solely a practice in clearing your mind, when in actuality it should be an exercise of mindfulness, in which you raise your awareness of your mental state. Generally, this means people are quite surprised when I tell them about how things they do are functionally equivalent, like taking a walk while thinking introspectively.

Sorry for the rant.