VioletFlame

@Elysian That tattoo sounds wicked cool!! and I'm so glad I was able to describe it in a way that resonated. ❤️

@Jack River Very poetically said! That's understandable. Thank you. I always imagined the ego to look like a black orb of dark energy that spins and spills or tangles like yarn.

I've pondered this for so long! I love this. ❤️ One thing that frequently happens to me is I have these recurring Deja Vu-type dreams where I will dream of something I dreamt about years ago. These random images and flashes of scenes return to my consciousness and hit me and I wake up thinking "Whaaat where did this come from? I had this dream like 5 years ago! What's it saying to me?" and I'll just keep pondering what it was trying to tell me or trying to get me to notice for the rest of the day lol. Even like dreams I never thought I'd even remember reappear. There's so many complex ones that I have but one simple example of a recurring dream I've had was where I am just walking through a long tunnel/alley/corridor looking over my shoulder a few times. and that's all it is. Mind you the first time I had this dream was probably like 8 years ago and I still have the same one occur every now and then. Sometimes I wonder if they are visions or premonitions. When I was 6 years old I had one of the most lucid dreams of my life where I woke up crying and with chills. I had some sort of physical/mental futuristic reaction to a relative's passing. I dreamt the exact location where she passed and it was a day before it actually happened.

♥️ ♥️ ♥️

Hey there, I'm sorry I only just noticed this now! Thank you. Well firstly, there's so many different types & sub-categories of Pantheism, I believe around ten or twelve. But generally it is the belief that there is nothing separate between nature and God. That the universe, and consciousness is God. Your eyes are God. Your inner cosmos. The soul and the body are One. That everything in reality is Divine and God lives within existence itself and that being a part of the universe and a part of nature, is part of God. Feeling awe and reverence in nature and the Oneness of All and everything that is. It is the belief in the Divine unity of the world as interconnectedness, as ultimately of one substance and it's about recognizing that nothing is "supernatural" if something occurs, then it's natural. Pan=All and Theist=God. God is everything and everyone. Not to be confused with a traditional theist God however since Pantheists deny the existence of an anthropomorphic or "personal God" but believe in an immanent one who is present in all things. God is within. God is without. There's no separation between the creator & the creation for God didn't create the sky or define gravity because he is the sky and gravity. He's not a manifested supreme physical being whom you can socialize with. Monistic Pantheists believe in one source energy, in one substance. On the other hand, there are also Dualist Pantheists who needless to say, look at things with less of a non-dual perspective so like I said, there's all kinds to look into, I don't fit under the Dualist kind. You can be Pantheist in many different things as well like there are plenty of Pantheists in Hinduism or Taoism, etc. Pantheists are also supportive of diverse notions in religion because we believe that all things are God so therefore all approaches to God can lead to an understanding of God and each individual should pursue what they wish as long as it is authentic to them. Not to say that we agree with all approaches at all or think they are correct or valid, but that we value diverse religious perspective. Dogma is not advocated. We also simply value the mystery in not being able to say "We know for a fact." But it's more so "We Feel." Once I discovered this word a while back, I was ecstatic because it brought me to the actual term and definition of what I revered and believed in all along since I was a small girl. Apparently, I would talk to the trees and whisper to the plants and call them God. I just could never find the right word to explain it haha. I know it may seem like I talk a lot (sorry for so many long messages jeez I'm starting to annoy myself! Lol) but yeah most of the time it still has me speechless. "I believe in Spinoza's God who reveals himself in the orderly harmony of what exists, not in a God who concerns himself with fates and actions of human beings." -Albert Einstein

It'd be interesting to see more than just a head & torso of a Leo. Something's telling me he's rather tall?

@Leo Gura I really look forward to seeing you in NY. ♡ I'll most likely be going with a couple of people, perhaps for my birthday. I look forward to the whole experience and meeting others there too. ♡

@Etherial Cat I totally agree with you. It's funny you say this because I just got done telling someone how it took me long enough to actually join the forum. I've been following Leo for a good 3-4 years now and finally decided to be here haha. ♡

Once one can celebrate and revere solitude, so many good things come out of this. Psyche-diving, healing, growing, self-education, introspection, self-actualization & exploration. When you have the mentality of "I've got everything I need right in front of me" you learn you don't "need" anything or anyone to fill any emptiness within. That there's no reason to feel a void or create a co-dependent relationship if you are happy alone. You can learn to laugh with yourself, cry with yourself, take really long walks with yourself is something I am quite fond of, create with yourself, I mean the list goes on and on! Once you can learn not to feel alone with yourself but fulfilled, there is true growth in that. I'm personally a bit of an introvert, like many artists, independence and space is super important to me and with solitude, there's a sense of re-centering, recharging and rejuvenating oneself, of grounding oneself. Of course though you must find a happy balance for yourself. Too much solitude could lead to unhealthy isolation and socialization, direct human connection, sharing memories, is something I deeply value as well. But I've had some of my most beautiful experiences and some of my happiest and richest moments alone! Which therefore trains you to feel happiest anywhere and with anyone. ❤️ "I am no longer alone with myself, and I can only artificially recall the scary and beautiful feeling of solitude. This is the shadow side of the fortune of love." ~Carl Jung

@EvilAngel Sweeet!

@Jamesc Thank you for your feedback!

@zambize Thank you! YES. Self-Love is soo0oo much more than just OK, yes. I was just saying in retrospect, when I was a teenager I didn't realize this. I self-sabotaged a lot. I can say now though that I have been actively practicing Self-Love for about 3 years now and it has changed my life. I abandoned the anti-depressants I was put on as a teenager because I felt violated and it wasn't doing any good for me and I was diagnosed as well and I can say that was one of the best decisions of my life. Because of meditating 30 mins-1 hour/day and making that as important of a daily priority as brushing my teeth, it has done numbers for me. I can't even put into words how much it's saved my life so far, as well as Self-Love and the practice of gratitude. I value gratitude soo fucking much because I see so many people around me taking things for granted and this is over-rated, people don't realize how much abundant love they can allow themselves to feel if they just practice gratitude in ALL. I recognize that what we have in the here and now, "good" experiences or "bad" this is all to be deeply appreciated, all learning experiences. Which is why I mentioned eventually embracing my traumatic childhood and finding the gratitude even in that. For someone with PTSD, and all the battles I had to go through growing up, I am now comfortably surprised to say that even having that mentality has helped me heal and grow immensely and is also rather self-loving. Everything I mentioned about "pushing the ego down" and all, (that feeling of putting yourself in a shell so to speak ) this was all in retrospect. I was saying this is how I dealt with it years ago before I recognized the best ways of handling it. Thank you so much for your feedback.

@Joseph Maynor Yes and I know there was a lot I wrote to be read lol so I understand if you didn't read it in its entirety but one of the things I mentioned was that basically ever since I hit adolescence and discovered the word "ego" I have been super cautious of it for a long time now, with ninja surveillance. Before I realized one must investigate the ego to change anything, I was almost afraid of its capabilities for a long time, which wasn't healthy either. So this is why I am concerned with some alleged Yellow or Turquoise people (who may just think they are spiritually evolved) allowing their ego to crawl through the surface again. When I see people giving quick names for themselves in anything, especially in something so advanced it just makes me question if they really put in that much work or if they just want to be on that level. This is why I am wondering when some people say they are "Yellow" or "Turquoise", what is really going on in their minds? Stage Yellow shall not be the equivalent to earning yellow badges, stars & trophies and like decorations, hanging them at the top of a tree. I wear a golden crown but not for everyone else to see. Do you see my point? When there's an over-activation of chakras, there is an imbalance there too. This is why it's been said to semi-close the chakras after you've opened them so you are not too "vulnerable" to the toxicities in the air that could tackle or swallow your vibrant energy. Like look, I'm not being hasty to put myself under these categories, even if trustworthy spiritual healers may have told me some amazing things in the past, in which they did, I recognize that whether these things are true or not, I must even question them! I don't think most people would do this. If a guru or highly experienced teacher approached you and said you were an "Old Soul" or "Extremely awakened for your age" Would you second guess or question this or would you wear it on your sleeve? Like once I was told certain things, I immediately knew I had to "keep it to myself." You feel me? I'm not the kind of person who will devalue or diminish someone else if they weren't Yellow neither will I act as though I'm any better than anyone, this goes against my nature. All I could do, would be to reflect upon it modestly & quietly.

@EvilAngel @Jamesc Yes haha it completely melts me everytime

I personally never like to quickly jump to any labels for myself because I don't like feeling confined to one single thing so this is why I appreciate the cumbersome aspects of Spiral Dynamics and its flexibility because it only gives more room for multi-colorful exploration of the psyche. But honestly, I've been extra careful and hesitant confronting which stages I feel I am in because I think humility has always been important to me sometimes even to the extent where in the past, I would have a difficult time accepting compliments from people in a healthy way. Sometimes I would find myself in the midst of receiving attention, but consciously pushing my ego down, trying to make it invisible, to avoid any wave of "big-headedness", which to me has always been kind of like a threat and disturbance if I was to ever acquire even an atom of arrogance. Some people in my life growing up if they weren't knocking me down they would advise "I'd grow a bigger ego for once." The thing is, I always found beauty & admiration in everything else around me in Life and it was totally in my nature to do so, and that kept me sane, but when it came to finding any good qualities within, it was a different experience. To be boastful or exhibit any shimmer of pride would mean for me to feel seriously uncomfortable and awkward in my own skin. I think at that time, being so young, not realizing that I can overcome this abusive relationship with the ego, I deflated it so much that I lost any sort of healthy confidence or self-esteem in me. You would think it would be the other way around right? If someone has a mainstream mentality. That praise & applaud & recognition in something would heal the wounds of a teenage introvert? Well surely enough, it had a counter effect, it was only self-punishment, and I had a lot of work to do. I didn't realize Self-Love was actually OK. I feared the traps of narcissism & ego but at first I didn't realize to love oneself does not mean to love one's ego. These are different things. I always told myself it was not "right" to say anything good about myself growing up, and you could say others have contributed to this but you see, I don't even like to say that because I don't like to play the blame-game or dwell in the barriers of my childhood because it has only helped me grow. I can say though, as a woman who has been diagnosed with PTSD at 15 years old, this label doesn't define me neither does it make me exceptional or a victim, for I am a survivor. And I have come to the point in my life now where I can truly value every experience I've had in my life. Even the traumatic ones. Especially the traumatic ones. I just know that when people acquire certain significant names or labels for themselves it can give them a boost, often a toxic boost. I know this is total trickery and I am questioning this because I hate to say but I see ego even within the spiritual community. Which is going against the true integrity of what it means to be spiritual. Does anybody else feel me on this? I know I ain't the only who sees this.. Like I just wouldn't want to see this happen in something as cool as Spiral Dynamics and have it remind me of like that energy of manic kids aimlessly crowding around in a classroom waiting their turn to measure who's tallest in the class with colored markers, one line on a chalkboard. I think this should probably be done carefully and mastered patiently and with lots of study. I don't suspect this is an overnight evaluation. Does anybody get what I mean?

@kieranperez Well said! I like got chills for a split second reading that haha

@Leo Gura I was going to ask actually if you would be interested in doing a video on Stockholm Syndrome and how it relates to the ego and how common it can be within cults (and cultures, abusive tribes/groups, etc)?

Has anyone here ever seen Waking Life? If not, I highly recommend it to any person who is interested in metaphysics and consciousness!

@Joshe Thank you so much! Free movies aren't always easy to come by.

@Naam@Joshe What a read that was! The imagery was phenomenal.

@EvilAngel It truly was, love.

@billiesimon I personally don't feel any hatred for humanity. I mean when it comes to the people who do severe harm and suffering to others, and to the ones who are seriously ignorant & arrogant, it can be repulsive, and it does make me cringe and it deeply hurts me inside but I still can't define my feelings as hateful or cynical. I just believe every ending is followed by a new beginning and whether or not it is easy to accept, it is for the highest good. I'm not condoning destruction, chaos or vaporization among humans, but I do support the curiosity and fascination over what will come out of such a tremendous universal event. I'm not hoping for it, or wishing upon it, I'm simply just personally interested in the process and the outcome, this is a completely different thing. I would love to see the human race expand their minds and overall consciousness more than anything. But unfortunately, the majority of people on this planet are incredibly corrupt, lazy and simply lacking interest. There are high-consciousness people (such as on this forum, for example) who ARE making a huge difference, don't get me wrong. But if someone is not interested in anything or passionate about anything, I don't think someone is going to grow all that much let alone elevate the overall consciousness of mankind. It simply takes a shimmer of boldness and courage and fearlessness to even contemplate such questionable possibilities. I understand this is not easy for some people to do or to prepare themselves for. Especially if it's unknown or like some huge cosmic secret. I think it's a useful technique though, to train the mind not to fear anything that may or may not come our way, but to embrace it and accept all kinds of unknown possibilities, "good" or "bad." It's useful because if you require a relief, you know it's not happening now because there's no valid threat so you can always just reassure yourself like "Oh, it ain't the end of the world." Lol, so it's all good.

Some elephants can paint. Suda is a bad ass.

@EvilAngel Yes!! This is the kind of shit I live for. <3 Synchronicity is one of the most exciting phenomenons. This has been happening to me frequently for as long I can remember, so of course when I discovered Jung and found the term of what I was experiencing, it was life changing. One unforgettable incident very recently occurred where I was outside explaining to someone how I seen a beautiful blue bird that morning, which is a rarity to see in my area and with the weather getting colder. Sure enough right at that very second of explanation, three of the bluest birds I've ever seen flew on the fence in front of us and just peacefully perched there gazing into our souls for a few seconds. It was so illuminating. <3 All I could do was revere and bask over the God in that.

I look forward to this topic. Westboro Baptist Church is another one that makes me cringe. There has even been a good amount of dogma & deception within traditional Wiccan covens throughout the years as well. I know several mystic women and men personally who have had their fair share of negative experiences within covens, and myself as well, from merely observing within the community. This is one of many reasons why I would encourage someone to by all means study religion, but to practice spirituality and find their own path that works best for them and their highest good. Wicca is rather dogmatic. Witchcraft on the other hand, is great in the sense that it gives you the choice to either take a religious route or a more spiritual one, choosing not to worship one God, Goddess or deity, but to develop your own eclectic practice, integrating various methods & forms from different areas, expanding your perspectives. The very choice given in that one can practice the craft without falling under any religious demands or limitations, is what initially attracted me to it, but I've come to find that no matter what someone's religious or spiritual beliefs and practices are, or who they say they are, this does not necessarily change or neglect their psychology, behavior or neurosis. Just like if you're a practitioner of magic but you also lack empathy & compassion for others. If you have a negative, psychotic mentality on life, then sure enough you're going to practice "Black Magick" whether you realize you are intentionally or not. This is why it's best to practice these things when your head's on your shoulders and with clear awareness of your own emotions. Magic is very psychological and much like a mind game. In a way, we are all practitioners of magic everyday since magic is happening all around us, even in the little simple things. It's all about being alert and attentive to what's occurring around you. One could consider a glass of water, curing dehydration, to be a magical potion. Or when you're taking a walk at night and you see a beautiful owl, and suddenly an unopened fortune cookie makes an appearance in front of you and you've got yourself a significant message. (This synchronicity actually happened to me! There's nothing like random surprise Chinese aphorisms.) But it all depends on how you see "magic." When one curses, complains and bitches & moans, one is permeating that negative energy into the atmosphere, which to me is a subtle form of everyday "Black Magick." Think of politicians. When you are raising your vibration and consciousness, sending positive loving intentions outwards, this is simply white magic, in which the world could use some more of right now. @Leo Gura Have you ever heard of the cult "Children of God" during the late 1960s? I discovered it through a documentary on Narcissism a few years back. David Berg, the leader of the cult is considered to be the absolute archetype and paragon of a Narcissistic "leader." It's an interesting read.