OrpheusNovum

Woke up late today, so far I've had some chicken and carrots, a banana a bottle of kombucha. Started my day watching penguin videos, and holy hell does that put me in a great place. I realised that my lack of goalsetting has become an issue, so I set two year-long goals for myself. The first of which Is to drop 80 pounds within the next 13 months, by my birthday next year. The second is to book a volunteer trip a year from now to somewhere in the world that I can aid in penguin conservation, because all of my emotional blockages pass much, much easier when I'm being loved on by animals, especially sweet little waddling fluffy squawk factories. Note to God - please let me die crushed under a pile of sweet, floofy penguin chickies, not unlike the one pictured below.

Yeah, Teal is solid in that field. Just watch out for some of the dynamics surrounding her community.

One of the things I've noticed is that mathematical logic in tandem with abstract/artistic thinking opens up a lot of knowledge, and a lot of it seems implicit in the nature of enlightenment/metaphysics. I often ask myself the question of if mathematics is the language of god. Given your background in programming and game design @Leo Gura, how has mathematical logic played into your enlightenment and understanding of systems?

Tantric sex, I've heard can train your body to hold ejaculation. It might be something worth looking into. There are meditative practices involved. Kama sutra may also hold some insights. Also, look up Mantak Chia. He's been giving lectures on sexual energy and Taoism for somewhere upwards of 30 years. He's my go-to.

Overcoming trauma can lead us to do or say some toxic shit. Take it from this fool.

It's not what you can and can't do. It's the demeanor of superiority surrounding your claims that leads me to doubt you. As was said to me once by Leo, you sir, are a devil.

Seek help. There's no shame in it.

Honesty is always straightforward. Selflessness can be deceptive. Go for honesty.

Art is the transcendent filling the holes left by ego. Ego is trying to trick you into not doing the work.

Any new nuggets?

"Know Thyself" -Delphic Maxim

Enlightenment. He talks about emergence theory a lot, which is a pretty solid mathematical model of quantum gravity that plugs in consciousness as the system by which all things are created (paraphrasing, may not be 100% accurate, but enlightenment doesn't break down to words). Quasicrystals are some cool shit, check it out: Definitely worth a watch, but watch both.

I've had some great success holding myself as a mirror to some actors. They're not quite teachers, but watching people who allow altered states of being to work through them, and whose profession by its very nature encourages the integration of the shadow can be very enlightening if you're paying attention. Andy Serkis is a great example. His sense of ego has completely escaped him, and he's fascinated by the work he does, down to the most miniscule aspects. I'll include a video below. Also, Benedict Cumberbatch. Always a phenomenal performer, and certainly well integrated. Jeff Goldblum also comes to mind, specifically the freedom and openness of his energy. Keep in mind you won't hear anything from them regarding enlightenment, but body language can also give insight if you're paying attention and listening to your own biofeedback. Doing this exercise will also amplify your intuition. Granted it's much more difficult and takes time to develop that kind of knowing. Other than that Eckhart Tolle and Mantak Chia (probably yellow-early turq) are some of my favorites. And of course, there's Jim Carrey, too. Always fun and enlightening to see what he has to say. If you watch this, pay attention to how free he is, and how fascinated he is by the systems he's talking about, as well as his humility.

Mantis?

You're fine. The only condition you should be worried about it vagina dentata.

One thing I've heard that has been useful is that energy of motion can help release trauma from memory and integrate it. Dynamic meditation, as others have said, is fantastic. It's also worth pursuing beauty, which always makes me love and appreciate the pain for what it is, and what's made possible as a result of it. "A man who has been through bitter experiences and travelled far enjoys even his sufferings after a time." -Homer I like to imagine I'm The Flash, vibrating my cells to hypermetabolize a poison or a tranquilizer. Magical thinking is also really great, and you can end up creating new art to boot, so I love this method. Sometimes just to keep it ridiculous I'll grasp my hands together in front of me and shake vigorously while humming or singing. It was a theater exercise that still makes me laugh really hard. Depending upon your childhood blueprint, you may repress your joy as well as your traumas. For example, if you find it difficult to laugh in a funny movie you can be sure you're repressing joy.

Galadriel: Mithrandir... why the Halfling? Gandalf: ...I don't know. Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I have found. I've found it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is because I am afraid... and he gives me courage. "A man who has been through bitter experiences and travelled far enjoys even his sufferings after a time." -The Odyssey "Ah how shameless – the way these mortals blame the gods. From us alone they say come all their miseries yes but they themselves with their own reckless ways compound their pains beyond their proper share." -The Odyssey "Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all." -Aristotle "Know Thyself", "All Things in Moderation" -Delphic Maxims "Fall down seven times, get up eight" -Chinese Proverb

Duuuuuuuude. Powerful shit. That really helped my meditations, thanks. Greek is so much more powerful than English. It's closer to source in its origins.

I admire language as an artist. Shakespeare was a damn boss for how much he expanded the English language and Ancient Greece has always been close to my heart. I always manage to find a treasure or two whenever I look through words we no longer keep in our vocabulary. My mother always used to say "look it up in the dictionary!" Hopefully these words can give you something to meditate on. Like Paarthurnax! Feel free to add if you find one worth sharing.

Teal Swan actually opened me to this work. I used to be strictly scientifically minded until I came upon her videos. She's wonderful if you watch from a distance and follow with self-inquiry. If you wrap yourself in only her teachings, you'll be pulled into an ideology. Same with Leo.

Let me think on that so I don't butcher the meaning by rushing an answer.

Love. We fear what we don't understand. Love accepts that we are inseparable from that which we direct our affections towards. In love, there is knowing. In knowing, fear ceases to exist.

Find a rhythm to implementing the things you enjoy doing. Part of the radical implications of no-self is realizing that what your self-concept is is actually a collection of patterns and cycles onto which you project meaning. Why are you projecting that meaning? What does that say about your desires?

1. Leo 2. Mantak Chia 3. Teal Swan 4. Paarthurnax (Su'um ahrk morah: "breath and focus" has become a mantra at this point) 5. Gandalf "I have found it is the deeds of everyday folk that keeps evil at bay". Also, Corey Wayne is pretty shallow garbage. I would really recommend changing him out for Mantak Chia, the guy has been teaching Taoism and researching sexual energies of both sexes for at least 30 years. Your mind will fucking OPEN.

I won't go into my story because it doesn't help, but I've been abused in every relationship I've been in. I told myself it was my own fault, because it wouldn't happen if there wasn't something wrong with me. How do I know who to trust? What's healthy in a relationship?