Husseinisdoingfine

This is a tribute to Leo's recent blog post. https://www.actualized.org/insights/more-conformity-examples Post more examples of conformity, and discuss it here.

Because you are a living organism who is biologically programmed to seek sex so that you may pass on your genes in order to ensure the survival of your species.

Hey all. I received an acceptance letter for my second retreat. From December 20 - 27, I'm embarking on a Brahmavihara Meditation Retreat. Its hosted by Buddhist Monks from Taiwan, and I'm really excited. Here's the description from my acceptance letter: Loving-Kindness, Compassion, Empathetic Joy, and Equanimity Meditation, collectively known as Brahmavihara (Divine Abidings), sometimes known as Appamanna (Four Immeasurable Minds), is one of the oldest and most popular meditation methods during Buddha's time. According to the Path of Purification (Visudhimagga), the practice of Brahmavihāra is considered as one of the three universal practices that all cultivators must be trained on; as it eliminates ill will, calms anxiety, and fosters harmony in a community. Not only does this method helps to develop samadhi (concentration), but also resolves interpersonal issues making it the most suitable method for laypeople. This method also accumulates experience and skills that serve as a bedrock for insight meditation (vipassana). Original text in Chinese: 四無量心（慈、悲、喜、捨），亦名四梵住，為佛教最早與最根本的禪修方法之一。根據《清淨道論》的說法，佛陀所教導的禪修方法中有三個必修法門，四無量心便為其中之一，因為它可以消除惡意，平息焦慮，並促進團體的和諧。這個方法不僅能增長修行者的定 (samadhi)，也能幫助解決人際關係問題，使得它成為最適合在家人士修習的禪修方法；此外，它所培養的禪修技巧以及經驗能在進一步作為修行內觀 (vipassana) 的基礎。 醍醐寺特別強調四無量心禪法，因為其不但是所有修行者的基礎法門，也是在修行道路上最關鍵的禪修方法。此禪修營是醍醐寺禪修的必修課程，並為學習其他禪修法門前的先決條件。 And here's the schedule: Dharma Talks are basically classes. The monk is in front of the room and all of the student are sitting in front of him in rows of tables taking notes as he lectures us about the Dharma.

I feel very bad for incels, and people who use slang such as foid. I used to be exactly like that and I was on the brink of killing myself. I did meditation retreats to heal myself, then flew to Europe to party and meet women, and I definitely improved. Seek help, and find a spiritual community, such as your local Buddhist temple or a meditation retreat and community. You need to practice loving yourself and only then will you cease being an incel and using their slang. I know this from personal experience.

Epstein's letter to Larry Nassar. " Our president also shares our love of young nubile girls. "

Consider this, when Assad was overthrown in Syria, one of the first things Trump did was lift sanctions off of Syria.

I need to rebuke the recent blog about Cuba's socialism. According to the Cuban Government's own estimates, the embargo has cost the country $144 billion. According to the United Nations, it has cost the country $1.499 trillion. A calculated estimate by the UN is that four months of blockade costs the country around $1.6 billion. During the last 18 years of the blockade, Cuba has lost $252 trillion. https://press.un.org/en/2024/ga12650.doc.htm https://www.wola.org/analysis/understanding-failure-of-us-cuba-embargo/ https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/how-american-embargo-impacts-environmental-conservation-cuba This is not just an issue which effects socialist countries. Iran's sanctions have cost the country $1.2 trillion in economic damages. https://www.iranintl.com/en/202406244025 You are underestimating the devastating impacts sanctions can have on a country. between 1991-1998, sanctions on Iraq have killed over 500,000 children. https://www.gicj.org/positions-opinons/gicj-positions-and-opinions/1188-razing-the-truth-about-sanctions-against-iraq#:~:text=The survey results%2C published in,extremely detrimental impact on children.

I'm writing this as a registered member of the U.S. Democratic Party. I don't actually like the party or subscribe to some (not all) of its values and policy points, but I'm registered with them because I want to vote in their primary elections for progressive candidates such as Sanders, Mamdani, or Cortez. I'm considering leaving though.

I'm surprised that no one has yet brought up this example yet, but here is my contribution to this thread. Political ideologies, political philosophies, theories and schools of thought. Subscribing to a political ideology is peak conformity. And most importantly, political parties. Being a member of a Political Party is also peak conformity. Also, watch this video below. There's no intellectual value to it, I just thought it was fun and cute.

Already a step ahead.

I experienced states of jhāna, more than I've ever experienced before, but I did not write anything down. The Bhikkhu told me that I did better than than I did in the last retreat, and that he was impressed with my increasingly improving ability to sit still for longer, as in not having to get up and move. Even one of the fellow students at the end of the retreat told me that I was less restless and more still in this retreat than in the last one. The lead volunteer and retreat coordinator told me the same thing as well.

Dear Leo, if you're reading this, do you still stand by Strong Determination Sitting?

I’m back!

Today’s the big day, wish me luck!🍀

@Ramasta9 Thanks for the advice!

Full speech below: Vaush: When watching Vaush, skip to the 24:00 minute mark. That's when he gives the really good takes.

Genuinely WTF is 'Transgender for Everybody' ? According to Trump, this is what the Democrats want.

Sincere question for experienced meditators and people who have done more than three retreats in their lives: Do you recommend fasting during meditation retreats? If so, for how long? My retreat is 8 days. Do you recommend bringing instant coffee? I like to start my day with a nice cup of joe. What about caffeinated tea? Such as black tea.

Don't be such a downer, this is spiritual work. Even Leo has done this. https://www.actualized.org/insights/hawaii-retreat-intro https://www.actualized.org/insights/solo-retreat https://www.actualized.org/insights/solo-retreat-notes-feb-2019 https://www.actualized.org/insights/hawaii-solo-retreat-feb-2018-videos

I last week went to dinner with my extended family, who are from Lebanon. Everything went well, I was talking to them about career, a new girlfriend from Europe and all that, and I overall had a nice time. But I created quite a bit of drama when I casually mentioned that I was going to Buddhist meditation retreats. I've posted about this on the forum, but back in May I did a 5-day meditation retreat with two monks from Taiwan, and I loved it. As part of my spiritual growth, I go back to the meditation center every Sunday, I read authentic translations of the Buddha's discourses, and I have a new retreat for eight days planned in late December. So I mentioned this stuff just casually, and my Aunty raised her voice and said, No! No! You can't do that! There were two elder women sitting to the right and left of my Aunty, and they started telling me, ' Hussein, you are Muslim! ' I tried going to my younger woman cousin to talk about what happened, and she didn't take my side at all, and instead was trying to tell me that Islam was peace and to not go back to that place anymore. My Aunt wants me to cancel my meditation retreat, and to delete the pictures I have of the retreat from my phone, because one of the pictures includes a photo I did with a Monk, we were standing, smiling with our arms over each other shoulders while someone else took the picture. A day later I called my Aunt to thank her for inviting me for thanksgiving. I made a promise to myself that I wasn't going to mention religion. We talked a bit and she said how much my elder cousin loved having me. But then during the end of the conversation she said that I was to promise her that I wasn't going to go back to that place [the Buddhist meditation center and temple]. She then said that her and my elder cousin were going to "set me right" [on the right path]. My Dad called me and apparently my Uncle called him to complain, 'why is your son not a Muslim'. My elder cousin is married and has kids, but I think during his youth he went to a special college or school where they taught him deen and fiqh (both concepts from Islam). My Aunt and elder cousin both have my phone number and they're going to try to coordinate with each other to bring me to the Mosque. Before I drove home, they gave me a prayer mat (for salah). Should I go? Just to be polite. Because they loved having me.

LOL This is one of the funniest things I've read on this site so far. "Who needs formal academic education when you have Wikipedia ?" -- Leo Gura

Making Umrah or Hajj pilgrimage. My relatives are currently in Mecca doing this.

Street wear and following fashion trends. Sneaker head culture Any sub culture of any kind.

First retreat: