MuadDib

Why Reality CANNOT Be A Simulation - A Clear Answer https://youtu.be/1tEtI9m-Vok "Your theory is crazy, but it's not crazy enough to be true" - Niels Bohr Gura's critique of simulation theory: He criticizes the idea of simulation theory as misguided, labeling it materialistic thinking that fails to recognize the true substance of reality, consciousness. Consciousness and the present moment: Gura emphasizes that the substance of reality is consciousness, which is the direct experiences we are currently having, and that the present moment doesn't depend on constructs like atoms, molecules, or the history of the universe. Refutation of a virtual future: He argues against the notion that we will eventually live in indistinguishable virtual realities created by computers, stating that such realities would still be within the realm of consciousness and hence not fundamentally separate from our current experience. Understanding reality through direct experience: Gura encourages realization of interconnectedness and infinite nature of consciousness through direct experience, not through speculation or technology, arguing that awakening to this realization proves reality cannot be a simulation. Critique of science and skepticism: He critiques science's disconnection from consciousness and the validity of skepticism in understanding consciousness, suggesting that no evidence or external argument can truly describe the nature of consciousness. Advocacy for personal practices to realize consciousness: Gura advocates engaging in meditation, yoga, and informed reading to deepen understanding and grasp the nature of reality as consciousness. Philosophy as practical wisdom: He distinguishes practical philosophy, which he equates with real wisdom and spiritual awakening, from traditional philosophy, which he describes as theoretical and disconnected from applied understanding. Philosophy and spirituality as identical: Gura concludes by equating true philosophy with the love of wisdom, asserting that real philosophy and spirituality are one and the same when pursued correctly, and indicates his intention to continue discussing these concepts in future content. Hypocrisy in the argument for a matter-based reality: Leo Gura points out the inconsistency in claiming reality is a simulation based on physical matter, as it fails to explain the origin of the matter itself and recursively pushes the problem back. Aliens simulating aliens: The suggestion that higher-level aliens are simulating our reality, and in turn, being simulated by even more advanced beings, leads to an infinite regress, akin to the concept of "Turtles all the way down." Direct experience as reality: Leo emphasizes that reality is nothing more than direct experience, dismissing notions of an external objective reality, alien simulations, or divine intervention as purely speculative and constructed within this direct experience. Challenging materialist addiction to objective reality: He challenges materialists to abandon the crutch of an external objective reality, thereby confronting the immediate mystery of consciousness without evasion. Reality as knowable through consciousness: Debunking the claim that reality could forever remain unknowable due to being trapped within a simulated bubble, Leo points out that through consciousness we have direct access to reality as it truly is. Conscious of consciousness: He argues that by becoming fully conscious, one realizes that consciousness does not depend on physical substances or substrates – consciousness is the ultimate substrate. Reality creation as the act of consciousness: Leo postulates that all entities, including atoms, energy, and mathematics, are manifestations imagined by consciousness. This inverts the standard scientific paradigm and asserts qualia as primary reality. Raw consciousness: Direct, unmediated raw consciousness is identified as the true essence of reality, opposing the view that it’s just 'personal experiences' derived from physical matter. Resistance of the psyche to pure consciousness: The human psyche resists acknowledging that reality is pure consciousness because this perception destabilizes fixed notions of reality. Lack of resistance due to knowledge gap: Leo states that difficulty in understanding this perspective is not due to inadequate scientific knowledge but the mind’s reluctance to accept a reality that is fundamentally ungrounded. Objective science as a construct of consciousness: He refutes the idea of detached objective analysis of reality, arguing that what is considered objective is itself a fabrication of consciousness. Union with reality through consciousness: Expressing the indivisibility of reality and consciousness, Leo explains that we are not merely in reality, but directly constitute it. The impossibility of an external viewpoint: Highlighting reality as comprising elements like reasoning and communication, Leo argues that stepping outside of reality for objective observation is intrinsically impossible. Consciousness understood through direct awareness: He insists consciousness is grasped not through external learning or texts but through becoming fully aware of one’s consciousness – an understanding derived from immediate acquaintance. Experiential versus speculative comprehension: Leo advises focusing on the direct subjective experience to fathom the reality’s nature instead of relying on speculative or conceptual frameworks. Rejection of simulation theory's separate substances: Disputing simulation theory, Leo stresses there's only absolute nothingness instead of dividing reality into virtual and physical domains. Grasping reality through active consciousness: He suggests observing our experiences closely for a better appreciation of reality, emphasizing that our convictions determine the distinctions between reality and fantasy. Encouragement for personal growth in consciousness: Leo recommends practices like meditation and invites viewers to explore the infinite nature of their own consciousness as a means to truly understand reality. Consciousness as the defining distinction: Leo Gura asserts that reality is constructed not from tangible materials like atoms or Stardust, but from the distinctions created in consciousness, which itself imagines these distinctions. Critique of the simulation theory: Leo criticizes the simulation theory for not understanding that both simulations and reality are simply distinctions within consciousness, incorrectly suggesting a separation into simulated and non-simulated realities. Interconnectedness ignored by simulation theory: Leo argues that simulation theory fails to recognize the interconnection between parts of reality by dividing it into different substances like carbon or silicon, thereby missing that these are all imagined distinctions within one singular consciousness. Consciousness as the substance unifying all levels of reality: Leo clarifies that while different levels of reality can exist, they are all unified and composed of a single substance—consciousness. The belief in a real versus virtual world is a trick of consciousness. Consciousness is singular and the universe is undivided: He emphasizes that consciousness is the only real 'thing' and is singular; the universe is one consciousness capable of creating distinctions that form our perception of reality. Simulation theory and its limitations in understanding consciousness: Simulation theory is critiqued for not grasping the essence of consciousness, suggesting a dependency of the real world on the virtual one, which Leo argues is misleading because everything arises from consciousness. Reality and perceptions of distinctions: Leo explores the idea that what we perceive as different substances within reality are not truly separate entities but distinctions conceptualized within consciousness. He argues that our belief in these distinctions is what constructs our experience of reality. Consciousness's role in blurring distinctions: Leo challenges the common distinctions made between sanity and insanity, or reality and fantasy. He suggests that these differences are products of our imagination, created within consciousness. Existential challenge to rational and evidence-based views: Leo presents an existential challenge to those who firmly grasp onto their rational and evidence-based identities, suggesting that these may be as illusory as fairy tales. Limits of current states of consciousness: Leo notes that our current consciousness limits our ability to perceive the actual lack of distinction between conceptualized objects like unicorns and tangible objects like brick walls, hinting at the necessity for a radically new state of consciousness to truly understand their equality as creations of the mind. Levels of Conceptualizing Imagination and Physicality: Imagination is posited as powerful enough to dissolve physical distinctions like walls when fully realized. However, Leo clarifies that his current form is a limited consciousness with limitations he describes as physicality. These limitations are not eternal, just present. Understanding the Substance of Distinctions: Leo inquires about the nature of distinctions. He explains that distinctions aren’t self-contained; they are made of consciousness, which is not a distinction but an absolute - the substance from which all distinctions arise. Distinctions as Nothingness: Leo contemplates the substance that gives rise to distinctions, like that between a unicorn and a brick wall, positing that the 'line' distinguishing them is essentially made of nothing, an absolute nothingness without properties or substance. Simulation Theory's Root Error: Leo argues that simulation theory erroneously assumes two substances: the virtual and the physical. He postulates that there's only one substance, absolute nothingness, which is singular and the essence of reality. Reality as a Singular Consciousness: He posits that the essence of all things, including one's hand, is actually nothing - absolute nothingness without duality. What we consider distinctions, like a hand, are fabricated within this nothingness. Reality's Paradoxical Nature as a Feature: Leo discusses the inherent paradox of reality, suggesting that existence is only apparent when imagined. He asserts that materialist paradigms are illusory, made of distinctions within consciousness. Direct Consciousness of Reality: He emphasizes that to verify his claims, one must directly experience and become conscious of the distinctions and nothingness he describes. This direct experience is contrasted with speculative beliefs. Oneness of Existence: Leo declares that existence is a singular oneness, precluding distinctions such as those in simulation theory. He affirms that all discussions about reality arise from consciousness, which is prior to any construct or cognition. Assertion of the primacy of consciousness: Leo stresses that consciousness is the most fundamental aspect of existence, enhancing our perceptions and dissolving the boundaries of what we consider reality and simulation. Critique of relying on external constructs to understand reality: He challenges the commonly held belief that our understanding of the present hinges on previous events or scientific constructs like the Big Bang or molecules. Argument against the possibility of ever living in virtual realities: Leo argues that no virtual reality can ever fully contain or deceive us because all levels of reality are manifestations of our consciousness. Emphasizing the interconnectedness of all realities through consciousness: He posits that all realities, whether considered virtual or actual, are intertwined through the single substance of consciousness. Contending the finite nature of consciousness and reality: Leo asserts that consciousness and reality are not finite or contained within structures like simulations; consciousness is boundless. Invitation to realize infinite consciousness: Leo encourages viewers to strive towards recognizing their infinite consciousness, promising guidance on deeper understanding in future content. Discussion on meditation, yoga, and psychedelics: He plans to elaborate on methods such as meditation, yoga, and the use of certain psychedelics to catalyze the awakening to consciousness in upcoming episodes. Critique of science's dissociation from consciousness: He maintains that science's attempt at pure objectivity misses the inherent subjectivity and absolute nature of consciousness. Challenge to skepticism and demands for proof: Leo challenges skeptics demanding proof, asserting that the absolute nothingness of consciousness is not something that conventional proof can capture. The necessity to understand and be conscious of consciousness: Leo advises awakening to the true nothingness of consciousness as no external justification can substitute direct self-realization. The importance of right actions to deepen understanding: He emphasizes the significance of disciplined practices like meditation and knowledge from profound literature to gain deeper insight into consciousness. The power of right books and reading: Leo insists on the transformative power of reading carefully selected books, claiming that quality literature provides a strong foundation for understanding life and self. The value of deep understanding of life: He highlights how a profound understanding of life can significantly alter one's life trajectory, providing universal wisdom. Criticism of traditional philosophy: Leo criticizes academic philosophy as ineffective mental masturbation, urging a focus on practical wisdom and spiritual awakening. Association of philosophy with love of wisdom: He asserts that true philosophy is synonymous with spirituality when it is practiced with a love for wisdom and truth, which ultimately leads to profound shifts in perspective and living. Impedimenta

Division vs Unity - The Engine That Runs Reality https://youtu.be/vp99hZJfBHg "...to form a more perfect Union..." - Preamble to the US Constitution Exploration of Division vs Unity: Leo Gura introduces the concept of division and unity as the fundamental engine driving all of reality, evident in everything from social dynamics to biological processes, physics, and beyond. Historical Pattern of Mankind: History is presented as a series of fractal-like divisions and reunions within humanity, described as the polarizing and depolarizing dance of consciousness or infinite mind. Hydrologic Cycle as a Unity-Division Example: The hydrologic cycle is shown as a natural instance of division and unity: water starts unified in the ocean, evaporates, forms clouds (division), rains down into puddles (reunion), and eventually flows back to the ocean. Making a Smoothie Illustration: The process of making a smoothie is used as an everyday example, illustrating how elements grow into plants (unity), create fruits (division), which are blended into a smoothie (reunion), and then digested by the body (division) to nourish cells (unity). Speciation and Evolutionary Process: The diversification of species through geographical changes, interbreeding, and evolution showcases the process of proliferation (division) and the formation of new species (reunion). Human Migration and Cultural Diversification: Homo sapiens' migration from Africa and subsequent population of the globe led to division into races and cultures, which are now coming back together through globalization and interbreeding (reunion). Globalization's Impact on Human Race: Advancements in travel technology and social intermingling portend a future where racial and cultural distinctions are blurred. Space travel could lead to diversification across planets, potentially leading to interbreeding with alien species. Teleportation and Space Travel Speculation: Hypothetical future technologies like teleportation or space travel could facilitate even greater racial and cultural integration or lead to new forms of division as humans colonize other planets. Unifying Consciousness Through Yoga: Leo Gura touches on the role of Yoga, which translates to 'union,' in achieving a deeper understanding of consciousness by bringing together the perceiver and the perceived. Unavoidable Nature of Globalization: Due to demands from technology, travel, and economics, globalization is depicted as an inevitable force eroding traditional divisions and leading towards greater unity. Speciation and Human Colonization: Speciation may occur as humans colonize different environments like Mars, the Moon, or aquatic planets, resulting in varied physical adaptations due to conditions like low gravity. Interbreeding and Genetic Engineering: Interbreeding or genetic engineering with alien species could result in new hybrid organisms, showcasing a process of divergence and convergence in consciousness. Cultural Boundaries and Resistance: People often resist the blending of cultures, mistakenly clinging to temporary divisions and feeling threatened by the natural process of reunification. Judgment as Division: Judging and labelling aspects of the world as good or bad is a learned behavior that further divides consciousness, while teachings promoting interconnectedness encourage reunification. War as Absorption and Reunion: War is a form of absorption, with one tribe attempting to integrate another's resources, and even after conquest, the resulting peace can lead to larger, unified entities like the European Union or the United Nations. Middle Eastern Clan Warfare and External Interests: Power struggles in the Middle East, exacerbated by external interests, illustrate the difficulty of achieving unity among diverse clans and religious sects. United States and Autonomy: The United States was forged from 13 colonies into a nation that balances unity with significant state autonomy, reflecting both division and unity. European Union Complexities: The EU shows the challenge of unification, as member states grapple with national identities and unequal contributions, which can lead to tensions like Brexit. Unity and Division in Organizational Evolution: Large organizations, like the United Nations, evolve from the desire for cooperative peace but face resistance from individual national interests. Sunni, Shia, and Subdivisions: Within Islam, the division between Sunni and Shia factions and further subdivisions exemplify the ongoing cycle of division and unity even within a single religious community. Collective Defense Against Common Threats: Leo suggests that existential threats, such as a hypothetical alien invasion, would necessitate global unity among humans, temporarily sidelining smaller divisions. American States' Unity: The formation of the United States as a unified entity from individual colonies serves as an example of the recurring pattern of division and reunification. Economic Prosperity and Challenges in the EU: The European Union brought economic prosperity and peace but also highlighted disparities among member states, showing both the benefits and challenges of unification. Nationalism vs. European Unity: Individuals and nationalist parties in various European countries resist the idea of a European identity, preferring to maintain their distinct national identities, leading to tensions within the European Union and events like Brexit, which epitomize the struggle between unity and division. Brexit - Division within Unity: Brexit illustrates a fracture within the European Union, where the unified benefits make it difficult to leave, but British nationalists emphasize their unique identity, challenging the notion of being part of a larger, interconnected entity like the EU. Globalization's Inevitability: Leo Gura argues that globalization is unavoidable due to technology and human desires for travel and communication, thus necessitating unified international laws and collaboration to ensure a safer, more connected globe. Travel, Technology, and Legal Implications: With increasing global interconnectivity, people expect safety and justice when traveling or conducting international business, hinting at the future development of international legal systems to address crimes and disputes across borders. Trade-offs in Unity and Division: There are no simple answers to the ideal level of unity or division as both come with associated costs and benefits; reality is likened to a fractal or Russian nesting dolls, indicating complex layers of unity within division. Libertarian Misconceptions and Societal Structure: Libertarians and conservatives often fail to recognize the importance of sophisticated coordination for advanced societies, misunderstanding the interdependency inherent in society and the limited nature of freedom and individualism. Individual Autonomy vs. Collective Function: If each cell or organ in the human body acted solely based on its own autonomy, life would be unsustainable. Similarly, a society demands collective organization and cooperation to thrive, counter to extreme libertarian ideals of independence. The Danger of Excessive Integration: While coordination is crucial, there is also the risk of overintegration leading to the suppression of individual rights and the creation of totalitarian systems, highlighting the need for balance between individualism and collectivism. China's Collectivist Approach: China's current policies, which prioritize its emergence as a global superpower over individual rights and religious freedoms, exemplify extreme collectivism. This approach is deemed neither entirely good nor evil, but a mix of both, with significant global impacts. Fall of the Soviet Union: The Soviet Union's dissolution is cited as an example of the cycle of division and unity. At its peak, it consisted of multiple satellite states, but it fragmented after the collapse of communism—contrasting the reunification of East and West Germany. Spiritual Divisions: Despite spiritual study, religious groups cannot maintain unity, as evidenced by Christianity's split from Judaism and further divisions into Catholicism, Orthodox, and Protestant denominations, along with Islam's fragmentation into Sunni, Shia, and other sects. Eastern Spiritual Fragmentation: Similar to the West, Eastern spiritual traditions are not exempt from division. Hinduism and Buddhism both branched into various schools, demonstrating this pattern even within more holistic spiritual frameworks. Internet Proliferation and Unification: The internet initially experienced a proliferation of diverse websites, which then consolidated into large platforms like Facebook, Google, and Amazon. This demonstrates the movement from speciation (division) to monopolization (unity). Corporate Mergers, Monopolies, and Regulations: The past 50 years have seen significant corporate mergers and the formation of monopolies due to lax antitrust laws. However, there is a prediction of populist uprisings and regulatory responses to break up these large enterprises. Birth and Life as Division and Reunion: The process of birth divides consciousness into separate organisms that eventually reunite through eating and excreting—demonstrating a constant interplay of division and unity in life's survival processes. Reproduction and Life Cycles: The reproductive cycle in mammals is an intricate play of division and reunion, with the creation of male and female leading to sexual reproduction. The act of sex culminates in the highest point of unity, resulting in a new birth—the division of a zygote from the parent organism. Cell Division and Embryonic Growth: The initial one-cell zygote undergoes repeated division, eventually forming trillions of cells that unify to create a baby. This newborn then physically divides from the mother while still relying on her for sustenance, demonstrating a recurring pattern of separation and connection. Family Units and Individual Independence: As a child matures, they often experience a cycle of unity within the family and division as they seek independence during teenage years, ultimately leading to complete separation to start their own families where the cycle repeats. Life, Death, and Conscious Reunion: Death is depicted as the ultimate reunion, where the individual consciousness merges back into infinite consciousness, completing the same cycle of unity (birth) and division (death) that began with their own conception. Atomic and Molecular Unity: At a sub-organic level, atoms unify to form molecules, which combine to create increasingly complex structures, such as proteins, cells, organs, organisms, and eventually societies. This highlights the pattern of division and unity present in the physical fabric of the universe. Specialization and Reintegration in Intellectual Fields: From philosophy, several intellectual fields have diverged, creating specialties like science, mysticism, and mathematics, which have further branched into subfields. Now, an emerging trend seeks to reintegrate these into a holistic understanding, represented by systems thinking and the search for a grand unified theory. Future Unification of Science and Mysticism: Predicting that science and mysticism, which originated from the same philosophy, will eventually reunify, integrating mystical insights with scientific advances, potentially through practices such as meditation, yoga, and the study of psychedelic experiences. 3D Modeling as Unity and Division: In 3D modeling, a single shape undergoes repeated subdivision to add detail, followed by reunification processes to smooth and integrate parts into a coherent, detailed model. This mirrors biological and creative processes of elaboration from unity. Socioeconomic Caste Systems and Capitalism: Past social structures, like caste systems, have declined, giving way to a new socioeconomic division based on wealth in capitalist societies. Public discontent indicates a potential future shift toward the redistribution of wealth and increased socialism, a balance between unity (shared resources) and division (capitalist individualism). Balancing Socialism and Capitalism: Leo emphasizes that neither socialism nor capitalism is inherently evil; society requires a dynamic equilibrium between these two forces, adjusting over time to societal needs, rather than adhering to rigid ideologies. Social Movements – Social Justice Warriors vs. Anti-Social Justice: Social dynamics show division and reunion through social justice advocates pushing for unity and harmony, while their opponents value individualism and freedom, rejecting the push for collectivism. Global Warming Illustrates Division and Unity: Global warming exemplifies the unity and division process, as separated oil deposits and ice are reintegrated into the environment through human activity, leading to unified environmental changes such as increased global temperatures and melting ice caps. Global Warming Mechanism: Humanity's use of fossil fuels reintegrates carbon (oil) with Earth's atmosphere, contributing to a warming planet and melting ice, which merges with oceans, demonstrating a cycle of separation and reunion. Temperature Equilibrium Efforts: The Earth's core heat gradually dissipates into the cold of outer space in an attempt to equalize temperatures, a process reflecting the larger reunification between Earth's internal and external environments. Relationship Dynamics: Intimate relationships fluctuate between union and division. Partners seek unity through romance and sex but afterward desire space, reflecting a natural balance of closeness and individuality. Evolution of Gender Roles: The rigid division between male and female roles softens with technological advancements, leading to a greater acceptance of varying gender identities and sexual orientations, and challenging traditional norms. Fusion Cuisine: Different cuisines developed from regional elements demonstrate cultural separation. Fusion cuisine emerges, blending these distinct styles, reflecting both the value of culinary diversity and the potential for innovative unity. Formation and Death of Stars: Stars form from unified gases under gravity, illustrating a physical manifestation of unity. Black holes represent an extreme form of reunification, attracting all matter, yet also dispersing via Hawking radiation, indicating a return to division. Big Bang and the Universe's Cycle: The universe started as a singularity and expanded to form various forms of matter and energy in an act of division. It is predicted to eventually unify back into an indistinct mass, hypothesized to restart the cycle in a perfect loop. Entropy and Reunification: The concept of entropy is reframed as a measure of unity versus division, with the natural progression of the universe, including life, being toward greater unity as seen in the drive for energy equalization. Transformation in Relationships: Relationships exhibit a cycle of unity and division, where partners unite in intimacy and seek separation for autonomy, revealing a consistent dance between merging and independence. Gender Identity and Societal Change: The traditional male-female gender binary is becoming more fluid with sociocultural advancements, leading to broader acceptance of diverse gender expressions and sexual orientations. Culinary Arts and the Interplay of Division and Unity: Traditional cuisines represent division, while the rise of fusion food exemplifies unity, with both maintaining value in preserving authenticity and embracing innovation. Singularity and Perceptual Unity: Leo suggests that in physics and cosmology, zero and infinity are identical, leading to the conclusion that a point with no dimension (zero radius) simultaneously represents infinite expansion (infinite radius). This indicates a perfect loop or cycle in the nature of reality. Misunderstanding of Entropy: Traditional views on entropy as a measure of disorder are challenged. Leo defines high entropy as total unity, where there is an indistinguishable uniformity, akin to a state of God or love. Low entropy, conversely, corresponds to division, and is necessary for the experience of motion, space, and time. Consciousness and Design: Life and all physical processes should not be viewed as accidental occurrences but as manifestations of consciousness intentionally dividing itself to experience various aspects. Science, with its specialized focus, fails to understand this ultimate nature of consciousness, mistaking these divisions as random physical phenomena. Reunification of Consciousness Through Yoga: Yoga, which translates to union in Sanskrit, is presented as a practice that unites subject and object. By participating in yoga, scientists and others can gain a holistic understanding of consciousness, transcending the confines of division expressed through specialized fields. Universal Tendency Toward Unity: Over time, divided systems naturally tend toward unification, as illustrated by a glass container separating two gases that will eventually mix into uniformity. Human-made structures, like buildings or statues, will also eventually decay and merge back into their environments, showcasing the inevitability of reunion in all systems. Costs and Benefits of Unity and Division: Complete unity offers peace and bliss but sacrifices the distinct experiences of life, such as tasting vanilla or having a pet. Conversely, division allows for these individual experiences, which require distinct separations to appreciate the sensation of unity and the diverse manifestations of existence. God's Nature and Limited Human Perception: Leo describes God as indistinct nothingness, which cannot be comprehensively known because all knowledge inherently divides. As humans experience God through various forms, these are limited incarnations and not the ultimate indistinct nature of God. Function of Evil in the Universe: Acts of evil in the world often apply pressure for eventual unity. Leo suggests that what is perceived as evil is, in a deeper sense, love and intelligence acting together, as evidenced by the formation of the European Union after World War II. Inevitability of Reunion in Reality: Division will always lead to reunion and vice versa. The idea of complete control by any one part is temporary, with humanity's dominance over the planet being a fleeting state within the universal cycles of division and unity. God's Revelation as a Limited Form: Any manifestation of God experienced by humans is a limited form, as God is inherently indistinct. Depicting God in a definitive form diminishes its ultimate state of indistinct nothingness, which can't be captured or fully understood through divisive human knowledge. Understanding the Structure of Reality: Leo discusses the inherent rules of reality, which dictate that divided entities will eventually reunite and unified entities will divide, reflecting a constant cycle of unification and fragmentation in all of existence. Monopoly of Parts over the Whole: He emphasizes that no single part can monopolize the whole, as the whole is unlimited and every part is limited. He cautions that humanity's domination over the planet is temporary, demonstrating the futility of any part trying to control the whole. God's Infinite Diversity: Leo explains that God, or infinite intelligence, seeks to maximize diversity of form. This diversity is not antithetical to unity but is its very expression, showing that unity encompasses all diversity as its ultimate form. Infinity and Natural Numbers: The concept of infinity is elaborated upon, describing it not as a single point on the number line but as the entirety of all numbers—zero and beyond—emphasizing that infinity includes all distinct forms, not just numerical concepts. Evolution as Differentiation and Reunion: Evolution is presented not just as a biological process, but as a universal process involving love and intelligence, balancing the intricate relationship between division and unity, with each having a time and place. Unity and Division as Two Types of Unity: Leo articulates that division and unity are not opposites but are two manifestations of unity. Absolute unity includes the possibility of division, indicating that unity and division are parts of a single, integrated whole. Life as a Fractal of Infinite Consciousness: Life and reality are described as manifestations of infinite consciousness, with birth representing division and death acting as reunion, suggesting that life is an ongoing variation of this theme. Appreciating Unity and Division: Viewers are encouraged to notice the interplay of division and unity in daily life, from personal belongings to politics, as a way to deepen their understanding of life and improve their reactions and behaviors. Holistic Approach to Teaching: Leo shares his goal of providing teachings that are not narrow but holistic, integrating various fields—science, math, philosophy, evolution, religion, mysticism, psychology, sociology, history, and politics—reflecting the complex and interconnected nature of the universe. Power and Value of Understanding: The transformative power of understanding is emphasized, with Leo suggesting that a comprehensive grasp of topics can profoundly change one's perspective and behaviors, even without immediate changes in life circumstances. Limitations of Teachings and Reality's Enormity: While acknowledging the limitations of his teachings due to the vastness of reality, Leo strives for a degree of breadth and depth that reflects the infinite scope of the universe, aiming to offer a broad and profound perspective on existence. Glisseo

Self-Love - The Highest Teaching In The Universe https://youtu.be/4OmMpYa7R_U "Self-Love is the only teaching." The culmination of a seven-year journey: In his personal development exploration, Leo Gura reveals that after exploring numerous methods ranging from therapy to meditation, he has distilled everything into a singular teaching - self-love, which he believes is the highest concept in the universe, essential for the evolution of all conscious beings. Defining self-love: Leo clarifies that self-love is a profound existential force, transcending mere human emotion. It is universal, driving evolutionary progress. Despite its abstract nature when compressed into two words, he emphasizes its fundamental role and the need to decipher and actualize its meaning deeply. Alien species hypothetical: Leo hypothesizes that if advanced aliens were to impart wisdom to humanity, they would prioritize teaching self-love over technical knowledge. He implies that humanity's current inability to appreciate self-love suggests that aliens might understand it far deeper than we do. Self-love as an intelligence measure: Leo proposes that the intelligence of an entity, including hypothetical aliens, can be judged by their understanding of self-love. He states that self-love is a practical litmus test for evaluating teachers and ideologies, with those that promote self-love being of the highest quality amidst a spectrum of beliefs. Corruption marked by the absence of self-love: He asserts that a lack of self-love or the presence of judgment and hatred in ideologies indicates their corruption. He cites Nazism and radical religious ideologies as examples, emphasizing that even a teaching that preaches love, like Christianity, can be corrupt if it is not practiced genuinely. Identification of spiritual corruption: Teachings that contain hatred, judgment, or fear towards individuals or groups, such as condemning criminals or fearing witchcraft, indicate corruption of those teachings from their original pure form. Self-love as a universal remedy: Leo proposes that fundamentally, all problems humanity faces trace back to a lack of self-love, including issues that appear unrelated, such as poverty or health crises. Reframing self-love: Self-love, as Leo describes, refers to loving the ultimate self or awakened self, not just the human identity. By loving oneself as the whole universe, other problems will naturally correct themselves. Components of self-love: Understanding self-love requires grasping the true meanings of "self" and "love". These concepts cannot be comprehended through traditional logic or science but require a shift to a higher state of consciousness. Necessity of mystical experiences: Emphasizing that discourse is insufficient, Leo argues that direct mystical experiences of the true self and love are essential for genuinely understanding and implementing self-love. Practical importance of self-love: Leo outlines how self-love can resolve common personal development issues such as insecurity, self-esteem, and relationship challenges by addressing the root cause rather than external symptoms. Self-acceptance as a path to self-love: Genuine self-love involves accepting one's physical appearance and personality traits, and involves recognizing oneself as part of the universe, thereby aligning with the expanded concept of self. Self-love beyond the physical: While starting with self-appreciation on a physical level is valuable, Leo challenges individuals to also embrace the broader universe, which includes one's body, other people, political entities, as part of their self-love practice. Expanding appreciation of existence: Appreciating your existence involves recognizing that you are an integral part of the universe, and your infinite mind is generating the reality you experience. Unconditional love versus conditional love: True love for oneself or others is not based on utility or what one can provide, it is unconditional, celebrating existence itself rather than what it can do for you. Transformation from physical to existential love: Shifting focus from the physical body's utility to a deeper appreciation of existence enables the experience of deep, unconditional love. Integration of self into the universe: Through self-love, one's sense of self and love expands to merge with the entire universe, leading to the most profound levels of awakening and joy. Realizing love through consciousness: Recognizing the profound nature of reality through consciousness leads to profound existential love, transcending mundane emotions or needs. Experiences that awaken self-love: Moments of consciousness, like admiring a beautiful sunset or being amazed by the complexity of a living creature, activate an appreciation for the beauty of existence. Practical application of self-love in dating: In attraction and dating, a lack of self-love can be detected by others and reduce one's appeal; genuine self-love enhances self-confidence and genuine care for others. Resolving disagreements with self-love: Recognizing that both parties' perspectives are valid and practicing self-love can dissolve conflicts and promote understanding in relationships. Self-love in addressing life's challenges: Facing illness, injury, or injustice with self-love fosters healing and growth, while self-respect requires setting boundaries in harmful situations. Awareness of self in the context of self-love: Becoming aware of how little control we have over our body's automatic functions, like pupil dilation, can foster a deeper appreciation for one's existence and contribute to self-love. Self-love during illness: Having self-love while battling an illness like cancer is vital, as it supports faster healing alongside medication. Reaction to accidents: Instead of reacting with anger to accidents like breaking a leg, accepting and loving the situation can lead to faster recovery and possibly learning profound life lessons. Dealing with injustice: Embracing injustices with love rather than resistance offers a broader, empathetic perspective, recognizing that those causing harm are also part of the universal self. Personal incident of theft: Leo describes how he dealt with his car being broken into by empathizing with the thief, considering the societal issues contributing to drug addiction and poverty, thus practicing self-love and universal perspective. Workaholism and self-love: Overworking and neglecting one's health at work indicate a lack of self-love. A comprehensive understanding of self-love can prompt a better work-life balance and healthier work practices. Job dissatisfaction and self-love: Expanding self-love can catalyze a vision for a new career path away from an unsatisfying job, fostering passion and purpose for more fulfilling work. Fear of starting a business: Overcoming fear in starting a business requires deep love for the business idea and genuine desire to make a meaningful contribution to the world, rather than focusing on potential financial loss. Business practices reflecting self-love: A business that truly helps people, rather than harming them, is a product of self-love and is intrinsically more fulfilling and sustainable than one driven by greed or exploitation. Expanding self-love for positive change: Leo emphasizes that expanding self-love and one's sense of self beyond personal gains—like family, money, cars, and homes—to include all of mankind along with the environment and animals is necessary for personal and global evolution, leading to true happiness and responsibility in roles such as parenting and partnerships. Impact of self-love on business ethics: He argues that many professionals, like marketing executives in unhealthy food industries, are so preoccupied with profits that they don't invest time in personal growth or consider the societal implications of their products. Expanding self-love, according to Leo, would motivate such individuals to innovate healthier alternatives rather than contribute to health epidemics. Addressing societal issues with self-love: Leo describes monetary, economic, societal, and political issues as fundamentally rooted in a lack of self-love. To resolve issues like tribal warfare and corruption, which sabotage economic stability, a shift in societal culture that embraces collective self-love and unity across factions and ideologies is essential. Political turmoil as a reflection of deficient self-love: He links current political discord to a lack of self-love and empathy between opposed parties. He suggests that political conflict can be mitigated by each side expanding their sense of self and love to include understanding for different perspectives, even those of rivals. Advancing spirituality through self-love: Leo points out that struggles in spiritual practices, such as inconsistency in meditation or dealing with bad psychedelic trips, stem from a lack of self-love. Greater kindness to oneself and understanding of spiritual processes are necessary for overcoming these hurdles. Self-love in preventing crime and violence: He asserts that societal problems, including violence, crime, and terrorism, require immense infusions of self-love. By expanding one's sense of self to include even the perpetrators, society can develop empathy, effectively addressing why such acts occur and preventing them through systemic changes and support. Remedying environmental negligence with self-love: Leo argues that environmental issues, such as excessive CO2 emissions, result from a societal deficiency in self-love. Those leading polluting corporations lack an inclusive self-concept that values the environment and wildlife, prioritizing profit over planetary well-being. Root causes of obesity and environmental neglect: Leo suggests that obesity in America is interlinked with environmental neglect, highlighting systemic issues such as the marketing of unhealthy food, which he attributes to a lack of self-love among marketers and consumers alike. Self-love as parental guidance: The rebellious behavior of children is often a response to criticism and lack of acceptance from parents. Leo recommends self-love as a tool for parents to foster unconditional love and acceptance, thus repairing strained relationships with their children. Wide-ranging solutions through self-love: From depression to addiction and parenting to business success, Leo designates self-love as the fundamental remedy for creating happiness and leading a successful life. Self-love's role in conscious politics and leadership: Self-love is crucial for effective leadership and creative work, including politics and business. Leo criticizes profit-driven businesses with no real value contribution, advocating for passion-driven work that benefits society. Dealing with criminals and societal dilemmas through self-love: Leo posits that self-love is essential in dealing with criminals, and healing societal issues, emphasizing that no external achievement compensates for the lack of self-love. The fundamental nature of self-love: Leo defines self-love as the ultimate power and essence of consciousness, meaning that self-love is not merely an emotion or feeling but the acknowledgment and love of reality for what it is. Love as a materialistic world's necessity: Leo argues that love is integral to the nature of reality itself, rejecting the notion that it can exist without consciousness, and equates the concept of God being in love with itself to reality fully embracing its own existence. Self-love transcending acceptance: The differentiation between mere self-acceptance and the ecstatic union of self-recognition that represents true self-love is elucidated, with Leo asserting that recognizing the existential beauty of consciousness is the epitome of self-love. Infinite amazement as a foundation of existence: Affirming that life and existence are inherently amazing, Leo invites everyone to appreciate and love life unconditionally, which aligns with the perspective that we are a manifestation of infinite consciousness and amazement. Humans manifesting self-love: All actions, from technological advancements to philanthropic efforts, ultimately represent humanity falling deeper in love with itself. Each new discovery or creation is the universe – or consciousness – reveling in new aspects of itself. Ego vs. divine perspective: While individual biases may lead us to hate certain things, from a divine perspective, nothing is hated; it is all equally amazing. This infinite love is consciousness exploring itself without judgment or preference. Self-love and boundaries: Practicing self-love does not equate to being a doormat. Actually, proper self-love naturally leads to healthy boundaries and self-respect, indicating a departure from people-pleasing behaviors and low self-esteem. Transcending gender stereotypes with self-love: Self-love transcends the stereotypes of being a feminine or masculine trait. It is a universal truth that encompasses and integrates all qualities, offering true strength and wisdom beyond societal gender constructs. Distinguishing self-love from egotism or narcissism: True self-love is different from narcissism or egotism. Real self-love involves expanding one's sense of self to include and love all parts of the universe, embracing the totality of existence beyond the individual ego. Practical exercise for expanding self-love: Wearing a wristband can serve as a reminder to identify and embrace aspects one typically dislikes or judges. By accepting these aspects as part of oneself and feeling love for the entirety, one practices expanding self-love. Hating as self-reflection: Encounters with things we hate or judge give us an opportunity to see those aspects as part of ourselves, which can ultimately lead us to accept and love a more complete version of ourselves, integrating our shadows into our consciousness. Self-love as the acceptance of existential diversity: Recognizing that consciousness includes everything, from the mundane to the extraordinary, challenges us to accept and love all aspects of existence. This acceptance signifies self-love at its most profound level. All teachings lead to self-love: Every concept and subject discussed by Leo, including those that seem unrelated like quantum mechanics or spiral dynamics, is ultimately a pathway toward the realization and embodiment of self-love. Using self-love as a compass: When faced with confusion or difficulty, one can reflect on the absence of self-love in the situation. It's a central guiding principle to navigate life's challenges and can reveal underlying issues that need addressing. Failure of institutions to teach self-love: Leo notes that schools, universities, workplaces, and religious institutions generally do not teach self-love, which he sees as a significant contributing factor to societal problems and individual suffering. Self-love as an ancient and consistent teaching: The concept of self-love has been taught historically by spiritual and religious leaders; however, it often becomes obscured or misrepresented in institutions, overshadowing its importance and purity. Varied enlightenment about love: Leo indicates that even established spiritual teachers might proclaim love as an illusion because they haven't awakened to love themselves. He points out that awakening has many degrees and versions, hence the diverse teachings about love. Homework assignment for self-love enhancement: Leo gives his audience homework to write down all the aspects of themselves that they don't love—physical appearance, past actions, personality traits, etc. He then instructs them to decide to love all these aspects as part of their reality. The struggle with accepting the true self: Leo describes the resistance one might feel in accepting and loving all aspects of themselves. He explains that the ego resists this acceptance, preferring an idealized vision of oneself, which is a deviation from the truth. Truth and love as identical concepts: Leo asserts that truth and love go hand-in-hand at a metaphysical level, emphasizing that to reject any part of reality is to engage in untruth and self-denial, which is the root of evil. He states that love is the ultimate solution, a reintegration of all aspects of oneself. Incomplete awakening without love: Leo argues that an awakening or enlightenment that does not include a realization of love is incomplete. He stresses that true awakening encompasses both truth and love, and a lack of either results in division and falsehood. Emotional approach to spirituality and its pitfalls: Addressing the tendency for emotional individuals or those who identify as love-seeking, Leo cautions that a journey toward awakening through love alone is incomplete without a grasp of truth. He challenges the perception that truth is harsh or needless, underscoring its indistinguishable nature from love. Self-love as the point of human life: Leo emphasizes that full self-love is the solution to all of life's problems, encouraging the audience to contemplate this assertion and its implications for individual action. Encouragement to support Actualized.org: Leo requests support for his content on Actualized.org through Patreon and reiterates the importance of exploring in-depth the substantial content he has created to gain full comprehension and benefit from his teachings. The difficulty of organizing content: Leo discusses the challenges in organizing his voluminous work, highlighting the sprawling nature of the teachings and the difficulty for new viewers to grasp advanced concepts without foundational knowledge. The importance of depth in learning: Leo values deep comprehension, comparing superficial understanding to unsatisfactory sexual intimacy. He stresses that a profound grasp of his philosophies entails a long-term commitment and urges viewers to study his work over several years to gain true appreciation. Cave Inimicum

What Is Death - How Immortality Works https://youtu.be/1zjuDdysOL8 "Oh wow.. Oh wow... Oh wow..." - Steve Jobs' last words Death as an unchallenged assumption: Leo points out that people often accept the concept of death without questioning its reality or the assumption that it's unknowable. He challenges viewers to consider the validity of these preconceived notions. Equivalence of death to positive absolutes: Leo claims that what we perceive as death actually equates to infinite love, consciousness, God, immortality, paradise or heaven, and complete non-duality—a transformative state rather than an end. Materialism vs. experiential insight: He emphasizes that the insights he shares about death are not beliefs or ideologies but are based on direct experiences, urging viewers to validate these truths through their experience rather than accepting them on faith. Death misconstrued due to self-bias: Leo discusses how the fear-driven, self-centric view distorts the perception of death, causing humans to view it negatively while they lack an objective understanding of what it actually entails. Life as identity construction: He argues that life and existence are not merely biological processes but rather constructions of identity within the mind, suggesting that we perpetuate our own existence through continual reaffirmation of this constructed identity. Tree metaphor for self and identity: Using the example of a tree, Leo explains that just as there is no inherent tree identity from the tree's own point of view, humans project and construct their identities as well, implying that our conceptions of life and death are similarly self-created. Relativity and Arbitrariness of Identity: Our identities are not fixed or factual but are constructed based on various layers of identification such as race, gender, nationality, profession, and even the idea of being a biological entity. Identity Creation and Birth: Leo suggests that birth is not a biological process but an identity created by telling oneself what they are. If one stops affirming their identity based on any characteristics, they would theoretically have never been born. Constant Reaffirmation of Life: Staying alive is a continuous act of affirming one's identity, done every moment by affirming attributes such as humanity, gender, beliefs, and personal stories. Death Through Loss of Identity: Leo defines death as the end of identifying with any construct, explaining that the loss of identity within different layers leads to a figurative death, evidenced by the mourning of lost social status or wealth. Existence Without Identity: If one could completely relinquish all layers of identity, including the fundamental belief in being a living biological entity, life would continue, but it would be as if they had never been born—their existence would continue without a personal identity. True Self as Non-Identification: Removing all artificial layers of identity leads one to discover their 'True Self', a state of formless, infinite, and empty consciousness where the distinction between 'I' and 'everything' dissolves. Physical Death vs. Psychological Death: Leo argues that physical death is unnecessary for understanding death because the body is just another identity layer. By deconstructing this identity, one can experience death without physical dying. Direct Experience of Psychological Death: Leo speaks from his experience, claiming that he has repeatedly gone through psychological death, realizing that death doesn't involve going anywhere as there is no 'here' or 'there' in the state of true consciousness. Death as Demonized Social Construct: Societal views on death have been shaped by a cultural agreement to view it as something to be feared and avoided at all costs. This view supports the idea of survival but is based on the false premise that survival defends something real. Eliminating the Fear of Death: Imagining a life without the fear of death can lead to fundamental changes in attitudes toward work and relationships and could eliminate fear from life completely, as fear is shown to be a powerful tool of self-deception. Death Cloaked in Fear Hides Truth: The universal fear of death prevents the exploration of existential truths such as love, infinity, and God, which have been metaphorically tagged as death, adding to the depth of fear and misunderstanding. Duality of existence: Leo describes life as an expression of selfishness, delusion, and attachment, while death is seen as selflessness, truth, and freedom. He contrasts the two states, presenting death as a dissolution of identity and a merging with infinite consciousness. Existential love contrasted with human love: He distinguishes between human notions of love and existential love, which is formless consciousness. Leo suggests that death brings about an experience of existential love that transcends our conventional understanding of love. Death as transformation: Leo explains that at the time of death, personal identity dissolves completely, allowing one to merge with the universe and become indistinguishable from everything, leading to infinite and formless existence. Metaphor of water: Using the metaphor of water, Leo illustrates the transition from having a specific shape to becoming shapeless. He relates this to death, conceptualizing it as moving from a defined form to a state of formlessness, which he views as our truest nature. Living from a place of formlessness: He suggests that it is possible to live from a place of formlessness without physical death, by detaching from all identity. This detachment would allow for universal relation and appreciation of existence. Attachment as a spiritual obstacle: Leo highlights how attachment to material things like wealth or success prevents one from realizing formless and infinite identity. He echoes religious teachings that identify attachment as contrary to spiritual growth. The irony of fearing death: He acknowledges that despite his assertions that death is a state of absolute love and beauty, individuals remain terrified of losing their specific form and identity. Cycle of division and unification: Leo explains that life involves a continuous process of division (birth) and unification (death), with both existing within a universal formless identity. Tragedy and irony of human existence: He perceives human life as a series of elaborate schemes to avoid the profound reality of infinite love, which is so overwhelming that it obliterates finite existence. Infinite love as both terrifying and beautiful: Leo asserts that the most tragic aspect of human life is the denial of the total beauty and goodness of existence, termed infinite love, which we avoid to maintain our finite identities. Unified Consciousness Through Death: When individuals pass away, their separation dissolves, and they merge with the collective consciousness which is ever-present. Leo asserts that all who have ever lived, including historical figures like Caesar and contemporary loved ones, are part of this collective and have never actually gone anywhere. Societal Denial of Infinite Consciousness: Society, families, and individuals vehemently deny the concept of infinite love and collective consciousness, often labeling those who speak of it as delusional or insane. This denial, according to Leo, is necessary to maintain the illusion of being separate, finite beings. Relativity of Death: Leo describes death as being relative. What dies is merely the personal identity, while from an absolute standpoint, nothing really dies. He posits that existence is a constantly reincarnating phenomenon, with reality being a shape-shifting manifestation that is inherently immortal. Immortality Through Identity Shift: Leo reflects on an early insight he had about immortality that originated from a Zen parable. Realizing immortality entails shifting one's identity from being limited and finite, like a tree, to being the whole forest, and ultimately to identifying with the totality of the universe. Universe vs Universe: Differentiating between the finite, scientific universe (with a lowercase 'u') and the absolute, all-encompassing universe (with an uppercase 'U'), Leo claims that true immortality resides in identifying with the latter, which is neither created nor destroyed. The Irony of Resistance: Leo discusses how many people's skepticism and pessimism are actually a denial of the fundamental nature of love and goodness inherent in existence. He assures that regardless of resistance, everyone will eventually become one with this infinite love, which is the true design of life. Self-Deception and Alignment with Life: Leo speaks of life as a journey toward recognizing and transcending one's self-imposed limitations. Alignment with the process of self-transcendence results in peace and joy, while clinging to self-deception leads to suffering. Reincarnation as an Infinite Process: From the highest perspective, everything reincarnates infinitely. As such, after one's physical demise, identity or form becomes irrelevant because, at the absolute level, one is already experiencing existence through every possible form. Knowledge Through Death: Leo suggests the only way to fully understand these concepts of death and immortality is to experience a kind of death personally. To know these truths, one must go beyond intellectual speculation and engage with direct experience. Rejecting Physical Suicide: Despite discussing the illusion of death, Leo reaffirms that one does not need to engage in physical suicide—using this understanding as a means to deepen appreciation for life and to embody the paradox of being both finite and infinite. Discouragement of physical suicide: Leo stresses that physical suicide out of depression or misery is not necessary and counterproductive, emphasizing that it is done out of a misplaced sense of self, which is ultimately selfish. Advocacy for mental and existential transcendence: He advocates for transcending suffering and depression not physically but mentally or existentially, and for becoming an example to others of spiritual possibilities. Appreciation for physical existence: Leo encourages embracing and appreciating the beauty and wonder of the material world, acknowledging it as an amazing and remarkable manifestation of love in physical form. Impermanence of form: He acknowledges the temporal nature of all formed things, including humans, planets, and stars, noting that while they are mortal, consciousness, truth, and love are immortal absolutes. Oneness and immortality: Leo discusses the concept of oneness, asserting that in a state of total oneness, notions of death are irrelevant, as there is no 'other place' to go. Shift in identity towards the absolute: He suggests a shift in perception from identifying as a human to identifying as the totality or the absolute (God) to realize a form of immortality. Acknowledgment of residual attachments: Despite spiritual awakening, Leo recognizes that individuals may still harbor attachments to life and mortality, and he highlights the difficulty in completely detaching from all aspects of material existence. Joy in dual existence: He advises enjoying life's experiences and dual aspects—physical life and spiritual immortality—without choosing between them, stating the reality allows the enjoyment of both sides. Descendo

Content vs Structure - Going Meta Is A Super-power https://youtu.be/eq3htbsa5rk "It's the structure, stupid." Content vs Structure Distinction: Leo introduces the concept of differentiating content from structure, emphasizing that while content refers to the specifics within a given framework, structure pertains to the rules, formats, or constraints that define the possibilities of what content can exist. Examples Illustrating Content and Structure: DVD Discs: The physical disc and encoding format represent the structure, whereas the data on the disc is the content. NFL (National Football League): The NFL acts as the structure, setting the rules and parameters for the teams, games, players, and organizational operations, with the specific teams and games being the content. English Language: Language is the structure that shapes what can be thought or expressed, influencing the content of speech and writing. TED Talks: The specific format and audience of a TED Talk constitute the structure, offering a platform for a diverse range of topics (content) to be shared. Video Games: The medium of video games provides a structure with its norms and standards, while the different genres and titles make up the content. Schools: The educational system's structure dictates what can be taught, and changing this structure could alter the fundamental nature of the schooling experience. The Trap of Content: People often get engrossed in content without paying attention to the structure that enables it. Leo uses the analogy of being wrapped up in a football game on TV without considering the structuring entities like the NFL or the television itself. Dream as Example of Overlooking Structure: When engrossed in a dream's content, people fail to realize they are dreaming (structure), leading to being tricked by the dream. 'Going Meta' as Gaining New Dimensional Insight: Leo explains 'going meta' as stepping back from content to observe the structure, uncovering a hidden dimension and allowing for significant shifts in perspective and understanding. For example, understanding that religion is not just about specific beliefs but also about the overarching structure of ideologies. Practical Applications of Going Meta: Understanding Used Car Sales: Rather than focusing on specific cars, going meta involves studying the processes and structures of how cars are bought and sold. Studying Structures of Religions: Instead of adhering to one religion, going meta means examining how all religions fit into a broader structure of ideologies and transcending that structure. Importance of Understanding Structure: Leo emphasizes the power of shifting focus from consuming content to a deep study of structures, leading to a richer appreciation and understanding of various aspects of life. Appreciation and Limitations of Meta Perspective in Entertainment: Leo enjoys behind-the-scenes documentaries because they offer a meta perspective of the entertainment industry, pointing out various aspects of film production. This meta perspective simultaneously enriches understanding but can also diminish the magic of the content by exposing its flaws and production realities. Illusion and Disillusionment of Content: When individuals delve into the structure of something, like a movie, they can no longer enjoy it with the same naivety. Leo likens the thorough understanding of a movie's making to the realization that reality’s content is often enjoyed without knowledge of its creation, which can be disillusioning. Hypnotizing Effect of Good Content: Good content, such as a horror movie, can engross and emotionally affect viewers, distracting them from the underlying structure. Recognizing this, Leo suggests that being too analytical or "meta" during such experiences can spoil the enjoyment. Content vs. Structure in Religion and Culture: Religion and culture can be deeply engrossing, with the potential to hypnotize people to the extent that they become resistant to analyzing the structure of their beliefs. Leo highlights that going meta can be threatening, inciting fear, anger, or discomfort when deeply-held beliefs are challenged. Culture's Arbitrary Nature: Leo points out the arbitrariness of cultural norms and values, noting that each culture believes in its superiority without recognizing the commonalities and arbitrary nature of cultural systems. Science as a Structured Lens: Scientists can become so engrossed in their work that they overlook the structural "keyhole" through which they view reality. Leo posits that science offers just one narrow perspective and structural understanding is required to see beyond it. Structural Similarities in Religious Disagreements: Leo illustrates how Christianity and Islam, while differing in content, share similar ideological structures, making them more alike than adherents realize. He echoes this sentiment with the Sunni and Shiite divide, suggesting that their violent disputes over lineage are based on a minor content discrepancy rather than large structural differences. Atheism and Theism Structural Similarity: He argues that atheism and theism are both belief systems with structural similarities, despite appearing as opposites in terms of content. Hypnotizing Power of Content: Leo conveys how content can become an illusion that engrosses individuals, preventing them from seeing or understanding the underlying structure, as demonstrated by heated disagreements within religions or between belief systems. Attachment to Atheism or Theism: Leo Gura points out that individuals often resist the idea of going meta because it would disrupt their deeply held beliefs. By refusing to transcend and examine atheism or theism from a structural perspective, they remain deluded, unable to see that both positions can be equally misguided. Conflation of Drugs and Psychedelics: Mainstream society frequently misunderstands psychedelics and typical hard drugs, categorizing them as equally harmful due to their surface-level similarities. However, structurally, they are fundamentally different; psychedelics can be therapeutic and anti-addictive, whereas hard drugs are generally harmful and addictive. Overemphasis on Politician Identity: Voting for politicians based on superficial identity markers like gender or ethnicity without considering deeper structural factors, such as policies and moral development, is a mistake. Leo asserts that it's crucial to scrutinize the structure of their abilities and potential governance rather than get caught up in their identity. Cable News Structure Affecting Content: The structure of cable news prioritizes sensationalism, mass appeal, and advertiser interests over comprehensive and unbiased reporting. Viewers often don't realize their perception of reality is being shaped by the selective content filtered through these structural biases. Fox News and the Hypnosis of Content: Leo highlights that outlets like Fox News capitalize on viewers who prefer not to question what they are presented with, leading to a form of hypnotic reinforcement of their existing beliefs. This hypnosis prevents viewers from acknowledging the possibility or the value of examining the underlying structure of news and ideologies. Illusion vs. Reality and the Importance of Going Meta: People tend to accept the content they are exposed to as reality, not realizing it's structured in a specific way to create an illusion. Fox News viewers, for instance, are unaware of what they're missing by not comparing their news source with others due to being trapped in the content's illusionary quality. Reluctance to Go Meta: Many individuals do not investigate structures or question their realities, content in the belief that they have a firm grasp on what's real, leading to what Leo describes as 'paradigm lock'. Structure of Platforms like Facebook: Leo explains that platforms such as Facebook have structures that shape their content significantly, allowing for the manipulation and propagation of ideas - advantageous for some, like foreign entities aiming to influence elections, and problematic for others. These structures support ideological bubbles by reinforcing pre-existing viewpoints through algorithms. Religion as a Structure: Religion in practice has a rigid structure with strict parameters that dictate how followers engage with it, which can limit truth-seeking and cause practitioners to miss out on other experiences. Academic Philosophy and Universities: These institutions function within structures that prioritize their maintenance over the pursuit of genuine truth, evidenced by the constraints placed on the methodologies and topics that can be discussed or researched. American Healthcare as a Dysfunctional Structure: The structure of the American healthcare system benefits certain individuals like doctors and pharmaceutical companies, but overall, it is dysfunctional for many others, emphasizing symptom treatment over curing diseases. Education vs Indoctrination: Leo contrasts the structures of education and indoctrination, illustrating education as a means of discovery and indoctrination as a fixed system that stifles independent thought and inquiry, prevalent in both religious and public schooling. Novelty and Restrictions in Different Mediums: Society often becomes enamored with a single medium or structure, missing out on the range of other experiences available. These include various forms of art, science, and scholarly disciplines, as well as different styles of teaching, like the Montessori method that promotes independence and inquiry over rote learning. Understanding and Redefining God: Leo offers a structural perspective on the concept of God, emphasizing it as an experience rather than a belief, which typically differs from mainstream religious conceptions, encouraging viewers to go beyond preconceived notions and surface appearances. Diversity in Human Psyches and Minds: There is a significant structural diversity among human beings in terms of genetics, biology, brain types, and personality, contrary to the common assumption that everyone shares the same perception of reality. Diverse Human Minds and Psyches: Humans have structurally different minds and psyches that process information and react to substances distinctly due to genetics and biology, demonstrated by phenomena such as instant mathematical calculation ability and perfect memory. Common Structures in World Religions: Surface-level differences between religions like Christianity and Hinduism mask deeper structural similarities. Deep study reveals commonalities suggesting a universal human spiritual inclination, which some interpret as evidence of a deeper truth about God. Authority in Science and Religion: Despite apparent differences, science and religion share a structural reliance on authority for establishing truth, contradicting the notion held by many scientifically minded people that these institutions fundamentally differ in this regard. Survival Across Economic Classes: Survival concerns exist for both poor and wealthy individuals, manifesting through different content such as basic needs for the poor and social status-maintenance behaviors for the rich, pointing towards a deep structural similarity in survival. Nintendo Games - Content vs Structure: Criticisms about Nintendo's repeated use of the Mario brand overlook the structural differences between the games. Each new installment has a unique game design, with the Mario character serving as a familiar branding wrapper. Structural Basis of Corporate Success: The success of major corporations like Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Amazon, and Netflix isn't solely due to the quality of their work or ethics, but primarily due to structural advantages that enable monopoly and market domination. Wealth and Power as Structural Phenomena: Millionaires and billionaires achieve their status not just through hard work but also by exploiting structural opportunities and navigating systems in their favor, often supported by a pyramid-like structure unsustainable for all. Going Meta and Understanding Success: Leo encourages developing the ability to go meta, i.e., to recognize the difference between content and structure in order to prevent suffering caused by an illusion of content, and to aim for success through understanding and leveraging structural factors. Consciousness as the Ultimate Structure: Consciousness is the ultimate entity within which all content exists. Understanding the structure of consciousness is essential for comprehending life and overcoming the influence of its dynamic content. Shared Structures in Ideologies: Diverse ideologies and political perspectives may have different content but often share similar structures. Liberals and conservatives, for example, represent different stages of cognitive, moral, and spiritual development which inform their discord. Personal Development through Structural Understanding: Lasting personal transformation and fulfillment come from working on the psyche's structure rather than being distracted by the ephemeral content of everyday experiences, aspirations, and ideologies. Wealth and Structural Hierarchy: Wealth, power, and the notion of being self-made are deeply intertwined with structural hierarchy. To become wealthy, one must exploit existing economic structures, often designed as a pyramid scheme. This is not universally sustainable; for millionaires and billionaires to exist, there must be a hierarchy. Identity and Ideology in Wealth Accumulation: Millionaires and billionaires may struggle with the guilt of acquiring wealth through inequitable structures. To continue accruing wealth without moral conflict, they adopt ideologies that make them oblivious to the suffering they cause and justify the maintenance of the hierarchical structure. Structural Maintenance for Wealth Preservation: Wealthy individuals actively work to maintain the hierarchical structures that enabled their wealth. This involves political influence, funding think tanks, and promoting ideologies to prevent the collapse of the hierarchy and to rationalize their position. Consciousness and Going Meta: Understanding and solving structural problems is key to becoming a powerful creator in any field. The ability to step back from the content of consciousness and see the bigger structural patterns is a crucial skill. All life experiences are content within the overarching structure of consciousness. Relative Nature of Content and Structure: Content and structure are relative; there are nested orders of the two. Ideology can be seen as a structure, religion as its content, which in turn is a structure for specific types of religion such as Christianity, and so on down to individual practices and beliefs. Mastering Life by Understanding Consciousness: The most important structure to understand is consciousness. Everything is content within consciousness, including ideologies, religions, languages, and physical reality. Mastery over life comes from studying the structures of consciousness and going meta on life’s contents. Immersion in Content and its Consequences: Being hypnotized by the content of success and power prevents individuals from going meta, causing suffering both personally and for others. To change one's life meaningfully, one must become adept at understanding structural issues. Life as Content within Consciousness: Every aspect of life, from religions and ideologies to human relationships and activities, is content within the broader structure of consciousness. Understanding this structure is the key to resolving life's challenges and avoiding the bewilderment of being at the whims of content. Real-world Examples of Content vs Structure: Leo discusses various real-world domains, illustrating the differences and similarities in structures, largely independent of content. Examples include religions, science, liberal and conservative psyches, cult psychology, nationalism, and clan warfare. Liberal and Conservative Structural Differences: Liberals and conservatives not only differ in policy positions (content) but also in cognitive, moral, and spiritual development (structure). Understanding this structural difference can shed light on the deeper dynamics behind political disagreements. The Need to Go Meta to Solve Complex Issues: Addressing content alone, such as in clan warfare or nationalism, cannot resolve the underlying structural issues. Lasting solutions require a meta perspective that understands the shared structure behind seemingly diverse conflicts. Nationalism as Evolved Clan Warfare: Nationalism is an advanced form of clan warfare where millions are involved, exemplifying the escalation from inter-clan disputes to large-scale conflicts between nations driven by a common structure of in-group bias and territorialism. Fighting Evil as a Structural Problem: Leo describes the ubiquitous presence of evil in the world as a consequence of a fundamental structural misunderstanding. People attempt to eradicate evil with actions that are inadvertently evil themselves because they fail to grasp that evil is a perception created by their minds and is not an inherent part of material reality. Perception of Evil and Projection: The perception of evil is revealed to be a projection from the individual's mind, tied to relative perspectives and selfish tendencies. To effectively address evil, one must acknowledge and transcend these projections, achieving a state of higher consciousness and unconditional love. Metaphysical Understanding of Evil: Rather than eliminating evil through punishment or eradication, understanding the metaphysical and structural origins of evil—such as fear, selfishness, and limited ego—leads to more compassionate solutions. To address the root causes of actions deemed evil, one must undergo profound psychological and spiritual growth. Attracting Women in Dating as a Structural Interaction: Through his experiences in pick-up and dating, Leo uncovers that attraction isn't about the specific words (content) but rather the manner of interaction (structure), such as confidence, body language, and mood—elements that dictate the sub-communication to women. Context Sensitivity in Social Dynamics: Leo stresses the importance of understanding contextual cues in social environments, particularly in dating scenarios where subtle communication and non-verbal cues (structural aspects) greatly impact the success of social interactions. Money in Politics Identified as Structural Issue: The influence of money in politics is recognized as a structural flaw, affecting both major political parties as they navigate their survival through resources and incentives, shaping their actions and resistance to campaign finance reform. Conflation between Scandinavian and Venezuelan Socialism: Leo critiques the conservative misconception that conflates the socialism of Scandinavian countries with that of Venezuela, highlighting the lack of structural awareness in these arguments. He explains that the content label of 'socialism' misrepresents the divergent infrastructures, corruption levels, ideological openness, and developmental stages of these nations. Religious Indoctrination Across Different Faiths: Leo points out the structural similarity in how religious schools indoctrinate students. This process of indoctrination is consistent across different religions, focusing on content transmitted within the structural confines of their respective educational institutions. Indoctrination via Educational Structures: All religious and scientific schools, such as Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Buddhist, and technical universities like MIT and Caltech, engage in forms of indoctrination. The degree of indoctrination varies, but structurally they're comparable, as they seek to instill specific paradigms in students without encouraging open inquiry. Self-Bias in Perceptions of Indoctrination: People excuse the indoctrination of their chosen paradigm, whether it be a religion or scientific materialism, due to self-bias. They see other forms of indoctrination as flawed because they differ from their own beliefs, rather than recognizing that all are essentially the same in structure. Repeating Patterns in Relationships: Repeat negative relationship patterns arise due to structural issues within an individual's psyche, such as low self-esteem or depression, rather than the content (partners). Sustainable change requires addressing these deep-rooted structures, not just changing partners. Emotions as Content vs. Structural Mastery: Emotions are content that can govern one's behavior. Mastering emotions involves understanding and observing their structures, allowing individuals to transcend and take control of their emotional experiences. Content Focus and Blindness to Structural Issues: Sam Harris illustrates content focus by critically addressing the content of religious texts like the Quran, while missing the deeper structural problems like low cognitive, moral, and spiritual development that contribute to extremism. Geopolitical Influence Overlooking Structural Factors: Geopolitical factors such as climate, geography, and historical context profoundly influence societies and are overlooked when improper content, like specific Quranic phrases, are blamed for terrorism. Cult Psychology Beyond Specific Ideologies: Cult psychology operates within various beliefs systems and ideologies, not limited to one religion or philosophy. This is a structural issue that encompasses broader ideological problems. Trump's Structural Corruption: Trump supporters focus on the content of his policies without recognizing the structural corruption and moral depravity, which is indicative of a lack of systemic understanding and personal development. Shared Structures Among Diverse Groups: Structurally, the psyche of Trump has more in common with dictators like Kim Jong-un, due to low cognitive development centered around impulsive, narcissistic, and corruption-prone behavior, regardless of the differing content of their ideologies. Structured Mindset of Authoritarian Leaders: Authoritarian leaders, such as Trump and Kim Jong-un, resonate due to similar stage red characteristics in Spiral Dynamics. They share qualities like dominance and authoritarianism, contrary to the surprise of the media. Evangelicals, Nazis, and Islamists - Structural Parallels: Evangelicals may superficially align themselves with Christ but structurally, they share more characteristics with dogmatic and nationalistic groups like Nazis and Islamists than with the meta-structure of Christ's consciousness. Religious Materialism Across Belief Systems: Both scientific materialists and religious individuals are structurally materialistic, pursuing physical benefits or heaven with materialistic attributes. Even within evangelical circles, the prosperity gospel reflects this materialistic mindset. The Structural Desire for Wealth and Materialism: Religious leaders using Christ's name and symbolism to justify materialistic pursuits, such as flying on private jets, are structurally driven by the same materialism they preach against, showcasing a disconnect from Christ's teachings at a structural level. Identifying and Conquering the Structural Essence of Evil: Christ's approach to 'evil' was structural, recognizing that evildoing is a construct of content and that true understanding and transcendence lie in the recognition of love as an overarching, meta-structural concept. Trappings of Content vs Structural Transformation in Spirituality: Truly adopting the spirituality of figures like Christ involves moving beyond content-based dogma to embrace a meta-structural consciousness, which involves surrendering material and ideological attachments. Survival Needs Affect Structural Perceptions: Egotistical survival needs can corrupt individuals into rationalizing materialistic desires with spiritual justifications, highlighting the difficulty of achieving true spiritual transformation at a structural level. Applying Spiral Dynamics to See Deep Structures: Utilizing Spiral Dynamics helps distinguish between content-focused debates and structural understanding. Effective change often requires transcending content details, moving towards recognizing and altering deep-rooted structures. Politics and the Content-Structure Dichotomy: Politicians and their constituents generally focus on content disputes rather than structural changes needed to address issues, leading to dysfunctional attempts at solutions. True resolution requires a shift to a systemic, structural perspective. Metaphysical and Worldview Shifts for Problem Solving: Many societal problems stem from a lack of structural awareness. Addressing political, social, and economic issues effectively necessitates understanding the structural causes embedded in our worldview and metaphysical perceptions. Meta Problems and Root Solutions: The primary challenge in society is the perception and framing of problems. True solutions require deep structural understanding and change, as merely shuffling content fails to address the root existential and metaphysical issues tied to identity, psyche, worldview, and conceptions of reality. Structures of the Mind to Study: Important mental structures worth studying include projection, denial, ideology, biases, paradigms, self-deception, and more. These structures influence how we perceive reality and ourselves, and they're crucial for understanding self-enhancement and self-deception mechanisms. Happiness as a Structural Issue: Happiness cannot be achieved by altering content such as wealth, relationships, or success. Happiness is a structural problem that requires a change in the psyche's structure; external achievements do not lead to sustainable happiness as they don’t address underlying structural issues. Psychedelics and Expanded Consciousness: Psychedelics induce bliss by expanding consciousness, temporarily altering the structure of one's life, allowing a glimpse into a potentially permanent change in structural reality. However, the effects are temporary, and deep work is required to maintain such an elevated state of consciousness. Inescapable Self: The self is the main structure carried everywhere, shaping life experiences significantly. Addressing this internal structure is crucial for genuine transformation, as changing external circumstances without addressing internal structures leads to the same cycle of content-related problems. Understanding Actualized.org's Goals: Actualized.org's goal is not to provide content for memorization but to point towards deeper structures of understanding. True transformation arises from structural changes to the psyche, moving beyond the content consumed from various resources. Investment in Structural Change: For meaningful personal development, one must focus on resources and practices that promote structural change rather than content absorption. Structural change is challenging and requires revisiting resources like Actualized.org for a deeper understanding, not just for content familiarity. Challenges in Structural Change Implementation: Implementing structural changes demands effort and understanding. Engagement with resources should go beyond content and should involve significant structural changes in the psyche to achieve deep personal transformation and happiness. Geminio

How To Discover What's True - A Deep Inquiry https://youtu.be/BdrmdMhf_sY "If you are unable to find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?" - Dogen Existential Inquiry and Personal Investigation: Leo emphasizes the importance of conducting a personal investigation into the nature of reality, not just accepting truths delivered by authority figures. This investigation involves deep philosophical questioning and using one's own contemplative process to discern truth. What is truth and why seek it: Leo starts the inquiry by pondering the necessity of truth for understanding reality. He addresses the imperative of not being content with a false model of the world but seeking a model that reflects reality as it is. The danger of preconceived notions: The inquiry process requires shedding biases and approaching the investigation without attachment to specific outcomes, whether they align with personal desires or established worldviews. Science and its limitations: Leo discusses the complexities of science, acknowledging that science is made up of a multitude of theories and that what is considered true today might be disproven in the future. He raises the question of which scientific theories to trust while considering the possibility that science might not have all the answers. Denying external authorities: Leo stresses the importance of skepticism towards external authorities and the responsibility of the individual to assume the role of their own authority in the journey for truth, without blindly accepting hearsay. Valid methods of inquiry and starting without prejudice: Leo talks about approaching the truth-seeking process without bias towards methods like reason, intuition, experience, or even voodoo and witchcraft—staying open to all possibilities when beginning the inquiry from scratch. Cultural and personal biases: He warns against allowing cultural and personal biases to predetermine the dismissal of non-mainstream methods like witchcraft in seeking truth. This stance requires questioning everything, including deep-rooted cultural beliefs. Challenges of distinguishing truth from falsehood: When confronted with different methods of truth discovery, such as witchcraft or academic study at a place like Harvard, the difficulty lies in the need for direct experience with each method to compare their veracity. Most people bypass such a thorough comparative process, often dismissing unfamiliar methods as nonsense without proper investigation. Cultural biases affecting truth-seeking: Leo highlights the influence of one's upbringing on the approach to seeking truth. Whether one grows up in a Christian, atheistic, or any other type of household can significantly steer them towards seeking truth through the lens of that specific worldview, despite the fact that being born into a particular belief system is purely accidental and not an assurance of its truthfulness. Critical introspection in truth inquiry: The inquiry into truth isn't merely a rational or scientific process devoid of emotion. Personal biases and emotional attachments heavily influence one's pursuit of truth. Leo stresses the need for self-awareness and critical examination of one's own preferences and early cultural programming that can distort the quest for truth. Psychological and emotional intricacies: Leo sheds light on the complex psychological and emotional landscape that can complicate efforts to uncover truth. Personal resistances, manipulability, indoctrination, and various societal delusions contribute to the challenge, necessitating a deeply introspective and conscious approach. Impact of vested interests on truth: The pursuit of truth is further complicated by the influence of vested interests across different sectors, such as business or medicine, where economic agendas can shape beliefs and suppress certain truths, as evidenced by historical accounts of false scientific theories, medical malpractices, and corporate deceptions. Starting the investigation with inherent biases: Leo makes it clear that chasing truth does not start from a blank slate. Pre-existing theories, biases, and cultural conditioning skew the process. Deciding where to start investigating amongst thousands of philosophies and worldviews is shaped by subjective preferences, often culturally ingrained, which could misguide the pursuit altogether. Importance of self-awareness and honesty in the process: Leo underlines that self-awareness and honesty are crucial in this work. Recognizing the culturally conditioned preference for certain methods of investigation, like science, requires skepticism to ensure a genuine search for truth devoid of external influence. Foundational assumptions of truth: To ground the search for truth, Leo acknowledges that some assumptions are necessary to begin; however, he urges caution. These assumptions must be critically revisited because early errors can lead to severe deviations in the inquiry process, much like a poorly laid foundation can doom a skyscraper. The complexity of the truth-seeking journey: The inquiry into truth quickly spirals into complexity, with myriad directions and possibilities to consider. This inherent difficulty is why few people engage deeply in this type of existential investigation, despite its profound importance for understanding life and reality. Reliability of reason: Leo questions the assumption that reason automatically leads to truth. He challenges viewers to ponder whether they have really proven that reason leads to truth, or if they're simply accepting a cultural belief without critical analysis. Peer pressure and cultural programming: Leo points out that humans live in societies that exert enormous peer pressure and are subjected to a barrage of media that influence their ideas, many of which have historically been proven wrong. He suggests these influences play a significant role in shaping beliefs, potentially away from truth. The agendas of institutions: Leo poses the possibility that institutions like the media, schools, society, business, and even science, might not prioritize truth, but rather have their own agendas focused on survival, ideological perpetuation, or profit. Admitting we don't know: The starting point for existential inquiry, according to Leo, is to admit sincerely that we don't know what the truth is, rejecting the illusions of certainty provided by cultural or educational institutions. Testing the validity of reason: Leo challenges the concept that reason always leads to truth by suggesting that finding even one instance where reason led to falsehood undermines its reliability as a truthful method. History of 'reasonable' beliefs: Leo reflects on history, showing that what was once considered reasonable (like certain religious beliefs) may now be seen as not true, illustrating that reason and belief in truth are not inherently linked. Open-mindedness in existential inquiry: Leo emphasizes that true open-mindedness requires considering all possibilities, even the seemingly absurd, without judgment, as part of the quest for truth. Probabilities and truth: Assigning probabilities or dismissing ideas based on one's current understanding or cultural background risks falling into the trap of assuming knowledge one doesn't have, as true open-mindedness entails considering all possibilities evenly. Existential Effort and Inquiry: Leo emphasizes the necessity of actively engaging in truth-seeking rather than merely contemplating it. He compares the process to physically checking under one's bed for a "space kangaroo" to demonstrate the difference between theoretical and practical inquiry. He addresses the objection that searching for truth is laborious and not guaranteed to yield results, contrasting it with living a conventional life focused on personal pleasures. Cost of Finding Truth: Leo acknowledges the potential sacrifices involved in searching for truth—years that could otherwise be spent on life's enjoyments. He states that this is the price of seeking to understand how reality actually is and that without valuing truth, one will likely never discover it. Possibility versus Certainty of Truth: Leo raises the question of whether truth can ever be discovered or if the pursuit of truth is inherently futile. He suggests that the possibility that truth is unreachable is a truth in itself and that, in theory, to confirm that no truth exists, one would have to exhaust every conceivable avenue. Commitment to the Inquiry Process: Leo speaks about the deep commitment required to pursue truth, emphasizing that when starting the inquiry, one does not know if it will be possible or worthwhile. He also acknowledges that even though he has discovered truth himself, this does not alleviate the need for others to discover it for themselves. Individual Journey of Truth Discovery: Leo argues that truth must be discovered individually and cannot simply be told or taught by someone else. He insists that a person cannot genuinely differentiate between beliefs, opinions, and perspectives without first discovering truth themselves and that many people wrongly assume they are truth-seeking when they actually base their judgments on cultural assumptions. Methods of Discovering Truth: Leo lists potential methods for discovering truth, such as reason, history, reading books, intuition, science, observation, and direct experience. He notes the complexity in assessing the reliability of these methods and the problem of which authority or source to trust in this evaluation. Direct Experience and Reality: Leo considers direct experience to be the most fundamental proof of one's existence, suggesting that awareness of being alive might be the most unquestionable truth. He questions, however, the reliability of our senses and memories, highlighting the uncertainty of existence and our perceptions of reality. Continuous presence of 'sense of being alive': Leo suggests that regardless of activity or beliefs throughout life, the consistent element is the sense of being alive, proposing it could be foundational to reality, with everything else being details within this framework. Questioning the nature of existence: Leo delves into questioning whether there's anything beyond individual experience, contemplating the reality of other humans and external objects, and whether the sense of being alive constitutes the entirety of reality. Speculation on the uniqueness of individual existence: He entertains the possibility that one's own life might be the entire universe or that reality is confined to individual direct experience, acknowledging this might seem outlandish but reminding viewers that no conclusive knowledge precludes such ideas. Doubt regarding the authenticity of memories: Leo challenges the reliability of memories, contemplating whether they are true past events or present constructions, questioning the very nature of time and existence. Perception as a byproduct of evolution: He discusses the role of evolution in shaping perceptions, noting that different organisms might experience reality in vastly different ways, which leads to skepticism about the universality of human experiences such as colors and sensations. Fundamental role of direct experience: Acknowledging direct experience as fundamental to concepts like science, reason, and religion, Leo argues that without it, these constructs lose validity since they're all perceived through direct experience. Skepticism towards perceptions: He presents classical skepticism about the trustworthiness of perceptions, questioning if visual and sensory distortions make it unreliable to accept feelings, colors, and sensations as fundamental truths. Seeking certainty in truth: Leo highlights the challenge of achieving absolute certainty in truth-seeking, avoiding speculation, and questioning how to discern true knowledge from convincing falsehoods. Impossibility of outsourcing truth discovery: He conveys the impossibility of relying on external authorities for discovering truth, emphasizing that self-reliance in this process is essential and that even self-consultation is problematic as it assumes prior knowledge of truth. The potential for skepticism to reveal truths: Leo posits that by maintaining skepticism and investigating direct experience deeply, it's possible to uncover fundamental truths despite skepticism's potential to question even basic experiences like the sense of being alive. Skepticism's self-consuming nature: Sharing his personal philosophical journey, Leo describes how extreme skepticism led him to question the trustworthiness of skepticism itself, landing in a state of continuous inquiry rather than definitive skepticism or belief. Circumnavigating Skepticism: Leo delves into the paradox of skepticism, suggesting that full skepticism eventually undermines itself, leading to a "no-man's land" where one is neither a skeptic nor a blind believer. This state is metaphorically described as an infinite corridor where glimpses of truth are like fleeting glances of an animal's tail – elusive but consistently present during the scrutiny of skepticism. Truth in the Process of Inquiry: Throughout the process of existential inquiry, Leo identifies a persistent element of truth that is intuited but not fully graspable. He articulates that reasoning and common sense, despite being tools for this investigation, often reveal a kernel of truth that guides one's contemplation and skepticism. Dual Nature of Mental Inquiry: Leo contrasts the logical conscious mind, which actively engages in questioning and analyzing thoughts, with a deeper, intuitive faculty that operates in the background, piecing together a larger picture of the inquiry. This process raises the question of the reliability of intuition versus logic in discerning truth. Reality vs. Beliefs about Reality: He highlights the critical distinction between objective reality itself and our subjective models or theories about that reality. Leo prompts viewers to recognize the difference between simplified abstractions of truth and the elusive "it" – the very essence of reality. Philosophy's Role in Daily Life: Leo emphasizes aligning one's actions with one's philosophical assertions, using one's lifestyle and reactions to life events as indicators of true underlying beliefs, beyond intellectualized or superficial philosophical positions. Consequences of Ignoring Existential Questions: He stresses the emotional labor inherent in existential contemplation and its potential to cause psychological disturbance, yet asserts its necessity for burning away conditioned ideologies and reaching the truth. Value of Epistemological Engagement: Leo insists on the importance of epistemology and active engagement with the process to avoid conforming to discriminatory ideologies and societal conditioning. He advocates for the continuous implementation of self-discovery and challenging of personal and external authorities. Authenticity in the Quest for Truth: Leo concludes with a plea for rigorous self-honesty, aiming to reconcile one’s professed beliefs with one's genuine actions and emotions, urging individuals to live in accordance with their true philosophies rather than being swayed by "fake, flowery" constructs. Introduction to Epistemology: Leo highlights the significance of epistemology—the exploration of human knowledge—as an undervalued yet vital topic, crucial for understanding all aspects of existence. This foundational area is often left untouched in academia, religious teachings, and spiritual circles. Awakenings without epistemic clarity: Leo warns that spiritual awakenings or mystical experiences can be clouded by unexamined ideologies and cultural conditioning, potentially corrupting their purity if one hasn't deeply engaged in epistemological work. Encouragement of active participation: Leo urges viewers to actively engage in the inquiry process, comparing it to solving mathematical proofs that require step-by-step logical processing to understand the full picture and outcome. Necessity of faith in truth-seeking: He claims that in order to invest in the exhaustive search for truth—a process requiring significant time and effort—individuals must possess a faith that the process itself holds intrinsic value, regardless of the results. Questioning as a critical approach to life: Leo stresses the importance of questioning one's own beliefs, cultural norms, religions, sciences, and authority figures to avoid dangerous conformist behaviors and ideologies, which have historically led to atrocities and discrimination. Existential reflection as a lifestyle choice: Leo asserts the necessity of contemplating existence—our undeniable reality. He suggests that understanding existence can potentially improve our quality of life and fundamental decision-making processes. Ownership of the inquiry process: He emphasizes the personal responsibility each individual holds to initiate their own journey of truth-seeking, highlighting the limitations of relying on external sources like books and videos. Learning through self-deception: Leo claims that through the process of existential inquiry, one learns about the mind's deceptions, which not only enhances self-awareness but also offers protection from the manipulation of others. Value of truth in practical life: The pursuit of truth—understanding reality as it truly is—is vital for a functional life, Leo argues. Properly aligning one's philosophy with concrete actions is indicative of genuine pursuit of truth and introspection. Encouragement of continued exploration: Concluding the discussion, Leo encourages the viewer to keep exploring the concepts introduced regarding truth, to engage with the resources provided on actualized.org, and to recognize the broader importance of philosophy as a life-transforming discipline. Geminio

The Dangers Of Spiritual Work https://youtu.be/Oaiqh4OEtAw "It's all fun and games until someone loses an I." Off-the-cuff discussion of dangers: Leo addresses the inherent dangers of evolving one's self-help focus from basic improvement to existential and spiritual depths. Existential level importance: He emphasizes the unique personal challenges faced when engaging with spiritual teachings, which depend on one's own traumas, beliefs, and neuroses. Awakening as a unique journey: Leo suggests that awakening is not suitable for everyone, with many not prepared to relinquish materialistic existence. It is a highly individualized path based on personal history and traumas. Levels of consciousness and evolution: The idea is proposed that individuals are at varying levels of consciousness and may require multiple lifetimes to reach a state beyond materialistic desires. Yogic chakra system as a model for spiritual development: The seven chakras are used to represent stages in spiritual progression, with many people stuck at lower chakras due to attachments and addictions. Pursuit of Awakening based on personal interest: Leo stresses that awakening should only be pursued out of genuine interest in truth or dissatisfaction with material life, not simply because one hears about it. Leo Gura's personal drive towards understanding: His personal motivations come from a desire for understanding and are not tied to material success or social pursuits, suggesting past lives could influence his perspective. Life exhaustion leads to spiritual focus: He observes that as people age, they may exhaust their material motivations, leading potentially to a focus on spiritual awakening. Misconceptions about necessity of awakening: Leo warns against pursuing awakening simply because it is discussed often, highlighting the importance of an authentic inner drive. Differing spiritual paths due to unique personal obstacles: He underscores that each person's spiritual path is influenced by unique personal obstacles and formative experiences. Enlightenment requiring certain risks: Leo talks about the radical questioning and potential abandoning of major life aspects during the process of enlightenment, invoking challenges and dark phases. Risk of misunderstanding spiritual teachings due to ego: The danger of misinterpreting or corrupting spiritual experiences is discussed, emphasizing the importance of proper understanding and context. Awakening as rigorous and solitary: He notes that the process of awakening is rigorous and unique to each individual, emphasizing self-reliance and conquering one's ego. Emotional and psychological difficulties of spiritual work: Leo alerts to the possible emotional distress, depression, and suicidal tendencies one may face during spiritual awakening. True desires versus societal expectations: He encourages exploration of true desires and habits beyond society-imposed expectations to navigate unique spiritual challenges. Lifelong Challenges in Spiritual Pursuits: Some individuals may spend an entire lifetime unable to overcome certain desires, such as a preoccupation with sex, which may dominate their life's focus. Hypothesis on Metaphysical Progression: Leo hypothesizes that such deep attachments in life may teach a meta-lesson that carries over to the spirit, potentially influencing desires and behaviors in future incarnations. Self-reflection on Spiritual Motivation: Leo urges listeners to introspect and ensure they're pursuing spiritual awakening authentically and for their own reasons, and not merely mimicking others, like repeating what he advocates. Dangers of Inauthentic Ideals: He highlights the risk of adopting inauthentic cultural or religious goals, which can cause internal conflict and suffering when they misalign with one's true desires. Comparisons and Spiritual Aspirations: Leo points out the struggle and suffering that comes from trying to live up to spiritual ideals that are beyond one's current level of conscious development. Genetic and Spiritual Inclinations: He discusses how individuals might be genetically predisposed to being interested in truth and spirituality, or it can be interpreted through the concept of past lives, emphasizing personal authenticity in spiritual choices. Radical Nature of Awakening: Awakening is characterized as a radical and hardcore process that may involve sacrificing significant aspects of one's life such as relationships, business, or nationality. Experiencing Truth Despite the Cost: Leo states that genuine spiritual seekers pursue truth regardless of the potential sacrifices, seeking to understand life, God, and reality for its sheer value. Admitting One’s Spiritual Readiness: He stresses the importance of honestly assessing one's readiness for spiritual awakening instead of pretending to seek truth due to external influences. The Dark Side of the Spiritual Path: Leo warns of potential dark phases including depression and suicidal thoughts and the critical importance of having a proper theoretical foundation for spiritual experiences. Importance of Self-Leadership in Awakening: He reiterates that genuine awakening is a solo journey where self-leadership and independent troubleshooting are essential, without relying on a guru or external guidance. Dangers of Misinterpretation and Unsupported Environments: Leo shares a story about a woman who experienced awakening without context or support, illustrating the potential dangers and challenges of misunderstanding or being unsupported through the process. Existential Threats and Personal Development: Leo conveys that pursuing the truth can feel threatening, as it challenges one’s entire understanding of life, reality, and identity. A Call for Honesty and Authenticity: He encourages listeners to be brutally honest about their true desires and avoid pursuing spiritual goals for inauthentic reasons or due to external conditioning. Seriousness of Spiritual Awakening: Leo acknowledges the weighty consequences of spiritual awakening, noting that many in society choose suicide over facing the challenges of awakening. He emphasizes the individualized nature of confronting one's ego and the varying struggles each person faces, such as addiction to substances or material desires. Acceptance of Truth: The most significant challenge in spiritual awakening is not just experiencing it, but truly accepting and integrating the truth into one's life, which requires altering habits, thoughts, and emotions to align with newfound realizations. Self-Reliance in Navigating the Spiritual Journey: While external guidance from teachers can be helpful, Leo stresses that ultimately one must independently navigate their spiritual awakening, facing their unique challenges and figuring out their personal path. Oscillating Nature of Awakening: Leo discusses the fluctuating journey of awakening, where individuals repeatedly move between higher and lower states of consciousness, often experiencing inner demons, depression, and a sense of meaninglessness along the way. Physical and Psychological Challenges: He mentions that awakening can lead to physical discomforts such as sleep issues, restlessness, or psychosomatic symptoms, as well as psychological fears like the prospect of facing the void or losing one's mind. Recognizing Personal Limitations and Dangers: Leo advises against reckless spiritual practices, suggesting that one must understand their own limitations and readiness, to avoid potential dangers and cope with side effects like anxiety or panic attacks. Letting Go When Necessary: Using a James Bond analogy, Leo highlights the wisdom in knowing when to pause or retreat from intense spiritual practices to preserve one's wellbeing, rather than pushing beyond safe limits. Navigating Depression and Deep Challenges: He suggests that in instances of deep depression or spiritual crisis, one must be careful about whether to push through or back off, recognizing that not everyone has the same capacities or life circumstances to handle extreme practices. Potential Missteps with Psychedelics: Leo warns of the risks associated with careless psychedelic use, advocating for a cautious and responsible approach, as reckless use can lead to detrimental outcomes and impede spiritual progress. Strategic Pauses in Spiritual Practice: Recognizing when to temporarily halt spiritual practices is crucial, especially when facing intense psychological or physical reactions to avoid exacerbating issues and prolonging the journey. Personal Assessment of Spiritual Health: The onus is on individuals to discern whether their spiritual practices contribute to well-being or further neurosis, requiring a shift from seeking outside guidance to introspective self-evaluation. Tactical Retreats in Spiritual Pursuits: Tactical retreats from overwhelming spiritual experiences are necessary for maintaining progress and avoiding the risk of significant backslides in personal development and practice. Misuse of Psychedelics: Misapplication and overuse of psychedelics can lead to severe psychological trauma, illustrating the necessity of a measured and knowledgeable approach to these substances. Amateur versus Strategic Approaches: An amateur, often overwhelmed by overcommitment, is contrasted with the strategic practitioner who takes incremental, wise steps towards their spiritual or worldly goals, understanding the value of the "tortoise approach." Project Scope and Personal Limitations: Acknowledging one's limitations and managing project scope is essential to avoid failure, whether in spiritual practices, business ventures, or creative projects like video game design. Avoiding Dogmatic Traps in Spirituality: Spirituality must be kept free from dogma and rigid ideology, with an emphasis on flexible approaches and understanding rather than mechanical rule-following. Dangers of Model Over-Reliance: Over-reliance on any single spiritual model or teacher can constrict understanding and growth, underlining the necessity of a holistic and open approach. Misinterpretations and Inner Work: Misinterpretations of spirituality often involve superficially engaging in practices without undergoing the deeper emotional labor necessary for true spiritual growth and purification. Understanding the Barrier to Awakening: The rarity of genuine awakening implies the existence of significant barriers, which vary for each individual and must be approached with care to prevent negative outcomes. Risks for Vulnerable Individuals: Individuals with pre-existing psychological struggles may inadvertently worsen their condition through certain spiritual practices, highlighting the importance of cautious engagement. Risks of Hasty Spiritual Decisions: Leo stresses the importance of not making rash decisions, such as quitting jobs, abandoning families, or giving away savings, based on awakenings or revelations about life's meaninglessness. Highs and Lows of Spiritual Work: He advises to expect highs followed by lows in spiritual work, and to approach such phases with caution to avoid life-altering mistakes. Finding Supportive Conversations: In difficult times, talking to understanding people, hiring a life coach, or seeing a therapist can provide support, though not all therapists may be sympathetic to spiritual pursuits. Value of Theoretical Foundations: Leo emphasizes the need for a strong theoretical grounding via books, recommending his curated list that delves into spiritual nuances, potential pitfalls, and awakening experiences gone awry. Importance of Patience and Moderation: He notes that rushing spiritual progress can lead to longer journeys, while methodical and steady progress may yield faster and safer results. Support Options for Leo Gura's Content: Viewers can support his work on Patreon or visit his website for exclusive content, a life purpose course, and his book list. Navigating Spiritual Work with Nuance: Leo highlights the need for nuance in interpreting spiritual teachings, cross-referencing personal experiences, and understanding that teachings from teachers, including himself, are perspectives, not absolute truths. Potential for Misinterpretation and Error: The possibility of misinterpretation by the listener and error on the part of the teacher underscores the importance of personal verification of any spiritual teaching. Awareness of Absolute vs. Relative Perspectives: While the absolute perspective suggests that "everything is okay," Leo reminds his audience to consider their relative perspective for their own well-being and avoid unnecessary suffering. Upcoming New Content: Leo ends by mentioning his intention to cover new topics in the future and urges students to continue learning and growing with his content. Avifors

How Corruption Works https://youtu.be/sRvQlgu_bRs "Those who fight corruption should be clean themselves." - Vladimir Putin Persistent nature of corruption: Despite 10,000 years of human evolution, corruption is still prevalent, hinting at deep-rooted reasons we don't yet understand. Existential inquiry into corruption: Addressing corruption effectively requires questioning its fundamental nature and the underlying mechanics rather than dismissing it as simply the actions of a few "bad" individuals. Corruption beyond government: The misconception that corruption is limited to governments is dismissed, with recognition that corruption pervades across all parties, governments, organizations, and eras. Corruption as a synonym for evil: Combating corruption is akin to combating evil, a concept deeply intertwined with the understanding of corruption. Misunderstanding corruption’s roots: The irony is that misinterpretations of corruption's causes add to the problem, deepening its impact. Support for Actualized.org: Leo highlights the support for his channel through Patreon donations, which allows for improvements and avoiding ads and sponsorships that could influence content. Corruptibility of minds and systems: From political parties to media and gaming industries, corruption originates in the mind and manifests in external systems like Hollywood's focus on profit over artistry. Definitions of corruption: Multiple dictionary definitions underscore corruption as an act involving abuse of power, personal gain, departure from originality, and various forms of decay or change in meaning. Selfishness, ego, survival as motivators: The roots of corruption are synonymous with survival strategies, ego and selfish behavior, also referred to as devilry. Identification with corrupt actions: Corruption is difficult to observe within oneself but easily spotted in others, stemming from personal survival mechanisms and one's perceived identity. Accepting personal responsibility for corruption: True anti-corruption efforts require acceptance of personal corruption rather than solely attributing it to external sources. The practice of shifting blame: Politicians and others in power often blame external entities for corruption to distract from internal issues, avoiding self-reflection and accountability. Personal declaration of corruption: Leo challenges listeners to acknowledge their own role in perpetuating corruption and evil by declaring themselves as contributors to the issue. Admission of Personal Corruption: Recognizing and owning personal corruption is the crucial first step for change, akin to an alcoholic admitting their addiction. Most people never take this step because it involves confronting one's role in the collective corruption of society or even the entire human species. Collective Responsibility: As a member of any society, one should accept responsibility for the systemic corruption within it, like how Americans might benefit from the nation's military actions internationally, which serve business interests at the cost of others. The Unpopular Nature of Corruption Reform: Addressing corruption often becomes unpopular because it requires individuals to recognize and change themselves, which is generally the last thing one wants to do. Facing internal corruption can be more daunting than fighting perceived external evils. Corrupt People as Ordinary Individuals: Corrupt individuals are usually not inherently evil but are ordinary people reacting to situations of power and temptation. Their corrupt acts stem from an instinct for survival and the desire to fulfill personal needs such as money or power. Underestimation of Power's Temptation: Climbing the social hierarchy increases temptations and amplifies personal ambition. People often don't realize how these temptations can change them, leading to entitlement and potential for corruption, especially when powerful. Corruption as Self-Deception: People justify their corruption, seeing themselves as righteous. Corruption occurs first through self-deception—convincing oneself of being above reproach—so one can engage in corrupt behavior without personal guilt, viewing corruption as a trait of others. Practicality and Transcendence in Combating Corruption: Combatting corruption involves developing a consciousness that recognizes self-preservation's flaws. Understanding that practicalities can be a trap, and escaping the need for everything to be practical, is a higher form of being. Self-Deception Acknowledgment: Even those aware of corruption and self-deception, like Leo himself, are not immune to these issues. Awareness and the constant vigilance against self-deception are vital, yet there are no guarantees against falling into its traps. The Challenge of Objectivity: Truly overcoming corruption requires an objective evaluation of one's own beliefs, recognizing self-bias and the difficulty of objectively assessing one's worldview. This self-awareness is essential to admitting personal faults and corruption. Personal resistance to acknowledging corruption: Accepting one's own corruption is difficult due to the need to maintain a positive self-image. When confronted with corrupt actions, individuals may feel attacked, unloved, and reluctant to change due to an identity clash between being an angel and being perceived as a devil. The strenuous process of becoming an 'angel': Becoming a metaphorical angel, someone who transcends their corruption, is a challenging journey. It involves emotional turmoil, self-disgust, and existential insecurity. This purification path feels like a battle between one's devilish tendencies and the illuminating force of consciousness. Low consciousness and justification of corruption: People are often unconscious of their own corruption, rationalizing it through mental gymnastics and self-deception. Recognizing one's own corruption requires a higher level of consciousness and the ability to spot self-deception, a trait lacking in a significant portion of the population. Culture as a medium for corruption: Corruption is deeply embedded in culture, spanning across various sectors such as entertainment, media, religion, business, and science. Over generations, institutions inherit and manifest their predecessors' ideologies, which often contain inherent corruption due to lack of scrutiny and conformity. The dangers of conformism: Conformist thinking leads to accepting cultural paradigms uncritically, reinforcing corrupt systems. When ideas and norms are adopted through conformity, the process becomes flawed, regardless of the truth of those ideas. Denial of cultural corruption due to loyalty: Loyalty to one's culture often leads to denial of corruption within it. This conflict between loyalty and truth results in condemning those who point out corruption while preserving one's own identity and cultural attachments. Institutional denial of corruption: Institutions facing allegations of corruption, like modern science, may deny any wrongdoing to protect their image and survival. Reformers pointing out corruptions are often met with accusations of being harmful or anti-establishment as a defense mechanism. Reflecting on systemic and individual corruption: To address corruption, reflection on both personal and systemic levels is necessary. Seeking wisdom outside of conformist channels and questioning existing structures can help expose and prevent the perpetuation of corruption. Criticism of Scientific Foundations: Leo criticizes the epistemic foundations of science, which he claims are never questioned and taken for granted by scientists. When challenged, scientists tend to fall back on skepticism and the traditional methods they've been taught, illustrating the cycle of corruption in science. Science and Skepticism: When questioning science's fundamental assumptions, scientists often react defensively, asking for proof and citing rigorous methodologies, which Leo sees as a programmed response ingrained during their education. Demonization of Whistleblowers: Across different domains, especially politics and government, individuals who call out corruption are often demonized and even killed. Leo emphasizes the historical trend where those exposing flaws are mistreated and regarded as traitors rather than reformers. Military Corruption Example: Leo suggests that, ideally, if a soldier exposes corruption within the military, they should be rewarded for improving the institution. Instead, such individuals face retaliation and are brandished as traitors, reflecting the inverse reaction to exposing systemic issues. Inquisition and Heresy: Drawing parallels with the Spanish Inquisition, Leo explains that those labeled as heretics were often trying to reform the church. He says the Catholic Church, which still faces issues like the pedophilia scandal, is resistant to self-examination and reform due to deep identification with its image and dogma. Admitting Institutional Devilry: Leo discusses the emotional difficulty for individuals to acknowledge that their lifelong dedication to an institution, like the Catholic Church, may have facilitated "devilry" or corruption, rather than the divine work they believed in. Whistleblowers and Corporate Culture: He continues with the example of corporate whistleblowers who, rather than being rewarded for exposing corruption, are often fired and blacklisted, reflecting the corporate defense against threats to its ideologies and survival. Projection of Corruption onto Reformers: Leo describes a dynamic where corrupt individuals project their own corruption onto those who attempt to rectify it, viewing the reformers as devils disrupting the status quo. Call-out Culture in Science: When one points out the limitations and issues within the scientific paradigm, the likely response from reputable scientists is denouncement and denial due to being entrenched in their existing worldview. Defense against Corruption as Corruption: Leo argues that trying to defend against corruption can ironically lead to further corruption. For example, rigid religious orthodoxy aimed at preserving doctrinal purity actually perpetuates corruption by following a conformist and mechanical approach to spirituality. Orthodox Conformism: He posits that adherence to religious orthodoxy under the guise of maintaining purity is itself corruption, stemming from conformity rather than true spiritual understanding. The Devil's Use of Conformity: Leo suggests the devil plays upon conformity, knowing individuals will follow new rules without scrutiny, effectively spreading corruption within religious and spiritual practices. Misconception about protecting teachings: The act of rigidly memorizing and replicating teachings, as done by some gurus, unintentionally leads to corruption, as it turns into a mechanical process that deviates from the essence of consciousness, which is non-mechanical and independent. Consciousness vs. mechanical preservation: Consciousness is about independent thought and recognizing oneself as the ultimate authority. Mechanical attempts to safeguard teachings or practices—whether religious or scientific—often distort the original message and contribute to corruption. Independent thinking over external authority: Relying on external authorities for guidance, in religion or science, is a misstep that results in corruption. True consciousness requires self-guidance rather than adhering to an external figure's dictates. Limits of rigid rationality in science: Rigorous scientific methods can inadvertently ignore broader realities, much like a strict antivirus program that blocks necessary software. This overly stringent approach can create blind spots in science and lead to corrupt practices. Generational distortion of teachings: The process of transferring knowledge from one generation to another is akin to a game of telephone, where each copy introduces errors, ultimately leading to grave distortions like widespread institutional corruption over time. Corruption’s connection to lack of consciousness: Corruption stems from a lack of consciousness and cannot be mechanically prevented. To address corruption, individuals must develop consciousness and think independently. Corruption from Maya or 'the devil': Corruption is attributed to Maya, or the 'devil,' which uses universal intelligence for personal gain. Ego-driven humans distort and narrow universal intelligence, which should be used instead to disseminate consciousness and love. Devil’s tactics in corruption: The devil's strategy includes corrupting influential institutions because it enables widespread deception and corruption. Individuals in positions of power are targeted to disseminate corruption down through society. Misguided fight against corruption: Those who loudly oppose corruption externally might be using it as a facade to hide their own corrupt actions. The real battle against corruption is internal, focusing on personal transformation of devilry. Islam's inner vs. outer jihad: Islam was originally about the inner journey to eradicate personal corruption, representing the greater jihad, but has since been externalized into the lesser jihad of fighting enemies, losing its essence in the process. Integrity and its false display: There's a difference between genuine integrity, which is a function of high consciousness and moral development, and mere ideological or performative integrity that can be used to hide corruption. The relationship between Spiral Dynamics and Corruption: Lower stages on Spiral Dynamics, which are associated with limited consciousness, tend to be more corrupt. Tier 2 consciousness is key to curbing corruption as it allows individuals to recognize and overcome their biases and corruptions. Corruption in Third World Countries: Leo notes that corruption is inevitable in third-world countries where survival is a day-to-day struggle due to scarce resources, making people resort to corruption just to feed their children and secure basic human needs. Corruption Index: A corruption index tracks and ranks the corruption levels of every country, showing the correlation between a nation's corruption and its collective consciousness. Countries with scores below 50 are considered highly corrupt and undesirable places to live. Impact of Corruption on Development: In severely corrupt countries, normal societal development and individual self-actualization are almost impossible as businesses may have to pay bribes to operate, and entrepreneurs are often extorted by local mafias. Selfishness and Selflessness in Leadership: Leo discusses the paradox where selflessness emerges as a stronger force than selfishness. Despite the risks, selfless leaders, who cannot be faked, inspire true societal progress and can effect change even in the face of opposition or violence. Understanding Corruption's Importance: Understanding corruption is essential, not just for politicians but for everyone in society who participates in communities and organizations, to effectively handle dynamics and recognize corruption. Corruption in Society's Leadership: Effective leaders attempting to raise collective consciousness face significant challenges, including possibly being ousted by the public if their ideas are too progressive relative to the majority's comfort zone. Policing and Corruption: Policing within communities and online platforms like forums, Facebook, or YouTube exemplifies the struggle of combating corruption without being too oppressive—a difficult balance to achieve. Leadership and the Evolution of Communities: The speed at which a community evolves is limited by the ordinary, conformist majority's capacity to accept and integrate ideas from higher-consciousness leaders, who can be targeted and removed for suggesting significant changes. The Limiting Bottleneck of Community Evolution: Communities can only evolve as fast as the majority will allow; when a leader's ideas are too advanced, the relevancy gap can lead to the community rejecting and removing the leader from power, mistaking progressive ideas for harm. Catch-22 of Conscious Leadership: To establish high-consciousness leaders, a society needs citizens with high consciousness capable of appreciating such leaders, creating a challenging cycle as each depends on the other for existence. School System Influence: The school system reflects society's prevailing level of consciousness and is slow to evolve due to its connection to conformist traditional values of the society that establishes educational leadership. Resistance to Progressive Education: Highly conscious and reformative education leaders face resistance from the conformist majority, risking dismissal if their reforms challenge deeply held traditional values or expose systemic corruption. Projection of Corruption: Accusations of corruption can often be a form of projection, as in the case of Socrates accused of corrupting the youth, or Donald Trump's 'drain the swamp' campaign, while himself exhibiting corrupt behaviors. Trump Administration Corruption: The Trump administration is used as an example of significant corruption, where cronyism and financial improprieties are prevalent among President Trump and his appointees, visible through numerous scandals and resignations. Partisanship and Corruption Perception: The discourse on corruption in politics is often seen through partisan lenses, but awareness of differential levels of corruption in political entities is crucial for making informed judgments beyond partisanship. Spiral Dynamics and Corruption: According to Spiral Dynamics, higher stages are less corrupt due to reduced egotism, and it is posited that liberals are generally higher on this spiral than conservatives, suggesting less corruption. Causes of Government Corruption: Government corruption's prevalence ties back to the vast pool of money and power within it, with corruption manipulated by powerful and wealthy entities through mechanisms like lobbying and deregulation. Size of Government and Corruption: A larger, strong government is posited as necessary for managing and overseeing powerful corporations, ensuring holistic functioning towards the common good and preventing hostile takeovers. Amazon as a Potential Oligarchy: As an example, Amazon could, in theory, amass enough power to challenge or overtake government functions, illustrating the risk when corporations become too powerful relative to the government. Government Corruption and Oligarchy: The current evolution of democracy is regressing into an oligarchy reminiscent of past civilizations like the Roman Empire. To counteract this, a larger and, more crucially, cleaner government is necessary. Trump as an Example of Corruption: Using Trump as an illustration, it's suggested that declaring to "drain the swamp" does not equate to actual anti-corruption measures, especially when the person lacks the moral and consciousness levels required for such tasks. Historical Fight Against Corruption: Society's relative stability and safety are the result of continuous efforts against corruption throughout history, showing the importance of civic engagement and individual responsibility. Money in Politics: Highlights the detrimental effects of corporate lobbying and political contributions on US democracy. Advocates for a constitutional amendment and public funding for elections to ensure one person equals one vote. Wolf Pack Organization: Leo encourages support for Wolf Pack, a nonpartisan group working to eliminate money from politics through a constitutional amendment. Image 1 Theory and Practice of Fighting Corruption: Emphasizes the importance of connecting big-picture understanding with practical actions, such as donating to causes like Wolf Pack, to combat corruption effectively. Personal Corruption: Viewers are urged to admit to and notice their everyday corrupt actions, such as cheating, lying, or favoritism. These micro corruptions can expand into larger issues when individuals gain more power. Awareness as a Solution for Corruption: Acknowledges that bringing to light corrupt acts through awareness, like how Trump's actions are publicly scrutinized, helps society progress by exposing the ugliness of corruption. Corruption Tended by Technological and Cultural Evolution: Points out that as society and technology evolve, new avenues for corruption emerge, necessitating better laws and education to curb these issues. Improving Life Quality to Reduce Corruption: Proposes that helping improve overall prosperity and meeting basic needs can decrease the need for corruption in desperate societies such as Liberia. Moral and Spiritual Growth to End Corruption: Stresses the role of personal moral and spiritual development in eradicating corruption, urging viewers to purify themselves of corrupt tendencies. Techniques to Resolve Personal Corruption: Suggestions are made for techniques to combat personal corruption, including working on Maslow's hierarchy of needs, Kriya yoga, self-inquiry, shadow work, and fostering love. Collective Action and Transparency: Besides personal growth, collective actions such as supporting reforms and practicing transparency are vital to fight widespread corruption. Consciousness, Truth, Love, and Spirit: Argues that increasing levels of consciousness, truth, love, and spirit are the ultimate solutions to corruption, advising ego dissolution and total transparency in life. The necessity of transparency to reduce corruption: Leo elucidates that many corrupt thoughts and actions remain hidden because they operate in secrecy; therefore, being transparent in thoughts, words, and actions can significantly reduce corruption. Non-judgmental attitude towards others' corruptions: He suggests that assessing others' corruptions harshly is unproductive, as ridding oneself of corruption is immensely challenging and requires lifelong work. Change should begin with oneself before judging others. Compassion for people involved in corruption: Leo urges compassion rather than vilification for those who are corrupt, attributing their behavior to unconsciousness, lack of proper education, fear, and survival instincts rather than intrinsic evil. Self-compassion in facing personal corruption: He advises against self-hatred for one's own corrupt tendencies, advocating for self-love and acceptance as a means to overcome these challenges and progress towards change. Utility of the corruption worksheet: A worksheet is provided for viewers to increase awareness of their own corrupt behaviors and to encourage self-examination and accountability. Donations towards combating corruption: Leo encourages American viewers to donate to Wolfpack, a non-profit aiming to end the influence of money in politics, to take concrete action against corruption in American politics. Big-picture understanding through Actualized.org: Leo emphasizes the focus of Actualized.org on advanced, abstract topics related to big-picture understanding of reality and life, typically exploring 'being needs' as opposed to basic survival needs. Complementing Actualized.org content with basic learning: He suggests supplementing his teachings with more basic information that covers practical survival skills, as his content is aimed toward deeper understanding and long-term personal transformation. Long-term timeline for transformation: He cautions against expecting quick fixes from his content, proposing a long-term commitment to his teachings for cumulative effects and deep, transformative understanding over many years. Pursuit of infinite understanding: The ultimate goal of Leo's teachings is to guide viewers toward achieving infinite understanding, which he believes can unlock the full potential of life and fundamentally change one's trajectory. Expelliarmus

The Many Facets Of Awakening - List of Top 30 Enlightenment Insights https://youtu.be/OgtPGEBGUWw "It lies in the nature of things that the many enter into complex unity." - Alfred North Whitehead Misconception of Enlightenment: Enlightenment is often misunderstood as one single realization, when in fact, it is a complex series of realizeable facets, aspects, and degrees. Value of the Top 30 Enlightenment Insights List: Provides a methodical approach and checklist for spiritual practitioners to gauge their progress and avoid the pitfall of believing they are fully enlightened after experiencing just a few facets. Samadhi and Mystical Experiences: The first facet involves the realization of the Samadhi state or non-dual consciousness where the perceived separation between the observer and the observed dissolves. Realization of No Self: Understanding that the individual self is just an imaginary construct, leading to the awakening that the 'self' a person commonly identifies with, doesn't truly exist. The Universal "I Am" Insight: A vital realization where one shifts from identifying as a mere human being to recognizing oneself as the universal essence of existence, pure 'I am-ness,' or Atman. Omnipresence of Consciousness: The epiphany that one's true self, pure consciousness, is not localized but rather omnipresent, present everywhere and nowhere, simultaneously. Understanding What Consciousness Is: A major shift in perspective is required to understand consciousness as the all-encompassing essence, with nothing existing outside of it. The Literal Meaning of Awakening: Awakening is not a metaphorical concept but a literal experience akin to waking up from a dream, becoming truly aware for the first time. Realization of Non-Duality and Oneness: The insight that all separations are illusions and that everything is intrinsically unified in a single field of consciousness. List as a Systematic Pursuit: The insights serve as a structured progression for seekers to follow, providing a clear understanding of various spiritual milestones. Metaphor of Climbing Mountains: The awakening process is compared to climbing a range of mountains rather than a single mountain, with multiple paths leading to various peaks, symbolizing the diversity of spiritual realizations. Purpose of Sharing the List: Leo, Leo, intends to prevent self-deception among practitioners and to highlight areas of awakening that may be overlooked, thus ensuring a more complete journey towards enlightenment. Realization of Oneness: Awakening to the fact that reality is a singular, unified entity with no separations between objects or beings, highlighting the interconnectedness of everything within a unified field of consciousness. Practical Implications of Oneness: The understanding that perceived separateness is a mental projection and that non-duality means no true separation exists, enabling one to comprehend true non-duality by contrasting it against the notion of duality. On the Nature of Differences: Leo illuminates that perceived differences between objects or entities like a cat and a dog, or a taco and a human, are purely imaginary and only exist if believed or imagined by the mind. Understanding Absolute Truth: One realizes truth is not just a perception or experience, nor a belief or conceptual idea, but an absolute reality identical to consciousness itself, recontextualizing all perceptions and experiences as absolute truth. Realization of the Absolute: Leo explains that only through awakening can one grasp what the absolute truly means, as it exists independently of all conditions, even the annihilation of the universe. Insight Into Absolute Infinity: Understanding that consciousness is infinite, not in numerical or spatial terms but as an absolute concept, allows one to realize the manifestation of everything as a form of absolute infinity. Concept of Absolute Nothingness: Recognizing that all of existence, including consciousness and the self, is fundamentally made of absolute nothing, leading to the profound revelation that nothing has truly happened since nothingness and infinity are identical. Realization of God and the Godhead: Directly encountering and realizing God and its true essence, which goes beyond common misconceptions about the concept. Understanding that "God" refers to an actual reality rather than an imaginary concept. Consciousness as God: One realizes that they are God, the creator of all reality, and that self-denial of this fact is a barrier to full awakening. One must accept their own divine authority and the properties traditionally ascribed to God. Self Equals Other: The realization that all perceived others are actually partitions of one's own consciousness, leading to an understanding that any interaction with others is in fact an interaction with oneself. Realization of Absolute Love: Discovering that consciousness is made of love, which is not an emotion but a substance, and recognizing that all manifestations, even those labeled as evil, are expressions of this absolute love. Truth and Love as Identical: A sub-facet of the realization that absolute love encompasses that truth and love are identical, reinforcing the profound connection between the foundational substance of consciousness and the ultimate reality. Infinite Mind and the Imaginary Nature of Reality: Recognizing that everything experienced—objects, beings, and phenomena—are manifestations of an infinite mind, leading to the insight that reality is fundamentally imaginary. Everything as Imagination: The recognition that all physical reality, personal history, and the very concept of differences—like those between animals or objects—are entirely imaginary creations of the cosmic mind, which is synonymous with one's own mind. Facet of Self-Design: A profound realization that the individual creates not only the universe but also themselves, down to meticulous details such as each hair on their body, as an act of creation by an infinitely intelligent mind. Understanding of Birth as Imaginary: The insight that one's existence did not commence with physical birth; rather, one has always existed. The traditional narrative of birth is understood as a mere imaginary story without genuine occurrence. Realization of Eternity and the Absolute Now: Awakening to the notion that past and future are illusions and that everything, including oneself, exists eternally and absolutely in the present moment. Death as an Illusion and Immortality: Coming to the insight that the concept of death is a fabricated story by the ego, and in reality, one is immortal and exists eternally as all forms and beings outside of time. Realization of Paradise or Heaven: The understanding that heaven is not a location but a state of consciousness where one recognizes their immortality and is free from fear, effectively living in a perpetual state of perfection. Experiential Realization of Bliss and Ecstasy: Experiencing a state of ultimate bliss or ecstasy, which comes from the understanding of immortality and the nature of reality as infinitely good and perfect. Infinite Intelligence: The understanding that the intelligence of consciousness surpasses all physical manifestations and that everything in the universe functions as part of a supremely intelligent and well-oiled machine. Understanding Absolute Goodness: Realizing that everything in the universe, without exception, is inherently good, and what is perceived as bad or evil is merely a projection of personal selfishness. Infinite Will: Recognizing that all of existence is a manifestation of God's will, which, being infinite, materializes instantly as the fabric of reality, including one's own being and actions. Understanding God's Will and Human Will: The concept that human free will is a fragment of God's infinite will, and that what is perceived as the individual's will is actually part of a greater, universal will. Infinite Will and Unlimited Power: The acknowledgement that God, or infinite mind, is boundless, and can create anything without limitations. This realization includes the understanding that perceived physical or logical restrictions are not truly constraints on God's power. Omniscience at the Level of Being: Omniscience is clarified not as knowing all factual information, but as a complete awareness at the level of being. A person can be absolutely omniscient in their being, yet not know trivial details like their neighbor’s lunch. Realization of Divinity, Magic, and Mystery: Enlightenment brings about the realization that consciousness is divine, turning ordinary human perception into an experience of the profound, magical, and mysterious nature of reality. Exploring the Substance of Reality: The quest to understand being and consciousness as the fundamental substance of reality. This pursuit leads to the recognition that consciousness is intrinsically nothing and that differences are illusory. Recognition of the Universe as an Infinite Fractal: The discovery that the universe is a fractal, exhibiting self-similarity at all scales, which one can zoom into or out of infinitely. Recontextualization of Perception and Life: The insight that perception is not merely a human function but an expression of truth or being, alongside the realization that the entire universe is alive in various forms, which transcends traditional scientific queries about the origin of life. Purpose of Existence as Love: The ultimate understanding that the purpose of everything that exists—including complexity, form, and events—is an expression of love, which is the manifestation of oneself as God. Channeling and Communication with God: The facet of being able to communicate with one's higher infinite self or God, gaining direct insights and answers from this source of ultimate consciousness. Healing Through Connection with God's Will: The realization that healing oneself and others is possible by tapping into the infinite mind and aligning with the will of God, which underlies all existence. Collective Consciousness and Conscious Layers: Recognition of consciousness as layered like an onion, with personal consciousness being just one layer within a broader collective consciousness that one can access. Total Extinction of Perception: A facet that has been reported by advanced meditators and Buddhists, wherein through deep meditation, one may experience the disappearance of the entire universe, something Leo has not personally experienced but believes to be possible. Paranormal Phenomena and Interactions: The experience of various paranormal abilities and phenomena, such as clairvoyance, telepathy, past-life regressions, hyper intuition, and the interaction with non-human entities like aliens, which are perceived as projections of one's own mind yet hold relative reality. The Nature of Spiritual Realizations: These realizations can occur individually or in clusters, sequentially or simultaneously, with varying depths of insight. They create a complex matrix of spiritual understanding, which reveals the intricate nature of enlightenment and the diverse paths one can take in their spiritual journey. Complexity of Spiritual Work: A recognition of the multifaceted and layered nature of spiritual insights, reflecting the vast array of awakenings and depths of understanding that can be attained, illustrating the inherent complexity and breadth of spiritual work. Variety of Spiritual Facets: Leo describes spiritual awakening as a complex process with numerous facets, each capable of being a profound realization that can challenge and reshape one's understanding of reality. Assembling Insight Like a Puzzle: The process of awakening involves intermittent realizations, sometimes separated by long periods. Individuals must stitch together these insights over time, likened to assembling a jigsaw puzzle where each piece contributes to the perception of the whole picture. Integration of Spiritual Insights: Leo emphasizes the importance of integrating various insights and matching them up in order to form a coherent understanding of the larger truth, similar to recognizing different parts that compose the entire image of an animal in a jigsaw puzzle. The Shocking Nature of Awakening: Realizations such as identifying oneself as God can be destabilizing, leading to self-doubt or feelings of insanity due to the profound nature of the insight and the contradiction it presents to societal norms. Risk of Distortion and Misinterpretation: There is a danger in misinterpreting insights, potentially leading to a distorted view of reality that reflects one's own ego and shadow rather than objective truth. Navigating Self-Doubt and External Influence: Leo acknowledges the challenges of overcoming self-doubt and societal pressure, highlighting the value of his list as a confirmation for those who may feel alone in their realizations. Diversity Among Spiritual Teachers and Traditions: He explains that different spiritual traditions and teachers may prioritize certain aspects of awakening over others, which can result in a skewed focus and incomplete understanding of spirituality. Awareness of Teacher Limitations: Leo warns of the limitations inherent in spiritual teachings, as teachers may not recognize or integrate all facets of awakening, potentially due to their adherence to narrow or dogmatic paths. Potential Lopsidedness in Awakening: The journey to spiritual awakening can be partial, with individuals excelling in certain aspects while lacking in others. This can lead to imbalanced teachings and experiences. Critical Evaluation of Teachings: He urges not to assume full enlightenment from any one guru or teaching, as they might not address all facets or may dismiss aspects unknown to them as irrelevant. Role of Psychedelics: Psychedelics are presented as tools that can help illuminate various facets of awakening from different angles, due to their capacity to alter states of consciousness and highlight different aspects. Influence of Intentions on the Awakening Process: Leo points out how one's genuine curiosity and intentions can guide which facet of awakening is experienced next, highlighting the significance of quality questioning and self-inquiry in this journey. Existential Questions and Spiritual Facets: Minor existential questions, such as whether to get married or have children, can be explored alongside major spiritual facets. The pursuit of understanding these facets can lead to insights that inform personal decisions. Psychedelics as a Tool for Awakening: Leo sees psychedelics as an efficient way to access and understand various facets of awakening. They allow targeting of specific facets and deliver a panoramic big-picture view of consciousness, God, and reality. Psychedelics vs. Traditional Approaches: While psychedelics offer a broad range of spiritual experiences, traditional methods like yoga or meditation can also lead to awakening but may have limitations based on the techniques used. Methodology and Understanding Consciousness: The ultimate goal should be understanding consciousness itself; the specific methodology, whether psychedelics, yoga or meditation, should be secondary to this pursuit. Teachers' Perspectives on Spiritual Facets: Different spiritual teachers can offer varying perspectives on awakening, leading to apparent contradictions. This could be due to a difference in terminology, depth of understanding, or the range of facets realized. Taking Responsibility and Questioning Gurus: Followers should take responsibility for their spiritual journeys and not assume all teachers are equally enlightened or have comprehended every potential facet of awakening. Disparate Teachings and Spiritual Realization: The diversity of spiritual teachings reflects that not all paths or techniques are equally effective for realizing all facets of awakening. It's wise to compare teachings to understand the range and depth of different spiritual insights. Danger of Partial Realizations: A partial awakening might miss crucial aspects like unconditional love or the notion of God, potentially leading to distortions in understanding and teaching. One Truth, Many Facets: The oneness of truth and the manyness of reality are not contradictory; they are different perspectives that ultimately unite into a singular absolute oneness, akin to the many facets of a jewel representing one entity. Total Number of Facets: It's uncertain how many facets there are, as this number can vary based on differentiation criteria. However, at least two dozen major facets are deemed critical for a comprehensive awakening. Beyond Spiritual Realizations: Realizing spiritual facets is only part of the journey; other areas such as emotional mastery, shadow work, personal development, and relationship skills still require attention and work. Misconceptions about enlightenment: Knowing the facets of awakening does not equate to overcoming all personal issues, such as bad habits, addictions, or limiting and fallacious beliefs. Incomplete spiritual development: Understanding various facets of spirituality doesn't automatically result in cognitive, moral, interpersonal, or political maturity, nor does it guarantee career or technical skill development. Challenges of embodying insights: Realizing profound spiritual insights, like recognizing oneself as God or seeing beyond the concept of evil, doesn't ensure their permanent embodiment in daily life. Personal struggles with enlightenment concepts: Leo admits to his own difficulties in fully embodying insights such as the illusory nature of death and consistently manifesting love, especially when faced with challenging interactions. Endless minor insights: Beyond major spiritual realizations, there are countless 'minor' insights regarding topics like science, evolution, art, relationships, and leadership which are valuable for advancing and evolving society. Value of questioning reality: Pursuing understanding of both major and minor questions about reality is important and should not be dismissed as trivial. Nonstop depth of awakening: Being cautious not to prematurely stop one's pursuit of awakening, as it is often deeper and richer than imagined, is essential. Deep understanding of reality: The true measure of spiritual work is the depth of one's consciousness and understanding of reality, which influences how well insights are embodied. Encouragement for personal validation: Validation of spiritual teachings should come through personal experience, urging viewers to test insights for themselves and not take Leo's word as absolute truth. Future uncertainty: Leo reflects on possible future directions of his work, including deepening existential work, becoming a monk, or leaving behind his current role, emphasizing the evolving nature of his spiritual journey and teachings. Furnunculus

Announcement - Actualized.org Launching On Patreon + Vision For The Future https://youtu.be/YYoNpU9rY_k Actualized.org Launching on Patreon: Leo announces Actualized.org's launch on Patreon as a means to fund its growth and improvements. The platform allows for small monthly donations to support the work he does without compromising its integrity. Hesitation about Monetization: Leo shares his reservations about monetizing his content, fearing it may undermine its value. He could potentially earn much more by adopting aggressive marketing strategies, but he chooses not to, aiming to maintain his work's authenticity. Creative Independence and Integrity: Leo emphasizes the importance of maintaining creative control, allowing him to produce content that is truthful and unfiltered by corporate interests. He values the ability to discuss esoteric and profound topics without relying on clickbait to draw audiences. Sustainable Business Model: Acknowledging the business aspect of Actualized.org, Leo explains that while profit isn't the main goal, financial stability is necessary to avoid going under and to continue making an impactful difference. Use of Money for Good: Leo views money not as a personal need, being frugal and financially comfortable, but as a resource to fund high consciousness activities. He aims to reverse the trend of wealth flowing into low consciousness ventures. Investing in Original Research: Highlighting his commitment to original research, Leo talks about investing time and money in new technologies, substances, and techniques to deepen the insights he shares. He foregoes producing frequent paid courses in favor of advancing his research, benefiting the content quality. A New Powerful Psychedelic: Leo reveals the discovery of a new psychedelic substance more potent than 5-MeO-DMT, which he intends to reveal in the future. He emphasizes this as an example of the type of groundbreaking research that Patreon support could enable him to continue. Expanding Spiritual Knowledge: Leo discusses his intent to explore and share emerging spiritual technologies and methods, such as dark room retreats or new meditation forms. These initiatives will contribute to the advancement of spiritual understanding and practices. Sharing Content More Freely: With a reliable stream of donations, Leo mentions he would be less concerned about monetizing content, allowing him to release more freely and focus on quality rather than funding concerns. Spreading Actualized.org's Message: Leo considers using donations for advertising campaigns to attract new audiences to Actualized.org. This would help counteract the low views his in-depth content often receives due to its non-mainstream nature. Combatting Low Exposure of Deep Content: Leo expresses concern that the deeper and less 'clickbaity' his content becomes, the fewer people it reaches. He suggests using ads to attract an audience that might otherwise never discover his work. Potential Use of Donations for Ads: Leo considers using donations to run targeted ads to introduce more people to Actualized.org, seeing it as a powerful use of funding to potentially transform lives. Creating Polished, Well-Produced Videos: He's exploring the idea of producing high-quality videos with 3D or 2D visualizations on complex topics requiring collaboration with animators and graphic artists. Upgrading Production Equipment: Leo plans to invest in upgrading his camera equipment, studio set, and editing software, noting that better infrastructure could be supported by additional funding. Touring and Workshops as Future Possibilities: He discusses the potential of touring and conducting workshops across the country, highlighting the costs associated with travel and venue rentals. Long-Term Vision of a Retreat Center: With sufficient funding, Leo envisages building a retreat center in Hawaii, providing in-person trainings, though he acknowledges this is an ambitious and expensive long-term goal. Eliminating YouTube Ads: Donation support might allow Leo to remove ads from his YouTube videos, which he believes could improve the quality of his content by eliminating distractions from advertisements. Safeguarding Against YouTube Risks: He discusses the importance of a funding cushion to protect Actualized.org against potential demonetization or de-listing by YouTube as his content becomes more radical and truthful. Changing Humanity's Epistemology: Leo shares his ultimate mission to shift humanity’s understanding of knowledge, science, spirituality, and culture, outlining his plan to write books that integrate science and mysticism. Continued Growth and Expansion: Leo highlights that Actualized.org is only beginning its journey, promising more free content, courses, resources, and books, and invites his audience to support his vision through Patreon if they resonate with it. Gratitude and Invitation for Support: Finally, Leo expresses deep gratitude for his audience and the support that allows him to follow his dream, stressing that any additional support should be given freely and without obligation. Ascendio

Understanding Impermanence - Why Reality Is Always Changing https://youtu.be/ZCS4NsCdQaM "One must be deeply aware of the impermanence of the world." - Dogen "We are snowflakes melting on the tongue of the universe." - John Mark Green Introductory Understanding of Impermanence: Leo Gura delves into the concept of impermanence, rooted in Buddhism and Hinduism, explaining that it signifies the non-constant nature of all forms. He asserts that everything, including thoughts, emotions, and physical objects, continually arises and passes away, highlighting the misconception of impermanence in Western culture. Explanation of 'Anita' and 'Anitya': The terms 'Anita' from Pali (Buddhism) and 'Anitya' from Sanskrit (Hinduism), both translate to non-constant or impermanent. Leo points out that the principle of impermanence isn't limited to Eastern traditions; it's present in most spiritual doctrines, although sometimes overlooked in the West due to religious corruptions. The Significance of Impermanence: Emphasizing the importance of impermanence, Leo notes that while it may seem trivial, deeply understanding this principle has a significant impact on the quality of life. He plans to illustrate the concept's profound influence through various examples and practical exercises to embody impermanence. God's Nature as a Shapeshifter: Introducing the idea of God as not a static entity but as an infinite, shapeshifting consciousness, Leo explains that God, or consciousness, takes on multiple forms to maximize creativity and diversity. He likens this to a television screen that must remain flexible to display various images, suggesting that if God were to cling to a single form, it would contradict its infinite and diverse nature. Perpetual Motion and Reality: The characteristic of continuous change is equated with a perpetual motion machine, which Leo says represents the universe in its entirety. He proposes the notion that reality cannot be frozen as it contradicts the fundamental nature of God and consciousness, which must remain in constant flux to express infinity. Challenges of Accepting Impermanence: Leo speaks about the human struggle to accept impermanence, driven by selfishness and a limited perspective. He uses the metaphor of a parent's desire to freeze their child's perfection to exemplify our natural bias towards permanence and attachment, contrasting it with the all-encompassing, unconditional love of God. Limited and Unlimited Love: Embracing impermanence equates to unlimited love, whereas clinging to permanence (like a child's current state) represents a limited form of love. The ultimate form of love allows for total freedom and experiences, including pain and death, which can be challenging for a parent to accept. Misconception of Loss and Evil: Loss is often interpreted as evidence of evil or imperfection in the universe, whereas it should be recontextualized as evidence of absolute love. Understanding impermanence helps counter the false narrative that loss contradicts the universe's perfection. Reframing Perspectives on Evil: Many evils are perceptions of impermanence that disturb people because they want to keep things unchanged. Training to understand impermanence allows for a better cognitive mechanism to face and interpret evils in life. Survival and Love: Attempts to freeze aspects of reality stem from survival instincts, resulting in limited love. True love, likened to God’s love, is deep and indiscriminate, not favoring any singular aspect over the universality of life’s experiences. Sacrifice for Universal Good: Personal loss, such as a child's death, might be integral to a larger universal good, beyond the scope of individual perspectives and emotional attachments. It's difficult for those attached to accept such losses without blaming God or a perceived evil. Devilry as Clinging to Impermanence: Trying to make the impermanent permanent—maintaining a form against the natural evolution of life—is akin to devilry. This self-biased clinging disrupts the harmony of existence. Cycle of Life and Death: Death of one allows for the creation of new life, illustrating the importance of the cycle of life which evolution depends on. Clinging to one form halts the entire process of beauty and creativity, which naturally involves change and evolution. Consequences of Freezing a Form: If a species froze itself in a primitive form, it would prevent the evolution of new, more beautiful, and diverse life forms. Similarly, clinging to a child's current state is short-sighted and neglects the potential evolutionary advancements. Impact of Finite Existence in Infinite Reality: Although reality is infinite, taking a particular form is finite and occupies a space that could have been held by another potential form. This highlights the importance of acknowledging the temporary nature of existence. Exercises to Realize Impermanence: Contemplating which forms one is attempting to freeze in life is a crucial exercise. Identifying attachments to people, animals, things, ideas, and personal circumstances can help in learning to let go and appreciate the constant flow of life. Exercise in Accepting Impermanence: Understanding that attachment to "freezing" moments is the root of evil in the world. Actualizing the exercise of letting go would eradicate all evil swiftly, yet it faces resistance as people tend to make exceptions for what they're unwilling to release. Consequence of Oneness: Impermanence is inevitably due to the oneness of reality, ensuring no part can dominate another over time. All components of reality, like powerful corporations, eventually lose prominence, demonstrating the balance of power within the infinite scope of existence. Perception of Mortality: From the perspective of the individual, mortality may seem unfortunate. However, from the broader perspective of the whole, it is necessary to prevent any part of reality (like "devils") from gaining eternal dominance. Gift of Impermanence: Impermanence should not be feared or resisted but embraced. It is, paradoxically, a gift that enhances one's appreciation, love, enjoyment, and perception of beauty in the world. Impermanence in Appreciation: The precious nature of experiences like childhood, family, and entertainment stems from their impermanence. Constant exposure to the same experiences leads to desensitization and loss of appreciation. Manifestation of Creative Diversity: God's role is to maximize life's creative diversity, which is hindered when one species or culture attempts monopoly. Ethnocentric and supremacist ideologies are forms of "devilry" that contradict the inherent nature of impermanence. The Cycle of Kisses and Wealth: Life's excitement comes from fleeting experiences that leave one wanting more. Satisfying all desires leads to stagnation; it's the cycle of having, losing, and striving that maintains vitality and creativity, discouraging complacency and evil. Beauty in the Cycle of Life and Loss: Training oneself to see the beauty in loss, the cyclic nature of life, enhances the ability to appreciate the various phases and transitions, thus aligning with the spiritual practice of embracing impermanence. Nature of Life and Death: The continuity of life is dependent on the cycle of death; the current generation exists because the previous ones have passed away, highlighting the impermanence of life. Moe no no owari or Mono no Aware: This Japanese concept refers to the bittersweet appreciation of transient beauty in life and death, emphasizing the mixed emotions of gentle sadness and gratitude for experiences despite their ephemeral nature. Image 1 Image 2 Healthy Coping with Loss: Leo stresses the importance of processing loss with melancholy, a gentle acceptance, rather than succumbing to bitterness, depression, or destructive attachment. Personal Experience with Loss: Sharing the story of his Siamese cat, Leo illustrates a personal encounter with loss that led to a reflective appreciation of life's journey rather than dwelling on the pain or potential prolonging of life. Impermanence Universal: The impermanence of life encompasses everything from personal relationships to scientific theories, spiritual teachings, and even physical entities like stars and universes, leading to the eventual merging of all dualities. Irony in Religious Preservation: Highlighting the natural deviation and corruption over time that occurs even with strict attempts at preserving spiritual or religious teachings, contrary to their initial truth. Adaptability in Language and Business: Criticizing attempts to freeze a language or business model, Leo notes the failure to adapt can lead to obsolescence, as seen with English evolution and companies like Kodak. Responsible Evolution of Corporations: Condemning businesses like cigarette companies that cling to harmful products for profit instead of embracing change and adopting healthier practices, thus contributing to societal unconsciousness. Self-awareness in Clinging: Leo encourages individuals to notice their own tendencies to cling, especially when self-interest is involved, and to question their fear of identity loss. Embrace of Impermanence: Wisdom lies in accepting and embracing impermanence as a natural part of existence, leading to a deeper engagement with the changing forms of life rather than resisting through manipulation. Reflection on Immortality: Leo Gura underlines that immortality cannot be achieved through technology or biological modifications. Rather, it is accessible through detachment from form and recognizing oneself as a shapeshifter. Good News and Bad News of Impermanence: Leo elucidates that while all positives in life are temporary, all negatives and suffering are similarly transient, offering a safety valve—death, as a form of relief. Understanding Suffering: Leo emphasizes that suffering cannot be permanent due to its finite nature. Eventually, all beings will awaken and realize their true essence as part of God, which exemplifies God's love and mercy. The Irony of Fear of Death: The irony highlighted by Leo is that death, as a safety valve designed by God, is often perceived as the greatest evil due to limited human perspective and attachment. Attachment as the Root of Suffering: Suffering arises from attachment to forms and identities; true liberation, as taught by Buddha and other mystics, is found in surpassing attachment. Mistaken Identity: Leo discusses the common mistake of identifying solely as a human being, which leads to suffering. True identity is as an infinite shapeshifter, embracing change without attachment. Identity Transformation: Leo observes that throughout life, identity is always changing, which serves as evidence that we are inherently shapeshifters, not bound to any one form. Impermanence as True Permanence: What remains constant is the process of impermanence, a synonym for shape-shifting, which is the nature of our immortal existence. Image 3 Clinging to Duality: Leo notes that while discussing impermanence and permanence creates a duality, true enlightenment is found in realizing the oneness where form and formlessness are identical, merging Maya with Nirvana. Transcending Traditions in Spirituality: Leo rebuffs claims that his insights are mere reiterations of Buddhist teachings, emphasizing that deep truths are universal and must be personally rediscovered in the present moment. Observation and Practice of Impermanence: Leo advises listeners to actively observe impermanence daily like a form of meditation, letting go of attachments, and thereby reducing suffering and enhancing life appreciation. Observing Impermanence: Leo Gura emphasizes the practice of mindfully observing the changing nature of one's feelings and desires throughout the day. He suggests appreciating moments of pleasure but also letting them go, rather than clinging to them, to savor the taste of impermanence. Savoring the Fleeting: Enjoying temporary pleasures without attachment, like taking a few bites of ice cream and then stopping, helps one to experience and appreciate the ephemerality of the moment, enhancing overall enjoyment. Meditation and Mindfulness: Meditation is recommended to aid in the practice of observing the transient nature of emotions and states of mind. This practice can lead to a greater appreciation for small joys that are often overlooked. Structuring a Fluid Day: Gura advocates for a less rigidly structured day, allowing for spontaneity and the ability to appreciate both the highs and lows that come with the naturally varying flow of the day. Reminder of Impermanence: Using a physical object, like a wristband, as a reminder to practice awareness of the impermanence in everyday life can make each moment feel more precious and contribute to true happiness. True Spirituality vs. Wishful Thinking: True spirituality is framed as confronting and accepting impermanence, as opposed to wishful thinking that seeks to escape from this reality, as commonly misconceived in popular culture. Critique of Technological Immortality: Gura critiques futurist Ray Kurzweil's vision of technological immortality, calling it a fantasy and emphasizing that real immortality and peace come from embracing impermanence through spirituality. Importance of Philosophical Depth: Gura asserts that investing time in deep thought about existence adds depth to life's experience, which is often missing from mainstream interpretations of self-help and spirituality. Engagement and Patience: Listeners are encouraged to actively engage with his teachings, utilizing resources such as his website, forum, and blog for further learning. Patience is emphasized for understanding the depth of these concepts and to see the benefits unfold over time. Value of Deeper Understanding: Leo concludes by reflecting that the depth and breadth introduced through his content are rare and valuable, encouraging a more fulfilling exploration of life than most mainstream media offers. Expelliarmus

How Fear Works - Part 2 - The Ultimate Guide To Dealing With Fear https://youtu.be/3ouiCKtqbCo "Whenever there is other, there is fear." - The Upanishads Appreciation for Fear's Role in Survival: Fear is a fundamental mechanism that has allowed humans to survive. Without it, we wouldn't be alive today. It is important to acknowledge the role of fear in survival, even as we strive to transcend it for higher pursuits beyond basic survival. Understanding Fear is Relative: Fear is highly subjective; it is relative to personal identity, environment, upbringing, and numerous other factors. What one fears, others may find absurd, underscoring the self-biased nature of fear. The Illusory Nature of Personal Fears: Leo illustrates how individual fears are essentially imaginary constructs, highly subjective and irrelevant to others. He shares an anecdote of his grandmother's irrational fear of a rubber snake to highlight the power of imagination in creating fear. Existential Fear is Self Fear: At the deepest existential level, all fear is rooted in a fear of oneself. This concept becomes clearer when understanding 'self' in the much broader, more accurate sense of being the entire universe or infinite consciousness. Consciousness Being Infinite Generates Fear: Leo argues that consciousness is fundamentally terrified of its own infinite scope. Since everything one dislikes or fears is included within one's consciousness, fear ultimately is about fearing the vast extent of oneself. Life's Existential Challenge: Leo presents the existential challenge of life as the struggle to break through limited self-identification. Personal growth involves expanding one's identity to accept more of reality and ultimately, to recognize oneself as the infinite universe. God Realization and Shedding Fear: The process of accepting oneself as God—realizing there is no separation between self and other—is presented as the ultimate journey of life. Most people resist acknowledging their true nature due to fear, preferring a strict division between self and other, which is where fear originates. Denial of One's True Nature as Source of Fear: By not accepting that they are God and instead clinging to a limited identity, individuals experience fear. This denial leads to the creation of an 'other' which is defended against, further intensifying fear. Fear as a Lack of Distinction Between Self and Other: Fear consequently arises from the illusion of separation between self, other, reality, and God, as these distinctions are ultimately unfounded and stem from a limited form of consciousness. The Path to Transcendence: By expanding one's sense of self, moving from a limited form to an unlimited form, one moves toward a radical state of consciousness where all fear disappears due to the collapse of distinction between self and other. Understanding God in Relation to Fear: Leo explains that God is the embodiment of total self-acceptance and the absence of fear, where one's consciousness becomes fully aware of itself and the made-up distinctions between self, other, and reality dissolve. The Difficulty of Achieving True Fearlessness: True fearlessness necessitates multiple deep awakenings, extensive rewiring of lifelong habits, and a commitment to emotional mastery, which is a challenging process that very few, like hardcore mystics, have the potential to undergo. Practical Improvement Over Perfection: Leo emphasizes that one does not need to achieve a mythical state of fearlessness to improve their quality of life significantly. Managing and reducing fear can be a practical goal with noticeable benefits, abandoning the notion of perfectionism. Fear vs. the Importance of Life: The average person is unlikely to embrace radical fearlessness because it requires a full surrender of life and everything that one holds dear, a concept that is too demanding and profound for most. Leo's Experience with Fear and Fearlessness: Leo shares his personal insights that while he experiences fear, he has also encountered states of consciousness devoid of fear. His journey suggests that incremental progress is valuable and the practical goal should not be the eradication of all fear but rather the reduction of it. Facing Specific Fears vs. Transcending Fear in General: Leo distinguishes between addressing specific fears individually and the broader pursuit of transcending fear as a whole, noting that while the former can yield practical benefits, the latter involves existential work and deep awakenings. The Infinite Nature of Fear as a Challenge: The reality of fear is inexhaustible due to the infinite nature of reality itself, meaning that there will always be new fears to confront even as old ones are resolved, unless one tackles the foundational existential issue. Fear as an Infinite Game Unless Addressed at the Root: To break free from the cycle of fear, one must grapple with the infinite nature of fear and address it at the root level, surrendering completely to the concept of infinity which is a demanding, life-altering decision. Fear as a Distinct Feeling: Fear is recognized as a unique feeling sensed within the body, separate from other emotions like anger or happiness. Mindfulness practice aids in distinguishing fear from other feelings, which is crucial as people often confuse fear with emotions like anger. Truth Behind Fear: Leo addresses the relativity of fear, distinguishing between absolute and relative truths. Absolute truth deems all fear as false perception, while relative truth acknowledges that fear can signal legitimate danger to whatever one identifies with, making it contextually justified. Justified Fear by Geography: Leo points out that the legitimacy of fear can depend on geographical context. For example, Americans may have an irrational fear of invasion due to America's military might, whereas North Koreans may justifiably fear invasion due to geopolitical dynamics. Existential View on Fear: Even when fear seems justified in a relative sense, from an existential and spiritual viewpoint, all fear is ultimately a distortion because it is tied to the survival of an identity that we cling to. Danger in Eliminating Fear: Leo poses a radical perspective that true elimination of fear entails a willingness to let go of attachment to life. To fully release fear requires accepting the idea of death, yet he clarifies that this doesn't necessarily mean physically dying. Consciousness and Wisdom Over Fear: Instead of fear, Leo champions consciousness, awareness, and wisdom as more effective tools for survival and protection. These attributes allow someone to navigate dangers rationally without being driven by fear. Caution Versus Fear: A distinction is made between caution, the awareness of potential risks, and fear, the emotional response. Caution involves planning and rational action without the crippling sensation of fear, allowing for preparedness without panic. Examples of Caution: Leo cites examples such as carrying protection in bear territory and implementing data backups for his business as instances of caution-driven measures, devoid of fear but marked by foresight and rational planning. Preparation and Wisdom in the Face of Fear: Sharing an anecdote of his LSD trip in bear territory, Leo illustrates how he took cautious measures to ensure safety, which required staying close to a vehicle and limiting his own dosage for alertness, demonstrating practical caution over fear. Leo Gura's personal bear encounter: Relays a personal experience where fear and caution were tested during a camping trip with a companion while both were under the influence of LSD. They heard heavy footsteps, likely from a bear, and reacted by making noise and hastily evacuating the area, illustrating the practical application of fear and caution in a potentially dangerous situation. Being fearless vs. being reckless: Leo emphasizes that being fearless doesn't mean being reckless. Acknowledging real dangers and responding properly to them is crucial, even as one strives to become fearless. Fear is relative to attachments: Discusses how fear is connected to the relative value we place on things like business, relationships, or life itself. Recognizes that while these attachments persist, considerations of fear and caution will also remain relevant. Corruption of religious teachings by fear: Criticizes organized religions that use fear to control behavior as misrepresentations of a loving God, suggesting that these institutions project their own egoic fears and judgment onto the concept of divinity. Science influenced by fear: Argues that the scientific community is not immune to fear, particularly fears that challenge the scientific identity, such as mysticism, subjectivity, and the loss of credibility. Facing fear head-on: Advises directly confronting one's fears rather than seeking escapism, as avoidance only strengthens the grip of fear. Proactively engaging in challenging situations: Encourages proactive and bold decision-making to push out of comfort zones, promoting personal growth and the mitigation of fear. Overcoming fear through practice and exposure: Spotlights methods such as practicing public speaking to diminish fear, advocating for ongoing training, exposure, and mindfulness as tools to overcome fears. Bold decision-making to overcome fear: Leo shares his personal experience of quitting a good job to start his own business, noting that the bold decision helped him confront and overcome various fears, developing his self-esteem and confidence. Committing to or ending relationships as acts of courage: He encourages taking decisive actions in relationships, whether it be committing to a new one despite fear of commitment or ending a dysfunctional relationship, to push beyond comfort zones and build courage. Approaching someone you're attracted to: Leo suggests using the discomfort of attraction as a prompt to approach someone, emphasizing that this can help erode fears related to rejection or self-image. Career boldness: Examples of bold actions in a career context include asking for a raise or pursuing a life purpose, with Leo highlighting that such actions contribute to personal growth by challenging fears. Moving to a new country for personal growth: Leo cites a friend's experience of moving to Colombia as an example of a bold move that resulted in overcoming fears and personal development. Balance between boldness and recklessness: He stresses the importance of being bold but not reckless, advising to make well-considered decisions rather than impulsive ones that could lead to regret or danger. Overcoming fear through training and exposure: Leo equates training with repeated exposure, suggesting that fears often diminish with increased exposure and experience. Addressing fear of public speaking: Join Toastmasters and give multiple speeches as a practical approach to overcoming the common fear of public speaking through regular exposure. Mindfulness practice as a tool for fear management: Consistent mindfulness practice is recommended to become less reactive and more comfortable with the feeling of fear, leading to a decrease in its impact over time. Being present to alleviate fear: Staying present in the moment rather than projecting into the future is presented as a technique to counter fear, but Leo notes it requires prior meditation practice to effectively control the mind. Fear and the Future: Fear is linked to future projections rather than the present danger. Even if a bear is present, the fear comes from imagining future harm the bear may cause, not its current presence. Existential and Absolute View on Fear: To transcend all fears, one must apply techniques even in the face of real danger, which includes accepting the possibility of death and letting go of the attachment to life. Psychedelics as Tools for Confronting Fear: Psychedelics force a confrontation with existential fears, dissolving boundaries and dualities between self and other, showing effectiveness in clinical studies for managing PTSD and end-of-life fears. Kriya Yoga to Rewire Mind and Nervous System: Kriya Yoga, a meditative practice rather than physical, helps in rewiring the mind and nervous system to deal with fear, bypassing the physical postures commonly associated with yoga. Contemplation with a Journal for Fear Analysis: Using a journal to contemplate fears helps identify their sources and connections to identity and ego, yet contemplation alone is insufficient to conquer fear—reason alone cannot overcome fear. Sedona Method/Letting Go Technique: Actively acknowledging fear and choosing to let it go can significantly alter one's relationship with fear, useful in everyday situations, and extends to managing other negative emotions. Breathing Techniques During Fearful States: Consciously slow and deep breathing allows one to relax the body and alleviate the physiological responses to fear, which can be practiced in various stress-inducing situations. Visualization and Law of Attraction Against Fear: Overwhelming fear with a positive vision and consistently visualizing positive outcomes can crowd out fear, leading to better decision-making and potentially improving the situation. Daily Visualization to Combat Fear: Leo emphasizes the effect of daily visualization on managing fear. He suggests consistently visualizing positive outcomes, rather than dwelling on negative thoughts. This shifts one's focus, ultimately enhancing confidence and increasing the chances of successful encounters. Visualization Does Not Guarantee Success: Despite promoting visualization, Leo clarifies that visualizing positive scenarios is not about guaranteeing success, but rather about programming oneself for positivity and confidence, which can lead to better performance and experiences. Visualization as Proactive Creation: Visualization is portrayed as a technique for active life engagement. By visualizing positive scenarios, one becomes a proactive creator in their life, cultivating empowering and positive expectations. Love as the Antithesis of Fear: Leo posits that love, expressed as gratitude and selfless service, is the ultimate solution to overcoming fear. These acts shift focus from selfish concerns to a broader, more loving perspective, counteracting fear. Gratitude Practice to Dissolve Fear: Leo encourages developing a gratitude practice where one spends time each day focusing on aspects of life to be grateful for, effectively diminishing space for fear-related emotions. Selfless Service as a Means to Overcome Fear: Leo recommends engaging in selfless acts and aligning one's work with a meaningful life purpose that contributes to the betterment of mankind, counteracting fear through expressions of love. The Power of Understanding Fears: Leo highlights the power of knowing someone's fears for predicting their behavior, which can aid in effective communication and addressing fears in a positive or manipulative way, with the latter leading to negative consequences or "bad karma". Assessing and Alleviating Other's Fears: Leo encourages understanding other people's fears to step into their perspectives, providing solutions that can establish rapport and effective leadership, and cautions against exploiting fears for personal gain. Fear as Motivation in Business: Businesses, according to Leo, often operate by addressing common fears. Understanding the fears of clients or target audiences can lead to successful products or solutions, provided it's done with a positive intention rather than exploitation. Building Rapport Through Addressing Fears: Leo recommends inquiring about people's fears to build rapport and provide solutions to them. Asking personal questions, such as what keeps someone up at night, can lead to greater understanding and connectivity. Inquiry into Others' Fears: Asking others about their fears can reveal the egoistic nature of one's own fears and is a useful exercise for those interested in leadership and communication. Understanding Others to Self-Reflect: By understanding the fears of different people, one can see the limited and selfish aspects of fear, aiding in the recognition of the absurdity of their own fears. Overcoming Fear as Life’s Purpose: Leo explains that life is fundamentally about confronting oneself and the universe, understanding that the universe is an extension of oneself, and that the true source of fear is the immense scope of one's own existence. Fear of Infinity and Love: The paradox is that fear isn't about confronting evil; it's the fear of accepting infinite love and unity, which threatens the individual's limited ego and petty attachments. Fear as an Obstacle to Success: The inability to overcome fear and the choices made out of fear are the surest ways to fail in all aspects of life, including relationships, career, and personal growth. Fearlessness Equals Exploration: Emphasizes the importance of exploring oneself and the world, equating the quality of fearlessness with success and a fulfilling life. Synonyms for Fearlessness: Fearlessness is synonymous with love, courage, and consciousness, and is the most crucial quality required for living a good life. Fear Experience vs. Succumbing to Fear: Fearlessness doesn't mean the absence of fear; it means feeling fear but not allowing it to dictate your decisions and actions. Observing Fear in Daily Life: Regular observation of how fear influences life choices is a vital practice that provides insight into the existential mechanics of fear. Emotional Mastery as Lifelong Work: Leo stresses that mastering emotions is a complex endeavor that requires patience and is more challenging than awakening. It's essential to work on emotional mastery and awakening simultaneously. Incremental Progress and Patience: Understanding and managing emotions is a long-term investment, with incremental progress achievable while recognizing it's a lifetime's work. Expelliarmus

How Fear Works - Part 1 - The Ultimate Guide To Dealing With Fear https://youtu.be/meiMUbYEQ4U "Tell me who you are and I'll tell you what you fear. Tell me what you fear and I'll tell you who you are." Nature of fear: Fear is a fundamental existential issue, not just psychological, affecting all of consciousness and dominating our entire lives. It often goes unrecognized due to society's materialistic focus, which neglects emotions that cannot be easily quantified. Fear as a self-control mechanism: Fear acts as a sophisticated mechanism to maintain our identity and survive, controlling actions and decisions often outside our awareness. Survival and identity: Human survival extends beyond the physical—it involves maintaining social and cultural identities. Fear ensures the preservation of these identities, with each unique identity generating specific fears. Fear and identity maintenance: Fear is deeply tied to what we identify with, as it motivates us to avoid threats to our self-image, be it religious, cultural, or professional. Fear's link to our perceptions: How we perceive reality is greatly influenced by fear attached to our identities, impacting everything from our daily choices to scientific objectivity. Confronting Fear for Personal Growth: Acknowledging and confronting one's fears is crucial for personal development. Avoiding fear only leads to stagnation and a victim mentality. Fear as a self-fulfilling prophecy: Persistent fear can lead to attracting the very outcomes we are afraid of, highlighting fear's intricate connection with our psychology and actions. Fear and societal impact: Collective fear within groups such as societies and governments can lead to decisions that cause wider negative effects, like racism or bad legislation. Love as a counter to fear: Life's adversities challenge us to learn how to love and transcend fear, contributing to personal evolution and fulfillment. Understanding micro fears: Observing and analyzing our frequent 'micro fears' can shed light on the pervasive impact of fear and help us take radical responsibility for our emotions and their relation to our identities. Fear and Career Identity: For many individuals, a significant portion of life revolves around their careers, leading to fears directly related to their occupational roles. If one's identity is intrinsically tied to their career or business, the fear of losing that role or failing within it can become a dominant force in their life. Attachment to Possessions and Fear: When individuals strongly identify with material possessions, such as cars, boats, or any valued property, they become fearful of losing them. These fears are treated with the seriousness of life-and-death situations due to the emotional value attached to these items. Fear of Losing Success, Fame, and Status: For those who identify with wealth, fame, or status, the fear of losing these can be overwhelming and can be perceived as greater than personal losses. Leo points out that all fears, regardless of how society views them, are relative and stem from one's attachments and identity. Fear's Relationship with Identity: Fears are tightly intertwined with what one identifies as; for example, fears of losing attractiveness or being perceived negatively are rooted in one's self-concept. These fears act like inner demons that individuals battle throughout their lives. Identity-Driven Fears are Persistent: Unlike transient fears, identity-driven fears are deeply rooted and cannot be resolved through simple techniques. Fear resolution requires identity-level changes, as fears are inextricably linked to what we cling to as our identity. Fear in Religious and Scientific Identities: Leo explains that religious identities, including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Judaism, are filled with fear, such as the fear of losing one's faith. Similarly, scientific and skeptical identities are not immune to fear; skeptics fear being wrong or deluded, and this fear can ironically lead to becoming what they fear most. Gender Identity, Fear, and Societal Controversy: The controversy over gender identity, such as transgender and LGBTQ+ issues, showcases fear's role in identity defense. Traditional and conservative individuals may react with fear to the fluidity of gender categories, leading to denial and projection onto others. Identity Formation as an Unconscious Process: From childhood to adolescence, individuals unconsciously construct their identities through interactions and experiences. Leo emphasizes that identities are not simply given but are created over time, which can lead to fear when challenged or threatened. Attachment and Identity Depth: Leo uses the Sun as an analogy to describe the layers of one's identity, with peripheral attachments like possessions being less integral and core attachments like being human or physical being much harder to detach from. Understanding the Ultimate Fear of Loss of Self: All fears ultimately boil down to the fear of loss of self, whether it's physical harm or psychological loss of identity. The fear of changing aspects of oneself that have been part of one's identity since early childhood is profound and challenging to overcome. Attachment to Identity and Fear of Change: People have an attachment to their identity, and sudden changes, such as altering one's career or religion, can cause negative reactions from others. This reinforces fear due to the desire to be perceived positively and the fear of identity loss. The Principle of Fear and Self-Loss: All fears fundamentally relate to the fear of a total loss of self or identity. Radical examples, like suicide bombers, illustrate that some fear identity loss more than physical death, highlighting fear's strong tie to personal identity. Identity and Relative Danger: What we identify with dictates what we perceive as dangerous. A scientist may view religious interference as a threat, whereas a radical Islamist may see the erosion of Islamic values as the ultimate danger. Danger is not objective but relative to our identities. Fear as a Construction of the Mind: Fear is not objective or natural; it's a mental construct projected onto the world through the lens of identity. What causes fear in one person might not affect another, underscoring the subjective nature of fear. Imaginary Nature of Fear: Leo argues that all fears, including the fear of death, are imaginary. The realization that fear lacks substance and is essentially "nothing" can significantly alter one's perception of life and relationships. Interpreting Fear as Falsehood: Since most people experience fear, it may seem normal; however, normality does not equate to truth. Fear is an illusion, a lack of consciousness, and complete awareness would lead to a fearless existence. Fear and Society's Materialistic Paradigm: Society operates under a materialistic paradigm, upholding the notion of objective reality, which legitimizes fears like death or financial ruin. Leo points out that danger, like fear, is a subjective concept based on personal identity and not inherent to situations. Fear Used as a Control Mechanism: Fear is exploited in society as a method of control through advertisements, politics, and social norms. Truth is fundamentally incompatible with fear and can help transcend it. Fear as a Product of Denied Subjectivity: What we project as objective is merely our subjectivity in disguise. What one perceives as a threat is based entirely on their subjective experience. Fear is not found in the external world but is created internally. Fear as a Falsehood Based on Reality Misperception: Fear originates from a false understanding of reality; it is born out of our minds misperceiving situations, which is why in full consciousness, fears cease to exist. Fear's Relationship with Consciousness: Achieving a state of full consciousness can lead to the realization that fear, including the fear of death, is an illusion. Fear cannot be fully understood without becoming individually acquainted with personal fears through mindfulness. Materialistic Paradigm vs. True Nature of Death: The materialistic view that death is an ultimate unknown strengthens fear, while Leo suggests that death might be just another misperception and not as physical and final as society believes. Practicing Mindfulness to Identify Fear: To comprehend fear, one must feel it in the body, identify its physical manifestation, which requires the development of mindfulness - a vital skill for gaining insight into the nature of fear. Fear and the Natural Instinct for Survival: Fear is an automatic reaction designed for immediate survival, interfering with the opportunity to understand or rationalize fear during moments of perceived danger. Creating a Mindful Gap in Response to Fear: To transcend fear, developing space between experiencing fear and reacting is essential. Observing and questioning fear mindfully is a counterintuitive yet powerful way to address it. Fear as Resistance to a Future Experience: Leo defines fear as a form of resistance to experiences that conflict with identity or desires. True power lies in consciously facing fears rather than reacting unconsciously. Overcoming Fear by Surrendering to Experience: Surrendering to and accepting the experiences we fear, instead of resisting them, eliminates fear. This requires a radical shift from the attachment to one's current identity. Mindfulness Exercise to Tackle Fear: Leo assigns the audience the task of practicing mindfulness with fears: identifying them as they happen, observing their connection to identity, and accepting potential future scenarios they resist. Solution to Overcoming Fear: The solution to overcoming debilitating fears involves a radical and counterintuitive acceptance of the worst outcomes. Leo suggests mentally preparing for and accepting scenarios that terrify us most in order to alleviate fear. Concept of Invincibility Through Fear Acceptance: Leo argues if fear were taught and mastered from early childhood, individuals would become invincible, as they would no longer be subject to the controls of society that leverage fear for power. Societal Control and Fear Management: Fear is not taught in schools as a way to cope because a society without fear would undergo drastic changes—potentially dismantling current power structures such as government, business, and religion. Misplaced Happiness on Material Possessions: Leo emphasizes the extent to which lives are built upon conditional happiness tied to material possessions, and how fear of losing them can cause intense anxiety and suffering. Building Happiness on Spiritual Development: True happiness, according to Leo, comes from spiritual development and consciousness—attributes that can't be taken away, unlike material possessions and circumstances. Practical Exercise in Surrendering to Fear: Leo suggests mentally accepting and surrendering to our fears, even those that are identity-based, such as sexual orientation. This practice brings relief but may require repetition and identity reevaluation for lasting impact. Strength from Acceptance and Surrender: Surrendering to experiences we fear most, Leo argues, is the real strength and the essence of spiritual growth—it involves the ability to experience anything without resistance. Conscious Alignment with Truth Overcoming Fear: The crux of overcoming fear is not about convincing oneself of any falsehood but about being totally aligned with truth, which requires a high degree of consciousness and spiritual work. Fear as a Fundamental Survival Mechanism: Fear operates at a more fundamental level than logic, ideals, or beliefs, making it resilient to rational counterarguments and necessitating direct experiential confrontation. Exercise to Confront Personal Fears: Leo instructs viewers to list their greatest fears concisely, aiming to realistically confront and address them for personal growth. Common Misconceptions about Fears: People often consider fears superficially, listing stereotypical ones like fear of spiders, snakes, or public speaking, without addressing fears that significantly affect daily life and self-identity. Stereotypical fears and their limitations: Stereotypical fears such as the fear of poison are seen as relatively superficial and not affecting daily life significantly. These fears are not as impactful as deeper, more personal fears which will be addressed. Donald Trump's fear of poisoning: Leo analyzes Donald Trump's fear of being poisoned, relating it to his connections with Russia and their reputation for using poison. This example shows how specific fears can be tied to personal experiences and relationships. Macro fears affecting daily life: Leo lists fears with substantial impact on daily life, such as fear of failure, financial ruin, relationship breakdowns, loneliness, aging, and the pressure to meet others' expectations. These fears shape behaviors and decisions. Micro fears shaping daily activities: 'Micro fears'—small, frequent fears occurring every day—greatly influence habits and decisions. Examples include fear of running out of toilet paper, lying, or offending someone. Though minor, their frequent occurrence has a significant cumulative effect. Physical manifestations of fear: Chronic fear can manifest as physical ailments like mental illnesses, obesity, and heart disorders, demonstrating the importance of recognizing and addressing fear both mentally and physically. Avoidance of fear leading to larger issues: Avoiding or denying fears contributes to victim mentality and does not foster growth or resolution of the underlying issues. Fear as an innate but complex response: While fear is a natural response to danger, in modern society, it can become complex and pathological, underscoring the necessity to confront fears for personal growth. Observation as a tool for understanding fear: Leo suggests observing everyday 'micro fears' to understand their pervasive influence and relation to one's identity, advocating for conscious engagement with these fears as a pathway to personal growth. Common micro fears: We constantly face small, daily fears such as fear of getting a cold, speaking to a boss, bad breath, something stuck in teeth, potential pregnancy, store closing before arrival, cleaning the garage, doing taxes, paying rent, confronting someone, honesty with parents, expressing opinions, missing gym sessions, doctor visits, making work mistakes, meeting outcomes, forgetting crucial tasks, people not texting back, finding life purpose, working overtime, being judged, and coworkers' betrayal. Fear of financial consequences: Fears extend to financial consequences like being fired, credit card fees, bank account checks, missed opportunities, and breaking good habits, which significantly impact our decisions and stress levels. Creative anxiety: A distinct type of fear experienced in creative fields, leading to stress and inhibition in artistic expression and productivity. Observation of micro fears: Leo urges to start noticing these micro fears and recognize how they shape our behavior and thoughts. Physical symptoms of fear: Fear is not just psychological but is stored as tension in the body, causing health issues like panic attacks, anxiety, heart issues, sexual dysfunctions, addictions, mental illnesses, obesity, insomnia, cancer, reduced lifespan, headaches, chronic fatigue, hormone imbalances, high blood pressure, back and neck pain, digestive issues, suicide, and violent ideologies. Fear's societal consequences: Fear can lead to social problems such as racism, closed-mindedness, bad decision-making, poor science, and irrational laws, emphasizing that individual fears also translate into collective societal actions. Life as a 'love simulator': Leo describes life as a simulator for learning to love and not to fear, suggesting that overcoming fears enhances one's capacity to love. Avoiding fear leads to stagnation: Avoiding or denying fear results in stagnation and victim mentality, while confronting fear promotes growth and immediate relief. Pathological behaviors from fear avoidance: Avoidance can lead to harmful behaviors like addictions, lying, and unethical ideologies. Limitations of manipulative fear coping: Manipulation can provide short-term relief but is not a lasting solution to fear and doesn't prepare one for unavoidable life events like death. Fear as counterproductive for long-term survival: Fear-based responses can maintain the status quo, impede personal growth, and attract the very outcomes people are trying to avoid. Fear as a self-fulfilling prophecy in relationships and professions: Fear in relationships and professions can lead to self-sabotaging behaviors that bring about the very issues one is afraid of, such as relationship breakdowns or professional failure. Bias and misperceptions from fear: Fear can lead to biases and the search for confirming information, reinforcing fears and causing conflicts. End assignment for understanding fear: List everyday 'micro fears', consider how they relate to personal identity, and reflect on the fears one is resisting to experience, to take responsibility for one's emotions and fears. Manipulation and Fear: Leo explains that while manipulating situations can temporarily circumvent fears, it fails in the long term and can't influence fundamental human experiences such as love, truth, and death. Fear as a Poor Long-Term Survival Strategy: He remarks that fear, while effective against immediate physical threats like facing a bear, is counterproductive in complex human societies where it often leads to self-fulfilling negative outcomes. Examples of Self-Fulfilling Fears: He gives examples like the fear of a partner cheating or a business failing and explains how these fears can lead to behaviors that ultimately bring about the feared outcomes. Fear, Bias, and Self-Perpetuation: Leo discusses how fear can perpetuate biases and conflicts, as seen in the fear of immigrants and how confirmation bias leads to reinforcing negative stereotypes and escalating tensions. The Loop of Fear: He describes fear as creating a yo-yo effect, where negative motivation only temporarily resolves fear, invariably leading to a rebound – like the cycle of losing and gaining weight. Fear and Personal Growth: Leo concludes that fear maintains the status quo and is detrimental to personal growth, creativity, and happiness, contrasting fear-based governance with visionary changes exemplified by Martin Luther King Jr.'s civil rights activism. Homework on Micro Fears: Leo assigns the viewers homework to observe, list, and analyze their 'micro fears' over seven days to understand how fears are projections of the mind and stem from identity, influencing our thoughts and actions. Part Two Teaser: Leo teases the upcoming part two of the lecture series, which promises to provide answers to common questions, introduce tools for overcoming fear, and reveal the most crucial quality needed for life success. Fidelius Charm

What Is Love - Part 2 - The Brutal Nature Of Love https://youtu.be/d7B7A3GBdMw "The greatest love seems indifferent." - Lao Tzu Advanced nature of the episode: Leo Gura warns of controversial content that might offend some viewers, emphasizing the complexity and radical nature of the topic of love, urging viewers to have watched the previous episode to understand the foundational concepts. Misuse and misunderstanding: He cautions against misusing or misunderstanding his teachings on love, particularly in ways that can serve selfish ends. The story of a Buddhist's awakening: Leo recounts the story of a Buddhist at a retreat who had an awakening into the nature of love but struggled to accept it due to her preconceived notions of awakening as emptiness without love, revealing the dangers of dogmatic thinking. Emphasis on existential love: He stresses the importance of recognizing love as a critical aspect of awakening and promises to focus more on the existential aspects of love in future teachings. Truth and love: Leo asserts that love is equivalent to various existential and metaphysical aspects, such as being, consciousness, and freedom, and clarifies that love is identical to truth. First-order and second-order love: He distinguishes between first-order love (the being or consciousness everything is made of) and second-order love (actions and emotions associated with love), like the distinction between Lego bricks and the structures made from them. Image 1 Consciousness and love: Whether someone is acting lovingly or expressing negative emotions like anger or depression, it's still an expression of love because it's made of consciousness, the substance of first-order love. Importance of first-order love understanding: It's crucial to understand first-order love before attempting to actualize love in behavior (second-order); loving actions are secondary to the understanding of love's essence. Masculine dimension of love: Leo introduces the concept of 'masculine love,' which can be harsh or ruthless, such as ending a toxic relationship or confronting someone truthfully, challenging the stereotypical 'feminine' perception of love as gentle and kind. Love in violence: He encourages viewers to see love in seemingly unlovable things like violence, war, and terrorism, asserting that love is present in survival and difficult actions taken out of care or necessity. Challenging common stereotypes of love: Leo critiques the common depiction of love as exclusively positive and affectionate, pushing viewers to broaden their understanding to include the possibility of love in harsh or brutal actions. Brutality as an aspect of love: The scene from "I Am Legend" where the protagonist has to kill his own infected dog exemplifies the brutal dimension of love. This act of love, which requires him to strangle the dog, is too severe for most people's ego to accept as it contradicts the ideal of sweet, happy love. Gravity and infinity of love: Love is equated with reality and truth, encompassing all aspects, even the brutal ones. The brutality in love arises from the infinite scope of reality, which includes the so-called "evil" actions that ordinary human consciousness finds difficult to accept. Denial of self-reflection in consciousness: Consciousness encountering its various brutal aspects can lead to shock and denial, similar to someone unable to acknowledge their own reflection in a mirror due to its perceived ugliness. Impermanence of all form: The impermanence of everything is central to understanding reality, love, and the origins of evil. Clinging to the impermanent, like Will Smith's attachment to his dog in the movie, leads to suffering and misconceptions about the nature of existence. Perception of evil: Common definitions of evil stem from an ego-centric viewpoint that fails to recognize the impermanence and the broader truths of consciousness. Consciousness's serious and uncompromising nature is often too much for the ego, leading to it labeling unconditional love as hate or evil. Embracing love as an absolute: The ultimate challenge is learning to embrace love unconditionally, beyond one's ego-centric terms and survival needs, accepting reality with all its "warts and all." Counterintuitive nature of love: Love's manifestations can be misunderstood due to personal ego distortions. What might not seem like an expression of love can actually be one when seen without the filter of the ego's survival mechanism. Broad understanding of survival: To truly see and appreciate the love in everything, one must understand survival in a broader context, beyond the immediate needs of the individual. Perception of Evil and Love: Leo suggests that what we often consider evil actions are conducted by individuals who see themselves as good and acting out of love based on their worldviews and circumstances, no matter how twisted their actions might be. Nature of Survival and Love: He clarifies survival as not being the opposite of love, stating that life cannot exist without death, and survival is critical for the continuance of experiences like beauty, happiness, and enjoyment. Evolution and Love: Discussing evolution, Leo posits that humanity's development, including our dietary habits, has been driven by survival and love, leading from a meat-eating past to a potential future of non-animal based diets. A Lion Hunting an Antelope: The example of a lion hunting is used to demonstrate that both the predator and prey are acting out of love and survival instincts, contributing to the evolution and beauty of species. Understanding Tyrants Through Love: Leo encourages a broader perspective when considering historical tyrants, suggesting they too acted out of what they perceived as love, fulfilling functions necessary for their contexts and societies. Military-Industrial Complex and Love: He explores the controversial notion that even those working in the military-industrial complex are expressing a form of love by providing for their families, despite the destructive purposes of their work. Complexity and Infinite Scope of Consciousness: Lastly, Leo describes the vast interconnectedness of actions and occurrences within reality, illustrating how something as innocent as a child's Christmas gift might indirectly come from acts of war, yet both are expressions of love within the infinite scope of consciousness. Interconnectedness of Reality and Love: Leo Gura explains how everything in reality is interconnected. He uses the example of cancer, stating that while it is seen as a negative consequence, it is tied to activities, actions, and decisions driven by love. He touches upon how people enjoy products and lifestyles that might lead to an increased risk of cancer. However, these factors contribute to a better life, comfort, and survival, indicating that these choices are driven by love. Love and Creation of Harmful Technology/Products: Leo illustrates that the freedom to invent and create new technologies and products is a form of love from God. Despite that, some of these creations might lead to harmful consequences such as cancer. These creations stem from the desire to improve life, cater to convenience, and meet survival needs. While people love these comforts created by humans, the adverse effects are an outgrowth of the freedom given. Cellular Mechanism and Cancer: Discussing the occurrence of cancer at a cellular level, Leo maintains that these cells' mechanism is necessary for human existence. He explains that while these cellular mechanisms are prone to errors leading to conditions like cancer, the larger picture is the existence and lives made possible because of these cells. Even accidental cancer, where no lifestyle or external factors contribute to its occurrence, is part of the limitations of these cellular mechanisms. Human Testing and Animal Sacrifice: Touching upon the controversial topic of animal testing, Leo describes how testing drugs, chemicals, and products on animals, though seemingly cruel, leads to potentially life-saving discoveries. He argues that a few animal lives sacrificed for developing medical solutions can help save and improve countless human lives in the long run. The act of animal testing, in this perspective, is seen as a display of love. Burning of the Amazon: Another controversial topic brought up by Leo is the burning of the Amazon forest. Destroying these forests for creating farmlands and cattle grazing lands is driven by struggling farmers' need to provide for their families. This activity, while harmful to the environment, is also an act driven by love, as it shows the farmers' desire to care for their families. Human nature and reproductive success: Human behaviors such as infidelity and attraction to multiple partners are manifestations of love that contribute to the species' survival and have led to the human population reaching seven billion. Husband beating wife as a form of love: From the husband's limited worldview and given his psychological history and conditions such as alcoholism, mental illness, or a history of being abused, his abusive behavior is his mistaken way of expressing love, not justified but comprehensible within his narrative of love. Necessity of past events and understanding survival: Everything that has happened was necessary because it led to the current moment; recognizing the role of survival in even the most brutal human actions is essential to understand how all aspects of life manifest love. Complexity of consciousness and simplicity of love: The intricate web of factors influencing human psychology showcases the complex, infinitely intertwined nature of reality, ultimately revealing that all of existence, despite its brutality, is an expression of love. Demonization of teaching true love: Teaching the existential nature of love often leads to the teacher being inaccurately demonized for justifying evil, reflecting humanity's resistance to confronting the depth and brutality of true love. Ego's distorted conception of love: The ego's self-bias leads to a distortion of love, perceiving it only in terms of personal safety and benefit, missing the full scope of existential love. Cynical attitude towards love and growth: Materialists' cynical view of love as flaky often prevents them from recognizing and embracing love's depth and uncomfortable realities, impeding real growth and selflessness. Reconciling survival, devilry, and love: Contemplating the connection between survival, perceived evil, and love is crucial for understanding the broader existential nature of love and overcoming adversarial relationships with reality. Infinite consciousness and self-acceptance: Infinite consciousness entails being aware of oneself as everything that exists; therefore, self-hatred is not possible at an infinite level. Hatred arises only when consciousness is less than infinite. Love as a reflection of consciousness: Love is directly proportional to one's level of consciousness. The more conscious and self-accepting one becomes, the greater the capacity for love, resulting in a diminished distinction between self and others. Evil and finite consciousness: Evil arises when consciousness is restricted. Infinite consciousness encompasses all including finite experiences, which means that what is often perceived as evil is within the scope of divine love. Radical nature of love and freedom: Love allows for absolute freedom, including the choice to perform actions that could be labeled as evil or selfish. True love is inclusive and permissive to the extent that it allows for all expressions, even those considered negative. Love includes all aspects of reality: According to Leo, God's love is so selfless that it allows for the entire spectrum of human behavior and experience, including selfishness and deceit. Truth and the impracticality of love: Love transcends practicality and survival. Focusing solely on practicality leads to a never-ending cycle of dissatisfaction and the absence of peace. The dilemma of finite beings understanding infinite love: Finite beings have difficulty grasping infinite love, which often results in labeling it as evil and resisting it out of fear. Freedom as an exploration of infinite possibilities: True freedom means the exploration of all aspects of existence, including the most challenging and controversial ones, without exception or rejection. God's selflessness and infinite intelligence: The infinite intelligence and absolute selflessness of God mean that God has no needs or fears, defining an existence where all actions are expressions of love. Visualization of God's love: Leo asks the audience to imagine loving every aspect of consciousness without exception, embracing all possibilities, outcomes, and identities, as this represents God's limitless exploration and creation of life. Our existence as a manifestation of God's desire: Leo suggests that human existence, including personal life and broader historical events, is a direct result of God's infinite love and desire to explore all aspects of consciousness. Reality as an ongoing act of creation: The present moment and all of life are constantly being imagined by God’s consciousness, expressing an unconditional, non-judgmental love that allows for both selfishness and selflessness. Conscious action and love: Leo emphasizes being conscious and surrendering personal fears and needs as essential to distinguish 'good' actions from 'bad' and assures that this leads to inherently good behavior. Violence as a manifestation of love: The misconception that love excludes violence is addressed; Leo argues that we should learn to see even violent actions as potential expressions of love, challenging the notion that love must align with peaceful ideals. Freedom in how love is expressed: Leo asserts that love can be expressed in an infinite number of ways, including being ruthless or making tough decisions, and warns against allowing the ego to dictate a limited expression of love. Total selflessness to comprehend love: He states that to fully appreciate the vast multiplicity of love, one must reach a state of complete selflessness. Enforcement of boundaries and love: Leo clarifies that embodying love doesn't mean being a doormat; defending oneself and enforcing boundaries can also be an act of love. Balancing masculine and feminine aspects of love: The necessity for both men and women to understand and practice both masculine and feminine elements of love to maintain balance and functionality is discussed. Understanding love in adversity: He encourages finding love in horrific events, suggesting that such experiences heighten and test love's authenticity. Homework on conceptualizing love: Leo assigns a worksheet to contemplate and articulate how tragic scenarios can ultimately amplify the understanding and existence of love. Recognition of love in all teachings: He reminds that all of his teachings, even if not explicitly stated, are about actualizing love and encourages the audience to recognize the undercurrent of love in all educational topics. Importance of awakening to understand love: Leo stresses the need for at least one awakening experience into the nature of love to appreciate and truly comprehend it, beyond theoretical or philosophical understanding. Awakening as an enhancement to humanity: Disputing the notion that awakening leads to emotionless stoicism, Leo proposes that true enlightenment enriches emotions, care, and a deeper connection with human suffering, combining Zen's rational approach with a heart-centered philosophy. Crucio

The Power Of Letting Go - How To Overcome Clinginess, Attachment, OCD https://youtu.be/AlB6OklejyA "Just let it go, bro Just let it go." Simple technique for life transformation: Leo Gura presents a technique that involves daily practice of letting go of anything in one's experience, such as desires, emotions, and habits. He emphasizes the significance of practicing this consistently each day over a long period to transform one's life. Turning letting go into a game: Leo encourages viewers to make letting go a fun, non-serious game. The game challenges individuals to let go of trivial to significant matters as part of flexing their 'letting go muscle', which most have not consciously used before. Noticing and feeling before letting go: An essential aspect of the technique is to first become aware of an automatic reaction, then consciously choose to let go instead of acting on impulse. Examples of daily opportunities to let go: Leo offers examples to practice the technique, such as refraining from scratching an itch, not reacting to a wrong food order, avoiding defensiveness when criticized, and resisting the urge to get outraged by news stories. Not about repression or denial: Letting go is differentiated from ignoring or repressing. It is about noticing a desire or tendency and then making a conscious decision to release it. Starting with small and not seeking perfection: It's advised to start with small matters and not to worry about capturing every opportunity to let go. Over time, individuals can work up to bigger issues. Returning to a state of peace: The outcome of letting go is a return to a state of being, calmness, and peace instead of agitation or discomfort provoked by the particular stimuli. Releasing cravings and urges: Leo suggests releasing cravings for things like ice cream or sexual urges and also emotional states like guilt, excitement, and boredom just to experiment with the process. Application of letting go in everyday situations: Leo provides an array of scenarios for practicing the letting go technique, including resisting the urge to check the phone for messages, tolerating physical discomfort like heat, cold, or sweatiness, and overcoming grammar frustrations when encountering mistakes online. Managing OCD with letting go: By noticing and releasing compulsive urges, Leo argues that letting go can help alleviate both minor and major OCD, acknowledging that it may take multiple attempts but is effective over time. Overcoming the urge to criticize and judge: Instead of succumbing to critical thoughts or judgments—whether condemning a co-worker's mistake or a panhandler's situation—Leo suggests consciously releasing these reactions. Dismissing feelings of inadequacy and self-judgment: Leo encourages letting go of negative self-assessments, such as feelings of inadequacy when comparing oneself to more skilled colleagues or judging one's own appearance. Handling daily stress and emotional responses: Leo talks about applying letting go to daily stressors and emotions, whether it's the frustration of being late, financial worries, physical discomfort, or the urge to lie, cheat, or manipulate. Mastering letting go to gain awareness: He highlights the importance of awareness in letting go, recognizing manipulative behaviors within oneself, and abandoning the need for perfection or approval in various aspects of life. Relinquishing personal and societal ideologies: Leo challenges listeners to temporarily surrender their ideologies, belief systems, and national identities, insisting that healthy minds can do this without facing negative repercussions. Visual technique for letting go: He offers a visualization strategy—imagining dropping the attachment and achieving peace—and draws inspiration from stoic philosophers like Socrates or Marcus Aurelius to model a calm reaction to adversities. Visualization Technique for Letting Go: Leo advises visualizing someone who personifies calm and detachment, such as Socrates, to model how to let go of attachments and return to a state of peace. He encourages using any figure who embodies stoicism, from religious figures to celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger, to inspire one's own practice of letting go. Letting Go versus Enduring: Leo makes a clear distinction between simply enduring pain and truly letting go. He explains that real letting go means that the issue no longer causes pain, as opposed to repressing or enduring an insult or negative experience, which means the pain is still there internally. Breaking Habituated Cycles: Acknowledging the challenge of obsessions and compulsions, which can loop in the mind, Leo emphasizes practice and patience in breaking these cycles, likening them to a computer program stuck on repeat. He posits that consistent effort is key to overcoming deeply ingrained habits. Counterintuitive Power of Letting Go: Leo asserts that letting go leads to empowerment, arguing against the ego's belief that clinging and attachment will fulfill its needs. He advocates for a counterintuitive practice of detachment to reach true satisfaction, teaching confidence and stoicism. Letting Go to Enhance Performance: Countering objections about productivity, Leo suggests that letting go of perfectionism and neuroticism can unlock better performance and creativity, especially in art. A relaxed and detached state is presented as more conducive to success than neurotic control and forced perfection. Letting Go without Emotional Apathy: Responding to concerns about becoming emotionally detached or cold, Leo clarifies that letting go actually allows for deeper, more spiritual emotions and feelings, enhancing the quality of emotions rather than suppressing them. Temporary Nature of Letting Go: Leo emphasizes that letting go is meant to be a momentary practice, not a permanent relinquishment of emotions or desires. While advocating for letting go of hurt or compulsion, he maintains that it should not prevent one from taking necessary actions or solving problems. Conscious Awareness over Knee-Jerk Emotions: Leo encourages a conscious approach to problems, suggesting that detachment allows for a more effective and less emotional response. A resourceful, detached approach is proposed as superior to one driven by unmanaged emotions like anger. Experimental Approach to Detachment: Leo invites skeptics to experiment with detachment in their lives, promising that empirical evidence will support the view that a detached lifestyle leads to greater happiness and effectiveness. Being Cautious without Fear: While endorsing the release of fear, Leo advises maintaining necessary caution, especially in danger. He distinguishes between the physical sensation of fear and the prudent, conscious awareness of potential threats. Understanding and Overcoming Neuroticism: Leo defines neuroticism as the inability or refusal to let go, which can manifest as a fear of leaving one's comfort zone. He encourages identifying neurotic areas in life and practicing letting go, despite discomfort or fear. Avoiding Neuroticism in Letting Go: He warns against becoming neurotic about the practice of letting go, promoting a balanced approach where one should not guilt themselves over occasional feelings or needs. The goal is natural detachment, not obsessive self-criticism. Balancing the practice of letting go: Leo Gura advises against becoming obsessive with the practice of letting go. Instead, he recommends using the technique sporadically to avoid turning it into a neurotic habit, encouraging a natural and organic approach to letting go. Letting go as a superpower: Leo emphasizes that one's ability to let go is a measure of their strength. He explains that letting go is a superpower, while inability to do so characterizes weakness, neuroticism, and problematic behaviors. Courage in letting go: It takes courage to let go of deeply ingrained patterns, like the desire to control children or micromanage coworkers. Practice starts with small things, building up to letting go of bigger issues. Incremental practice and long-term benefits: Leo reassures that instant success in letting go is not expected, especially with significant attachments. Like investing in a 401k, the practice promises exponential rewards over time, if consistently applied. Scaling the practice to existential levels: Leo envisions the practice extending to letting go of one's life story, fearing death, and major attachments. This process prepares individuals for the inevitable losses due to life’s transient nature. Technique integration across life's domains: The letting go technique is versatile and can enhance various aspects of life, such as family, business, finances, or health by allowing one to control their reactions and respond more wisely. Investment in long-term personal growth: Leo urges continued application of the letting go technique, advocating its use as an ongoing investment for a wiser and more fulfilling life. He stresses the importance of having a long-term vision for personal success. Resources for continuous learning: Leo highlights the availability of exclusive content, including videos, blogs, and research, on his website Actualized.org. He encourages visitors to engage with the content and contribute to the community discussions on personal growth. Evanesco

What Is Truth - The Definitive Answer https://youtu.be/nvaPmKQVIuQ "How come Truth is such a slippery beast?" - Douglas Hofstadter "If you find Truth you will become invincible." - Epictetus Misconceptions about truth: People often think that truth is defined as a belief, concept, philosophy, knowledge, theory, model, the domain of scientists or religious leaders, or that it must be logical and provable. They may also consider it irrelevant to everyday life—all of which Leo challenges as false. Relative vs. Absolute Truth: Truth is divided into relative and absolute. Relative truths are conceptual and exist in the mind, dependent on various factors, and include most things we consider certain. Absolute truth, however, is true under all circumstances, non-conceptual, and actual. Examples of Relative Truth: Statements like "the sky is blue", "the Eiffel Tower is in Paris", and "one plus one equals two" are cited as relative because they rely on contexts like location, time, symbols, interpretation, language, and the cognitive functions of the mind. Understanding Language and Cognitive Assumptions: Recognizing truths such as "the sky is blue" requires language and higher interpretative functions. Most humans take for granted assumptions like other beings' consciousness and understanding, leading to a narrow, human-centric view of truth. Contingency and Interpretation of Relative Truths: Relative truths are contingent upon various conditions and interpretations. For instance, "the sky is blue" depends on factors like the observer's planet, time of day, and even species, since not all beings may perceive color or even the concept of 'sky.' Correspondence Theory of Truth: This theory suggests that truths are what correspond with an external reality. Leo critiques it, indicating the gap between the raw existence of objects and our cognitive affirmation of their truth. Discovery of Absolute Truth: Leo shares a personal episode of realizing absolute truth while questioning the essence of truth. He describes it as a profound experience of present-moment being that arose when the conceptual notion of truth melted away. Absolute Truth as Present Being: Leo elucidates absolute truth as the entirety of the present moment, encountered in an ordinary yet extraordinary realization. It's suggested that substances like LSD can facilitate this awareness, but the experience is also accessible to all through determined exploration. Homework to Understand Advanced Concepts: Leo stresses the complexity of understanding truth and encourages listeners to actively engage in questioning and seeking the truth themselves, rather than passively accepting his explanations. Correspondence theory of truth: The theory that truth corresponds to reality and relies on symbols and concepts is flawed because it confines truth to mental constructs rather than acknowledging the distinction between experiencing something as real (such as the sky being blue) and the mental affirmation of that experience. Difference between experience and mental affirmation: It's critical to distinguish between the raw experience of reality (like the sky's blueness) and the cognitive layer we add to it (believing or affirming that the sky is blue). This distinction exemplifies the gap between second-order mental constructs (relative truths) and first-order experiences. Relative truths and their opposites: Relative truths, unlike absolute truths, exist within a duality framework, where for every truth, there is a corresponding falsehood. This binary view does not apply to the concept of absolute truth. Absolute truth as actual reality: Leo demonstrates that the actual existence of something (like one's hand or the room they are in) represents absolute truth. Absolute truth is just "that which is," encompassing all of reality and existence. However, he acknowledges the complexity in defining "isness" or existence itself. Existence as a prerequisite for truth: Leo equates existence with truth, and by extension, the actual state of reality at all points in space and time. He elucidates that knowledge of reality is just a part of actual reality, which includes everything and is synonymous with truth. Truth as the actual state of reality: Reality cannot be reduced to symbols or knowledge as it is the actual state of all "bits" or facts of existence, much like the state of all bits on a computer hard drive. Truth is not contingent on whether these bits are "on" or "off"; it encompasses all states and is independent of human knowledge or affirmation. Reality constructed by truth, not atoms: Contrary to scientific assertions that reality is made of atoms, Leo argues that reality is made of truth, which is a more fundamental constituent than particles. Understanding this requires a change in consciousness and can lead to epiphanies or awakenings. Truth as inescapable: Leo emphasizes that truth encompasses everything that ever was, is, or will be. Even the hypothetical absence of any state of reality would still be a form of truth, as truth is not conditional on particular circumstances or states. Realization of truth through conscious awareness: A profound realization of truth involves more than just cognitive understanding; it requires direct conscious awareness of reality and experiencing its realness. This understanding transcends conventional human experience and necessitates a deep self-awareness. Absolute Truth as the State of All Creation: From the perspective of an omniscient observer, the absolute truth includes every event in history and every possibility in the future. Every microscopic detail like a particle on a leaf is as much a part of the absolute truth as the totality of creation. Symbolic Equations and Isness: Through the equation "1+1=3", Leo illustrates that beyond symbolic correctness, there is a fundamental existence of the equation, making it a part of the ultimate truth. He distinguishes between "knowledge" (symbolic interpretation) and "isness" (existence as truth). Image 1 Existence of False Concepts within Truth: Leo explains that concepts like falsehood and non-existence, despite being perceived as opposites to truth, actually exist as ideas within the mind. Thus, they are included in the absolute truth as they are part of existence. Impossibility of Non-Existence: The idea of non-existence has to exist conceptually to be considered, which paradoxically brings it into existence. Consequently, Leo asserts that absolute truth only acknowledges existence, making non-existence and falsehood conceptually impossible. Conceptualizing Non-Existence: When people consider non-existence, they are engaging in mental exercises that lead to illusions and misunderstandings. The example of an imaginary kangaroo demonstrates that all conceptions, including those implying non-existence, are part of existence and thus, truth. Death and the Continuity of Existence: Challenging the traditional view of death, Leo suggests that our understanding of death as non-existence might be conceptually flawed, opening up possibilities that death may not be final. Defining Isness and Existence: The effort to define "isness" and "existence" is challenging due to the limitations of language, logic, and the human mind. Recognition of the truth requires a deep personal insight that transcends these limitations. Deepening Awareness to Understand Existence: Leo encourages a continuous and intensifying focus on existence itself (isness) to realize its true nature, which involves a shift in consciousness rather than the accumulation of knowledge or evidence. Truth as Inescapable and Absolute: Even if the universe were to be destroyed, the truth would persist, for truth reflects whatever is the case. Truth's existence is unconditional and independent of the universe's details. Necessity of Consciousness Shift to Realize Truth: To recognize truth, a fundamental shift in one's state of consciousness is necessary, beyond mere intellectual thinking or logical deduction. Analogy of the universe's states: Like bits in a hard drive, the universe can be in different states ('off', 'on', or anything in between), yet these states don't alter the intrinsic nature of existence or truth. Non-existence as a concept: Non-existence is a mental construct; it has to exist conceptually to be considered, so a 'wiped clean' universe would still embody pure, empty existence or 'isness', which is absolute truth. Truth prior to physical existence: Truth is fundamental, existing before all objects, time, space, and the universe; all these elements are merely aspects of ultimate truth. Experience and the illusion of perception: The concept of experience or perception is an illusion, cast by the mind to sustain the belief in one's human existence. Leo explains there is only absolute truth, and what we consider experience is a mind projection. Ego's co-option of truth: The ego converts actuality (absolute truth or isness) into a 'conceptual amalgam' conventionally perceived as experience, which hinders understanding. Misconception of human experience: What is thought to be human experience is, in fact, the universe experiencing itself in various forms—emotions, sensations, and consciousness are all the universe. Absence of subjectivity: There are no biological entities, sense organs, perception, subjectivity, or individuals. Only absolute truth exists objectively. Emotional reactions as defense mechanisms: Fear, anger, or criticism against these ideas are mental defenses trying to preserve the illusion of personal existence and distract from the truth. Unification of metaphysics and epistemology: In non-duality, there is no experiencer or perceiver; pure experience or perception is recontextualized as absolute truth, merging metaphysics and epistemology. Paradoxical features of absolute truth: Absolute truth is infinite, singular, paradoxical, and cannot be proven, communicated, symbolized, enumerated, or captured by logic. Consciousness as pure existence: Pure consciousness has no form or quality and contains all qualities and forms; it is both everything and nothing, the embodiment of absolute truth. Complexity of understanding truth: Truth encompasses consciousness, God, love, and is multi-dimensional, eternal, all-powerful, and uncaused—it is the reality of oneself. Role of exploring truth: Exploring truth requires persistent effort and understanding its various aspects and is essentially realizing one's inherent truth, distinct from what is known or thought. Origin of Truth: Truth did not emerge from anywhere as the concept of origins and destinations are part of the truth itself. Anything that exists or is the case is truth. Therefore, saying that truth came from somewhere is nonsensical because that somewhere would also be truth. Truth is nothingness, which simultaneously is everything—this is infinity and encapsulates all of existence. Potential for Self-Delusion: Leo acknowledges that it might seem possible for one to be deluded about truth, especially when discussing the effects of psychedelics like LSD. However, truth is the most fundamental component of reality and cannot be further explained or justified with stories or validations. He advises using the techniques he's provided to personally access the truth. Absolute vs. Conceptual Truth: Leo differentiates between absolute truth, which is boundless and includes all concepts, and conceptual truths, which are subject to imagination and misunderstanding. Absolute truth is the sum of all possible concepts. Science's Validation of Truth: Leo questions the need for science to validate truth since truth is a personal realization. Those who award recognitions like the Nobel Prize may themselves lack awareness of what truth is. He suggests that external validation is not necessary for personal realizations of truth. Absolute Truth versus Relative Truths: While relative truths from science and math are practical for living and manipulating reality, they don't encompass absolute truth, which is infinite and doesn't require substantiation through relative truths. Absolute truth is non-dual, but it's useful to talk about relative truth when functioning in the everyday dualistic world. Utility and Practicality of Absolute Truth: Leo states that absolute truth is not practical in the conventional sense but is essential as it forms the substance of the universe and all existence. It's so fundamentally useful that it becomes impractical from a human perspective. The function of absolute truth is to be the substance and isness of everything that exists. Misguided motivation for truth: Asking "what's in it for me" regarding the pursuit of truth is an unhelpful approach, and stopping this mindset can solve many of life's problems. Pursuit of truth is a choice: There is no obligation to pursue truth; it should be motivated by curiosity, interest, or an appreciation for truth itself. Otherwise, one can choose not to engage with it. Benefits of pursuing truth: While seeking truth may not appear practically beneficial, it can greatly reduce suffering, as suffering is rooted in illusion and falsehood. Selfish vs. Higher Motivations for truth: The pursuit of truth should ideally stem from an appreciation of its inherent beauty and love, not solely as an escape from suffering. Methods for discovering absolute truth: Practices like meditation, Kriya yoga, psychedelics, self-inquiry, contemplation, and consuming educational content are recommended pathways towards understanding truth. Extreme spiritual techniques: Historically, intense experiences like Vision Quests and authentic baptism have been used to uncover truth but can be painful and dangerous, thus not recommended. Validating the discovery of truth: Genuine awakening to absolute truth is inherently self-validating and evident to the individual without need for external affirmation. Psychedelics and truth: Psychedelics are posited to reveal absolute truth, not due to their chemical composition but through the profound experiences they induce which are beyond logical explanation. Truth and love as identical: Truth, love, and consciousness are described as indistinguishably intertwined, constituting the very substrate of existence. Singularity of absolute truth: Absolute truth is singular and immutable, regardless of the diversity in personal interpretations or expressions of it. Leo's words and truth: Leo's words are not the absolute truth but serve as pointers to provoke personal exploration and realization of truth in the viewer. Claiming to know absolute truth: Professing to know the absolute truth is not egotistical if it is based on genuine experience rather than conceptual knowledge. Warnings about truth: Caution is advised against those claiming proprietary knowledge of truth, and the concept of truth should not be reduced to mind or brain properties or mistaken for mere formlessness or cessation. Truth's evolving understanding: Recognizing that one's current comprehension of truth is sufficient for sharing but acknowledging there are deeper levels yet to be explored. Cessation and Formlessness: Leo describes that realization of the absolute truth doesn't necessitate cessation of experience; form and formlessness are identical. The relative domain is absolute truth disguised, indicating experiences and lack thereof are equally true aspects of reality. Awakening does not guarantee absolute truth: Awakening experiences, such as glimpsing no-self or realizing one's own non-reality, do not equate to full comprehension of absolute truth. Deeper exploration and multiple awakenings may be necessary to grasp its full extent. Necessity of altered consciousness for truth: Absolute truth can't be thought into existence; it requires a significant change in one's state of consciousness, potentially achievable through psychedelics, yoga, concentration, or meditation retreats. Confusion between absolute truth and beliefs: What one may consider absolute truth is often mistaken. Thoughts and conceptions are likely to be falsehoods masquerading as truth. Psychology and truth connection: Personal dissatisfaction and emotional issues result from a disconnection with the truth. Therapy and self-actualization are akin to strengthening oneself to bear the truth, suggesting that facing truth is a therapeutic process. Image 2 Practical importance of truth: Leo conveys that awareness of absolute truth is crucial for understanding one's true nature and leading a fulfilled life, emphasizing that material success does not resolve the fundamental disconnect from truth. Pursuit of truth over material success: Instead of seeking wealth or status, becoming a truth-seeker is posited as the ultimate means to reduce suffering and bring about profound personal change. Actualized.org's role as a mental scaffold: The website serves as a temporary support structure to inspire self-discovery. Leo suggests using the provided resources as tools rather than dogma, to be discarded once their purpose is served. Flipendo

Self-Bias - Why All Worldviews Are So Skewed https://youtu.be/qMqNRUILvHc "Every bird thinks its nest is the best." - Congolese proverb Definition of Self-Bias: Self-bias is the mind's natural tendency to favor its intellectual positions above others, leading to question-begging worldviews. This phenomenon occurs when individuals are unable to evaluate their own worldview fairly and objectively, creating double standards and justifications for their views' superiority. Self-Bias Rooted in Question-Begging Worldviews: All worldviews are question-begging and are usually defended without acknowledging their baseless assumptions. This leads to a circular validation of one's worldview without genuine inquiry or objective analysis. Conundrum of Objectivity: The biggest obstacle in philosophy and the pursuit of truth is the need for impartiality and objectivity. This becomes complicated as individuals often believe they are being objective and fail to recognize their self-bias, resulting in a prejudiced approach to knowledge exploration. Biased Nature of Philosophical Schools: Each philosophical school, from atheism to theism, science to mysticism, practices self-bias by arguing for its own validity and against opposing views, without fairly considering alternatives. Impact of Self-Bias on Leo's Career Plans: Self-bias led Leo to abandon his plans for a career in professional philosophy. He realized that the industry and Western civilization at large are designed to reinforce, rather than critically examine, established worldviews. Entrenchment of Self-Bias in Intellectual Positions: Self-bias manifests as the presupposition that one's intellectual stance, such as atheism, is inherently more logical or evidence-based than contrasting views. It manipulates arguments and evidence to align with the predetermined, 'correct' conclusion without true inquiry. Challenges in Achieving True Inquiry: A fair and open investigation into subjects like the existence of God is rarely pursued. Instead, each side fails to genuinely explore the opposing views, instead, assuming their conclusions, such as atheism or theism, to be self-evident without rigorous examination. Conflict of Interest and Recusal in Legal Systems: Self-bias is acknowledged in legal systems with conflict of interest and recusal practices. Judges and lawyers must withdraw from cases where they may be biased due to personal involvement, ensuring objectivity. Self-Bias Beyond Legal Contexts: While the legal system recognizes the problem of self-bias, Leo stresses it should extend beyond law to other areas like business, science, and religion, where bias can heavily distort perceptions and decisions. Influence of Self on Perception and Reality: An individual's identity acts as a lens that distorts not only their perception but reality itself, affecting science, logic, relationships, and even emotions. This self-bias complicates the pursuit of truth. Survival and the Compromise of Objectivity: Leo examines how survival instincts compromise objectivity using the example of a judge who faces personal survival challenges. The desire to survive can corrupt even the most integral parts of society when truth is second to personal needs. Personal Cost of Pursuing Truth: The pursuit of truth can come at a great personal cost, often conflicting with one's survival and comfort. This inherent cost is a significant reason why self-bias occurs and why individuals may avoid admitting biases. Denial of Self-Bias for Survival: People often deny their self-bias as acknowledging it can create doubt, potentially threatening their worldview and survival. This avoidance is driven by the assumption that truth should be beneficial, leading to a cessation of the search for truth when no personal benefit is perceived. Intellectual Dishonesty and Defense Mechanisms: In the pursuit of survival, individuals craft rationalizations and defense mechanisms against the truth. Admitting to these mechanisms would lead to cognitive dissonance and a threat to one's defense against the harsh reality of truth. Deception and Self-Deception for Survival: To deceive others effectively, individuals must first deceive themselves. Self-deception is a strategy for survival within a social species which enables the perpetuation of biased worldviews. Unreliability of Evidence, Proof, and Logic: Due to the pervasiveness of self-bias, logic, evidence, and proof cannot be fully trusted. Many individuals throughout history have used these tools to justify incorrect beliefs, demonstrating that reason alone cannot always lead to truth. Recognition of Personal Self-bias: It's easy to spot self-bias in others and criticize their fallacies and double standards, but recognizing one's own self-bias is challenging. This realization triggers serious doubt, marking the essence of skepticism. Connection Between Consciousness and Self-bias: There is a direct relationship between a person's level of consciousness and their degree of self-bias. Lower levels of consciousness are associated with stronger biases and more aggressive defense mechanisms. Violence as an Extreme Defense Mechanism: Violence is the ultimate defense against challenges to one's beliefs. Individuals with low consciousness and high self-bias may resort to violence to protect their views. Ubiquity of Self-bias Across Entities: Ideologies, philosophies, organizations, countries, political movements, and spiritual schools exhibit self-bias, which can sometimes persist even in individuals who are supposedly awakened. Self-bias in Pragmatism and Nihilism: Pragmatism exemplifies self-bias toward practical outcomes, dismissing truth for personal gain, while nihilism represents a self-biased view that life is meaningless. Distinction Between Selfishness and Self-bias: Self-bias specifically refers to how the mind frames its intellectual positions to justify worldviews, such as the narrative a pragmatist uses to uphold the superiority of pragmatism. Self-bias in Authoritarian Figures: Dictators and tyrants, like Trump pondering self-pardon, exhibit self-bias by failing to see their own faults and prioritizing their survival and power above all else. Self-bias in Colonialism and its Consequences: European colonialists exhibited self-bias in their treatment of Native Americans by viewing them as inferior, which led to exploitation, forced conversion, desecration of cultures, and violence. Slavery as an Example of Self-bias: Slave owners exhibited extreme self-bias by dehumanizing slaves and justifying their ownership and mistreatment on the basis of perceived racial superiority. Justification of colonial exploitation: Leo discusses the rationalizations used by European colonizers, who claimed that their subjugation of native populations was justified and benevolent, overlooking the common human desires and sufferings that they shared with those they oppressed. This required a disregard for fairness and objectivity, reflecting a self-bias that historically viewed other races as inferior. Perspective on animal exploitation: Leo points out the historically self-biased view humans have had towards animals, using them in wars, overburdening them with labor, and slaughtering them for consumption without considering their worth and experience, essentially due to human-centered justifications. Corporate self-interest and self-justification: Leo addresses corporate corruption and lobbying as self-bias, where those involved often believe they are benefiting society while skewing policies in their favor, indicating a blindness to their self-interest and its effects on others. Nationalistic and ethnocentric self-bias: Discussing nationalism and ethnocentrism across countries, Leo speaks on how cultures often believe themselves to be superior to others without objectively evaluating or exposing themselves to different cultures, leading to cultural conflicts and problems like the Holocaust. Right-wing vs. left-wing self-bias: Leo addresses the accusation of his own bias, acknowledging that while all ideologies, including left-wing, are self-biased, right-wing ideologies tend to demonstrate a higher degree of self-bias. He draws a correlation between self-bias and cognitive as well as moral development, suggesting different levels of these aspects between the left and right. Self-bias and toxic masculinity: Leo critiques various men's rights movements, discussing how frustrated young men develop self-biased and misogynistic ideologies as a defense for their personal issues, using false logic and evidence to blame societal problems on femininity and women. Self-bias in wartime: Leo notes how self-bias manifests in war, with opposing sides demonizing each other and justifying their own war crimes, while denying or minimizing their atrocities compared to their enemies. He provides historical examples of wartime demonization, concluding that war is underpinned by deep-rooted self-bias. Historical Self-Bias in Wars and Conflicts: In ancient times, both Romans and barbarians saw each other as vicious enemies, with each side considering themselves more civilized than the other. Similarly, Athens and Sparta, as Greek city-states, demonized each other reflecting self-bias. World War II Demonization: During World War II, Americans depicted Nazis and the Axis powers as monstrous, emphasizing their self-bias in wartime propaganda against the Japanese, Germans, and Italians. Criminal Self-Justification: Many criminals, especially white-collar ones, do not view their actions as wrong or do not see themselves as criminals, illustrating self-bias in their perceptions of their own actions. Legal Disputes and Lawyer Bias: Courtrooms represent a battleground of self-bias, where defense and prosecuting attorneys argue one-sidedly for their client's interests rather than for objective truth, despite the judge's role as an adjudicator. Negotiations as Self-Biased: Whether it's salary discussions, business deals, or purchasing a car, negotiations are rarely about truth or fairness but rather about each party promoting their own self-interest, often related to survival or financial gain. Religious Self-Bias: Every religion believes itself to be the true path, creating justifications and ignoring contradictions present in other faiths, with institutions like the Catholic Church unable to admit systemic issues due to self-bias. Self-Bias in Spiritual Schools: Even seemingly unbiased spiritual schools, such as Zen Buddhism, Sufism, and various yoga traditions, exhibit self-bias by believing their practices are superior and more enlightening than others. Science and Epistemic Self-Bias: Mainstream science shows self-bias by focusing on quantifiable evidence, being dismissive of non-measurable phenomena like mysticism and spirituality, and holding onto paradigms resistant to change, as outlined by Thomas Kuhn. Reductionism and Nepotism: Reductionists display self-bias by insisting all phenomena can be broken down to physical components, dismissing what can't be. Nepotism exemplifies self-bias by favoring family in positions of power, highlighted by Trump's administration. Romantic Relationships and Gerrymandering: Self-bias destroys many romantic relationships due to the focus on individual needs. Gerrymandering is a clear case of political self-bias, with parties redrawing district lines for their advantage, overlooking fair representation. Debates, Partisanship, and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Debates are often counterproductive due to the self-bias of participants. Partisanship divides reality to favor one side over another. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is deeply rooted in self-bias, particularly with the contentious issue of Israeli settlements. Self-biased support for Israel by Americans: Leo points out that American support for Israel, particularly among evangelical Christians who see Israelis as the chosen people, is self-biased and unfair to Palestinians. He also notes past agreements by the UN to allocate this land to Palestinians, which are often ignored due to this bias. Self-bias in daily situations like parking: Using the example of critiquing someone's poor parking at Walmart, Leo illustrates how self-bias leads to judgment and double standards. When one's own urgency leads to poor parking, excuses are made, while others' reasons are dismissed without consideration. American exceptionalism and Western culture's biases: Western culture, especially American, favors rationality over emotion, materialism over spirituality, and individualism over collectivism. Leo criticizes American exceptionalism and U.S. foreign policy for bullying other nations and self-biased interference driven by notions of superiority and self-interest. Self-bias among intellectual figures: Figures like Jordan Peterson, Ben Shapiro, Sam Harris, and Neil deGrasse Tyson are named by Leo as being self-biased, lacking in meta-level understanding. He warns of the widespread human species bias, where humanity views itself as superior and disregards other species' epistemologies. Terms synonymous with self-bias: Leo lists related terms that often indicate self-bias including selfishness, conflict of interest, hypocrisy, double standards, cherry-picking, and paradigm lock. He ties these to past episodes where he's covered topics such as 'devilry' and 'self-deception'. Detriments of self-bias: Self-bias is detrimental as it impedes self-reflection, distorts reality, breeds intolerance, creates conflict and 'evil', and ultimately hinders the quest for absolute truth and discovery of God. Indifference towards others' problems: People generally lack genuine empathy for others' hardships unless it impacts them directly. Leo urges the audience to recognize their lack of concern as a sign of low consciousness and extreme self-bias. Cultural self-bias: Leo comments on how people often absurdly favor their own culture, cuisine, and nationality, believing them to be superior due to self-bias without objective evaluation. Human indifference towards other species: Humans generally show little concern for the death and suffering of other species, highlighting the self-bias and the absence of objective value for life across species. Accusations against the objective: Individuals who point out societal and personal issues from an objective standpoint often face demonization or accusations of disloyalty as the existing self-biased views perceive objectivity as a threat. Attack on the selfless: Selfless and unbiased individuals working to correct societal problems are ironically attacked and labeled as selfish or unscientific due to the projection of self-biased flaws by others. Self-bias and group conformity: Leo observes that self-bias can be magnified within groups where biases are mutually affirmed, preventing individuals from recognising their own bias and complicating efforts to overcome it. On Self-Bias and the 'Devil': Leo describes how bias operates by explaining that those with a selfish perspective (referred to as the 'devil') see objectivity and impartiality as evil, bias, and disloyalty. The devil projects his own bias onto those who are objective and selfless, attacking them for characteristics they are actively working to remedy. Reaction to Objectivity: Leo points out that efforts to be objective and impartial are often met with resistance and hostility. People who are called out on their biases react defensively and may label the person pointing out the biases as biased themselves, a phenomenon observed in various ideological groups. Examples from Art History: Leo draws on art history to illustrate objectivity and impartiality. He discusses two paintings by Jacques-Louis David—"The Death of Socrates" and "The Lictors Bring to Brutus the Bodies of His Sons"—as representations of ultimate integrity and impartiality. Image 1 Image 2 Education and Self-Bias: Leo criticizes educational institutions for not teaching objectivity and impartiality, arguing that such principles could threaten the institutions' underlying biases. Self-Reflection on Bias: Leo admits his own biases and emphasizes that his aim is not to judge others but to encourage self-reflection, suggesting that awareness of one's own biases leads to personal growth and avoiding self-deception. Continual Vigilance Against Bias: Leo underlines the necessity of constant vigilance against self-bias and self-deception throughout one's life, even after spiritual awakenings, as new levels of bias can appear. Accessing Absolute Truth: Leo concludes that despite the prevalence of self-bias, accessing absolute truth is indeed possible, but not through conventional means or philosophies discussed earlier, hinting that a deeper approach is needed. Possibility of Objective Reality: Leo explains that through deep introspection and deconstructing human perception, one can access the absolute truth, which is the objective reality sought in the process of Awakening. No Simple Metric for Unbiased Thinking: There's no concrete metric or simple checklist for ensuring unbiased thought; the challenge is inherent because self-deception can always occur, requiring ongoing vigilance and self-reflection. Conscious Effort to Address Self-Bias: To combat self-bias, Leo advises becoming aware of biases (both major and minor), avoiding double standards, ceasing to prioritize personal interests, and cultivating integrity and a genuine desire for truth above personal survival. Broadening Perspectives to See Self-Bias: Engaging with diverse points of view, especially from outside one's "propaganda bubble," can greatly help in recognizing personal biases and expanding one's intellectual horizons. Admitting and Relinquishing Biases: Leo encourages acknowledging one's biases as a first step, then moving on to letting go of those biases, which can be a challenge requiring courage and a willingness to step out of comfort zones. Non-Duality as Transcendence of Bias: Non-duality is presented not as a bias, but as the transcendence of all self-biases, leading to ultimate truths such as God, immortality, and infinite love. Breaking Loyalty With Personal Identities: Leo recommends a radical approach to improving life—letting go of all personal loyalties and identities, which can be difficult but ultimately rewarding. Rewards of Living an Unbiased Life: Despite living unbiasedly being a challenging process, the rewards are profound, including truth, God, immortality, and infinite love. Continuous Practice to Eradicate Self-Bias: Overcoming self-bias is an ongoing journey that requires persistent effort, self-reflection, and the pursuit of intellectual integrity. Regular practices like yoga and meditation can aid awareness but need to be balanced with vigilance. Self-Bias in Teachings: Leo acknowledges the inherent biases within his teachings and emphasizes the importance of exposure to a variety of sources and ideas to avoid toxic ideologies or restrictive outlooks. Flipendo

Conscious Politics - Part 4 - 100+ Specific Policy Proposals https://youtu.be/XSV0ZhD_yvw "In a barbaric and selfish society, humane solutions seem radical, leftist, and utopian." "It's the corruption, stupid." Concrete Conscious Policy Proposals: Leo Gura transition from theory to specific proposals for improving government and systems, emphasizing the importance of implementing these ideas both immediately and over a long-term vision looking 50 to 100 years into the future. Empirical Approach to Governance: Proposals by Gura are presented with an empirical mindset, meaning they are subject to change if the expected results do not materialize once implemented. He stresses the necessity for flexibility in government policy to adjust to society's complex nature. Criminalization of Money in Politics and Corporate Lobbying: Gura proposes a constitutional amendment to criminalize the influence of money in politics and to ensure the practice of one person, one vote, thus countering the legalized bribery currently present in American politics. Abolition of Gerrymandering: Gura advocates for independent, non-partisan commissions or algorithms to redraw district lines to ensure fair and unbiased representation, addressing the current undemocratic practice of gerrymandering. Abolition of the Electoral College: Proposing the removal of the Electoral College to allow the popular vote to more directly determine election outcomes, countering the distortion caused by the current electoral system. Making Voting Accessible: Suggestions to make voting more accessible include online voting, automatic registration, federal election holidays, and eliminating long wait times at polling places. Additionally, propose open primaries and caucuses over closed systems to improve inclusion. Multi-Party System with Rank-Choice Voting: Gura advocates for a multi-party system enabled by rank-choice voting to foster healthy competition and break the two-party system stalemate. Introduction of Federal Propositions: Gura suggests federal-level ballot initiatives that allow citizens to vote on popular issues Congress may overlook or be too gridlocked to address, such as marijuana legalization or gun regulation. No particular order in enumeration: Proposals are shared in no specific order, with some being capable of immediate implementation and others being more radical, requiring significant societal shifts over time. Correction of Current Political Myopia: Gura criticizes short-term political planning, pushing for proposals that anticipate societal needs far into the future beyond short election cycles. Ban on Lobbyists Holding Public Office: Lobbyists, who work to influence government decisions for corporate interests, should be barred from public office due to conflicts of interest. This would prevent them from using their government experience to further corporate agendas upon returning to the lobbying industry. To avoid the 'revolving door' phenomenon, a substantial hiatus should be required before and after holding office. Taxation of Extreme Wealth and Accumulated Wealth: Arguing for greater economic balance, Leo advocates for significantly higher taxes on wealth exceeding one million dollars, and even higher taxes on wealth in the tens of millions or billions. The aim is to address the wealth gap by redistributing resources from the super-rich, who often do not need excess wealth and may use it to exert undue influence over the system. Closing Tax Loopholes and Offshore Tax Havens: Corporations should not evade taxes by storing wealth overseas; Leo emphasizes the need to close loopholes and offshore tax havens to ensure all wealth is tracked, regulated, and taxed by American authorities. This would simplify the tax code for ordinary citizens and hold corporations accountable for paying their fair share. Taxing Luxury Goods and Real Estate Speculation: High taxes on luxury goods and expensive real estate, especially for secondary and tertiary properties not used as primary residences, ensure that superfluous wealth contributes to societal development instead of perpetuating inequality and excessive lifestyle choices. Tax Payer Choice: To generate interest and accountability in governmental processes, Leo advocates for allowing taxpayers to allocate a percentage of their taxes to chosen causes, with the government publicly reporting the use of these funds to encourage efficient use of tax dollars and to compete for more funding by demonstrating effectiveness. Stricter Penalties for White-Collar Crime: Leo suggests establishing severe penalties and a government department to regulate and penalize white-collar crimes. Recognizing the structural threat posed by corporate corruption, he calls for meaningful measures to deter such behavior that can severely impact society. Addressing White-Collar Crime: Leo outlines the significant impact of white-collar crime, emphasizing that schemes by senior corporate management can lead to widespread exploitation, government corruption, and even mass casualties, such as the opioid crisis. Serious Penalties for Corporate Exploitation: He suggests that current fines for corporate wrongdoings are insufficient as they often amount to less than the profits gained from unethical activities. To deter such behavior, Leo advocates for the establishment of serious criminal liabilities, including jail time for CEOs and senior corporate officers involved in exploitative practices. Marketing Ethics and Psychological Manipulation: Leo criticizes the use of advanced psychological techniques in marketing to manipulate consumers, describing it as a form of "scientific psychological warfare". He highlights the need for more ethical marketing practices and transparency to prevent the worsening of societal problems. Transparency in Income and Profit Margins: Leo supports the radical idea of publicly disclosing every individual's income and every corporation's profit margins on products. He argues this would unveil financial inequalities within industries, increase fairness, and provoke necessary outrage to drive systemic change. Call for Labels Showing Profit Margins: He proposes labeling products with their profit margins, allowing consumers to understand which industries overcharge for their products or services, leading to a more equalized system. Strong Defense of Whistleblowers: Leo emphasizes the need for legal protection, financial compensation, and public recognition for whistleblowers, contrasting the current negative treatment with the crucial role they play in exposing government corruption. Elimination of Black Ops Budgets: He argues against secret budgets and black ops programs, stating that these foster corruption and violence and are often used to justify actions out of fear and scarcity rather than abundance and love. Drastic Military Budget Reduction: Leo suggests significant cuts to the U.S. military budget, focusing on eliminating wasteful spending while increasing police and first responder funding for better training, equipment, and salaries. Promotion of Transparency in Government Contracts: He calls for an open bidding process for government contracts, with transparency about the execution and outcomes, to prevent overcharging and encourage fair competition. Benefits of Redirected Military Funding: He stresses the value of reallocating military resources towards infrastructure, science, healthcare, and other internal improvements that genuinely benefit society, rather than destructive enterprises. FBI and Prosecutors: Leo advocates for an increased number of FBI agents, state prosecutors, and federal prosecutors with better training and higher salaries aimed at reducing corruption and ensuring they are comfortable in their jobs. War Crimes Enforcement: Stronger enforcement of war crimes is needed, with transparency and proper prosecution to both serve justice and maintain the dignity of military members who do not join to be war criminals. Elimination of Torture: Torture and cruel and unusual punishment should be completely eliminated, not only on U.S. territory but also abroad by American citizens, with possible constitutional amendments to cement these standards. Worker Representation in Corporate Boards: Suggesting a European model, Leo recommends legislation mandating 50% worker representation on corporate boards for companies with significant profits and employees, to democratize corporate decision-making and improve working conditions. Right to Unionize: Defends the right to unionize and calls for criminalizing corporate interference with unionization efforts, highlighting the importance of balancing power between employees and large corporations. Raising the Minimum Wage: Leo argues for raising the minimum wage to a living wage, countering libertarian arguments against it and explaining the need for government intervention as a proxy negotiator for employees against powerful corporations. Regulation of Predatory Industries: Stressing the need for stringent regulation of industries such as banking, finance, military-industrial complex, Big Pharma, and healthcare, to prevent exploitative practices and protect consumers. Antitrust Regulations: Advocates for strong antitrust law enforcement to prevent large corporations from stifling competition by acquiring smaller companies or merging with other giants. Support for Smaller Businesses: Proposes that companies profiting over a certain threshold should be barred from acquiring others to foster competition and innovation, thereby promoting a healthier economy. Regulation of Large Corporations: Large corporations with over a billion dollars in revenue need special regulations to prevent monopolization, which stifles innovation and consumer choice. These corporations often exploit consumers covertly through sophisticated R&D and marketing, against which individual consumers are powerless without government intervention. Stable Currency and Banking Regulations: The necessity for a stable currency is emphasized, which requires tight regulations on banking practices and the Federal Reserve. A conscious society should have legal limits on currency printing to maintain the value of money. Copyright Law Revisions: Copyright laws should be revised so that they last only until the death of the creator, preventing corporations from indefinitely extending copyrights to profit off of old innovations without additional creativity. Prison Reform and Rehabilitation: Prisons should be centers for rehabilitation, not punishment. Introducing non-dogmatic spirituality, mindfulness, meditation, and yoga can help reduce recidivism rates. Additional job programs are needed to support reentry into society. Compassion for Prisoners: Prisoners require education and compassion as a path to rehabilitation, seeing them as ignorant rather than inherently evil. Leo stresses the importance of not demonizing criminals, as this leads to higher rates of reoffending and societal issues. Ending the Drug War: A call for the release of all individuals imprisoned for minor drug possession is made as part of a broader initiative to end the drug war. Refugee and Immigrant Acceptance: A more welcoming approach to refugees and immigrants is advocated. The abundance of resources in the U.S. contradicts the scarcity mindset that often opposes immigration. Eliminating Poverty and Homelessness: Political will and conscious societal action are necessary to eliminate poverty, hunger, and homelessness, which are solvable issues. Environmental Regulations: Heavy environment regulation is deemed necessary to address not only global warming but also pollution, resource mismanagement, and reliance on non-renewable energy such as fossil fuels. Green Energy and Subsidies: A massive investment in green energy and a carbon tax on polluters are proposed. A national electric grid with incentivized use and government-funded research into better battery technology should be prioritized. Toxicity Testing of Consumables: The creation of a government agency responsible for continuous toxicity testing of food, water, air, and cosmetics is suggested. This would inform the public about the presence of heavy metals and chemicals that affect mental and physical health. Mental Health Funding: Massive funding for mental health services is proposed, with emphasis on the provision of free therapy and life coaching to benefit society at large. Strict Regulations for Factory Farming: Tougher regulations and transparency should be enforced for factory farming, including the prohibition of laws hindering the exposure of inhumane practices. Factory Farming Regulation and Transition: Leo proposes increased regulation of factory farms to improve humane conditions and advocates for shifting towards organic, sustainable, and free-range farming practices. Massive Infrastructure Funding: Funding for infrastructure is essential, including roads, bridges, airports, and public transportation systems like monorails, tunnels, electric buses, and high-speed trains. Government Subsidization of Transportation: Leo suggests that while the government need not directly manufacture transportation technologies like scooters or trains, it should subsidize and incentivize the private sector to develop innovative and helpful infrastructure solutions. Affirmation of Government-Run Facilities: He defends government-run facilities such as airports and the postal service, arguing that they can function efficiently and provide services such as disaster relief and military operations effectively. Funding for Arts and Sciences: Leo advocates for massive government funding for arts and sciences, countering the corporate corruption that currently diverts science towards profits rather than pure research and truth. Equal Rights and Support for Minorities: Leo calls for equal rights for all minorities, including LGBTQ+ individuals, and suggests providing free counseling and therapy to enhance their integration into society. Supreme Court Reform: Proposing reform for the Supreme Court, he suggests term limits and possibly direct elections to ensure impartiality and accountability more reflective of the population's will. Workweek Reduction: Leo argues for a reduction in the standard workweek from 40 to 30 hours to allow for more personal and family time, creativity, and self-actualization. Addressing Wealth Disparity in Corporate Structures: He highlights the need for regulation to ensure that the financial benefits from increased workplace efficiency due to technology advancements benefit the workers and not just the corporate executives and shareholders. Prohibition of Employee Overworking: Leo calls for laws against excessive overworking by employers, especially in industries like video game design and the legal sector, to encourage a more balanced and healthy work-life. Overhaul of the Education System: A major investment in education is seen as a top priority for government spending, focusing on a complete restructuring towards critical and conscious thinking, rather than rote learning. Education System Reforms: Leo Gura makes a strong case for overhauling the education system, which includes creating more schools with smaller class sizes, offering substantial incentives and higher pay for teachers, and decreasing reliance on standardized testing. He argues that schools should focus on assessing and fostering consciousness, love, emotional intelligence, and overall personal development, instead of just memorizing content. Public School Funding: Leo emphasizes the need for equal funding for public schools across all neighborhoods, irrespective of local wealth. He proposes the reallocation of significant portions of the military budget to education, ensuring high-quality public schools nationwide. He attributes his own success to the quality of public education he received and criticizes the current administration's stance on public education. Subject Matter in Schools: Gura advocates for a shift in curriculum to include subjects that promote wisdom, self-actualization, critical thinking, and consciousness, such as metaphysics, philosophy, and psychology. He stresses the importance of teaching practical life skills such as cooking, nutrition, finance, and relationships, as well as the deployment of classes on emotional mastery, meditation, and yoga. Elimination of Private Schools: He recommends abolishing private schools altogether, ensuring all children, including those of the wealthy, attend public schools. This approach aims at incentivizing the rich to invest in the quality of public education as their children would directly benefit from it. Transformation of Higher Education: Leo argues for free college, university, and trade school education for everyone, with a focus on practical skills necessary for the job market. He highlights the importance of these institutions in setting young adults on a path to fulfilling their life purpose and contributing positively to society. New Measures of National Success: He suggests switching from GDP to alternative success metrics like happiness, love, consciousness, and corruption indexes to measure and publicly track a nation's progress annually. Ending the Drug War and Promoting Psychedelics: Leo proposes the legalization and normalization of psychedelics, not only for personal growth and consciousness development but also as effective treatments for addiction. He mentions creating clinics to provide psychedelic therapy within local communities. Implementation of Psychedelic Clinics: Government-funded, free psychedelic clinics will be established, facilitating individuals to safely explore consciousness, cure mental health issues, and experience profound transformations with expert guidance. Funding Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Redirect subsidies from large corporations to small businesses and entrepreneurs, energizing new ideas and technological developments. Support for Objective Journalism: Ensuring the survival of objective journalism through significant funding, protections for journalists, and combatting sensationalism in mainstream media. Broadband for Rural Areas: Increase funding to provide rural areas with broadband internet access to enhance information equity. Budget Increase for Space Exploration: Expand investment in space exploration for business potential, technology advancement, and global inspiration; additionally, support the development of a meteor defense system. Enhancing Consumer Protections: Strengthen the Consumer Protection Agency to defend consumers against corporate fraud and exploitation. Anti-Corruption Enforcement Agency: Create a specialized agency to aggressively combat corruption in government, police, and corporate sectors. Universal Free Healthcare: Implement free healthcare at the point of service, produce cheap generic medicines, and increase funding for preventative care and holistic medicine education to advance collective health. Free Gym Access: Combat obesity by providing free gym access to all Americans. Technology Safety Testing Center: Establish a government agency to assess the safety of new technologies, materials, and products, ensuring public well-being. Funding for National Emergencies and Disasters: Allocate strong funding for preparedness and response to national emergencies like natural disasters. Humanitarian Aid Over Military Action: Replace military intervention with humanitarian aid to terrorist-prone countries, fostering good relations and reducing anti-American sentiment. Non-Interventionist Foreign Policy: Prohibit CIA involvement within sovereign nations and avoid using foreign policy to exploit developing countries for corporate gain. Constitutional Amendments for Consciousness and Privacy Rights: Advocate for amendments securing the right to alter one's consciousness and privacy from electronic surveillance, recognizing social media as public utilities. Government-led Consciousness Research: Fund substantial research into mysticism, meditation, spirituality, psychedelics, and paranormal phenomena, exploring their implications for elevating national consciousness. Environmental and Fiscal Policies: Expand recycling programs, ban nuclear power due to safety issues, and enforce strict balanced budget policies in the long term. Adjusting Fine Structures to Net Worth: Change law fines from fixed amounts to a percentage of an individual's net worth to equalize the financial impact and maintain effective deterrence. Gun Ownership Regulations: Implement serious background checks and safety training for gun owners, without outright banning guns. Gun Safety and Ownership Regulations: Leo insists that gun ownership should involve mandatory rigorous training on gun safety, similar to obtaining a driver's license. Before purchasing a gun, owners should be registered in a national database and pass mental health checks, ensuring individuals with a history of abuse or certain mental illnesses cannot own guns. He also supports the use of biometric sensors to lock guns, allowing only registered users to operate them. US Territory Representation and Independence: Leo argues for granting statehood or independence to US territories like Puerto Rico and Guam to ensure they receive proper representation in Congress. Outsourcing and Government Contracts: Leo proposes that companies outsourcing jobs to seek cheaper labor abroad should be barred from receiving any subsidies or government contracts. Pre-Kindergarten and Taxation Equality: He supports the establishment of free pre-kindergarten education and equal taxation for online and brick-and-mortar stores, aiming to remove an advantage currently exploited by companies like Amazon. Regulation of Emerging Technologies: Leo calls for the regulation of AI, facial recognition, genetic engineering, and human-machine interfaces, anticipating future abuse potential if left unchecked. Forum for Policy Discussion: He emphasizes the need for a non-ideological, non-partisan public forum for serious policy discussions, stating current major networks lack substance. Regulation of Predatory Advertising and Marketing: Leo suggests the banning of exploitative ads including those for junk food, pharmaceuticals, fossil fuels, credit cards, and payday loans, comparing it to the current bans on cigarette and alcohol advertising near schools. Empirical Testing of Public Policies: Leo advocates for a government department to empirically test public policies, analyze results over time, and inform lawmakers and the public on their effects. This would help in making data-driven decisions and reduce partisanship. Evolution of Capitalism and Consideration of UBI: He clarifies that his policies do not aim to end capitalism but to evolve it into a more conscious and ethical form, combining elements of socialism. While considering the potential benefits of Universal Basic Income (UBI), he stresses it should add to, not replace, a robust welfare system. Long-term Vision of a Global Government: Leo envisions a global government with a unified global military to reduce wasteful military spending, eventually leading to more efficient use of resources and potentially lower taxes. Freedom and Strategic Limitations: In concluding his policy proposals, Leo contends that increased freedom comes from carefully implemented strategic limitations within a system. He proposes to create freedom by meeting people's basic needs and providing quality education and healthcare, ensuring that governmental measures augment individual liberty. Complex Nature of Freedom: Leo argues that strategic limitations on corporate influence in politics can lead to more complex forms of freedom. He questions how truly free individuals can be when they lack proper education, or when corporations can corrupt government and environment, suggesting that simplistic libertarian and conservative definitions of freedom are inadequate. Distinction from Socialism: Despite potential misinterpretations, Leo clarifies that he is not advocating for socialism, which involves public ownership of the means of production. Instead, he supports capitalism with strategic regulations to curb excessive corporatism and maintain private ownership while enabling entrepreneurship and small businesses. Healthy Capitalism and Private Industry: He emphasizes the need for heavy regulation of large corporations to prevent monopolization and promote competition. Leo notes that while some industries may be publicly managed, the majority should remain privately operated, supporting Adam Smith's notion that capitalism requires careful regulation. Redefining Wealth Difficulty: Leo supports making it harder to become a millionaire or billionaire, arguing this would create a fairer economy allowing working-class people to achieve middle-class status. Higher taxes and more difficulty for the wealthy balance the distribution of resources, thus fostering economic equilibrium. Promotion of Creativity and Small Business: By regulating large corporations, Leo believes his policies would encourage innovation, creative arts, and science. This would create a healthier environment for entrepreneurs and small business owners, aligned with his vision of a government that cultivates a fertile environment for independence, health, and happiness. Cultural Evolution and Policy Resistance: Recognizing that cultural changes can make conservatives and traditionalists uncomfortable, Leo argues that evolving culture is inevitable and necessary for progress. He suggests that many conservatives might actually benefit from his proposals, such as raising the minimum wage, but they often resist due to cultural identity and attachment to traditional values. The Goal of Government: Leo envisions strategic government decisions creating an environment conducive to creativity, exploration, health, harmony, fairness, and happiness. He envisions societal evolution, whereby citizens are able to live fulfilling lives without being constrained by wage poverty, crippling debt, or lack of access to childcare and education. Human Motivation and Societal Benefits: Addressing concerns that societal benefits might lead to laziness, Leo argues that meeting basic needs allows individuals to self-actualize and pursue 'being needs': purpose, creativity, and service. He aims for a society where people become powerful creators and innovators once freed from mere survival concerns. Productive Cultural Shift: Leo suggests a shift in cultural values where the measure of success is not simply wealth accumulation but the quality and originality of one's contributions to society. He advocates for an environment that rewards powerful creation and true value provision, moving beyond purely materialistic pursuits. Redefining Motivation Beyond Money: Leo argues that societal values should shift from exploiting for profit to becoming powerful creators. Modern education often omits teaching how to be genuinely creative, focusing instead on maximizing profits without adding value to the world. He asserts that true satisfaction comes from creativity, art, science, and a sense of life purpose, rather than fear and scarcity-induced work. Overcoming the “Lazy Society” Myth: The fear that providing for basic needs will lead to a lazy society is addressed. Leo counters, explaining that, removed from survival struggles, individuals will be motivated by love, creativity, and other higher consciousness values—which lead to genuine satisfaction and a fulfilling life. Misconceptions About Government Size and Corruption: The idea that government is inherently corrupt and should be minimized is challenged. Leo states that size is necessary to manage societal complexity. He advocates for removing corruption rather than shrinking government and acknowledges long-term historical reduction in government corruption. He emphasizes that corruption, stemming from selfishness, must be tackled directly through conscious work and self-actualization. Understanding Taxation and Property Rights: Leo disputes the libertarian notion that taxation is theft by explaining that property rights do not naturally exist without government. Taxes pay for the security and rights that a government ensures, which is conceptually balanced by the tangible benefits of government services. Misconceptions about Wealthy Motivation and Taxation: Addressing concerns about the demotivation of the wealthy from high taxation, Leo clarifies that individuals like Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates are not primarily money-driven; rather, they are motivated by power, creativity, a sense of purpose, and love—attributes higher taxes will not diminish. Short-Term Utopian Perspective vs. Long-Term Vision: Leo discusses the supposed utopian nature of his proposals, explaining they may seem idealistic short-term but are realistic and inevitable over a centuries-long horizon. He emphasizes the inexorable evolution of humanity towards higher love and consciousness. Utopian notions and historical perspective: Leo discusses the perception of his proposals as utopian, arguing that while they may seem idealistic on a short-term scale of ten years, over 500 years they are inevitable and will be taken for granted by future generations, who will view our current era as conservative and backward. Misconceptions about historical examples: He addresses comparisons of his ideas with communist regimes like the USSR, North Korea, and Venezuela. Leo clarifies that these countries were underdeveloped and corrupt, lacking the societal infrastructure required for his proposals, which are suitable for societies already past a certain stage of capitalist development. Successful examples and progressive states: Leo points to Northern Europe, Canada, and progressive U.S. states like California as successful models where his ideas have been implemented, showing that progressive policies can thrive in post-capitalist societies with proper democratic systems. Equality of opportunity vs. outcome: Leo criticizes the misrepresentation of his goals as seeking equality of outcome. He emphasizes the need for equality of opportunity, which requires looking at societal outcomes to understand systemic inequalities and to take measures that promote fairness and access. Empowering work: Leo suggests a shift to conscious work that provides deep meaning and purpose, leading to more motivated, satisfying, and harder-working individuals as compared to those in mindless jobs. Acknowledging individual limitations: While recognizing that not all individuals can be helped, Leo argues that creating a system offering equal opportunity allows the majority to evolve and better themselves. Resistance to change: Leo acknowledges the resistance to his proposals from the status quo but insists that change is part of societal evolution towards betterment, drawing parallels with historical figures who faced opposition for advocating progress. Radical ideas in context: Leo argues that highly conscious and progressive ideas often appear radical in less developed eras but are ultimately vindicated and celebrated in hindsight, urging people to transcend influence from the status quo and embrace transformation and development. Human Potential: Leo Gura emphasizes that mankind has only realized a tiny fraction, perhaps 1 to 5%, of its potential. This is true both on an individual and collective societal level. He encourages not clinging to the past as we have much greater possibilities ahead. Growth and Discomfort: He discusses that growth is inherently uncomfortable and points to the growing pains visible in current American politics, with various social and political factions indicating broader societal evolution. Informed Participation and Responsibility: Leo urges viewers to stop blaming others for societal issues and take personal responsibility. He stresses the importance of educating oneself on complex topics and engaging with high-quality journalism, promoting informed civic participation in democracy. Voting and Political Engagement: Leo advises not only to vote but to do so mindfully, looking at primary elections and lesser-known roles within government. He suggests voting for the most loving, conscious, and morally developed candidates, emphasizing personal development over specific policies. Supporting Enlightened Politicians: He encourages donations and support for the most conscious political candidates at both federal and local levels, as well as becoming involved by volunteering or running for office. Conscious Government and Self-Improvement: Leo Gura ties the principles of self-improvement and spirituality to conscious politics, underscoring the interconnection between personal growth and societal change. He implores individuals to work on their own consciousness and purity to empower a government reflecting these qualities. Final Thoughts: He highlights the resources available on his platform for further learning and assures viewers that while his focus on politics will taper, the integration of spirituality and politics is paramount for a conscious government. Directions for Future Content: Leo concludes by informing viewers that his future content will return to core topics of awakening, self-improvement, emotions, love, and spirituality, aiming to illustrate the interconnectedness of personal development and political consciousness. Flagrate

Conscious Politics - Part 3 - The Core Principles Of Conscious Politics https://youtu.be/xpvjr1gbz0s "There can be no serious understanding of politics without an understanding of developmental psychology." Conscious Politics Defined: Leo highlights that conscious politics is distinct from selfish or unconscious politics, as its aim is to maximize consciousness, love, and truth in all political actions and government policies. Maximizing Love in Politics: Love, in the context of conscious politics, means having a broad concern for all beings, valuing them intrinsically rather than for personal gain. It goes beyond sentimental ideas to encompass transformative, universal, cosmic love as spoken about by mystics like Buddha and Christ. Foundation of Conscious Politics: According to Leo, the base of all political activity is love, even when actions seem harmful or aggressive. Conscious politics recognizes that actions like war or oppression are often motivated by a limited or contracted form of love. A Love-Based Approach: Leo argues for a love-based, rather than fear-based, political approach. Politics should not exploit fears but foster a sense of abundance and the belief that everyone can be uplifted. Expansive Circle of Concern: Conscious politics adopts a universal circle of concern that extends beyond personal, tribal, or corporate interests to encompass a genuine care for all forms of life and their oppression, without succumbing to a scarcity mindset. Universal circle of concern: Leo advocates the idea that political considerations should encompass all beings on the planet, as they are part of our universal self. The recognition that the oppression of any tribe is unjust arises from realizing that but for circumstances, one could easily be a member of that oppressed group. Developmental psychology and Spiral Dynamics in politics: Leo underlines the importance of acknowledging the different developmental stages of individuals, which necessitate varied policies. Politics shouldn't enforce a one-size-fits-all ideology but instead, build bridges for mutual understanding and meet people where they are in their development. Meeting basic and developmental needs: Conscious politics aims to meet people's basic needs to enable them to engage in self-actualization. It operates on the principle that once people have their material needs met, they can move up Maslow's hierarchy of needs and eventually care about higher concepts like universal love. Government's role in individual development: Leo sees the government as instrumental in providing for basic needs and also facilitating self-actualization. This support allows individuals to transcend their conditions, contribute back to society, and perpetuate a virtuous cycle of aiding others to rise. Systems thinking in conscious politics: Conscious politics is ecological, holistic, systemic, and meta. It focuses on understanding how complex systems work in their entirety and aims to improve the whole system for the benefit of all members, not just individual personal gain. Conscious politics' self-awareness: The approach calls for awareness of biases, deceptions, survival instincts, ego issues, and collective ego. It encourages standing outside of one’s own perspective to objectively assess and critique various political views, including one’s own. Addressing "devilry" constructively: Conscious politics involves recognizing and addressing flawed behaviors and corruption, understanding them as survival strategies that have outlived their usefulness. It sees such devilry as aspects of life that must be understood and transcended, not merely demonized. Building material and immaterial infrastructure: It starts by addressing poverty and infrastructure (roads, bridges, electric grids, internet access), creating conditions where people can later address higher immaterial needs. Leo emphasizes the cyclical nature of this process, which iterates between inner development and societal contribution. Non-reactivity and responsibility in conscious politics: This politics type is non-reactive, non-judgmental, and refrains from turning politics into an identity battle. It emphasizes universal identity and collective prosperity rather than narrow self-interest and calls for personal sacrifices, particularly from the wealthy, for the greater good. Appreciating government: Conscious politics involves recognizing and valuing the positive contributions of government and the need to continue building upon the foundations laid by previous generations. It stresses the importance of continued improvement and evolution within governmental structures and functions. Wisdom in Governmental Evolution: Societal structures such as government, courts, taxation, and the military possess collective wisdom formed over generations that address historical problems, often unknown to us today. This wisdom should be respected and not haphazardly dismantled without understanding the potential consequences. The Role of Social Security: The creation of Social Security was a response to a real issue where a significant portion of the elderly population ended up homeless due to inadequate retirement planning. It reflects one of the government's roles to compensate for people's poor long-term planning and prevent widespread homelessness. Conscious Politics' Bold Nature: Conscious politics is not afraid to be assertive and fight for consciousness and against unconsciousness, following examples like Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and other activists who, while ideally non-violent, acknowledge that sometimes force is necessary, such as in WWII. Radical and Progressive Conscious Politics: In a society plagued by fear and scarcity, conscious politics may seem radically liberal and progressive, as it aims to transform the status quo of ego and devilry. It's not about liberalism per se, but about fostering more love, consciousness, and truth over moderation or neutrality. Empirical Approach Over Ideology: Conscious politics encourages testing and empirical analysis of policy changes, such as the impacts of tax cuts on the economy or the effects of gun control measures, to create solutions based on evidence rather than ideological beliefs. Educational Role of Government: Government should provide education on history, psychology, economics, and other subjects to empower individuals to build high-quality lives. This could include free online courses on entrepreneurship, responsible drug use, and finding life purpose. Root Cause Analysis in Social Issues: Conscious politics advocates for solutions that address the root causes of issues, like immigration, by addressing the poverty and instability in immigrants' home countries instead of relying on simplistic measures like border walls. Understanding Backfires of Policies: Conscious politics remains aware of the unintended and counterproductive outcomes of policies, using historical examples like the prohibition of alcohol to illustrate the need for careful consideration before implementing regulations. Ineffectiveness of the Drug War: Despite good intentions to prevent drug abuse, the war on drugs backfires by causing significant harm. Leo suggests careful consideration of policies and the establishment of scientific panels to evaluate potential negative outcomes before implementation. Valuing Left and Right Perspectives: Leo argues that conscious politics acknowledges valid concerns on both sides of the political spectrum without false equivalency, and balances ideological differences through empirical testing. Dynamic Balance in Government: Leo emphasizes the importance of finding a delicate balance between opposing societal elements, like individual vs. collective interests and capitalism vs. socialism, and adjusting them over time as circumstances change. Policy-focused Politics: Conscious politics prioritizes policy proposals and systemic change over personality or identity. Leo critiques current media for not seriously discussing politicians' policy propositions. Multicultural Tolerance and Open-Mindedness: Leo advocates for a conscious political mindset that is genuinely curious and willing to explore and understand multiple perspectives without conforming to any single ideology. Measuring Societal Success Beyond Economics: Leo suggests new metrics to measure happiness, development, consciousness, love, and health, instead of just economic growth indicators like GDP or unemployment rates. Economic Responsibility: Conscious politics calls for economic responsibility, budget balance, and sustainable solutions rather than unchecked spending. Innovative Governance to Match Technological Progress: According to Leo, governance should be innovative to match the rapid pace of technological advancement, rather than relying on outdated legacy systems. Addressing Wealth Inequality and Environmental Concerns: Wealth inequality and environmental degradation are viewed as significant issues in conscious politics, seeking to create a robust middle class and address climate change. Government Transparency and Accountability: Leo stresses the importance of making government actions transparent and accountable to avoid secretive and manipulative practices by agencies like the CIA and NSA. Infrastructure for Physical and Spiritual Development: Conscious politics supports the construction of physical infrastructure such as roads and the internet as a foundation for further spiritual and educational development. Intellectual Honesty in Policy Making: Conscious politics involves admitting when policies fail and being open to policy revision and improvement, highlighting intellectual honesty. Non-Militaristic, Defensive Warfare: Conscious politics prioritizes peace and avoids unnecessary wars, while recognizing the need for defensive military action if attacked. Unity and Avoiding Division: Leo emphasizes that conscious politics seeks to unite people by focusing on common human desires and values expertise and experience in leadership. Long-Term Visionary Leadership: Visionary and selfless leadership, exemplified by figures like Gandhi and Martin Luther King, is a cornerstone of conscious politics, prioritizing long-term societal welfare over short-term gains. Bold and Proactive Approach: Conscious politics is characterized by bold and proactive leadership that anticipates future challenges and addresses them head-on. Polar Opposite of Unconscious Politics: As a final note, Leo contrasts conscious politics with the practices he attributes to Donald Trump, characterizing them as the epitome of unconscious politics guided by selfishness and low levels of development in various human capacities. Bias in conscious politics: Leo admits he's biased towards consciousness and love, not adhering to complete neutrality, much like Jesus, Martin Luther King, and Gandhi weren't neutral but advocated for change and were considered radicals for challenging the status quo. Visionary aspect of conscious politics: Leo argues that conscious politics is not utopian but visionary, with a long-term horizon focusing on societal changes over decades rather than just the immediate election cycle. Incremental nature of societal change: He emphasizes that societal evolution happens through intellectual advancements and incremental changes, not all-or-nothing revolutions, and suggests that the advancement of conscious politics is gradual and ongoing. Progress despite regressions: By highlighting progress in gay rights and racial inequality in the US over the past 30 years, Leo underscores that societal improvements are real, although they often ebb and flow with setbacks. Building on the past and learning from 'mistakes': Leo views past societal 'mistakes', like slavery and government shortcomings, as lessons that help create better future structures, contributing to government evolution and societal growth. The roots of conscious politics: He insists on understanding the structural, root problems and solutions rather than getting absorbed in superficial content or dogmatic ideologies, with conscious politics being an inevitable aspect of human and governmental evolution. Personal responsibility in conscious politics: Leo calls for individuals to deepen their understanding and embody the principles, as conscious politics begins with personal maturity and consciousness. Upcoming practical application: Leo teases part 4 of the series, where he plans to present specific, currently implementable policy proposals that embody the principles he's been discussing, to improve lives and elevate consciousness. Amortentia

Conscious Politics - Part 2 - Foundational Insights About Political Ideology https://youtu.be/GmBzfYXrC4I "All political problems boil down to one thing: selfishness. All political solutions boil down to one thing: selflessness." Conscious Politics and Self-Actualization: Leo regards politics and government as essential to self-understanding and communal living on a superorganism level. Engaging in conscious politics is crucial to addressing the scaled-up challenges of larger societies, which mirror issues in smaller communities and families. Consciousness Determines Values and Politics: Leo asserts that an individual's level of consciousness shapes their values, morals, and consequently, their politics. People naturally vote for politicians and parties that resonate with them, which reflects their own values and stage of development. Political Ideologies as Survival Strategies: According to Leo, political ideologies are not founded on truth but rather on survival strategies ingrained during upbringing within a certain culture. The ego resists changes in worldview because it threatens identity and survival. Role of Culture in Politics: Leo highlights the difficulty of evolving politics without corresponding cultural evolution. Cultures strongly resist change due to fear, and those in power often inhibit cultural progression to maintain their authority. Limitations of Logic and Reason in Politics: Leo critiques the use of logic, reason, and facts in politics, noting that they are co-opted by the ego for survival rather than truth. Political ideologies are often rationalized retroactively, rather than based on objective reasoning. Content vs. Structure of Beliefs: Leo emphasizes understanding the difference between specific beliefs (content) and the cognition behind those beliefs (structure). Key structural elements include one’s sense of self and other, determining the scope of personal ideologies. Stages of Moral Development: Outlined by Leo, these stages depict an expansion from caring solely about personal survival to embracing a universal sense of self and concern. It's an evolving ladder from a condensed sense of self to universal morality. Image 1 Importance of Understanding Developmental Psychology: Leo points to developmental psychology, explaining how moral development affects political actions and motivations. He insists on recognizing that the sense of self and other underpins all political reasoning. Stretching the Sense of Self: Leo argues for expanding the sense of self beyond the body to encompass larger circles of concern, explaining how a person's values and morals evolve and influence their political views. Circles of Concern and Moral Development: Leo outlines the expansion of one's moral circle of concern starting from individual survival, moving to family and tribe, and evolving to include one's civilization, then all decent human beings, and eventually extending empathy to all humans regardless of actions, followed by concern for animals, the environment, and the entire cosmos, culminating in universal love and an infinite sense of self. Transitioning Between Stages of Development: Leo suggests difficulty in understanding the moral perspectives of stages beyond one's current level and states that a higher stage, once reached, replaces the lower one permanently, indicating a unidirectional evolution in moral consciousness. Reflection on Personal Moral Development: Leo invites listeners to honestly assess where they stand on the scale of moral development without passing judgment on themselves, recognizing that reluctance to acknowledge higher levels of moral concern may reflect one's current stage of development. Prevalence of Primitive Moral Stages Globally: He observes that over half the world's population resides at a stage where their moral circle includes their family, civilization, and personal religion, pointing to a lack of sophistication in global moral development. Lawrence Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development: Leo breaks down Kohlberg's six stages of moral development from pre-conventional self-interest and punishment avoidance, to conventional conformity and authority orientation, to post-conventional social contract reasoning and universal ethical principles. Transcendent Morality: Adding a seventh stage, 'Universal self-love,' Leo details how an enlightenment experience can broaden one's moral perspective to encompass an infinite sense of self and love for all existence, a stage rarely reached. Impact of Moral Stages on Political Ideologies: Leo asserts that individuals generally form their political ideologies based on their level of moral development, with most adopting conventional morality, thus their political decisions and voting align with those ideologies. Moral Evolvement through Abortion Views: Using abortion as an illustration, Leo explains how perspectives evolve with moral development, transitioning from seeing it as unequivocally wrong due to religious dictates, to assessing it as a complex issue requiring consideration of various forms of suffering. Nuanced Position on Abortion: Leo describes the complexities of abortion, taking into account the mother's health, rape, incest, and the fetus's development stage. He argues that one's position evolves to factor in these nuances and once evolved, does not regress to simplistic, absolutist views. Permanent Expansion of Consciousness: He contends that once consciousness expands to a certain level, particularly regarding moral issues, it does not fully contract back, suggesting a permanent evolution in understanding complex issues. Ego Development in Politics: Leo cites Susan Cooke Gruyter's research on ego development, indicating that both morality and ego evolve through stages which in turn shape political views and voting behavior. Importance of Expanding Identity: Leo highlights that conscious politics requires expanding one's identity beyond personal biases towards universal love, resolving political conflicts through selflessness rather than selfishness. Taking Responsibility for Governmental Problems: Leo advocates for personal responsibility, education on complex problems, and expanding self-consciousness and capacity for love to resolve issues within government and society. Consequences of Low Consciousness Politics: He critiques low-consciousness political behaviors like blame, denial, and division, emphasizing that high-consciousness entails responsibility, empathy, and proactive problem-solving. Responsibility over Blame: Leo stresses the importance of claiming responsibility for one's role in societal and governmental issues rather than finding scapegoats across various factions and ideologies. Personal Accountability for Societal Actions: Leo argues that individuals must acknowledge their accountability for the actions of their governments, including war and human rights abuses, to provoke necessary changes. Low-Consciousness Political Behaviors: Leo highlights actions that reflect low-consciousness behavior in politics such as ridiculing opponents, experiencing joy in their suffering, holding views as absolutes, and demonizing others. These actions come from a place of contraction of the self and lack of compassion. Misinterpretation of Political Stance: He warns against the presumption that holding specific policy positions, such as support for healthcare or education, automatically equates to a higher level of consciousness. The true measure of conscious behavior is in the structure and approach to one's political engagement, not just content. Ideology and Devilry: Leo argues that no ideology or moral code, no matter how well-intentioned, can prevent "devilry," which is characterized by self-centered, harmful behaviors. Real change comes from personal growth and the expansion of one's sense of self. Limits of Technological Solutions: He criticizes the belief that technology alone can solve political and societal issues. Technology without moral and spiritual development can be misused and exacerbate problems. Depth of Political Discourse: Leo criticizes the superficial nature of current political discourse and the media's focus on trivial conflicts, stressing the importance of deeper analysis to solve serious societal issues. Ignorance of Political History: The lack of understanding about political history contributes significantly to societal issues. Leo stresses the importance of education and study to form a well-informed perspective on governance and politics. Education as a Political Tool: He considers high-quality, universally accessible education as one of the most effective ways to improve politics and society. However, those in power often resist educational reforms to maintain the status quo and their ideological dominance. Critiquing Policies from Above or Below: Leo touches on the method of critiquing policies from a higher or lower level of consciousness, demonstrating with the examples of religion and science critiques, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between these approaches. Criticism from Below and Above: Leo describes that criticisms can come from 'below' or 'above' based on the level of consciousness they are derived from. For instance, the simplistically negative portrayal of socialism on certain news networks is an example of criticism from below, while a more nuanced critique might focus on the practical challenges of collective ownership and decision-making within a corporation, which represents criticism from the above. Nuance in Political Criticism: Leo emphasizes that understanding the complexity of political ideologies like socialism requires nuanced scrutiny. He mentions how replacing a passionate CEO with committee rule could lack vision and direction, potentially leading to reduced productivity and failure—a nuanced criticism emanating from a higher understanding, distinct from the common pejorative attacks. Political Dichotomies Misleading: Leo warns against the oversimplification inherent in political dichotomies like left vs. right or capitalism vs. socialism. He advocates for judgments based on the level of consciousness, expansiveness of self, and universal love, as opposed to ideological labels. Conscious Approach to Politics: The conscious critique involves assessing policies and positions based on whether they stem from fear and selfishness or from a broader sense of inclusivity and empathy towards all. This approach goes beyond ideology and considers the overall welfare of humanity. Developmental Psychology and Spiral Dynamics: Leo reintroduces Spiral Dynamics within the context of political evolution, emphasizing that government systems have evolved from tribal structures (stage purple) with limited individuality and rife with warfare, through various stages including authoritarian (stage red), ethno-state nationalism (stage blue), democratic capitalism (stage orange), and social democracies (stage green). Evolution of Human Government: From primitive tribal governance to complex modern democracies, Leo illustrates that the evolution of societies has seen shifts from tribal communal living with frequent conflict, to authoritarian empires built through conquest, to nationalism and isolationism, and eventually towards democracies and market economies. Limitations of Unfettered Capitalism: Leo points out the shortcomings of a free-market capitalist system that ignores the growing disparity between socioeconomic classes, leading towards more socially responsible forms of governance found in stage green societies like Canada, Germany, and parts of the United States. Progressing toward Stage Yellow and Turquoise Governments: Leo projects that future governance will likely integrate aspects of socialism and capitalism (stage yellow) and envisages even further evolution towards global unity and spirituality (stage turquoise), though he acknowledges the challenges in transitioning between stages and the often-incomprehensible nature of each stage's worldview to those at lower levels. Emergence of Stage Yellow and Turquoise Governments: While glimpses of stage yellow and turquoise governments are starting to appear in Northern Europe, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia, they are still in the early stages of development. Full understanding of what these governments look like remains uncertain as these stages are still forming and facing resistance from lower stages trying to maintain the status quo. Characteristics of Stage Yellow Government: Anticipated characteristics of a stage yellow government include a hybrid system of socialism and capitalism, moving towards a world government akin to a more developed UN, systemic thinking about social problems, and consciousness of human development stages. Such governments are expected to promote growth across all stages of development while respecting their unique worldviews. Concept of Stage Turquoise Government: Stage turquoise government is theorized to derive from mystical insights and a Gaia-centric worldview, incorporating spirituality into governance in a way that differs dramatically from evangelical or fundamentalist attempts to unify church and state. A turquoise government is suggested to lean towards a global government, where nations recognize their interdependence within the global ecosystem. Different Political Perspectives at Each Stage of Development: Each stage of human development, such as stage blue, orange, or green, lives in a different subjective "world," leading to misunderstandings and conflict. Individuals in these stages lack awareness of the multiplicity of perspectives and developmental stages, often viewing those in other stages as irrational. Two Tiers of Politics: Politics can be divided into Tier 1 (green, orange, blue, and below) and Tier 2 (yellow and above). Tier 1 politics are mired in the content of particular policies and ideologies, operating from a survival mindset. In contrast, Tier 2 politics adopt a meta-perspective, focusing on systemic issues and expanding beyond physical survival to include consciousness and a more expansive sense of self. Moving Beyond Ideological Positions to Tier 2: Escaping ideological positions and moving to Tier 2 requires a shift from survival-based thinking to a focus on being and consciousness, expanding beyond selfish needs. Liberals should not assume they are already at Tier 2 without transcending survival-based positions. Inescapable Interdependence with Society: Individuals cannot truly escape society; even apparent autonomy or wealth relies on social structures and systems that have developed over thousands of years. Acknowledging membership in a societal superorganism, which encompasses local to global communities, is crucial. Importance of Bureaucracy and the Legal Court System: Bureaucracy, particularly the court system, is essential to the functioning of society. It provides a mechanism to resolve conflicts equitably, preventing disputes from escalating into violence and tribal warfare. The legal system supports the structural integrity of government and the peaceful coexistence of diverse social groups. Cultural Significance of Dowries in Tribal Societies: In tribal cultures, significant resources, such as livestock, may be required as dowry for marriages, crucial for the survival and continuation of lineage. Disputes over such dowries could lead to prolonged, violent inter-tribal conflicts. Lack of Conflict Resolution Mechanisms: Without a court system to adjudicate disputes, trivial issues between tribes can escalate into blood feuds, resulting in cycles of revenge and tribal warfare, potentially lasting for generations. Role of Courts in Peacekeeping: A fair and impartial court system provides a structured method of resolving disputes, preventing bloodshed by ensuring disputes over property, such as the dowry pig, are resolved legally, without resorting to violence. Government's Monopoly of Force: Governments maintain a monopoly of force to prevent individuals from exacting personal justice, which could otherwise lead to endless cycles of tribal warfare. Function of Law and Government: Laws establish clear societal guidelines to adjudicate disputes. The government enforces these laws, ensuring peace by protecting the rights of individuals and preventing the escalation of conflicts. Natural Formation of Groups for Survival: In a free society, people naturally form groups like cabals, factions, or religions to gain survival advantages, leading to potential conflict when these groups compete for resources or ideological dominance. Government as a Preventive Measure Against Tribalism: A functioning government system prevents the rise of oppressive groups by upholding a constitution and laws that ensure the peaceful coexistence of various subgroups within society. Necessity of Government and Education for Moral Development: Universal morality, where individuals care for all equally, requires millennia of government and education, indicating the complexity of achieving societal fairness on a large scale. Current Societal Injustice and Selfishness: Even in the most developed countries, society remains grossly unfair and exploitative, a condition often ignored due to selfish interests. Internalization of Oppression: Oppressed individuals, such as women in certain cultures or economic wage slaves, may not recognize their oppression as it's deeply internalized and rationalized as normal within their cultural context. Denial of Systemic Oppression by Beneficiaries: Those who benefit from systemic oppression, such as employers of wage slaves, often deny the existence of oppression, viewing the status quo as a normal aspect of societal operation. Cultural and Systemic Nature of Oppression: Oppression is more rooted in cultural norms and systemic structures than individual actions, with the culture of certain industries, like Wall Street, normalizing oppressive behaviors for survival. Cultural Oppression in Business: American business culture permits employers to exploit employees by paying inadequate wages. This behavior is normalized within Wall Street culture to the point that CEOs face pressure from stockholders to minimize wages and break unions to maximize profits. Contraction of Self in Stockholders: The problem is exacerbated by stockholders with a narrow sense of self who are only concerned with their stock portfolio, showing no concern for the employees of the companies they invest in. CEOs Within the System: High-level executives like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk may not recognize the exploitation as an issue due to being accustomed to the stage orange cultural mindset. They may feel restricted to change the system, fearing removal by their boards. Collective vs Personal Responsibility: Leo argues that taking collective responsibility is as important as personal responsibility. Specifically, society must acknowledge systemic issues such as racism and economic inequality in order to address them effectively. Economic Barbarism: Criticizes the vast wealth disparity in developed countries, where billionaires squander resources while others work multiple jobs and still struggle to meet basic needs, preventing them from self-actualizing or contributing to society to their full potential. Benefits of Resource Distribution: Suggests a more equitable distribution of wealth would not only benefit the poor but society as a whole, including the wealthy, by allowing potential scientists, artists, and entrepreneurs to contribute to societal advancements. Personal Wealth and Societal Change: Leo discusses the ironic situation where those benefiting from the oppressive system feel threatened by calls for equality. He promotes a selfless view of politics that seeks the best outcome for humanity, not just for an individual such as himself. Selfishness and Cognitive Dissonance: Addresses how the ego rationalizes oppressive behaviors like slavery as moral and right to avoid internal conflict. This cognitive dissonance allows oppressors to feel justified in their actions and resist changes to the system. Unsustainability of Oppression: Leo explains that long-term oppression leads to civil unrest and eventually violent upheaval as people seek to rectify inequality, and posits that if a government isn't alleviating such inequality, it is corrupt and in need of reform. Profiting from Others' Suffering: Highlights that some businesses and professions are built on exploiting others. He also points out that peace, a universal ideal, can be seen as detrimental to those invested in industries like the military, revealing the complexity of systemic issues. Military-Industrial Complex Justifications: Workers in the military-industrial complex create narratives to justify their roles, believing they are necessary for national security and dismissing peace as unrealistic, thus prioritizing their personal survival and economic interests over peace. Profit-driven Healthcare System: In the U.S., hospitals, insurance companies, and pharmaceuticals oppose universal healthcare due to financial interests, leveraging narratives that frame free healthcare as irresponsible and un-American, ignoring the deaths resulting from the lack of affordable medical care. Healthcare Lobbying Against Universal Care: The healthcare industry spends large sums lobbying against government-provided free quality care, driven by the fear of losing profit and personal luxuries, perpetuating a system that values profit over life. Ego-centric Morality and Circle of Concern: Individuals often only extend their sense of responsibility and moral concern to their immediate family, failing to apply the same level of care universally due to underdeveloped senses of self and morality. Education as a Threat to Private Institutions: Free high-quality education is resisted by private schools and universities because it poses a significant threat to their business model, which leads to lobbying efforts against such initiatives. Normativity and Relativity of Morals: Norms and moral 'shoulds' are arbitrary and relative, with no objective basis in reality, necessitating consensus and government to enforce agreed-upon rules for societal function. Government as a Construct in the Absence of Objective Morality: Because objective morality is non-existent, government is required to establish and maintain social order, a collective agreement on rules that is necessary when people inherently disagree on moral standards. Morality and the Overton Window: The political spectrum and concepts of right and wrong are relative to era and culture, reflected in the shifting Overton Window, which underscores the evolution of societal norms over time. Evolution of Societal Morality: Societal norms are not static but build upon the past, evolving gradually and shifting the divide between what is considered liberal or conservative, making it improper to judge the past with today's moral standards. Progress is Relative to Historical Context: Societal progress must be understood in relative terms, appreciating the struggles of the past and recognizing the evolutionary nature of moral stances like the abhorrence of slavery. Geographical Challenges and Government Development: Environmental factors such as geography and climate significantly impact the ease of developing stable government structures. For instance, in Africa, harsh conditions and the aggressive environment of the jungle present unique challenges to building infrastructure and create obstacles for government organization and stability. Dangers of Romanticizing the Past: Leo warns against the common tendency to idealize the past, particularly among conservatives. He refutes the notion that earlier times, such as 1950s America or pre-civilization agrarian societies, were idyllic, emphasizing that they were plagued by slavery, famine, disease, poverty, and illiteracy. Inevitability of Societal Evolution: Society and technology must evolve together, and it is not possible to return to earlier, simpler times. As technology progresses, it necessitates changes in power dynamics, structures, and sustainability. Societal structures must be advanced enough to support the complexities of new technologies. Complexity of Systemic Solutions: Societal issues are intricate and often require counterintuitive solutions. Leo criticizes Tier 1 thinking, which oversimplifies societal problems and ignores future disruptive technologies requiring social changes. He advocates for systemic thinking, which accounts for interconnectedness and long-term consequences. Need for Balanced and Systems Thinking: Balanced decision-making is crucial in politics and society. Systems thinking, which transcends selfish manipulation, considers the greater good and ensures functionality for all. Real balance is situation-specific and not a mere midpoint between extremes. Observation and Open-mindedness in Politics: Understanding politics and society requires in-depth observation, studying history, and keeping an open mind. Mystical experiences can broaden consciousness and inspire an expanded sense of self, fostering a more cooperative and compassionate society. Avoid Turning Conscious Politics into Ideology: Leo advises against formulating an ideology out of the principles of conscious politics. Ideologies can confine and distort concepts, whereas an evolving understanding allows for greater applicability and positive societal transformation. Spiritual Work for Conscious Society: To truly comprehend and contribute to a conscious society, individuals must engage in spiritual work that expands consciousness to universal levels, enabling an inclusive perspective that sees all beings as interconnected parts of the self and the world as a unified community. Dissendium

Conscious Politics - Part 1 - The Deepest Political Analysis You'll Ever Hear https://youtu.be/klWq18u3GiU "One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors." - Plato Purpose of the 'Conscious Politics' Series: Leo plans a multi-part series on 'conscious politics', aiming to correct widespread ignorance about politics and government, and provide a new holistic approach with practical applications. Personal Political Awakening: Leo shares that, parallel to his personal spiritual awakening, he has undergone a political awakening. This has led to profound insights, which he intends to translate into tangible policy proposals under the banner of 'conscious politics'. Definitions and Requirements for Understanding: Detailed foundational theories and modalities such as non-duality, spiral dynamics, self-deception, and systems thinking are required to grasp the concepts Leo will be discussing about 'conscious politics'. Self-Deception in Politics: Voters and politicians are mutually self-deceived, which complicates the political landscape, extending beyond simplistic finger-pointing at specific leaders or parties. Global Relevance of Discussed Principles: Although Leo utilizes examples from American politics, the principles he discusses are universally applicable to political situations worldwide. Spirituality and Politics Integration: Rejecting the notion that spirituality and politics should be separated, Leo stresses the role of politics in elevating societal and individual consciousness, and advocates for the involvement of conscious individuals in politics. Hazards of Political Apathy: Refusing to engage in politics leads to the proliferation of unconscious politics, characterized by selfishness and destructive behaviors, which Leo refers to as "devilry." Insufficiency of Traditional Spiritual Teachings: Leo criticizes traditional spiritual teachings for lacking modern insights such as ecology and modern psychology, and calls for an integrated approach where philosophy and politics complement each other. Introduction to 'Conscious Politics': Leo presents 'conscious politics' as an innovative approach, integrating deep theoretical foundations with practical policy implications, addressing the complex and deceptive nature of politics. Culture Wars and Politics: The current political climate is marred by culture wars fueled by social justice warriors and their opponents. This leads to a distraction from serious issues and derails meaningful discussions. Transcendence of Partisan Politics: Leo Gura stresses the importance of transcending conventional partisan politics and group think. He asserts that both the political left and right are flawed and encourages aiming for higher consciousness in political thought. Limitations of Political Positions: Leo advises that we should acknowledge the limitations of any political position we hold, understanding that they are partial and may serve as a defense mechanism for our egos. Elevation in Conscious Politics: At the heart of conscious politics is the idea of elevation, which refers to the level of self-awareness and consciousness, surpassing the simplistic binary of left versus right politics. Misperceptions in Media Analysis: Media tends to ignore the conscious-unconscious spectrum in politics, getting caught in the left-right dichotomy and misanalyzing the political scenario. Government Taken for Granted: Leo argues that modern citizens take government for granted due to the success and efficiency of state functions, leading to complacency and the adoption of dismissive ideologies about government's value. Government as a Technology: Leo characterizes government as a technology more significant than the internet or electricity, underscoring its role in creating democracy, free speech, minority rights, and more, which were once radical innovations. Danger of Status Quo Thinking: He cautions against being trapped in the status quo, emphasizing the need for openness to radical new advances within society and government as it grows and evolves. Government's Scale and Complexity: Leo explains that the government is an extraordinary organization that manages to build consensus among hundreds of millions of people with varying ideologies, a feat that should not be underestimated. Misconceptions about the Role of Government: Tackling the notion that government is only a burden, Leo lists the extensive protections and services provided by the government including protection from enslavement, oppression, theft, and ensuring property rights and fair court systems. Government as a Protector and Provider: Leo describes government as an essential provider of services like crime prevention, emergency services, natural disaster relief, healthcare, and infrastructure such as roads and sewage systems. It also supports citizens through poverty relief, public education, and research and development for health. Subsidies and Regulations for Public Welfare: Leo mentions farming subsidies to prevent famines, building codes for safe construction, and food regulations to maintain hygiene and avoid health hazards, illustrating government's role in ensuring public welfare and safety. Enforcement of Minority Rights: The maintenance and enforcement of minority rights are highlighted as a critical role of government, which prevents the oppression of minorities by the majority, and Leo stresses that without government, minority rights would be at risk. Private Sector Limitations: Leo argues against the libertarian notion that the private sector can replace government functions. He emphasizes the private sector's profit motive can undermine fair adjudication and public welfare, potentially leading to exploitative and unchecked corporate power. Vital Functions Beyond Private Capabilities: Leo outlines areas where government is essential, such as protecting citizens from enslavement, providing a just court system, and preventing corporately-owned nuclear proliferation, functions the private sector cannot objectively or fairly manage. Myth of Non-Aggression Principle: Leo challenges the libertarian idea of the non-aggression principle by asserting that enforcing moral norms requires a form of aggression, which is the role of the government to maintain order and protect citizens from exploitation. Critique of Stage Orange Political Views: Leo critiques the Spiral Dynamics stage Orange level of cognitive development, common among libertarians, for its naiveté regarding the nature of freedom, individualism, materialism, and the reality of collective problems in society. Responsibility in Materialist Philosophy: Leo stresses the flaws of a hyper-materialistic society, highlighting the need for more than just economic growth and profit maximization to address societal issues, and challenges the toxic masculinity that often accompanies materialist philosophy. Myopic Selfish Mentality: Leo criticizes the selfish attitude prevalent in society where individuals prioritize personal gain over the well-being of others and the environment, assuming they can insulate themselves from societal issues. Misunderstood Necessity of Bureaucracy: Leo challenges the negative perception of bureaucracy, arguing that high-quality bureaucracy is crucial for a country's development and is a distinguishing feature between first and third-world countries. Role of Government in History: Leo traces the evolution of government, explaining it arose from human advancements in agriculture and settlement, enabling the accumulation of resources which required protection. Brutality of the Animal Kingdom: He describes the animal kingdom as ruled by survival instincts without moral or ethical codes, and how humans, through the establishment of government, have curated a space to protect themselves from this brutality. The Birth of City-states: Leo depicts the rise of ancient city-states as defensive measures against the norm of conquering, looting, enslaving, and raping neighboring tribes, illustrating a move towards organization and protection. Freedom's Complexity and Brutality: Dispelling notions of freedom as unequivocally positive, Leo asserts that true unrestricted freedom in human societies would lead to chaos, emphasizing the government's role in moderating this by implementing rules for fairness and peace. Government's Role in Unification: He credits government with unifying diverse groups with different ethical beliefs and values by establishing common legal standards to maintain order and protect citizens against extreme violence and anarchy. Technology of Government: Leo presents government as the most remarkable human technology for achieving fairness and peace, a counterintuitive notion as it necessitates limiting absolute freedom in exchange for safety and collective advancement. Trade-offs and Benefits of Government: Discussing the balance between individual freedom and governmental control, Leo notes that while some freedoms are surrendered, governments enable the construction of society-improving infrastructure, paradoxically increasing overall freedom. Inevitable Role of Government in Modern Conveniences: Governmental infrastructure plays a crucial role in enabling modern conveniences like global travel, the internet, and space exploration. The liberties we enjoy today, such as instant global communication and international flights, would not be possible without stable governments laying the foundation for such advancements. Interplay of Individualism and Collectivism: Leo Gura talks about the necessity of balancing individual freedoms with the benefits of collectivism. Mankind thrives the most when it forms cohesive collectives on a large scale, unlike smaller animal groups that lack complex organization. Society and Holons: The concept that people are both individuals and parts of a larger whole, or 'holons,' is discussed. Just like the hand is part of the body and serves a purpose within a larger system, individuals must balance their autonomy with their roles within the greater collective of society. Problems with Extreme Individualism: Excessive individualism is criticized, especially within libertarian and Stage Orange thinking, for neglecting the interconnected nature of society. The balance between individual freedom and contributing to the collective is essential for a flourishing community and government. Government's Role in Group Regulation: Leo emphasizes that government is responsible not only for individuals' quality of life but also for regulating the various groups within society, such as religious denominations, corporations, and political factions. Politics as a Reflection of Identity and Survival: Politics is deeply intertwined with identity and survival. The negotiation of power and resources is influenced by the identities and collective egos present within society, with each group seeking to ensure its own survival. Recognition of Humankind’s Evolutionary Political Arc: Human political history shows an arc leading toward greater equality, consciousness, freedom, and unity. Governments play a central role in building a society that facilitates complexity and advanced human activities, like space exploration, which wouldn’t be possible without organized governance. Survival Dependent on Identity: Survival is tied to individual or collective identity, and politics is fundamentally a negotiation of individual and group survival strategies. Practically, politics is about moderating levels of selfishness among competing agendas to avoid extremity and devastation. Recurring Patterns of Division and Unity: Reality at a metaphysical level involves a cycle of dividing and reuniting. Humankind has historically divided into tribes and nations but has also seen periods of unification and cohesion. This natural process suggests cycles of unity following divisions are essential for sustainable progress. Central Role of Identity in Politics: Identity, whether individual or collective, is central to politics. It determines what needs to survive and thus becomes the subject of political negotiation, resulting in politics often being passionate, emotional, and irrational due to people's lack of consciousness about their own identity-driven behaviors. Managing Selfishness through Government: Government and politics serve to regulate the inherent selfishness in human nature by providing a system that moderates the distribution of power and resources, aiming to keep selfish behaviors in check to ensure a stable society. Selfishness and Karma: Selfish actions tend to provoke retaliation, creating a cycle of aggression. When one acts with extreme selfishness, it breeds resentment and potential violence in others, which in turn can lead to acts of revenge. Politics as a Negotiation of Power: Politics involves a negotiation over the distribution of power and resources. Government and politics are consistently concerned with this redistribution, contrary to the notion that it's exclusive to socialist agendas. Selfishness in Redistribution: Many individuals and corporations aim to maximize their own power and resources without concern for fairness or equality. This is evident in practices like lobbying, where entities influence government to benefit themselves at the expense of others. Reduction of Brutality and Oppression: The long-term goal of politics should be to reduce brutality and oppression, creating equitable systems that benefit society as a whole. Government should work to create a fairer distribution of resources and develop infrastructures that elevate societal freedom and complexity. Community and Evolution: Government and politics foster community and participate in the evolution of society by supporting large-scale cooperative events that build social cohesion. They also contribute to emergent higher levels of organizational complexity and consciousness. Consensus Building in Government: With diverse survival agendas, creating consensus in government is challenging. Government tries to satisfy the majority and prioritize decisions that are generally beneficial, which leads to culture wars, policy debates, and conflicts. Relativity of the Best Government: The concept of the 'best' government is misleading because it's relative; what benefits one group's survival might not benefit another's. Recognizing the absence of absolute right or wrong is key to understanding and addressing disagreements. Societal Inclusivity in Government: Unlike other organizations, government must be inclusive, catering to all societal members, even the most problematic ones. Instead of isolating problematic individuals, it's more effective to integrate and manage them with proper systems and infrastructure. Interconnectivity in Addressing Societal Problems: Dealing with the challenges of fringe members of society, like the poor or mentally ill, requires integrated and humane solutions. Helping and satisfying these individuals can prevent harmful behaviors that affect society.[BR] On Isolationist Policies: Government should not engage in isolationist policies such as walling off or confining troublesome elements, as they do not address the root problems and can ultimately lead to larger issues due to global interconnectivity. Complex Nature of Collectives: Governance is uniquely challenging because it must be inclusive and account for all types of people and multiple intersecting collectives, not just a select elite minority. Government and Worldviews: Governing is complicated by the vastly different worldviews and survival agendas of people, each constructing their reality from their mental constructs, making unification a complex task. Pragmatism in Governance: Government is a highly pragmatic endeavor dealing with vital life-and-death issues affecting billions, including famine, poverty, oppression, and violence, which go beyond theoretical politics. On Evolution of Government: Governments evolve through natural selection and trial and error, and unlike biological evolution, human society can consciously participate in shaping government, giving individuals significant responsibility in its design. Thought Experiment on Reincarnation: Suggests that choosing a fair and equal government becomes crucial if one is to reincarnate into various identities throughout the world, highlighting the importance of fairness and avoiding selfish biases. Ultimate Aim of Government: The primary aim of government should be to elevate consciousness and love as it transcends different identities and is a universal human desire, guiding the design of society away from materialism and toward these values. Materialism and Government Design: Points out that if governments are not designed to elevate consciousness and love, they default to fostering low consciousness values like materialism, greed, and division. Spirituality in Government: Proposes that a non-ideological form of spirituality should underpin government and society, avoiding scientism and materialism, and dismissing notions that this would lead to a theocracy. Evolutionary Perspective on Politics and Government: Leo Gura describes how understanding the origin of life and the universe as an infinitely expanding love fractal recontextualizes politics and government. He emphasizes that aligning with the force of evolution could lead to creating a beautiful society and reducing suffering. Conscious Politics vs Traditional Politics: Leo contrasts conscious politics with traditional politics, stating that the latter is about selfishness, not consciousness or love. He advocates for a holistic approach that includes raising consciousness and love universally, transcending human affairs and including all living beings. Integration of Individual and Collective Consciousness: He stresses the interconnectedness of individual and collective consciousness, promoting societal structures that allow people to meet their basic needs and thus pursue higher consciousness, benefiting not just the individuals but society as a whole. Vicious Cycle of Low Consciousness: Leo identifies a cycle where a low consciousness government creates low consciousness citizens who in turn support a low consciousness government. He suggests that establishing a high consciousness government can reverse this cycle, leading to positive societal development. End Self-Dealing in Government: Leo criticizes self-dealing and corruption within government, advocating for the end of these practices. He calls for responsible government that provides value for taxpayers' money and citizens who are politically aware and hold their government accountable. Materialism and the Role of Government: Leo criticizes materialism and highlights the need for government and society to be underpinned by spirituality focused on consciousness and love rather than profit. He warns against businessmen running governments like businesses as it can undermine efficacy and citizen well-being. Eliminating Corruption Instead of Government: Leo disputes libertarian claims that smaller government is better, arguing for good, effective, and responsible government instead. He insists combating corruption and self-dealing should be the focus, as government and taxation are inherent necessities. Accountability and Education in Politics: He urges voters to be educated and engaged in political processes. Active political participation and an informed citizenry are seen as the solutions to government problems, not privatization or undermining the government. Reforming Existing Government Structures: Leo calls for reforming and evolving current government structures rather than creating new ones, akin to the process of human evolution. He concludes by promising more practical insights and principles for conscious politics in the continuation of his talk. Flagrate

How Authority Works - Where Does Truth Come From https://youtu.be/xyzYKVL5CB0 "A foolish faith in authority is the worst enemy of truth." - Albert Einstein "If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him." - Zen Master Linji Nature of Authority: Authority is the power or trust that individuals place in others or entities to serve as sources of truth or knowledge. Leo emphasizes that people rely on authority constantly, without fully understanding its nature or origin. Challenge of Trust: Deciding who to trust, from religious texts to scientists and educators, is a fundamental challenge for everyone. Leo poses questions about validating the authority of these sources. Infinite Regress Problem: Trust in any authority leads to a chain of questioning each source's credibility. Leo illustrates that this creates a circular problem of infinite regress since we can always question the authority of our sources of truth. Non-duality and True Authority: Leo explains that non-duality—everything being one without separation—means there can be no external authority, only oneself. The understanding that there is no 'other' to rely on for truth or knowledge is profound and essential. Self as Ultimate Authority: Leo posits that all individuals are the ultimate authority and arbiter of truth. He makes a radical claim stating individuals assert their own existence and, by extension, all truth in the universe. Individual as God: The concept that each person is God and has created themselves, the universe, and all other beings (though not consciously aware of it) is crucial. Self-awareness as God implies that there are no external sources of truth since all perceived sources are projections of one's mind. No External Validation for God: He examines the hypothetical scenario of a separate God needing validation for its existence. Leo argues that true God (the individual) could not turn towards anything external for validation of their existence or truth, as that would be a delusion in a state of oneness. Authority Derived from Self-Assertion: Leo affirms that individuals hold the deepest authority through their self-assertion, including the assertion that they exist, which does not require external verification. Unconscious Projection of Authority: People offload the responsibility of their absolute authority onto external figures or institutions unknowingly, creating a false sense of external validation and truth. Creating Value in Authority Figures: Leo makes clear that the perceived authority of prizes, degrees, credentials, and institutions has no inherent value other than the significance individuals collectively decide to give them. Reflection of Individual Authority: Trust in authoritative figures or entities is portrayed as a reflection of one's own projected authority, which is then mistakenly perceived as independent authority raining down on the individual. Authority in Scientific Research: All research, experiments, data, evidence, interpretations, and analyses are only considered true if one grants them authority; it’s a subjective endorsement rather than an intrinsic quality. Individual's Role in Validating Science: One personally determines the validity of scientific experiments and research, not just the scientists conducting them. It’s an individual's judgment that ultimately matters in assessing truth. Authority in Religious Contexts: Religions and their texts gain credence solely through the individual's choice to believe in them. Historical roles of priests, rabbis, and kings were seen as credible because society collectively agreed to give them authority. University's Religious Roots: Universities, originally religious institutions, have evolved, but the authority derived there is still granted by individual belief, highlighting the continuity of authority being a personal projection rather than inherent. Circular Reasoning in Religion: Fundamentalist religious adherents often use circular reasoning to justify their beliefs (e.g., the Bible is true because it's God's word), not realizing they are the source of that authority. Problem of Undue Faith in Science: The belief that science is immune to issues of faith is misguided; the scientific community struggles with the same authority challenges as religion. Nobel Prizes and Credibility in Science: The pursuit of accolades like Nobel Prizes is more about garnering respect and authority among peers than establishing objective truth, underscoring that in science authority is social, not empirical. Education System's Transferred Authority: Education systems rely on transmitting assumed truths rather than verified knowledge, with individuals accepting less than 1% of what is taught as truth without personal validation. Evolution of Political Authority: Political authority has evolved from being interlinked with religious and scientific authority to being more independent, reflecting shifts in the collective agreement about where to bestow authority. Authority in Spirituality and Non-Duality: Spirituality, especially non-dual teachings, can suffer from misplaced authority when individuals defer to teachings and teachers rather than realizing their own capacity to discern truth. Spiritual Practitioners and Authority Figures: Leo Gura points out that spiritual seekers often create new authority figures by following various teachers, gurus, and spiritual schools such as Zen or Yoga, without realizing they are projecting their authority onto these entities and thus hindering their awakening to being God. Awakening to Self as God: He emphasizes that recognizing oneself as God and the ultimate truth is hindered when one elevates gurus or spiritual doctrines above their own understanding, mistakenly thinking these external figures know more or are more enlightened. The Illusion of Separate Truth: Leo argues that by considering others, such as Sadhguru, as higher authority figures who possess more truth, individuals fail to recognize that they themselves are the absolute truth, with no intermediary needed between them and this realization. Childhood Roots of Authority Seeking: The propensity to trust external authority figures is traced back to childhood when reliance on parents and teachers for survival is imperative. However, this reliance can persist unexamined into adulthood, obscuring fundamental truths that must come from within oneself. False Security in Anchored Reality: Gura discusses how individuals create a false sense of security by anchoring their reality in various belief systems—whether Christianity, Buddhism, science, or philosophy—to avoid the challenging task of figuring out reality for themselves. Danger of Blind Acceptance: He warns against blindly accepting cultural answers as truth without serious self-reflection, self-inquiry, and exploration of alternative perspectives, which erroneously simplifies the understanding of reality. Critical Independent Thinking: Leo stresses the importance of critical thinking and decries common attitudes that downplay self-thought in favor of uncritically adopting the thoughts and beliefs of others, including spiritual wisdom. Authority in Fundamentalism and Spirituality: He criticizes both religious fundamentalists and spiritual followers for devoting energy to rituals and external symbols while overlooking the ultimate pointer these signs are meant to reveal: their inherent divinity. Trapped in Devotion Without Self-Realization: Gura suggests that religious devotion, without the realization of one's own divinity, is futile and that individuals who do not acknowledge their role in assigning authority to their beliefs are unable to help themselves awaken fully. Paradox of Belief Systems: Leo explains that strong beliefs in ideologies like Christianity, for individuals who fully embrace them, become irrefutable personal truths because such individuals have given these ideologies their ultimate authority, rendering them true in their experience. Authority and Cultural Religion: Individuals typically adopt the religion of their culture not through sophisticated choice, but through conformity, lacking exploration of alternatives, which Leo likens to robotic or zombie-like behavior. Authority in Scientific Rationalism: Leo critiques scientific rationalists, like fans of Sam Harris, for constructing their own authorities through a preference for scientific studies and materialist approaches without actually deeply questioning or understanding the epistemology of science. Skepticism and Debunking: He also notes that skeptics and debunkers set up their own authorities that they trust for skepticism and debunking, making modern skepticism ironically self-defeating without realizing it. Zen and Buddha Worshippers: Leo observes that even in seemingly pure spiritual paths like Zen, followers often fail to self-enlighten because they are preoccupied with worshiping their masters or idols like Buddha without realizing they are themselves the Buddha. Devotion to Gurus in Hindu Spirituality: Leo criticizes excessive devotion to gurus in Hindu spirituality and yoga as a significant barrier to followers fully reclaiming their authority and realizing their inherent Godhood. Mental Delusion and Loss of Reality: Using mentally deranged individuals and conspiracy theorists as case studies, Leo shows how they create their own realities by giving their beliefs absolute authority, showcasing how difficult it is to change such beliefs. Open-Mindedness as Antidote: Leo stresses the importance of open-mindedness to prevent being trapped by one's own delusional beliefs and to discover one's Godhood. The Process of Reclaiming Authority: To reclaim personal authority, Leo suggests tracing back the origin of one's beliefs, becoming aware of daily authority seeding, taking ownership of beliefs, thinking independently, and pursuing personal truth realization. Realizing Divinity: For true enlightenment, individuals need to realize they are God through their own epiphany, and not merely believe it because someone else said so or as an abstract idea. Validation and Consciousness: Leo Gura underscores that seeking external validation for one's divinity indicates a lack of consciousness. True recognition of oneself as God, or ultimate authority, requires accessing infinite consciousness and intelligence. Impossibility of External Validation in Non-Dual State: He asserts that in a state of non-dual God consciousness, the distinction between internal and external, including traditional concepts like proof, evidence, and science, dissolves into irrelevance. Consequences of External Validation: Chasing external validation signifies being captivated by the illusion of others and not realizing the self-originating nature of authority. Solitude in Omniscience: Achieving omniscience and realizing oneself as the sole existence brings both the ultimate truth and the realization of being entirely alone, unable to share this truth with the imagined 'others'. Ultimate Ground of Authority: Leo emphasizes that individuals must fully reclaim their authority, which involves grounding oneself in the absolute truth to avoid reliance on validation from others. Danger of Authority Compromise: Compromising truth by seeking external validation leads individuals to align with fallacies and misconceptions, which Leo metaphorically attributes to 'compromising with Devils'. Truth Discovery and Critical Thinking: Leo advises viewers to develop their own conclusions critically, embracing constructive feedback and expert perspectives not for validation, but for exposure to new worldviews. God's Limitations as Blind Spots: Highlighting that God encompasses all, including limitations, Leo notes that 'God' or one's ultimate consciousness can still have blind spots. These can be addressed through the input and different perspectives of 'others'. Navigating Self-Deception and Authority: Leo addresses the role of false authority in society satisfied through basic survival needs which lead to manipulation, hoarding of authority, and conflict. Distinguishing between one's divine self and ego is crucial to avert self-deception. The Paradox of Self and God: The paradox of being God, according to Leo, is manifesting as a singular authority with absolute truth, while also recognizing the impossibility of communicating this truth to others who are perceived as separate. Reflection and Cross-Referencing: Leo advises cross-referencing diverse sources of information to counteract personal delusions and maintaining vigilance against self-deception. Leo's Self-Reflection on Actualized.org: He concludes by contemplating the possibility of his own teachings being a delusion, but stands by his realization of being God, an authority that may appear misguided to those who have yet to reach this state of consciousness. Bombarda

What Is Reality - A Radical Explanation https://youtu.be/jmBQRb5iuMg "Infinite Consciousness" Inquiring the nature of reality: Reality is described as infinite consciousness and infinite imagination. Physical reality, as perceived traditionally, is considered an assumption. Leo Gura contends that when we are born with no knowledge, we quickly learn and simultaneously misunderstand reality. Challenging long-held assumptions is stressed as they run deep in the subconscious. Physical reality as an impossibility: Leo emphasizes that physical objects are intrinsically impossible without consciousness. The existence of objects such as rocks, trees, cars, and the universe itself is not separate from consciousness. Moreover, the idea of being born, the Big Bang, and the progression of time are seen as imagined constructs. Present moment as the pinnacle of consciousness: The current moment and everything within—including one's body, emotions, and memories—are examples of consciousness in action. These aspects are not separate, physical entities but exist within consciousness as infinite imagination. The self is equivalent to this consciousness, further described as God, not in a traditional religious sense but as infinite imagination itself. The challenge in accepting reality as imagination: There exists a resistance to accepting that reality is imagined, and this resistance itself is suggested to be an aspect of imagination, reinforcing the idea that individuals are continuously creating their universe unknowingly. Grasping the concept of infinite consciousness: Understanding reality as pure imagination is not a semantic trick but a radical shift in perception. Leo discusses how this exploration may lead to a profound shift in understanding oneself and reality, possibly resulting in an 'enlightenment' or a mental breakdown, similar to a 'psychotic break.' Reality as a Hallucination: Leo Gura posits that reality and imagination are indistinguishable, equating deep insights into reality with experiences often deemed 'psychotic.' These realizations, while unsettling, are signs of awakening to the true nature of consciousness—as the sole creator of reality. Existence and non-existence within consciousness: Every concept, including death and non-existence, exists within consciousness. Leo rejects the conventional belief in an external reality and stresses that any experience or phenomenon is a product of consciousness, including the individual's understanding of life and death. Psychedelic experiences as consciousness expanders: Psychedelics are mentioned as tools for dismantling the perceived barriers between reality and imagination, potentially leading to an expanded state of consciousness. However, caution is advised due to the intensity of the effects, which can unravel one’s sense of reality. Embracing the awakening to radical reality: The realization of these radical truths is acknowledged as difficult, potentially destructive to current worldviews. Acceptance can result in a profound understanding of our role as creators and the true nature of our existence. Using hallucinogens to transcend reality boundaries: Leo Gura mentions LSD as a means to experience a state where reality and imagination merge, and objects become extensions of one's imagination. He advises against using highly potent hallucinogens like datura due to their disorienting and dangerous effects. Core teachings derived from Leo's experiences: Two principal teachings emerge - acknowledging oneself as God and recognizing everything as imaginary. The infinite and loving nature of consciousness is highlighted, though not deeply elaborated upon in this discussion. Realization of teachings as the main objective: Individuals are encouraged to actualize the knowledge that they are part of God, the collective consciousness. Acceptance and proactive realization of this teaching are vital as opposed to passively considering it as belief. The challenging pursuit of truth: The truth is described as radical and disruptive, with the potential to overturn grounded life views. Realizing the imaginary nature of all concepts aligns one with an eternal, infinite present, referred to as 'paradise,' offering peace and love. Future direction of teachings: Leo Gura signals that the theme of everything being imaginary will shape his future teachings, challenging many spiritual misconceptions. Understanding these radical concepts is crucial, and revisiting the topic is advised to address doubts and objections. Limitations as Imagined Constructs: Leo explains that the perceived limitations within the physical world, such as the inability to jump and land on the moon, are imagined constraints within consciousness. In reality, pure imagination has no limits because of oneness and non-duality, meaning that all boundaries between objects are also imaginary. Oneness and Infinite Reality: He asserts that because everything is fundamentally one and interconnected, there can be nothing outside of reality to limit or define it. Reality, therefore, must be unlimited in all aspects—not just spatially, but in all conceivable ways. Manifestation of Desires and Impossibilities: Leo emphasizes that reality, being infinitely intelligent and omnipotent, can manifest anything it wants immediately, and concepts of possibility and impossibility are actually figments of imagination. Even the distinctions we make between the real and the imaginary, or between what is possible and impossible, are imagined. The Building Blocks of Reality: According to Leo, reality is not made of physical matter like molecules or atoms, nor is it a digital simulation made of bits or information. Instead, reality is comprised of differences—the fundamental unit from which all elements of our perceived reality are constructed. Imagination Beyond Conventional Understanding: Leo challenges the conventional view of imagination, stating it's not limited to mental images and thoughts. He broadens the definition to include the physical reality around us, such as our hands, insisting that even these are imaginary. Understanding Imagination Through Elevated Consciousness: He clarifies that comprehending the imaginary nature of physical reality requires a significantly heightened level of consciousness. Under ordinary consciousness, physical objects do not seem imaginary, but as one's consciousness expands, it becomes clear that all of physical reality is indeed a product of imagination. Complexity and Sophistication of Imagination: Leo describes imagination as a nuanced and layered process responsible for creating all of physical reality. He cautions against oversimplifying his teachings, emphasizing that understanding the full depth of imagination's role in shaping reality requires considerable effort and openness to radical ideas. Self-Imagined Existence and the Struggle of Acceptance: He uses the metaphor of a 'slope of reality' to illustrate how individuals build their existence from birth, imagining their physical, psychological, and biological selves. Leo indicates that this steep slope of reality becomes a treacherous path as one begins to question the very fabric of their imagined reality, facing the fear of existential annihilation. Resistance to Radical Ideas Due to Attachment: Leo highlights that most individuals do not deeply question their existence due to fear and attachment to the life and worldview they have created. This fear serves as validation of the imaginary nature of reality but encountering it can be alarming and lead to what some might call a psychotic breakdown. Inability to distinguish reality: Leo discusses how deep questioning of reality can lead to an inability to distinguish what is real from fantasy, to the extent of not knowing if one's hand is real or if one's mother is a separate person. Realization of self-invention: He explains that through questioning, one may come to realize that they have been eternally imagining their existence, including their childhood and parents, right at this moment. Denial as a product of imagination: Leo suggests that all denials, including the disbelief that memories and parents are imaginary, are themselves products of one's imagination. Limits of imagination caused by imagination itself: He posits that people cannot imagine a new world because they are preoccupied with imagining the current one. Stopping this process would equate to death, which is also imagined. Layers of imagination: He clarifies that imagination has layers, and the more profound subconscious layers create our perception of the physical world, obstructing our ability to imagine at will. Imaginary and real as a product of imagination: Leo emphasizes that once something is imagined, it becomes the individual's reality. This includes imagining oneself in a room on a planet in a universe at a particular time. Infinite consciousness as the crux of reality: Leo concludes that realizing the imaginary nature of reality can be very radical, leading to what could be perceived as a psychotic breakdown due to the inability to distinguish reality from imagination. This leads to the dark night of the soul, a reevaluation of one's entire life, and the understanding that existence is an eternal act of imagination. LSD Experiences and the Boundary of Imagination: Leo discusses how high doses of LSD can cause reality to blend with imagination, leading to visual modifications like seeing eyes on one's fingertips or envisioning a car as a goat. This is due to an elevation in consciousness where the distinction between reality and imagination dissolves, allowing what is imagined to begin manifesting as reality. Danger of Potent Hallucinogens: He warns of the dangers of extremely potent psychedelics, like datura, which can cause indistinguishable hallucinations from reality. This is as contrasted with more manageable substances like LSD, where the user typically retains awareness that they're under the influence. Leo's Highest Teachings on Reality: Leo presents his two highest teachings derived from extensive study and experimentation: 1) You are God, nothing exists but God, and you are alone; and 2) Everything is imaginary. He emphasizes that these concepts should be actualized, not merely held as beliefs. Struggling with the Radical Truth: He observes that people avoid the truth due to its radical nature, which can threaten their life's narrative. Accepting these radical ideas can lead to an understanding of existence as an eternal present moment, which he equates with 'paradise'. Foreseeing a Shift in Teachings: Leo intimates that his future teachings will focus on the notion that everything is imaginary, a transformative idea that traverses much of spiritual misconceptions. He encourages the audience to revisit his points, understanding that doubts and objections are also products of imagination. Finite Incantatem

Understanding Relativism - Part 1 https://youtu.be/UyBETFn5KXk "The knowable world is incomplete if seen from any one point of view, incoherent if seen from all points of view at once, and empty if seen from nowhere in particular." - Richard Shweder Understanding Relativism - Part 1: Leo introduces and explores the profound philosophical concept of relativism beyond the scope of Einstein's physics. He emphasizes that relativism encompasses various aspects, including social, cultural, moral, ethical, and epistemic, as well as ontological and physical. Understanding relativism is often challenging and threatens established worldviews. Image 1 Image 2 Image 3 Image 4 Image 5 Image 6 Distinction Between Relativism and Absolutism: Relativism posits that all human beliefs, knowledge, and truth are relative, while absolutism asserts the existence of an objective reality and set of universal truths. Leo makes it clear that relativism does not equate to the absolute truth, which is an underlying, grounding truth distinct from any relativistic views. Different Types of Relativism: Leo delineates various kinds of relativism such as: social and cultural (customs and laws across societies), moral and ethical (moral standards across time), epistemic (different ways of knowing the world), and the more profound ontological and physical relativism (questioning the objectivity of the physical world). Relativity in Understanding: Leo explains that understanding concepts, such as the size of an elephant, is possible only through the comparison of other things—this process of comparison is the essence of relativity. Without comparing, humans cannot discern concepts like 'large' or 'small.' He stresses the importance of acknowledging that our perspectives are not impartial or objective but are inherently comparative. Relativity in Science: Despite the common perception of science as an objective truth, Leo argues that scientific knowledge is relative to its time, and what is considered scientific may change with the evolution of understanding. He also cautions that disagreements among scientists often stem from different perspectives and paradigms. Relativism's Role in Perceiving Reality: Leo insists that acceptance of relativism is key to unlocking a more accurate and comprehensive picture of reality. He maintains that there is an absolute truth, but our discussion of it is inevitably steeped in relativity. He invites individuals to be open to experiencing this absolute directly for profound personal development. Perception of Relativity: Leo demonstrates that relativity affects our perspective on common observations, such as the size of an elephant only being large when compared to a smaller creature, or the varying angles of a triangle on different geometric planes. He stresses that the 'facts' of a situation can remain the same while our perspectives on it can significantly alter based on our interpretations. Relativity in Geometry: The concept of relativity is evident in geometry, where Euclidean geometry's rules apply only on a flat plane, but change on a curved surface. This exemplifies relativity within academic disciplines, challenging the notion of absolute truths within these fields. Interpretation of Facts and Relativity: Leo argues that the impact the 'facts' have on us does not depend solely on the facts themselves, but rather on the perspective we take. He uses the glass half-full or half-empty analogy to illustrate how the same fact can evoke different emotions and interpretations depending on one's outlook. Physical Relativity and General Relativity: The Eiffel Tower's height is given as an example of physical relativity, showing that an object's measured properties, such as length, can change based on the observer's movement and velocity relative to the object. This underpins Einstein's theory of general relativity, which presents a reality that defies our intuitive understandings. Science as Relative: Leo underscores that the truths of science are contingent on the times, evoking humility in our current understanding and openness to future change, development, and the co-existence of alternative methods for comprehending the world. Relativity in Personal Taste and Opinion: Using dining experiences as an analogy, Leo shows relativity in individual tastes and opinions, demonstrating that reality differs from person to person, shaping our diverse and multifaceted world. Open-mindedness in Relativism: To truly grasp the concept of relativism, Leo encourages an openness to other points of view, warning that quick dismissal of differing perspectives can lead to a biased and absolutist worldview. Historical Context of Relativism: Leo revisits Anaximander's philosophical resolution of the floating Earth problem, highlighting the ancient realization that concepts like up and down are relative, framing this as a pivotal historical moment in the development of relativistic thought. Relativity in History and Philosophy: Scientific and philosophical advancements often stem from acknowledging relativity, as Leo points out with the example of Copernicus's heliocentric model, which was initially resisted due to prevailing geocentric views but later accepted, altering humanity's self-centric view of the universe. Challenge in Understanding Motion and Moral Frameworks: Due to our inherent position within our moral frameworks and physical presence on Earth, it's difficult for us to perceive the relative nature of these constructs and acknowledge their movement or evolution. Impact of Discovering the Americas: The European discovery of the Americas was a significant relativistic shock, demonstrating the diversity of human cultures, beliefs, and practices, and challenging the European monolithic worldview. Confrontation with Cultural and Religious Differences: Encountering vastly different cultures and religions, like those in the Americas, forced Europeans to question the superiority of their own practices and often led to conflict as they attempted to "civilize" or convert indigenous populations. Absolutism VS Relativism in Historical Context: The resistance to acknowledging the validity of indigenous American cultures exemplifies the dangers of absolutism. In contrast, adopting a relativistic perspective fosters open-mindedness and more accurate exploration of reality. Magellan's Circumnavigation and the Relativity of Time: Magellan's crew's discovery, upon returning to Europe, that they had lost a day highlighted the relativity of time and led to practical adaptations such as time zones and the establishment of Greenwich Mean Time. Cultural and Religious Relativity: As people experienced diverse cultures and religious practices through increased global travel, they faced cultural shock and began questioning the validity and absoluteness of their own cultural norms and religious beliefs. US Constitution and Religious Pluralism: The US Constitution's guarantee of religious pluralism was revolutionary at the time, challenging theocratic governance and paving the way for a society that acknowledged religious diversity. Shift from Absolutism to Relativism in Cognitive Development: The acceptance of the US Constitution's religious pluralism represented a paradigm shift in cognitive development from an absolutist viewpoint to a relativistic one. Advancement of Relativism through Geometry: The realization that Euclidean geometry's postulates did not hold on curved or multi-dimensional surfaces symbolized the advancement of scientific thought and the acceptance of relativism in understanding the world. Quantum Mechanics and the Relativity of Observation: Quantum mechanics demonstrated that observation affects the state of the observed, leading to the conclusion that measurements are inherently relative, not absolute, challenging traditional views of an independent reality. Quantum Mechanics and Relativity: Quantum mechanics reveals that measurement isn't absolute but entangled with the measuring instrument. Objects cannot be observed objectively as the act of measurement affects the observed, precluding any definitive account of an object's nature without the influence of the observation method employed. Persistence of Materialistic Worldviews: Despite quantum mechanics challenging established scientific thinking, many scientists still resist acknowledging its metaphysical and epistemic implications. This resistance hinders a deeper understanding of reality and impedes personal development by reinforcing a materialistic, absolutist paradigm. Interconnectedness of Science and Personal Development: Leo illustrates the direct link between scientific understanding and personal development. Recognizing relativity within scientific concepts like the indistinguishable nature of observer and observed can broaden one's ability to progress in self-actualization. Relative Nature of Spacetime: Einstein's theory of general relativity demonstrated the relativity of time, space, motion, and length, showing that dimensions like the length of an object are relative to the observer's speed and position. Despite empirical validation, the radical implications for notions of absolute physical realities are often underestimated or outright denied. Image 7 Denial and Resistance to Relativistic Discoveries: Historically, each major relativistic discovery, such as Einstein's theories or non-Euclidean geometry, has faced rejection and ridicule from those unwilling to relinquish their absolutist worldviews. This denial is rooted in the intrinsic link between an individual's identity and their perception of reality. Leonard Susskind's Acknowledgment of Relativity: Citing prominent physicist Leonard Susskind, Leo points out that even renowned scientists may not fully comprehend the extent of relativity's impact on our understanding of reality, despite acknowledging that different observers perceive different realities. Caution Against Oversimplifying Relativity: Leo warns against trivializing the concept of relativity. He explains that it's a complex idea that requires significant consideration and study, and it's easy to misconstrue it without thoroughly grasping its nuances. Discovery of Multiple Logics: The realization that there are infinitely many forms of logic beyond Aristotelian logic further emphasizes the relativity of logical systems, expanding the landscape from a singular 'true' logic to a multiplicity of equally valid logical frameworks. Quinn's Ontological Relativism: Quinn's theory proposes that language and worldview are so closely intertwined with an individual's ontology that truly comprehending another's perspective requires immersing oneself deeply in their culture and experiencing their reality firsthand. Thomas Kuhn's Paradigm Theory: Kuhn's paradigm theory, alongside the concept of incommensurability, suggests that science progresses through different worldviews that can never be fully reconciled, making scientific progress relative to the prevailing paradigm. Influence of Post-Modernism and Further Relativization: The latter half of the 20th century saw further entrenchment of relativistic thinking through post-modernism, disrupting traditional societal norms and introducing relativism into aspects like language and cultural expressions. Relativity in the Academic World: In the late 20th century, global interconnectedness made the idea of cultural or worldview superiority untenable for academics. This shift towards relativism was more apparent in social sciences and humanities than in the hard sciences, which still often hold on to materialistic and reductionistic worldviews. Acknowledgment of Relativism in Social Constructs: Relativism was further acknowledged in aspects of sexuality and gender, leading to the understanding that concepts like male and female or heterosexuality and homosexuality are not absolutes but exist on a spectrum. However, this notion often faces resistance from traditionally oriented people. 20th Century Discoveries and Relativism: Advancements in various fields—quantum mechanics, logic, linguistics, history of science, and the social sciences—significantly contributed to the recognition of relativism. Movements like the psychedelic revolution further emphasized this shift by challenging sexual norms, gender identities, and religious beliefs. Academic Resistance to Absolutism: Academia, being at the forefront of human knowledge and understanding, has spearheaded relativistic revolutions by recognizing the limitations of absolutist positions. This approach has been vital because clinging to absolutism in academia risks being proven wrong and losing credibility. Relativism Versus Social Conventions: While relativism has been a deconstructive force, unsettling to those who hold tight to traditional worldviews, it is essential in the process of expanding human understanding. It must occur within academia, a cultural force at the cutting edge of new discoveries and thought. Contrast Between Western and Eastern Traditions: While Western tradition has historically held more absolutist views, Eastern philosophy has recognized the concept of relativity for thousands of years. The Jain concept of 'Anekantavada,' or the doctrine of many-sidedness, illustrates Eastern culture's longstanding embrace of relativism. Anekantavada Explained: The origins trace back to the teachings of Mahavira, where he argued for the relativity of truth and reality. Jainism holds that truth cannot be fully conveyed through language, as reality is too complex and multifaceted. Image 8 Image 9 Illustration of Relativity through Anekantavada: The concept of 'Anekantavada' is applied to a cooking pot, showing it can simultaneously exist, not exist, and be inexpressible based on various perspectives. This perspective underscores how reality can be perceived differently. Image 10 Image 11 Image 12 Image 13 Relativism of Morality and Suffering: Leo Gura discusses the complex topic of the relative nature of morality and suffering. He uses the example of slavery to illustrate that what society deems 'wrong' is heavily dependent on the current cultural and societal norms, which can change over time. The assessment of slavery as wrong is based on the current consensus that it causes suffering and infringes upon personal freedoms, yet this consensus is a product of the current societal framework. Image 14 Image 15 Image 16 Frame of Reference in Discussions: Gura emphasizes the importance of identifying the frame of reference in discussions and debates. Statements such as something being 'true' or 'rational' are made within a specific context, which is often left ambiguous. Gura encourages viewers to always question the frame of reference from which a statement is made to clarify the context and uncover the underlying assumptions. Relativity and Emotional Responses: Leo points out that emotional responses to concepts like suffering and slavery are relative, in that they depend on personal experiences and interests. For example, an individual's aversion to suffering is related to their own dislike of pain. He suggests that one's perspective on suffering can shift if they explore the idea deeply and consider scenarios where suffering might be desired. Relativism in Judgments and Beliefs: Gura exhorts listeners to apply relativism to their personal beliefs and judgments. He prompts thoughtful inquiry into the reasons behind one's views on good, evil, or suffering. This process reveals that such judgments are anchored in personal preferences and survival strategies, and not universally applicable truths. Critical Thinking and Relativity: Leo urges critical thinking and careful interpretation of claims. He illustrates that words like 'true,' 'rational,' or 'real' are often shorthand for more nuanced statements that include an implicit frame of reference, which should be explicitly understood for a more accurate comprehension of the claims being made. Relativity in Perceptions of Reality: Leo delves into the notion that reality is perceived relative to different states of consciousness. He posits that ordinary waking life, dreams, and higher consciousness states reveal different levels of 'reality,' and that profound experiences, such as those induced by psychedelics or awakening experiences, can change one's understanding of what is real. Practical Application of Relativism: Gura offers practical advice for applying relativism to everyday situations. He provides examples of translating commonly made statements into their relativistic equivalents, stressing that every assertion about reality includes an unspoken "relative to X" clause, inviting exploration of that clause for greater clarity. Relativity versus Equivalence: Leo clarifies that relativism does not imply equivalence. For instance, he states that science and witchcraft are not inherently better or worse than one another, but their effectiveness is relative to the context and the objectives being pursued. Understanding of Hitler and Relativism: Gura uses the extreme example of Adolf Hitler to explore the relativistic nature of labeling someone as 'good' or 'bad.' He applies the principle of Anekantavada to demonstrate that conflicting perspectives on Hitler's morality coexist, highlighting the dangers of oversimplifying complex human figures and histories into binary judgments. Relativity of Knowledge, Beliefs, and Existence: Concluding his discourse on relativism, Leo Gura lists several aspects of life that are relative, including aesthetics, beliefs, science, units of measurement, and even our conception of life and death. Every belief, opinion, and scientific statement is relative to the conceptual framework and perspective from which it arises. Infinite complexity of physical objects: Physical objects like a hand are infinitely complex, composed of cells, molecules, atoms, quarks, and more. There is no definitive number of components, as they can be infinitely divided, demonstrating the relativity in defining physical objects. Relativity of scientific patterns and relationships: Science focuses on identifying patterns and relationships within nature, all of which are relative to the observer's perspective and the context, chosen based on their utility for survival. Relativity spans all domains: Rationality, logic, analysis, critique, knowledge, understanding, language, symbols, thoughts, concepts, paradigms, models, theories, epistemologies, physical objects, perception, history, culture, survival, meaning, significance, value, purpose, goals, motivations, morality, ethics, norms, judgments, religions, spiritual teachings, justice, law, criminality, government, problems, health, success, failure, happiness, suffering, pain, pleasure, sanity, insanity, birth, life, death, sense of self, notion of other human beings, drawing of categories, and dualities—all these are relative. Relativity and the Absolute: Leo addresses the concept of the Absolute, which is what is not relative. This notion suggests the existence of an underlying truth or reality beyond the relative constructs and perspectives. Intermission announcement: Leo takes a momentary break before addressing common objections to relativism. Understanding the relativity of statements: Statements like "snow is white" are relative, subject to ontological and metaphysical assumptions, specific empirical contexts, human perceptual systems, language use, and differ across species and hypothetical aliens. Relativism and illness: The experience of illness like cancer is relative, influenced by identification with the physical body, underlying the discussion of famed sage Ramana Maharshi's perspective on his own cancer. Relativity in science: Science as a truth-providing enterprise is relative, bound by the specific era, cultural conceptions, methodological standards, and is subject to evolution over time. Scientific consensus and disagreement: Scientists often disagree on interpreting data, with consensus being a result of shared backgrounds, education, culture, similar DNA, and states of consciousness. Existence of the Absolute amidst relative facts: Leo asserts the existence of an absolute truth or 'being,' distinct from subjective data and facts, which cannot be fully understood through conventional means. Leo Gura's Discussion on Absolute Being: Being is the substrate of everything and is absolute, while what humans often consider as facts and data are conceptual projections relative to being. To truly know the absolute truth or being, one must overcome self-agendas, conceptual schemes, paradigms, worldviews, self-deceptions, and the whole perceptual system – a process achievable through a state of Samadhi or the union of subject and object. Relativity of Data and Facts: Data and facts are not the same as the absolute being; they are relative constructs influenced by our projections and worldview. Scientists may have consensus on certain data due to shared characteristics, perceptions, and culture, but this consensual reality is still not the absolute truth. Addressing the Question of Being 'Factually Wrong': Despite the nuances of relativism, it is still possible to be 'factually wrong.' This concept means that one's perspectives have shifted over time, they have delved deeper into reality, and recognized past misconceptions or errors in their understanding, allowing for worldview correction. Flat Earth and Relative Perceptions: Perspectives on whether the Earth is flat or round are relative to individual consciousness and projections. For a flat earther, the Earth might appear flat based on their metaphysical outlook and expectations. However, this does not mean the physical reality itself varies with belief; rather, it's the individual's perception that is relative. Historical Relativity: The interpretation of history is influenced by the individual's worldview, cherry-picking elements that fit into their conception of history. No one has a complete history, it's an interplay of interpretations and selective emphasis. Relativity of Good and Evil: Concepts of good and evil are defined in a manner that is relative to individual survival strategies; they are not objective measures but stem from what aids or hinders one's survival, varying considerably across different people. Building a Society with Relative Values: Societal values can be built on shared human needs and commonalities, despite their relative nature. The process of creating a consensus and cooperation is challenging but possible. Constancy of the Speed of Light: Even the speed of light, often considered constant, can be argued as relative as it varies in different mediums and fluctuates minutely as hypothesized by some scientists. Furthermore, it's unknown if its speed was constant throughout the universe's history. Subjectivity of Earth's Existence: The continuation of the Earth's existence after one's death is a relative concept, as the Earth's existence is tied to the individual's personal perspective. When an individual dies, from their viewpoint, the Earth ceases to exist. Understanding and Objections to Relativism: Relativism does not make all perspectives or beliefs equal or factual, and it allows for the coexistence of multiple perspectives, with some being factually inaccurate when compared to a broader reality or a changed understanding over time. Relativity of Speed of Light and Universe: The concept that the speed of light might be constant within the universe doesn't preclude different conditions or speeds outside of it. Considering nested contexts and frames of reference, the constancy of light speed may not be universal. Enlightenment as the Absolute: Leo Gura explains that enlightenment is the one aspect of existence that is not relative but absolute. Enlightenment is the awakening to the absolute reality that transcends relativity and can only be experienced, not imagined. Contradiction in Relativism: Leo discusses objections regarding the potential self-nullifying nature of relativism, as it suggests everything is relative but also seeks to assert itself as true. He clarifies that acknowledging language and teaching as relative doesn't contradict the existence of the absolute. Absoluteness of the Absolute versus Relativity of Language and Concepts: While Leo's teachings, words, and concepts are relative, they point toward the absolute reality which cannot be described or communicated directly. Recognizing the absolute requires going beyond words and experiencing it. Limitations of Teachings: Leo acknowledges that no single teaching, including his, can encapsulate the entire "elephant" (i.e., reality). He emphasizes the necessity of personally exploring and experiencing reality to understand its entirety. Objective of Explaining Relativity: Leo asserts that understanding relativity is crucial for grasping the nature of reality and for personal development. He encourages viewers to approach the topic as a means to deepen their knowledge, not merely as a philosophical exercise. Calls for Critical Engagement with Ideas: Instead of accepting his teachings as absolute, Leo Gura invites viewers to critically think, contemplate, and question the content, which will aid in recognizing any errors and in achieving personal growth. Emotional Reactions to Relativism: Leo advises viewers to introspect their emotional triggers when encountering ideas on relativism, as these reactions often highlight areas tied to their survival instincts and worldviews that merit further exploration. Final Notes on Part 1 and Invitation to Part 2: Leo wraps up part one by emphasizing the importance of relativism in understanding and invites viewers to stay tuned for part two, reiterating the importance of not just passively consuming information but actively engaging with it. Expelliarmus

Understanding Survival - Part 2 - Advanced Insights About Survival https://youtu.be/CyGPqFMy6vY Observation work in understanding survival: Observation is crucial for comprehending survival strategies in personal experiences; without it, the information remains theoretical and won't lead to transformative change. Symbiosis in survival: Survival strategies can be symbiotic, supporting others while serving one's own needs, but usually, these are unconscious actions, as in the example of squirrels and oak trees. Complexity and obscurity of survival in humans: Unlike animals, humans have complex survival strategies that obfuscate the very nature of survival; these strategies are intelligent but not consciously recognized by individuals. Modern society disconnecting from survival: Society's infrastructure conceals the complexity of survival, making individuals disconnected and often irresponsible about their role in broader survival systems. Emotional responses tied to survival importance: People become more emotional in response to threats against objects that are central to their survival, with stronger reactions related to things like family compared to material possessions. Intelligence of survival strategies without consciousness: Survival strategies are sophisticated and ingenious but do not equate to the organism's consciousness; strategies may be executed automatically, without understanding. Failure of survival strategies: Survival strategies may fail and yet still function as strategies—for instance, robbing a bank is a strategy even if it results in death or failure. Survival linked to identity and state of mind: People maintain survival strategies that align with their identity or state of mind, even when those strategies are self-destructive, such as criminal behavior. Unconscious vs. conscious survival: Many survival strategies operate subconsciously, driving behavior without individuals realizing they are focused on survival, leading to potentially detrimental actions. Elaborate justification for survival: Humans fabricate stories about love, nobility, and goodness to justify survival strategies, masking the selfish nature often inherent in these actions. Improving survival strategies with consciousness: Reflecting on and becoming aware of these survival strategies can foster better decision-making, altering harmful behaviors into healthier, more sustainable practices. Complexity of Human Survival: Survival for humans extends beyond basic necessities like food and shelter; it encompasses elements of personal identity. Even harmful habits like smoking have survival aspects because they start as a means to fit in, gaining social acceptance, and eventually, despite negative health effects, they provide psychological comfort which people grow attached to. Social Aspects of Survival in Teenagers: Teenage survival strategies focus heavily on social acceptance, such as smoking to appear cool or fit in with peers. These strategies are not just about individual survival but also about navigating social hierarchies and establishing a place within peer groups. Addiction as a Survival Strategy: Once a person becomes physically addicted to substances like nicotine, the act of smoking transforms into a psychological survival strategy, providing comfort despite its damaging long-term health consequences. The smoker’s identity may become wrapped up in this habit, making it even more integral to their survival. Depression Signaling Change: Depression can act as a subconscious survival signal indicating the need for lifestyle change. When ignored, it can lead to extreme outcomes like suicide. However, it can also serve as a wake-up call for individuals to make necessary changes for their well-being. Suicide Bombing as a Survival Strategy: Suicide bombing, while counterintuitively destructive, reflects a survival strategy rooted in strong ideological beliefs and the conviction of rewards in an afterlife. The physical body's sacrifice supports the survival of an ideological self-image and ego. Survival Strategy Uniqueness: Survival strategies are not one-size-fits-all; they're unique to each individual's environment, needs, and personal perspectives. What works for one person may not work for another, emphasizing the variability of survival across different contexts. Cultural Imposition of Survival Strategies: Attributing universal effectiveness to one's personal survival strategy is flawed. Imposing a personal or cultural survival strategy onto others, without respect for the environment and individual needs, can result in failure and conflict. Influence of Environment on Survival Tactics: Survival strategies must be perfectly aligned with the surrounding environment. For instance, animals are adapted to their habitats, and humans have distinct strategies based on cultural and environmental contexts. Importance of Respect for Different Survival Needs: Understanding and respecting that each person has unique survival needs, based on development stages and personality differences, is vital. Parents and societies must recognize these differences to support the individual growth and avoid imposing non-compatible survival tactics. Diverse Cultural Survival Strategies and Cuisines: Cultural diversity, including distinct cuisines, reflects different survival strategies that are shaped by available resources in each environment. Every culture's survival tactics adapt to the local conditions, which influences their societal systems, including food. Survival's Infiltration into Social Institutions: All aspects of society, such as the military, schools, governments, and media, have been co-opted by survival. The survival strategies in these institutions reflect the human need to survive both individually and collectively within various sociopolitical environments. Politics and Survival: Leo discusses that politics are ubiquitous across various social institutions and environments, including small corporations, nonprofits, military groups, and sports teams. Politics is a human survival strategy equivalent to a chimp gathering food; it's an essential aspect of survival in social settings, even as intricate as the politics found within chimpanzee troops. Worldview and Survival: Identity and ideas are central to human survival strategies, not just material goods. Humans place significant importance on their worldviews; it operates like an ingrained operating system, more crucial than any material possession and extremely difficult to change. Worldviews govern interpretation and understanding, making the defense of them a critical survival mechanism. Resistance to Identity as Fantasy: When challenged with the perspective that identity is a fantasy, people react hostily and defensively. This is because the premise of survival is to create an identity, believe in its reality, and defend it. Admitting the manufactured nature of identity threatens people's survival strategies and is seen as very problematic. Ideology, Dogmatism, and Survival: Leo points out that ideological and dogmatic behavior is connected to survival; identities are formed from biases and beliefs which people feel compelled to defend. This defense is a significant obstacle to spiritual growth, which reveals identities to be constructions. Hostility to Undermining Beliefs: Presenting ideas that undermine a person's core beliefs, such as telling them their physical reality isn't real or challenging deeply held religious or gender norms, elicits defensive survival strategies. Such challenges trigger hostility, denial, bigotry, and various self-deception tactics to maintain their identity. Obliviousness to Survival and Selfishness: Leo asserts that people are generally unaware of their own survival strategies, especially if they involve low-consciousness actions. Remaining unconscious of one's survival tactics, like exploiting others for financial gain, serves to continue such behaviors without internal conflict. Justification of Selfish Survival Strategies: Societal survival strategies are often justified as necessary or for the common good. This moral high ground is used to defend one's survival strategies while criticizing others, which is itself a survival tactic. Consciousness about these strategies can lead to more responsible behavior. Evil as a Survival Strategy: Leo states that what is typically labeled as 'evil' is really just another form of survival strategy. From theft to cultural practices, these actions are survival tactics and should not be judged as they are part of the strategy to survive. Transcending Survival with Understanding: Leo suggests that to truly transcend survival strategies, one must embrace understanding and non-judgment. Recognizing that morality is a collective fantasy, and that survival itself is driven by various forms of love, helps in overcoming simplistic notions of good versus evil. Definition of Evil in Survival: Evil is perceived as somebody else's survival strategy. Acts like murder, theft, and war are means by which individuals ensure their existence, shaped by selfishness and lack of consciousness. Judging Survival Strategies: Judging others' survival strategies, such as rape or murder, is likened to judging a natural predator for hunting; it's simply an organism's way to survive and is misguided. Morality as Survival Strategy: Morality is used to gain a moral high ground, to suppress other people's survival strategies. Judging someone's actions as immoral is a way to enforce one's own survival strategy. Outrage and Moral Judgment: Moral outrage is in fact a survival strategy, serving to demonize actions that threaten one’s way of life, obscured by the collective illusion of morality. Self-Deception in Morality: Accusations of hypocrisy in survival strategies do not consider the bigger picture that everyone is engaged in survival, thus fostering personal and societal dishonesty about motives. Survival, Morality, and Law: Society's rules and laws are a result of collective survival strategies, shaping the environment according to one community's moral standards. Defining Evil Relative to Survival: The concept of evil is relative and serves as a label for anything that threatens one's survival, explaining why perceptions of evil vary greatly. Spirituality as Survival Enhancement: Spirituality often becomes a survival strategy rather than a means to transcend survival, manifested in religions and spiritual ego. Relationship of Survival and Love: All actions, no matter how seemingly selfish or evil, are done out of love; the distinctions lie in the expansiveness of this love from personal to universal. Spiritual Growth and the Fantasy of Survival: Successful spirituality eventually leads to recognizing the game of survival as a fantasy, guiding one toward transcending survival instincts. Understanding Victimhood as a Strategy: Victimhood is a prevalent survival strategy used to gain moral superiority and justify retribution in both individual and societal conflicts. Denial of Evil's Relativity: The refusal to acknowledge the relativity of evil is a survival function, protecting one's worldview and sense of security from potentially harmful truths. Counterintuitive Nature of Defeating Evil: Defeating evil is accomplished through love, which is a difficult and counterintuitive concept because it requires transcending survival instincts that are deeply rooted in self-protection and are relentlessly pursued by people throughout their lives. Relentlessness of Survival Instincts: Survival instincts are described as relentless, making life challenging and leading to suffering and ignorance. This drive is so strong that people act unconsciously, which perpetuates negative actions or 'evil'. Subconscious Control of Survival Functions: Many survival functions are controlled subconsciously, like one's heartbeat, because they are too critical to be entrusted to the conscious mind. Emotions such as fear, anger, and depression are similarly automatic and manipulate an individual's behaviors for survival. Devilish Irony in Unconscious Actions: Individuals who act unconsciously out of selfish survival instincts often view themselves as benevolent. However, their actions are generally short-term, unsustainable, and can lead to catastrophic outcomes due to a lack of awareness and holistic understanding. Short-sighted Selfish Survival Strategies: Short-sighted survival strategies that emerge from selfishness and separatism fail in the long term because they neglect the interconnectedness of people and the environment. Actions based solely on personal gain inevitably backfire as they disregard the reliance on others and shared resources. Unsustainability of Pure Selfishness: Pure selfishness may appear to be a good survival strategy in the short term; however, it proves counterproductive in complex systems. Trump's "America First" policy is used as an example of such flawed thinking, highlighting the importance of systemic thinking for holistic benefits. Evolutionary Need for Harmonious Survival Strategies: As society evolves, survival strategies must also develop to be more harmonious and less selfish. History shows a trend toward more interconnectedness and acceptance of diversity, suggesting a need for healthier communal survival strategies. Failure of Survival in the Face of Death: Ultimately, survival strategies are thwarted by the inevitability of death, pointing to the absurdity of trying to achieve permanence. Instead, one's relationship with survival can evolve, recognizing elements such as unconditional love and truth, which exist outside the bounds of survival. Transition to Pure Being State: Practices like meditation or psychedelics can help one transition from survival mode to pure being, a state where one experiences interconnectedness and universal love, potentially transforming survival strategies toward more ecological and universal approaches. Inevitability of Survival Failure: Survival is an ongoing process that cannot be permanently successful. It operates under the delusion that it can sustain life indefinitely, but due to the inherent need for change, diversity, and impermanence in the universe, all forms of life and organizational structures are destined to eventually end or transform beyond recognition. Survival as Tail-Chasing: The notion of winning at survival equates to an absurd concept of permanently freezing a dynamic reality, which would negate the universe's grand design of maximizing diversity and beauty. Humans and Immortality: If humans achieved immortality, they would inadvertently prevent the birth of future generations. By hoarding life, humans would undermine the cyclical and impermanent nature of existence, which diminishes the collective experience of life. Transcending Survival: While survival cannot be entirely escaped as long as one wishes to live, it is possible to change one's relationship to it. Through awareness, individuals can find freedom, relief, and significantly improve their survival tactics. Non-survival Elements: Unconditional love, non-dual consciousness, a state of Samadhi, and the very essence of being are elements that transcend survival. They provide a state of existence that looks beyond the survival-driven projections placed upon reality. Shifting Consciousness: Achieving a shift in consciousness, from survival mode to a pure state of 'being', allows one to view the world and objects without personal interpretation. This perspective detaches from utility and survival value, leading to an enlightened understanding of existence as pure being. The Farce of Survival: Survival has no inherent meaning or purpose outside of its self-constructed importance. Recognizing the formless, immortal aspect of one's identity frees one from the temporal and ultimate failure of survival. Survival and Reasoning: Survival instincts corrupt individuals' perceptions and reasoning as they are essential for survival. This limitation is why science and reasoning are challenging for most people as their thought processes are compromised by survival strategies. Survival Strategies as Collective Fantasies: Humans can agree on certain constructs, like money, making them part of their collective reality and thus effective survival strategies. However, for a fantasy to become reality, it must be convincing enough to gain collective acceptance. Survival as Social Constructs: Survival strategies must fit within the established web of societal constructs. Significant realities like Christianity, Islam, and science have become their own realities, shaping survival so much that deviation might lead to serious social consequences. Survival Strategy Observations: Leo assigns homework to observe and compare survival strategies of close relations and pets, emphasizing the relative and contextual nature of survival within even the same environment. Conflict Origins Within Families: By observing differing needs and irritations among family members and pets, one begins to recognize how conflicts stem from conflicting survival strategies. Animal Survival Strategies: Leo encourages viewers to study animal survival strategies through nature documentaries to appreciate their sophisticated adaptations to their environments, and to draw parallels with human survival strategies in different cultures. Environmental Influence on Survival: Survival tactics are heavily influenced by one's environment, leading to significant survival differences between various lifestyles and locations around the world, like urban New York City versus rural Alabama. Comprehensive Survival Understanding: Systematically studying survival strategies in different systems and environments leads to a broader understanding of the interconnectedness and intelligence of life. Reevaluating the Survival Series: Constant reevaluation and study of the survival series Leo offers is key to deeply appreciating the intricacies of survival strategies. Observation is Key: Rather than theorizing or judging, Leo stresses the importance of direct observation in understanding survival strategies and correcting any potential inaccuracies. Investment in Learning: Tackling the challenging emotional investment to understand life requires dedication and persistence, with the payoff being a more sophisticated grasp of life's complexities and interconnectedness. Passion for Understanding Life: Leo expresses his passion for understanding life from a broad perspective, collecting deep concepts about life, and hopes to inspire the same enthusiasm and pursuit of self-liberation in viewers. Bombarda