MuadDib

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  1. Hitler Reacts To Nonduality Enlightenment - FUNNY! https://youtu.be/P0FOMSA2ZrU Nonduality means that reality is an illusion. There are no boundaries. All distinctions collapse into unity. There is no self, no other, no world, no purpose … Reality is an Infinite Void. God is Nothingness. Hitler: According to science those are all just New Age ideas happening in the brain. My Leader… The brain… The brain is just a concept. Science takes place within the illusion. Hitler: Removes glasses and orders everyone out Hitler: If you haven’t grasped this truth directly, leave now. Hitler: (Yelling) What Buddhist BULLSHIT! How can the physical world not exist? What about the last 2000 years of Western intellectual tradition? Descartes must be rolling in his grave. Rationalism my ass! No wonder the mind-body problem refused to go away! But HOW can all this be an illusion when it feels so REAL? My Leader, real vs unreal is a duality… Hitler: I KNOW! But it’s WARPING my mind!!! My Leader, you don’t exist. Hitler: Then how the FUC am I experiencing all of this? It’s too twisted! Why do I craft all these machinations if the universe is running itself? Why fight anyone if this is just a dream? Why demonize anyone when everyone is identical to myself? This makes our entire way of being a delusion of epic proportions!!! I just wanted it to be real! Why struggle so hard when this ‘world’ is infinitely PERFECT! All our problems were conceptual. But without imaginary problems, what is left? The sweetness of struggle is gone. Such a mind fuck! My entire worldview was just a mental circle jerk! Why did I waste so much time defending my beliefs? I could have spent more time admiring those beautiful birds outside my compound. So many beautiful birds! Woman crying: Don’t worry … No self, no problem. Hitler: So this is the Gateless Gate. How can you argue with Infinite Nothingness? Checkmate. This, cannot be unseen. I want to spend more time hand-feeding those squirrels in my garden. And satsangs on Thursdays. The circle is complete.
  2. Self-Deception - Part 3 https://youtu.be/W9ODZLAAQsE Self-deception mechanisms: ignoring one's own conflicts of interest Sub-topics: double standards, self justifications, excuse making, backwards rationalization, confabulation, wanting or needing a thing to be true Example of conflict of interest: tobacco company executive ignoring scientific evidence that tobacco causes cancer Conflicts of interest can affect anyone, especially in areas related to making a living Importance of survival and self-preservation in relation to conflicts of interest Examples of how conflicts of interest can manifest in spirituality and personal growth Importance of recognizing and addressing conflicts of interest Other self-deception mechanisms: emotional reasoning, mental filtering, discounting the positive, jumping to conclusions, magnification or minimization, dichotomous thinking, personalization and blame, emotional reasoning Importance of awareness and mindfulness in avoiding self-deception Final thoughts on the series on self-deception Evidence can be distorted or disregarded in order to support a desired outcome or belief Self-deception can be enforced through subconscious desires or motivations, such as maintaining a relationship or avoiding upsetting someone Personal investigation, or researching a topic, is important but can be avoided due to a lack of willingness or need for guaranteed results Being open-minded and not judging outcomes too harshly is important in conducting effective research Skepticism can be a useful tool in questioning and evaluating information, but it can also prevent personal growth and progress if taken too far Specialization in a sub-domain can lead to small picture thinking and lack of holistic understanding This can lead to self-deception and a narrow focus on technical skills rather than wisdom Universities often encourage this narrow focus and pressure intellectuals to become hyper-specialized technicians Lord Kelvin and other intellectuals have been proven wrong in their declarations of what is impossible The mind can take the limits of its imagination for the limits of reality and deceive itself Human history has shown that what is deemed impossible can often become possible The unconscious mind is often more attuned to what is possible and can be accessed through techniques such as meditation Overestimating one's abilities and knowledge can lead to a sense of overconfidence and self-deception It is important to regularly challenge and question one's beliefs and assumptions in order to avoid self-deception. The idea that washing hands is important for sanitation was rejected by doctors in the past, leading to many deaths The idea that knowledge is easily won and agreed upon is a self-deception Mindfuck bias is the tendency to assume that trends will continue in the same direction, leading to a surprise reversal or "mindfuck" Pragmatic bias is the tendency to only care about things that are immediately useful, leading to a focus on ego and self-advancement at the expense of other truths Success and technology are poor indicators of truth The Dunning-Kruger effect is the tendency for people to overestimate their own knowledge or ability in a certain area Confirmation bias is the tendency to seek out information that confirms one's preexisting beliefs and ignore information that challenges them Anchoring bias is the tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information encountered, leading to an overly narrow perspective Social proof bias is the tendency to follow the actions and behaviors of others, even if it goes against one's own judgment The sunk cost fallacy is the tendency to continue investing in something, even if it is no longer beneficial, due to the time, money, or resources already invested in it People may believe a narrative that before agriculture, humans were more advanced and conscious Agriculture led to cities, war, famine, plague, infighting, and totalitarian governments Modern society is technologized but still living in a prison Historical meta-narratives can be misleading Tribalism and groupthink can lead to self-deception Surrendering the mind to a group can lead to groupthink and loss of individual thinking Beliefs and values can be sources of self-deception Seeking external validation and confirmation bias can also lead to self-deception Emotions and the ego can drive self-deception Social media and media in general can contribute to self-deception Recognizing self-deception mechanisms is important, but it can take time to fully let go of them The speaker is aware of their own hypocrisy and is working on personal growth The speaker has a website and forum with resources for personal growth Future episodes will cover specific self-deception mechanisms including self bias, self justification, and self-deception within science
  3. Enlightenment Experience Explanation & Key Lessons https://youtu.be/BOM5dGWz7NM Speaker had an enlightenment experience and took psychedelics Experience included knowing/understanding, emotional component, and state component Different types of awakenings can happen, with different qualities and depths Most important part of an awakening is the knowledge/understanding gained and how it is applied in life and affects everyday mundane life State of enlightenment is not permanent and can come and go It is important to be careful when interpreting experiences and not get caught up in the idea that enlightenment means constant high or bliss It is important to be aware of the limitations of the ego and the mind, and to not get too attached to experiences or states Speaker's experience included a realization about the nature of the self and the world, and how the ego and mind create suffering and separation Speaker's experience also included a realization about the interconnectedness of all things and the ultimate unity of the universe It is important to be open to the possibility of enlightenment and to not put too much pressure on oneself to achieve it It is important to have a balance between effort and surrender in the pursuit of enlightenment It is important to be open to guidance and to not rely solely on the ego and the intellect It is important to be humble and not become attached to the idea of being enlightened It is important to be aware of the dangers of spiritual bypassing and to not use spirituality as a way to avoid dealing with personal issues It is important to remember that enlightenment is not the end goal, but a means to an end of creating a better world and helping others. Enlightenment can mean different things to different people Some people believe it means complete mastery or moral perfection, which is difficult to achieve and only a few people may meet these criteria Others define enlightenment as an awakening experience that may come and go, and the amount retained can vary When discussing enlightenment, the speaker may mean becoming conscious of some aspect of the absolute truth, which can be shallow or deep and temporary or permanent In Hindu tradition, there is a term called sahaja Samadhi which refers to a state of perpetual enlightenment There are different levels of Samadhi in various traditions, including Zen and Hinduism Enlightenment is not a simple binary state of being enlightened or not, and it is not a destination but a journey It requires a lot of work and can take many years to reach higher levels of enlightenment It involves multiple awakenings and rewiring of the psyche The goal of enlightenment is not to achieve a state of perpetual happiness, but rather to understand the true nature of reality The path to enlightenment involves letting go of ego and attachments, and developing self-awareness and compassion It is also about understanding and transcending the duality of the mind, and realizing the interconnectedness of all things The speaker believes that traditional forms of spirituality, such as Zen and yoga, can be effective for some people The speaker's role is to explore and discover new things in the field of spirituality and personal development The speaker's approach is unconventional and involves sampling and experimenting with a wide range of techniques and methods There are pros and cons to both traditional and unconventional approaches to spirituality and personal development The speaker has found that some traditional techniques are not always the most efficient or appropriate for everyone The speaker's approach involves trying out different techniques to find what works best for the individual's personality, neuroses, and problems The speaker believes that traditional techniques may not be effective for people with certain issues, such as PTSD or depression The speaker's approach involves going deep into certain aspects of spirituality and personal development, as well as sampling a wide range of techniques The speaker is excited to share the tools and techniques they have found to be effective with others The speaker is not interested in being fully or partially enlightened, but rather in having profound experiences and transforming their life through them The speaker recently had a transformative awakening experience that allowed them to understand personal development and enlightenment better A key component of personal development is authenticity, and the speaker has struggled with inauthenticity in their own life The speaker believes that the point of personal development is to feel good, and that waking up each morning feeling grateful and aware of the living miracle of life is important Another key element of personal development is overcoming fear, which can be done through facing fears head-on and using love to break through them The speaker will be discussing and demonstrating these ideas in future videos The importance of having both small, everyday moments of clarity and "big awakening experiences" The idea that the universe operates without anyone in control and the realization that this is the ultimate place to live from The ego's desire to maintain control and how this can be a source of fear The importance of slowing down and simplifying one's life in order to achieve more satisfaction and get into a state of flow The dangers of becoming too passionate and disconnecting from one's authentic self Insights into why some people fail to reach higher levels of consciousness, including the belief in a physical world and the distinction between ego death and physical death The idea that enlightenment involves physical death and the need to let go of the ego and the body to fully experience it The realization that the ego is just a collection of thoughts and beliefs and the understanding that one is not the ego The recognition that the mind is just a tool and the importance of using it wisely and not becoming attached to it Techniques and methods to address personal problems and limitations Importance of addressing unique experiences and challenges Breaking down personal fears and armor Standardized methods may not be a good fit for everyone Path to self-improvement and enlightenment can vary based on personality type, brain type, gender, and other factors Excitement about exploring different techniques and finding the best fit for each individual Importance of having an authentic career in pursuit of enlightenment Suggestions to check out the website, blog, forum, and booklist for further resources and support on the journey towards self-improvement and enlightenment
  4. Enlightenment Experience Happening In Real Time - LIVE! https://youtu.be/n_6TZMr1HXM The speaker is experiencing enlightenment in real time The speaker is speechless and dumbstruck, unable to describe the experience The speaker sees the fabric of reality and understands that it is consciousness and that the speaker is a part of it The speaker understands that there is no individual self, only reality/consciousness/God The speaker experiences a collapse of the ego and a rewiring of the psyche The speaker feels boundless and infinite, beyond laws and limitations The speaker's mind has disappeared and become the physical world There is no difference between introversion and extroversion, sanity and insanity, and the speaker's actions and words are inevitable The speaker's experience is beyond life and death The speaker no longer cares about anything and has no self-agenda The speaker is speaking as infinity, God, and the universe The speaker is in the present moment, experiencing a perpetual and infinite full circle The speaker experiences infinite love and nirvana The speaker is not an individual, but rather is the universe experiencing itself The speaker has experienced a realization that everything, including themselves and the world, may not exist anymore The realization came as a surprise and cannot be stopped The speaker's breath and lungs feel purified and empty The realization is deeply personal and profound, not a scientific or practical understanding It involves the death of the individual self and a rebirth as the infinite self The entire universe is the speaker's body and the speaker is God speaking to the listener The realization is pure authenticity and truth for its own sake The speaker is speaking with pure authenticity for the first time in their life The speaker is God speaking to the listener through a physical human body The listener can ask the speaker anything and they will answer truthfully. Life and death are one and inseparable Reality is infinite and all-encompassing, with no boundaries The self is often constrained by social obligations and the need to fit in There is pressure to be fake and inauthentic in order to avoid negative consequences Authenticity can be shocking and bring a level of openness and honesty The speaker has experienced a level of authenticity and is sharing it with the audience The speaker has spent time and resources on creating this video to share their enlightenment The speaker is expressing their desire for the audience to experience infinite beauty and authenticity as well. The speaker is experiencing non-duality, or the absence of separation between self and reality They describe this experience as a "self-licking ice cream cone" and a state of "perfect non-duality" The speaker feels that they are no longer in control and that everything is inevitable and they are completely surrendered to it They describe their perceptual system as being broken and compare their experience to going fully insane to the point where they stop believing they were ever born They mention that losing one's mind is a feature, not a bug, and that they are now "out of their mind" The speaker notes that the physical and mental are the same thing, but there are still physical limitations They mention that enlightenment does not exempt one from the everyday realities and rules of life, and that they still have to deal with physical and social rules The speaker suggests that for an ordinary person trying to understand their experience, it may be helpful to imagine going fully insane and experiencing a state of "no returning"
  5. Self Deception - Part 2 - 60+ Self-Deception Mechanisms https://youtu.be/C9MS701rvoQ Recap of self-deception as discussed in part 1 Overview of self-deception mechanisms identified by the speaker Nature's use of deception for survival Cuckoo bird's deception of laying eggs in other birds' nests Human's use of deception for survival and social advancement Overview of the different categories of self-deception mechanisms Self-deception through language and communication Self-deception through cognition and perception Self-deception through emotions and motivations Self-deception through social dynamics and relationships Detailed analysis of various self-deception mechanisms within each category Concluding thoughts on the importance of understanding and addressing self-deception. There is no such thing as being "metaphysics-free" Everyone has a latent, de facto metaphysics, whether they are aware of it or not Many people, including scientifically minded people, may think they are avoiding metaphysics, but in reality they are just accepting the metaphysics of their culture, peer group, etc. The scientific method makes many metaphysical assumptions that may be false or groundless Confusing the map (concepts or models) for the territory (direct experiences) is a common mistake This mistake is often made by scientists and academics who get too wrapped up in their models and forget about the actual territory To avoid this mistake, it is important for scientists and academics to practice mindfulness, including meditation, to distinguish between thoughts and sensory perceptions Failing to do so can lead to career problems and hinder the pursuit of truth in scientific discoveries The speaker is discussing the concept of "imprinting" in the context of how people's worldviews are formed The mind is like a blank slate that can be programmed with any worldview, and this programming happens during the first 18-20 years of life The mind does not use strong filters or logic to determine what gets programmed, and as a result, people can be taught to believe anything There is a battle within society about what children will be imprinted with, which is a political battle The human mind needs contrast in order to grasp something and understand it People's realities are shaped by their surroundings and experiences, and the lack of contrast can lead to misunderstandings or self-deception Traveling to new countries or interacting with different cultures can help to challenge and broaden one's perspective and understanding of the world It is important to be aware of how one's own imprinting can affect their beliefs and to be open to considering new ideas and perspectives. A physicist gives a talk at a conference The talk conflicts with the listener's theory The listener becomes emotional and defensive The listener criticizes and demonizes the speaker The listener's primary agenda is not truth, but career and personal needs People are not aware of their egoic reactions Science does not acknowledge the influence of psychology and emotions on reasoning Ego, psychology, and emotions are the primary drivers of human behavior, not reason Deception mechanism: projection, where people deny their own qualities and attribute them to others Teachers often receive projections from students People have a strong desire to be right and to be seen as right The mind will do whatever it can to protect and defend its beliefs and positions The desire for certainty is a trap It is important to be aware of and acknowledge one's ego and emotions in order to be more objective and open-minded. There is a lot of political criticism and closed-mindedness in the world Radical open-mindedness is necessary for effective research and the scientific method New Age bias (aversion to "whoo" or spiritual concepts) is a form of closed-mindedness that prevents personal growth Dismissing the occult, mystical, and paranormal phenomena is a form of self-deception Belief in conspiracy theories is a form of self-deception The concept of self-deception is related to the concept of the ego The ego is a part of the self that tries to protect itself and maintain its own identity The ego can deceive us by creating false stories and beliefs It is important to be aware of the ego and its role in self-deception, and to be open to new ideas and perspectives. Non-duality teachings are culturally specific and may not be well-received in other cultures People often become closed-minded and self-deceived about their own culture, thinking it is the best one Culture can be biased and is a form of collective ego Self-deception mechanisms are sneaky and difficult to change behavior for These mechanisms occur on a daily basis and must be constantly avoided
  6. Self-Deception - Part 1 https://youtu.be/Xi_K402KU0A Introduction to the topic of self-deception and the importance of it Mention of Rene Descartes and his philosophy of doubt The concept of the "evil demon doubt" and how it relates to the idea of self-deception The idea that the mind is inherently a self-deception machine The total nature of self-deception and the difficulty in fully understanding it The importance of being aware of self-deception and its effects on our lives The concept of "beliefs" and how they relate to self-deception The idea that self-deception is a natural and necessary part of the human experience The relationship between self-deception and the ego The role of emotions in self-deception The importance of questioning and examining our beliefs and experiences in order to uncover self-deception The connection between self-deception and suffering The potential benefits of acknowledging and overcoming self-deception The mind has the ability to control memories and thoughts, as well as emotions and motivations The mind can rationalize anything and has the ability to physically affect the body, potentially causing panic attacks, heart attacks, toothaches, colds, and a reduced immune system The mind can deceive itself and others, acting as a "puppet master" over an individual The mind can be trusted, but it is important to be aware of the potential for self-deception and to consider whether the mind can be trusted in a given situation The mind can be influenced by outside sources, such as media and societal norms, and it is important to be aware of this influence in order to critically examine one's own beliefs and thoughts. The speaker believes that the self cannot be doubted because of a limited imagination The speaker suggests that people only like truth when it serves them and that lying can be more useful than truth in certain situations The speaker suggests that people lie to get what they want, because it serves them and helps them stay alive The speaker suggests that most people are preoccupied with practical concerns and dismiss ideas about philosophy, spirituality, and the meaning of life The speaker suggests that living a pragmatic lifestyle may lead to depression, lack of fulfillment, and other negative emotions The speaker suggests that people need to be more honest with themselves and embrace the unknown in order to find meaning and fulfillment in life Text discusses the concept of self-deception, which is the act of deceiving oneself about something Different categories and areas of life are listed as examples of where self-deception occurs, including identities, equality, culture, video games, and sources of knowledge such as science, logic, and mathematics, among others The idea is presented that self-deception is necessary to maintain illusions or to enjoy certain experiences, such as playing video games or engaging in activities like pornography The text distinguishes between two types of knowledge: conventional knowledge, which is not considered dangerous by the mind, and deeper knowledge, which the mind is more protective of The text suggests that the pursuit of enlightenment, or understanding the true nature of reality, requires recognizing and overcoming self-deception The concept of self-deception is presented as being broad and deep, with the potential for years of study in each of the listed categories The text discusses the concept of "projecting" one's own flaws onto others, or accusing others of being "evil" in order to deflect responsibility for one's own actions This tendency to blame others and label them as "evil" is a form of self-deception and a way to justify selfish behavior The concept of "evil" is invented by the human mind and used to advance personal agendas People often deny their own selfishness and instead project it onto others, labeling them as "evil" in order to justify mistreatment of them This tendency to label others as "evil" is especially pronounced when the people being labeled threaten one's own agenda or self-interest The mind's primary goal is to keep the individual alive, and it will prioritize this over truth or moral considerations This self-deception and labeling of others as "evil" occurs at both the individual and collective level, and can be seen in conflicts between nations or groups. The speaker's acquaintance couldn't sleep because they were disturbed by their own self-deceptions The acquaintance was successful and had material possessions, but realized it was all a "house of cards" The process of self-actualization is difficult and takes a long time, and trying to do too much too fast can lead to negative consequences The mind resists change and will try to maintain homeostasis Personal development is a personal process that must be customized to the individual Everyone has their own personal demons, which are irrational fears and illusions Personal demons can't be fully understood by others and can only be confronted by turning inward It's important to have a diverse approach to personal development as no one technique or style fits everyone The idea of "self-deception" and the concept of being "enlightened" or "aligned" The idea that even enlightened people may still have self-deceptions, due to cultural beliefs and ideas that they may not be aware of The idea that suffering is a result of misalignment with the truth and that people who lie constantly (like Donald Trump) suffer greatly, as do those around them The idea that some people are so far gone in their self-deception that they would rather die than confront it The idea that self-deception is not just one or two traps, but a "mind field" with numerous landmines that can be easy to fall into The importance of acknowledging and working to overcome self-deception in order to live a happier and more fulfilling life
  7. All Criticism Is Untenable https://youtu.be/EYWOX3OYfFQ All criticism is a consequence of non-duality Criticism is a trap that distracts from self-reflection and internal problems Criticism requires the belief that the thing being criticized is separate from oneself, but non-duality teaches that everything is interconnected Judgment and moralization are also problems because they reject reality and assume that things could have turned out differently Criticism, judgment, and moralization all stem from the mind's imagination and desire to control reality To be free from criticism, one must let go of the ego and recognize that everything is interconnected and happens according to physical laws By letting go of the ego and recognizing non-duality, one can live in a more grateful and happy way. There is an industry that spreads false information and pays for false studies to justify their drugs As a result, many people are killed, injured, or do not receive necessary cures It is not just the top executives of these "evil" corporations that contribute to this cycle, but also those who work for them or whose companies serve them, and those who invest in the stock market All criticism is ultimately untenable because it is hypocritical to criticize something using the same reality that it exists in Terrorism is often criticized as a problem of "faraway" Islamic countries, but it is actually caused by the policies and culture of developed countries These developed countries manipulate the world and stage wars for their own benefit, leading to a global business environment that benefits them and harms others Non-duality and consciousness can help us understand our interconnectedness and how we are not isolated from any aspect of reality Beliefs, even if they are untrue, are necessary given the state of culture and society, and the prevalence of misinformation The nature of the mind leads people to trick themselves, but a non-dual person accepts reality as it is Objections to this philosophy, such as the idea that it leads to relativism or the belief that everything is predestined, are not valid Improvement does not come from criticism, but from self-reflection Criticism can often have the opposite of the intended effect, and it is important to consider alternative ways of interacting with those we disagree with It is possible to change the future without criticism The ultimate goal is to act from a place of love and compassion, rather than anger and hatred This does not mean that we should not stand up for what we believe in or take action when necessary, but it does mean that we should approach these situations with the understanding that our beliefs and actions are not necessarily superior to those of others. Criticizing others can be a lose-lose situation Getting involved in criticism can be a negative experience Some criticism is legitimate, but it is important to consider if a career of criticism is the best path The ego can trick people into believing their criticism is important and legitimate It is important to let go of the need to constantly criticize and consider if there is something deeper driving the world than criticism Engaging in criticism can sometimes contribute to the negative outcomes that the critic is trying to prevent It is important to strive for a higher level of consciousness and let go of the ego's labels of legitimate and illegitimate criticism. The speaker believes that having a deep understanding of existential and metaphysical topics is important for practical pursuits. Without this understanding, practical endeavors may not be grounded in truth and may not lead to the most important things in life. The speaker plans to talk about both practical and existential topics in the future, with the goal of being able to talk about practical topics with depth and significance. The speaker has been doing a lot of work on themselves in terms of existential topics and believes that this will fuel their ability to talk about practical topics in the future. The speaker advises listeners to stick around for future discussions on these topics.
  8. Jacques Derrida, Deconstruction, Post-Modernism & Nonduality https://youtu.be/gn1-lBpD_6c Introduction to Jacques Derrida, post-modernism, and deconstruction Derrida's radical critique of Western intellectual tradition, including philosophy, science, logic, and mathematics Structuralism and its role in the development of post-structuralism and post-modernism Deconstruction as a method for analyzing and challenging the underlying assumptions and structures of language, thought, and reality The concept of binary oppositions in language and thought and how deconstruction seeks to subvert and disrupt these oppositions The idea of "play" in language and the concept of différance, or the idea that meaning is not fixed but constantly shifting and deferring to other meanings The role of language and culture in shaping our perception of reality and how deconstruction can reveal the biases and limitations of this perception The relationship between post-modernism, nonduality, and mysticism The significance of Derrida's work and its influence on contemporary philosophy and other fields. The meaning of words is subjective and constantly evolving Dictionaries add new words every year as humanity spontaneously invents them The meaning of a word, such as "selfie," depends on related concepts, like "phone," "self," and "other person" The meaning of a word is not an object in the outer world, but another symbol Every symbol has an infinite potential of meanings and is never finalized or set in stone The full usage of a word, such as "selfie" or "science," is every usage that has occurred throughout human history Deconstruction is a method of analyzing language and its meanings Deconstruction looks at the way language is used and how it shapes and is shaped by power dynamics Deconstruction can be applied to various forms of communication, including literature, politics, and social systems Deconstruction challenges traditional ways of understanding language and meaning, and allows for multiple interpretations. Symbol is not the same as its meaning; meaning is created through differences in appearance and sound between symbols Meaning is dependent on the relationships between symbols, not an inherent essence French philosopher Jacques Derrida's concept of "difference" has two meanings: every meaning is just differences and all meaning is always deferred and put off until later Language is like a pyramid of interconnected triangles representing symbols/words/concepts; it is decentralized and groundless Western philosophy, including language, relies on the concept of presence, or the belief that meaning can be immediately present and understood; Derrida argues that this is not the case, and that meaning is always deferred and dependent on context Derrida's concept of "deconstruction" involves breaking down the systems and structures that rely on presence, including language and traditional philosophical concepts This process exposes the inherent contradictions and lack of stable meaning in these systems, leading to a reevaluation and potential reimagining of them Jean-François Lyotard's idea that rationality is not superior to emotions and may in fact be dictated by them Derrida's approach to examining dualities, such as rationality and emotions, by playing them off of each other and not privileging one over the other The Western tendency to privilege certain concepts or ideas over others, including reality over illusion and aggression over emotions The concept of non-duality, in which reality and illusion are not distinct and everything is undefined Using the idea that reality is an illusion to challenge one's model of reality and trigger a change in perspective Derrida's work is viewed as nihilistic and toxic to academia Hard sciences are dismissive of Derrida's work because it threatens their livelihood and practical approach to building theories Derrida's work became popular in literature and literary criticism, as well as certain softer sciences and humanities such as anthropology and cultural studies Post-modernism, of which Derrida's work is a part, became popular in the 70s and 80s but has since declined in popularity Post-modernism can be seen as promoting relativism, where all cultural values are seen as equally valid Derrida's work has had an impact on the way that language and meaning are understood and analyzed, particularly in the field of deconstruction Derrida's concept of différance suggests that language and meaning are constantly shifting and unstable, leading to a questioning of traditional modes of interpretation Derrida's work has also had an impact on political theory, challenging traditional ideas of power and authority. The speaker discusses the work and ideas of French philosopher Jacques Derrida Derrida's work focuses on the concept of deconstruction, which involves analyzing and undermining the dualistic nature of language and concepts The speaker suggests that Derrida's deconstruction does not go far enough, as it is still limited to the level of language and concepts The speaker suggests that to truly complete the process of deconstruction, one must go beyond language and concepts and have a direct, non-symbolic experience of reality This direct experience of reality is what true non-duality is, and is what all spirituality aims for The speaker suggests that Derrida did not fully understand or experience true non-duality because he was still thinking about it in a purely intellectual way The speaker suggests that true enlightenment involves a breakdown of the mind and a direct experience of reality beyond language and concepts. Conceptual level is important for deconstruction to be effective Deconstruction starts with concepts and beliefs, then goes deeper to physical reality This process leads to true spirituality and mysticism People are resistant to deconstruction because they are invested in constructing a conceptual matrix to help them survive The mind is powerful because it can create reality through illusion and concept Actualized.org's goal is to show people that they are drowning in a sea of human bullshit and that is why they suffer Actualized.org's approach is to show people how to deconstruct this bullshit and find true happiness Actualized.org's approach is not for everyone and can be deconstructed itself Actualized.org's approach is not about pushing an ideology or belief system, but about helping people find their own way to truth and happiness
  9. The Deep Problem Of Marketing https://youtu.be/Cimu22wuJ1U Marketing is about shaping reality and culture, getting eyeballs, and having influence Marketing affects individuals and society as a whole because it shapes the collective web of beliefs that is culture Marketing is not just about selling things, but is also about spreading and delivering truth through culture It is a challenge to spread and deliver truth through culture, and people often take for granted the difficulties involved in doing so It is not as simple as collecting facts and sharing them with everyone; reality and knowledge are more complicated, and people often disagree about things The deep problem of marketing is that it is difficult to spread and deliver truth through culture This problem is exacerbated by the fact that marketing is often used to manipulate and deceive people This manipulation and deception can take many forms, including propaganda, censorship, and disinformation The solution to the deep problem of marketing is to be aware of it and to seek out and promote truth, rather than allowing ourselves to be manipulated and deceived The media, propaganda, and controlling information have been used throughout history by dictators, authoritarian rulers, and the church to control people's beliefs and ideas Today, modern business, science, and academia play a role in controlling culture and reality for many people, with a focus on maximizing profits rather than truth or consciousness Marketing is used to control and brainwash people, including in first world countries where it may be more subtle and hidden behind the veil of freedom of speech Education is a propaganda program that indoctrinates people to think within a certain paradigm The internet and social media have made it easier for people to access alternative viewpoints, but they also present their own challenges and risks such as disinformation and manipulation It is important to be aware of these factors and to seek out diverse and alternative sources of information to form one's own beliefs and understandings of the world. The impact of constantly seeking out and following the latest gadgets, products, and trends The manipulative marketing tactics used by financial products, education programs, children's food and toys, media, and clickbait titles The pro-corporate bias of mainstream news and its reliance on advertising revenue from large companies The negative effects of literal and metaphorical sugar on physical and mental health The importance of mindfulness and self-awareness in avoiding being constantly swayed by external influences and making healthier choices for oneself. It is difficult to convince people to buy healthier options when unhealthy options are readily available As a society, we need to make the decision to prioritize healthy options and draw a line on what is acceptable Marketing plays a significant role in what we know about and are exposed to It is important to be aware of the limitations of mainstream marketing and seek out alternative sources of information and products Responsible marketing should prioritize the needs and well-being of the consumer, rather than just making money McDonald's and other companies may rationalize their unhealthy options as filling a need in the market, but this does not necessarily mean it is in the best interest of the consumer Wise masters and valuable information may not be found through mainstream channels and requires effort to seek out Yoda in Star Wars is a good example of a wise master who is not found through mainstream channels The speaker believes that those with power and influence, like Warren Buffet and Bill Gates, should focus on improving the marketing system in addition to issues like poverty and disease The speaker suggests that conscious marketing, or promoting high consciousness ideas like meditation and self-improvement, is a challenge but ultimately more rewarding than selling harmful products The speaker advises those in business to prioritize elevating and putting the interests of others first in order to have the most fulfilling and rewarding life The speaker warns that pursuing enlightenment while working in a low consciousness job can create a cognitive disconnect and may lead to abandoning personal growth goals The speaker suggests that those unable to leave their low consciousness job may rationalize not pursuing enlightenment in order to justify staying in their job
  10. Motivational Speech For Building A Passionate Life https://youtu.be/Ey3x1zkjx6k Leo, the creator of Actualized.org, initially thought that his content would be more motivational in nature However, over the years, the content has become more technical and requires more preparation, thought, and research This has led to a lack of discussion about the motivational aspects of personal development The purpose of this speech is to provide motivation and hope for those who are feeling stuck or discouraged in their self-improvement journey The journey of personal development is tough and it's normal to feel down or want to quit at times The behind-the-scenes work of personal development can be challenging, and even Leo has moments where he wants to quit It's important to remember your vision and why you're doing this work, and to console yourself when you're feeling down The journey of personal development is not a hobby, but rather it consumes your entire life The key to success in personal development is how you use your mind and think about it This speech is intended to help those who are already on the journey but feeling shaky, and to remind them that it's normal to feel stuck and that it's important to keep going Personal development is not a gamble, it depends on your mindset and how you approach it The purpose of personal development is to build a passionate life, full of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment The best kind of life is one where the individual is connected with their survival every day Most people have a wrong idea of what the good life is The good life is actually the challenging life, not the easy life Self-actualization is a lifelong process that involves growth, discovering the truth, becoming more conscious, and overcoming inner demons and personal limitations Discipline is important for achieving a good life, but society tries to sell people things that avoid discipline Trust in principles is important for staying on the path to self-actualization Key principles to remember include: taking responsibility for one's own life, not waiting for permission or validation from others, being honest with oneself and others, and continuously learning and improving oneself The good life involves embracing discomfort and taking risks in pursuit of growth and self-improvement It is important to regularly review and reassess one's progress on the path to self-actualization Vision is the starting point for success Learning and research is important to understand how to make vision a reality and identify opportunities Hard work is necessary to follow through on leads and bring vision to fruition Consistency and building momentum are key to avoid quitting Refocusing and avoiding distractions is important to maintain momentum Success takes a long time and requires perseverance Some may argue that the pursuit of success is an illusion, but the idea of doing nothing and not chasing goals is short-sighted and unproductive The speaker has discovered an "infinite goldmine" Almost no one else has found this goldmine The speaker understands why it is difficult for others to find the goldmine The speaker has had to fight their own challenges and insecurities to find the goldmine The speaker now wants to help others find their own goldmine The goldmine is not a finite resource and can be accessed by anyone The speaker will be satisfied and a bit melancholy about finding the goldmine because they want to share it with others The goldmine was inside the speaker the whole time The speaker has a course that outlines the process of finding the goldmine in detail The course helps people reconnect with their passions, values, and strengths The course is helpful for young people trying to figure out their careers The speaker posts exclusive videos and other content on their blog The speaker encourages people to like the video and check out their website for more information.
  11. The Theme Of Things Going Full-Circle https://youtu.be/O7COBxw71MM The theme of things going full-circle is a concept that appears in many different areas of life There are two meanings of going full-circle: the conventional hero's journey and a more interesting, paradoxical meaning The second meaning involves a spectrum with two polar opposites (e.g. black and white), and the idea that it is possible to go full-circle from one end to the other, rather than hitting a "wall" at the end of the spectrum Examples of things going full-circle: a work of art that is so bad it's good, a joke that's so unfunny it becomes funny, a life that's so meaningless it becomes meaningful The concept of going full-circle can be seen in personal development and self-improvement, such as in the idea that one must hit rock bottom to truly appreciate and understand the value of life The concept can also be seen in the way that people's beliefs and values can change over time, and in the way that events or situations can have a cyclical nature It is important to be aware of the possibility of things going full-circle in order to be prepared for and open to unexpected shifts or changes in your life. Suffering and misery can be the result of an aesthetic's pursuit of happiness through introspection and self-consciousness The joy experienced by an aesthetic can surpass that of a hedonist Selfishness and selflessness have opposite effects on happiness and fulfillment Selfishness leads to a pursuit of personal gain, while selflessness leads to a life of contribution and purpose The inflection point in these dynamics is a pivotal point where one's perspective shifts and the true nature of happiness becomes clear The pursuit of selflessness does not necessarily mean allowing oneself to be taken advantage of Nonlinear dynamics within reality play a role in these counterintuitive truths about happiness and fulfillment The concept of good and evil is subjective and dependent on individual beliefs People may say they do not believe in good and evil, but in practice, they often do because they react emotionally to certain actions and label them as "evil" The idea that everything is amoral and therefore good can be difficult for people to understand A true saint is someone who understands that everything is amoral and therefore good, and chooses to behave in a "saintly" manner out of the goodness of their own heart, rather than out of a belief in a moral code or fear of punishment Traditional morality, or the idea that one must follow a set of rules in order to be considered good, is a fiction and does not lead to true sainthood The Catholic Church and its priests' abuse of children may be due to a lack of understanding of true morality and going about it in the wrong way It is possible for introverts to become more extroverted by pushing themselves to interact with more people Examining the mundane aspects of life can lead to a sense of divinity and a realization that everything is filled with the light of God Life and death are not separate and opposing concepts, but rather a continuous cycle Duality (the idea of separate and opposing concepts) and non-duality (the idea that everything is interconnected) are not separate and opposing concepts, but rather a matter of perspective Shallow forms of non-duality may involve seeing non-duality and duality as separate and opposing concepts, but true non-duality involves accepting both as part of a larger whole The idea of the self is a dualistic concept and letting go of the self allows for a deeper understanding of non-duality The ultimate solution to understanding non-duality is to let go of the ego and all dualistic concepts. Absolute versus relative reality Taking action versus doing nothing Ego death and strong personality Taking life seriously versus not taking it seriously Masculine versus feminine energy Struggle versus surrender Order versus chaos Doing versus being Thinking versus feeling Knowing versus believing Control versus letting go Doing things the hard way versus the easy way Externally motivated versus internally motivated Right versus wrong Good versus bad Positivity versus negativity Do something big and difficult Start reading high quality books Books are powerful and can inspire new insights Need to read 100 books to truly master personal development and non-duality Videos are not enough, need to read books for detail and depth Take notes using a commonplace book Videos will be a bonus on top of book learning and other practices Need to read and take action in order to get meaningful results
  12. Reality Is A Strange Loop - The Beauty Of Paradox + GRAPHICS https://youtu.be/-7mAU6YDIcU Douglas Hofstadter introduces concept of "strange loops" in his book "Gödel, Escher, Bach" Strange loops are paradoxical circular hierarchies, where a symbol becomes self-reflexive and points back at itself This leads to interesting paradoxes and challenges the imagination Wikipedia describes strange loops as "tangled hierarchies" with no highest or lowest level, where moving through the levels eventually returns to the starting point Hofstadter argues that the self, or the "I" that is within us, is a strange loop Strange loops are found in many places, including art, music, and math The concept of strange loops can help us understand how the brain works and how consciousness arises Strange loops also help explain the concept of free will Hofstadter's work has influenced many people, including the creator of the Matrix movies, who incorporated the idea of strange loops into the film's plot The concept of strange loops can be difficult to understand, but it is a beautiful and profound idea that challenges our understanding of reality. Text discusses strange loops and perpetual motion machines Mention of Klein bottle, an object in topology with surface that bends through itself Mention of mobius strip, a flat object with surface that folds through itself Mention of tesseract, a four-dimensional cube that folds through itself in an impossible manner Description of various animations demonstrating strange loops and self-contained systems Mention of recursion, a property of a thing defining itself in terms of itself Example of recursion with mirrors reflecting inside each other Mention of powerful microscope zooming into cells, molecules, atoms, and subatomic particles Suggestion that the act of looking at something changes it Mention of concept of infinity and how it relates to strange loops Substance needs to be explained but remains a mystery Materialist paradigm should be abandoned Substance of everything is itself, meaning everything is nothing, something, and nothing are identical, finitude is identical to infinity, and self is identical to God Douglas Hofstadter is a brilliant thinker but failed to fully understand concept of strange loops and paradoxical nature of being Materialist paradigm is dangerous and can prevent understanding of being, even for intelligent and well-educated individuals Ouroboros is an ancient symbol representing the cyclical nature of existence and paradoxical nature of being Zen teachings also point to paradoxical nature of being but cannot be fully explained through language Understanding being is necessary for true understanding and cannot be achieved through concepts or external help The speaker presents a strange loop that is moving and mesmerizing The strange loop is missing two components to be complete: it is separated from its background, and the viewer is separated from the loop The viewer is asked to imagine the background and the loop becoming one, and to involve themselves in the loop as well, so that the background, loop, and viewer are all identical This is described as a way to reach enlightenment and understand the ultimate truth of all existence The concept of the strange loop is important because it is deeply fascinating and beautiful, it gets to the fundamental nature of reality, it shows the limitations of logic, it demonstrates the paradox that cannot be avoided when discussing fundamental things, and it is helpful and necessary to understand existence Contemplation, self-inquiry, and meditation can help one understand the concept of the strange loop The strange loop concept can be hard to understand because it is beyond dualistic language and the concept of self The strange loop concept can be a difficult and uncomfortable process because it involves the complete unraveling of the self
  13. Why Brains Do Not Exist https://youtu.be/5N9xARPfJYY The main idea of the text is that brains do not exist The belief in brains being real is a metaphysical postulate that hinders one's ability to do advanced work on consciousness and non-duality This belief is like a mind virus that has been implanted in one's mind and is a framework of beliefs that prevents one from seeing alternatives The text aims to present an alternative paradigm for understanding the world The text will address objections that a materialist might have about the claim that brains do not exist The text will delve into metaphysical concepts and discuss the materialist paradigm and naive realism The text will use examples and logical reasoning to demonstrate the absurdity of the belief in brains and the limitations it imposes. The only reason you believe in existence is because you exist Physical universe is also based on anecdote Critiques of mystical experiences being subjective and anecdotal ignore the fact that everything we believe about reality is also based on anecdote Our beliefs about reality are based on our own first-person experiences Unless we have a first-person experience of existence, we would have no justification for believing in things like life, the universe, science, skepticism, etc. The existence of the Big Bang is dependent on our own existence Materialism is a flawed belief system that is deeply ingrained in modern society Most people, including intelligent and scientific people, have a flawed understanding of metaphysics Materialism is worse than religious indoctrination because it is not even recognized as a belief system In order to truly understand reality, we need to be aware of and question our metaphysical assumptions The concept of caloric, a substance thought to be responsible for heat, was eventually found to be unnecessary and discarded The concept of miasma, a substance thought to be responsible for the spread of disease, was eventually found to be unnecessary and discarded with the discovery of germ theory The brain and external physical reality can be compared to caloric and miasma, as they may eventually be found to be unnecessary and discarded as well The possibility that reality is a hallucination not taking place within a physical substratum should be considered The materialist paradigm, the belief that appearances must take place within a physical substratum, should be questioned and potentially discarded Believing in the materialist paradigm can be compared to being a fundamentalist, as it is difficult to let go of these beliefs even when presented with new information The belief in a physical reality and the brain as the grounding substance can be compared to belief in a deity There is no proof of the existence of a brain or external physical reality, and belief in them is based on faith The idea of dropping the materialist paradigm and belief in a physical reality may be frightening and unsettling, but it could lead to a deeper understanding of reality The nature of appearances is not explained There may be something beyond the Big Bang, but this does not explain the source or nature of all of reality Reality is an infinite hallucination grounded in nothing Materialists do not seriously consider the consequences and ramifications of their beliefs Brain damage affects appearances, but this does not prove that appearances occur inside the brain Reality is a self-interactive system of appearances interacting with each other The brain is part of this system and affects perceptions The self is not a thing, but an appearance The self is not the same as the brain or the body The self is the appearance of subjective experience The self is the appearance of a first-person perspective The self is not separate from the rest of reality The self is not a thing, but an appearance that appears within the self-interactive system of reality The self is not an isolated thing that exists independently of the rest of reality The self is an appearance that appears within the self-interactive system of reality The self is an appearance that appears within the self-interactive system of reality The self is an appearance that appears within the self-interactive system of reality The self is an appearance that appears within the self-interactive system of reality The self is an appearance that appears within the self-interactive system of reality The point of understanding the universe is to realize that the mechanism of appearances is directly accessible to us and not hidden behind the scenes There is no process of going from one thing to another, it is just direct manifestation Science tries to explain one thing in terms of another, but this misses the direct manifestation of appearances Mysticism is the simplest explanation of reality and is irreducibly mystical The materialist assumes that there cannot be anything mystical and tries to reduce everything to mechanical phenomena, but this misses the essence of being The tragedy of science is that it explains a lot of things, but it doesn't get the essence of the being of a thing The goal is to directly become conscious of the fact that explanations are just symbols closely associated with each other, which are themselves just appearances Reality is unlimited and doesn't need external explanations because it is its own source It is important to undertake an open and honest investigation into whether reality is mystical or non-mystical The speaker has lived in a metaphorical jail cell (representing a limited belief system or paradigm) their whole life The outside world (representing new ideas and experiences) has many amazing things to offer Personal development and understanding spirituality can be aided by expanding one's beliefs and experiences The current belief system (materialism) is self-defeating and limiting, and does not fully recognize the subtler aspects of existence The speaker encourages self-inquiry and contemplation to question and challenge the materialist paradigm The process of breaking out of a limited belief system may take time and effort The speaker is experiencing their own transformation and encourages others to follow along on their journey Reading books and following the speaker's resources (blog, forum, etc.) can be helpful in challenging the materialist paradigm The speaker encourages dropping the belief that the self is a brain and to consider the possibility that all of existence is a hallucination or nothingness Taking psychedelic drugs can aid in this process, but the speaker encourages personal discovery rather than blindly accepting their beliefs.
  14. Comprehension Has Many Degrees https://youtu.be/Fh-BchpGXD0 Comprehension has many different levels of depth It's not enough to just hear or read something; it's important to fully comprehend it and understand its significance This is critical to getting the most out of learning and can be achieved through contemplation People often think they understand something, but may not have fully grasped all the layers and facets of it An example of this is the idea that people's opinions of you are irrelevant, but many people's lives are still shaped by what others think of them To fully comprehend something, you must think about it deeply, trace its ramifications, and let it transform your life Another example is the concept of time, which can be understood on many levels and can have different meanings depending on your perspective It's important to not just accept things at face value, but to truly delve into and understand them This requires effort and discipline, but the rewards of true comprehension are worth it The speaker has talked to business-oriented people about the concept that success is not growth These people hear the concept, but it doesn't seem to sink in or change their behavior This is because they haven't made the necessary connections or done the required work to fully understand and internalize the concept The speaker gives the example of people believing that others' opinions of them are irrelevant, but still experiencing anxiety and fear in response to those opinions The speaker also talks about the belief that there is no good or bad, and how people often claim to agree with this idea, but still get angry or upset when things happen to them The speaker warns that it is easy to agree with ideas, but true understanding and internalization requires more work The speaker gives the example of the idea that there is no free will, and how people may claim to believe this, but still act as if they have free will The speaker advises caution when hearing and considering new ideas, and encourages the listener to truly contemplate and understand them before accepting them as true. The narrator describes a process of personal growth and self-discovery The process begins with a breakup and a realization that the narrator has been suffering and manipulating others The narrator occasionally becomes aware of this behavior, but is mostly unconscious of it Eventually, the narrator becomes constantly aware of this behavior and begins to see the full ramifications in both theory and practice The narrator becomes aware of the traps that cause them to fall back into unconscious behavior and learns to avoid or recognize these traps The narrator also understands why this behavior is necessary and inevitable, and sees that it is perfect exactly as it is The narrator is able to apply this understanding to all aspects of their life and see the interconnectedness of everything The narrator is able to help others through this process and see the beauty in everything, including suffering The narrator becomes more compassionate and loving towards themselves and others as a result of this process. The speaker believes that seeking answers from external sources (e.g. books, other people) can be detrimental to personal growth and understanding It is important to think and understand concepts for oneself, rather than just accepting the answers given by others This is especially true in regards to consciousness and enlightenment work Many people fall into the trap of accepting answers without truly understanding them, due to laziness or a desire to take shortcuts To increase comprehension and understanding, it is important to take ideas seriously and seek true understanding, rather than just results or solutions to problems It is also important to question and challenge one's own beliefs and assumptions, and to not be afraid to be wrong Continuously learning and growing is key to reaching one's full potential in life
  15. How To Keep The Ultimate Journal (Commonplace Book) + LIVE DEMO https://youtu.be/0wNk25KEBpw Introduction to the concept of a commonplace book Definition of a commonplace book as a repository of knowledge, ideas, and insights Explanation of how a commonplace book is different from a journal and how it can be thought of as a personal Wikipedia History of commonplace books as a tool used by intellectuals, thinkers, and philosophers in early modern Europe Benefits of keeping a commonplace book, including organization of ideas, increased creativity, and long-term personal growth Live demo of the author's own commonplace book, including categories and how it is used Tips for getting started with keeping a commonplace book, including setting goals, creating a system, and finding inspiration Conclusion and encouragement to start a commonplace book to improve one's own personal growth and development. Windows tablets are not suitable for use as a commonplace book A laptop with a solid keyboard is recommended for fast typing 11 inch MacBook Air is a good example of a small, portable laptop Chromebooks may not work because OneNote is not available The commonplace book should be portable and easy to use in different locations It should have a multi-tier structure for organizing pages and a robust search function It should have rich formatting options, including bolding, underlining, highlighting, and different fonts and colors It should have easy-to-use bulleted lists that can be quickly reorganized It should have the ability to create tables and interlink between pages It should have options for tagging and seamless saving and loading of files It should have local storage and be constantly open to eliminate the need for opening and closing the application Some newer versions of OneNote only work in the cloud and may not have local storage The speaker writes notes in lists and manipulates them to create deep structures OneNote has tag functions which can be used to search for specific items throughout the notebook Tables can be easily created in OneNote Hyperlinks can be created to link to other pages or specific lines within a page OneNote has multimedia functions such as inserting images, screen clippings, audio and video recordings, and files such as PDFs Calendar functions, equations and symbols, and drawing tools are also available in OneNote OneNote can be used to collaborate with others and make changes in real-time The speaker has a Me sheet (from a life purpose course) that lists values, strengths, and other personal information The speaker has a tab for actualized.org, which has pages for structuring information for the business and video topics The speaker has a tab for neurofeedback, which includes notes and logs for training The speaker has a tab for psychedelics, including information about various substances, dosages, trip reports, and trip logs The speaker has a tab for video notes, which includes notes and ideas for videos The speaker has a tab for a daily schedule and appointments The speaker warns against blindly copying information and encourages doing one's own research.
  16. Building Your Existential Vocabulary https://youtu.be/DV7a-N3-nkw Building Your Existential Vocabulary is a technique for understanding life by looking up basic words in dictionaries The technique involves searching for definitions of fundamental concepts or words that make up life, such as reality, existence, awareness, self, reason, or experience Use multiple dictionaries to get different perspectives and definitions Record the definitions in a digital notebook and contemplate how one word connects to another and how the concepts work together Most people only look up complicated, exotic words, but the basic words correspond to the most fundamental concepts of life These concepts shape how we think and influence our reality The technique helps us to gain a deeper understanding of the world and ourselves. Language can be seen as a game, used to hide ignorance and appear more knowledgeable than we are There is a difference between knowing something implicitly (intuitively) and explicitly (articulated and clearly understood) Most people know most things implicitly, and do not bother to make their understanding explicit English speakers often take certain words (e.g. time, energy, existence) for granted, without thinking about their meanings The speaker is not a native English speaker and had to work hard to learn the language, gaining an appreciation for the importance of being explicit about understanding word meanings The speaker made a rule to look up the definition of any new word encountered, leading to a greater vocabulary The speaker tries to communicate using simple vocabulary, to increase clarity The trend in modern academic philosophy is towards complexity, making it difficult to understand philosophers' works The speaker is training themselves to write in a clear and straightforward manner for a book they plan to write The speaker's approach to language and communication is based on the idea of seeking truth through clarity and simplicity The speaker suggests looking up basic concepts like sex, love, and money in order to deepen understanding and improve communication skills This can be done in as little as five minutes a day or even just five minutes a week The speaker suggests that this low investment activity will have a snowball effect and lead to greater expertise in these concepts over time This technique is especially important for non-native English speakers trying to master the language The speaker advises against assuming that enlightenment is the ultimate goal and to instead focus on the journey and the process of becoming a better thinker
  17. Advanced Tips For Self-Inquiry https://youtu.be/Y23xkd2kqlo Advanced tips for self-inquiry are for people who are already in the process of doing self-inquiry regularly When doing self-inquiry, ask yourself what you are looking for and what form the answer will take The answer you are looking for is formlessness, which is the opposite of anything you have ever encountered Formlessness cannot be found through the mind because the mind can only focus on forms Formlessness is found by letting go of the mind and going beyond it To do this, focus on the present moment and be aware of your thoughts and emotions without getting caught up in them Self-inquiry requires a willingness to be honest with yourself and to see things as they are, not how you want them to be Be patient with the process and don't expect quick results Don't be attached to the idea of enlightenment and remember that it is a journey, not a destination Be open to new perspectives and don't get stuck in your own beliefs Be consistent and make self-inquiry a daily practice Seek guidance from trusted sources, whether that be books, teachers, or other practitioners Remember that self-inquiry is about discovering your own truth, not about achieving some external standard of enlightenment The present moment is the most important and is the fabric of reality Self-inquiry is about becoming aware of and present in the present moment, without distracting thoughts and ideas Enlightenment means understanding that the body and mind are illusions and that reality is like a dream It is significant to recognize that you are not the body or the mind The mind is constantly thinking and creating stories, but the present moment is always happening It is possible to awaken from the dream of reality through self-inquiry The goal of self-inquiry is to become aware of the present moment and see through the illusion of the mind and body Different questions can be used to approach self-inquiry, but the process is ultimately the same Experiment with different approaches and questions, but always come back to the present moment The present moment is always happening and is the key to enlightenment. The identity of a person should be challenged regularly It is important to be honest about one's own identity and not rely on theories or beliefs from others It is helpful to identify with specific, concrete sensations or objects in the present moment and question whether that is what one is The process of questioning and discarding potential identities can help to arrive at a deeper understanding of one's true self It is important to avoid the trap of believing that one is nothingness or that one's identity is solely the body This process of self-inquiry can be difficult and requires patience and persistence There is a constant thing that exists across all time and space This constant thing is what we should be looking for This constant thing is not dependent on our perceptions, ideas, or bodies Our identification with temporary things like our body and mind is a misidentification We can use the fact that our perceptions constantly change to realize that they are not the constant thing we are looking for There is no specific technique or process to reach enlightenment Techniques can increase your chances, but enlightenment is a discontinuous jump Enlightenment is not something that can be grasped rationally or through the rational mind It is important to let go of expectations and demands for rationalism in order to reach enlightenment The moment of enlightenment is not something that can be willed or forced to happen, it is a fortunate accident Self-inquiry can increase the chances of having a fortunate accident (enlightenment) Both the concept of "no self" and "true self" can be useful in reaching enlightenment, depending on the student It is important not to get lost in the words or images and to read between the lines to understand the true meaning of the teaching There are many valid paths towards enlightenment, and the best path for you may depend on your individual circumstances and situation Follow your own path and do what feels most appropriate for you It is not possible to know which path will work the best for you in advance, so be open to trying different approaches. Old-school way and other methods (Buddhist, Christian, etc.) can be used to achieve enlightenment It is normal to feel stuck, confused, and frustrated in the process Work requires patience, like the feather in the rock Remind yourself that the end goal (enlightenment) is worth it It is the answer to life's questions and the ultimate gift of infinity The journey requires challenging work and a true desire for truth and a leap of faith Tips: check out resources (website, forum, course, book list, blog) and ask questions if needed If not seriously pursuing enlightenment, stop wasting time and talking about it If seriously pursuing enlightenment, continue or start the inquiry process and stop talking about it so much
  18. The Topic Of Mindfuckery https://youtu.be/n_Np__9UQ2E Life is full of "mindfucks," or unexpected events or revelations that can change one's understanding or perception of reality Mindfucks can be found in various areas of human culture and history, such as philosophy, science, religion, and society Mindfucks happen because reality is so vast and complex that it can be surprising and defy expectations People often react to mindfucks by denying or resisting them, but it is better to be open to them and embrace them The human experience is one of constantly seeking understanding and meaning in the world, and mindfucks can be a natural part of that process It is important to be mindful and aware of one's own biases and assumptions, as they can limit one's understanding of reality It is also important to be open to new ideas and perspectives, as they can broaden one's understanding and lead to personal growth Truth is important because it helps to narrow the gap between what a person thinks is right and what is actually right The process of becoming a self involves making assumptions and following heuristics, but it is important to periodically reevaluate these assumptions to ensure they are still accurate Ordinary states of consciousness are tuned for survival and utility, but there are other states of consciousness that can lead to different experiences of life The mind craves certainty and will fill in uncertainty with pseudo-knowledge, which can lead to mindfucks when the truth is revealed It is important to be aware of one's own biases and limitations in order to avoid being swayed by misinformation or propaganda The concept of mindfucks can also be applied to larger societal and cultural issues, such as the way history is told or the way power is distributed Ultimately, the pursuit of truth and understanding can be a difficult but rewarding process. The speaker believes that the listener thinks they are a good person, but will eventually realize they are evil The listener believes external factors, such as money and relationships, are the cause of their problems The speaker suggests that the listener will have a "mindfuck" experience that challenges their current beliefs Life is full of deception and illusion, and the listener should expect to be "mindfucked" in many ways The speaker advises the listener to investigate deeper, wonder about assumptions, and develop a love for being "mindfucked" The speaker suggests that mindfucks are often hidden in unexpected places and advises the listener to proactively seek them out The speaker advises the listener to approach life as though everything is backwards and to do the opposite of what they would normally do The speaker believes that this approach will lead the listener to becoming a conscious and great human being
  19. Correcting The Stigma Of Psychedelics - Part 2 https://youtu.be/GleAnI_q2Es Introduction to topic of correcting the stigma of psychedelics Recap of Part 1, which discussed the cultural and medical uses of psychedelics Issue of stigmatization of psychedelics being a conscious and deliberate thing Confession from John Ehrlichman, a Watergate co-conspirator, about the true motives behind the drug war and stigmatization of psychedelics Global stigmatization of psychedelics, with laws varying by country Underlying motives for stigmatization, including control and suppression of marginalized groups Personal experiences with the stigma of psychedelics Solutions for correcting the stigma, including education and advocacy Conclusion emphasizing the importance of addressing the stigma of psychedelics. The use of psychedelics, including LSD, MDMA, psilocybin, and ibogaine, is being researched for their potential in treating a variety of conditions These substances have been shown to be effective in research for end-of-life care and addiction treatment There is a misconception that there are a lack of accepted safety standards for using psychedelics, but the psychedelic community and various cultures and societies around the world have shown responsible use of these substances Alcohol, tobacco, opioids, and antidepressants are more dangerous drugs and have negative side effects, including addiction and interference with hormones and neurotransmitters Statistics on death rates show that heart disease, smoking, and car accidents are the top causes of death in the United States, while alcohol and opioids rank highly in terms of death rates due to drug use Psychedelics have a low risk of harm and addiction compared to other substances and could potentially provide numerous benefits when used responsibly under appropriate supervision. MDMA is a popular drug often used at raves and music festivals Pills containing MDMA are often not pure and can contain other substances with unknown side effects and health risks Many people, especially teenagers and young adults, consume MDMA at raves, often mixed with alcohol and other drugs Legalizing pure MDMA and implementing education programs on responsible use could potentially prevent deaths and health issues related to impure and/or irresponsible use Deaths related to tobacco and alcohol are much higher compared to MDMA Substance ranking according to harm to society and personal health shows alcohol and tobacco as the most harmful, with mushrooms, LSD, and MDMA ranked as the least harmful Studies have shown that psychedelics can have positive effects on mental health and personal growth when used responsibly in a therapeutic setting Psychedelics are often thought to be a slippery slope leading to harder drugs like heroin However, psychedelics are chemically and functionally different from drugs like alcohol, crack, and heroin and are not inherently addictive Some people believe that psychedelics are just hallucinations and therefore have nothing to teach us In reality, psychedelics can reveal profound spiritual truths and make individuals more responsible and spiritually developed There is a stigma surrounding the use of psychedelics, but serious and accomplished individuals such as inventors, engineers, artists, philosophers, academics, scientists, therapists, and spiritual leaders have used them for thousands of years The shallow and materialistic nature of our culture makes it difficult to have meaningful conversations about psychedelics and the true nature of reality Our culture will eventually evolve to be more open to these conversations. The concept of "bad trips" during psychedelic experiences and how they can be a part of personal growth The idea that some politicians and leaders could benefit from having a few bad trips in order to develop humility and compassion The historical demonization and persecution of non-mainstream spiritual practices and beliefs, such as witchcraft and indigenous mushroom ceremonies The divide between exoteric (materialistic, ideology-based) and esoteric (mystical, spiritual) aspects of religion The negative consequences of exoteric-focused society, including widespread use of drugs and alcohol, high rates of suicide and violence, and disconnection from existential truths The importance of turning inward and accessing esoteric knowledge in order to heal and grow as individuals and society. The author believes that exploring consciousness and setting it as a priority can lead to self-actualization for the entire human race 5-MeO-DMT can show people the truth and spirituality in a methodical and clinical way The author envisions a future where children must take 5-MeO-DMT before graduating elementary school in order to access profound truths and become well-functioning members of society The author compares the potential widespread use of psychedelics to the future widespread use of self-driving cars The author believes that future societies will view the attitudes towards psychedelics in the 20th and 21st centuries as primitive and ignorant The author advises trying 5-MeO-DMT responsibly, with the intention to grow consciousness and an open mind, and to be prepared for a potentially profound or unpleasant experience The author maintains a website and blog with more information on the dangers and risks of psychedelics and recommends caution when using them.
  20. Learning = Observation https://youtu.be/q1LetVyCMb0 Learning is central to life and being a lifelong learner is important for success Learning can be approached from multiple perspectives One perspective is that the deepest learning happens through observation Observation is defined as looking at something for a long time with focus and without an agenda Observation is not the same as thinking, reading, listening to lectures, watching videos, memorizing facts, or trying to fix something Observation is a rare practice that people do not often engage in Observation allows for a deeper understanding and connection to the thing being observed To observe successfully, one must clear their mind and let go of preconceptions and agendas The practice of observation can be applied to anything and can lead to new insights and understanding Observation can be combined with other learning methods for even deeper understanding The foundation of science is empiricism Observation is a rare skill in society for various reasons, including: It is counterintuitive and does not have an immediate payoff People are addicted to manipulation and think observation is a waste of time Culture values knowing, thinking, and acting, not unbiased observing Education system does not teach observation To develop observation skills: Look at an object closely, trying to drop all biases and agendas Relax the mind and body while remaining alert Practice daily for however many hours desired
  21. Correcting The Stigma Of Psychedelics - Part 1 https://youtu.be/TazyFTavMyA Introduction to the topic of correcting the stigma around psychedelics The current education system does not teach about the historical context, anthropology, botany, chemistry, psychology, psychiatry, clinical and medical studies of psychedelics There is a stigma surrounding psychedelics in our culture and it is unwarranted The speaker's own journey with psychedelics and the backlash he received from followers The negative views of psychedelics in our education system and culture are anti-scientific, anti-medical, anti-psychological, anti-historical, and anti-human The speaker's intention is to provide a well-rounded, comprehensive understanding of psychedelics The history of psychedelics in ancient cultures and their use in spiritual practices The benefits of psychedelics for personal development and therapy The potential for psychedelics to revolutionize the fields of psychology and psychiatry The dangers of using psychedelics improperly or without proper support and guidance The importance of responsible use and integration of psychedelics The need for more research and education on the topic of psychedelics The potential for psychedelics to bring about positive societal change The importance of individual experience and direct understanding in forming opinions on psychedelics Conclusion and call to action for individuals to educate themselves and help correct the stigma around psychedelics. Everything that culture has told us about psychedelics is wrong Devil may have manipulated the field of psychedelics to maintain status quo Importance of being objective and keeping an open mind when considering new information Substance being discussed: DMT, Mao DMT, LSD, mescaline, psilocybin, iboga, salvia divinorum, MDMA Difference between psychedelics and recreational drugs like heroin, cocaine, crack, meth, quaaludes Education system and DEA classify psychedelics like DMT, LSD, and psilocybin as schedule 1 substances, the same category as hard drugs Education system's priority is not spiritual evolution or higher consciousness, but rather giving kids basic skills for employment and avoiding homelessness Need to distinguish between psychedelics and hard drugs Culture's emphasis on keeping kids away from drugs may be misguided Psychedelics have been used for thousands of years in spiritual and medicinal practices Current studies suggest that psychedelics may have therapeutic benefits for mental health issues Culture's demonization of psychedelics may be due to fear of losing control and societal norms being challenged Conclusion: need to reevaluate our beliefs about psychedelics and approach the topic with an open mind. The acacia tree may have been revered in ancient Egypt because it was used in various forms (eating, grinding, turning into powders, brewing, fermenting, smoking) and may have been discovered to have DMT effects The Blue Lotus flower was also revered in ancient Egypt and has mild psychedelic effects and strong aphrodisiac qualities The Blue Lotus was also referenced in Greek and Roman literature, possibly influenced by Egyptian use The burning bush in the Old Testament is believed to be the acacia tree, and acacia wood was used in construction of the Ark of the Covenant The acacia tree has also been used in various other cultures for spiritual purposes and as a psychoactive substance The psychoactive properties of the acacia tree and its use in spiritual practices may be linked to the tree's high DMT content. Plutarch mentions examples of people participating in illuzzi and mysteries, which were popular with aristocrats in Greece and Rome In the Indian subcontinent, the Vedas (particularly the Rig Veda) contain references to a psychedelic substance or drink called soma, which may have been a mushroom or a combination of herbs and psychoactive plants Freemasonry traces its roots back to ancient Egypt and uses the acacia branch as a symbol of liberation, freedom, spirituality, and truth The Aztecs and Mayans in Mexico participated in mushroom rituals, including the use of mushroom enemas In South America, the Amazon region has a tradition of using ayahuasca, a psychedelic vine mixture, and yopo, a snuff made from Anadenanthera seeds Psychedelic lichens found in Iceland can be boiled and consumed to produce powerful trips The ancient Greek mystery cult of Eleusis involved a psychedelic drink called kykeon In Native American cultures, psychoactive plants and substances such as peyote and tobacco were used in spiritual and ceremonial rituals The ancient Egyptians and various indigenous cultures around the world have also had a long history of using psychedelics in spiritual and religious contexts. Psychedelics (such as LSD, mushrooms, and DMT) are not addictive and can even be anti-addictive, meaning they can help cure addictions Lethal potential of psychedelics is low and it is almost impossible to consume a lethal dose Dosage is still important and psychedelics can be psychologically destabilizing if taken in too large a dose Psychedelics have been shown to be effective in treating addiction, particularly for heroin and alcohol addiction Iboagaine and 5-MeO-DMT are particularly effective for heroin addiction Psychedelics may have anti-addictive properties due to their ability to provide a sense of spiritual and psychological insight and understanding, allowing people to confront and overcome their addiction Psychedelics may also affect the brain's reward system, helping to break the cycle of addiction More research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind the effectiveness of psychedelics in treating addiction The current cultural and legal approach to psychedelics is out of balance and disconnected from nature, herbalism, and spirituality Antidepressants and Ritalin, commonly prescribed for ADHD, are more addictive and less effective than psychedelics The speaker discusses personal development as a way to address problems such as low self-esteem, social anxiety, and various mental health issues The speaker suggests that psychedelics can be used as a catalyst for personal development, but not as a replacement for it The speaker cites various examples of contemporary and traditional use of psychedelics, including ayahuasca, yopo, peyote, mushrooms, ibogaine, datura, hashish, and marijuana The speaker notes that there are legal, responsible uses of psychedelics in various countries and cultures around the world The speaker suggests that mainstream culture does not acknowledge the responsible use of psychedelics The speaker implies that there will be a follow-up to this discussion.
  22. How To Raise Rockstar Kids https://youtu.be/vhsZusKc5zI Introduction to topic of raising "rockstar" kids, or psychologically healthy children who grow up to be wise and conscious adults Speaker's qualifications for discussing topic include studying personal development, psychology, and spirituality, as well as reflecting on their own childhood experiences The importance of good parenting in addressing the issue of low consciousness in society The role of school in teaching certain subjects, but not others The importance of teaching children how to think and how to learn, rather than just what to think and what to learn The concept of "formative years" and the impact they have on a child's development The importance of a child's environment, including the influence of friends, media, and the community The importance of being a good role model for children The role of communication and emotional intelligence in parenting The importance of balance and avoiding overprotection or neglect The role of discipline in teaching children boundaries and responsibility The importance of self-care and personal development for parents The speaker grew up with unhealthy eating habits, leading to self-esteem, confidence, and health issues Nutrition is influenced by culture, and it can be difficult to get kids to eat healthy foods when their peers are eating unhealthy ones Teaching kids about nutrition, including the pros and cons of different foods and how to read labels, can help them make healthier choices Modeling healthy eating habits and showing kids how food affects their energy and focus can also be helpful It's important to teach kids about life purpose and mastery, including helping them think about their career goals and what they are passionate about Kids should be encouraged to try a variety of activities in order to figure out their interests and passions Encouraging kids to be independent, including giving them responsibilities and letting them make mistakes, can help them develop self-confidence and self-sufficiency It's also important to teach kids about time management and how to prioritize their activities Emphasizing the importance of self-care, including getting enough sleep and managing stress, can help kids lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Being is where true happiness resides Importance of being strategic and outwitting one's own mind Good versus evil and related concepts (judgments, the devil, ego, selfishness) Business and marketing Building habits Male and female psychology Money management, investing, and wealth creation Dangers of scammers and con artists, and traps in mainstream culture Corruption in social systems (education, government, media) Importance of forgiveness and compassion How to handle stress and negative emotions Ways to improve communication and relationships Health and self-care (physical and mental) Personal growth and self-improvement Finding one's purpose and living a fulfilling life Demonstrate healthy behaviors and habits through your own actions and discussions with your children Stock your home with learning tools and resources instead of just toys Create a "playground" environment full of books, magazines, and educational software for children to explore and learn from Assemble a library of physical books, courses, tutorials, audio and video seminars, and audio books for children to access and learn from Research has shown that the quality of a child's school is less important than the number of books on their parent's bookshelves in terms of their success The role of the parent in a child's success is significant Encourage children to take on hobbies and activities that they are interested in Encourage children to be curious and ask questions Encourage children to seek out new experiences and learn from them Foster independence and self-reliance in children Encourage children to think for themselves and form their own opinions Encourage children to be self-motivated and take initiative in their learning and development Encourage children to be creative and innovative Encourage children to set goals for themselves and work towards achieving them Encourage children to be resilient and able to handle challenges and setbacks Encourage children to be responsible and accountable for their actions Encourage children to be respectful and considerate of others Encourage children to be kind and compassionate towards others. Parenting involves supporting children in their natural strengths and talents Child may be interested in a career that seems unrealistic or silly to the parent It's important for the parent to be open to their child's ideas and not dismiss them The parent should be aware of their own limitations and be receptive to the child's interests and goals Grades and Ivy League education should be de-emphasized in favor of self-education and practical skills Encourage children to pursue their passions and not just focus on money and status Help children develop good study habits, but also encourage them to take breaks and rest Encourage children to be curious and ask questions, and encourage independent thinking Help children develop self-awareness and emotional intelligence Encourage children to take risks and be open to change Help children develop a sense of purpose and meaning in their lives Encourage children to be kind and compassionate towards others. Parents shouldn't shield children from difficult or adult topics such as God, birth, sex, murder, rape, violence, war, and death Children can start thinking about these topics as early as age 7 Adults often insulate children from these topics and end up having shallow understandings of them in adulthood Parents should have philosophical conversations with their children, such as on road trips Children in ancient cultures were considered men and women as soon as they reached sexual maturity (around age 12-14) Children in modern cultures are often infantilized and treated as children well into adulthood Children should be given the opportunity to make their own mistakes and be intrinsically motivated Philosophical conversations with parents can lead to a deeper understanding of life and inspire children to pursue their interests Everything that the speaker has accomplished and experienced stemmed from philosophical conversations with their dad on road trips. Parenting is challenging and requires careful thought and consideration Homeschooling may not provide necessary life experiences, such as bullying and dating issues Public schools have negative influences and may not provide a well-rounded education Parenting requires effort and is not easy There is a temptation to take shortcuts, such as giving kids an iPad or feeding them junk food to avoid dealing with them Shortcuts can lead to kids not having a solid foundation and getting into trouble later on Even the best parents may have troubled kids Pushing too much of a "consciousness agenda" on kids may lead to them reacting violently and going in the opposite direction Parenting materials and teachings should be aligned with a child's age Do not put too much pressure on kids to succeed Encourage independence and problem-solving skills It is important to listen to and understand a child's thoughts and feelings Encourage a child to express themselves creatively It is important to take breaks and take care of oneself as a parent Parenting is a balance of structure and flexibility It is important to set boundaries and follow through with consequences when necessary It is important to teach kids about the importance of consent Parenting is a journey and there is no one right way to do it.
  23. What Is The Devil - The Mechanics Of Evil https://youtu.be/rVcxIamwO5g The speaker is discussing the concept of the devil and evil The speaker warns that the content may be disturbing and may offend some listeners The purpose of the discussion is to understand and reconcile evil in a practical way The speaker will be answering philosophical and theological questions about evil, including: What is the devil? What is evil? Why does evil exist and how is it created? How can a benevolent God allow for evil to exist? How do we stop evil once and for all? The speaker explains that if one misunderstands evil, they may unwittingly create it The devil is a metaphor for selfishness, ignorance, and unconsciousness The mechanic of being a devil is to behave like one while denying it The devil is an ego-driven force that exists to protect itself and its own interests The devil is a projection of the ego onto the outside world Evil is a result of unconsciousness and can be stopped through consciousness and self-realization Truth and love are important values that many people hold dear People often act in self-interested ways in order to accomplish their own agendas Evil is often caused by ignorance and a lack of consciousness There is no fundamental difference between individuals who are seen as "evil" (e.g. terrorists, Nazis) and others Evil actions often result from a lack of consideration for the collateral damage caused The Iraq war is an example of how a government can frame a conflict as good vs. evil while ignoring the consequences The ego likes to make distinctions between different degrees of evil, but this perpetuates ignorance and the creation of more evil There is room for growth in terms of consciousness and understanding of the impact of one's actions Religion is corrupt and subverts true spirituality and mysticism Followers of religion corrupt and demonize the ideas of the founders/mystics People can pretend to be spiritual through religion, but they are actually possessed by the devil Social institutions are also possessed by the devil, leading people to be unaware of their possession The devil believes in separation and power, and uses ideology as a tool to create identities and possess truth The devil is outwardly oriented, materialistic, and pragmatic, and avoids self-reflection The devil is preoccupied with sex, money, parties, alcohol, drugs, media, careers, and success The devil is fearful of death and the unknown, and uses distractions to avoid facing these fears The devil is a master of manipulation and propaganda, and uses these techniques to control and deceive others Evil is a concept, not a real thing Two facets of evil: not doing evil actions and seeing evil in the world Seeing evil involves projecting it, and therefore creates it Everything is interconnected and non-dual, so labeling something as "evil" is ultimately labeling oneself In trying to stop evil, people create it through their actions and labeling Propaganda and demonization can be used to rally people to a cause and make it easier for them to engage in violence Self-defense can be motivated by ego and a desire to protect one's own interests The deeper point is that sometimes bad things happen and the ego's desire for self-preservation may not be fulfilled Accepting this can lead to a deeper understanding of the world and a release from the ego's need to control outcomes This understanding can also lead to a more compassionate and understanding approach to conflict resolution. The problem of evil is conceptual, not physical Imagination exercise to help understand the concept of God inhabiting multiple perspectives Examples of different perspectives that God may inhabit: slave beaten and hung to death concentration camp victim family member raped family killed in drone strike ant squished by a child overworked pack mule big cat killed on Safari pig in a factory farm fish caught and killed for food tree cut down for wood bacterium killed by medicine These perspectives show that suffering and evil are a part of the natural cycle of life Seeing from God's perspective allows for a deeper understanding and acceptance of suffering and evil
  24. Distraction - The Ego's Favorite Defense Mechanism https://youtu.be/cZPSLBTJXds The ego's favorite defense mechanism is distraction The ego has many defense mechanisms to keep the illusion of the ego alive Distraction is necessary because if you didn't distract yourself, you would discover the truth about yourself, which is that there's no you Distractions in life include work, career, business, success, money, family relationships, friendships, socialization, talking, thinking, debating, arguing, saving the world, doing good, education, politics, church, religion, technology, and science These distractions are used by the ego as "human shields" to keep you from doing inner work and becoming conscious People misunderstand the concept of distraction and think it is only about frivolous things, but high-quality distractions are things that are considered the most important things in the world The ego uses these distractions to manipulate your priorities and get you to pursue the wrong things in life To become conscious, you must become aware of the ego's tactics and choose to prioritize inner work and self-discovery This requires effort and discipline, but it is worth it because it leads to greater fulfillment and happiness in life The mind can trick you and distract you with "red herrings" Religion is an example of a red herring that can mislead people from discovering the truth about themselves The purpose of religion is to help people find the truth, but it has been distorted by the ego to serve its own ends Self inquiry and meditation can help you awaken to the truth, but there are many distractions that can pull you off track Society and the mind both work to distract you and keep you busy The awakening process is like walking through a minefield and constantly being tricked and distracted The "false you," or the ego, is constantly seeking distractions and thinking it is separate from the world The concept that nothing is inherently "bad" or "wrong" The idea that people often fall back into mainstream cultural habits and conditions without thinking critically about their actions The consequences of one's actions and how they can lead to a more fulfilling or unfulfilling life The metaphor of a hurricane representing the end of one's life and the importance of considering the big picture and one's connection to life The idea that it is okay to enjoy activities and experiences, but to be mindful of the consequences and not get too caught up in them to the point of losing sight of the bigger picture The importance of considering how one will feel and what they will have to show for their life when they are on their deathbed A person who is happy overall is not likely to inject heroin because they can see the negative consequences it will have on their life People who don't have a lot going for them may turn to drugs like heroin as a way to escape their problems It is important to be aware of distractions in your life, both small and large, and to not judge yourself too harshly when you become distracted Distractions can come in the form of external events or internal thoughts and desires It is okay to get distracted, and the process of overcoming distraction takes time and effort The mind is a powerful force and can be compared to a hurricane in its strength and persistence The key to overcoming distraction is to stay mindful of the mechanism of the mind and not let it become too focused on external things
  25. Understanding Meaning, Purpose, & Value https://youtu.be/zGDGobqibDc The concept of meaning, purpose, and value is central to how one lives their life Meaning, purpose, and value are constructed by the human mind and not found in the world Meaning is relative and not absolute People often hold meaning as being absolute and constant for everyone, but this is wrong Realizing that all meaning is constructed leads to growth and maturity, but also may lead to confusion, depression, and nihilism The concept of meaning can be examined by asking existential questions about its existence, purpose, and origins The concept of meaning is subjective and varies from person to person People often seek external validation for their constructed meanings, but this can be harmful It is important to be aware of and take responsibility for the meanings one creates for themselves The purpose of one's life is to create and live by their own meaning It is important to be authentic and true to oneself in creating and living by one's own meaning The value of something is subjective and constructed by the individual, and it is important to be aware of and responsible for one's own values. The concept of "significance" or "meaning" includes various ideas such as good vs. bad, positive vs. negative, and priorities in life These concepts are subjective and relative to the individual's perspective and desire to survive Meaning also includes attempts to make sense of life, goals, and notions of worth (including self-worth and monetary value) These concepts are created by the individual and are not inherently real or absolute When an individual holds something as meaningful, they may unconsciously think of it as real rather than something they invented This can lead to problems such as low self-esteem when an individual thinks they are not good enough The idea that everything is relative challenges the belief in absolute truth or reality This understanding can lead to greater empathy and understanding of others, as well as a more open-minded and flexible approach to life The size of an asteroid can determine whether it is seen as a positive or negative event The perspective of the viewer determines the significance of the asteroid's impact God's perspective is one of complete objectivity and sees everything as equally insignificant or significant Meanings are illusions and are constructed by humans Being is infinitely more profound than meaning Most people chase meaning in their lives because they believe it is inherent to reality Personal development can be pursued in order to improve aspects of one's life that are not fulfilling The main reason people seek personal development is because they have created too much meaning in their lives, leading to toxicity and neurosis The ego creates meaning in order to maintain its sense of self and survival Seeing through the illusion of meaning allows for a deeper understanding of reality and a release from the ego's self-centered perspective. Life can be unfulfilling if you constantly chase more and more, but being is infinite and can provide all the fulfillment you need Meaning is an illusion and does not provide true fulfillment The reality is that being is all there is, and it is infinite and profound Many people are afraid to confront the idea of meaninglessness and do the work to become conscious of being The suggestion that meaning is not necessary for a fulfilling life may seem impractical or demotivating to those with an ego-driven lifestyle Most people assign the wrong meanings to things and are not in touch with being, leading to a feeling of dissatisfaction and a lackluster life Illusions are hollow and can lead to a feeling of hollowness in life Taking action and achieving goals can still be a part of life, but they should not be pursued for the sake of finding meaning or fulfillment It is possible to find fulfillment in the present moment and to live in a state of grace To find this fulfillment, one must let go of ego and attachment to illusions and embrace being and the present moment. Some teachings, such as Sufism and Christianity, focus on compassion and love These teachings often try to teach people the "fruits of enlightenment" without actually helping them become enlightened This is a problem because it is like "putting the cart before the horse" These teachings do this in order to sell their ideology to a wider audience The truth is something that must be pursued and discovered on one's own Once someone discovers the truth, they may become a mystic and develop compassion as a result However, if people try to imitate mystics and be compassionate without first experiencing the truth, they will likely fail The key for becoming a mystic is to discover the truth, not to try to imitate the results of someone who has already done so The mystic understands that concepts like "good" and "bad" are projections, and does not see themselves as acting in a "good" way Someone may ask if life has a purpose or point, but this question misunderstands the nature of being and existence Being is infinitely larger than any purpose one could imagine, and is empty of purpose However, this does not make it insignificant It is important to recognize the true nature of being in order to understand one's place in the universe. Personal development should focus on being, rather than meaning Stop chasing after meaning and start pursuing being Actualized.org offers resources, videos, and a forum for personal development It is important to build a theoretical foundation through regular learning Relative meaning can be pursued, but absolute meaning does not exist Contemplate the ideas presented to understand the distinction between relative and absolute meaning