MuadDib

What Is God - Part 2 - Clear Answers To 70+ Commonly Asked Questions https://youtu.be/YMLuA2MzV40 The speaker addresses questions and objections about their belief that everyone is part of God and ultimately is God The speaker explains that God is a trickster and that reality is not a given, but rather is only possible when imagined and believed in The sense of ego or self helps people survive, but hinders them from realizing that they are in God all the time The speaker discusses the concept of maya, or illusion, and how it relates to understanding God The speaker talks about the idea of God being both immanent and transcendent The speaker discusses the concept of the ego and how it relates to the belief that one is separate from God The speaker explains that the ego is not the enemy, but rather it is the tool that can be used to realize God The speaker discusses the concept of duality and how it relates to understanding God The speaker talks about the role of faith in understanding and realizing God The speaker discusses the concept of surrender and how it relates to realizing God The speaker talks about the importance of devotion in realizing God The speaker discusses the concept of grace and how it relates to realizing God The speaker talks about the idea of non-dual realization and how it relates to understanding God The human mind can easily deny or resist the truth by being closed-minded or skeptical False skepticism is a trap People often assume that the truth should be self-evident, but the mind is very good at denying truth It is possible to deny even the most powerful truth-revealing experiences or evidence through sheer determination The power of self-deception is total, like the power of God God has the power to deceive itself and also the power to awaken itself from that deception Reality is a mystery, and science can never fully demystify it God is the gap or emptiness between all surfaces in reality, unifying them into oneness The concept of God as nothing is different from the atheist's concept of God as non-existent The practical differences between the two concepts of God as nothing include: A recognition of the ultimate mystery and unity of reality A recognition of the limitations of science and the human mind A belief in the potential for spiritual awakening and transformation A belief in the importance of subjective experience and inner exploration A belief in the interconnectedness of all things and the interdependence of the individual and the universe. The speaker believes that the person they are speaking to (Leo) is God, but may not be aware of it Reality has no limits beyond the physical universe, and there is an infinite number of possibilities where anything is possible Physical laws and universal constants do not apply in this infinite space There are an infinite number of states of consciousness God is the absolute truth, and can be directly conscious of it God cannot be a hallucination or delusion because direct consciousness of God is unmistakable The speaker's experience with 5-MeO-DMT (a chemical) showed them that God is not a brain state or chemical, but rather consciousness interacting with consciousness The speaker's perspective on God may not make sense to someone who holds different beliefs or concepts about the brain, chemicals, and consciousness To understand the speaker's perspective on God, one must go through the experience of it God is the proof that limitations exist God imposes limitations on itself by incarnating into specific forms Destruction only makes sense within the realm of form All forms are temporary, only the formless (Godhead) is permanent Experiences of God are not confirmation bias, but can be shocking and self-validating Conceptual knowledge can fly out the window during absolute Samadhi experiences Some experiences may not have been read about or taken seriously before becoming conscious The text discusses the idea that life is like a horror movie or roller coaster ride, and how people can get caught up in the suffering and pain that is part of this experience. The text suggests that people are egoistic and selfish, which leads them to confuse suffering and pain for reality. The text compares life to a virtual reality, similar to the movie "The Matrix," and how it can be both horrible and exhilarating at the same time. The text mentions the experience of skydiving as an example of how people put themselves in risky situations and live through them. The text suggests that God (or people) put themselves in this situation and must live through it until the end. Religion is difficult to evaluate from a modern perspective To understand religion, it is necessary to consider its origin and the time period in which it was created In the past, people did not have the same level of cognitive development or understanding of science as we do today Religion was used as a way to explain and understand God, but it was often couched in metaphor and stories to make it understandable to people with limited knowledge and understanding These stories were often passed down orally and recorded by people who were not necessarily enlightened themselves, leading to confusion and inaccuracies The teachings of religious figures were often diluted and filtered through the perspectives and worldviews of the people recording them As these stories were passed down through the ages, they became further removed from the original awakening experiences and teachings It is challenging to discuss religion in a way that is not dogmatic, ethnocentric, or moralistic, as these tend to be influenced by a person's cognitive level of development It is important to approach religion with an open mind and not dismiss it outright, but also to recognize that it may not always be completely accurate or up-to-date with modern values and understanding. Visions can be related to God, even though God is formless Understanding of God is filtered through one's culture and upbringing Mystical visions can come in the form of various avatars or symbols 5ml DMT allows for pure consciousness without visual distortions or hallucinations Eastern teachings are generally more strict and scientific, but Western teachings also have value No one culture or religion has a monopoly on spirituality All spiritual traditions can be studied and learned from The ego's identification with a particular religion can be a barrier to spiritual growth Egolessness allows for a more open and receptive understanding of spirituality It's important to question and challenge one's beliefs in order to grow spiritually Beliefs should be based on one's own experiences, rather than blindly accepting the beliefs of others God is all-knowing and all-powerful God can set up a situation where it forgets itself and must awaken to itself Godhead is formless and cannot awaken to itself because it already is itself and lacks a mind or form Humans can awaken to formlessness because they have a mind and are not all-knowing Godhead incarnates into form so that humans can see the full ramifications of what it means to be God To understand what it means to be God, God must live through every life and every creature on Earth and potentially other universes God is living through infinite time and all the different creatures in the multiverse God must experience everything to understand what it means to be God Humans are just a small fragment of God's experience To understand oneself, one must live through and experience their own life and body. The idea that other people and external things are projections of one's own imagination The experience of feeling alone after realizing this, but accepting it and moving past it The difference between being alone and feeling lonely, and how being fully conscious and awake can allow one to not feel lonely even while being alone The question of why some people are curious about God and spirituality while others are not Factors that may contribute to this curiosity, including brain type, environment, and spiritual gifts The theory that ancient humans were more spiritually inclined than modern humans, due to survival pressures and the cost of building modern civilization The impact of overpopulation and modern civilization on the environment and the potential for human extinction The need to balance materialistic and egotistical survival instincts with spiritual and moral concerns The importance of spiritual growth and self-actualization in finding fulfillment and meaning in life. The idea that culture and society are evolving and "bootstrapping" themselves The concept that God is in love with all of creation and is present in every possible scenario a human being can experience The idea that suffering is inherent in life and that awakening is the solution to dealing with it gracefully The concept of sahaja Samadhi, or the permanent state of being awake and in a high meditative state The idea that people may realize God but then fall back into duality or lose their understanding, and that this may be due to the difficulty of fully grasping and deconstructing their previous understanding of reality in one moment The importance of fully grasping and deconstructing the illusion of life in order for mystical experiences to stick and become permanent The idea that it is possible to live in a state of "non-duality" or constant realization of God In your early 20s, it is important to work on practical matters such as education, social relationships, health, financial independence, and career direction God can be experienced at any stage of cognitive development, but the level of development will affect the experience and understanding of God It is important to work on raising cognitive development to at least the yellow (holistic) level for a deeper understanding of God and spirituality God does not necessarily need to self-realize, but by awakening in this human form, one can fully understand and experience what God is It is important to awaken and work on self-realization in order to fully understand and experience the human experience It is possible to awaken at any age, but the earlier one starts, the better Awakening involves letting go of egoic attachments and identifying with the true self It is important to have a balanced approach to awakening, including both inner work and practical responsibilities Realizing God can help elevate the consciousness of mankind This process can improve various aspects of life, including relationships, creativity, and business Realizing God may give some people special powers or abilities, but these are not guaranteed and may be a distraction from awakening Miracles, including paranormal healing, can happen within physical reality, but some aspects of the Bible may be outdated, inaccurate, or problematic Enlightenment is a state of consciousness that can bring about profound understanding and a sense of unity with all things The process of enlightenment can be aided by spiritual practices, but it is not necessarily tied to any particular religion or tradition The purpose of life is subjective and may be different for each individual Spiritual awakening can bring a sense of peace, joy, and fulfillment, but it also requires letting go of attachments and ego. God is a confusing topic and can't be fully understood through question and answer The only way to understand God is to awaken to and become God -One awakening is not enough to fully understand God and multiple awakenings may be necessary to piece together a comprehensive understanding Psychedelics and yoga and self-inquiry can be used to facilitate awakenings Actualize.org has resources that can help people discover God People often reach out to the author for help understanding God

What Is God - Part 1 - A No Bullshit Explanation For Smart People https://youtu.be/YE1yPCeF1Cc Introduction to topic of God and explanation of the purpose of the two-part miniseries Importance and depth of the question "What is God?" Difficulty of communicating about God, including challenges of dogmatism, self-deception, and closed-mindedness Historical context of people being persecuted for teaching about God Brief overview of different religious and philosophical views of God Explanation of the author's own direct experiences with and understanding of God Importance of critical thinking and verifying the information presented through personal experiences Mention of objections and questions that will be addressed in Part 2 Introduction to the concept of consciousness as the fundamental building block of all existence Explanation of how consciousness creates and perceives reality Introduction to the concept of the ego as a separate and limited identity within consciousness Explanation of the concept of enlightenment and realization of the true self as the ultimate goal of spiritual practice. People hallucinate and may misinterpret their experiences as evidence of God Need for concrete, scientific proof of God's existence Mumbo jumbo and philosophy not sufficient as proof Proof is a second-order phenomenon, dependent on the existence of something (like bricks being necessary to build a castle) Proof cannot be systematized or symbolized, and is weaker than truth Personal experience and subjective knowledge can still be valid forms of understanding Rationality and science rely on certain fundamental things being in place Belief in God does not necessarily require proof in the same way that other things do God is a controversial and emotional topic for most people People's beliefs about God shape their entire worldview and how they perceive and interact with reality Beliefs about God have practical consequences and can affect morality, relationships, and goals in life Attitudes about God can be a barrier to understanding what God is It is important to distinguish between believing in God and experiencing God Some people have had mystical experiences or a direct consciousness of God It is important to approach the topic of God with an open and honest attitude It is okay to not have all the answers and to continue to explore and seek understanding about God. God is omnipotent (unlimited power) and omnipresent (present everywhere) God is benevolent (all-loving and good) and incorporeal (not having a physical body) God is eternal, immortal, perfect, and complete God is a radical state of consciousness that is all states of consciousness God is the absence of the egoic identity or self God is synonymous with reality, existence, and truth God is the source of creation and the absolute The ego or limited sense of self is the obstacle to realizing God God can be experienced through the process of consciousness work or the death of the ego God can also be experienced through love and compassion The concept of God varies across different cultures and belief systems God is the creator and the creation The universe is one movement happening in concert together God is a strange loop, meaning it created itself God is infinite power and intelligence and exists for eternity God is absolute infinity, containing every possibility for eternity God is everything and nothing, paradoxical and hard to understand The concept of God can be experienced directly The concept of God is beyond words and language The ego is separate from God, but can experience oneness with God The ego's understanding of God is limited It is possible to directly experience God through meditation and other spiritual practices The concept of God can be understood through direct experience rather than logical thinking Realizing God feels like death because the physical reality has been thought to be real for the whole life Surrendering control of life to God or the universe and taking the ego out of life is the realization of God God feels like the disillusion of all boundaries and non-dual awareness, where dualist categories melt away God feels like an epiphany or a mindfuck and can be expressed as "wow" or "oh my god" God feels like exiting the matrix and realizing there is nothing outside of it God feels like an infinite void and a feeling of nothingness God feels like the realization that everything is one, interconnected and inseparable God feels like the realization that everything is a dream or an illusion God feels like experiencing unconditional love and compassion for all beings God feels like the realization of the true self and enlightenment The universe (with a capital "U") refers to everything, including all possible multiverses The universe is immortal and infinite God is the greatest joy, and feels like pure consciousness or "I am-ness" God is also infinite love and has a divine, radiant, magical, miraculous, and alive quality God cannot be known, and the closest we can get to knowing God is by not knowing The scientific paradigm tries to reduce the mystery of existence by explaining one thing in terms of another The materialistic paradigm views most of the universe as dead matter, but the realization of God expands this notion to include all of the universe as alive Spirituality is the recognition of the divine, radiant, magical, and miraculous qualities of the universe When we realize God, we realize that everything is connected and there is no separation between us and the universe The goal of spirituality is to merge with the universe and become one with it The concept of self is an illusion and is separate from our true nature as pure consciousness The ego is a construct that separates us from our true nature and from the universe The ego is a defense mechanism that protects us from feeling the pain of separation from the universe The ego is driven by fear and the desire for security and control The ego is maintained through identification with thoughts, emotions, and stories The ego can be transcended through meditation, self-inquiry, and other spiritual practices When the ego is transcended, we can experience true peace and joy. Metaphysics and epistemology are not taught in mainstream education Most people, including scientists, do not have a strong understanding of metaphysics and epistemology Success of science and technology has created a false sense of understanding about the universe and our place in it The foundations of science are misunderstood It is difficult for the mind to comprehend the subjectivity and relativity of reality Science and mainstream thought deny the subjective nature of reality Religion and spirituality are not taken seriously by mainstream society Traditional methods of accessing God, such as meditation and spiritual practices, are not emphasized in mainstream education The ego often resists seeking a deeper understanding of God and the universe It is necessary to go beyond the ego and personal perspective to truly understand the nature of reality and God. Meditation and retreats can be effective in experiencing God Dark room retreats can stimulate neurotransmitters and increase chances of high states of consciousness God cannot be experienced through the mind, beliefs, thinking, concepts, opinions, imagination, knowledge, language, rational inquiry, philosophy, scientific modeling, proof, clinical studies, skepticism, debate, discussion, academic study, scriptures, traditional prayer, ritual, ceremony, or psychoactive substances It is possible to have epiphanies and mystical insights through studying scriptures and spiritual texts Real meditative prayer may be effective in experiencing God It is important to have a direct, subjective experience of God Techniques that may be effective in experiencing God include concentration, devotion, surrender, self-inquiry, and being in the present moment

Cult Psychology - Part 2 - The Big Picture https://youtu.be/3P1R-wHd0bI Introduction to part two of a miniseries on cult psychology Definition of a cult as a binary concept (either a cult or not a cult) Shift to evaluating cult-like behavior on a spectrum Breakdown of cult behavior into subcomponents Idea that cult dynamics are present in many aspects of modern society and throughout human history Examples of areas in which cult dynamics may be present (e.g. Buddhism, yoga, atheism, capitalism, academia, mainstream media, etc.) No clear boundary between cults and mainstream society Most cults are offshoots of mainstream society Importance of retaining a strict definition of a cult while also considering degrees of cult-like behavior History of cults, including the idea that cults have existed for at least 300,000 years Definition of a cult as a group that uses psychological manipulation and coercion to recruit, control, and exploit its members Discussion of different types of cults (e.g. religious, therapy, commercial, political, etc.) Characteristics of cults, including the use of propaganda, deception, and exploitation Role of the leader in a cult and the dynamics of the leader-follower relationship Techniques used by cults to recruit and retain members The process of joining a cult and the stages of involvement The psychological and social effects of being in a cult The process of leaving a cult and the challenges that may be faced Strategies for identifying and avoiding cults Conclusion and call to action to educate oneself about cults and their dangers. The speaker's friend had a negative opinion of Chevrolet cars and would often make fun of them This opinion became a joke between the speaker and their friend, and the speaker eventually also developed negative feelings towards Chevrolet cars The speaker later realized that this type of stereotyping and judgment is similar to racism The speaker also realized that this type of behavior involves ascribing negative motives to others, oversimplifying and overgeneralizing groups of people, and ridiculing and humiliating them This type of behavior often occurs on YouTube in the form of political videos that aim to humiliate and ridicule the other side rather than trying to understand their perspective The mind often engages in this type of behavior as a way to avoid the emotional labor of trying to understand others and instead rely on easy stereotypes and prejudices The speaker suggests that we can overcome this type of behavior by taking the perspective of others, trying to understand their experiences and viewpoints, and engaging in empathy and compassion towards them. The act of stereotyping and judging others can be used as a smokescreen to avoid examining one's own perspective In a cult, the dominant perspective is presented as the objective truth, with no room for interpretation Science is often presented as the objective truth, but it is subjective and involves interpretation The false sense of certainty that can result from this belief can lead to closed-mindedness The act of stereotyping and judging can also involve projecting one's own negative traits onto others, creating an "enemy" It is important to examine one's own group and how it engages in these behaviors The ultimate goal is to recognize that everyone has their own perspective and to strive for understanding and empathy towards others. Cults often require a sign of recommendation before allowing someone to join Cults may make people wait outside the gates for 48 hours, repeatedly rejecting them and telling them they are worthless Cults may emotionally manipulate and control people through tactics such as intimidation, charm, seduction, withholding approval, showering people with disapproval and scorn, and putting them into impossible positions Cults may manipulate lower emotions such as fear, anger, hatred, and guilt in order to get people to do their bidding Cults may be materialistic and pragmatic, focusing on financial gain and power Cults may require strict adherence to rules and may punish those who do not follow them Cults may require a lot of time and energy from their members, including participating in long meetings and completing demanding tasks Cults may have a hierarchical structure, with the leader at the top and the members at the bottom Cults may require complete devotion and may view those outside the cult as inferior or hostile Cults may engage in manipulation through the use of language, including using buzzwords and slogans, twisting the meaning of words, and using loaded language to manipulate emotions and thoughts Cults may engage in groupthink, where members are discouraged from expressing dissenting opinions and are instead encouraged to conform to the group's beliefs and ideas Cults may have a destructive impact on their members, including causing psychological harm and leading to social isolation from friends and family outside the cult. The enterprise of science is sneaky because it encourages ignoring first-person experiences and phenomena Science dismisses subjective experiences, such as mystical experiences or the effects of psychedelics, as unreliable or hallucinatory To be a good scientist, one must reject perceptions and focus on concepts and theories instead Modern science is based on this idea, which leads to demonizing groups that prioritize subjective experiences, such as religious people or mystics The motivation to take action, including the fear that the world is ending, is often driven by ego's fear of death Different groups, such as those with stage blue or stage orange worldviews, may fear different things that could lead to the end of the world, such as moral decline or economic collapse The fear of the world ending is often used as a way to manipulate and control people To transcend this fear, one must recognize that the ego is the source of the fear and that the ego is not one's true self deep self-reflection and contemplation is difficult because of school workload and memorization cults use PR campaigns and fake front organizations to present a positive image language is used to manipulate and deceive, called "doublespeak" obedience to rules and norms is a feature of cults cults often have impossible ideals that people cannot meet, causing guilt and low self-esteem cults discourage questioning and critical thinking cults often have a hierarchical structure with leaders at the top cults rely on group dynamics to manipulate and control members cults often use techniques such as hypnosis, meditation, and chanting to manipulate and control members cults may use physical and psychological abuse to control members cults often exploit their members financially people may join cults for various reasons, including seeking meaning or purpose, seeking community, or seeking acceptance. The pharmaceutical industry refuses to take responsibility for its collateral damage Consider your role in an organization that causes collateral damage and take responsibility for it Crusading or the "lesser jihad" is a common component of cults and involves externalizing spiritual work and making one's life purpose the defeat of others Sexual manipulation, abuse, and irresponsibility are also common components of cults Cults do not acknowledge the importance of balance and often take a good thing too far Religious teachings should be interpreted, thought about, and embodied rather than followed blindly The pharmaceutical industry may be taking good things (drugs and drug research) too far by marketing opioids to vulnerable people and incentivizing doctors to prescribe them Extreme examples can help highlight and understand more subtle versions of issues Conflict and polarization among different schools, subgroups, and subfields in science and philosophy can harm the enterprise Philosophy is often taught as one school versus another, leading to cult-like behavior Jordan Peterson, new atheism, and rationality can all become cult-like Celebrities and Western medicine can also have cult-like dynamics Cultural rituals such as circumcision, baptism, female genital mutilation, animal sacrifice, honor killings, and sati can involve cult behavior Worship of gurus, leaders, and presidents can be cult-like Social media platforms can contribute to the evolution of cult dynamics Cults can have a negative impact on individuals and society as a whole It's important to be aware of cult dynamics and to avoid becoming involved in them The speaker is trying to communicate difficult concepts and ideas The goal of Actualized.org is to understand the entire universe and connect it to personal experience It is difficult to communicate everything that has been realized and understood The speaker will probably spend their life trying to articulate these concepts The audience has only seen a small fraction of what Actualized.org has to offer The speaker encourages the audience to become passionate about learning how to live and to spend thousands of hours doing this work The rewards for understanding life are significant, but cannot be fully communicated It is necessary to either intuit the value of this work or take a leap of faith in order to fully engage with it The speaker wants the audience to understand the importance of self-exploration and self-improvement The journey towards understanding life can be challenging and require facing difficult truths The speaker encourages the audience to not be afraid of failure or setbacks and to keep pushing forward The ultimate goal is to achieve self-actualization and live a fulfilling life.

Cult Psychology - Part 1 - How Cults Work https://youtu.be/Y73laz3etM8 This is a two-part miniseries on cult psychology In part one, the focus will be on understanding what cults are and how they work In part two, the focus will shift to exploring the broader lessons that can be learned from cults and how those lessons apply to various areas of society, including business, marketing, politics, religion, science, universities, personal relationships, and families The purpose of this miniseries is to educate people about cults and protect them from being recruited by one, as well as to help people recognize when someone close to them may be involved in a cult and how to offer support and guidance Cults can be dangerous and toxic and can have serious consequences for individuals, including financial and personal losses and abuse It is important to be cautious when following a spiritual or self-development teacher in their 20s or 30s, as they may unknowingly start a cult due to their age, inexperience, and ego Cults can range in size from small to large and can have various types, including religious, new-age, educational, self-improvement, political, and commercial (such as MLM schemes) It is a common misconception to equate religion with cults, but mainstream religion is not run to serve one individual and does not physically prevent people from leaving, whereas cults often do Red flags to look for in a cult include: the leader having a high level of control over members, requiring excessive dedication and time, isolating members from the outside world, and using psychological manipulation It is important to be aware of these red flags and to educate oneself about cults in order to avoid being recruited into one. atheism and rationalism are considered cults because they exhibit certain ideological tendencies The alt-right is not a cult because it is not organized by one person and there is no effort to physically or financially keep people within the group Cults often use sneaky recruiting tactics, including creating fake front organizations with positive mission statements to lure people in Techniques like meditation and visualization can be used to make cults seem legitimate, but are just the hook to draw people in Cults often use psychological analysis to find the perfect fit for a person within their organization and pitch the cult to match their specific profile (thinker, feeler, believer, doer) Cults often have a hierarchical structure with a leader at the top and a pyramid structure below Cults often have a distorted view of reality and use tactics like brainwashing and manipulation to control members It is important to be aware of these tactics and to critically evaluate any organization or group before fully committing to it. A cult makes its members dependent on it for financial and emotional support Cult members are encouraged to quit their old jobs and cut off their old friends Cult members are showered with approval, love, and a sense of purpose Cult members are made financially and emotionally dependent on the cult The cult undermines its members' ability to think independently and tries to replace their authentic identity with a new false identity The cult uses mind control techniques to program its members The cult is focused on acquiring power for its top leaders Cult members are true believers and may delude themselves and others Cult recruitment is emphasized because the cult is always losing members Cult members may be subjected to abuse, including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse Cult members may be required to follow strict rules and adhere to strict schedules The cult may require members to donate money and other resources The cult may have secret or exclusive knowledge or teachings that are only shared with members Cult members may be isolated from the outside world and discouraged from questioning the cult's beliefs and practices The cult may use fear and intimidation to keep members in line Cult members may be required to perform labor or other tasks for the cult without compensation The cult may use propaganda and brainwashing to control its members' thoughts and behavior The cult thinks they are above the law and often has apocalyptic overtones to motivate members The cult leader may claim the apocalypse will come in 3-5 years as a way to motivate followers The cult uses psychological and spiritual techniques, such as chanting, meditation, and visualization, to control and manipulate members These techniques can be legitimate but may also be misused or bastardized to further the goals of the cult The cult's focus is on its own survival and perpetuation, and the leader may spin or reframe events to maintain control over members If prophecies or predictions made by the cult do not come to pass, the leader may use reframing techniques to claim that the hard work of cult members has earned them more time to recruit and achieve their goals The true believers in the cult may become even stronger through this kind of spin doctoring Cults may use techniques such as shamanic breathing or sensory deprivation to further manipulate and control members Cults often have a hierarchical structure, with the leader at the top and strict rules for behavior and discipline for those who do not follow the leader's orders Cult members may be required to cut ties with non-cult friends and family and may be isolated from the outside world Cults may use financial and sexual manipulation to control members and may require them to hand over all of their money and possessions to the cult. Text discusses negative experiences with groups or communities (e.g. rejected, bullied, criticized) These experiences can leave emotional wounds that make someone more susceptible to being "love bombed" by a new group This new group, or cult, may manipulate and use the person to serve their own ego Members of the cult may be in denial that it is a cult and may be asked to live in group housing with surveillance Cult may require long hours of unpaid or low-paid work, and may use physical abuse or threats of violence to control members Cult leader may have a criminal record or shady background Cult may require exorbitant membership fees and charge for courses, seminars, etc. Cult may use a tiered system to slowly leech members of money Cult may use mind control techniques such as hypnosis, sleep deprivation, or sensory deprivation It can be difficult to leave a cult due to fear or guilt, and may require help from outside sources. Pain associated with leaving a cult Forgive yourself for joining the cult Common to get sucked into cults due to lack of proper education Love yourself for who you are and don't let the cult rob you of your self-esteem Start thinking independently and research things for yourself Reclaim your old identity (name, style of dress, etc.) and old relationships Leave the cult and cut off relationships with people in it Nothing bad will happen to you for leaving and it's the most hopeful thing you can do Can address issues (childhood traumas, addiction, self-esteem, financial insecurity, lack of purpose) without a cult and progress faster on your own Do self-esteem exercises (Nathaniel Brandon's sentence completion exercises) Make a plan to move forward in life Seek therapy and support from friends and family Find a new community (non-cult) to be a part of Take time to heal and be patient with the process Friends and family members may know about actualize.org and the hundreds of hours of video content available on the site However, they may not take the time to watch and listen to the material It is rare for people to find actualize.org and even more rare for them to stick around and watch a significant amount of the content It takes a long time, potentially hundreds of hours, to truly understand the material and see the big picture A deep understanding of the material is necessary to truly understand life, happiness, purpose, and how to avoid psychological and ego traps Most people will not get to this level of understanding because they have not dedicated enough time to watching and studying the content It is important to watch and take notes on the material and try to piece it together in your own mind Before taking action or participating in activities like meditation retreats or using psychedelics, it is necessary to have a solid foundation of understanding through studying the material Many people object to dedicating a significant amount of time to studying the material, but it is necessary to truly understand and apply the concepts It took a long time to learn subjects like math and English in school, and the material on actualize.org is just as important and requires a similar level of dedication Half knowledge and half truths can lead to cults and the delusion of others It is necessary to appreciate the importance and depth of the material and apply care, time, and energy to studying it

How To Do Self-Inquiry https://youtu.be/30grH6X_Q7M Introduction to self-inquiry as a spiritual technique for awakening Explanation that self-inquiry involves discovering the true self, which is distinct from the false self or ego Steps for performing self-inquiry: Articulating one's current frame of self-identity Examining and questioning this frame of identity Letting go of the false self and ego Discovering the true self Mention of pitfalls and traps in self-inquiry, including relying on fantasies or wishful spiritual beliefs Importance of being precise and honest in self-inquiry practice in order to see full benefits and avoid wasting time Explanation that self-inquiry can be aided by practices like mindfulness meditation and yoga Recap of the steps of self-inquiry and encouragement to practice regularly. The idea that all thoughts, beliefs, memories, and personal biographical stories are not the true self The practice of turning inward to find the true self, which is an emptiness inside The difficulty in distinguishing between what is real and what is imaginary or possible and impossible due to being brainwashed and programmed from birth The attempt to look for the true self as though it is a physical object inside oneself The idea that the true self is not something that can be found or grasped, but rather it is the act of looking for it that is the true self The suggestion to let go of the idea of finding the true self and instead just be the true self The idea that the true self is not separate from the universe and is interconnected with everything else The suggestion to continue this practice and see what is discovered. The goal of self inquiry is to focus on the emptiness or formlessness within oneself The longer one focuses on this emptiness, the more the external world (including thoughts, feelings, emotions, and personal experiences) and the true self (pure subjectivity or awareness) will become separate The true self or pure subjectivity has no properties and is pure awareness Self inquiry involves putting one's awareness on their awareness, and maintaining this focus until enlightenment occurs This can be difficult as the mind tends to wander, so it is helpful to have a meditative or concentration practice to build up the ability to focus To understand awareness, one must train their awareness on it for a long time until it reveals itself It is important to resist the temptation to objectify or speculate about awareness, and to avoid distractions such as trying to connect it to science or creating analogies or metaphors The ultimate goal of self inquiry is to become perfectly clear and aware of awareness itself Self inquiry is a technique of observing the observation process (awareness, consciousness) The mind can get too excited and start coming up with theories and speculations, interfering with the observation process To be effective at self inquiry, it is important to calm the mind down through a pre-self inquiry practice (such as meditation or yoga) The object of focus in self inquiry shifts from a physical object (such as a finger) to awareness itself It can be helpful to speak of self inquiry as going inwards, as many people feel like they live inside their bodies Self inquiry can be aided by asking oneself questions, such as "Who is having this experience?", "What is aware of this experience?", or "What is the source of this experience?" It is important to be patient and persistent in self inquiry, as it can take time to see results Self inquiry can lead to a realization of one's true nature, and a feeling of peace and understanding A person's true self does not suffer, only the false self does To solve life's problems and suffering, one must detach from the material world Detachment does not mean disconnecting from the world or emotions, but rather being able to experience them fully without suffering Self-inquiry is a technique that can be used to achieve this detachment and reintegration of full non-duality Meditation and other techniques can be used to calm the mind, but self-inquiry is necessary to train awareness on the true self Awakening can happen spontaneously, but often requires serious inquiry and training of awareness Talking about awakening is not the same as actually doing the work to achieve it

Spiral Dynamics - Areas Of Application https://youtu.be/Fi1fG8bw2KM Spiral Dynamics theory explains human values and motives Can be used to predict individual and collective behavior Can be applied in various areas to solve practical problems Education is a significant area of application Different stages of the spiral have different ideas about education Education can be used to change society Business and leadership is another area of application Can be used to improve organizational structure and decision-making Can help businesses adapt to changing market conditions Can be used to address social issues Can be applied in politics and government Can help politicians and government officials understand and address the needs of different segments of society Can be used to improve social systems and institutions Can be applied in personal development and self-improvement Can help individuals understand their own values and motivations Can be used to set goals and make positive changes in one's life Can be applied in conflict resolution and mediation Can help individuals and groups understand and address underlying values and motivations in conflicts Can be used to improve communication and relationships Can help individuals and groups better understand and communicate with each other The spiral is a concept that can be applied to education Understanding the spiral is important for teachers, university leaders, and government officials who want to improve education Current legislation and solutions for education in the US are often not effective because they are based on the understanding of politicians who are at stage blue or orange on the spiral To transform the education system, it is necessary to teach children from a young age about topics such as meditation, mindfulness, yoga, holistic health, and personal development The current curriculum should be de-emphasized and replaced with a focus on wisdom and personal development Higher education can be reserved for those who want to become professionals in specific fields, but most people do not need as much technical training The average person needs an understanding of practical psychology, relationship management, happiness, and spiritual techniques The goal of education should be to produce well-rounded, self-actualized individuals who can solve their own problems and find their life purpose. The concept of "spiral dynamics" suggests that a country's level of development and consciousness determines its political and social structures To successfully implement democracy in a Middle Eastern country, the population's level of development and consciousness needs to be raised, which takes time and education Without a high level of development and consciousness, a Middle Eastern country may become a theocracy and persecute and ethnically cleanse minority groups The US leadership is not at a high enough level of development to effectively help Middle Eastern countries Applying the principles of spiral dynamics, specifically the work of Don Beck, could be a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict The US leadership is not acknowledging or applying spiral dynamics to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict due to self-interest and self-dealing To objectively address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the US should study and follow the principles of spiral dynamics and amplify the work of Don Beck Big businesses, including Big Oil and the fast-food industry, prioritize profit over other factors Silicon Valley tech companies, including Facebook, Apple, and Google, are also involved in this pursuit of profit There is currently a conflict between those who support a more socialist economic system, which prioritizes equal distribution of resources and accountability for corporations, and those who support a capitalist economic system There are various stages of economic systems, including blue, orange, green, and yellow, each with different priorities and goals Stage orange economics prioritize profit, while stage green economics prioritize relationships, fairness, and equality Stage yellow economics prioritize helping individuals move up the spiral and using a systems thinking approach to design economic systems The Spiral Dynamics model, including the stage colors, can be used to evaluate political candidates and policies Explanation of Spiral Dynamics model Role of therapist/coach in understanding client's stage on the spiral Importance of tailoring communication style and teachings to client's stage on the spiral Examples of how to effectively communicate with clients at different stages on the spiral Benefits of understanding Spiral Dynamics for therapists and coaches, including ability to act as a bridge between stages and create win-win scenarios Potential for use of Spiral Dynamics to transform therapeutic and coaching practices Potential for use of Spiral Dynamics to improve therapy/coaching outcomes with clients who are at lower stages on the spiral. The idea of creating a "stage turquoise" university Could be physical or digital, or a combination Would be innovative and ahead of its time Could earn recognition and financial success Could attract visitors from around the world Could help other universities evolve towards being "stage turquoise" Could involve changing curriculums, textbooks, and funding sources The idea of being a "stage turquoise" artist Involves evolving one's own consciousness to be "stage turquoise" Could involve creating new forms of art to express turquoise values Could involve using new technologies as mediums for art The idea of being a "stage turquoise" scientist Involves evolving one's own consciousness to be "stage turquoise" Could involve studying the mind, spirituality, or combining those with other fields like neuroscience or psychedelics Could involve applying "stage turquoise" values to any field of science Could lead to breakthroughs and innovation. Spiral dynamics is a framework for understanding how societies and individuals develop and evolve Science, art, and spirituality can all be understood and applied through the lens of spiral dynamics In science, transforming to a higher stage (such as turquoise) requires systemic changes in the way science is taught and understood In art, one can aim to create work at a higher stage (such as turquoise) As a spiritual teacher, it is important to understand and connect with individuals at different stages of the spiral In finding one's life purpose, it is important to consider what set of values the purpose serves on the spiral and to aim for a higher stage Opportunities for personal and societal growth exist at every stage of the spiral It is important to embrace change and to strive for continuous personal and societal evolution The future is uncertain, but by understanding and applying spiral dynamics, we can navigate and shape it more effectively

Understanding Ego Backlash https://youtu.be/LL9Q5sHkCFg The topic of the text is ego backlash The speaker has been feeling miserable due to a cold and a hurt spine The speaker is experiencing ego backlash as a result of deep meditation and self-inquiry The mind can be thought of as a harmonic oscillator, a complex system filled with symbols and meanings that make up the ego The ego consists of behaviors, patterns, and survival habits that have been accumulated and hardwired into the mind These habits, or survival strategies, are necessary for the mind to survive and maintain its own existence The ego is responsible for maintaining the individual's sense of self and their place in the world When the ego is threatened or challenged, it can cause an ego backlash, which can manifest as negative emotions or behaviors It is important to be aware of and prepared for ego backlashes as they can be a natural part of the self-actualization journey and spiritual growth. The speaker is discussing the idea that people often avoid looking deeply at their careers and the foundations of their lives because it is scary and potentially threatening The speaker suggests that one's ego may prevent them from examining the deeper issues in their life, particularly when it comes to doing spiritual work The speaker asserts that the quality of one's life is directly proportional to how deep they are able to go in examining the foundation of their life and how much they can tolerate the suffering that this examination may bring The speaker suggests that all people's lives revolve around two main goals: avoiding suffering and pursuing pleasure The speaker suggests that spirituality is about transcending these survival drives and looking at reality in a more fundamental way The speaker suggests that survival includes not only physical survival, but also social survival, such as trying to be liked, become famous, or fit in with certain social groups The speaker advises that in order to improve the quality of one's life, they must be willing to face the suffering and discomfort that comes with examining the deeper issues in their life and the foundations of their life. Expecting ego backlash when making significant changes Understanding the mind as a harmonic oscillator and the value of homeostasis in keeping us stable Expecting suffering and negative emotions during significant changes Labeling and observing ego backlash mindfully Reminding oneself not to make drastic decisions during times of contraction Giving oneself space and time to process the ego backlash Remembering that the ego backlash is temporary and will pass Seeking support and guidance from others who have gone through similar experiences Practicing self-compassion and self-acceptance during times of ego backlash. The Republican Party in America is self-destructing The self-destruction of the Republican Party is not being recognized by many within the party because they are part of the system The same dynamic of self-destruction happens at an individual level The same theory of self-destruction can be applied to corporations and governments Building mindfulness skills can help an individual suffering through self-destruction Failing to make a change does not mean anything and it is possible to try again in the future with more knowledge and awareness Life is challenging because of the trickery and self-deception of the ego Life is a maze because individuals are lost in the maze of their own minds and need to distinguish genuine motivations from trickery It takes a lifetime to sort through and understand the ego and its trickery The ego is a devil that uses trickery and sleight of hand to do its work It is possible to soar through life by understanding and transcending the ego There are various practices and philosophies that can help an individual understand and transcend the ego It is important to be gentle with oneself and practice self-love It is possible to find peace and joy in the present moment through mindfulness and self-acceptance.

The Counter-Intuitive Nature Of Life https://youtu.be/LGpYE-FZRhA Life is counterintuitive Success in anything is counterintuitive To be successful, you must rethink the most obvious routes Life seems hard and full of suffering because people take obvious, foolish routes Key lesson: always look for counterintuitive moves in important situations Counterintuitive moves separate you from the herd Intuition is not the opposite of counterintuitive, it is the foundation of counterintuitive moves Intuition is about noticing patterns and making connections Counterintuitive moves often come from going against one's own biases and beliefs Examples of counterintuitive moves in various areas of life Business: taking risks and making unconventional decisions Relationships: not trying to control or change the other person Emotions: embracing negative emotions instead of avoiding them Spirituality: letting go of attachments and expectations Health: paying attention to your body's needs rather than just following a strict diet or exercise plan Personal growth: learning from failure and setbacks instead of avoiding them Creativity: embracing uncertainty and letting go of the need for perfection Conclusion: life is full of counterintuitive moments, and being open to them is key to success and happiness The speaker has spent hundreds of hours rewiring their brain to avoid attraction strategies that don't work, such as bragging and boasting Bragging and boasting about material possessions makes a person less attractive to women To attract women, the speaker suggests talking about low quality traits or characteristics in a tongue-in-cheek way The speaker has a rule where the more they want to attract a woman, the smaller they claim their penis is This works especially well with very attractive women The speaker suggests being counterintuitive and not doing the "ordinary obvious thing" that other guys do The speaker also mentions investing and how the traditional advice to "buy low, sell high" can be counterintuitive in some cases The speaker suggests being counterintuitive in other areas of life as well, such as exercise and eating habits The speaker emphasizes the importance of being confident in oneself to be able to implement counterintuitive strategies effectively Being aware that trying to stop evil actually creates more evil and hating one's own sins increases sinfulness can save millions of lives Laziness and trying to find shortcuts often leads to doing twice as much work in the end Giving up control and manipulation can improve relationships Chasing get-rich-quick schemes leads to failure and disappointment The 80/20 rule in business means that 80% of profits come from 20% of products and efforts Rationalists may try to avoid "magical thinking," but this can lead to missing out on important insights and opportunities Focusing too much on self-improvement can lead to self-obsession and a lack of compassion for others Achieving goals can sometimes lead to a sense of emptiness Seeking happiness and pleasure can lead to dissatisfaction Seeking the "truth" can sometimes lead to a lack of flexibility and adaptability A desire for security can lead to a lack of risk-taking and opportunities for growth. Acting macho does not make a man strong, but rather weak and insecure Embracing one's feminine side can make a man stronger Rest and relaxation can improve the quality of work and make one more creative Tithing (giving a percentage of one's income to charity or a religious tradition) can communicate to oneself that money is abundant, rather than scarce A small, well-polished portfolio is more impressive than a comprehensive one Giving credit to others can lead to success, rather than taking credit oneself Allowing oneself to feel and express emotions can lead to increased strength and resilience Seeking out and embracing change can lead to personal growth and success. Freedom is counterintuitive because we need restrictions in order to survive Overthinking can lead to making wrong decisions Complex systems (e.g. government, public policy) can be counterintuitive War and peace can be counterintuitive (e.g. strong military can lead to peace) Self-love is counterintuitive (e.g. people tend to hate themselves after failing) Ideals can be counterintuitive (e.g. high ideals may lead to suffering and misery) Anger can be counterintuitive (e.g. expressing anger can lead to more anger) Love can be counterintuitive (e.g. loving someone may involve letting them go) Happiness can be counterintuitive (e.g. happiness often comes from outside our control) Suffering can be counterintuitive (e.g. suffering can lead to growth and understanding) Self-deception is counterintuitive Skepticism should be directed inward rather than outward People experience and think about reality differently True morality does not rely on rules or self-image Happiness can be found in the present moment, even in negative circumstances God and the devil are interconnected Death can lead to enlightenment and surrendering knowledge can lead to understanding the true nature of reality Mental states and emotions can be controlled and transcended Understanding the true nature of reality can lead to a loss of the ego and liberation. Reality is nonlinear and has interconnected variables that create chaotic dynamics Good intentions are not enough, understanding how systems work is important (systems thinking) Five most counterintuitive moves in life: Pursue truth at all costs, even if it threatens your self agenda Live selflessly for others and the world Love unconditionally, even towards things or people normally hated Reject hedonism, don't seek material pleasure Face your fear of death and experience what lies on the other side Importance of looking for and executing counterintuitive moves Notes and commonplace books can be helpful for creating a personal list of counterintuitive moves.

The Ten Ox-Herding Pictures - Zen's Stages Of Enlightenment Explained https://youtu.be/w4ZWNzSliGk The Ten Ox-Herding Pictures is a model for the stages of enlightenment or awakening in Zen Buddhism This model is based on a rare book called "The Lectures on the Ten Ox-Herding Pictures" The book was written by Yamada Mamon and translated by Victor Según Hoary The Ten Ox-Herding Pictures is a map for the different spiritual stages of awakening that a person goes through Other religious traditions also have maps for awakening, such as Christianity, Tibetan Buddhism, and Sufism The Ten Ox-Herding Pictures model has ten stages, but other models may have different numbers of stages This is an advanced teaching and should not be taken lightly The Ten Ox-Herding Pictures model is not a linear process and there is overlap between the stages The ten stages are: The first picture is of the seeker searching for the ox The second picture is of the seeker finding the ox tracks The third picture is of the seeker seeing the ox in the distance The fourth picture is of the seeker catching the ox The fifth picture is of the seeker taming the ox The sixth picture is of the seeker riding the ox home The seventh picture is of the seeker and the ox entering the marketplace together The eighth picture is of the seeker and the ox disappearing from the marketplace The ninth picture is of the seeker sitting under the tree, resting and meditating The tenth picture is of the seeker and the ox merging into one The Ten Ox-Herding Pictures model can be helpful in understanding the stages of awakening and keeping a sense of humility about the journey towards enlightenment The speaker is discussing spiritual practices, such as meditation and yoga, and the pursuit of awakening One's efforts in these practices may not lead to progress, but if pursued consistently and persistently, there will be a moment when one's "eye opens" Some people are at the stage where they have heard about spiritual practices and enlightenment, but have only had brief glimpses or tastes of it This stage is characterized by skepticism and rationalism, and some may get caught up in gathering information and building a philosophy of non-duality rather than actually practicing The speaker warns against this tendency to "concoct an imaginary ox" and advises to actually go out and find the "real wild ox in the wilderness" The speaker also advises to not get caught up in attachments and to continue on the path, even if it seems difficult or one is met with obstacles Finally, the speaker encourages the listener to "just keep on going" and not give up on the pursuit of enlightenment. The text discusses the difficulty of communicating non-duality and the challenge of embodying enlightenment Language and teachings are only a map, the true territory is non-dual awareness or "the Ox" Kensho or awakening requires engagement with the outside world and can be difficult and unsettling The process of catching the Ox involves going beyond initial glimpses and fully embodying enlightenment in daily life This requires surrendering ego, attachments, and delusions and embracing purity The Ox will not be caught or tamed with a mind full of thoughts and attachments The Ox represents fundamental wholeness and detests the world of desires, attachments, and self-delusions Catching the Ox involves letting go of dualistic thinking and embracing non-dual awareness The final stage of catching the Ox is transcending the Ox and achieving unity with the universe The ultimate goal of spiritual practice is to achieve a state of "no-mind," where one can sit effortlessly without thoughts for hours This state, called "taming the Ox," is when one's true nature (or "Buddha nature") is fully awakened and the mind is rewired In this state, one experiences non-duality and sees God and oneness everywhere Post-Satori training (i.e., after achieving enlightenment) involves maintaining this state of consciousness through continuous mindfulness in the present moment The 21st century, with its distractions of social media, technology, and sensory stimuli, makes it difficult to maintain mindfulness After attaining a certain level of embodiment of one's awakening, there is less need to talk about it and it becomes a normal way of life In this stage, one brings the non-duality back into the duality of the everyday world, fusing the absolute and the relative, and the mundane and the mystical To refuse to return to the ordinary world is not genuine enlightenment The goal is to remain in the present moment, without being swayed by desires or attachments, in order to truly experience the world as it is This requires a constant effort to ground oneself in the present moment, even when faced with challenges or difficulties. The idea of awakening involves the "suicide" of the ego or the self This is a significant and powerful realization because it means that the individual is no longer attached to or defending anything (e.g. body, self-image, social status, wealth, etc.) and is therefore free to experience pure positivity and joy This state is achieved through a process of surrendering attachments and ultimately the self, and is achieved through a radical transformation in the psyche that allows for unconditional happiness under all circumstances This may seem counterintuitive or difficult, but is ultimately the key to lasting peace and happiness "Vast emptiness" is a state of non-duality, where all distinctions and boundaries collapse This state is not recognizable by others and should not be sought for attention or recognition It is a state of complete emptiness, where even the self is extinguished and the idea of being born disappears There are still two more stages to achieve after this one, including returning to the source and the ultimate end of all suffering The author has had glimpses of these stages, but does not fully understand them The ten stages described in this text are based on a traditional Buddhist model, but may not account for the experiences of those who have used psychedelics True masters are deeply humble Ego can prevent new seekers from appreciating humility Humility is an honest signal of mastery Ideal is to "melt completely in with ordinary people" and live at the "bottom of the social scale" Jesus is a powerful role model because he did this A true master does not reveal their enlightenment or learning, but rather laughs and lives amongst ordinary people Doing this leads others to awaken to their own Buddhahood True masters do not preach or perform miracles, but rather lead others through laughter, drinking, and singing Once one has reached the highest awakened state, they must throw away Satori and help those in suffering and distress True masters do not discriminate, but rather embrace all beings as equal True masters are not attached to anything, and do not seek fame or fortune True masters do not care about social status or wealth, but rather live simply True masters do not try to control or manipulate others, but rather let go of their own desires and ego True masters do not seek recognition or praise, but rather live in a state of non-attachment and contentment

Spiral Dynamics - Important Insights & Nuances https://youtu.be/LdGjKOnxLtE Spiral Dynamics is a model for understanding human development and the evolution of consciousness There are six main stages of development in the model: blue, orange, green, yellow, turquoise, and purple/red (purple and red may be covered in the future) There are additional ways to understand the model, including epochs (archaic, magic, mythic, rational, postmodern, integral, mystical, and non-dual) and developmental lines (cognitive, moral, and cultural) It is important to understand and apply Spiral Dynamics properly in order to fully understand and utilize the model Misapplication of Spiral Dynamics can lead to pigeonholing and judging others It takes time and effort to fully understand and apply the model effectively The model can be used to understand individual and societal development and evolution The model can be used to understand conflicts and differences between individuals and groups It is important to understand the context in which the model is being applied Spiral Dynamics can be used to understand and improve systems and organizations It is important to be aware of biases and limitations in the model There is a concept of different stages of societal and cultural development, represented by a "spiral" Individual and societal development are connected, with society having a pulling up and pulling down effect on individual development Some societies may be more advanced than others due to historical advantages It is not uncommon for individuals to be pulled up to their society's center of gravity, but it is rare for individuals to go beyond the center of gravity and continue developing independently This requires individuals to seek out rare sources of knowledge and do their own work, rather than relying on mainstream sources or societal expectations Advanced individuals may face resistance from those around them, who may try to pull them down to their own level Throughout history, the most advanced individuals have had to struggle against societal resistance to achieve their development. The majority of people in the 21st century struggle with the ability to view the world from multiple perspectives This skill can be learned, like trigonometry, but many people are not adept at it Lower levels of cognitive development, such as stage blue and below, are particularly poor at understanding multiple perspectives and may even deny their existence This lack of perspective-taking can lead to dogmatic, closed-minded thinking and behaviors like fundamentalism and racism The ability to see more perspectives improves at each stage of cognitive development, starting with ethnocentric (stage blue) and becoming more world-centric (stage orange) and eventually leading to an understanding of interconnectedness and unity (stage yellow and above) It is important to understand and appreciate these stages of development in order to better understand and navigate the world today Modern developments, like the shedding of racist perspectives, are a recent occurrence and should not be taken for granted Consciousness is building the infrastructure it needs to facilitate more consciousness People often romanticize early phases of human society, like hunter-gatherer societies, as being more spiritual and peaceful than modern society However, many hunter-gatherer societies are actually at a low level of development (stage purple) and are therefore superstitious, uneducated, and closed-minded These societies often have slavery and engage in tribal warfare They also have limited legal systems and economic systems, making it difficult to get justice and make transactions These societies can only function peacefully because they are at a low scale, but this peace does not scale up to larger societies Society has been gradually evolving to deal with the challenges of scaling up and incorporating advanced technology Society is still evolving and facing new challenges, but it is important to remember that it has made progress in dealing with these challenges The text discusses a model for understanding human behavior and development The model includes four dimensions or facets: Spiral dynamics color stage Myers-Briggs type Enneagram type Lines of development The spiral dynamics color stage refers to a person's worldview and values, and can be one of several colors (e.g. orange, green, yellow) The Myers-Briggs type refers to a person's personality traits and can be one of several types (e.g. INTJ, INTP) The Enneagram type refers to a person's core motivations and can be one of several types (e.g. Type 1, Type 9) The lines of development refer to different areas of a person's psyche, including: Cognitive and values development Emotional development Moral development Career and livelihood development Health and nutrition development Interpersonal relationships development Metaphysical and spiritual development Education development Political development Psychosexual development Kinesthetic development Each of these dimensions or facets can be at different stages or levels of development, and can influence a person's behavior The model becomes more complex but also more accurate as it takes into account multiple dimensions and variables The model can be used to evaluate oneself or others and can help to identify areas for personal development Masculine and feminine are not necessarily opposites There are different "flavors" of masculinity, including red and orange masculine, which can be problematic Green masculinity and green femininity may be necessary to address issues in society caused by imbalances between the two Developmental stages, like those outlined in Spiral Dynamics, cannot be understood through introspection or meditation alone Traditional religions do not account for stages of development and may focus on dogmatic beliefs or attaining high mystical states rather than understanding and addressing social problems It is important to consider both spiritual development and developmental stages in order to fully understand and address societal issues Religion has always evolved and changed over time The mistake that people make when demonizing a religion is assuming it is static and will never change In the future, there may be different versions of Islam, such as yellow, green, and turquoise versions These versions will be softer around the edges, more pluralistic and relativistic, less dogmatic and violent, and more loving and inclusive These versions will also incorporate mystical and non-dual insights, which have always been present in the core of each religion There are differences between business, family, health and nutrition, relationships and marriage, and art at every stage of development Art, media, and entertainment will also evolve over time Film will eventually evolve beyond the current trend of superhero movies Technology will also evolve and will eventually be able to support more advanced forms of communication All of these things are subject to change and evolution, and it is a mistake to think that they will stay the same. The speaker believes that people's beliefs and perspectives are influenced by their fears and worries, and they will seek out evidence that confirms their beliefs rather than considering other perspectives or facts. The speaker identifies three stages of belief (stage Blue, Orange, and Green) and outlines the types of beliefs and biases that people in each stage may hold. Stage Blue beliefs may involve discounting the commonalities between different religions or the possibility that different deities are the same God. Stage Orange beliefs may involve the belief that certain groups (such as Muslims or socialists) are a threat to society and will cause its destruction. The speaker suggests that people in this stage may not bother to learn about these groups and their beliefs, and may cherry-pick examples that confirm their biases. Stage Green beliefs may involve the belief that global warming and capitalism are causing environmental destruction, and that certain actions (such as protecting polar bears and preserving forests) are necessary to save the planet. The speaker suggests that people in this stage may not consider the positive aspects of capitalism or technological innovation. The best human beings have teachings that cannot be fully understood by someone who is not at least at the "stage green" level of development The best teacher for personal growth is one or two stages higher than the student As a teacher grows, their teachings become more advanced, but this can cause students who are not at the same level to become disconnected from the teachings and view the teacher as a fraud or charlatan Growth to a higher stage does not happen through logic, but rather through a new paradigm shift or insight There are four phases to moving from one stage to another: pre-entry, entry, immersion, and post-immersion In the pre-entry phase, the person does not take the new stage seriously and may judge or ridicule it In the entry phase, the person discovers the value of the new stage and becomes excited about it In the immersion phase, the person becomes deeply involved in the new stage and may try to share it with others In the post-immersion phase, the person integrates the new stage into their life and begins to see the limitations of their previous stage Reading books of different colors (green, yellow, turquoise) exposes you to new ideas and perspectives Surrounding yourself with friends at higher stages of consciousness can help you grow into a new stage Solo retreats, workshops and seminars, and travel can all help you grow and expand your perspective Spiral dynamics is a relative truth, not an absolute truth Non-duality and enlightenment are beyond spiral dynamics, but it can be useful for interacting in the relative world The ultimate goal is to reach a state of non-duality or enlightenment, but it requires effort and struggle to overcome ego resistance.

What Is Perception - The Metaphysics Of Perception https://youtu.be/8Jbvik4IA3o The question of perception and its relationship to the mind, brain, consciousness, and reality has been a topic of philosophical and scientific inquiry for thousands of years The speaker recently had a realization during a meditation retreat that perception is an illusion The explanation for this will be given from a modern, 21st century perspective for materialists Perception is not a biological or neurological process, but the raw data of perception is undeniable Perception is defined as the process of interpreting sensory information in order to understand and navigate the environment The mind interprets the raw data of perception and creates a mental model or representation of reality This mental model is not the same as reality itself, but it is what we experience as reality The mind is not a separate entity from the brain or the body, but is a function of the brain Perception is subjective and can be influenced by biases, past experiences, and cultural conditioning The mind can be trained to see reality more accurately through practices such as meditation and mindfulness The ultimate goal is to see through the illusion of perception and directly experience reality as it is, beyond the limitations of the mind. The speaker believes that individuals are not physical objects, but rather ideas The ego constructs the sense of self and takes ownership of a field of consciousness, interpreting it as personal perceptions The sense of selfhood distorts the non-personal field and makes it personal for the individual The belief that the bubble of perception is part of the individual's biological being is a projection of the mind, similar to a child believing they own a toy The belief that the individual is a biological, sentient creature is reinforced by society and parents, but is not necessarily true The individual's sense of self and the external world are constructed by the mind The individual's perception of time and space is also a construction of the mind The individual's experiences and memories are stored in the brain, but the brain is not the source of consciousness The true nature of the individual and the universe is not limited to the individual's constructed sense of self and the external world. There will no longer be a "you" experiencing reality, but the colors, shapes, and sounds of reality will still exist The concept of the "unified field of consciousness" is explained using the analogy of a sponge with many bubbles inside it Each bubble represents an individual's experience of reality, and what we perceive as our "whole life" is just one bubble from a larger perspective From the perspective of a single bubble, there is an illusion of an external reality beyond the bubble and an objective self experiencing the bubble, but in reality there is no subject and only the object (the bubble) exists The sponge as a whole exists outside of time and space and is not constrained by physical or logical laws Different bubbles can have different logical laws, time lines, and spatial dimensions The sponge as a whole is infinite The concept of personal identity and the self is an illusion created by the mind The illusion of the self is maintained by the brain's constant identification with certain thoughts and experiences, but letting go of this identification allows for a shift in perception and a realization of the true nature of reality Enlightenment is already here, and is not something that can be attained Misinterpretation of reality is causing a feeling of being separate or disconnected from enlightenment The drive to survive and fear of death leads to misinterpretation of reality Enlightenment is difficult to attain because people do not want to surrender their sense of self The process of enlightenment may involve negative emotional reactions, such as panic attacks or depression Reality may start to feel like it is falling apart, leading to a fear of insanity Questioning reality deeply enough may lead to a fear of death, as the ego tries to protect the sense of self The ego reacts strongly to protect the sense of self and distract from the truth Emotional reactions are a sign that the ego is trying to protect the sense of self The ego's main goal is to maintain the illusion of separation and individuality Realizing that the ego is an illusion can lead to a conceptual death of the self Physical death is also a concept, and is not the end of consciousness or perception The mind can become trapped in concepts and mistake them for physical reality Questioning metaphysical, religious, or scientific beliefs may cause discomfort because it challenges the individual's reality and sense of self The ultimate goal is to wake up from the illusion of separation and realize oneness with the universe Perception is the ultimate truth when properly interpreted Most people misinterpret perception because of their sense of self To properly interpret perception, one must shut down the mind, focus on the present moment, and meditate or do other practices (such as yoga or shamanic breathing) for extended periods of time This can also be aided by psychedelics These practices and understanding have been known for thousands of years, but are not widely discussed in mainstream culture Realizing this truth requires a lot of hard work and emotional difficulty The self is an illusion, and the universe is one unified field This understanding can lead to the realization of one's true nature, and the end of suffering

65 Core Principles Of Living The Good Life https://youtu.be/BqWPqZK-Ikg Actualized.org as a school or teaching style Core tenets of the system Close to 65 principles for creating a good life Biases and style of the teacher (author) Importance of embodying and understanding principles Principles are not dogma or beliefs to be taken blindly Principles based on the author's life experience, research, and experimentation 65 principles include: Self-actualization and self-transcendence Personal responsibility Thinking for oneself Being present and living in the moment Having a vision and setting goals Taking action and making progress Emotional intelligence and managing emotions Mindfulness and awareness Communication and relationships Mind-body connection and health Spirituality and purpose Creative expression and play Being open-minded and constantly learning Finding balance and simplicity Dealing with challenges and adversity Giving back and contributing to the world Self experimentation is a key way to solve problems in life Radical open-mindedness is important because it allows us to fully explore every aspect of reality without prejudging it and to be open to any perspective or teaching, no matter how seemingly ridiculous or crazy it may be at first Do not judge things that you have not personally experienced The ego mind tends to be closed-minded and loves to judge things it has no experience with Deep truths in life can be counterintuitive and may seem ridiculous on the surface until they are deeply explored Genuine exploration means you don't know what you're going to find It is better to explore things rather than judging them prematurely Do not be attached to your beliefs or opinions Embrace a beginner's mindset and be open to learning new things The principle of non-attachment means not being attached to your beliefs or opinions and being open to change them if necessary The principle of non-resistance means not resisting change or new experiences, but rather embracing them and flowing with them Embrace uncertainty and not being attached to outcomes The principle of non-judgment means not judging yourself or others, but rather being open and accepting of all experiences and perspectives. The belief that the most important thing for determining the quality of your life is mastering the internal software of your mind Lifelong learning and self education is essential for success Reading books is important for learning various perspectives, techniques, mistakes, lessons, and principles Online courses, seminars, and workshops can also be useful for learning In-person seminars and workshops are more effective than watching them online It is worth investing money in self education Developing a system for organizing and taking notes on what is learned is important The concept of a commonplace book as a system for organizing information is mentioned. The core principle is that all fear, judgment, evil, anger, and suffering are delusions and falsehoods To avoid experiencing these negative emotions, one must become more conscious and realize their falseness Pursuing truth can lead to the realization that fear, judgment, evil, anger, and suffering are false and can help one live a good life Demonizing others is a delusion and a self-deception mechanism of the mind Reality is perfect and any perceived imperfections are due to one's inner game and perspective, not actual flaws in reality Four purposes of life: Raise one's consciousness Raise one's capacity to love and embrace all experiences Take in the beauty of life Evolve and grow The purpose of relationships is to grow and evolve, not to seek happiness or fulfillment The purpose of work is to serve others and make a positive impact in the world The purpose of spirituality is to connect with the divine and discover one's true self Situation where counterintuitive actions may be more effective Non-duality: all boundaries, categories, and distinctions ultimately collapse Absolute truth exists, but cannot be thought, believed, communicated, etc. Reality is not material; everything is part of a giant mind Life is a dream Mind and consciousness are the same thing Thought creates reality Thoughts and emotions can be observed and controlled Everything is interconnected and interdependent The ego is an illusion Suffering is caused by attachment and aversion Letting go of attachments and aversions can lead to liberation The ultimate goal is to awaken to one's true nature and live in harmony with the universe Finding out who you are and what you want out of life is important, but takes time and effort Clarity about what you want is necessary for making decisions and channeling energy and focus Being vague or ambiguous leads to nothing and mediocrity Striving to be authentic is important for satisfaction and happiness Authenticity should be expressed in all aspects of life, including career, speech, relationships, and more Uncovering and overcoming fears and incentives that prevent authenticity is necessary Developing a life purpose is important for finding alignment between values and career Taking 100% responsibility for your life and not blaming others is important for personal growth and success Continuously learning and growing is necessary for a fulfilling life Having a positive attitude and being grateful is important for success and happiness Having strong personal relationships is important for a fulfilling life Maintaining physical and mental health is important for overall well-being People who are "hyper rational" are actually emotional, but may not be conscious of the emotions fueling their reason Reasoning is often motivated by emotions and connected to the ego, which is full of emotions Emotions are more powerful in motivating and affecting behavior than reasons, which are often rationalizations for emotions To live a good life, it is necessary to become observant of and work to cure emotions, as this will also purify reasoning Integration of masculine and feminine aspects is necessary for both men and women, regardless of how they lean on the spectrum Non-manipulation is important for a good life -Everything is relative, except for the ultimate truth or "capital T" truth Conventional understanding and experience are relative Awareness and understanding of relativity can help with decision making and living a good life Non-attachment is necessary for a good life Non-attachment means letting go of the ego and attachments to things, people, and experiences This allows for a more open and free experience of life The final core principle is self-inquiry, or the practice of questioning and examining one's own thoughts, actions, and beliefs This helps to bring unconscious aspects of the self into consciousness and can lead to personal growth and transformation. "Distractions" such as TV, video games, social media, ideologies, and family can deceive the mind The importance of "systems thinking" in solving larger problems and understanding complex systems The need to be a good citizen and be aware of one's ecological footprint The importance of being strategic in decision-making and planning The need for self-inquiry and self-examination to understand one's own motivations and desires The need for introspection and mindfulness to understand one's own thoughts and actions The importance of personal growth and self-improvement The need to cultivate a sense of purpose and meaning in life The importance of compassion and empathy in relationships with others The need to foster a sense of community and connection with others The importance of being authentic and true to oneself. The speaker suggests that it will take at least a few hours to fully understand and implement the principles being discussed It is important to verify and cross-reference information and seek out multiple perspectives to ensure accuracy and understanding The main course of life is learning and implementing these principles, while other activities are just garnishes There are no easy answers or one-size-fits-all solutions in life, it requires nuance and complexity The speaker is passionate about helping people achieve peak experiences and reach the top of Maslow's pyramid and beyond It is important to make a commitment to work on personal growth every day to truly change the trajectory of one's life The speaker will continue to release new videos and insights to help motivate and inspire those on this journey It is easy to get distracted and lose sight of one's goals, so it is important to stay focused and remember what is important.

The Radical Implications Of Oneness (Halloween Edition) https://youtu.be/qfYOaFTUVoo The speaker is discussing the concept of oneness, also known as non-duality Oneness means that there is no separation or boundary between the self and anything else Most people live from a dualistic orientation, meaning they see themselves as separate from the rest of the world and view others as either "good" or "bad" Non-duality means that there is only one subject in the universe, and that the consciousness within the speaker is the same consciousness within the listener This idea can be scary because it means that there is no separation between the self and "evil" or "bad" people or actions The speaker suggests that this realization can change one's entire orientation towards life and the way they view the world The speaker discusses the concept of the ego, which is the sense of separate self, and how it is illusory and based on thought Oneness also means that there is no individual experience, but rather a single universal experience The speaker suggests that this understanding can bring about a sense of peace and liberation The concept of an infinite reel containing every possible movie that could ever be invented The idea that this infinite reel is like reality The light from the projector, shining through individual frames of the infinite reel, represents a person's current experience A person's lifetime is like one chunk of the infinite reel, playing in a linear fashion The concept of non-duality, in which divisions and boundaries between the projector and film reel collapse The idea that the ultimate self or absolute self is pure light, or consciousness or awareness The belief that a person will experience every possible experience, including negative and traumatic ones, multiple times in different ways The purpose of this concept being to understand and accept all aspects of reality, including suffering The idea that enlightenment is the realization and acceptance of this concept The idea that someone might have to accept that they will become the corrupt politician they despise The difficulty of convincing someone that they will become someone or something they hate or disagree with The idea that ego cannot handle the "ultimate truth" because it is too radical and overwhelming The concept of non-duality and the idea that accessing the "entire real" requires surrendering attachments and self-righteousness The idea that most people are too self-righteous to accept the "ultimate truth" because of their hatred, judgment, and demonization of others The idea that dualistic thinking, or the separation of things into opposites, prevents people from accepting the "ultimate truth" and their full identity as everything or God The concept of infinite consciousness and the idea that people are denying their full identity as infinite consciousness by separating themselves from others The idea that people's lives are often centered around judgment and criticism of others, and that this prevents them from realizing the "ultimate truth" The speaker believes that people who have experienced suffering and hardship have a different perspective on life and may spread misery God's purpose or mission is to experience the full range of human experience, including negative experiences, in order to understand its own oneness This understanding is necessary for the development of love, compassion, and goodness It is easy to love the positive experiences in life, but true love requires the ability to love the entire spectrum of human experience, including negative experiences In order to have compassion for others, it is necessary to have experienced suffering oneself The ultimate purpose of life is to learn how to love and accept all aspects of the self and the world, including suffering and hardship Life is both brutal and beautiful It is difficult to explain this to a child or to someone who has not experienced it Life requires emotional maturity to handle and embody the full spectrum of experiences Our culture does not typically talk about this and it may take thousands of years for it to become mainstream This understanding cannot be turned into a belief or taught by someone else, it must be discovered through personal experience To fully embrace life, it is necessary to open oneself up to the full spectrum of experiences rather than building a comfortable nest Life is not about avoiding pain and seeking pleasure, but about facing and learning from the full range of experiences It is important to recognize that everything is connected and that all experiences, both positive and negative, are a part of the journey To fully embrace life, it is necessary to let go of the ego and embrace a more holistic understanding of the self and the world. The speaker discusses the difficulty and radical implications of non-duality Non-duality has many ramifications, some of which can be jarring and scary for the ego The speaker will be discussing more ramifications of non-duality in the future It can be challenging to keep one's spirits high while exploring spiritual concepts, as they can lead to feelings of depression, sadness, and nihilism It is important to persevere through these challenges and not give up on spiritual practices Spirituality is serious business and requires serious work, but the rewards are also serious The speaker hopes to offer emotional support and motivation to those exploring spirituality It is important to keep expectations in line, as unexpected outcomes can lead to quitting.

Nootropics - Top Supplements For Increasing Mental Performance https://youtu.be/gQQrrCjZyPc Nootropics are supplements that increase mental performance Experimentation and research has shown positive results with nootropics This is not medical advice and individuals should do their own research and consider their specific medical issues and medications before taking nootropics The speaker is sharing their own research and experimentation with nootropics, not promoting any specific brands or products The speaker has struggled with a low thyroid, chronic fatigue, and brain fog Cognitive performance can decline with age and through taxing mental work Nootropics can act as lubrication for the brain, helping it work smoothly and efficiently The speaker has noticed improved memory and ability to connect ideas while taking nootropics Psychedelics do not cause cognitive decline Nootropics can help neurons grow and repair, and can also improve blood flow to the brain The speaker will be sharing over 15 of their top nootropic supplements Some potential risks and side effects of nootropics include dependence, addiction, and negative interactions with other medications It is important to start with small doses and gradually increase as needed The speaker recommends consulting with a doctor before starting a nootropic regimen The speaker will be sharing their personal experiences and results with various nootropic supplements. Modafinil is a pharmaceutical that can cause various side effects including headache, dizziness, nausea, upset stomach, dry mouth, runny nose, insomnia, increased heart rate, and heart palpitations There is a very low probability of a serious skin reaction To prevent building up tolerance, it is recommended to cycle use of modafinil, taking breaks in between periods of use Millions of people have taken modafinil and there is no clinical evidence of serious long-term health problems or damage, although it is recommended to monitor liver and kidney function through blood work Our modafinil is a newer variant of modafinil that is more potent and has fewer side effects and a slightly different matrix of side effects Our modafinil lasts longer than modafinil and can produce a wakefulness similar to a mild dose of psychedelics Modafinil is significantly less potent than psychedelics and does not cause visual hallucinations Modafinil is a stimulant, while psychedelics are primarily serotonergic agonists Modafinil has been used to treat narcolepsy, while psychedelics have potential therapeutic uses in treating mental health conditions and addiction Chinese herb called mane can be taken in a dose of up to 500 milligrams Offers several benefits including increased neurogenesis and brain cell regeneration, improved memory and cognition, clearer brain fog, and reduced depression and anxiety L-theanine can be taken in a dose of 200-400 milligrams Non-dietary amino acid found in green tea Relaxant that promotes alpha and theta brainwaves, increases focus and awareness, and relaxes without causing jitters Increases nerve growth factor, boosts mood and cognition, and increases neurotransmitters gaba, dopamine, and serotonin Reduces stress, improves memory, and improves sleep without causing drowsiness Huperzine A can be taken in a dose of 50-200 micrograms Alkaloid from Chinese club moss used in traditional Chinese medicine Boosts short-term memory, improves long-term brain health, improves cognition, supports brain cell mitochondria, serves as a brain antioxidant, and increases nerve growth factor May also affect the vividness of dreams Alpha GPC can be taken in a dose of 400-1,200 milligrams More bioavailable form of choline Improves memory, boosts dopamine, improves cognitive performance, and increases nerve growth factor Synergizes with other nootropics and gives the brain raw fuel to do its work Tarot stilbene can be taken in a dose of 50 milligrams Polyphenol antioxidant found in grapes and berries Increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and may have anti-aging effects on the brain May also improve memory and cognitive function, and have anti-inflammatory effects Aniracetam can be taken in a dose of 750-1,500 milligrams Fat-soluble nootropic with a fast onset of action Improves memory and cognitive function, boosts mood and motivation, and may have anti-anxiety effects May also have neuroprotective and neuroregenerative effects Phenylpiracetam can be taken in a dose of 100-200 milligrams Nootropic with stimulant properties Improves memory and cognitive function, and may have anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects May also improve physical endurance and reduce fatigue Brahmi is an herb used by Indian gurus and yogis to improve memory and aid in memorization of long mantras and complex scriptures The herb is believed to help with attaining enlightenment and altered states of consciousness Brahmi is believed to have short-term and long-term effects: short-term effects include reduced anxiety, while long-term effects include improved memory (after taking daily for 4-6 weeks) Age may play a role in the effectiveness of supplements, with older people potentially seeing a more pronounced effect NAC (n-acetyl cysteine) is an amino acid that regulates dopamine and is a precursor to glutathione, an important substance for the immune system NAC is believed to have antioxidant effects and can help with increasing the immune system Combining NAC with other supplements may help prevent or alleviate colds and flus Phenylpiracetam is a nootropic with stimulant properties that may improve physical and cognitive performance Phenylpiracetam is believed to increase acetylcholine levels in the brain, which can improve memory and learning Phenylpiracetam may also have mood-boosting effects Aniracetam is another nootropic that is believed to improve memory and learning by increasing acetylcholine levels in the brain Aniracetam may also have mood-boosting and anxiety-reducing effects It is suggested to start with a low dose of aniracetam and gradually increase to avoid potential negative side effects Phenylpiracetam and aniracetam can be taken together for additional cognitive benefits Modafinil and other nootropic drugs may be okay to take, but Hydra phenol is not recommended due to its negative effects on the liver Rasa Tam's (a class of nootropic drugs including aniracetam and P racetam) are potent but not recommended due to their negative effects and stimulating, unhealthy feeling Antidepressants can be harmful, addictive, and have various negative side effects such as erectile dysfunction and lowering sexual mood If considering antidepressants, try other supplements and modafinil first and only consider antidepressants as a last resort If already on antidepressants, be cautious and work with a doctor to slowly wean off them Avoid stimulants and amphetamines such as Adderall and Ritalin Avoid caffeine due to its potential to build tolerance and become a crutch Avoid weed as it can be addictive and may not be used for spiritual purposes in a healthy way Habit-forming substances, including weed and caffeine, are not recommended Psychedelics are different and can be used for spiritual purposes in a healthy way Nootropics and other drugs should be used responsibly and with caution Consult with a doctor or healthcare professional before starting any new medications or supplements Introduction of nootropics as a topic Mention of a link to a nootropic forum on the speaker's blog Discussion of nootropic experiences and stacks on the speaker's forum Hopes for a nootropic section on the forum in the future Invitation for interested parties to participate in the forum and explore nootropics Assurance that regular followers of the speaker's content will be introduced to new personal development techniques and ideas Encouragement to commit to the exploration process and try new things Examples of personal discoveries made through exploration Introduction of new techniques and substances to come in the future Importance of self-experimentation and finding what works best for oneself Mention of a survey to gather feedback and ideas for future content

Mankind Is The Bullshitting Animal https://youtu.be/8dVa6_e9FWw The speaker believes that mankind isn't motivated by the desire for high-level, big-picture understanding The speaker has developed a number of models for understanding how various aspects of life, society, and consciousness work The speaker had an epiphany that mankind is "full of shit" The speaker elaborates on this idea, stating that various aspects of life and society, including religion, academia, and government, are full of shit The speaker suggests that this idea can help explain many things about human behavior and society The speaker cautions the listener not to get distracted by the vulgar language and to listen to the message several times to fully understand its profundity Saying something very precise and the trouble with this game is the way it's played Everyone sees the bullshit of everyone else except their own bullshit People make exceptions and excuses for their own bullshit The bullshit game is played by denying one's own bullshit The world is filled with chaos and bullshit because people deny they are full of shit Human society, culture, business, religion, spirituality, science, and language are all filled with bullshit A human mind is a bullshitting machine because the ego is full of shit The more important a domain, the greater the amount of bullshit found in it Importance is relative and depends on how it serves one's survival People bullshit more in situations with greater impact on their survival The ego's goal is survival in all its forms, including reputation and status The ego is constantly bullshitting to protect and advance itself People must recognize and confront their own bullshit in order to break free from the bullshitting game. Full of bullshit (denoting the concept being discussed) Honest about how much bullshit (denoting the concept being discussed) Work to overcome that Can improve situation May not be entirely free of bullshit Become more vigilant about own bullshit Investigate own bullshit Point finger at others instead of self Denial about own bullshitting Bullshitting is present in various facets of life Deeply ingrained bullshitting habits from an early age Knee-jerk bullshit response to situations Becoming conscious of habits and changing them Habit change may affect survival Extricate oneself from bullshit corner In denial about bullshit Work needed to change bullshit Exercise: contemplate and journal about how full of bullshit in various areas of life Exercise: consider how bullshit affects survival and relationships Exercise: examine and challenge own beliefs and behaviors related to bullshit People who present themselves as independent and critical thinkers are often not actually so Skeptical or scientifically minded people can be biased or closed-minded as well Personal investigation and questioning is important for sorting through information and forming one's own opinions It's necessary to consider a diverse range of perspectives in order to fully understand a topic It's important to be cautious of getting too attached to any one perspective, as they are all partial and potentially biased Actualized.org is a website that promotes personal investigation and self-experimentation Exclusive resources, including videos and blogs, are available on the website The Actualized forum allows users to discuss topics with like-minded people The life purpose course and book list provide further resources for self-exploration It's important to be aware of one's own ego and the agendas of others when considering perspectives Continual self-improvement and openness to new perspectives is key to avoiding delusion and making progress in personal development.

What Is Actuality - Distinguish Direct Experience vs Concept https://youtu.be/F4HV6oKJgiE Importance of distinguishing between actuality (what is real and present) and concepts, beliefs, and imagination Exercise to become aware of the actuality of one's own hand Conceptual matrix created by culture and upbringing can distort perception of actuality Spirituality is actuality, not belief Exercise to experience the difference between actuality and concept by imagining a hand behind the back Distinction between direct experience and conceptual knowledge Exercise to pay attention to direct experiences in the present moment Importance of this distinction in personal development and spiritual work Avoidance of reality through reliance on concepts and beliefs Recap of the importance of distinguishing between actuality and concepts/beliefs/imagination. The concept of the hand is questioned and it is suggested that examining it closely can lead to enlightenment Evolution, science, reason, logic, proof, and evidence are all concepts and imagination The hand is presented as being more real and direct to reality than these concepts The universe and everything in it is also a concept and imagination Focusing on raw, context-free experience can lead to a deeper understanding of reality The concept of self and personal identity is also an imagination and not actual reality This understanding can lead to a sense of freedom and liberation from suffering It is suggested that the key to enlightenment is to sit with and examine these concepts and their relationship to actual reality The speaker is encouraging the listener to examine their own experience rather than blindly accepting the speaker's beliefs Death is a concept, not a reality that can be experienced in the present moment Truth is not a philosophical or metaphysical idea, but rather the direct experience of the present moment (e.g. the hand or the room one is sitting in) Political beliefs, ideals, and concepts about how to structure society are all based on imagination and not the truth of direct experience Objections to the speaker's ideas are based on fear and imagination Fear is an imaginary construct and not rooted in the present moment Human history is a concept and not a direct experience of the present moment Atoms and molecules are also concepts and not directly experienced in the present moment All concepts, including the concept of self, are based on imagination and not the truth of direct experience The speaker is encouraging the listener to question and examine their own beliefs and concepts to discover the truth of direct experience. The speaker suggests that people should stop thinking and look at their hand to understand the concept of self The self is an imagination, and the speaker suggests that everything is God Some people may find this belief arrogant or contradictory to their religion, but the speaker suggests that it requires a radical elevation in consciousness to understand The speaker claims that people have taken God and recontextualized it into themselves, mistaking God for themselves and leading to a situation where there is only the self and no room for God The speaker compares this to the behavior of a cuckoo bird, which lays its eggs in the nests of other birds and then kicks the other eggs out to pretend to be the only surviving baby The speaker suggests that this behavior is similar to how people have taken the place of God, killing God and only leaving themselves Science experiments require faith to execute Science experiments can take a long time and be expensive There is always a risk in science, as it involves exploring the unknown The teachings in the text are advanced and require dedication, experimentation, and personal investigation to understand Most people do not understand these teachings because they do not want to put in the effort to do the required personal experiments Most people blindly accept what they are taught by their culture without questioning it To truly understand something, one must actively engage with it and be willing to pay the cost of doing so The author's website, Actualized Edward, has resources and content that can help people learn and understand these advanced teachings The author will be posting more exclusive content on their blog in the future.

35+ Subfields Of Self-Help https://youtu.be/HJXthKsytpE Self-help is a broad field that includes a variety of subfields The discovery of the self-help field can be a life-changing event Self-help can be broken down into subfields for research and finding resources It is a mistake to oversimplify self-help and think that enlightenment is the only solution to all problems Self-help subfields include: Happiness and fulfillment Personal growth and development Productivity and time management Creativity and innovation Leadership and management Communication and relationships Health and wellness Career and work Money and finance Spirituality and enlightenment Education and learning Parenting and family Politics and social issues Travel and adventure Hobbies and interests Recreation and leisure Fashion and style Beauty and grooming Home and garden Food and cooking Arts and crafts Sports and fitness Science and technology Environmentalism and sustainability Social media and online presence Personal branding and reputation management The importance and power of love How to be a more loving person The subfield of family and marriage management The subfield of sexuality, masculinity, and femininity The subfield of health, fitness, nutrition, and alternative medicine The connection between health and spirituality Existence and spirituality Understanding one's own personality and identity Subfields within self-help, including: NLP (neuro linguistic programming) and hypnosis Religion and the importance of studying various traditions Spirituality and the various subfields within it, including: Non-duality Meditation and mindfulness Yoga Psychedelics New age/paranormal/psychic abilities Energy work (e.g. chakra balancing, reiki) Astrology Dreamwork Relationship/sexuality/intimacy work The importance of personal growth and self-improvement The potential dangers of becoming too focused on external success or becoming dogmatic in one's beliefs. Many people today are passionate about politics but lack an academic foundation in the subject This lack of knowledge leads to politics becoming a religion or ideology rather than an informed perspective It is important to educate oneself about the foundations of politics, public policy, and government Philosophy, including metaphysics and epistemology, is a foundational topic that is not adequately taught in schools Self-help and spiritual work can be superficial if it doesn't address existential problems, which can be metaphysical and epistemic in nature Social psychology, cognitive psychology, and anthropology are fields that can provide insight into the nature of the human mind, brain, culture, and societies History of science, economics, and world religions are also important fields of study Reading and educating oneself is necessary to have informed opinions and to be a responsible citizen The speaker advises the listener to be the CEO of their own life and not outsource the responsibility to anyone else The speaker suggests that the listener needs to figure out which subfields to study based on their personal issues, genetics, interests, and personality type The speaker advises the listener to read five to ten books within a subfield to understand its value and potential impact on their life The speaker cautions the listener against judging subfields as stupid or pointless, and encourages them to keep an open mind and explore various subfields, including ones that may not seem immediately valuable The speaker advises the listener to be strategic and selective in their studies, focusing on subfields that will give them immediate tangible results as well as ones that may not have an immediate impact but could be valuable in the long term The speaker encourages the listener to seek out mentors and surround themselves with like-minded people The speaker advises the listener to take breaks and give themselves time to rest and reflect on their learning and progress The speaker struggled in an AP European history class and eventually realized that they had not been reading the textbook for the class The speaker learned that it is not always obvious how to learn or solve personal problems until after the fact The speaker advises that reading is important for learning and personal development, and that asking silly questions or being skeptical may be a result of not doing the necessary reading The speaker emphasizes the importance and value of personal development and advises the audience to take it seriously.

What Is Love - Advanced Spiritual Explanation https://youtu.be/XdbcsRxDQvM Introduction to topic of love Society has unsophisticated and juvenile notions of love Explanation of love will be advanced and require open-mindedness Materialist and scientifically-minded individuals may have difficulty accepting explanation Love is more fundamental than mathematics and physics Universe is a giant mind, organic, alive, intelligent, and conscious Love is a universal property, fundamental and metaphysical Hinduism concept of satchit ananda (truth, consciousness, love) and enlightenment Love is not just an emotion, but a way of being and a way of relating to the universe Love is not about needing or getting love from others, but about giving and creating love Love is about unity, connection, and understanding Love is not limited to romantic relationships, but can be applied to all relationships and interactions Love is not just about feeling good, but also about growth and transformation Love requires vulnerability, trust, and surrender Love requires letting go of ego and attachment Love is a choice and a practice Conclusion emphasizing the transformative power of understanding and embodying love. The purpose of life is to accomplish a mission and then die peacefully Love is necessary for true fulfillment in life Love cannot be purchased, it must be developed and it is difficult to do so To love the "hard stuff" is a real test of love and grows and fulfills us A guided visualization exercise to understand and feel love Love is something that must be created, not something that comes to us Love is a choice and an action, not a feeling Love requires effort and intention to cultivate Love is a state of being, not just an emotion Love is a source of power and can transform and uplift us The ultimate expression of love is to be able to love ourselves and others unconditionally Hitler's ego and national ego of Germany and Nazi party caused division between itself and rest of world Nazi party wanted a "purified" version of race, people, and ideology Hitler rallied supporters through fear of foreigners and unfair treatment Fascism and hatred driven by sense of existential threat Ego fragmented and twisted, incapable of fully loving itself Hate towards others often rooted in self-hatred and denial of parts of self Love requires letting go and acceptance of self and others Traumatic upbringings may lead to orientation of always fighting for resources Ego tries to fill emptiness with external validation and power Love requires vulnerability and openness, which ego resists True love is unconditional and all-inclusive, accepting all aspects of self and others A process of spiritual awakening that progresses from orange to turquoise Orange people may have a rigid ideology of individuality and be resistant to the idea of community To move up the spiral stages and increase capacity for love, individuals can: Dissolve their ego and aim for enlightenment Visualize themselves being more loving and create positive feeling states in their body Practice opening the heart chakra Engage in activities that promote connection and compassion, such as volunteering or practicing gratitude Work on personal development and self-awareness to improve communication and understanding of others Practice forgiveness and letting go of resentment Turquoise communities are rare, but are marked by their ability to function effectively and harmoniously. It is difficult to love others if you don't love yourself It is important to practice feeling love, especially during difficult times To do this, you need to be conscious and remind yourself that it is okay and be grounded in the present moment Study role models of love, such as Gandhi and Christ These people have worked hard on themselves to embody love and some have even died or been demonized for it People at a low level of consciousness may hate and attack those who are most loving Love and evil are the same thing, and God and the Devil are the same thing Orthodox religion may be uncomfortable with these truths, but it has been corrupted by the Devil It is important to practice self-inquiry to understand the ego and how it functions The ego is the root of all suffering, and understanding it is the key to overcoming suffering Love is the answer to all problems, and it is important to practice loving kindness and compassion towards yourself and others The speaker loves exploring the world and human psychology They also love teaching and explaining their insights The speaker believes that one's career and relationships should be expressions of their love for the world Most people only tap into a small percentage of their potential for love Love is the greatest power and can transform the quality of one's life However, many people are too weak, selfish, narcissistic, or wrapped up in ideologies to tap into love Great leaders are powerful lovers and are idolized and memorialized Love is rare and requires great intelligence and consciousness to achieve The speaker believes that everyone has a connection to infinite intelligence and the potential to develop consciousness to create a great life

Body Awareness - How To Relax Your Body https://youtu.be/VQCWryMBRxQ The speaker discusses their experience with irritable bowel syndrome The speaker had the insight that their stomach problems may be related to their thoughts and emotions The speaker discusses the concept of the psychosomatic mind-body connection, where the way someone thinks can affect their body The speaker encourages the listener to practice body awareness and relaxation exercises The speaker leads the listener through a body awareness and relaxation exercise, focusing on: Scanning the body for tension Relaxing the face, hands, arms, chest, stomach, and legs Deep breathing Visualizing a peaceful place The speaker emphasizes the importance of consistent practice for improving body awareness and relaxation Western civilization generally views feelings and emotions negatively, as if they are a weakness or something to be avoided In the late 1800s/early 1900s, there was a phenomenon called "hysteria" that affected women in Europe, and some psychologists and psychiatrists treated it by masturbating their patients in their offices Spiral dynamics stage blue is uptight and represses feelings and emotions, while stage orange is so rational and focused on facts that it also represses feelings As people evolve out of these stages into stage green, they start to understand the mind-body connection and the importance of integrating the two One personal development goal should be to permeate both the mind and body with consciousness and become comfortable in one's own body As consciousness deepens, the boundary between mind and body becomes more blurred and the body is seen as made of pure spirit Cultivating mindfulness, awareness, and consciousness in the body can lead to greater physical and mental health and well-being Face and jaw are important in meditation and during stressful or emotional times It can be challenging to focus inward during these times, but it is important to notice where tension or anger is held in the body Relaxation is important for good sex and to delay orgasm Tension can be good or bad during sex, necessary for climax but also creating resistance and distraction Relaxation is important in everyday activities such as going to the bathroom, eating, public speaking, and driving Notice tension in the body and try to relax it to improve mindfulness and reduce stress Hatha yoga can be used to develop body awareness Tai Chi involves slow, flowing movements and can be used to develop body awareness The body scan meditation technique involves slowly scanning through the body and becoming aware of each part Shamanic breathing involves focusing on emotions and activating the body Deep tissue massage can be used to develop mindfulness and body awareness Hot baths and saunas can be used to develop mindfulness and body awareness Using psychedelics, such as mushrooms, with the intention of developing body awareness can be powerful Other methods for developing body awareness include dance, breathwork, and bodywork practices like chiropractic or acupuncture. Development often starts on an intellectual level, through reading and practicing techniques As you become more advanced, the importance of direct experience and personal awareness becomes more clear To get powerful results, it's important to move beyond just having beliefs and ideas and actually practice and get firsthand experience As you move into the practical realm, the importance of body awareness practices becomes more clear If you are someone who is very intellectual and follows content like this, it's important to develop body awareness practices to avoid hitting a glass ceiling in your development Lack of sensitivity and awareness of emotions and tensions in the body can be a bottleneck in your development The topic of body awareness and its importance in development is important and should be taken seriously.

How To Escape Wage Slavery https://youtu.be/yIsbVpBJ110 The main topic of the text is how to escape wage slavery and how society is a pyramid scheme Wage slavery is defined as doing meaningless work just to pay the bills and not being able to contribute to society in a meaningful, creative way This kind of work is often done for selfish purposes and does not allow individuals to tap into their full potential or use their creative genius Work in society is dysfunctional and takes up a large portion of an individual's time, but is often not fulfilling or meaningful To escape wage slavery, individuals must first recognize that they are in a slavery and then work towards finding their life purpose or passion and creating their own capital to pursue it Society is a pyramid scheme because it is set up in a way that benefits a small group of people at the top, while the majority at the bottom do the work to support and maintain it To escape the pyramid scheme, individuals must also recognize their role in it and work towards creating a more equal and fair society This requires personal development, spiritual development, and a focus on improving mankind rather than just personal gain It is important to recognize that these changes will not happen overnight and will require ongoing work and effort. The whole culture is held together by lies and self-deception Society creates a sense of reality through various subtle and sneaky ways Wage slaves serve the needs of the elite at the top of the pyramid Wealth is not just about having material possessions, but also about power and relative power disparity In order for one person to have power over another, there must be an unequal power dynamic Wealth is relative and only has meaning within the system The game is rigged and the playing field is skewed and unfair Most wealth is not accumulated through hard work or ingenuity, but rather through exploitation, manipulation, and unfair power dynamics A lot of wealth is stolen The elite use propaganda to maintain their power The system is set up to keep the elite in power and the masses in ignorance The masses are kept ignorant through propaganda and through the manipulation of information The masses are kept ignorant and divided through the use of identity politics The masses are kept ignorant and divided through the use of consumerism The masses are kept ignorant and divided through the use of religion The masses are kept ignorant and divided through the use of nationalism The masses are kept ignorant and divided through the use of education The masses are kept ignorant and divided through the use of the media The masses are kept ignorant and divided through the use of the military The masses are kept ignorant and divided through the use of the criminal justice system The masses are kept ignorant and divided through the use of the medical system The masses are kept ignorant and divided through the use of the financial system The masses are kept ignorant and divided through the use of the legal system The masses are kept ignorant and divided through the use of the political system Successful people work hard and are intelligent, but they often don't acknowledge the millions of others who work just as hard or harder and will never reach the top Successful people often don't recognize their own privilege and the advantages they had in life, including good genetics, good parenting, growing up in a good location, going to good schools, and having various kinds of social connections While there are some exceptions to this, most successful people have power and wealth due to these advantages and inside knowledge, rather than solely because of their hard work and intelligence Ego doesn't care about fairness or truth, only its own survival, which perpetuates this pyramid scheme People often accept this pyramid scheme as the status quo and cannot imagine a different structure There is a hierarchical pyramid structure in society, with the few at the top having power and wealth and the many at the bottom having little power and wealth This pyramid structure is perpetuated through manipulation, exploitation, and deception by those at the top To rise to the top, people need to understand and recognize this pyramid structure and the ways in which it is perpetuated, and work to dismantle it This can be done by acknowledging and addressing one's own privilege, advocating for fairness and equality, and supporting and uplifting those at the bottom of the pyramid The speaker suggests that it is not possible to fully escape society and the pyramid structure it operates within, regardless of whether one joins a monastery or ashram, wins the lottery and lives in luxury, or even lives alone in the woods The speaker suggests that being part of the pyramid is necessary for survival, and that people often take this support for granted because society has become so efficient at providing for people's needs The speaker suggests that unless people take special measures, they will become wage slaves, and that it is easier to avoid this fate if they start preparing early (in middle school, high school, or college) The speaker suggests that even well-off professionals may be wage slaves because they are reliant on the pyramid for their livelihood The speaker suggests that accepting the pyramid and taking responsibility for it is the best way to navigate it, rather than trying to escape or blame it. It is important to have a clear vision of how to provide value to the world To be able to provide value, it usually takes 3-5 years of training and practice in a specific field This training and education should be focused and specific, not loose and general High school and college education does not always make someone a value provider because it is too general and not tangible The type of training and process to master a specific field will depend on the individual's life purpose and what they want to do To succeed, it is important to have a clear sense of purpose and be creative in finding unique solutions People are paid for their creativity and ability to come up with unique solutions It is important to have a strategic plan and fill in the details specific to the individual Do not just copy someone else's plan, but use your own creativity and mind to come up with a solution It is important to focus on one thing and become an expert in that area before trying to branch out into other areas It is important to be able to communicate the value that you can provide to others in a clear and concise way It is important to be able to sell your skills and abilities to others and be willing to negotiate for fair compensation To escape wage slavery, it is important to be able to provide value to others and be able to sell that value to receive fair compensation. Slavery exists in the form of being a slave to one's own mind It is possible to change one's mind, but it takes work and can take years Escaping wage slavery may not be right for everyone and depends on personal temperament Some people are happy with a mediocre, average life and may be content with a job that pays the bills Others want a more fulfilling, passionate life and don't want to be a "sheep" Setting the goal to escape wage slavery can create a foundation for personal development and conscious living Actualized.org, a personal development website, would not exist without the creator first escaping wage slavery There are millions of people who could potentially be doing more with their lives but are stuck in wage slavery Steps to escape wage slavery include: identifying one's skills, finding ways to monetize those skills, and working towards financial independence. The speaker reflects on the difficulties of living five to ten years ago The ego is never satisfied and it is important to stay vigilant and have gratitude to avoid taking things for granted The speaker promotes Actualize.org, a website that offers resources for personal development, including a course on finding one's life purpose, a book list, a blog, and a forum The speaker believes that enlightenment is important, but it is not the only aspect of living a good life Actualize.org takes a holistic approach to creating a good life, covering topics such as relationships, health and fitness, nutrition, career, and more The speaker encourages listeners to not be narrow-minded and to consider how all the pieces of their lives fit together

What Is Spirituality - A No-Bullshit Intro To Spirituality https://youtu.be/76UuTIbW9W0 Introduction to the topic of spirituality, particularly from the perspective of someone who is scientifically and rationally minded Personal experience with spirituality and negative association with the term Alternative term: metaphysics, which is synonymous with spirituality Definition of metaphysics: investigation into the fundamental nature of existence Differences between metaphysics and science: metaphysics investigates the underlying nature of things, while science investigates the surface-level phenomena of things Importance of understanding the underlying nature of things for personal development and well-being Examples of questions that metaphysics aims to answer: What is the nature of reality? What is consciousness and how does it relate to the physical world? Brief overview of the history of metaphysics and its relationship to science Personal experience with studying and practicing metaphysics Conclusion and encouragement to explore spirituality and metaphysics for oneself The idea that there is more to life than just eating and killing each other The pursuit of understanding reality through science The existence of shallow and deep levels of science Deep levels of science connect with a deep, metaphysical, spiritual connection Scientists may have an emotional connection to their work and an appreciation for the mysteries of the universe, but this is just a tiny taste of true spirituality True spirituality involves amplifying that connection to the profundity of existence such that it is felt all the time, rather than relying on external stimuli Rationalists and scientists may view this idea as romanticizing emotions and feelings, and claim that it has nothing to do with reality or the truth The importance of objective truth and facts versus subjective feelings and experiences The idea that spirituality is about connecting to the ultimate nature of reality, rather than just feeling good or deluding oneself with fantastical ideas The possibility of developing a direct, experiential understanding of the ultimate nature of reality through spirituality "Union with the truth" and "personal direct union with the absolute" refer to spirituality Rational, scientific-minded people may have difficulty understanding spirituality An analogy is given: explaining the concept of orgasm to someone who has never experienced it Orgasm and spirituality are not ideas or beliefs, they are experiences Spiritual experiences are difficult to talk about and convince others of because they are not commonly experienced Spiritual experiences can be transformative and give meaning to life Spirituality involves letting go of the ego and ego-driven desires The pursuit of spiritual experiences can be more fulfilling than the pursuit of material things One way to pursue spiritual experiences is through meditation and introspection The ultimate goal of spirituality is to become "one with the truth" or to achieve a "union with the absolute" Science cannot prove the existence of a separate self or individual identity Science cannot prove that a person is not the same as the table they are looking at The idea of a separate self is just an illusion and has no objective truth Spiritual expansion involves increasing one's circle of concern to include all beings and the universe as a whole Spirituality is a sense of universal connectedness, recognizing that everything is physically connected Rationalists and atheists may not understand the significance of spiritual expansion and connectedness Spiritual experience is subjective and cannot be measured or proven by science Science can study the brain and the physical effects of spiritual experiences, but it cannot prove or disprove the existence of spirituality Some people may find comfort and meaning in spirituality, while others may not It is important for individuals to find their own path and truth, rather than relying on science or external sources to define their identity and beliefs. Undermining one's conceptual foundations can lead to the realization that one's existence is just a mental construction or belief Avoiding metaphysical inquiry is often a deliberate choice, as it can feel life-threatening to confront one's own death Deep self-inquiry, deconstruction, meditation, and yoga can lead to experiences of facing one's own death Spirituality is not about praying for material things, trying to convert others, or creating or joining a cult It is also not about trying to transform the world or preparing for an afterlife True spirituality involves becoming conscious of the nature of existence and what is happening right here and now Proving things is a trap and impossible, as ultimate truth cannot be proven Instead, spirituality involves experiencing and exploring one's own consciousness and the nature of existence for oneself. spirituality is not a monolithic concept and can be viewed differently by different people some atheists may be open to spirituality, while others like Richard Dawkins may be more dogmatic and closed-minded towards it there are many methods for practicing spirituality, including: meditation concentration self inquiry contemplation various forms of yoga (both physical and meditative) breath techniques (such as pranayama and holotropic breathwork) psychedelics chanting mantras astral projection visualization darkroom retreats auditory driving vision quests sweat lodges fasting lucid dreaming solo retreats reading spiritual texts attending workshops apprenticeships with spiritual masters suffering as a method for spiritual work journaling shadow work The truth is infinite and cannot be fully understood or communicated by the ego mind The ego mind is self-deceptive and structured in a way that prevents people from seeing the truth Existence as a human being is finite, while the truth is infinite, creating an existential problem It is impossible to communicate the infinite truth through symbols, formulas, or models Religion has tried and failed to do this for 2,000 years Consciousness is a complex terrain with many different altered states and ways to access them Spiritual traditions have a lot of diversity and complexity due to the many facets and nuances of the truth Mathematics is a good analogy for understanding the complexity of consciousness studies There are many different spiritual traditions and practices that offer different perspectives and approaches The truth cannot be fully understood or communicated, but it can be experienced directly through consciousness The ultimate goal of spirituality is to directly experience the truth and become fully conscious of it. The ego will sabotage a person's ability to experience pleasure, joy, and goodness if it exceeds a certain level The lightbulb analogy illustrates the process of expanding oneself to be able to handle more of the infinite goodness, beauty, power, intelligence, creativity, wisdom, and compassion that spirituality offers It is difficult to understand spirituality because it threatens one's concept of self, which is a false ego The ego will try to convince the person that truth is false and vice versa Spirituality is important and useful because it helps a person connect with truth, which leads to positive feelings as a symptom Practicing spirituality can lead to practical benefits in a person's life, such as improved relationships and better decision-making It is important to find a balance between reason and emotion in spirituality It is possible to experience the divine through sensory experiences, but it is not limited to them The ultimate goal of spirituality is to merge with the divine and become one with it Ego is inversely proportional to love and morality Morality is not dependent on self-control, but on level of consciousness High level of consciousness is necessary for peak human performance in various domains, including sports, business, and art Spirituality is necessary for peak performance and for caring about ecology and holism Childhood innocence and connection to reality can be regained through spiritual practice Some people devote their whole lives to spirituality because they recognize its importance Spirituality test: Care about the truth (1-10) Care about understanding existence (1-10) Care about beauty (1-10) Care about goodness (1-10) Care about universal love (1-10) Care about overall health (1-10) Care about living in a healthy society and environment (1-10) Care about overcoming negative emotions (1-10) Care about authenticity (1-10) Care about joy and peace of mind (1-10) Care about creativity and insights (1-10) Excitement about exploring reality (1-10) Love of learning (1-10) Some professors and academics are not truly pursuing truth, but rather a narrow, pragmatic scientific achievement within their subspecialty These professors may have a lot of technical knowledge and be able to argue and debate, but they do not have a deep understanding of metaphysical and existential truths Universities today do not engage in serious metaphysics, as it is not valued in the bureaucracy and ideology of academia The speaker is offering a rare resource for understanding metaphysics and building a bridge between the spiritual and scientific realms There are many important topics still left to cover on this channel If the viewer sticks with the speaker, they will develop a deeper understanding of reality, spirituality, metaphysics, and even science The speaker's approach is meant to be accessible to scientifically and rationally minded people It is important to be open to new ideas and not dismiss things that do not fit into one's current understanding of reality The viewer should take advantage of the free resources offered on this channel and not miss out on the opportunity to learn and grow.

Life Is A Maze https://youtu.be/WeIfHozjcls Life is like a maze for humans At birth, humans have no understanding of who they are, reality, the value of things, right and wrong, how their body and mind work, how society works, etc. Quickly, humans are bombarded with programming from their environment that shapes their beliefs and understanding of the world This programming causes humans to lose sight of the fundamental predicament that they don't know and stop asking deep, existential questions Humans become caught up in chasing after superficial goals and pleasures, like cheese in a maze, and lose sight of bigger questions and problems This leads to a lack of direction and purpose in life The metaphor of the rat in the maze helps to orient people in their personal development and self-actualization journey The goal is to break free from the programming and conditioning and to start asking the deeper questions again in order to find direction and purpose in life. The text discusses the idea of a maze that individuals are trapped in There are hundreds of traps within the maze, and people can spend years studying or navigating a single trap The goal is to be smarter and more clever than the average individual in order to escape the maze Most people are stuck in the maze and just chase cheese, or focus on accumulating material possessions, instead of trying to solve the maze Solving the maze involves understanding one's own identity, purpose, and place within reality Key principles for navigating the maze include inquiry, research, and independent exploration, as well as strategic thinking and self-reflection Most people do not engage in serious research or exploration, and instead just stumble around blindly To solve the maze, one must also be willing to take risks and face challenges, and to be open to new ideas and perspectives The maze is not just a physical space, but also a psychological and emotional one The text suggests that the maze is a metaphor for the human experience and the challenges and choices we face throughout life. Research is important for navigating a maze It is important to study diverse perspectives in order to avoid getting trapped in the maze This means reading hundreds of books, not just a few These books should be technical, self-help, philosophical, etc., and not just fiction or books read in school Radical open-mindedness and the ability to question even the most obvious things is necessary for this research Solitude and free time are also necessary for this investigation Intention and focus are critical for escaping the maze It is also important to investigate your own mind and emotions Most rats are too busy chasing after cheese to have the time and focus for this research In order to escape the maze, it is necessary to study its structure and why it is there The text compares life to a maze that one must navigate One's goal is to escape the maze by solving it To escape the maze, one must have a sense of purpose or intent every day It is not necessary to know exactly how to solve the maze, but rather to have the desire and determination to do so There are many resources available to help solve the maze, including books, forums, teachers, and Google However, it can be challenging to sort through all the available information and avoid getting stuck in dead-ends or falling for ideological solutions The text encourages readers to have a sense of seriousness and strategic intent in order to effectively navigate the maze of life.

How Ideology Works https://youtu.be/kPZekGtwWxU Ideology is a set of beliefs about how reality works, with an intellectual attachment to those beliefs and a belief that others should also subscribe to them Ideology corrupts truth-seeking in areas such as science, spirituality, politics, and other aspects of life The mind tends to get hung up on certain pet theories and defend them for a lifetime, leading to negative consequences such as violence and suffering Ideology serves a number of functions, including providing a sense of identity, a feeling of moral superiority, and a justification for certain actions In order to overcome ideology, it is important to recognize the ways in which it influences our thinking and to make a conscious effort to question and challenge our beliefs This can be achieved through practices such as mindfulness, critical thinking, and openness to new ideas and perspectives Ideology defined as a set of beliefs that shape one's identity and guide their behavior Examples of different ideologies: Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, logical positivism, rationalism, empiricism, behaviorism, Hari Krishna, Scientology, Darwinism, creationism, flat-earthers, conspiracy theories, Alex Jones, Fox News, Nazism, nationalism, sports, conservatism, communism, nihilism, racism, morality, Mormonism, Buddhism, MOG, Tao movement, men's rights movement, red pill, pickup, feminism, skepticism, post-modernism, pacifism, veganism, vegetarianism Problem with ideology: attachment and clinging to beliefs can lead to closed mindedness and stubbornness Distinction between content of an ideology and being ideological oneself Anything can become ideological Number one rule: don't be ideological Distinction between debate about content and meta-structure of belief Ideologies are conceptual and belief-based and rely on language and thinking It is impossible to have an ideology without language and concepts Reality is not limited to our conceptualizations and we can try to stop our minds to see what the world looks like without ideologies All ideologies feel true due to confirmation bias and cherry-picking of evidence All ideologies claim absolute truth for themselves, even if they do not believe in absolute truth Holding an ideology involves fundamental arrogance and a belief that one has figured out reality Ideologies often involve demonizing those who do not hold the same beliefs It is important to be aware of the limitations and biases of one's own ideology and to approach others with compassion and understanding, rather than demonizing them. Ideologues blend reality and fantasy and cannot distinguish between the two Ideology is problematic because it: Closes the mind to genuine inquiry and leads to confirmation bias Becomes an egoic identity and is perceived as a personal attack when challenged Blurs the distinction between physical body and beliefs, leading to a threatened perception of self and physical reality when beliefs are challenged When beliefs are challenged, the mind may use ridicule, attack, and character assassination as defenses rather than seriously considering the idea Terrorist attacks are often attributed to radical Islamic groups People tend to see themselves as separate from terrorists and view them as "evil" However, the idea that terrorists and non-terrorists are separate is a fragmentation of reality In reality, there is no separation between individuals and terrorists, as everything is interconnected and part of the same consciousness To believe that one is separate from terrorists, one must deny and disown certain aspects of reality and limit themselves This denial allows people to view themselves as good and see terrorists as other, but it requires dehumanizing those deemed "evil" Holding onto certain ideologies, such as physicalist and materialist beliefs, can prevent people from questioning reality Ideologies serve as a kind of glue, holding certain threads in place and preventing the unraveling of reality Questioning reality can be difficult and requires a lot of responsibility and maturity, but it can also lead to a deeper understanding of the world Creating an identity can be frustrating and lead to feelings of being a "robot zombie" People often create a sense of belonging through things like religion, science, or their heritage This sense of belonging can be disrupted by new experiences or questioning one's beliefs This can lead to feeling like one doesn't belong anywhere People may try to regain a sense of belonging by identifying with a new group or ideology However, this sense of belonging is ultimately fragile and can be disrupted by negative events Ideologues may be passionate about spreading their ideology because it gives them a sense of belonging People often try to distract themselves from their fundamental aloneness through various activities and attachments Psychedelic experiences can cause the facade of one's ideology to crumble The modern world is like a hundred thousand years ago when people were hunting for squirrels with sticks to survive The modern equivalent of this is having money, business, fans, and sex with attractive people, and driving a luxury car Using language and logic, it is possible to create a personal "mob" of loyal, adoring fans who will do favors and provide resources It is easy to sell things to a uniformed, emotional mob who is afraid and has an enemy to scapegoat The opposite of ideology is open-mindedness, not knowing, consciousness, presence, truth, wisdom, detachment, and unconditional love The goal of self-actualization is to have these qualities, and ideology is the enemy of that It is important to experience directly what it feels like to not be ideological Ideology creates barriers to understanding and experiencing the truth It is important to question and challenge ideology, and to seek out the truth for oneself Deconstructing ideologies, such as religious beliefs or materialist science, can take time but can be started immediately Questioning beliefs does not damage or offend truth, and can help identify and discard false beliefs It is difficult to change someone else's ideology, as they must be open-minded and willing to consider new perspectives Ways to expose others to new ideas and perspectives include: ayahuasca retreats, reading books, sharing videos, traveling to new places, attending workshops or retreats, and learning about spiral dynamics It may not be possible to help a closed-minded person, as they may be resistant to new ideas It is important to be aware of one's own biases and to try to remain open-minded in order to continue learning and growing.

Sameness vs Difference - The Metaphysical Foundation Of Reality https://youtu.be/M5tWkG5SGcU Sameness and difference are profound and significant topics Sameness and difference can be explored through contemplation Some people tend to focus more on differences between things, while others focus on similarities Sameness and difference can be tested through a series of questions Sameness and difference have significant ramifications for understanding the nature of reality Ants and elephants can both die and are both alive Ants and elephants have many similarities Comparing an elephant to something like the color blue is different than comparing an elephant to an ant Chimpanzees have a high percentage of genome similarity to humans Some people get offended by the idea that humans and chimpanzees are similar There are many similarities between humans and chimpanzees in size, fingers, toes, hearts, mammals, birth, nervous systems, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, tongue, teeth, grasping hands, opposable thumbs, tool use, hair, care for young, and living in tribes Chimpanzees and humans have similar psychology and behaviors, including fear, anger, jealousy, and violence Some people are offended by the idea of shared ancestry with chimpanzees The idea of shared ancestry with chimpanzees can be disturbing for people with certain beliefs There is a primatologist who has written a book about the similarities between humans and chimpanzees Reading the book changes one's understanding of humans Humans may be similar to chimpanzees in tuxedos, with behaviors that are not as sophisticated as they think Some people may feel the need to differentiate themselves from chimpanzees There may be something deeper or more complex behind the desire to differentiate from chimpanzees One penny can make a significant difference in certain situations, such as making a digital purchase or bidding on an auction In business, small differences in price can result in significant changes in revenue The context in which a small difference is considered can impact its significance English and Chinese have a lot in common, including having similar parts of speech and being able to express almost any sentence in both languages Navajo is a radically different language from English and Chinese, with a distinct grammar that requires a different way of thinking to use English and Chinese are different because they do not share any letters in common, but English and French or German are more similar Number five and number 25 are different, but they are both numbers, odd, whole, and able to divide 100 Time and distance can also be compared in terms of their significance, depending on the context In some cases, a small difference may not matter, but in other cases it can make a significant impact People often lump psychedelics together with drugs like heroin and meth, but they are very different Cheating on a test is not the same as cheating on taxes, but they are both forms of cheating Cheating is an attitude, not a specific activity People may differentiate between cheating on a test and cheating on taxes, but there may be a positive correlation between the two Religions are often lumped together, but they are not all the same There are many different Christian denominations and sub-denominations Not all Baptists are the same Some people believe that all religions are just myths and delusions, while others believe that they are all valid and true People have different beliefs about the nature of reality and the meaning of life People have different values and priorities, which can lead to conflicts and misunderstandings The concept of a time coordinate is introduced The uniqueness of hydrogen atoms is discussed The distinction between reality and illusion/fantasy is questioned The possibility that reality is indistinguishable from illusion and fantasy is considered The relationship between God and the devil is explored The relationship between good and evil is explored The subjectivity of moral judgment is discussed The concept of the self is discussed The nature of consciousness is questioned The concept of time is questioned The idea that everything is interconnected is introduced The concept of free will is discussed The concept of the present moment is discussed The idea that the present moment is the only thing that exists is introduced The concept of the ego is discussed The idea that the ego is an illusion is introduced The concept of enlightenment is introduced The idea that enlightenment involves letting go of the ego is discussed The concept of karma is introduced The concept of reincarnation is discussed The idea that death is not the end is introduced The concept of non-duality is introduced The idea that the universe is one consciousness is introduced Train consciousness by focusing on a difference between two objects and resisting speculation or theorizing Practice this exercise for a week and compare different objects, such as a finger and a pen As homework, think of two radically different things and find their similarities Consider the possibility that the most common denominator between any two things is that they are both happening in consciousness right now Contemplate the idea that consciousness may be the one similarity that everything has in common Notice that for a thing to exist, it must exist within consciousness Consider the idea that the ultimate nature of reality may be consciousness itself Chinese characters can be difficult to read due to stylized fonts It takes time and practice to be able to read Chinese in all its different fonts Children have a limited understanding of object permanence and conservation of substances and liquids As adults, we learn to look past differences in order to survive and live comfortably Sameness and difference are relative to context Introduction of additional objects can change our perception of similarity and difference Our perception of reality is influenced by the context in which we see things We may sometimes delude ourselves in order to survive and live comfortably The concept of "truth" is not absolute and may vary depending on our perspective and context The idea that people's identities are what keep them alive and distinct from their environment The concept of the ego as a "giant snowball" of identity and differences that grows and gains momentum over time The difficulty of trying to change one's life and identity, as the ego resists change and resists listening to new ideas The idea that people's resistance to change and their struggle to improve their lives is due to the ego's need to maintain its identity The importance of understanding the ego and one's identity in order to be able to make significant changes in one's life. The ego is built upon lies and self-deceptions The ego lies to itself and others The ego does not care about truth and will see what it wants to see The ego will go to great lengths to defend its identity, including lying and creating justifications The game of life, including business, marketing, advertising, society, culture, religion, and economics, is based on helping individuals and groups maintain their identities Identity politics plays a significant role in politics, particularly on the right side of the political spectrum Republican politicians and the base do not prioritize policy, instead focusing on patriotism and American values as part of their identity Liberalism and going beyond liberalism are mentioned as alternatives to this focus on identity in politics. Developing the ability to see "deep sameness" is important for intelligence Douglas Hofstadter's theory is that thinking is done using analogies, although this is not necessarily true for all types of thinking Creative thinkers, such as philosophers, mystics, and scientists, have used analogies to make connections between unlike things and gain deep insights into reality Using analogies to draw connections between events in history and apply them to the present and future can make someone a good student of history and intelligent Seeing the "deep sameness" in all religions and understanding how they connect to each other requires seeing details and the ultimate deep sameness, which is that everything is consciousness To be truly intelligent, one must also reduce their ego and understand that their individuality is an illusion To achieve this understanding, one must be able to see that all things are connected and that separation is an illusion This can be achieved through spiritual practices, such as meditation and self-inquiry, which can help one to see the true nature of reality The legal system and justice involve making comparisons and determining what is fair in a given situation Ego plays a role in determining what is fair and in presenting arguments that favor one's own perspective Lawyer's argue without consideration for truth on behalf of their client, similar to how the left hemisphere of the mind constantly argues for the ego Politics is about fighting for individual and collective agendas, which can involve identity politics or fighting for the good of all mankind Cultural and societal programming plays a role in determining notions of sameness and difference The Civil Rights Movement was about correcting cultural notions of difference and sameness, and there is still resistance to this today Different cultures and societies have different notions of what is fair and just It is important to examine and question one's own cultural programming and biases to be more aware and fair in decision making Technology, such as music and facial recognition apps, uses algorithms to find similarities and differences in data These algorithms may include a "fudging factor" to account for variations in the data Identity is constructed like a story and can be deconstructed to understand what it is without any added constructions In order to fully self-actualize, it is important to be able to see deep similarities between seemingly different things, particularly in spirituality and religion The ego is often focused on differences and separation, but seeing sameness can lead to unity and a deeper understanding of the world In relationships, it is important to understand and embrace both sameness and differences in order to have a healthy and fulfilling connection with others Science does not explain why a person is themselves and their body is them Suffering comes from one source, but can manifest in many different ways People may never run out of problems because they are creating them themselves Seeing differences is important for technical mastery, but can lead to losing sight of the big picture Seeing sameness is good for holistic understanding, but can lead to overgeneralization Sameness and difference can become pathological Example of sameness pathology: early scientific revolution and Galileo's telescope Example of difference pathology: racism and segregation Need to be able to do both and not fall into black and white trap of being only a sameness or difference person Sweden has toy catalogs that feature traditional gender roles for boys and girls There is a movement for social justice and equality that aims to remove these stereotypes To achieve this, the roles are switched in the catalogs, such that girls are shown playing with guns and boys are shown playing with dolls This can lead to confusion among boys and girls about how to be masculine and feminine The intent of this action is good, as not all boys want to be masculine and not all girls want to be feminine However, most boys will tend to skew masculine and most girls will tend to skew feminine Forcing specific gender roles can be harmful and lead to confusion about gender identities A better solution would be to offer classes in high school that teach students about masculinity and femininity, and allow them to choose which class to enroll in or even require them to take both classes This allows students to learn about both perspectives and make their own decisions about their gender identities In traditional and tribal cultures, gender roles are passed down from generation to generation through socialization and apprenticeship In modern Western culture, there is less of this transmission of knowledge, leading to confusion about gender roles It is important to learn how to be a man or a woman in order to have successful relationships and understand the perspectives of the opposite gender It is not necessary to force specific gender roles on anyone, but it is important to offer the opportunity for education about masculinity and femininity. The CIA tested LSD on soldiers in the 60s/70s in an effort to create super soldiers The LSD had the opposite effect, causing soldiers to become more united with their environment and unable to shoot the enemy The men's rights movement is made up of men with problems in their relationships with women due to issues in their upbringing These men have a secret hatred of women and blame them for their own inadequacies The men's rights movement acts like a victim and blames women, feminists, social justice warriors, political correctness, and repression of men for their problems True men take responsibility for their own problems and work to fix them, rather than developing ideologies and blaming others Pickup artists try to attract women but don't understand the root problems or how to have a healthy relationship The red pill and MGTOW movements are similar to the men's rights movement in their attitudes towards women Jordan Peterson's "insoles" may also have similar attitudes and beliefs All of these movements demonize women and have a pathological view of relationships The speaker discusses the concept of "difference pathology," or the tendency for people to define themselves in opposition to others and create conflicts based on perceived differences Sam Harris is mentioned as an example of someone who engages in difference pathology by fighting against Islam, while ignoring the negative aspects of his own actions and beliefs Richard Dawkins is also mentioned as engaging in difference pathology by criticizing creationists while holding onto his own materialist beliefs as a form of religion Ethnocentrism and racism are examples of difference pathology, as they involve defining one's own culture or race as superior to others The final example of difference pathology mentioned is the tendency to overlook or justify one's own negative actions or beliefs while focusing on the faults of others

How To Contemplate Using A Journal https://youtu.be/PineU9ZZvSc Importance of seeking truth for oneself, rather than relying on external sources such as beliefs, ideologies, or teachings The danger of falling into beliefs and ideologies that are not one's own Using contemplation and journaling as a technique to derive deep existential and psychological truths Necessity of actively seeking and discovering truth, rather than just passively receiving it Comparison of truth seeking to doing math: understanding requires active participation and effort Most people are mentally lazy and avoid the effort required to understand things for themselves Contemplation and journaling involve actively questioning and examining one's own thoughts and beliefs Steps for using a journal to contemplate: Choose a topic or question to focus on Write down all thoughts, beliefs, and ideas related to the topic Examine and question each thought or belief, considering the evidence for and against it Allow for the possibility of changing or revising one's beliefs based on the examination process Rinse and repeat the process with new topics or questions Examples of topics that can be explored through contemplation and journaling: beliefs about the self, the nature of reality, the purpose of life, values and priorities, etc. Benefits of contemplation and journaling: increased self-awareness and understanding, identification and revision of limiting beliefs, clarity and direction in life, etc. The speaker is thinking about different kinds of thoughts They bring to mind examples of physical objects, intangible things, and other things They wonder about the difference between two thoughts of the same thing They question their assumptions about thoughts, including where they come from and whether they only occur in human brains They emphasize the importance of contemplation and the need to start by admitting that one does not know the answer to a question They suggest that genuine curiosity and an open mind are necessary for contemplation They encourage the listener to observe the mechanics of what is happening in their own direct experience They mention the possibility of discovering new insights through contemplation. Murder is not always considered evil in different cultures Differentiating between degrees of evil and whether it is a binary concept The concept of evil and its potential purpose or hidden agenda Personal development and the difference between an undeveloped and a developed person The role of self-reflection and introspection in personal development The importance of questioning beliefs and being open to new ideas The influence of society and culture on personal development The concept of free will and its relation to personal development The role of personal values and goals in personal development. The speaker advises the listener to engage in contemplation, asking oneself questions about various concepts and ideas The speaker advises the listener to avoid asking certain "really hard questions," like "what am I," "what is reality," and "what is God" for now The speaker explains that contemplation involves thinking and using the mind, while self inquiry may involve going beyond the mind The speaker suggests that contemplation can have multiple purposes beyond just enlightenment The speaker suggests that contemplation can help one understand various concepts and ideas about life and reality, and that this can be valuable in and of itself The speaker advises the listener to start with easy contemplation questions and gradually work up to more difficult ones The speaker advises the listener to be patient and persistent with the practice of contemplation, as it can take time to really understand and answer the questions being asked Importance of questioning and being skeptical of one's own beliefs and ideologies Skepticism used as a weapon to deconstruct religion Importance of questioning one's own rationalism and skepticism Trap of accepting scientific theories and ideas unquestioningly Danger of distractions in contemplation Contemplation should make you feel uneasy and alone at first, but eventually lead to a sense of independence and autonomy Lazy mind may resist contemplation and instead turn to distractions like watching videos Homework assignment: contemplate the question "What is meaning? Where does meaning come from? What creates meaning in my life?" for a week or a month Keep a journal to record thoughts and insights during contemplation Share contemplation experiences with a friend or group to discuss and reflect on them.