Key Elements

@DizIzMikey Being in a family means sacrifice, but obviously, you already know that. Sacrifice is its middle name. You could either walk away (for a short break, of course), or say, "bring it on!" I'd go with the latter (with dignity & meditation of course). You're doing just fine. Be strong.

Pic of "turquoise marriage" just kinda joking...pic reminds me of you @Leo Gura talking about interdependent relationships...then starting a company w/ husband/wife came to mind, climbing Mt Everest together, & Olympians (husband/wife) ice skating together.

"The world is a great book of which they who never stir from home read only one page." -Augustine

A Beautiful Prayer I asked God to take away my habit. God said, No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up. I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said, No. His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary. I asked God to grant me patience. God said, No. Patience is a by product of tribulations; it isn’t granted; it is learned. I asked God to give me happiness. God said, No. I give you blessings; happiness is up to you. I asked God to spare me pain. God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me. I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, No. You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful. I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life. God said, No. I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things. I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as “He” loves me. God said… Ahhh, finally you have the idea.

Negative voice and emotion = fictional ego...the thought that helps you to solve problems, go for your life purpose, go for transendence morality, seek for enlightenment that is coming from the "everythingness" and "nothingness" is your true self. This is what "you" call being enlightened. In the end, "you" want to contribute to peace in this world. Having enlightenment experiences is different from being enlightened. Enlightenment experiences are outer body experiences or any wisdom that you get that gives out of the ordinary/meaningful info in life. It helps you understand your fictional ego. This is what Leo's clips are about. Nice story @Philip. I like your story on the ego.

@Natasha @Leo Gura Leo's no free-will clip and one of the spiritual enlightenment clips saying that one's journey (like Luke Skywalker) has to go in full circle are very interesting. I can't "force" or "coerce" anyone's journey to go faster. I could only guide or set an example. It's not a 1+1=2 situation. I'm going to have to be careful on my approach.

@Natasha Wow awesome...congrats!

I must say that saying "bad" words is not right or wrong; it just attracts different target audience. I have to find a way to get through to my boys on your teachings, Leo. Your teachings are great minus the "bad" words. It's not resonating with my boys. They are calling you "the middle finger guy" cause of one of your thumbnails-not to insult, but just to refer to you. They know more than one Leos.

@Natasha Very interesting question/concern..I have 2 teenage sons. I would say a lot of life experiences are needed to truly understand the context on YouTube. I'm saying this because Leo's videos on YouTube are excellent, but a lot of life experiences are needed for things in one's life to fall into place. Leo's videos on YouTube are actually very advanced. (In other words, if a person could understand the context of the videos on YouTube, the person could go about the life purpose / entrepreneurship / career with a peace of mind because of the spiritual enlightenment clips. )

A Cup of Tea Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era (1868-1912), received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen. Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor’s cup full, and then kept on pouring. The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. “It is overfull. No more will go in!” “Like this cup,” Nan-in said, “you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?” @Leo Gura (Just wanted to share this funny yellow & turquoise story.)

Ikkyu, the Zen master, was very clever even as a boy. His teacher had a precious teacup, a rare antique. Ikkyu happened to break this cup and was greatly perplexed. Hearing the footsteps of his teacher, he held the pieces of the cup behind him. When the master appeared, Ikkyu asked: “Why do people have to die?” “This is natural,” explained the older man. “Everything has to die and has just so long to live.” Ikkyu, producing the shattered cup, added: “It was time for your cup to die.”

Working Very Hard A martial arts student went to his teacher and said earnestly, “I am devoted to studying your martial system. How long will it take me to master it.” The teacher’s reply was casual, “Ten years.” Impatiently, the student answered, “But I want to master it faster than that. I will work very hard. I will practice everyday, ten or more hours a day if I have to. How long will it take then?” The teacher thought for a moment, “20 years.”

"AHHH...enlightenment at last, but I won't tell it till the next video or the next video...until all are ready to hear it."

Swim for it you dummies!!!!!

"Your work is to discover your work, and then with all your heart, to give yourself to it." -Buddha

Every night before bed, I think about this question: If I live every day the same way I did today, what kind of future would that create? It forces me to constantly evaluate whether or not my actions are lining up with my priorities. The future is shaped one day at a time, and it's never as far away as we think. --Co-founder Jesse Lear of V.I.P. Waste Services

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time."

@DizIzMikey There's always at least two sides to the same coin when someone says something. Some of us took it as positive and hilarious when you said, "I'm a monster." The other side of the coin is take action. "Actions speak louder than words." In part 2 of Leo's morality clip, Leo did say that if you have problems with certain people like the Nazis, then go to war with them. Another way to create/contribute to peace in this world is through our life purpose.

I used to watch this cartoon when I was a child...this is my thought on this. I thought of myself as Casper the Friendly Ghost.