Bodhi123

As a child the world seems like an orderly place. You go to school, you live in a house, you eat food, adults work, and everything seems to run smoothly. You assume as you grow older things will naturally fall into place and all will be well. No questions asked. Then you grow older and become more aware of the world. Perhaps your parent’s divorce, you try drugs or alcohol for the first time, you notice your parents can’t afford to provide you with everything you desire. In one way or another your innocence is diminished. You complete your required schooling. One of two things happen: 1) Things don’t go your way. You begin working and find out that just getting by is a struggle. Or maybe, you further your education and follow the prescribed steps for success and yet you still struggle to get by. 2) Things go your way. You get married and land a good job. Congratulations you have succeeded at life. Yet there is a part of you that is unsatisfied. There is a part of you that asks, “is this all there is?” In both situations life turns out a bit different than what you perceived as a child. Three Types of People: 1) Some people are happy with their lives and feel no need for self-actualization. 2) Some people are unsatisfied with their lives and deal with it. 3) Some people are unsatisfied with their lives and decided to do something about it. I guess the people on Actualized.org fit into the third category.

"Stop looking for what you want… in this moment… not tomorrow when you have it… and you will find more than what you could ever want…" Wow. So simple and beautiful. Yet, so difficult...

@Dodoster I agree man, if more people were self-aware the world would be a better place.

I essentially agree with you. However, I disagree with the hostile and antagonistic attitude that some people have towards the ego and thoughts. I also don't think it is mandatory for all people to devote their life to pursuing enlightenment.

@Vingger You are going to meet a lot of resistance to your post. Most of the arguments will sound something like... don't think that your are God, know that you are God. Also, a common argument is that all desire (i.e. good job, a lot of friends, etc.) leads to suffering. There is value in these arguments that shouldn't be ignored. But I'm with you. I don't think having an ego or using your mind is a bad thing. Life is to be enjoyed not escaped. A well trained mind and ego are useful tools for living.

@PureExp My overall "score" is pretty good but I'm still working on this one:

@Callum A I guess what I really meant to say is that the Truth answers the most fundamental primary question, "Who created God?". But I do agree life will still have it's challenges and obstacles. All things considered... relax and enjoy is good advice.

@PetarKa Thank you for spreading positivity.

@Callum A This is literally the answer to everything. But if I'm honest with myself, I don't know how to react to the Truth. Do I quit my job? Do I focus on my career? Do I find a beach and lay on it? Do I meditate? Do I drink a beer? Please offer me some advice.

@Prabhaker I was going to make an argument for unconditional love. But I can make a better argument for everlasting love. If two people truly love each other that means they care about the other person more than they care about themselves. Therefore, they would never do anything to hurt the person so deeply that the love between them would disappear. Because the conditions of their love will never be breached it will last forever.

Unconditional love is rare. But don't fool yourself, a person doesn't have to be enlightened to love unconditionally.

This is true. A direct experience is necessary for your words to truly convey meaning to me. Nonetheless, thank you for your description.

@Callum A Thank you for shedding some light on how your insights have affected your perception and relationship to others and the world. It is all very interesting and amazing.

@username I think there is a genetic component to happiness. But if we consistently direct our mind and actions towards positivity then happiness will become our natural state.

@username I'm saying that external factors can never permanently knock you below your baseline level of happiness if you don't let them. However, pleasant externalities will probably always give you a boost that will eventually fade. That is just being human.

You don't have to seek love that is your choice. My point is that you can create a baseline level of happiness. Once this happiness has been created then external factors will only enhance it... not determine it.

I get it… you want your happiness to be independent of any external factor. Well then my advice would be… choose to be happy… everyday… every moment. I know easier said than done. You asked is enlightenment the answer, the answer is no. Enlightenment can’t be used as an escape. I understand the reasoning, “maybe I can transcend my ego and then I won’t feel this pain, this desire for happiness”. I’m sorry but as long as your underlying desire for enlightenment is escape then I believe transcendence will remain elusive. Also, becoming enlightened is a hell of a lot harder than just choosing to be happy I also think you have unrealistic expectations. You want to be in a state of bliss at all times. Not going happen. Even enlightenment won’t provide this type of everlasting bliss. What is realistic is to feel a consistent level of peace and contentment independent of external factors. This will be possible when you begin to exert control over your mind. Direct your mind towards positivity and happiness will follow. Once this baseline level of happiness has been achieved then love will only enhance it.

@username I can relate to your situation. I've had relationships that ended and affected me for a long time. The problem is you haven't "let go". You are still obsessing over this person, you are still wishing that you could return to the past, you probably have some regrets that you wish you could fix. This fixation with the past is what is keeping you from moving on. You have to accept in the very depths of your heart that the past is done and there is nothing you can do to bring it back. Once you have reached this level of acceptance, you will be able to "let go".

I always enjoy the insights that you share. @Callum A This is a very significant truth you have discovered. And as you said this is not speculation, you know this to be the truth. My question is... how has this insight affected "your" life? Please give me a straightforward answer. With all due respect, I don't want an overly philosophical/spiritual answer.

The answer is probably favoritism and networking. For example, There is an opening in your company for a promotion and both you and your co-worker are applying for the position. You are an objectively better worker than your co-worker, but your co-worker has a closer relationship with your boss. It is likely that your co-worker will get the promotion and not you. In the corporate world it is not just your work-ethic that matters, but also your interpersonal relationship with your superiors that matters.

Yes

Here is a quote by Theodore Roosevelt found in the book Live Your Dreams by Les Brown: I choose not to be a common man. Me, it’s my right to be uncommon if I can. I’ll seek opportunity, not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen- humbled and dulled by having the state look after me. I want to take the calculated risk, to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed. I’ll refuse to live from hand to mouth. I’ll prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence. The thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of Utopia. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any friend. It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid, to think and act for myself and face the world boldly and say, ‘This I have done.’

I understand how if you have already put a lot of time and effort into developing a certain skill-set you would want to put your skills to use. However, if you did not enjoy the past experiences that called upon your skills then maybe that field of work is not the right field for you despite the fact that you have the technical ability to get it done. Perhaps you can figure out a way to create a livelihood for yourself that puts your musical and creative abilities to use. That would be nice My advice would be to let your heart and intuition guide you to your final decision. I will leave you with this quote because it seems to apply to your situation: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” - Howard Thurman