Emerald

Thoughts are real but the content of the thought is not. A thought is a sensation that carries a particular type of content. The issue with thoughts is that we get caught in the content like a fly caught in a spider web. We get too involved with it... we judge it, we identify with it, we agree/disagree with it, etc. Our human experience is comprised of six things within the field of awareness: thoughts, sights, sounds, sensations, tastes, and smells. There is also pure awareness but that awareness can't be aware of itself. So, thoughts are one of the pillars of our subjective reality. They are real, but the content is not. You are not your thoughts. You do not control your thoughts. You do no cause your thoughts. You cannot steer your thoughts in any direction. You are not responsible for thinking. You are not a thinker. Thoughts just arise within the field of awareness. You have as little control over thoughts as you have over the contents of your visual field or any other sensation. So, an important step toward enlightenment is to truly disidentify with thoughts.

I'm not a big music listener anymore, but I like a variety of different styles. I like progressive rock, grunge, mainstream music from the 70's. I also like Bossa Nova, Jazz, Trip-Hop, Burlesque-type music, although I wouldn't be able to point out any particular artists. I kind of pick through music piecemeal. The only bands I've showed extended interest in, to where I know of most of their songs is Alice in Chains and Tool. I used to be really into music though before because it really contributed to my self-concept as a teenager, so I've seen a bunch of bands. My favorites were Disturbd, Rob Zombie, and Alice in Chains (unplugged and post Layne Staley). I have a soft spot for heavy rock because it feels empowering to me.

Thanks. Nice to find a fellow lover of all that's bizarre.

Look at people like Steve Buscemi. He isn't an attractive man, but people love his appearance because it is a reflection of his interesting personality. I recommend coming to terms with your unattractiveness by learning to love the way you look. It doesn't mean you have to think you're attractive, but you have to cultivate an appreciation for how you do look. Embrace your character. Think of your unattractiveness as a positive because it is the container of your character and personality. This is easier said than done but it is possible with positive affirmations and looking for positives in your appearance. I have cross-bite and I was insecure and wanted braces when I was 11 or 12. But then I decided that it was good because it added to my character, and decided not to get braces.

You're welcome. I'm glad that it was helpful.

1. Creativity, novelty, and individuality (throwing curve balls) 2. Introspection - depth exploration - harmonizing perspectives 3. Sensuality 4. Radical self-honesty 5. Truth-seeking - wisdom 6. Excellence and Productivity 7. Authenticity through acceptance of my natural androgyny 8. Mystery and enigma 9. Iconoclasm, subtle rebellion, and subversion of the status quo 10. Altruism, unconditional love, and compassion

That's amazing.

It doesn't matter because both the enlightened person and the lightbulb are illusions of Maya.

@Natasha Thanks. It's not mine though. A reporter tried telling this to the Dalai Lama when he was interviewing him, but the joke doesn't translate well because the Dalai Lama wasn't familiar with the phrase "make me one with everything" to indicate that they want everything on a hotdog . So, it ended up being really awkward. It was funny to watch though.

A monk walks up to a street-side hot dog cart. The hot dog cart's vendor asks the monk, "What can I get for you?" The monk says, "Can you make me one with everything?"

Thanks

I haven't read it. What are the main points?

Try the "48 Laws of Power" but don't swallow it whole lest you become a total sociopath. But using some of these rules can help you stop undercutting your own power and gain more power within society. Going all the way though, will make you a criminal. A must-read for people-pleasers even though it's uncomfortable. Also, try "Thick Face, Black Heart" which is also quite good for this.

Donald Trump uses so-called "radical honesty" and a lack of regard for "political correctness" to tap into voting power the hordes of angry uneducated Americans who use other groups of people as scapegoats for their own issues. The way that Donald Trump does this is by saying something so outrageous that the uneducated masses will think "He really tells it like it is." and "He really isn't swayed by politics" because his blatantly zenophobic and racist statements match those of living room racists around the country. So, you need to pick a demographic to exploit (the less educated the better, of course). Tell them what they want to hear under the guise that you don't care what anyone thinks. Then, they will think that everything that comes out of your mouth is golden because you see it their way and tell it like it is. Using the appearance of radical honesty to gain trust and power over others. Also, make a spectacle and a cult-like following for yourself. Act like royalty and surf the waves of cultural trends. Be what the people want, but disguise your intentions to be what people want by taking some unexpected turns which translate to an "idgaf what people think" attitude. Also, you must build a reputation for yourself, by disallowing yourself from being soiled by your own mistakes. Deny, deny, deny. Accept all the credit, even if others helped you. etc. Donald Trump is a master of power moves... but not much else.

Well, get present to the fact that the only sensations that you experience are sight, sound, touch, smell, taste, and thought. So, if you experience a thought, don't get caught up in the content just acknowledge it as a thought and place your attention on the other sensations. If more thoughts arise (and they will) don't get wrapped up in them just acknowledge them and put your awareness back to the other sensations. After a while, you'll get used to noticing how your thoughts aren't you.

The Law of Attraction is a lot like @Pinocchio mentioned. It's meant to move you to deeper levels of growth and fulfillment and to help you meet your destiny. The Secret tends to put it as, "You can manifest all the material wealth you want." This is a very distorted and limited viewpoint on Law of Attraction. What you really desire is the emotion behind manifesting those things. You will manifest whatever the higher self thinks will be of the greatest benefit to your expansion. If that means breaking the cycle of valuing your significance based on external circumstances, the law of attraction may manifest a job loss. It's always going to be positive, even if it seems very negative.

This video is about strong determination sitting and has a lot of great information about how to deal with physical discomfort and mental urges without going completely insane.

The thing that helps me get through strong determination sits is to occasionally give myself internal affirmations like "This moment is the only moment I have to deal with." I'll even lie to myself and internally say "It's okay. I just sat down one second ago." if I'm closer to the end of my sit. The thing that makes strong determination sitting so hellish is that your physical sensations and your thoughts multiply together to make hell. But if you can be aware enough to separate thoughts and sensations, it will be exponentially more manageable.

I think that too. Perfect for deconstruction.

It's all good. I have been eavesdropping though.

Thanks. You too. We're the spider and the fly at the exact same time. We weave a web of our own thought stories for our own benefit in life, but we're also the ones that get tangled in the web.

I'm definitely getting a lot out of it. It's very helpful to see people working out and deconstructing assumptions.

Thank you. I was thinking about the notion of "in" earlier in this thread, where I was considering if something could really be in something else in my perceptions. I was little confused at the idea of a tactual sensation being inside of another. There seems to be depth to my sensations but I'm not sure, so I think space would be a good concept to use for inquiry.

Thank you. This is very encouraging. I am too but it's a secret... j/k it's totally not a secret.

Thank you. My interactions on here have really given me fresh eyes through which to view things. Before I was just stuck in traps that I didn't even know I was stuck in. But I'm sure there are still plenty of traps that I'm stuck in that I'm still unconscious of. But you definitely don't sound like an arrogant dick.