Carl-Richard

I would try to become aware of the tendency to latch onto role models and external sources of knowledge or wisdom, and also try to identify an internal compass that is based on logic and not just feeling (and which is self-consistent and "your own"). This is coming from somebody who has experienced many of the things you've mentioned and who also used to think like you do. But these things also come with life experience, so you shouldn't hasten yourself too much. And don't completely suppress your feeling side either. It's a superpower.

There is no reason to act like other people aren't conscious.

There are no absolute definitions of words. I'm asking for your definitions of the words. If you don't have any and you go by the general feel of the culture, that is fine. In that case, when you say "religion", I think you're referring to a certain historical phenomena (something that exists right now and has existed for a long time); call it the World religions, old or traditional religion, organized religion, etc., while "spirituality" is new religion; "New-Age spirituality", postmodern spirituality not married to any specific tradition, etc. As old religion is more calcified and not up to date with the times, new religion is more in line with recent modern developments and the individualistic worldview of especially the West: "it's not about following a doctrine — it's about finding the truth and doing what you want! (and completely on your own)", and likewise, it's less established in terms of collectivist things like tradition, institutions and communities. And so the spiritual quest gets fragmented from other human needs (communal and otherwise), and you end up with these lonely and lost people who seek communities such as this one for support and wisdom, which is why I think it's funny when these people talk about how "not religious" they are. No, you're very religious, just born in the wrong era where the new religion is "spirituality".

So what is the difference between spirituality and religion?

Let's say the mystic reads certain books that give insight to the mystical dimension of reality, follows certain rituals and practices that cultivate that insight, and goes to certain communities for wisdom and support. Are they now still just a mystic?

So are Christian mystics religious or spiritual?

Spirituality and religion are more similar than you think. In fact, I don't see any fundamental distinction.

"Job" ??

One thing that ChatGPT is useful for is as an enhanced google directory in cases where you can easily control check if the information is true afterwards. For example, I asked it for a Bible verse that has a certain message, and I could easily control check if the verse actually exists, and I can also decide whether the interpretation of the message is OK.

For some reason, mosquitoes absolutely love me. When I traveled to Italy when I was like 12, I got swarmed by them and had huge lumps everywhere.

Meanwhile Christianity is like: 1 Corinthians 8:1 (NIV)

Meanwhile Leo: "only I am God-realized, you should listen to me if you want to increase your chances of getting there"

Imagine a bipedal lizard, like Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg.

Spirituality is more like "I'm pretending to reinvent knowledge that has existed for thousands of years in various religions and also pretending to do it all on my own while seeking help from various internet videos and forums, and joining churches like Actualized.org where we tell other religious people how not-awake they are and how our God is better than their God"

He could easily be a character in a TV show just by playing himself.

The science says that Christians are at least more mystical than non-Christians, so they can have that. Mysticism in Chinese Christians and Non-Christians: Measurement Invariance of the Mysticism Scale and Implications for the Mean Differences, March 2012, International Journal for the Psychology of Religion 22(2), https://www.researchgate.net/publication/239795159_Mysticism_in_Chinese_Christians_and_Non-Christians_Measurement_Invariance_of_the_Mysticism_Scale_and_Implications_for_the_Mean_Differences

I'm sorry. I chose to ignore the fact that Americans don't think about soccer by default. https://medium.com/@Dobens/understanding-the-hand-ball-rule-1cc09a7a223 But also, isn't it only possible to move the goal post in a soccer game? Isn't it stationary in American football?

I just thought that the reason most people and even I can stand listening to his obviously narcissistic rantings is that he is so extremely entertaining. It's like he is doing a show when he is speaking. And that is what makes him so dangerous

Yeah, and there is a difference between meditating and taking a wank, or listening to a Leo video and taking a wank, or contemplating reality and taking a wank. Taking a wank is fine as a means of experience, but I feel like we're talking about the most direct means of spiritual progress here (or at least that is what I think a church is supposed to be). Maybe the church can have its own program for people who aren't ready for that (but it doesn't have to be the only program). Actually, the church probably used to be like that, but then all those scared people took over. You're either moving the goal post or running with the ball in your hands, something like that

"Going to church is fine" vs. "being a Christian is fine".

But let's be frank, you're literally changing the goal post here relative to what you said earlier, right?

So maybe then there can be harm in going to church if the pastor is like "the devil tricked you into thinking that you were one with God?" If I could preach a bit: I think we need churches, but they need to be rid of misleading dogma like that (unless it fulfills a significant need for people who can't appreciate a more mystical approach). Maybe the church can be multi-layered to suit different people with different needs.

I was thinking interview them to figure out what they really believe, not preach to them like you usually do But wait, if they would show so much resistance to what you're preaching, what are you really saying when you say "they're doing their best to learn love"? Would they not welcome your message with open arms?

But will you interview these people?

Solution: practice more mindfulness and practice more playing the game. Accept that it will taper off. It will taper off less over time if you pratice enough. If you're practicing mindfulness during the game, you're not really playing the game. I have a term for this: "spiritual OCD"; intrusive thoughts about things like mindfulness or not being spiritual enough which actually impedes those things in a given activity. It's a big trap in spirituality which only robs you from the real fruits of the practice: being here, fully present in what you're doing.