CroMagna

I'm afraid to let go of my Catholicism (and be God) because I'm afraid if I leave the faith, I'll go to Hell. Any tips on getting rid of this fear?

Leo, would you mind doing a video on how to let go of the fear of Hell realms? I donated to your Patreon.

Thanks Leo! Great to hear from you! Thank you for your excellent work!

Why people are like that, characteristics, how to succeed that way, etc. Thanks.

What are your thoughts on doing mantras throughout the day, such as the om mani padme hum?

Hi Leo, Thanks for your amazing work. My request is for a video about loners.

My understanding of Do Nothing Meditation is that involves allowing the mind to wander wherever it wants to go and feeling all your feelings with no attempt to control your thoughts. If you do that all day, are you practicing Do Nothing all day? Or is that just what people normally do?

My disability is schizophrenia.

My plan: -Drop out of society -Live as a hermit -I have government assistance for my disability -Enroll in a program to pay off my student loans -Take care of my aging mom, live with her -Become a freelance editor -Quit smoking and drinking -Stay in the house, only leave if I must -Do mantras throughout the day -Meditate -Eat two meals a day Is that in line with Buddhist teachings? Does that sound like a plan?

My life purpose: ataraxia, aponia, to become an ascetic hermit My top 10 values: 1. Solitude 2. Positivity 3. Ataraxy/contentment 4. Frugality 5. Relaxation/slow paced living 6. Minimalism 7. Critical thinking 8. Uniqueness 9. Originality 10. Close bonds/love So what's next?

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Spiritual teachers like Leo may say that "what you resist persists," like how the Buddha said that "all suffering is caused by desire." Well I have few desires but one of them is an overwhelming need to be a hermit. I find leaving the house overwhelming. I'm bombarded with intrusive, scary thoughts. I find social situations boring, stressful, and totally unrewarding. I know no one's perfect and I don't seek to be the Buddha, so I'm just wondering if the resistance to interaction will, while being a desire, only make the monkey mind worse? Thanks.

@Shiva The purpose is being. Leo said that being is the highest form of existence. I don't need a life purpose other than "to be" or at the most "the end of suffering." @Team Bills I'm on SSI for now. I paid into the system by being a teacher. @XYZ I see your point. Philosophers and entrepreneurs like Leo create all this free content and I use it and then don't put anything out there, so that is freeloading. On the other hand, there are people who live in caves who are actually fed and even given medical treatment. But I do see your point. So not sure where to go from there.

I'm interested in Do Nothing Meditation, just letting the monkey mind do whatever it wants, letting go of control. I'm wondering if eventually, my brain will get bored of the obsessive, scary thoughts and just be mindful?

I'm thinking of starting my own business. I would like it to involve the computer. One possibility is organizing files for my neighbor, but she's out of town for now. Any other ideas?

So I finally found the perfect career for loners: web developer. Only 21% chance of automation. Long hours spent working in front of the computer, building websites (which I think I would really like). I have a BA in English and a few years of proofreading experience. What's my next step?

What do you mean by make your own "class?" What would that look like?

Do you want to pursue a PhD and become a professor? Because there's not a big market for K-12 philosophy teachers.

Thanks everyone. @Rookie, I suppose I could try freelance writing and proofreading instead. @Leo Gura, if you have time, I would appreciate some ideas on what good criteria are for selecting a career.

I agree with you here. I think there's some value to striking a balance between optimism and philosophical pessimism, like you said, realism.

No, I've been interviewing, but no luck. I have less than $100 left in my account.

I was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2008 and my therapist said there's no cure for hearing voices.

I've been going back and forth about this in my mind recently. I recently adopted the identity of New Age darkworker, someone who dedicates their lives to serving themselves only. I've been hurt a lot in the past and decided that selfishness was the best revenge. Strangely enough, it has improved my relationships, as I'm less of a burden, which also makes me more pleasant to be around. I pull my weight more too. But part of me feels a bit guilty thinking that I secretly don't care about people. I like stoicism because it's all about tranquility. Stoics can be loners and hermits, especially seeing as virtually no one on Earth is 100% hermit, not even hermit nuns (who use Facebook, maybe go to church, etc.). It seems more virtuous. You can still avoid negative people like Leo advises (in the YouTube How To Deal With Difficult People). I think the guilt would go away, which is why I'm considering it. What do you think?

New life purpose: To cultivate and demonstrate tranquility/inner peace. Any job ideas? Thanks!

"Every perspective is true." -Lucretius [Paraphrasing] 'Philosophy that doesn't help people is useless" -Epicurus [Paraphrasing] 'Do you just sit around reading books and learning all day? Then you are a silly fellow, incapable of labor.' -Seneca