ItsNick

I stole the title of this topic from this video: I think it should be obvious why (online) gambling is a problem but I have recently learned more about how big this problem is in our society (worldwide). One of the big problems today is influencers on streaming platforms profiting off the losses of their audience who sign up through them. This goes together with a lack of regulation and increased normalization and gamification of gambling. If you're interested in some statistics showing how much money goes around in this industry you can take a look here: https://www.statista.com/outlook/amo/online-gambling/worldwide and find that "Revenue in the Online Gambling market is projected to reach US$97.15bn in 2024." and that the industry is projected to keep growing. And then I haven't even talked about the massive amount of money laundering taking place in this industry, especially in these crypto casino's. From a personal development point of view I see (online) gambling as the ultimate get rich quick trap. Most alluring to those who feel powerless in relation to money.

I was watching a video about how Google is training its AI on YouTube videos: And then I got curious about what YouTube channels they have been training on. And well, to be exact, Google's AI used 5 of Leo's videos to train itself. For now. Source: https://www.proofnews.org/youtube-ai-search/

@NoSelfSelf I am decent. Best advise is to find a part-time job as a bartender or volunteer as one. Helps if you have a friend who is a bartender to help you.

Plenty. One useful piece of advise if you intellectualize about personal development too much: Thinking is no substitute for experience. 2 years of going out to bars every week and bartending myself has helped me develop socially and sexually more than any book ever could help me with.

Geert Wilder's his far-right party PVV has won the Dutch national elections by far: https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/nov/22/netherlands-dutch-general-election-vote-result-exit-poll-prime-minister-government-live-latest-result I had not expected this to happen here. In my entire life living in the Netherlands far-right has never won this big.

Long-term decisions like that are made in the long-term. Not in any one state...

Is even awakening an illusion then? Is it not just a different state or dream of consciousness? Albeit one where there is greater understanding and awareness.

AI-Generated

Try other psychedelics. I know someone who had similar experiences to you and tripped balls on just a little bit of weed.

He doesn't really want to go into detail about it. He talks about suffering from "nerve pain" for 18 years and after resolving it facing a "tsunami of trauma" because of how horrible the pain had been on his body-mind. He is also admits taking medication to help with his anxiety but doesn't specify what he uses. There's an hour-long talk where he talks more about it all here: https://adyashanti.opengatesangha.org/store/downloads-file?dky=Cd5ost38&admv=1

I recently learned that Adyshanti is retiring. I also learned that apparently he has been struggling with chronic pain and PTSD. I think it's very humbling to admit that, as long as you are human, you are not immune to the suffering of the human realm. Here's a quote from the letter in which is talks about his retirement and his suffering: Here's the entire letter: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Retirement-Announcement.html?soid=1126600191855&aid=2-xCMqh-t-s

I remember the first chapter of the power of now was something like that lol. Of course I exaggerated a bit, but it was basically that. I think this idea of awakening or enlightenment is held by many people, partly because this is how it's sold. I'd imagine if you made the external conditions bad enough for these so-called enlightened beings, or their internal conditions by changing their brain chemistry with drugs, you could make them suffer a lot and increase their fear of death. Is it possible to transcend the fear of death? Maybe, but I don't think you can be human and do that.

What @Leo Gura said... But if you have sleeping problems then maybe modafinil isn't the best idea for now. I can't say it's safe for you but they indeed have opposite effects on the CNS; I imagine they could cancel eachother out somewhat. I also recommend you come up with a plan to slowly reduce the dosage of the benzodiazepines (preferably with your doctor). Then you won't have this problem anymore. If you have sleeping problems I suggest you could also look into Yoga Nidra (here's an interesting book: https://www.amazon.com/Nidra-Re-print-Swami-Satyananda-Saraswati/dp/8185787123/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=yoga+nidra&qid=1691847894&sr=8-2

It would be interestingly to meet other species of human like neanderthals, heidelbergensis, homo erectus.