Terell Kirby

Hmm almost like asking the question, how to be wise while eating fast food Kidding- that’s my biased. I look at video games as a distraction ultimately, but I can see it sparking some creative inspiration. Similar to film

Interesting podcast-it gets juicy at the 23min mark when Brendon starts questioning Ralston on different levels of spiritual capacity in reaching Enlightenment: Few takeaways: Peter Ralston seems to have a flawed notion that there is nothing “special” about his Enlightenment. That everyone can do it if they just “stick with it” as it relates to contemplation. Ralston comes from a place of one size fits all- “don’t believe anyone and question reality for yourself”. While this is effective, it’s hasn’t been proven universal. For example, Brendon his lead student- can’t possibly be conscious of God based on the framing of his questions to Ralston. While this talk has a lot of gems and nuggets, Ralston’s definition of grasping what is true is quite abstract. It’s not guaranteed that the student following his work will come to the realization that they are hallucinating reality, Peter Ralston, and his teachings. This is never really made explicit in his talks. Leo was right in that we should question the worldview of even the most advanced spiritual teachers. If we are shy about it- it limits us. This was challenging, as I love Ralston’s work- still do, but it’s one perspective out of an Infinite number conjured up by Consciousness-no more or less special than the rest.

I would expect more restraint in such a response from a moderator on the forum. I don’t think anyone is in business of silencing others while insulting them at the same time.

Haha - not many people have common sense when it comes to matters of serious epistemology and existential investigation. It takes years and decades to develop that. Point being, most humans don’t think for themselves about fundamental questions of the nature of reality. They are likely engaged in group think and adopting various beliefs.

There are many cult leaders who engage in what you’re describing. We need to give credit to spiritual teachers who have the discipline to refrain from engaging in such abusive behavior towards their students- despite have the power to do so

Ralston also de-emphasizes the importance of states of Consciousness in his work. One can contemplate till the cows come home, but you’d be hard pressed to getting a radical state change from that alone unless you’re a genetic freak

Thank you for keeping us informed throughout the entire process. You get gold star 🌟

On civilization being built on abuse:

Went down the Zebra rabbit hole a bit after the blog post on why Zebra was never domesticated. Didn't know Zebra life was so brutal:

Attack of the bots, this is war.

Yes. It’s also not a person. What can be a person and not a person at the same time? GOD

Top notch post Leo -- the hallmark of maturity is being able to be responsive rather than reactive. It's been a struggle for me throughout the year, but I'm making progress. Emotional mastery 101 So much of our personal success depends on it, very nuts and bolts for youngsters (and oldsters) to learn.

Yikes !

It’ll be hard work trying to get normie friends and family to check out the book. Need to find some clever ways to sucker them in !

An object is something in that it exists, nothing in that it's not distinct from what is deemed 'non object'. That something is Nothing Yes

Proposition: what is deemed ‘here and now’ IS something-but a something that is open to interpretation. Interpreting such as ‘No-thing’ is a common assertion in Non Dualism & Enlightenment circles. Yet ‘No-Thing’ is one out of an infinite number of interpretations of the something that in inherent to the present. It seems impossible to get away from reality being something as opposed to nothing. Our interpretations of it are subjective- but the something-ness inherent to reality seems Absolute in nature . We can work to understand the something-ness that seems inherent to reality, while at the same time finding useful ways to leverage subjective interpretations to understand it at deeper levels. My question: in your spiritual pursuits, how are you interpreting the here and now? How is it serving you? What are your obstacles in going beyond your interpretations to understand reality at higher levels?

lol

Americans and Superbowl Sunday: Go Seahawks !

Why do we kid ourselves? I’m finding this position is the best ground to do deep contemplation about what’s true- prevents you from taking on biases of teachers and humans in general. Pick up a topic, and admit to yourself that nobody knows anything about it. Until we personally validate truth claims about any aspect of reality, it is hearsay taken on faith. For example- The sky was blue before you knew that others “knew” about the color of the sky. Our experience is prior and fundamental than the idea of some “other” knowing about it.

Enjoy- sounds like a fun trip

The point of drugs is to keep you coming back for more.

yea- however it is important to stop and smell the roses from time to time. What’s any good realizing God if you don’t enjoy the process? Life is ugly but lots of beautiful elements to soak in

A dirty business indeed. uncovering all your self deceptions is like samurai suicide rituals (Seppuku):

Well yeah, but that’s a single perspective on success I feel- your care for something doesn’t always correlate to acquiring what you desire. You can care about something while at the same time not having means or opportunity for access. The realm of success, power and wealth is very exclusionary by design. The idea of meritocracy is often a fallacy that we buy into blindly.

God imagined this thread