Natasha Tori Maru

Wasn't sure where to put this tbh - thought some of you might enjoy this. Not a fan of DOAC but thought the debate was interesting. I don't think Greg Koukl (Christian) or Dr K (psychiatrist) had the rigor of Alex O’Connor (atheist), but it was interesting as it went from meaning, purpose, God, psychedelics, panpsychism, motivation and back again.

I think this should have been the premise - make it set in ancient Mesopotamia and work it into some of the mythos there etc Half the meaning of story is written if they take it from history and Frankenstein it together

Maybe it's just a personal thing, but to me, flirting is harmless. I don't mind my partners flirting with others. I love the display of wit and banter. Takes some nice skill. I'm not insecure about it. I am not territorial or possessive. For me this isn't theoretical as I have lived it. And I don't confine flirting to gender either. Man, woman and anything in between - you won't escape 😈

I view Alex as being slightly afraid or hesitant to take a stance or draw a conclusion

I just searched for this quote and read the full passage

I don't have any semen to retain - but orgasm never leaves me depleted. Only allowing negative reactions, and resultant emotions, can do that. I also haven't ever searched for how the practice of abstaining might change energy for women. I know men experience sexual energy as build/release, and many spiritual practices touch on it, but I was always under the impression these were recorded with men in mind. But as I woman I am somewhat forced by nature to endure the flow of life (monthly cycles). Perhaps there is something to that. I also do not experience a tension build up from sexual energy (maybe charge is a better word) - but when I do feel 'charged up', I just use that energy redirected into some other passion that engages heightened emotion, expression or physical action. The build up for me does not contaminate my thoughts so I can channel the energy into work. Anyway I'll step out now....not my place <3

@Something Funny Kinda makes me wonder if you could fuck yourself up if you fasted + pounded R/O water. I am guessing it would flush ones system out of homeostasis. My fasts only ever go to 72hrs and I replace salt + electrolytes

The discussions I had about the R/O loops were just in the context of the water alone. I am not making an argument in my post - I just thought it was a good bit of info to add as I had some crossover experience with reverse osmosis as it is in medical fields.

What does this have to do with my post? Nothing I said would lead one to make that assumption

The nature of the human condition - as a byproduct of modern times

You say this, but you will be back for more punishment... just like me 😈 😈 😈

We built a Dialysis centre 2 years back. The biggest parts of the build were the R/O water loops, which is key to dialysis treatment. In addition, we have built R/O loops for lab research areas and sterilizing medical equipment (used for autoclaves). The guys who we commissioned to build the loops, the doctors and the engineers at the hospitals were aware it wasn't optimal for humans to drink. All of them mentioned essential minerals the human body needed the R/O water couldn't provide. This gave me the impression it was known R/O water was missing essential components. This is not to say I know medical professionals are aware R/O water needs remineralisation, but it leads me to believe it is not as unknown as me might think. Maybe GP's do not know. But nurses/doctors and people working in acute and chronic hospital care seem to be very aware of this.

From the sounds of the conversation here so far - is 'presence' maybe the more accurate word over 'awareness'? Being present and in touch with my feeling and perceptions usually places me firmly in the feminine polarity.

Yes, I used to. Not anymore. Back when the internet was a lot newer rotton.com was huge for this sort of stuff. 4Chan also. For me it was the feeling of horror that induced a single pointed focus. I couldn't look away. Couldn't be distracted. Watching it gripped me. Thank fuck I can induce that state in meditation now. I just grew out of it.

As long as you don't create a belief system around rejection 'I am hopeless', and you are continuing to put yourself out there, you will have success. It takes like 18months to find a girlfriend on average with no social circle (this was from a psychologist mate who specialises in men's issues, grain of salt). Most people give up well before this time period has lapsed. I briefly dated a guy in his 30's who approached me, for around 3/4 months. He was also a virgin. He just randomly started talking to me while waiting in the city loop. Nice dude, very nervous. Incredibly intelligent (industrial chemist). Not to be disparaging but he wasn't even the best looking dude. Below average I would say. It ended due to him moving to another city for work (which was always happening for him). I think he probably finally had to balls to start approaching women due to the move But he was also doing speed dating, which he reported he hated. He had this entire section of his apartment devoted to chemistry as a hobby - he had all these fucken SICK bismuth crystals growing. Maybe that dude might be you? But yeah those beliefs will get you. It's a cognitive bias - so the process of thinking is ace. But its the data being picked that ends up myopic and can shoot you in the foot. So you might have a mate who goes to speed dating with you, and he bags a GF. You see he is taller than you and end up with 'Oh he is taller than me, so that's why I didn't have success' - that's the cognitive bias. You missed that he was speed dating for a LOT longer than you. But you choose not to look at that data. So the belief forms based on not seeing the whole picture, or being closed off to the fact there are other elements in play. This is why it is so important to understand how you are thinking. Journaling etc. To be able to observe your thought process. Very difficult to notice these slippering thoughts also. Often it needs a CB therapist to assist. It's also really important to address these hidden beliefs. People's subconscious picks up on these things within seconds. And they will perceive you as being 'burdened' which is the exact opposite energy you want to have. 'Burdened' as a projection isn't even who you are - so you don't have a chance to show someone your earnest self when you carry false beliefs. ------- Back to the OP's question @Leo Gura's advice is spot on. The first step is to realise you are DOING IT. You need to grow that meta cognition so you can catch yourself in the thoughts. Awareness is the first step. And powerful. If you aren't aware you are holding onto a ball, how on earth will you be able to let it go?

@svreishren I think what you may not realise is even the fact you are saying this means it is an idea to you and a concept. It is not an experience you have had.

Even such small things come into it - I find meditating by the Yarra River in my local bushlands, away from traffic, Wifi, electrical emf etc has huge effects on how easily I can reach states of pure single pointed focus / being. The further on in the path you go it is so totally natural to just discard things that impede us. No force needed to stop doing the thing. Even when it may have been a crutch or coping mechanism. Things just naturally fall away. No struggle to drop addictions or compulsions.

I use cold pressed extra virgin olive oil - but only for adding to my food and not for cooking (or when I have a spoonful as a painkiller). Store purchased stodge gives me a strange googy feeling in my stomach when taken raw. I add 2 tablespoons of the cold pressed olive oil to my vegetable bakes most evening. I try to eat minimal meat (small amount of fish, mainly eggs/nuts and vegetable diet) + some fruit (the stuff I can digest). Eating this way increased my bodies sensitivity overall. Enhanced mindfulness/meditation. When I transitioned to eating this way 10 or so years ago I noticed the painkilling effects of the olive oil. It makes me wonder just how much sensitivity the average human has lost due to poisoned environment. Many of these eating tips were from my half-greek grandmother (silent generation) who is 97 now.

@MsNobody Thanks for posting I really enjoy your contributions also !

@Kalki Avatar Do you feel a loss of agency? I ask because the brain as, a survival mechanism, moves toward certainty. Sometimes even at the cost of happiness or wholesome action. We can experience this grasp for certainty as a measure to alleviate anxiety IE the OCD sufferer who attempts to alleviate a compulsive thought, and being certain a set of actions were performed in sequence or in repetition. The loss of control and ability to be certain creates some of the destabilizing feelings you speak of. How the fuck can we survive if we have no free will to assert upon reality to obtain an outcome? It is the attachment to outcome, aversion/desire, that can also contribute to the source of the darkness.

For me I find it very relevant. You summarised it well in post above.

I am very dominant at work - no where else. Maybe a bit too candid with delivery on the forums. Not surprised at my result. I do think it may change based on age group though - as I did go through a wack experimental phased in my 20s

@Schizophonia @Carl-Richard The anti-inflammatory effect was my guess also. I just find it odd that I can perceive it so clearly. I do have a lot of olive oil in my diet as a result.

My electrons made me do it

@Alexop Yes that is true - I will stipulate that my reply was more applicable to women saying no within already established interpersonal relationships! I think once family, friend and romantic relationships are established - THAT is when women struggle to say no In terms of dating, due to the nature of the dynamic, women do not struggle to say no as much when approached !