Natasha Tori Maru

Oh! They just unconsciously do so. I suppose they perceive themselves egoless. Cannot kill or get rid of something that never existed in the first place

I agree. For this reason I seperate the addiction from the person. I typically use terminology like 'the person suffering from the addiction'. Because it is an affliction and not them. I steer away from calling sufferers 'addicts' for this reason. The disease causes the person, as they are, to behave in a way that contradicts their soul. Their person. Who they are. And there are many consequences of that behaviour. It is also important to note that I consider someone addicted to something when they behave in a way that impedes functioning. On any level; interpersonal, social, fiscal etc. Unfortunately the fact remains they are not thinking in the correct way, regardless of how intelligent they may be. Endless compassion for sufferers ❤️

I do not think Leo was advocating for an unempathetic position with the statement that 'addicts are untrustworthy'. His point raises a healthy boundary for empathy - which is a more compassionate approach. Empathy with boundaries is compassion. Empathy without boundaries is self-abandonment/self-erasure. Boundaries prevent the corrosive nature of unchecked empathy. Which can lead to trusting someone suffering from addiction, and ending up exploited due to their actions. Just my 2C on how I read the statement.

@Kokorec What prompted this question? It might help others understand your frame better - particularly what you mean by 'free'. I can see replies in this thread coming at you in a loaded way due to the nebulous terminology of that word

A realistic one. In addition - my response is from the frame of why an enlightened person would not force something on another.

Regarding this. It might be worthy to note each of us see a different facet of truth in each teaching. Depending on where we are at. Some might be taking away a completely different message or truth. Often, in the path, when you return to teachings that were foundations for other teachings - they take on a completely different meaning and truth....

You are a seeker by nature, then. Most others are not. Even my family, who proclaim to be so spiritual, would be terrified of the process I have been through in this work. Most do not hit the 'boring' & 'absurd' phases until well into life. Some not at all! And some have no understanding of what is actually wrong... just that they cannot put their finger on it

It happens. Very intelligent people get scammed. Locksmith scams are one of the biggest. And they are very successful because, as you guessed it, they prey on people who are desperate. Locked out. Pets inside. Late at night. No where else to go. This generates urgency. When you are in that mental state you are very emotionally charged - this has been shown to interfere with proper reasoning skills. You are in debt. Under pressure. Do not denigrate yourself over this - give yourself grace. This incident is not a reflection of your capabilities or value as a person <3 All you need is to remember this, so you can learn.

I see, I see. Naughty naughty, how machiavellian of you - think of how Leo must feel with a tickle-feather to the balls

Because they seem to really, really like them-selves. A lot. The perception may be, these selves are all they have... Some people willingly move out of home as part of process. But most people do not appreciate being evicted

Thank you @Sincerity ❤️ @theoneandnone has spoken to me off the forum as part of a welfare check the moderators felt was needed. He is taking time off for mental health.

Note that I did not ask for a description of awakening/enlightenment. I pushed you on your claim you know Leo has not attained enlightenment. And if you also claim enlightenment cannot be obtained through drugs/substances, this makes sense. But you still cannot make the claim you know. Obtainment (bad word) could have been had with other methods. And to try to state you 'know' is a disservice to yourself.

Thanks for stating this - I appreciate that. You danced around this and alluded to it without a lot of clarity.

Hard words. But I must agree, if we are to speak truth. And this is coming from someone who was homeless for a time in my 20s.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/01/several-dead-and-injured-in-explosion-swiss-ski-resort-town-crans-montana-police-say Man this is horrible. If I read correctly, one exit? This reminds me of the horrific station nightclub fire.

Maybe, where certainty ends. And responsibility begins... Does an idea need to be true, to be valuable?

@UnbornTao @Salvijus Oh! You two! At it all over this thread! I was going to contribute again but I do not want to poke the hornets nest....

Mostly people aren't really criticizing others anyway. More, making assumptions 🥹

Suddenly the balls shrink away... 💀

Well yeah, it does. Have you developed a way to detect enlightenment with certainty?

Do you claim this, or does Leo?

Why do you always bring this up? I don't understand the purpose.

The knives being sharpened 😈

I have encountered this a lot. It is a very good reason to do inner work to investigate what is really intrinsic to us.

Mogged 🤣 I was accused of similar agendas - and all I did was ask honest questions. Curiousity is punished when the assumption is all are attacking, it seems 💀