UnbornTao

@Schizophonia real food provides a plethora a compounds, plus fibre, etc. By eating, say, too many oysters, you may as well increase your zinc levels and so the difference would be negligible compared to taking a Zinc supplement. However, oysters provide more nutritional value than that. Whole foods are greater than the sum of its parts. As far as I know, science doesn't yet fully know how such intricate synergies and relationships between food's compounds work and how they affect the human body. in any case im talking out of my ass. better do the research and ask a nutritionist. Ok, then.

So you calmed down and became more present?

I think I read about whole foods being nutritionally greater than the sum of its parts. Compounds interact in synergistic and complex ways, influencing things like absorption, etc. Taking an isolated supplement doesn't have all of those synergies between compounds, fibre, etc. Between eating a kiwi and merely supplementing vitamin C, there might be a world of difference. Ask one of the forum's nutritionist, @Michael569.

That's not true, either. It's better to leave one's nature as currently unknown, which it is, and simply admit that. What's left for us to do is being open and dwelling on the question with the intent to discover what's true now. And repeat until you do.

All of that is bullshit. It's neither. Mind's attempt to grasp the absolute will always fail. The absolute's already the case, so being afraid is silly in this regard. In other words, maybe your nature is and has always been formless; you just confused it with yourself. Short of direct consciousness, being open is the best one can do. So contemplate.

You answered too quickly

I've heard that being directly conscious is truly self-validating; unlike knowledge, it's direct, not up to interpretation, guesswork or conviction. With direct consciousness, you're in the same "place" as consciousness. You might be over-intellectualizing the matter when a solution would be having several enlightenments.

At the beginning of a relationship, a show might be put on by both parties in order to feel mutually liked. In any case, be honest primarily with yourself and deal with others intelligently. Question what that would look like for you. What if you give up the need to please others? What's behind that drive? Why is it there? Recognize it as founded on certain self-assumptions in order to get free from them. Experientially grasp why this behavior is neither necessary nor useful. I know that this doesn't say much but maybe take a look into it.

Geez, stop overselling water already.

Didn't he basically put an end to philosophy? He stated that perception can't be a direct knowledge of reality, and that perception and the mind can't be trusted as the ultimate "proof" for claims of existential truth.

What cosmology are you holding that makes you think in such a way? The absolute is not grandiose, huge, inaccessible or any other distinctions because they are relative. It's impossible for the mind to grasp, and its nature isn't separate from you. Whatever you're aiming for is an image, idea or conception that you have of it.

What's sentience?

Becoming directly conscious of the absolute truth of you. Nothing more, nothing less.

Through this forum. Someone mentioned him on some thread I was visiting.

Dan Koe. His work is inspiring. He talks about solopreneurship and seems to be pretty passionate about this field. Worth a read.

A fact often overlooked is that taking a decision is a creative act. You make a decision. You don't somehow stumble upon it -- "here, I found a decision on the road" or some such. Besides, the process of making a choice isn't what we hold it to be, which is picking or choosing between a set of predetermined options. This way of thinking leaves the creative component out of the question. When taking action, making decisions is essential. You have no choice in the matter. Choosing not to decide is something you can do. Look at ways in which you've unconsciously made a decision in your life. Now, notice you can change it according to what you want. Make the process explicit, clear, conscious, especially when it comes to important decisions.

@zurew @Carl-Richard thanks. Ultimately, it seems to me like wisdom is an abstract, wide notion that depends on how it's held by each individual.

Is absolute truth a state, then? When using the distinction "state", we might as well be talking about different things. State sounds like relative stuff. Is it possible that Truth is independent from state?

Don't idealize enlightened people. What can be done before enlightenment can be done after it.

True happiness might be inherent in your nature, and it doesn't depend on circumstances. Meaning is created, adopted and applied. Like I said above, happiness may be independent of meaning. What you call happiness is self-survival, like when a monkey gets a banana, he's happy, without the banana, he isn't. Rarely considered is the possibility of being happy even when you don't get what you want! Try to look into it and practice it.

So what is wisdom? Wisdom isn't conventional knowledge, smartness, intelligence, opinion or information. Could be held as an unusually deep and unconventional intuitive understanding and feeling-sense. It could also basically refer to consciousness, being profoundly aware of the truth of something. Consider examples such as Gandalf, Chuang Tzu and Plato. What makes these characters wise as opposed to the average person? Food for thought.

Better not to make up simplistic formulas to fit our preconceptions. What is happiness? It may be a synonym for being! Happiness is independent of meaning.

@Yimpa nice, keep up the good work. Two hours is an impressive feat even for moderately experienced meditators.

I'm also between avoidant and secure and just bought the secure workbook at the attachment project. Have yet to read it but looks like a useful tool for some of your concerns. Check out its table of contents.

That's a good practice, happy for you. In my case, meditating for at least 20min daily is what I do. I've noticed that meditation requires confronting yourself, your emotions and your state in a very positive, straightforward way. Your mind learns to embrace your experience, to let go and to focus. I recommend it.