UnbornTao

What do you mean by passing? I smell a belief system of some sort. In any case, whatever your state is, enjoy it.

What do you want? Why do you want it? Clarify that for yourself. Take at look at capacity. You can do stuff. What's actually stopping you? Ineffective behavior patterns such as intellectualizing, making up excuses and stories, falling into useless emotional states, etc, have to be dropped in favor of effective ones. Of course, thinking about it won't cut it. You need to perceive reality "objectively" and take appropriate action. Generate what works and is appropriate given your strategy and goal. You'll then have an overview of what might lie ahead of you. Step after step, consistently move towards your goal; remember to enjoy the process while you're at it. Notice whenever you've gone off course and failed and correct when necessary, and instantly make use of feedback.

Opportunism might be the antithesis of integrity.

What about a cooking contest? Or a race?

The ability to actualize - to make real - could be called mastery.

What's for dinner?

Rather than resisting difficult situations or seeing them as obstacles to avoid, view them as challenges--struggles that can open the door to opportunities and lessons, if you pay attention to what you're doing and making corrections.

What does a powerful presence entail and what does it take to develop it? Create a contrast between people with vitality and "zombies." Why do we fear vitality in the first place?

When you hold life as merely a pragmatic matter, it can diminish - and even undermine - your experience of vitality, intimacy, creativity, and all the other things that make life worth living.

Be increasingly honest and uncover your motives, assumptions, reactions, etc: What is my experience of X really about? Why do I behave the way I do? What is this (emotion, thought, feeling)? Is it true?

You're welcome.

"Life is a bitch and then you die."

Should have titled them "The Buddhist Myth" and "Meditation For Rats".

@Yimpa Has it already rolled out?

My first cup after having quitted for a couple weeks was one of the best ones I've ever have. Pollan drinks once a week, if I recall correctly. That might be a good option for you.

Moved to Pop-culture and Entertainment section.

Worth taking a look: List of epistemologists List of philosophers

I've been noticing for some time now the crucial role metaphors play in shaping our thinking and language. It's surprisingly revealing - and far more pervasive than we tend to realize. I've used AI to compile a list of metaphors that invent, define, and shape the ways we experience, conceptualize, and communicate reality. Here's the list: Might read Metaphors We Live By by George Lakoff at some point - seems highly relevant.

The difference that turns life from a mediocre attempt at mere subsistence into an adventure of growth and learning is your ability and willingness to fully open yourself to your present experience and to contemplate it.

Haven't read it yet but How To Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci might help.

@Leo Gura According to Claude, you're an author: He has written books like The Job Myth and Meditation Theory exploring concepts around work, purpose, spirituality and meditation. So that's that.

Claude finally available in Europe.

VPN doesn't work for me.

Have you ever drunk alcohol? If you do now or have recently, obviously I'd quit that immediately, to start with.