RickyFitts

@Marcel Interesting, thank you!

Ah man, I told myself I'd limit myself to one song a day, but this one's just come on and I have to share it - David Gilmour's guitar-playing speaks to my soul like no other, and I just love his voice, too:

@Marcel You're wise beyond your years, my friend - I love you, bro

Very interesting, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the subject! The colour yellow makes me think of the solar plexus chakra, though I'm weird like that

I'd love to know who dreamt up that video, and what exactly they were smoking at the time

@Preety_India Thanks! I'm listening to so much music at the moment that it's hard to pick just one, but this is the one I'm feeling at the moment, bit of a change of pace from the last one:

Ain't that just the truth

Fuck, I love this quote! I'm so glad that things are starting to turn around for you, Marcel, I know how hard things have been for you. I understand you feeling humiliated by your vulnerability, I spilled my guts on another forum a few years back and then cringed at myself for revealing too much (or at least, so I believed), but other people often have much more compassion for us than we have for ourselves. It seems paradoxical, but expressing our vulnerability can take so much strength - and the funny thing is, when you allow yourself to be completely vulnerable, you realise that you're actually invulnerable. Life's fucked up like that, but it's fucked up in such a beautiful way

When I read your threads, Gianna, it makes me think that love wields a sword - and it'll eviscerate you, but it does it so lovingly Because love's lover is the naked truth

First verse of the song: Some say love is a burning thing That it makes a fiery ring Oh but I know love as a fading thing Just as fickle as a feather in a stream See, honey, I saw love, You see it came to me It puts its face up to my face so I could see Yeah then I saw love disfigure me Into something I am not recognizing Zulabelle posted this on a forum we both frequented after our intensely loving relationship had fizzled. Even when she was heartbroken, she was beautiful...

@Marcel You know, I remember the spiritual teacher Jon Bernie saying that God gives the strong ones the most to deal with, because they can deal with it, and I feel this is very true of you May your life continue on an upward trajectory, my friend I don't think I can even add anything to this, you've summed it up so beautifully (I've never heard the expression 'giving the monster a hug', but I like it a lot! ) You're so right about the need for compassion, understanding, acceptance, and vulnerability - giving myself these things has been probably the most challenging thing I've had to do (and I had to end up in a very bad way before I learnt how to), but also the most rewarding. And I've developed so much compassion in the process, not only for myself but also for the human condition more generally - what an overwhelming ordeal it can seem to be human sometimes, and yet what a wonderful, exhilarating thing, too.

Right, so you need to integrate those qualities whilst making sure that you don't let go of who you are (as you said in your first post) in order to realise your potential - that's so interesting, thank you for elaborating You have so much potential, Gianna, I so hope that you can realise it - and I'm sure you will

Yyyikes! Okay yeah, I might struggle to retain my zen-like equilibrium in that situation, too! But there's nothing to fear, not even fear itself (I'm going to have to slightly disagree with FDR on that one.)

Deeply feeling into the rage - yeah, that's the key I think. I've come to realise that underneath every raging monster, there's a distraught child bawling its eyes out, but the tendency (particularly in men, and I'm no exception) is to get caught in the surface anger. I actually had a bit of a breakdown a few months back where I just cried and cried, all this grief came pouring out of me; felt off for about a week after (lost my appetite, felt rather fragile), though it probably did me a lot of good in the long-run to get that out of my system. I'll keep in mind the suggestion about listening to music that enhances the feeling, though - thanks for your input, buddy, really appreciate it Old habits die hard, pal! But honestly, you're doing so well, you're an example to others

Just wonderful, I'm so, so happy for you, my friend

I do keep attracting the same kind of partner, so I'm intrigued by this notion of becoming that partner - could you expand on this, what would it look like in practice? This is so profound, and so beautiful

Oh I know, I know! So easy to dispense this advice, so much more difficult to put it into action! Particularly when it goes against our instincts - but it's like anything, it gets easier with practice And if I know one thing about you, Gianna, it's that you're a very quick study

@Gianna Always, I treasure your threads I love you too, my soul sister Gianna

I'm noticing some soreness in my left wrist at the moment, I've become aware over the last few years of just how much tension is stored up in both of my wrists - it appears to be connected to my blocked heart chakra in some way, when I feel into the soreness I notice that it appears to be connected to some upset I feel in that area (and the heart apparently governs the arms and hands, so this would seem to make sense). Interesting to observe how it all links together. The pressure in my heart is still significant (as it is in my head), as are the feelings of deep upset and anger (oh the rage, the murderous, blistering rage!), but I'm getting there, slowly but surely.

Hard to shake these habits, mate! Just notice what's driving the mental activity on an emotional level (mind and emotions are very much linked), and allow those underlying emotions to be felt, even if they feel uncomfortable, scary, or painful.

I love that you share here, though, your threads are always so interesting

Beautiful insight Best to just take thinking out of the equation altogether and experience the fear directly if it happens to be present, I think. So much of our thinking is simply an unconscious attempt to try to keep the fear at bay. Can be easier said done though, obviously, given that we do tend to be a very mind-centred species. So much of the process of spiritual liberation takes place below the neckline, I believe (and as above, so below, as the saying goes, the mind is but a reflection of the body), which is why I place so much importance on body-centred practices.

Maybe words'll come in time. For now, just enjoy it my friend, you deserve it

Takes one to know one, lovely

Oh heavens above, what IS this madness?? Good Lord, is there a four o'clock in the morning now?? Aw you're so welcome, glad if I can make your day a little easier Sounds like you've got a hectic day ahead of you - take real good care of yourself darl, I'll be thinking of you Weekend in the caves though, that should be absolutely amazing! Can't wait to see the pics too