exhale

My understanding is: B12 is a must Omega 3's are a good idea Taking a multivitamin is a good idea Eat a diverse array of foods and limit vegan junk food

The fact that non duality is presented as fact, and not a possible fact (theory). This is problematic and I suspect stems from a shadow of "self-induced pressure of having to have all the right answers, and "know-it-all-ness" ".

This isn't an all encompassing answer, but three components of this are: 1) People like the find "impactful content" on their own 2) People usually seek out "impactful content" when they are in a state/time of their life when they are ready to hear it. The timing is off when it is just randomly sent to them. 3) It hurts people's egos to admit they aren't maximizing life. If they did admit it, it would require a tremendous amount of work and vulnerability to rectify that, and most people are not in that place.

I think the idea is good—to provide a resource that helps vegan individuals cope with living in a family system that doesn’t agree with their opinions. My comments were more of a response to your comment about showing videos to open the emotional filter. Are you able to post a link to your videos or is that against Forum policy?

Willful ignorance. Those that are willfully ignorant will only become more polarized and resistant when you apply more "pressure". Being an influencer for this type of ideology is very counterintuitive. From my point of view, the more action/dialogue/communication results in reduced efficacy of advocacy (and counter-productive) for the majority of the population. It sounds like your personal experience is consistent with mine. Live your best life. Be the example the world needs. Respect others choices even if they disagree. Humility and humor go a long way to breaking down barriers and facilitating environments when people may be willing to hear another perspective.

My kids are my life. I also have a life purpose. It is not an ultimatum. @Spinoza Do what you can to create the life that you want. This hopefully includes engineering your life so that, if you choose, you set yourself up so that you have the opportunity to be a great father.

when compared to youtube?

Thank you. Killing my data using youtube on my walks though!!!

It is important to know when you need to stand your ground on an ethical or safety concern. Though, it is important to be able to work as a contributing part of a team. An employer (and for that matter clients in a self-employed capacity) are not looking for people to make their lives more difficult, they are looking for people to make their lives easier. Sometimes, even if you are right, there is value in humility and being easy to work with. Sometimes, even when you think you are right, you might learn something from someone else. Based on your self-description, I wouldn't be surprised if your peers characterize you as hypercritical, condescending, blunt, rude, and insubordinate. What is amazing is that you have (are developing) the self-awareness of your attitude, actions and potential consequences. Most people do not have this awareness. You can be whomever you want--you can continue on this path, or you have the opportunity to change/evolve/grow. The most appropriate question is: who do you want to be? Even in a self-employed capacity, most opportunities are going to involve interpersonal relationships and interactions. Of which, being a team player will get you a lot further in life, business and relationships.

@Scholar Perhaps the context of my perspective is not helpful to this conversation, if that is indeed the case, I apologize. As I stated before, I do not have a polished perspective, what I hope is to convey the essence of how I feel and how I am evolving into seeing the world. It is fine that you at first identify me as orange and then green with pitfalls. My understanding that understanding orange and green are required to move into yellow. I have clearly stated, that I am not yellow, but that my perspectives on certain areas of my life are transitioning into yellow, and probably imperfectly so. And that is okay. That stated, I try to not maintain my perspective as dogmatic and static. Therefore, I will reflect and consider many of the items you have mentioned, and I appreciate the dialogue.

@Scholar I have been vegan for 3 years, and am a veterinarian. I care very deeply about animals and the environment. Be careful with your assumptions. I am humble enough to admit that I do not have all the answers or solutions, nor do I have perfect fabricated answers to any criticisms of my perspective. But I have progressed (in some facets of my life) from orange to green and am now knocking on yellow's door. To be clear, I am not saying this is a sanctimonious way--I am not stage yellow, but I am slowly understanding and embodying it--especially with regards to my "relationship" with veganism. I understand why orange rejects it, I understand why green embodies it, and I understand why green villainizes the yellow perspective. Previously, I have found myself emphasizing the comparisons to unanimous acceptance of murder and slavery, as you have. I get it. With all changes/disruptions to society there does need to be friction. In my head, this "friction period" with respect the the vegan movement has already occurred, and is minimally effective (and in most efforts is counter-productive). On some level, one feels like they need to push more to "do more" for the cause. It feels like if you tolerate the alternative (status quo) perspective, it feels like you are enabling or accepting it. Perhaps, on some level this is true. Personally, I have seen more advancement, progression and acceptance of the vegan movement in the past 5 years due to communication vehicles (such as long-form podcasts) that are inherently more accepting, tolerant, and less/not combative than the classic militant vegan communication over the past 20 years (not saying that those weren't a necessary part of the picture--they were). I believe, correctly or incorrectly, that the more loving, accepting and understanding we are to our "non-vegan" friends/family/strangers, the more genuine and loving (and productive) conversations will be. I believe, correctly or incorrectly, that the world will continue to move towards a more vegan lifestyle (out of preference or necessity), and I believe that the less defensive and combative these conversations are, the less likely the "non-vegans" are to be resistant on principle (polarization and tribalism). This will expedite the progression of the vegan movement.

This culture of debunking in the diet-wars is unproductive, and ultimately results in division. We need to focus more on the similarities we have and prioritize unity, not tribalism. It is counter-intuitive, but the more a vegan pushes their ideals, it creates more division and spite. The more the non-vegan pushes their ideals, it creates more division and spite. Communication and progress happens when people are at the table, looking into each others eyes and sharing moments together. We need to try to embody the stage yellow mindset and recognize that from a vegan point-of-view, that we can embody/live/promote this lifestyle, but at the same time, recognize and respect that others disagree and choose to live their life differently. We need to try to not integrate our diet choice into our identity and ego, because this results in us acting in defense, which is not where love comes from. Focus on unity, respect and love for your fellow humans and you will see the change you would like to see in the world. Be patient. Love. We need to try to embody the stage yellow mindset and recognize that from a non-vegan point-of-view, that we can embody/live/promote this lifestyle, but at the same time, recognize and respect that others disagree and choose to live their life differently. We need to try to not integrate our diet choice into our identify and ego, because this results in us acting in defense, which is not where love comes from. Focus on unity, respect and love for your fellow humans and you will see the change you would like to see in the world. Be patient. Love.

@Ibn Sina Hey man, I haven't read the entire thread, I just want to say that I really appreciate you bringing this topic up. I find a similar reality in the "coaching" world in that good-intentioned people attempt to make a career out of coaching, with no experience or skills/training than "a coaching course". I find myself saying to these individuals that their intrinsic value will be exponentially higher (and I would be much more likely to hand over my $) if they have coaching training in addition to a track record of success and accomplishments within their professional path. I guess these types of relationships probably form more organically in a mentor-mentee role. I believe this is an analogous finding. As to your point, I imagine a challenge to becoming both enlightened and professionally successful: 1) time commitment 2) most professions are science and logic-based, and attract people with an affinity to these approaches 3) professional stigma 4) Once "one" gets to a certain level of enlightenment, the importance previously placed on their career may diminish as the binding of the career to their identify dissolves. Just some thoughts.

Even if you could get over the (potential) psychological and social repercussions of the malocclusion, uneven pressure on your TMJ's can (and will) cause chronic osteoarthritis and you could/will be up against chronic pain and discomfort for a long period of your life. I am not a human dentist or oral surgery, but based on the information you have given, it seems unlikely that any forms of physiotherapy or positive-mindset will be able to correct your malocclusion. Essentially, one side of your mandible continues to grow and the other does not. As stated before, you need to talk with an oral surgery/dentist/orthodontist and discuss the long-term repercussions and potential interventional treatment options. I hope that is an option for you.

Discernment between fear and intuition in making big decisions

Time will tell. Despite his (Sadh) undeniable wisdom, sometimes changing direction IS part of the journey. No?

I am not sure if what I have experienced is some for of a kundalini awakening, perhaps an early stage of this. On four meditation sessions, I have experienced a tingling euphoric feeling in the base of my spine. This was associated with a dissassociation of my physical posture with my perception of my physical posture. Specifically, I felt like my back was bent 60-70 degrees to the side--I felt like I was going to fall over, but I would open my eyes and be perfectly straight.

This isn't answering your specific question. A shooting pain in the left side of your chest should not be ignored, and could be suggestive of cardiovascular disease (of course it could be something else, or nothing). Go get a physical.

It would be completely inappropriate for me to speak for Leo, but my assumption (observation) is that he himself has organically transitioned from stage orange upward throughout the past ~6 years. Probably more happenstance than intentional marketing (or strategic planning from the outset).

Commodent, I can speak from personal experience. After 7 years of professional training and 3 years in the field, I became burnt out and dispassionate with my career. I came very (I repeat, very) close to completely dismissing my career choice and starting over. I was extremely fortunate to accidentally stumble into a niche area of my profession that provided the exact challenge and both professional and personal satisfaction that I desired. I can honestly say now that I absolutely LOVE my career. I continue to be enthusiastic, passionate and grateful to come to work everyday to do what I do (I even moved my family to another country to pursue advanced training within this niche subfield). This is possible for you. Although I am understand I am projecting my experience on you, I would encourage you to explore ways of continuing your current education pathway and finding a way to integrate both your interest in computer science and your passion for helping people? One where you utilize (and optimize) your current training to create a professionally and personally satisfying career where you help people. I am not familiar with the computer science field so I will struggle to find realistic examples or suggestions, but is it possible that you can leverage your professional training for this? Just to brainstorm: - Create a career-guidance service for young and aspiring computer science students - Create a career-guidance service for people within computer science that become dissatisfied with their careers and reinvigorate/redirect them to optimize their career training to an area that better serves them - Become a writer/photographer/journalist for computer science topics - Work for companies or take contracts only that are aligned with your interests/visions - Become a computer science instructor and integrate personal development within your lectures (or create a personal development club for those students interested). - Become a computer science instructor and allow your progress within personal development permeate your students through experience and example - Create games for kids to play that generate interest in computer science: and help build esteem, confidence, ability to work independently and as a team. All critical fundamental personal development tools. I have said this on this forum 100-times, and I will continue to say it 100 more times. The personal development coach has SIGNIFICANTLY more cache and ability to generate revenue if they have experience and success in the field that they are targeting. As Leo says, you need to create massive value for your audience/clients. To me, with few exceptions, I would be 1000X more likely to pay a personal development/career coach if they had experience/success in my field, than I would be to pay somebody whose resume only had "personal development coach". Maybe computer science isn't for you... but damn, it sounds like you have put a lot of sweat equity into this. It sounds like you have other interests that are pulling you away, but it always sounds like you are still passionate about computer science. I'd try to find something nontraditional within your field man. My 2 cents. Best of luck as you navigate the next few years. No disrespect intended for the personal development coaches out there.

Is it better to have confident humility, where the self-talk is "I have prepared well, and have a good opportunity to pass this exam, but there is a chance I may not pass, and it won't be the end of the world if I don't pass". Or Is it better to have brash confidence, where the self-talk is "I have prepared well, and I am going to kill this exam, nothing is going to stop me".

Rigid polarization, information silos contributing to confirmation bias.

^ I don't feel any different if I drink caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee (personal anecdote). It is more the muscle memory, the smell, and the flavour that I find wakes me up more than anything. I find that I am more polyuric when drinking coffee, and it is a distraction for me professionally. This is one reason that I also desire to get off/reduce coffee.

Let me just say, your anxiety is understandable (although not helpful) as you are getting a "wrench thrown in your tire". I sympathize with you, as I'm sure the uncertainty is unnerving. Admittedly, I do not know what your financial situation is, or how feasible this suggestion might be. But could this challenge be reframed into an opportunity? Do you currently bring in enough revenue to justify leasing a space to run your business out of? Or is your business at the stage where you can make a push to grow and lease a space and get some new equipment-- and hopefully a larger clientele. What do you think?

Questions for the community are welcomed. But there is a great quote that I think Tony Robbins says "It is not about your resources, but your resourcefulness". Libraries are basically free, the internet has unlimited amounts of content, and most importantly self-reflection/contemplation/introspection/meditation are free. Personal development need not cost money. In many countries, you need an undergrad prior to veterinary school (4 years of vet school and 2-4 years of undergrad0. If you are pinching pennies to save up for this education, you are going to be saving for decades prior to reaching your goal (unless you are a high-wage earner in your current position). I don't know your financial situation, but sometimes, taking on student loans/debt is a necessity. What country do you live in?