exhale

@B_Naz I'll chew on that for a bit. I understand that I am entrenched in the rationalist paradigm, and this limits my understanding. Work to do.

Does your perspective provide you with the ability to transcend reactiveness to (perceived) stuff during your daily life? Or a less elegant way saying it... Do you still get scared, fearful, self-conscience, defensive, etc.?

@winterknight Thanks.

I say this with complete sincerity, and not trying to be antagonistic, but... that is exactly what the church-folk say... There is a man in the sky, and a heaven for good people... Can you see why this explanation is not satisfying to me?

I have always been open to (though skeptical) that non-duality is the absolute truth of reality. How can I understand that it isn't just a concept, and is in fact, reality.

How much importance should one place on achieving enlightenment?

I agree, and give a good amount of time for people to prepare/register for travel/accomodations/scheduling etc.

A vote for KC/St.Louis if it takes place over the next year. Anything past August 2019, Vancouver (Canada) would be great.

@Leo Gura Could use your insight.

Scenario: when making big life decisions, and you have a "sixth-sense" that a particular decision is not the right one. How does one know if it is their instinctive intuition that is informing them that this decision is not in line with their values, and how does one know if this feeling is their conscious and subconscious fear influencing their decision making?

I appreciate the input and opinions. Perhaps some (vague as I prefer to remain anonymous) context may be helpful. I have the opportunity to become a part of a large start-up. The prognosis for this investment is good (the risk of failure is low), but the initial investment is very high (ex. millions, with 100% financing from the bank). There are many components of the opportunity that are attractive: be a part of a team and build something amazing, greater financial compensation, challenge myself new ways, and the opportunity is aligned with one of my life purposes. Saying that, I recognize that there are many components of the opportunity that I perceive as drawbacks: the financial commitment and risk is certainly out of my comfort zone, increased stress, and I have reservations about the obligation/time commitment that will be expected of me (and inevitable interference with family time/personal development/alternative interest time). I struggle with this big decision: the opportunity is awesome--but there are costs/concerns/drawbacks. To complicate matters, my line of work presents me with the opportunity, regardless if I pursue this particular opportunity, to perform work that is aligned with my life purpose and make an above average income (the high-end potential is just not as high, and not in an ownership capacity). My intuition is telling me to back away from the opportunity because of the stress/time commitment; I have performed "death bed exercises" on this topic, and I do not feel like it is imperative that I take advantage of this opportunity. But, I cannot deny that I am fearful of the risk and the responsibility--and that life would be a lot easier if I pass on the opportunity.

Lol, I thought this was a comment about Leo's punctuality.

I imagine I am in the minority on this forum. Personally, I am listening and studying regarding the benefits of using pharmacotherapy-assisted personal growth. Although I have no experience, I'm sure they are helpful for personal development, but certainly not necessary. This may depend on what your goals are in personal development (ex. maturity, actualization, enlightenment, etc?) At this time, I am abstaining from these practices. Historically, I am not an "early adopter" as admittedly, I am risk-adverse. But also, I genuinely love my life, love my family, love my career, and I am making daily progress in my personal development practices, maturity and growth. Perhaps these are earthly duality ego-based traps, but I am okay with that at this time. I am both content with myself, and working to improve myself--simultaneously. I have reservations about the potential of what psychedelics could do to my mental health and mindset; even with an apparent small risk, I am not willing to take that risk. I am pretty sure psychedelics have more to offer than I am aware, but I am also pretty sure there are more risks associated with psychedelic use than (most) on this forum realize.

I'd say awareness is absolutely curative for you with this problem--but cures don't always happen over night. The fact that you are aware of your addiction and are seeking help means you are on the right path to curing this problem. Consider AA meetings, or an addictions counsellor/therapist. Most people with a genetic/familial predisposition for alcoholism can not use alcohol moderately. Consider cold-turkey abstinence. Be cautious about replacing alcohol with other substances (marijuana, psychedelics) for the time being.

To steal his own words: develop a unique skill/talent/ability that provides him with massive value that he has no choice but to hire you

@John Iverson Not sure what you mean John. If you want to chat and discuss my perspective further, please private message me.

Video games are addictive and time-sucks. They are counterproductive to having a productive, fulfilled, actualized life. If someone can moderate their video game playing (to something like an hour a week), I don't see a problem with that. But they are addictive, and I doubt many people have the discipline to counter the manipulation. Trouble is, many people on this forum think that moderate video game use is a couple hours a day.

It seems your fear is the isolation and lack of contact that may come through quitting social media. Ironically, social media creates a facade of genuine relationships and prevents people from actually talking to each other (in real life) and spending time with each other, or going out to meet people (join a club, etc.). As others have suggested: social media is not bad, you just need to watch your relationship with it. If you are using excessively or have an addiction (compulsion) to us it frequently--which it is designed to do--moderate your use.

Glad to hear you are feeling more healthful @Noone Here. I personally have found success with the whole food plant-based ideology, but glad that you have found something that works for you. Just for conversation, it is interesting how every "food faction", be it "plant paradox, whole food plant-based, atkins, paleo, keto, carnivore" diets all make the same claims to cure "arthritis, clogged arteries, autoimmune diseases and every other non-diagnosable complaint". It is dizzying for us consumers.

@ROOBIO I am going to avoid using the term wage slave, as it is the buzzword of the week, and I find it poorly defined and confusing. What I will say is, I know some veterinarians where their work is absolutely in line with their core values, and I know many where it is just a job (punching the clock, dispassionate, overworked/burned out, working for a corporate structure). I don't necessarily want to broadcast my sub-discipline that I am in (to maintain my anonymity, as there are not many of us). Though, after several years in general practice, I developed a discontent perspective towards my career choice, and I was thinking about a career-change. Then, I was so fortunate to have stumbled across a sub-discipline within veterinarian medicine that recharged my batteries. I now find myself in the final year of my residency pursuing specialization in this sub-discipline. I am so incredibly passionate about what I get to do everyday, I literally have the opportunity to cure silent suffering every day. I absolutely feel like I make the world a better place to live in for my patients, and the vast majority of my clients. This is incredibly fulfilling, and I am able to make a comfortable living doing this. I love my career. But, I didn't before, because I had not found my niche where I provide high value for my clients. Many veterinarians do not love their career. You need a niche/specialty. Most veterinarians are "jack of all trades" and this ultimately ends with lower career satisfaction (in my opinion). If/when I become financially independent (without the need to work for a living), I would continue to do this work in a volunteer capacity. (Not five days a week though ). I would not say the same about my role as a general practitioner. I think you should perform some more research on your interest of "saving wildlife and endangered species". Although a veterinarian can absolutely play a role in this capacity, I don't see them as being a big player in this field. With respect to saving wildlife/endangered species, it depends on what you mean by this. With respect to wildlife: - There are wildlife rescues that physically need people to take care of orphan/injured animals. There is not typically a lot of investment in this world and the majority of the work is volunteer, or low paying, and difficult to make a living. Though, it can be rewarding, and there is typically a veterinarian involved with the oversight of some larger wildlife rescues. -WIldlife and conservation offices are involved with wildlife conservation. Although, I suspect a lot of their work is involved with managing people/crowds, and not a ton of direct animal work (relocations, wildlife population surveys). Nevertheless, this is an important job. -There are organizations such as Sea Shepherd, Green Peace, etc. I have no idea if this can be parlayed in to a career, probably could though. Or create your own organization about a cause you care about (and make yourself the CEO). -In a less formal occupation, you could perform some form of art (fundraising, film, documentary, school programs to inspire youth, music) that is geared towards saving wildlife. With respect to saving endangered species: - There are many zoo veterinarians that are involved with repopulation programs for endangered species. Do not let my next statement deter you, there are limited job positions of zoo veterinarians, and it is a very long road to get this position. Just to give you an idea, on the first day of vet school, all the students were asked what they wanted to be when vet school was over. 55% of the class wanted to be zoo veterinarians. Currently 0% of my classmates are zoo veterinarians. Though, I do know someone that is working on their residency. It is possible! - As far as formal occupations, I think you would potentially have more direct impact (if you wanted to "live in the bush") as a biologist studying a specific species. Admittedly, I do not know about the occupational options for endangered species. Here is my take on what Leo is saying in this video. If you want a career where you are able to live in the bush and protect/save endangered animals. This job may not exist. You need to create it. Perhaps you need to become so knowledgeable about a particular at-risk species that some company/philanthropic organization has not choice but to hire you as their representative. Or, perhaps you need to be strategic and make yourself financially independent through some other means, that will give you the time and money to pursue this interest on your own (almost as a hobby). Good luck my friend.

I agree with ajasatya. It is not the career-choice that matters, but more so, your relationship to that career-choice. I am a veterinarian. Consider me a resource if you have questions you think I may be able to help with.

Leo and others, If a $100,000 grant was available for a research project to explore a topic of your choosing (ex. to the stars academy of arts and science research grant) and there would be no bureacratic or political interference, what would your research entail. For this to be a useful discussion, It would be preferable to post a premise, hypothesis and methods--rather than just a topic of interest.

I know you have discussed it briefly in your subtle addictions video, but there would be tremendous value in addressing this subtle addiction directly.

Just my opinion, but video games are the crack of the suburban life. These games are designed to be viciously addictive, and extremely time consuming. It is not for me to say if you should or shouldn't play video games. Given you already took the step to get rid of your gaming units shows you have already made that choice--good for you by the way! You are in such an amazing place that you have already become aware of how toxic this activity is. You will not be sitting on your death bed wishing you played more video games. Stick with it, see an addiction counsellor if needed.

From Edmonton but temporarily living in Kansas City.