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@Leo Gura "The entire spiritual path can be framed as the mind’s ascent from low to high to infinite intelligence. This ascent can only go so far without a parallel ascent towards the Good. Eventually the two paths, the path of intelligence and the path of doing Good must converge into complete Unity because they are metaphysically identical." Chapeau! Great post. Now you got it. Wisdom (which is Intelligence as you write it) and compassion (goodness/love/agape) form the two legs of stable realization. A tale told in the spiritual traditions since the dawn of time. There are instances/higher beings (some of the Alien category you write about, see for example David Spangler) in Reality that overlight and make sure that these insights find their path into every spiritual tradition. Love and wisdom, compassion and wisdom/awakening/intelligence (I agree with your differentiation of intelligence and wisdom. Wisdom is the tendency/Karma/habit of the soul to express higher intellience, or not), Eros and Agape, Awakening and Boddhichitta form a pair. The two legs of the path. Higher and more developed beings (non-human, subtle dimensions, "Alien",...) are traditionally always depicted as radiating huge love/compassion/Agape and presence/Awakening/realization. Which makes sense, since they have realized their true identity with the Totality since a long time. https://www.actualized.org/forum/search/?&q=wisdom compassion&author=Water by the River "Anything that obstructs the holistic flow of the universe is unintelligent, including impatience and frustration at the obstructions and divisions which presently exist and obstruct the holistic flow of the universe. The highest intelligence must recognize, accept, and love all of the unintelligence it finds within its infinite self. Such an intelligence is God, Good, Love. Such is the metaphysics of Intelligence. When you finally understand the structure of Intelligence, knowing how to behave in any given situation becomes 10x easier, clearer, and more powerful. There's no longer doubt and confusion about what you're supposed to do because the only thing you're ever supposed to do in life is be Intelligent. Just be Intelligent. That's it. If you fully grasped this, you would unlock a new tier of development." . Excellent. Godspeed! Water by the River

Hi @CARDOZZO In one of his insightful videos, Todd Perelmuter uses a powerful metaphor to illustrate how we can approach life, drawing a parallel with the ocean—a metaphor that resonates deeply within Buddhist teachings. He suggests that the waves on the surface of the ocean represent the transient, everyday challenges we face—like stress at work, personal conflicts, and the myriad distractions that often consume our minds. These waves are impermanent, ever-changing, and ultimately, they have no lasting substance. In Buddhism, this concept aligns with the idea of samsara, the cycle of suffering and constant change that characterizes human existence. We often get caught up in these waves, mistaking them for the whole of reality. However, Perelmuter encourages us to look beyond the surface, to the vast, deep ocean beneath the waves. This deeper part of the ocean symbolizes the steady, unchanging essence of being—the nirvana or enlightenment that lies at the heart of Buddhist practice. Just as the depths of the ocean are unaffected by the turbulence above, our true nature—our Buddha nature—is untouched by the temporary fluctuations of our daily lives. By connecting with this deeper, spiritual energy, we can transcend the superficial disturbances and cultivate a sense of inner peace and clarity. This is the essence of mindfulness and meditation in Buddhism: to quiet the mind, to see beyond the illusions of the surface, and to realize the profound stillness that exists within us. This metaphor has personally been a tremendous help in my everyday life. By embracing this perspective, I’ve found it much easier to navigate the ups and downs of daily living. When I feel overwhelmed by the surface-level challenges, I remind myself to connect with the deeper, more enduring part of my being. This practice has brought me greater resilience, calm, and a profound sense of peace amidst the chaos of the modern world. In doing so, we not only find relief from the stress and suffering of everyday life but also align ourselves with the deeper truths of existence, allowing us to live with greater wisdom, compassion, and serenity. The ocean, in all its depth and stillness, becomes a perfect metaphor for the enlightened mind—unmoved by the waves, and in perfect harmony with the flow of life.

@Jac067 You might want to first define "purified "..for unless you are naturally motivated from the inside to go in the direction of greater awareness..wisdom..compassion.. etc. no amount of learning and “practice” will make you “pure.” If you want to become more purified..I recommend practicing daily Meditation plus prayer for it removes the sludge that blocks your innate vision..and the act of transcending (going beyond) keeps awakening you to the larger and more spiritual world.

The Nature of Reality: What is the nature of reality in an idealist framework, and how can we develop a coherent account of the relationship between mind and matter, taking into account the epistemological and ontological challenges posed by idealism, such as the problem of other minds, the nature of causation, and the possibility of knowledge of external objects? (Orange) - In the context of this question, the Orange stage emphasizes the importance of empirical evidence, rationality, and logical analysis in constructing a coherent account of reality, while also valuing progress, innovation, and pragmatic solutions. Orange is associated with achievement and materialism, which reflects the emphasis on concrete results and practical applications in this stage. The focus is on finding objective ways to understand reality and the relationship between mind and matter. The Role of Value and Normativity: How can we understand the role of value and normativity in an idealist framework, taking into account the complex interplay between subjective experience, intersubjective agreement, and objective norms, and how can we develop a coherent account of ethical and aesthetic evaluation that is grounded in the nature of consciousness itself? (Green/Turquoise) - In the context of this question, the Green stage emphasizes the importance of personal autonomy, social justice, and egalitarianism in constructing a coherent account of ethical and aesthetic evaluation, while also valuing diversity, empathy, and ecological awareness. Green represents egalitarianism, which reflects the emphasis on the importance of considering different perspectives and experiences when evaluating ethical and aesthetic issues. Turquoise, on the other hand, emphasizes a holistic and integrative perspective that transcends individual and cultural differences, and fosters a sense of global interconnectedness and cosmic awareness. In this context, Turquoise represents the ability to see ethical and aesthetic evaluation as part of a larger, interconnected whole. The Conscious Brain: How can we reconcile the idealist ontology of consciousness with the scientific study of the brain and behavior, taking into account the complex interplay between subjective experience, objective measurement, and intersubjective interpretation, and how can we develop a comprehensive theory of mind that accounts for both its phenomenal and functional aspects? (Yellow: Rational thinking, emphasis on scientific inquiry and objective knowledge; Green: Egalitarianism, emphasis on subjective experience and individual autonomy) - Yellow represents rational thinking, emphasizing scientific inquiry and objective knowledge, while valuing logic, analysis, and empirical evidence in constructing a comprehensive theory of mind that accounts for both its phenomenal and functional aspects. In this context, Yellow represents the need to use objective and scientific methods to study consciousness and the brain, and to develop a theory that is based on empirical evidence. Green, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of subjective experience and individual autonomy in understanding consciousness, while also valuing pluralism, diversity, and participatory decision-making. In this context, Green represents the need to take into account the subjective experience of consciousness, and to recognize the importance of individual perspectives and autonomy in understanding the mind. The Individual and Collective Mind: How can we understand the relationship between the individual mind and the collective mind in an idealist framework, taking into account the social, cultural, and historical dimensions of consciousness, and how can we develop a comprehensive theory of culture that accounts for the role of language, symbol, and myth in shaping our understanding of the world? (Blue/Purple) Blue represents order and authority, which can be seen as important aspects of understanding the social, cultural, and historical dimensions of consciousness. As societies develop, certain norms and rules emerge that can shape how individuals think about themselves and the world around them. Purple represents magical thinking, which can be understood as an acknowledgement of the power of myths and symbols in shaping our understanding of reality. By exploring the role of language, symbol, and myth in shaping our understanding of the world, we can better understand how the collective mind operates and how it affects our individual experiences. The Nature of Spirituality: How can we develop a comprehensive theory of spirituality in an idealist framework, taking into account the diverse experiences and practices of religious and non-religious individuals, and how can we integrate these insights into a broader framework of human flourishing that promotes wisdom, compassion, and creativity? (Turquoise) Turquoise represents holistic thinking, which can be applied to the development of a comprehensive theory of spirituality. Rather than treating spirituality as a separate and distinct domain from other aspects of human experience, a holistic approach recognizes the interconnectedness of all aspects of human life. By exploring the diverse experiences and practices of religious and non-religious individuals, we can gain a more complete understanding of what spirituality means and how it can contribute to human flourishing. The Relationship between Idealism and Other Metaphysical Frameworks: How can we understand the relationship between idealism and other metaphysical frameworks, such as materialism, dualism, and panpsychism, and how can we use these comparisons to refine and develop our understanding of consciousness and reality? (Yellow/Turquoise) Yellow represents rational thinking, which can be applied to the task of understanding the relationship between idealism and other metaphysical frameworks. By subjecting different metaphysical frameworks to critical analysis, we can develop a more nuanced understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each. Turquoise represents holistic thinking, which can be applied to the task of integrating these different frameworks into a more comprehensive theory of consciousness and reality. 7. The Role of Psychedelics: How can we incorporate the use of psychedelics into our exploration of consciousness and reality in an idealist framework, taking into account the potential for altered states of consciousness to reveal new insights and perspectives, as well as the ethical and practical challenges of their use? (Green/Turquoise) Green represents egalitarianism, which can be applied to the task of exploring the potential of psychedelics to reveal new insights and perspectives. By adopting an egalitarian attitude towards different modes of consciousness, we can avoid privileging certain states of consciousness over others. Turquoise represents holistic thinking, which can be applied to the task of integrating the insights gained from psychedelic experiences into a more comprehensive theory of consciousness and reality. This includes taking into account the ethical and practical challenges associated with their use, such as ensuring that their use is safe and legal, and that the insights gained from psychedelic experiences are subject to critical analysis and reflection.

I would recommend reading the book "The Mind Illuminated" which provides a long term road map of meditation progress across 10 progressively deeper stages of practice. As you progress across the stages, your experiences while meditating will become progressively more mystical and intrinsically rewarding. Once you're established at around stage 7 - 8, you can also start learning how to access jhana states, which are even more mystical. However it's worth mentioning this as well - as you start to reliably gain access to these mystical states with practice, their value starts to diminish. While on the one hand, it's utterly profound that the deepest states of emotional happiness and pleasure exist entirely from within, we do start to realize that this mundane, boring, fatigued, sober state as it is in this moment is just as mystical as the most profound mystical states you can achieve through meditation or even psychedelics. A mark of maturity on the path is recognizing an equilibrium across all states. This recognition of the 'divinity' of all states, all perceptions, all forms of suffering, bliss, dissatisfaction, and satisfaction, as they are, exactly as they appear, as an expression of the Absolute is where meditation practice leads in the long run. From this context, meditation is not about getting something or doing anything at all, it is merely about being exactly where you are. There is nothing to do and no where to go. Letting these profound mystical states carry you home, carry you nowhere at all is the path. I may also recommend practicing "do nothing" meditation in tandem with the techniques outlined in T.M.I., is it will help balance out some of the inevitable over-efforting goal based practice produces. When it comes to daily practice, I would establish a daily minimum, something so stupid easy you can't not do it. For me, it's 10 minutes per day. I know even when I feel my worst, I can sit down and do 10 minutes. When I first began practice, I would have made it something like 1 minute per day as my daily minimum. Daily consistency is the most important variable of practice when you're first starting out. Ideally, you want to work up to an hour per day. As far as motivation, this is why I recommend "The Mind Illuminated" as it gives you something extremely tangible to work towards while also facilitating absurdly deep states of consciousness. The skills you develop using that system will serve invaluable in pretty much all domains of life and every step along your own spiritual path. But more than that, meditation is an entry way into God, into what you really are. The amount of empowerment, fulfillment, wisdom, compassion you start to experience when being able to sit in your own being is ineffable. The skills you develop from meditation are THE keys to living a good life... Yes it's a fucking grind for the first few years. Hell maybe the first 10. But if you're serious about the work, it becomes magic, all of life becomes magic as the distinction between practice and every day life fall away. In my opinion, trust that feeling in your gut that's pulling you to turn within. The fact that we live in an age of such distraction and over-stimulation yet you feel a calling to turn your attention inward is beyond significant. It's only until you advance a long will you realize just how significant it really is. Hope this helps.

Hello. Thank you for your time reading this. I sincerely appreciate any feedback, support, guidance, and wisdom you have to offer! So I took the Life Purpose course back last December 2021, and I thought it was wonderful. I just think that my values and priorities have really changed, and I have realized that the profession I am in does not seem to be making my heart sing. I realize that my conceptions of what the profession was is not how it actually is in real life. I am struggling with some difficult decision. Let me give you some more concise details: Personal Background Overview I am 24 years old, and I graduated with a bachelor's of science in psychology in 2020. I am currently attending a Mental Health Counseling program because my passions and life purpose were to heal people through existential therapy. I am going for my Master's in Mental Health Counseling, and I am almost done with the program and obtaining my Master's of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling. I am expected to graduate in May 2022. I have lived on my 5 acres of land in the same household with my parents and sister. The reason why I still live at home is because it is comfortable, I save a lot of money living at home, my friends and sister are extremely supportive of me, and I have access to nature, a hot tub, my room, my video games, etc. If I move away, I would have to adjust to new environment and not access to many of the privileges I have had. History: I grew up very privileged and isolated from the world's issues. I had (and still have to a point) extreme optimism based on my experiences of growing up in a healthy environment to parents who took care of me and made me aware of the realities of drugs, gangs, bad guys, sex, etc. from a young age. However, I was never exposed to any of the "negative" aspects of life. I spent my childhood playing tennis extremely competitively. I played from 4th grade - 12th grade. I played trumpet and was extremely competitive as well. I played trumpet from 6th grade until freshman year of college. I played chess and did magic tricks. I really loved magic tricks and started doing that in high school and early college. I performed magic for my school and won the talent show there. I also performed tennis tournaments around the country, placing in the top 3 in my State (Oklahoma) in my senior year of high school. I also achieved 3rd chair in the State Orchestra for Trumpet (3rd place). But now, I do all the "competitive stuff" (chess, magic, trumpet, tennis) for fun and here is why: The college that I went to, I was not good enough to make the team, as they accepted mainly foreigners, etc. My college was/is Division I, so it was highly competitive. Since I started tennis at an older age than most who are competitive, I was not good enough to make the team. I also realized that I was using magic tricks as a way to overcome my Asperger's Syndrome in talking and communicating with others. I found that I was shy and did not know how to socialize with others, so I did magic tricks to help me make friends in high school. It worked out well, but since I took Eastern Philosophy, I have focused more inwardly and less outwardly and became more of an introvert. I stopped doing magic tricks because I became tired of pleasing people, and I just wanted people to know me for me and not for my tricks and abilities. I entered college pursuing a music major in Trumpet Performance. However, college was so stressful in general with all the assignments/work, and the music program was so strict and workload heavy that it took the fun and play out of music. I was "working" music rather than "playing" music. I realized that a career playing the trumpet was very unlikely for me. My gut feeling/intuition was telling me to get out of the music program, and so I did. I switched majors from music performance to psychology, and I eventually switched to a minor in philosophy after extremely loving my philosophy classes that I took! I became so passionate about philosophy, and this was when I discovered actualized.org when I was searching the web on stuff about free will, physicalism, skepticism, etc. Philosophy is still my number 1 passion in life, and I felt like I began to think for the first time in my life when I took the intro to philosophy. I majored in psychology because I was fascinated by the human mind and behavior, but it was also because I felt like it was harder to get actual jobs as a philosophy major as opposed to being a philosophy major (I felt like more doors were open with psychology major). So throughout college I took psychology and philosophy classes. Current Situation: I graduated with a psychology degree and minor in philosophy, and I decided to pursue the mental health counseling field (in part because my mom is a professional counselor, but also because I really was passionate about helping people to self-actualize and gain higher levels of wisdom and personal growth), but I realize that a lot of my clients that I see are not ready to self-actualize because of the lower needs not being met. The first part half of the program was focused on theories and knowledge of counseling. This part was very exciting to me because it focused on the philosophy of counseling, which I was/am very passionate about philosophy so this part was a breeze. However, I had my first doubts at the end of my 3rd semester, half-way through the program, when I realized how divided the counseling field is, and all the requirements to get licensed, and the expectations of being a counselor. It was very intimidating, and I thought about pursuing a career in Life Coaching instead. This was the time where I took the Life Purpose Course to determine if this was my Life's Purpose, to see if I was on track. I took the course, and it confirmed my beliefs and values at the time that I am passionate about philosophy and personal-development. The medium I chose was existential/adventure therapy, to philosophically converse with clients and also exposing them to challenges in nature to use nature as part of the healing and growing process of overcoming fears, challenges, etc., while also philosophically diving into the existential domains of clients' lives of what makes them who they are, who they want to be, and what they want, etc. I still deeply value philosophy and personal-development, but I am unsure of the medium, career/profession that suits my values. I have noticed some changes in my top 10 values btw. Since I have started to actually have some practical experience of seeing and working with clients, I have been stuck in a rut. On the one hand, I believe counseling is one of the most meaningful contributions I can make to society and the individuals, but I also feel that my actual, practical experience is not aligned with the top of the top values on my list. I feel like I make contributions and help, but I feel like my soul is not into it anymore. It may sound selfish/self-centered of me, but I want more adventure and see the world and not be stuck in an office. I mean if I will be spending most of my time working, I would rather be spending it outside in nature exploring and having adventures, etc. I also feel like I spend my times in an office indoors, but I also spend my time working with people with toxic and negative backgrounds and personalities. I find it difficult to visualize myself doing this long-term. I do not want to spend most of my life listening to problems. My ideal is to spend most of my time teaching and giving guidance on solutions, but this is not how therapy works as I have learned. I have to be emotionally supportive and involved in therapy, which can be very emotionally draining. My issue is that I am not sure if I sure if I should push and grind through to get my degree, and then evaluate my options from there or if I should drop it cold-turkey and try to find some adventurous job in nature or something like that. Another issue is that Adventure Therapy sounds like it would be a mode of therapy that may suit me better than traditional talk-therapy (but again, I am not sure if this is another moment of careers looking better in my head than in reality). This issue with Adventure Therapy is that most universities and master's programs do not offer that form of therapy because it is newer to the field, but also because it is different than traditional counseling. If I got my Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling, then I could be in a better position to become an Adventure Therapist, as there may be certifications and other things I may need to know about such as First Aid, ropes/climbing courses, and some actual classes on adventure therapy, which I do not anticipate being difficult for me to obtain. I think if I just grind through it, I will have more options available for me, and I may have more credibility with having a Master's degree. I appreciate your time. I will post my old ME Sheet, along with my updated top 10 values. I may consider retaking the Life Purpose Course, as I think it is possible that I my values may have changed or I may have took the course with biases to confirm my career. I think I just realize from the practical experience that talk-therapy may not just be it for me for long-term living. There may be others modalities and options within the field such as Adventure Therapy that I have not tried out yet but doing so, I would have to finish out the next two semesters. Thank you! My Old ME Sheet: Top 10 Values: 1. Spirituality/Philosophy/Personal Development 2. Creativity 3. Ambition 4. Freedom 5. Authenticity 6. Advocacy 7. Health 8. Mindfulness 9. Playfulness 10. Courage Life Purpose: To use my wisdom to help others thrive and to advocate for social justice. Zone of Genius: - philosophical thinking/wisdom - compassion/empathy Top 5 Strengths: 1. Creativity 2. Love of Learning 3. Hope, optimism, future-mindedness 4. Perspective Wisdom 5. Judgment, critical thinking, openmindedness Domain of Mastery: - personal/spiritual development Ideal Medium: - Existential Therapy, Adventure Therapy, Telehealth Therapy Top 5 goals: 1. Deepen wisdom of personal development 2. attain enlightenment 3. private practice 4. make 6 figure income 5. advocate for mental health and social justice _______________________________________________________________ My New Top 10 Values: 1. Wisdom 2. Adventure/Freedom 3. Mastery 4. Passion/Ambition/Excitement 5. Authenticity 6. Compassion 7. Creativity 8. Fortitude 9. Playfulness 10. Serenity/Tranquility Thanks for reading and your time as always!!

Because when one follows the philosophical inquiry deeply enough, the logical holes in option A can be recognized. Further, when one studies the actuality of direct experience, the truth of option B reveals itself. And finally, when one observes the embodiment of wisdom, compassion, and presence of apparently enlightened individuals compared to the average person, the possibility that these people know something we don’t sets in. These are a few reasons.

@Bill W First of all, that's the essay question. It's not something I would say directly, even though I like that idea in a wider context. The problem is that mindfulness has been taken by materialistically thinking community of academics, and objectified into an idea where it is still operating in a paradigm of reward and punishment, and means-to-an-end. It's like the ego takes mindfulness and starts telling others how great it is while making sure it isn't being transformed by it. Wisdom, compassion and love are natural qualities that are evoked when one is on the path of surrender. If mindfulness is divorced from surrender, it's just another egoic pretense and ground for denial and avoidance.

@Martin123 Interesting debate, but can I ask about the above? I've added the bold italic above into your quote I was just wondering.... why does the development of mindfulness have to be understood in conjunction with the development of wisdom, compassion and ethics?

@Nak Khid That's hilarious. I'm actually writing an essay for my university course. The essay question is as follows: The development of mindfulness must be understood in conjunction with the development of wisdom, compassion and ethics. How do these Buddhist principles relate to how mindfulness is practiced in 20th century Western society? So it's the opposite view of what you are suggesting, looking at mindfulness as it is practiced in the west and realizing its reductionistic view where mindfulness has been stripped of all the Buddhist goodies of spiritual alignment of the qualities of wisdom and virtue, and suggesting the dangers in that. One of such dangers is that people will prescribe mindfulness in situations where there are much more important steps to take, that require discernment, wisdom and ethics. Such as prescribing mindfulness to corporate employees as a stress-reduction exercise, whilst they are being overworked and treated in unethical ways in an environment that is motivated by greed. In other words, the western scientific community has taken mindfulness and objectified it into making it to a tool that serves as means to an end, such as to reduce stress, alleviate emotional difficulties etc. No such things exists in the original Buddhist connotations, mindfulness is a practice of a deeper philosophical way of life rooted in virtuous living and the attainment of ethics , compassion and wisdom. The cultivation of wisdom, virtue and ethics can of course be a subject of a deep therapeutic relationship, but often gets overlooked or not understood properly, especially through the most common therapeutic approaches that are popular with the government as they are symptom oriented, not necessarily solution oriented (like cognitive behavioural therapy). If there is deep emotional maturity to be cultivated in therapy, you also need very emotionally mature therapists, who can be quite rare. With such a therapist, even cognitive behavioural therapy can be useful as it will be used in a space that authentically cultivates compassion and love, instead of distract from it. The problem with this is that the therapeutic approach itself is very simple and can be used in ways that are superficial and very mind-oriented, deterring from deeper emotional cultivation. You can use certain therapeutic models to gaslight people into compliance and deter them from emotional vulnerability.

I feel Elliot Hulse is putting a distorted emphasis on Patriarchy in regards to Eastern Christian Orthodoxy. From a larger frame of reference, Identification with Patriarchy is a promotion of violence. The following is about Claudio Naranjo from Wikipedia- "For in this book, which has a foreword by Jean Houston, Naranjo explores what he sees as the root cause of the destruction of human civilization (as evidenced in the 2000s (decade) as war, violence, oppression of women, child abuse, environmental endangerment, etc.)—patriarchy—and brings both the problem and the solution home to an intra-psychic level. Patriarchy, he says, has taken root over millennia in the workings of our own conditioned minds." The above is a small extraction from below excerpt. ?? Since the late 1980s, Naranjo has divided each year between his activities abroad and his writing at home in Berkeley. Among his many publications, he has revised an early book on Gestalt therapy and published two new ones. He has published three books on the Enneagram of Personality, as well as The End of Patriarchy, which is his interpretation of social problems as the expression of a devaluation of the nurturance and human instinct and their solution in the harmonious development of our "three brained" potential. He has also published a book on meditation, The Way of Silence and the Talking Cure, and Songs of Enlightenment on the interpretation of the great books of the West as expressions of "the inner journey" and variations on the "tale of the hero". Since the late 1990s he has attended many education conferences and sought to influence the transformation of the educational system in various countries. It is his conviction that “nothing is more hopeful in terms of social evolution than the collective furthering of individual wisdom, compassion and freedom”.[6] His book Changing Education to Change the Worldpublished in Spanish in 2004, was meant to stimulate the efforts of teachers among SAT graduates who are beginning to be involved in a SAT-in- Education project, that offers the staff of schools and the students in schools of education a "supplementary curriculum" of self-knowledge, relationship-repair and spiritual culture. In 2006 the Foundation Claudio Naranjo was founded to implement his proposals regarding the transformation of traditional education into an education that does not neglect the human development that he believes our social evolution depends on. His most recent book (2010), Healing Civilization: Bringing Personal Transformation into the Societal Realm through Education and the Integration of the Intra-Psychic Family, is both a continuation of and a turning point in Naranjo's lifelong work. For in this book, which has a foreword by Jean Houston, Naranjo explores what he sees as the root cause of the destruction of human civilization (as evidenced in the 2000s (decade) as war, violence, oppression of women, child abuse, environmental endangerment, etc.)—patriarchy—and brings both the problem and the solution home to an intra-psychic level. Patriarchy, he says, has taken root over millennia in the workings of our own conditioned minds.[citation needed] He also offers a remedy, which derives from the work of Tótila Albert regarding the "triune" being of our nature: the "Inner Father" (corresponding to the head), the "Inner Mother" (corresponding to the heart), and the "Inner Child" (corresponding to the instincts). As people learn to integrate these three "brains", Naranjo believes, they may bring about a functional, even divine, family within. And this, he believes, in addition to transforming education oriented to personal and collective evolution, could bring about the healing of civilization.[citation needed] In the Watkins' Mind Body Spirit Magazine he was listed as one of the 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People of 2012.[7]

I've grown so much on here. At the end of the day are you able to come into a new day and live with wisdom, compassion, and self-care that's also pushing your vision (projects) forward? That's success. If you're healthy, that's success. So, you have to have the right mindset towards your life. I think you have to come to realize what's really important for your life. And then further to realize what was important and what's now important. I can tell you this, nothing you accomplish in your life is worth sacrificing your health for. At the end of the day, if you don't have your health you're in big trouble. So, health is #1. Health is more important than success. So, first do your health. And then do more if you want to or if you need to. And what most people don't accept is: most people have very bad health and don't even realize it. Most people haven't even checked their blood pressure in months if not years. Many people get very little exercise and eat the Standard American Diet even if you live abroad -- I've been to foreign countries and the food is not healthy anywhere you go. It's full of salt which raises blood pressure. We've all gotta become vigilant about diet as well as exercise in addition to the other elements of life like work and play etc.

@Actualizer Hi Actualizer, Your question seems to indicate, sadly, quite a serious if not dangerous misapprehension about the true nature of the self. Let's imagine for the sake of this inquiry that you and your partner were both awakened beings. At this stage, granted, you are not going to be able to make the same meaning as a 1st tier deficiency centred person who craves and needs another person or object to complete their existence. However, you are indeed going to feel the effects of inauthentic and abusive intentions if your partner "cheats" on you. Cheating is an unconscious motivation. It reeks of inauthenticity, deception, mistrust and lack of communication. Moreover, it spells out the very notion that there is no real relationship there to begin with if there is a need to go behind our partners back in order to get some deficiency need met in the form of a secret affair or one night stand. This does not mean that enlightened relationships should be bound by conventional monogamy. On the contrary, enlightened relationships can indeed be polyamarous and open relationships with the conscious consent of all individuals involved can now be a real possibility because of the lack of attachment and neediness of the 1st tier perspectives. But in amongst all this conscious consent is also the wisdom, compassion and sensitivity towards all parties concerned. No self means no "ego", it does not mean no feeling. In fact, it's only enlightened people that CAN feel and function properly because they no longer hold any of the intellectual views of the unenlightened stages, but they certainly hold all of the structures created while their body developed through those levels. I hope this sheds some light on your question. Mal

Agreed; the combinations mentioned above dovetails: mindfulness is the gold standard (our minds can assist pain regulation and reduce our discomfort physical and/or mental experiences) thru meditation techniques. Research and find ones that resonate with you. Reframing is significantly helpful too (I have used this to manage my thinking and anxiety and create it as an opportunity to personally re-invent a creative life breakthrough during a rare Stage II cancer treatment (while continuing to work at my career, battle cancer w/out giving up on life, nor resigning myself to victim mentality). This mindfulness approach paired with reframing delivers a reliable, effective result above my hospital therapy or counseling (regarding my personal experience). Tapping into our minds first with meditation and relaxation is the gold standard, as neuroscience links up and validates this fact: how our bodies respond to our *thoughts.* The subsequent chemical receptors activated (or repressed) that cascade through our bodies can escalate or plummet to relax us; or to hurt us further in terms of pain or anxiety as the body responds to endogenous brain chemical release (good chemicals triggering relief organically or bad chemical release = cortisols, etc. to activate more stress on the body, etc.). Research this online and explore what your body can do to fight pain organically. We as individuals hold the key to our wellness. Of course, discussing with your nutritionist the best nutritional plan assists physical comfort, too (digestive, moods, and overall health). In summary, be your own advocate. Research. Ask others for help. There is always a way. You will survive. And thrive. And when you begin overcoming your pain, remember to "pull the next one up" and help others on their journey who are needing wisdom, compassion, and insight. As a young person coming up on my five-year "survivor" cancer status, learning about mindfulness, reframing, meditation, body scanning, and adapting healthy food choices are all positive additions to my life. Be well all, and namaste.