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Cult Psychology - Part 2 - The Big Picture https://youtu.be/3P1R-wHd0bI "Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seen that they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, and one by one." - Charles Mackay Cult Dynamics in Everyday Life: Leo emphasizes that cult dynamics permeate all aspects of society, including mainstream organizations and institutions. He points out that what people normally don't associate with cults, such as science, politics, or sports teams, often exhibit cult-like characteristics. Ubiquity of Cult Behavior: Human history and the evolution of society reflect cult-like behaviors that extend as far back as the existence of early human tribes. Modern societies and large nations can also be seen as larger versions of these tribes, with their own sets of beliefs and cultures. Reality Splintering and Mainstream Society: Leo challenges the assumption that conforming to mainstream society equates to being aligned with truth. He describes reality bubbles created by society for survival rather than truth, highlighting the difficulty for individuals to step out of their bubbles and see reality from a meta-perspective. The Pitfalls of Herd Mentality: He discusses how groups naturally develop herd mentalities, leading to stereotyping, judging, and devaluing outsiders, which in turn carves out in-groups and out-groups. This behavior becomes ingrained and dictates societal interactions and personal judgments. Influence and Contagion of Judgment: Leo illustrates how judgments are often passed down and adopted from authority figures, such as parents, shaping individuals' perceptions. He uses his own experience with his father's judgment of Chevrolet cars as an analogy for how biases and stereotypes are transmitted. The Blurred Line Between Cults and Mainstream Society: Leo posits that there is no clear boundary where cult-like behavior ends and mainstream society begins. Cults can be seen as offshoots of society, and it's more about degrees of cult-like behavior rather than a strict binary distinction. Cult-Like Stereotyping and Judging: Leo Gura discusses how people stereotype and judge others, often devaluing groups based on arbitrary distinctions such as product preferences or cultural backgrounds. This process leads to viewing others as evil or insane, driven by the chasm created through gross oversimplification and abstraction of the group's identity. Ridiculing and Humiliating Differing Perspectives: Leo explains the common practice of ridiculing and humiliating other groups, especially on platforms like YouTube where political debates often descend into belittlement. This behavior fails to understand different life experiences and stifles the opportunity to learn from diverse perspectives. Oversimplification and Straw Man Fallacies: He describes how minds often oversimplify complex arguments into straw man caricatures for easy dismissal, preventing any real engagement with the alternative viewpoint or potential learning from it. Cliché Pejoratives and Simplistic Labels: Leo criticizes the use of cliché pejoratives and oversimplified labels like "axis of evil," "socialism," and "cultural Marxism" to demonize and dismiss other groups without understanding their complexity, history, or true nature. Black-and-White Polarizing Narratives: He expresses concern over how labels polarize society into simplistic, binary narratives that prevent nuanced understanding and acknowledging partial truths within opposing viewpoints. Lack of Critical Self-Examination: Leo notes that stereotyping and judging cause individuals to overlook the limitations and partial falsehoods in their own perspectives, emphasizing the danger of cult-like certainty in any view presented as objective, factual truth, such as in science. Cult Dynamics in Science and Interpretation Denial: He criticizes science for sometimes presenting itself as the ultimate, objective truth without acknowledging its inherent interpretations, leading to a false sense of certainty and closed-mindedness about other theories. Projection of Collective Shadow: Leo discusses projection in the context of cult psychology, describing how disliked traits or actions of a group or nation become part of its collective shadow and are projected onto an 'enemy', exemplified by how American geopolitical actions are projected onto the concept of terrorism. Projection and Collective Shadow: Leo suggests that the heated emotional responses to terrorism may stem from an unconscious projection of a collective shadow. He indicates that some nations, including the U.S., have attributed an "axis of evil" label to others while overlooking their own harmful actions, such as civilian casualties. Judging and Stereotyping by Groups: He notes how various groups, including online forums, sports teams, corporations, and political or religious groups, exhibit judging and stereotyping behaviors. These actions create 'enemy' figures and reinforce the concept of 'us vs. them' within these communities. Claims to Absolute Truth and Denials of Relativity: Leo draws attention to groups making claims of absolute truth and denying relativity. He differentiates between those who have and haven’t had a direct experience of absolute truth. Leo clarifies that his teachings should not be taken as absolute truth because absolute truth cannot be spoken. Organizational Self-Righteousness and Certainty: He points out that cults and cult-like groups often exude an aura of self-righteousness and certainty in their doctrines and behaviors, which correlates with their tendency to claim absolute truths. Monolithic Worldview and Discouraging Exploration: Cults tend to present a single, monolithic worldview that purports to solve all problems. Leo contrasts this with organizations that encourage exploring multiple perspectives, which he deems less cult-like. Organizations and the Tendency to Monopolize: Leo discusses how many organizations, including corporations and religions, attempt to monopolize their areas of interest. He praises the structure of reality for enabling diversification, thus inherently limiting such monopolistic endeavors. Emotional and Psychological Manipulation: He explains that cults use emotional manipulation, targeting lower consciousness emotions like fear, anger, and guilt, to prompt actions beneficial for the manipulator. However, such tactics lead to unsustainable dynamics and eventual collapse. Materialism and Pragmatism in Cults: Despite the appearance of loftiness and spirituality, cults often operate with materialistic and pragmatic motives, focusing on recruitment, financial gain, and influence, similar to business practices. Materialism and Pragmatism in Religious Organizations: Leo discusses the contradiction between espoused spiritual values and the materialistic, business-like functioning of religious organizations like the Catholic Church. They focus on practical financial management and bureaucracy despite promoting non-materialistic values, revealing a departure from true spiritual principles. Ethical Compromise for Success: Leo condemns the prioritization of success over ethical standards. He uses the example of pharmaceutical companies making profit-driven decisions to market drugs with harmful side effects, indicative of a broader trend in business where success often comes at any cost. Marketing Tactics in Cult Dynamics: Leo illustrates how marketing often exploits human emotions like fear, greed, and vanity, which reflect cult-like behaviors. He also points out the prevalence of controversy, polarization, and sensationalism in media as a method to garner attention, paralleling cult strategies to manipulate and control. Demonization and Propaganda in Government and Organizations: He cites historical examples where governments, such as the US during World War II, demonized enemies to rally public support, a method also used by various groups to create a distinct identity and vilify their opposition. Heightened Sense of Self-Importance and Divine Mission: Gura emphasizes how cults engender a belief in a divine mission and inflated self-importance, which can justify immoral actions. This dynamic is common in groups chasing power, money, fame, or purpose, and can be observed in business, religion, and other social structures. Pride and Tribalism in Sports and Other Groups: Leo examines pride as a dynamic within cult behavior, often present in sports and national identity, showcasing how tribalism and collective ego manifest in various aspects of societal enjoyment. Formation and Demonization of Subcults: Leo discusses the tendency of organizations to splinter and form subgroups. He highlights how these new groups often demonize the parent group to assert their identity and how this mirrors the broader historical splitting within religions and businesses. Rejection of Personal Perceptions: He criticizes certain scientific attitudes that dismiss first-person experiences and subjective phenomena, suggesting that such denial is itself a cult-like behavior that can lead to the demonization of mystical practices and subjective exploration. Fear of Apocalypse as a Motivational Tool: Gura discusses how the fear of societal collapses like economic, ecological, or moral decay can galvanize collective action and foster cult-like ideologies, with each level of consciousness projecting its own theory of global catastrophe. Identity Through Rule Keeping: Lastly, Leo observes how cults and social structures cultivate identity through adherence to rules, where individuals derive their sense of self from being 'good rule keepers', often preferring loyalty and conformity over independent thinking and critique. Rule Keeper Identity: Individuals derive a strong sense of self from enforcing rules, viewing themselves as the 'good ones' in contrast to the 'evil' others. This can be seen in various professions and belief systems, fostering an ego-based sense of moral superiority. Loyalty Over Competence: Organizations and leaders often favor loyalty to the group over actual competence, especially among less developed or conscious individuals. This bias can lead to discriminatory hiring practices and is counterproductive to organizational success. Indoctrination From a Young Age: Cults and society use education and religious teachings to indoctrinate individuals from an early age, impacting their beliefs and preferences profoundly and often permanently. Exploitation and Overwork: Various groups, including cults, the military, corporations, and professional training programs (e.g., medical residencies, law firms), use overwork as a technique for indoctrination, preventing time for reflection and cementing alignment with the organization's ideology. PR Campaigns and Deception: Organizations, not just cults, create sophisticated public relations campaigns and front groups to mask less savory practices and intentions, painting a deceptive picture of benevolence. Doublespeak and Rule Addiction: Cults and other institutions use language that inversely represents the truth (doublespeak) and enforce obedience to mechanical norms and rules, fostering dependency and a lack of critical thinking. Imposing Impossible Ideals: Cults often impose unattainable ideals that result in guilt and lowered self-esteem among members, making them more susceptible to further indoctrination. Comfort in Authority Figures: People seek comfort in authority figures, especially when they've had dysfunctional family backgrounds. These figures offer certainty and a diversion from the arduous journey of personal growth, leading to personality worship and dependency. Pleasing Authority Figures: There exists a human tendency to please authority figures, which extends beyond cults to various societal domains. This dynamic creates a dependent relationship between the leader and the followers. Idolization of Leaders: Cult members often idolize their leaders, viewing them as infallible dispensers of truth who provide direction and allow followers to avoid making hard decisions. Certainty and Authority in Cults: Cults provide a sense of certainty and authority, and reject criticism and feedback. Whistleblowers who challenge the leadership are typically blamed and demonized, similar to how Edward Snowden was treated after exposing the NSA's activities. Pyramid Structure in Society: Society mirrors the pyramid structure found in cults, where constant growth is needed for sustainability, such as in corporations and governments. This structure often encourages individuals to position themselves at the top to exploit others below. Information Control: Cults maintain control by restricting access to information, ensuring secrecy, and lacking transparency. This behavior is also present in businesses and government where operations are carried out behind closed doors. Restricting Contact and Denial of Collateral Damage: Cults often restrict contact with outsiders and deny the collateral damage caused by their actions, behaviors that can also be seen in various societal organizations, such as pharmaceutical companies that underplay the consequences of their products. Cult-Like Focus on Defeating Others: Cults may prioritize defeating others as part of their mission, which is an outward expression of what should be an internal spiritual journey. Members are often kept busy with this external focus, preventing self-reflection. Sexual Manipulation and Irresponsibility: Cults can engage in sexual manipulation and irresponsible behavior, a dynamic mirrored in other societal structures, including governments, businesses, and families. Importance of Balance: Cults and organizations often lack balance, taking a good concept too far and becoming detrimental, as seen with pharmaceutical companies overly marketing opioids. Review of Historical Cult-Like Behaviors: Gura reviews cult-like dynamics throughout history, from the Crusades to McCarthyism, the Soviet Union, Nazism, the KKK, sexism, Trump and the alt-right, demonstrating the prevalence of these dynamics beyond traditional cults. Education’s Role in Mitigating Cult Dynamics: Leo highlights the importance of incorporating understanding of cult psychology into education to inoculate people against susceptibility to cult dynamics and to help prevent the rise of ideological extremism and dogmatism. Bitcoin and Investment Fads: Leo reflects on a personal experience where he nearly invested in Bitcoin at its peak. He perceived it as a fad, and his hesitation saved him from financial loss as the market eventually crashed. He uses this to illustrate how cult dynamics can drive economic bubbles, comparing it to the 17th-century Dutch tulip mania, which also wildly inflated the value of tulip bulbs before the market collapsed. Terrorism and Political Stereotyping: He notes that both terrorism and Islamophobia are examples of cult-like activities fueled by extreme ideologies. Moreover, he criticizes the polarization of political viewpoints, using liberals as an example. He observes that even liberal media outlets such as TYT and The Majority Report can engage in the demonization and oversimplification of conservative viewpoints. Echo Chambers in Media: Leo advises viewers to diversify their news sources and avoid echo chambers, which lack diversity of perspectives. He acknowledges that while liberal news sources may demonize conservatives, they often have a more accurate direction than the alternatives but still warns against their potential cult-like dynamics. Cult Dynamics in Academia and Propaganda: He touches on the presence of cult thinking within academia and the use of wartime propaganda. Leo uses North Korea as an extreme example of cult dynamics at a national level. He recommends reading literature on North Korea to understand the advanced indoctrination techniques used. Science and Philosophy Polarization: Leo calls attention to cult dynamics within scientific and philosophical communities, which often pit various schools of thought against each other instead of promoting collaboration and understanding. Cult-Like Movements in Modern Culture: He identifies various current cultural phenomena that exhibit cult-like characteristics, including online movements such as incels, red pill, Jordan Peterson's followers, new atheism, nationalism, patriotism, and celebrity worship. Cultural Rituals and Traditional Practices: Leo lists traditional practices like circumcision, baptism, female genital mutilation, animal and human sacrifice, and the Hindu ritual of sati (widow suicide) as examples of cult dynamics that have been ingrained over centuries. Social Media and Modern Cult Dynamics: The spread of cult dynamics into social media and technology is addressed, predicting its evolution with the advancement of virtual reality and online games. He also mentions conspiracy theories as an example of cult dynamics in digital spaces. Wide-reaching Impact of Cult Dynamics: Leo describes how cult dynamics influence various facets of everyday life, including gender roles, beauty standards, fashion, and even abusive relationships. He emphasizes that relationships can have cult-like dynamics, such as dynamics seen in authoritarian and cult-like families. Self-Development: He stresses the importance of self-observation and development, advising viewers to recognize cult dynamics within themselves as part of their growth instead of just pointing fingers at others. Democracy and Authoritarianism Education: Lastly, Leo emphasizes the need to educate people on the epistemic foundations of democracy and the problems of authoritarianism, moving beyond historical examples to understanding authoritarian tendencies in every individual's ego. Cult Dynamics and Democracy: Leo stresses the importance of education in understanding cult dynamics to safeguard true democracy. People must be conscious of their biases and susceptibilities to authoritarian figures who can surreptitiously introduce cult-like behavior that undermines democracy. Devilry and Unconscious Behavior: He explains that many people harbor authoritarian traits. Most exhibit 'devility' unconsciously and maintain a facade of goodness; power, fame, and wealth can reveal these traits more overtly. Recognizing Cult Dynamics Everywhere: Leo encourages viewers to identify cult dynamics in all facets of society and within oneself. He asserts that so-called 'devilry,' or the manipulation found in cult dynamics, is a natural part of life that should not be demonized but understood and mitigated through consciousness. Limited Communication through Actualized.org: Leo acknowledges the limitations of his platform, Actualized.org, in conveying the vast and complex nature of reality. The majority of his understanding remains uncommunicated due to the challenges of articulation and the medium's limitations. Encouragement for Personal Understanding: Leo advocates for personal exploration and self-teaching as the path to true life mastery. He urges viewers to undertake self-improvement work, which takes thousands of hours, to deeply understand and practically apply life's intricacies to one's life. Significance of Self-Actualization: He conveys the depth of self-actualization and the lifelong rewards it offers. Leo encourages viewers to make self-actualization the focal point of their lives, offering a deeper, more purposeful way of living akin to the true essence of religion. Episkey

Self-Deception - Part 1 https://youtu.be/Xi_K402KU0A "The first principle is that you must not fool yourself. And you are the easiest person to fool." - Richard Feynman "Self-deception covers its own tracks." - Daniel Goleman Importance of the self-deception topic: Leo considers self-deception to be the most critical topic he has talked about, calling it the "mother topic" that spawns other topics linked to Actualized.org's content. : Leo considers self-deception to be the most critical topic he has talked about, calling it the "mother topic" that spawns other topics linked to Actualized.org's content. Reference to René Descartes: Leo mentions René Descartes as an influential philosopher who doubted everything in search of an indubitable foundation for truth, leading to the famous statement "I think, therefore I am." Critical oversight by philosophers: Philosophers tend to engage in skepticism regarding various concepts, but often fail to recognize that the human mind itself is the primary source of deception. First law of epistemology: Leo introduces his list of epistemological laws with the foremost being that our own minds are inherently self-deceptive. Totality of self-deception: The self-deception of the mind is so complete and vast that it is extremely hard to detect, with the mind controlling aspects like perceptions, emotions, logic, memories, and interpretations. Self-deception as a distraction: Focusing on external threats like conspiracies is part of the mind's self-deception mechanism, distracting us from the more significant truth that the mind is the primary source of our deception. Self-deception's depth affecting reality: The reach of self-deception transcends personal and psychological levels, impacting our very perception of reality and the fabric of existence. Mind's illusionary power: The human mind can create an undetectable illusion indistinguishable from reality by governing our emotions, desires, logic, and even what we consider real or illusory. Self-deception beyond cognitive biases: Leo clarifies that self-deception covers much more than the recognized psychological cognitive biases, affecting every aspect of life at an existential level. Psychological and psychosomatic power of the mind: The mind has the capacity to manipulate our thoughts, emotions, and even physical reactions to maintain self-deception. It can distract us with daydreams, erase memories, and rationalize avoidance, preventing us from confronting the truth. Resilience of self-deception: Attempts to uncover self-deception are met with strong resistance from the mind, which can induce physical ailments or psychological distractions to avert attention from the truth. Circular defense mechanism of the mind: The mind reassures its own trustworthiness, creating a circular logic that prevents one from recognizing personal self-deception. The mind's self-assurance is a barrier to realizing the depth of self-deception. Underestimating high fidelity deception: People typically assume self-deception is easily detectable, but high fidelity self-deception, possibly crafted by a superior intelligence or even divinity, could be indistinguishable from reality and goes undetected. Mind's initial self-deception regarding its fallibility: The foundational self-deception is the belief that self-deception is not a serious concern or that one is immune to it. This belief allows for a myriad of other deceptions to arise unchecked. The gravity of self-deception in life: Leo suggests that self-deception is not merely an abstract philosophical problem but a crucial real-life concern, potentially being the most critical matter one must address for authentic living. Deception's role in the mechanism of creation: Leo posits that existence itself may arise from self-deception, where God or reality brings forth differentiation and form by deceiving itself into believing in finiteness as opposed to its true infinite nature. Existential function of self-deception: By maintaining the illusion of self-importance and the necessity to survive, self-deception creates our reality and shapes the way we live every day, suggesting that we are constructs of accumulated deceptions. The depth of self-deception and its implication on reality: Leo invites us to consider a perspective where self-deception extends to the fabric of existence and is not limited to psychological phenomena, implying that our very reality may be shaped by the intrinsic self-deception of the universe. Existence and Creation Through Self-Deception: Leo Gura explains that self-deception is fundamental to existence and creation. By lying and conceiving truths, the mind ensures the individual's survival. Our attachment to life and the cycle of living assigns meaning to our existence, making life appear meaningful when it's actually an illusion perpetuated by self-deception. Utility of Lies Over Truth: He argues that lying is often more practical than telling the truth, serving pragmatic needs such as survival and self-interest. People may claim to value truth but often prefer falsehoods when it benefits them. The mind fabricates a world where what is false is considered truth and vice versa, a world where self-deception is performed under the disguise of truth-seeking. Pragmatism vs. Self-Deception: Gura critiques the pragmatic approach to life that dismisses philosophical or spiritual exploration as impractical. This preference for the concrete and immediate, he suggests, is itself a self-deception that ultimately leads to depression, frustration, and a deeper disconnection from reality. The Misconception of Being Alive: He poses the notion that the pragmatism of living might be yet another layer of self-deception that people indulge in, rather than acknowledging the lies and illusions that they live under which prompt a life filled with depression and other emotional issues. Survival of the Idea of Self: Gura clarifies that the mind's primary goal is not just physical survival, but the preservation of the idea of self. This explains why individuals may sacrifice their bodily well-being for concepts that align with their self-image, such as martyrdom, which is ultimately a selfish act to preserve their idea of self. The Irony of Enlightenment: He points out that while enlightenment is the ultimate unveiling of self-deception, it's also a distraction from recognizing self-deception in other aspects of life. Additionally, he suggests that people take pride in martyrdom not for selfless reasons but to preserve an idea of themselves that can live on beyond physical existence. Life's Self-Deception in Various Aspects: Gura lists various aspects of life such as money, ownership, security, laws, and entertainment as forms of self-deception. He discusses how we fool ourselves into believing in ownership and security, how we engage in movies and other entertainment to escape into fiction, and even how family and social constructs like nations and corporations are based on self-deceptive notions. Owning Nothing, Gaining False Security: The idea of ownership and security is highlighted as an absolute self-deception. He explains that the notion of owning things is an absurdity and that seeking security, for example through acquiring weapons, only fosters insecurity and is a manifestation of self-deception. Legal Foundations Built on Collective Self-Deception: Gura tackles the concept of laws and rights as fabrications grounded not in inherent truth, but in human consensus, used as a tool to provide a sense of order and protection. Entertainment as a Vehicle for Self-Deception: He identifies the consumption of movies, novels, and porn as classic self-deceptive behaviors where individuals embrace fiction for enjoyment, knowing that it's not real, yet allowing themselves to be absorbed and thus deceived for the duration of the entertainment. Family and Social Constructs as Illusions: Gura explains how people deceive themselves by attributing special connections to family members based on genetics, as well as fabricating identities and allegiances to nations and corporations. Equality and Democracy as Self-Deceptive Constructs: He suggests that our belief in equality, fairness, and democratic principles are self-deceptive ideals imposed onto a reality that is neither equal nor fair. The expansive nature of self-deception: Leo Gura illustrates that self-deception spans across various aspects of life including concepts like equality, status, cultural practices, video games, and even the pursuit of realistic graphics in entertainment as a means to deepen the illusion of reality. Self-deception in knowledge and learning: Self-deception is present even in seemingly reliable sources of truth such as science, logic, philosophy, psychology, and personal development. Knowledge, especially self-knowledge and meta-knowledge, is carefully controlled by the mind to reinforce self-deceptive practices. The pervasive role of society in self-deception: Society itself is a manifestation of a collective self-deception designed for mutual survival. Institutions such as schools and governments do not typically promote self-actualization as it threatens the underlying self-deceptive structures. Self-deception beginning from birth: Like North Korea's isolation from other forms of governance, society begins indoctrinating individuals from birth to limit their imaginations and to perpetuate self-deception, making the truth a potentially frightening revelation. Evidence of personal self-deception: Personal experiences of lying, rationalization, and double standards reveal an individual's self-deception. Noticeable discrepancies between one's reaction to others' actions and to their own actions signify self-deception. Global prevalence of self-deception: The widespread belief in various ideologies and systems worldwide suggests a universal propensity for self-deception among humans. The irony is that one can recognize this in others but often fails to see it in oneself. Debate as a reflection of self-deception: Arguments and debates highlight the self-deception inherent in conflicting beliefs. Each party in a debate focuses on exposing the other's self-deceptions without recognizing their own. Labeling others as 'evil' as a form of self-deception: The tendency to label others as evil is a mechanism of self-deception, which allows one to justify actions against the labeled party, ignoring one's own similar tendencies or selfish motives. Duality of “Evil” between Groups: Both sides in a conflict label each other as evil, using this accusation to justify aggressive actions. This labeling of "evil" serves as an externalization of one's own selfish tendencies, allowing individuals and groups to prioritize their agendas without considering opposition views as anything but malevolent. Nature of "Evil": Leo defines evil as inherent to life, equating it to the selfishness necessary for survival. While people generally like to view themselves as good, they project their own "evil" or selfish behavior onto others by labeling them as such; this projection of evil allows one to override others' interests with less guilt or moral reservation. Deception in Human Civilization and Progress: Gura points out that human history is marked by barbarity and self-deceptive beliefs. Successive generations look back on their predecessors as less enlightened while believing themselves to be free from the same self-deceptions; this only deepens the deception, perpetuating a false narrative of progress and enlightenment. Self-deception in Judging Others: While it's easy to see self-deception in others, such as public figures notorious for their deceit, one's own deceptions are often harder to notice. Even the act of judging others becomes an opportunity for self-deception, highlighting how criticism of others can cloud one's self-awareness. Reason as a Tool of Self-Deception: The trust in reason and intelligence is itself a form of self-deception, as the mind uses reason to justify personal beliefs and agendas. Gura challenges the notion that reason leads to truth, emphasizing that logic and objectivity can be compromised by underlying emotional investments and biases. Emotional Nature of Self-Deception: The struggle against self-deception is deeply personal and emotional, not just a matter of logic or intelligence. Facing the truth about oneself can be intensely painful, sometimes leading to extreme emotional reactions like the retreat participant who vomited in response to confronting his self-deceptions. Resistance to Self-Actualization: The mind naturally resists change, often resorting to old habits and self-deceptions to maintain the status quo. Even attempts at self-actualization are met with internal revolt, as any significant change implies the death of the old self, which can be a frightening and difficult process. Resistance to the truth and self-reflection: The mind-body organism often rebels against acknowledging its own self-deceptions, leading to physical and emotional discomfort, cravings, and a tendency to indulge in distractions. Homeostasis and the illusion of desiring change: While individuals may believe they want to change, change entails the death of an aspect of the self, which is why plans such as meditation or New Year's resolutions often fail. This resistance is the mind's way of maintaining the status quo. Personal nature of one's demons and the customization of growth: Personal development is highly individualistic; fears and problems are personal illusions that won't resonate with everyone. This necessitates a broad, customized approach, as specific solutions that work for one individual may not work for another. Inadequacy of scientific methods for personal development: Scientific methodologies and clinical research cannot address the deeply personal challenge of overcoming self-deception. This requires introspection and facing one's own internal struggles. The irony of the mind attempting self-reflection: Self-reflection is hindered by the mind's own design to maintain the illusion of reality. When attempting to 'jailbreak' the mind, one encounters resistance as the mind is both the jailer and the prisoner. The final leap to enlightenment cannot be controlled but must come from beyond the mind. Limits of enlightenment for self-deception: Enlightenment is not a catch-all solution for self-deception. It's a significant step towards becoming less deceived but one must remain vigilant, as self-deception continues in various forms even after enlightenment experiences. Self-reflection as the solution: The process of self-reflection involves questioning all certainties about oneself and the world to avoid distractions. It leads to the melting away of illusions and liberation from self-deception. Self-deception as a continuum: Personal growth is a journey from a place of high self-deception to a place of lower self-deception. Complete eradication of self-deception is improbable, but significant reductions can lead to profound transformations in one's life. Misalignment with Truth Leading to Suffering: Leo Gura suggests that suffering arises from the misalignment of one's life with truth. He illustrates this concept by pointing to public figures such as Donald Trump, whose constant lying, as Leo perceives it, results in personal suffering and extends to the people around him and the nation as a whole. Deception's Deep Roots and Denial: People deeply deceive themselves, building layers upon layers of lies to avoid facing their own suffering. Some are so entrenched in self-deception that they prefer death over the pain of acknowledging and dealing with it, sometimes leading to suicide or living in denial until natural death. The Inescapability of Self-Deception: No one is immune to the pitfalls of self-deception, which is compared to a minefield. Avoiding one trap doesn't mean safety; it is a continuous process filled with potential pitfalls. Leo warns against overconfidence in one's own enlightenment or understanding of self-deception, which is a sign that one is falling back into deception. Self-deception as Art: The complexity and skill with which self-deception manifests is described as a form of divine art. While it can be a horrifying revelation to discover the extent of one's self-deception, there is also a grandeur in realizing the vastness and intricacy of how reality is constructed. Infinite Existence and Individual Significance: Self-deception allows us to experience life as if we are separate from everything else, enabling the marvel of discovery. It serves to remind us that reality is much larger than our individual selves and our personal agendas. Navigating Life's Self-Deceptive Illusions: Leo emphasizes the importance of recognizing and overcoming self-deception. He posits that by reducing self-deception, one can transform a life filled with depression into one of joy and appreciation. Self-Deception as an Ongoing Project: The process of overcoming self-deception is an unfinished and ongoing journey for Leo, who mentions writing a book about epistemology and self-deception and shares his plans to discuss specific mechanisms of self-deception in future content. Humility in Facing Self-Deception: Leo acknowledges his and everyone's vulnerability to self-deception. He insists on humility and the recognition that we and our understanding are fallible, and there is always room for improvement and growth. Actualized.org's Mission: Leo Gura outlines the purpose of Actualized.org as a platform to assist people in realizing and navigating their self-deception. He aims to provide tools to understand self-deception better and live with reduced suffering and greater joy through self-awareness. Furnunculus

The Theme Of Things Going Full-Circle https://youtu.be/O7COBxw71MM "There is nothing that fails like success." - G.K. Chesterton "When you add to the truth, you subtract from it." - The Talmud "God is best known by not knowing him." - St. Augustine Theme of Things Going Full Circle: Leo introduces the profound theme of 'things going full circle' in life, which is seen in personal development and various life aspects. He distinguishes between a conventional understanding, like the hero’s journey, and a more paradoxical interpretation where extreme opposites on a spectrum, such as black and white, can actually loop back to connect with each other in unexpected, transformative ways. Conventional Full Circle vs. Paradoxical Full Circle: The conventional understanding of full circle involves a starting point, a journey with varied experiences, and a return to the origin—much like the hero's journey. However, Leo emphasizes a second, paradoxical meaning where the extremes of a spectrum can loop around, leading from one extreme to the other, such as pure black transitioning directly to pure white, implying major life shifts when these points are reached. Frivolous Examples of Full Circle: Leo shares whimsical instances of full circle phenomena, like art that is so bad it becomes good and jokes so unfunny they're funny. He notes these are more light-hearted and don't capture the more significant examples he's collected that illustrate how reality can be counterintuitive. Atheism vs. Theism Full Circle: Atheism and theism, typically seen as diametrically opposed, can actually transition into each other. Atheists may find God in the experience of profound nothingness, while theists may encounter nothingness as God, challenging both atheists' and theists' conventional beliefs. This example epitomizes the full circle theme by demonstrating how extreme views can shift dramatically, flipping one's understanding entirely. Hedonism and Asceticism: Leo contrasts the hedonist, who seeks endless pleasure but ends up unsatisfied and miserable, with the ascetic, who finds greater, unimaginable joy through solitude and self-awareness. This example illustrates how the pursuit of indulgence can paradoxically lead to despair, whereas extreme self-denial can culminate in profound happiness. Realignment with Reality through Full Circle Understanding: Leo expresses his hope that by explaining the full circle theme, listeners will develop the ability to see where these kinds of situations occur in life, helping them to understand life’s paradoxes and design a better life for themselves. Asceticism Misconstrued: Most people view the ascetic path to happiness—which actually works—as a route to suffering. This misconception prevents them from considering or seriously pursuing this viable strategy, highlighting how easily people can misunderstand the nature of certain paths to happiness. Selfishness Misinterpreted: Selfish individuals assume happiness comes from greed and personal gain, yet the greatest joy in life comes from selflessness, which appears counterintuitive to them. True selflessness involves contribution and doing good for its own sake, not personal gain. Effective Selflessness: People often mistake selflessness for a lack of boundaries, allowing themselves to be taken advantage of. However, true selflessness includes boundaries that enable one to contribute more effectively. Selfish individuals might only appreciate selflessness after an "inflection point" where they choose to become selfless, transforming their lives. Freedom Through Discipline Misconception: The pursuit of freedom without discipline often leads to collapse, whereas discipline, like forming healthy habits and working hard, leads to an unexpected deeper freedom. People chasing freedom fail to see this paradox. Empiricism Leads to Mysticism: Hardcore empiricism, when followed to the extreme, breaks down concepts until material reality becomes mystical. Skeptical empiricists don't see this coming as they conceive empiricism and mysticism to be at opposing ends. Nihilism's Inflection to Meaning: True awareness of nihilism reveals that nothing has inherent meaning, which paradoxically flips everything to become incredibly meaningful. This is missed by those who superficially subscribe to nihilism and those overly attached to finding meaning within concepts and physical forms. Morality versus Amorality Comes Full Circle: Taking amorality to its extreme reveals that nothing is inherently evil, transforming one's worldview to see everything as good. True saints understand this, choosing to embody goodness not because of imposed morality but out of conscious choice. Misunderstood Nihilism and Morality: Misinterpretations abound when nihilism isn't fully realized, leading to depression rather than peace; morality is confounded with lip service, whereas true understanding of amorality results in saint-like behavior. Both concepts often fail to be embraced to their deepest extents, reflecting society's limited comprehension of these philosophies. Moralism versus True Morality: Leo discusses the distinction between surface-level moralism and the depth of true morality. He criticizes moralistic approaches that follow rules and should statements in the hope of rewards or to avoid punishment. True morality, as he describes, arises when one realizes that good and evil are constructs and chooses to act virtuously out of intrinsic desire rather than obligation—demonstrated through the saintly example of Jesus versus the emulation by priests and popes who fail to grasp the full-circle journey. No Purpose versus Strong Purpose: Leo tackles the criticism of his discussions on life purpose in the face of inherent purposelessness. He asserts that recognizing the meaninglessness of all paths allows for the freedom to design one's purpose, arguing that this realization paradoxically leads to a strong sense of purpose. Historical figures like Jesus and Buddha had impactful lives stemming from the full-circle understanding that their purpose was ultimately pointless. Weakness versus Power: The video explores the paradox of power, suggesting that the acquisition of traditional forms of power (money, military force) leads to weakness, while relinquishing the desire for power results in true strength. He cites Gandhi's nonviolent resistance and philosophical anecdotes to illustrate that the greatest power comes from having nothing to lose. Introversion versus Extraversion Paradox: Leo posits that extreme introversion can circle back to complete extroversion through intense self-reflection and the realization that there is no interiority to the mind. By recognizing that thoughts and emotions are part of the external world, a deeply introverted person can live fully extroverted, dissolving the false duality between inner and outer worlds. Divine versus Mundane: Leo emphasizes that the mundane becomes divine when examined closely, challenging the perception that divinity is separate from everyday life. He encourages seeing the ordinary as divine by becoming conscious of the inherent magic in reality that is often overlooked or taken for granted. Life and Death: Discussing the relationship between life and death, Leo states that preoccupation with avoiding death can make life miserable. He suggests that accepting and embracing death as a fundamental part of life can lead to more authentic living, thus connecting the seemingly opposite concepts of life and death in a full circle. Duality versus Non-duality: Leo elucidates how duality and non-duality are not distinct but interwoven. From a non-dual perspective, recognizing duality as an aspect of non-duality is key, whereas being trapped in a dualistic mindset prevents seeing the unity inherent in all things, including the dual and non-dual aspects. Duality of Non-dual and Dual Realities: The concept of duality is highlighted, where Leo points out that in the non-dual state, the distinction between dual and non-dual disappears, emphasizing the interconnectedness of both states. Knowing vs. Unknowing Revelation: Leo describes the paradox of knowledge, explaining that the pursuit of knowledge can lead to a form of ignorance, while a conscious effort to unlearn can lead to the ultimate understanding that everything is fundamentally unknowable. Personal vs. Impersonal Interconnectivity: He discusses the illusion of a personal and impersonal reality, revealing that when one fully embraces the impersonal aspect of reality, it flips to become a deeply personal connection, intertwining the two seemingly opposite concepts. Subjective vs. Objective Experience: Leo touches upon how the division between the subject and object can collapse, leading to an experience where complete subjectivity results in becoming one with the object, leading to absolute objectivity. Solipsism and Universal Nothingness: Leo explains the full-circle concept of solipsism, stating that the realization that one's own self isn't real leads to the understanding that all beings share the same fundamental nothingness, thus connecting everyone. Genuine Skepticism: He emphasizes that true skepticism involves not just doubting external concepts but also one's own skepticism, which can prevent falling into self-deception. Ordinary vs. Unique Dichotomy: Leo's explanation suggests that trying to be unique often results in conformity, whereas embracing one's ordinariness can paradoxically lead to a unique identity. 'No Self' vs. 'True Self': He elucidates the mystical concepts, explaining that realizing 'no self' leads to understanding the 'true self', which is the recognition of one's inherent nothingness. Nothingness and Infinity: Leo discusses the equivalence of nothingness and infinity, explaining that embracing nothingness leads to an experience of infinity, and vice versa. Absolutism in Relativity: He explores the idea that while many view relativity and absolutism as opposites, in truth, reality is so relative that this understanding becomes the only absolute. The Power of Inaction: Leo suggests that, counterintuitively, inaction—such as meditation—can lead to significant personal growth compared to constant action, which may result in little actual achievement. Ego Death and Flourishing Personality: The video describes how ego death does not result in a loss of personality but rather enhances and strengthens one's personality and consciousness. Masculine vs. Feminine Attraction: Leo offers insights into attraction dynamics, asserting that exhibiting feminine traits such as expressiveness and spontaneity can actually make a person more attractive. Attachment vs. Detachment in Success: He outlines that neediness and attachment can decrease the likelihood of success, whereas detachment can paradoxically increase success in various life aspects. Masculinity and Attraction: Leo explains that true masculinity includes being comfortable with one's feminine side, thereby allowing spontaneity, emotionality, and expressiveness, which are attractive traits to women. Acting overly serious and stoic—like an unsmiling James Bond—can repel rather than attract. Attachment and Success Dichotomy: Neediness, or attachment, reduces the likelihood of achieving one's desires. In contrast, detachment increases the chances of success, whether in negotiations, business, or personal relationships. Success Through Failure: Embracing failure is essential for success; failure should be frequent and used as a stepping stone. Conversely, success can breed complacency and laziness, potentially leading to downfall. Rationality and Paradox: Highly rational individuals may struggle to accept that rationality embraces paradoxes and can contradict itself. When rational thinking becomes self-aware and acknowledges its limits, it transcends its own boundaries. Suffering Leading to Peace: Excessive suffering can paradoxically lead to peace, as illustrated by the story of Eckhart Tolle who, on the brink of suicide, experienced ego death and found peace. However, this difficult path is not recommended. Wisdom Misinterpreted as Stupidity: Profound wisdom can appear as stupidity to those at a lower level of consciousness. This misunderstanding is common when people encounter teachings from Zen masters, yogis, and mystics. Ideological Rigidity Versus Openness to Paradox: Ideologies can set rigid, linear expectations that block recognition of life's paradoxes. Breaking free from these limitations requires recognizing that reality is more counterintuitive and non-linear than ideology suggests. Merging Ideologies with Deep Reality: Empiricism can lead to mysticism, and philosophy or nihilism can limit understanding if not delved into deeply enough. Life's complexities call for flexible thought, beyond ideological rule of thumb. Reading Books for Profound Learning and Self-Actualization: Engaging with books is an essential part of deep learning and enlightenment, as they offer in-depth knowledge and inspiration that cannot be fully captured in audio-visual content. Power of Books and Action: Reading prompts thinking and reflection, leading to personal insights and a deeper understanding of life. This knowledge is best supplemented by action, implementing strategies from readings into practices like meditation. Engaging with Self-Improvement: Watching videos is not enough to master self-actualization, and one must read and apply the knowledge from books diligently to progress in mastering life and understanding complex concepts. Protego

Hamas suicide bombers exploited in Jerusalem bus stop in 1996. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaffa_Road_bus_bombings

The Jews will never give up on conquering their God promised holy land. The thing is ground troops need to move in with air support otherwise it is just a suicide mission. Terrorists would pop in and out of buildings and tunnels and shoot with bullets and RPGs; you see even with air support, over 170 soldiers have died fighting in Gaza. So in conclusion the buildings and tunnels must be destroyed before moving in; lets not forget about the rockets and rocket launch sites, in case you guys missed it, here are two video:

But by that logic, what lead to the second Intifada with suicide bombings twice a week in the early 2000's was Oslo agreement (1993), Oslo 2nd agreement (1995), Hebron agreement (1997), Y agreement (1998), Camp David negotiation (2000)... By using I mean it was pre-trapped (before the war) and the logic behind that is that in the same way hamas has invested every second since 2005 to build a 400 km length tunnels city, it also has invested in trapping entire neighborhoods all across the Gaza strip way before the war started. What I think is that just like the undergroung tunnels-city, also this was already made before the war. I agree with you in this logic but the question is, if this is really the case in Gaza because according to the ever arming-race of hamas the situation there is, I think, very different. Why do you think that?

You’re right. They value it significantly more. Hence I forgot the exact number but women say yes to men at an insanely lower rate than men say yes to women on dating apps. And the main factors that make men stand out on dating apps is face and height. It is fucking IMPOSSIBLE to get a less than 200 lb girlfriend if you’re some 5’8 socially inexperienced guy in a 60k population city. And I definitely don’t blame myself for not being able to move out. I didn’t ask for this shit. It hurts me to bring weight into it because fat chicks are some of the coolest, funniest people I’ve ever met. But they aren’t very fuckable if we’re being honest. But they’re way more fun to hang out with than hot girls in my experience. Seriously, there are no chances for us. No opportunities, no connections. Nothing. What do you do in this state? Go knocking door to door in your neighborhood asking to see available women in the family? Go cold approach at malls, college campuses you don’t attend and bars/clubs where one wrong move gets you harassed by authority figures who don’t give the tiniest speck of empathy for your suicidal desperation? Go wedding crashing? Party crashing? 80 percent of this struggle would be solved if we weren’t so unfortunate to be born in a small city because god is some sick and twisted motherfucker that strokes his fat goober and gets off to the sight of us being ruthlessly tormented by seeing happy couples rubbed in our faces like taunting a starving child with delicious food, and being heavily punished for our mistakes when we goof up socially trying to climb out of our hell hole. But no. God fucking hates our miserable, suffering asses and is constantly working overtime to keep us stuck. A big city would take most of that away because social mistakes don’t carry nearly as heavy of a penalty. That’s because you can go out every night and rarely see the same people twice. Word gets around about you faster and you stick out like a sore thumb because people have less to focus on in smaller cities. NO ROOM FOR ERROR This too can be debunked by looking at the numbers. There are twice as many male virgins in the 18-29 age range than female virgins. Also compare the suicide rate between genders and that should tell you something This right here speaks volumes about the female threat detection mechanism. Women are afraid those socially inexperienced, 5/10 guys are the dangerous ones when really those kinds of guys would treat them like queens, but they aren’t attracted to them because “weirdo vibes”. Meanwhile they consistently get involved with the actual dangerous men and suffer dire consequences because of it.

@Karmadhi I can take your what I think a sickingly twisted logic and say what you ARE in denial about and filter out: 1. The fact that Israel built a 1 Billion dollar smart fence out of the fantasy the thecnology will prevent wars. 2, Israel let Thousands of Gazans to work in its areas for years out of the hope it will make them moderate. 3. Israel did more than 10 careful operations with good surgicality lead to anything but worsen the situation in the long term. 4. Israelis soldiers are many of them boys in theirs 18-22 years that are also humen being with broad heart and worried mothers and familiy that are putting their lives in a serious risk in one of the most dangerous areas in the world. Thousands of them are doing that right now for more than 3 months straight. 5. The fact that almost no other military warned civilians so many time in many ways before their attacks. 6. The fact that a hostage suffering is X100 times harder than any other soldier or citizen from both sides. Imagine have a gun on your head for 100 days when you never know when the bullet will be shot on you and if it will. 130 of them. Now imagine this is one of your friends or family members. 7. The fact that Gaza kids are indoctrinate into killing and suicide from birth and already been damaged psychologically to a mental condition not less severe than any other mental disorders and need an urgent recovery if such a recovery is even possible, Million of them. Where was the world when that happened during all those years before the war?

The material constituents, or whatever cascade/milieu of consciousness that composes of reality, seems distantly secondary to the "stupidity" I mentioned above. If hypothetically, I scientifically proved the universe was made of superstrings or whatever, and that above-stupidity continued to exist, that would simply mean I don't know what's going on in a meaningful way. (I consider things concerned with the definition of "meaning" to be unavailable to communication.) That would weakly suppose consciousness, or rather, whatever subjective properties precede that notion of "stupidity", has a role in constructing reality, if not for the fact that in the absence of consciousness that stupidity is merely replaced with a kind of existential suicide; the same stupid sans subjectivity. I'm sure there's more recreational things to say, perhaps as it relates specifically to the scientific enterprise, but what I said prior is enough to capture my beliefs and the ignorance it's composed of. If there's more to explore outside those beliefs than my ignorance, than that ignorance ought be considered first.

You're fine. I have free days when I do nothing. I have days where I have breakthroughs. Work influences me. Society influences me. My bad habits influence me. I can act only on a free day and I have to go to a different location to play my instrument. I haven't lost my ability etc., it has gone a bit better acctually. There are times I envy everyone who is living a more traditional life, but I yet I fail to see a reason why and acctually I don't want to live like them. I just need to calm down and continue. Still have to figure a lot of stuff to have a sustainable lifestyle and a good foundation for the future. And then work on my life purpose. You are fine, if you don't want to do anything today, sit and visualize what you wanted prior, write on paper. Remind yourself of your core values. Just sit and relax. You can't fault yourself that you feel bad, so many things are influencing you. You feeling guilty about it leads to suicide. I sometimes envy people who have time to play their instruments more too, but I have what I have. So no reason to feel bad and just relax. Also, me and people I envy and I am envied by all have this fear of losing the ability to do the things we love. Remember that. Sustainable lifestyle is also very important. Don't kill by yourself overstressing and overworking too.

@Karmadhi Only one side is taught to kill and suicide. I have never learn anything bad about the Arabs themselves besides that we have wars and we signed peace agreements and wanted to do peace also with Syria and to co exist with the 20% of the Israelis which are Arabs. I remember that I was in 6th grade.

@Merkabah Star I understand the situation in Gaza hurts you and you are right it that! But blame hamas on that because he has at the very least 90% of the responsibility and likely even 95%+. Thats the truth according to my impression. You can think something else and I really don't want to just argue with you. But I wonder, where was the world before the war, when one Million of poor kids where brainwashed every single day by their education system into the importance of killing others along with the importance of suicide in the name of their religion?

@Princess Arabia The problem is, his brother committed suicide and shortly after his cat died.. and our breakup (which happened way before that) was all so hard on him my heart aches so much for what he had to go through and drove him to the addiction. I try to distance myself from the situation of blaming myself but I cannot.. I could've reached out to him that day and we could've talked it out but I didn't know.. I was his only friend

I lost my ex boyfriend to a meth overdose (laced with fentanyl).. Last time we spoke was just few days before his death he said he does not want to speak to me again anymore and I did not say anything; I decided to reach out few days after and I realized he's dead. we had a really good friendship after our breakup (almost 3 years ago) but it really affected him and made him depressed that we were no longer together; the last few months were really hard for him after his brother's suicide and death of his cat who was his best friend. I know it is not my fault; I know I did not cause him to overdose but I am still overcame and defeated by guilt and what ifs.. what if I had reached out to him sooner what if i had been a better gf at the time what if i had been a better friend. this is the very first death I deal with in my 25 years of life. any tips? words of comfort? anything will help.

How You Lie - All Your Dirty, Sneaky Lies & Manipulations Exposed! https://youtu.be/XulpS3cAkOM Foundational Concepts for Self-Actualization: Leo states that understanding one's own tendency to lie, manipulate, and engage in self-deception is crucial for personal growth and self-actualization. Warning of Disturbing Revelations: He warns that the forthcoming revelations about self-deception may be shocking but are ultimately beneficial for long-term development. Self-deception as Life's Central Theme: Leo positions self-deception as a central theme in life, significantly affecting all areas where success and results are pursued, and is a major obstacle to personal growth. Introduction of the "Self-Agenda" Concept: The self-agenda, a concept Leo learned from Peter Ralston, drives our actions and is focused on preserving our self-image rather than our physical survival or wellbeing. Truth vs. Self-Survival: The primary operating principle in life is not truth, but self-survival, with most people prioritizing the preservation of their self-image or self-concept. Seeking Comfort and Certainty: Leo argues that people primarily seek comfort and certainty rather than truth, even when they claim to act out of love or altruism. Protecting the Ego: All actions, even seemingly self-destructive ones, are directed towards protecting and maintaining one’s self-image or ego. Low Awareness as a Defense Mechanism: Low awareness protects the ego by shielding individuals from facing the painful reality of their self-deceptions and lies. High Awareness Requires Responsibility: Gaining higher awareness involves confronting the lies one has lived by and is a challenging process that may stir cognitive dissonance by challenging one's identity. Self-Deception Through Lack of Awareness: The mind is wired for self-deception; lying to oneself effectively serves the self-agenda, as the very concept of the 'self' is a lie. The Ego as a Fabrication: Leo explains that one's entire identity and the understanding of reality are fabrications created by the mind, sustained through low consciousness. Evolution's Role in Self-Deception: The human propensity for self-deception is tied to survival and evolutionary mechanisms that prompt organisms to value their well-being above others. Lying to Uphold a False Sense of Specialness: The idea that our lives and those close to us are more important than others is identified as a fundamental lie driven by ego and survival needs. Survival vs. Truth: Leo suggests that survival/reproduction interests and the pursuit of truth are often at odds, leading to a dilemma where one might have to choose between self-preservation and honesty. Self-Image as Truth Defender: He points out that some people perceive themselves as champions of truth, but living true to this self-image is extremely challenging unless they abandon their self-image entirely. Early Onset of Lying: Leo explains that lying starts at a very young age, becoming so habitual that it is like a fish not realizing it's in water; people become unaware of their constant lying. Consequences of Lying: He lists numerous negative physical and mental health outcomes—from stress and anger to heart attacks and suicide—claiming these are often consequences of living a life filled with lies. Subtlety of Lying: Leo asserts most lying is not overt but subtle and unconscious, which makes it particularly insidious and a manifestation of low consciousness. Examples of Subtle Lies: He catalogues various forms of deceptive behaviors, from fake smiles and politeness to withholding important information and pretending to be more spiritual or compassionate than one really is. Hypocrisy in Self-Professed Virtues: Leo criticizes those who claim to be spiritual, loving, or altruistic as often being the most deceptive and selfish, using their 'virtues' as a smokescreen for ulterior motives. Manipulation in Relationships: He describes the extensive use of manipulation and subtle lies within intimate relationships to avoid conflict or to influence partners' behaviors. Lies Stemming from Self-Agenda: Leo reiterates that many lies derive from protecting one's self-image and agenda, which ultimately backfire and reduce the quality of life. Cultural dishonesty about sex: Leo criticizes society's false modesty about sexual behavior, stating that many people lie to themselves about their sexual activities and desires to maintain a "good" image. Deception in marketing and sales: He points out that professionals in marketing and sales often lie and manipulate consumers through deceptive advertising tactics and urgency to make sales. Withholding information in leadership: Leo emphasizes that leaders, bosses, and CEOs frequently withhold crucial information from their teams for self-serving reasons, not respecting the principle of truth. Reluctance to admit mistakes: People often refuse to acknowledge their errors and concoct excuses to maintain their self-image instead of admitting they were wrong. Hiding weaknesses and insecurities: Leo highlights the common practice of hiding personal flaws and insecurities to appear confident and put together, which is often exaggerated during dating. Failure to express emotions: Many individuals suppress their emotions, such as anger or sadness, and lie about their well-being by claiming they are "fine" instead of sharing their true feelings. Watering down opinions: He discusses how people often soften their opinion in social settings as a way of avoiding conflict and protecting their self-image. Manipulative use of humor and sarcasm: According to Leo, humor and sarcasm can be used to manipulate, belittle, and divert attention from true intentions or real issues. Secret scheming for self-preservation: Leo mentions that in situations like anticipated layoffs, individuals will secretly plan to avoid personal loss, often at the expense of others. Seeking validation through deceptive niceness: He criticizes people who behave nicely just to receive validation, approval, and love from others, viewing it as a form of manipulation. Pretense of not being hurt: People often pretend they aren't physically or emotionally hurt to appear strong, which is a self-image preservation tactic. Indirect ways of expressing desires: Leo points out how individuals express desires and emotions in covert ways to maintain a humble self-image, like showing off new possessions subtly. Unawareness of personal hypocrisy: He argues that most people are not conscious of their hypocrisy, giving the example of holding in one's stomach to appear thinner as a self-deception lie. Solution to lying and self-deception: Leo suggests becoming mindful of one's lies, manipulations, and self-deceit and advocates for truth-telling, especially when it has personal costs. He explains the three levels of truth-telling: being honest with oneself, communicating facts honestly, and expressing one's emotions truthfully. Self-Agenda vs. Truth: Leo highlights that people primarily care about their self-agenda and self-image over the truth, and stresses that only through extensive work on oneself can this prioritization change. Levels of Communicating Truth: Leo describes three levels of truth communication: level one is noticing one's self-agenda, level two involves accurately reporting facts regardless of consequences, and level three is about expressing emotions related to the facts. Service to Truth: Gura argues that genuinely serving truth through communication and behavior is emotionally difficult, which discourages most people from doing it, but it is essential for personal integrity and life quality improvement. Integrity Issues: Lying and manipulating, Leo contends, harm personal integrity and, by extension, the individual's mental and emotional well-being, leading to depression, stress, and physical health problems. Embracing the Consequences of Truth: He warns that truthful communication can have serious consequences, but fears are often overblown, and that in reality, honesty can lead to a more appreciated and refreshing life experience for yourself and others. Practical Mindfulness Exercise: Leo suggests wearing a colorful rubber band as a reminder to stay conscious of manipulations, lies, and self-agenda in daily life, to prevent slipping back into unconscious deception. Supporting Actualized.org: Leo encourages the audience to support the platform by engaging with the content, signing up for the newsletter, and delving into the deep, transformative material provided. Silencio

I know, my childrenhood has been an absolut nightmare on some points. I finished so neurotic at one point that I went so far as to make two hours of bodybuilding per day, while eating little and even by doing water fast and even a dry fast. I even ended up taking hormones to increase my sporting performance and it largely has to trigger my very scent insomnia from which I begin to get rid of. Now I find it a little even but there have been a long way and there are still some, I could have committed suicide in the process. Lots of super honest introspection and experience have changed the situation. Psychedelics have also helped to change thought patterns, may be simply by sending strong epigenetic neurological signals, IDK. You should think about it.

If somebody held a gun to my head and asked me what I wanted to be my answer is as follows. He would probably stop me after professional chess player. I wanted to be a professional chess player. The problem was that there was no college major for it and it is hard to make enough money as a chess player unless you are world class which I wanted to be. I would study everything intensely, but the need to build another line of work takes the fun out of it. I Wasn't raised to be a champion like most child prodigies. I felt lost in life because it looked like following my passion wasn't an option. I needed to develop some other line of work. my second choice was to change the school curriculum to reach emotional mastery in schools to prevent suicide. This is also very hard to do. I don't know how I should go about pursuing this project. The best I know is to write a book on the subject. I'm on chapter 3 so far. I am very interested in psychology, but I see myself more as an advocate rather than as a therapist. Psychology was my initial major but I didn't like the career paths. Sociology is also interesting, but I'm not sure about the career paths. My next choice would be philosophy and politics. I don't like it, but it has a lot of noble goals to strive for. If the impact on humanity is important enough then I would push through the difficult parts. I see beauty in having well thought out positions and using them to improve people's lives. It requires selflessness and objectivity which Most people lack, hence the polarization of America. The common problem is that I am not confident about the career paths. It leads to frustration as I feel lost in life.

Enlightenment FAQ - Part 1 - All Your Questions Answered https://youtu.be/H0GbcGMar_E Introduction to the Enlightenment FAQ: Leo is creating an Enlightenment FAQ series to address common questions about spiritual enlightenment for those who have followed his previous content. The series aims to clarify misconceptions and fears and provide a deeper understanding of the journey toward enlightenment. Difference between Understanding and Experiencing Enlightenment: Enlightenment extends beyond understanding the concept of "no self" intellectually; it must be experienced personally. The difference between talking about enlightenment and living an enlightened life is vast and necessitates a profound shift in perception and everyday experience. Visibility of 'No Self' and Psychological Obstacles: Despite being a simple truth, the realization of "no self" is obscured by our psychology, culture, and inherent resistance from our ego. Achieving enlightenment entails unlearning deep-seated beliefs, requiring significant effort and a radical shift in perspective. The Matrix Misconception: Enlightenment is not akin to living in a simulated reality like "The Matrix." Unlike the film, enlightenment posits that while the physical world exists, the individual self is a fiction. This realization is paradoxically more complex and challenging than escaping a simulation. Reality vs. Illusion: Enlightenment does not claim that reality is an illusion; rather, everyday physical objects exist. What is illusory is the perception of a separate self observing these objects. Enlightenment challenges the reality of personal identity, not the existence of the external world. Enlightenment versus Religion and Philosophy: Unlike religion and philosophy, which construct models and theories about reality, enlightenment is about directly experiencing reality without the interference of mental chatter. Enlightenment is the practice of being reality itself, rather than thinking or hypothesizing about it. Mental Chatter and the Nature of Enlightenment: Theoretical constructs, which are common in religion, philosophy, and science, prevent direct experience of enlightenment. Enlightenment occurs beyond the scope of mind-driven rationalizing and theorizing, in the realm of stillness and non-thinking. Risk of misinterpreting enlightenment: Leo emphasizes the difficulty in discussing enlightenment without it being misunderstood as another belief system, philosophy, or religion. He is meticulous with his language to avoid this since enlightenment is about direct experience rather than theoretical frameworks. Enlightenment vs. nihilism: Leo differentiates enlightenment from nihilism, emphasizing that while both acknowledge the lack of inherent meaning, nihilism, as a philosophy, often leads to despair, whereas enlightenment embraces this lack of meaning as a positive truth without attaching any dark significance to it. Language and stories in conveying enlightenment: He acknowledges the conundrum of using stories and language to convey enlightenment. Though they are flawed mediums, they're necessary tools for pointing towards the truth. The goal is for individuals to read between the lines and pursue the deeper truths hinted at by these stories. Misinterpreting Leo's teachings as another "story": Leo addresses the potential confusion that his teachings are just another narrative by clarifying that his role is not to impose his story as truth but to guide others to experience what he points to, encouraging viewers to look beyond his words to the underlying reality. Achieving strength and power through enlightenment: Leo provides a paradoxical answer to whether enlightenment brings strength and power. It does, by freeing one from mental and emotional limitations, but not in the ego's sense of gaining control or dominance. True strength comes from acknowledging the lack of an intrinsic 'self' and finding inner peace. The illusion of free will in enlightenment: Addressing free will, Leo asserts that the sense of a controlling 'self' is illusory. By examining the origins of one's thoughts in a meditative state, one can realize that the self is merely a construct, and thoughts arise independently of any willful self. Purpose of life and enlightenment: Leo states that life inherently has no point or purpose, which can relieve stress and emotional distress. The yearning for purpose is an ego-driven desire, and recognizing life's purposelessness is an aspect of enlightenment. Life's inherent pointlessness: Reality simply exists, and life is a continuous flow without needing a specific point or purpose. Our search for meaning or purpose is driven by the ego's need for significance, leading to distress when we feel insignificant. Enlightenment reveals that the meaninglessness of life is itself without meaning, which liberates rather than depresses. Misconception of nihilism: The idea of life being meaningless can prompt existential questions like suicide, but this stems from an egoic misunderstanding of enlightenment. Recognizing that there is no "self" to kill or be killed invalidates such reactions, reframing meaninglessness as a freeing truth rather than a negative one. Value of business and family despite pointlessness: On a practical level, both business endeavors and family life are ultimately seen as pointless in the grand cosmic scheme, which is liberating because it allows one to pursue these activities for the inherent joy and experiences they bring, rather than a need for legacy. Enlightenment's effect on emotion: Enlightenment doesn't make a person devoid of emotions. Rather, it enriches emotional life by allowing one to fully experience and appreciate emotions in the present moment without being controlled by them. Monastic lifestyle not required for enlightenment: Enlightenment is about inner realization, not about assuming a particular lifestyle like that of a monk, unless one personally finds it meaningful. Aligning lifestyle choices with inner understanding is emphasized. Ego's contradiction to survival: The ego, being an illusion, is not necessary for survival and can in fact threaten survival through harmful behaviors. Letting go of the ego can lead to improved quality of life and better chances for thriving. Ego's lack of positive qualities: Enlightenment teaches that the ego is completely illusory and does not inherently have positive or negative aspects. Good things in life are not the result of the ego; they can exist without it. Misconceptions about losing the good in life: Enlightenment does not mean losing the valuable aspects of your life like family, relationships, or achievements. These are not directly created by the 'self' or ego, but are aspects of life that exist independently of our perceived control or creation. Enlightenment and motivation: Becoming enlightened does not equate to a loss of motivation or turning into a dispassionate individual. Rather, enlightenment helps eliminate neurotic obligations, enabling a person to pursue authentic desires and more genuinely aligned activities. False motivations and enlightenment: Enlightenment helps to dissolve false motivations driven by societal expectations. If business or success does not resonate with your true self, enlightenment enables you to let go and seek what genuinely fulfills you, possibly even increasing motivation if those pursuits are authentically desired. Inherent nature of motivation: Motivations stem from the body and the unconscious mind rather than from a 'self'. Enlightenment may change motivation, but does not eliminate it, as the feeling of being motivated does not originate from the ego, which enlightenment reveals to be an illusion. Enlightenment and self-actualization: Enlightenment does not negate self-actualization or self-help; it represents the advanced stages of personal development. Lower levels of self-improvement are necessary steps on the journey towards enlightenment. The role of self-help in relation to enlightenment: Depending on one's stage of personal development, self-help may still be relevant. For those dealing with basic life problems, self-help advice is useful. However, as one progresses, the focus might shift towards practices that advance spiritual growth and release of ego. Leo's personal development journey: Leo acknowledges his own continued journey towards enlightenment and the value of self-help in his life, illustrating that while one may understand they are in the 'matrix', practical aspects of self-help remain beneficial until higher levels of enlightenment practice are reached. Engagement with Leo's work: Leo welcomes interaction with his content through comments, likes, and shares, and suggests signing up for his newsletter for further insights on personal development and enlightenment topics. He emphasizes the balance of exploring both basic and advanced stages of personal growth. Riddikulus

You guys clearly understand the concept of being pushed to the limit of exploding after years and decades of trauma but then can't seem to apply this same concept to the Palestinians or for what Hamas did on October 7th which yes - was horrible. Were women truly oppressed under patriarchy - was the feminist movement including the suffragettes in England who vandalised buildings and committed arson justified in fighting for women's right to vote? The level of resistance will be in line with the level of oppression. When describing situations it doesn't have to be the most absolute use of a word to apply as people can be partially metaphorical to make the point. Like when people refer to Gaza as a open air prison - it isn't true in its most literal sense but partially true in the sense that freedom of movement and restrictions exist for Gaza. If we're talking international law then definitions require more precision to be used and applied (genocide, ethnic cleansing for example). Otherwise, certain words are used as analogous to make a point. A revolt or resistance doesn't have to exclusively be only to the most extreme absolute versions of oppression and it doesn't deny the fact that some form of oppression is occurring that needs resisting to. Ethnic cleansing/displacement is still happening and has been for decades - they aren't supposed to resist that? When people are denied a state their denied a certain type of more 'civilised' and accepted means of protection/deterrence - when a group of people don't have a military, navy, air force, intelligence agencies or the backing of a global superpower they need to resort to guerrilla warfare and other unsavoury uncivilised tactics like suicide or terrorist attacks - which they are then gaslighted as savages for and I get it, it is savage - but it doesn't detract from their cause being a just one of equal human rights, self determination and dignity even though they go about it in undignified unjust ways of which they have been left with little choice.

They invaded Russia because there was no other choice. Russia had already plans to invade Germany and it was just a matter of time. Russia already prepared for many years to invade Germany, thats what you will not learn in school because of propaganda. And you should not forget that Germany almost defeated russia so it was not a suicide mission.

There is no hell or heaven after you die. When you die, you die, that's it. If you want to be less depressed - you need to ask who is depressed? Is it you that is depressed or is it your body? It is your body that is depressed. You are not your body. Then who are you? You are not. You do not actually exist. When the body realizes it, then it lets go of it's belief in a seperate self and alongwith it goes your depression (and you). Instead of doing something stupid like committing suicide, if you have a great deathwish... then use all that energy to engage as much as possible in SELF INQUIRY.

The gist Ive gotten from leos videos about realizing youre god is that besides psychedelics there are no adequate means. However I am hestitant to use them (Ive used lsd, shrooms and DMT in the past, but to reach enlightenment Id need to keep using them for a while I think) because of having a family history of schizophrenia and my usage of antidepressants. Im interested in hearing if any people here have realized god through means other than psychedelics. So far Ive tried do nothing style meditation, mindfulness meditation, self enquiry and kriya yoga shortly, but I dont see myself reaching those levels of enlightenment with those techniques. The other thing I can think of to reach it is suicide but I will not be attempting that any time soon. Thanks for any help.

@Danioover9000 Lol, all in good faith. True, important we know what each of us means by our definitions or else we're just talking past each other. Doesn't it exist at the expense of never offering the other side a fair sovereign state that when they fight for the dignity of they're subjugated, oppressed and gaslighted for as savage. The military occupied area of West Bank which could possibly be their future state gets continually eaten away at through settlements - that's not a peaceful atmosphere for negotiations. From the river to the sea has different interpretations but in practice they have negotiated and come close to accepting recognised borders (not from the river to the sea) but these deals fell through on other details such as right of return, rights to resources (water), demilitarisation and the issue of still having Israeli security points within their 'sovereign' state. So Israel would always have the means to protect themselves but the Palestinians don't? Likuds charter also mentions from the river to the sea and that no other sovereignty will be recognised within it. On the contrary and in practical reality Israel has implemented that via military occupation and settlement expansion in the West Bank and now clearing out Gaza - that's actually from the river to the sea in practice and not just in ink. Palestinians have one of the highest literacy rates in the Arab world. West Bank is littered with check points and trouble for kids on the way to school not to mention delays and clashes which obviously restrict access - including permits restricting development of enough schools. I guess they are also preoccupied with securing their survival before higher aspirations of higher education like in Gaza where schools are routinely destroyed or damaged through periodic operations which btw the current destruction of schools only shifts these kids into what will probably come to be make shift camps where Hamas can more easily recruit motivated vengeful kids who've had loved ones die. Couldn't the October 7th atrocity likewise be provoked by past atrocities done to Palestinians. Just by the numbers alone they have suffered far more deaths than Israeli's and much more discrimination - this can never justify a genocide however and each life matters besides the numbers. The elderly politicians themselves aren't fighting yet it's 'old men who plan for wars that young men die for'. It is admirable of Israeli society to create a sense of national pride and unity (as long as that doesn't manifest in particularly ugly ethno-nationalistic ways) and the meaning that comes with that. 'Man dies for fiction more so than facts' - we are dreaming creatures that die more readily for symbols we attribute meaning to (a religion, a flag, a idea) The centre of gravity has moved much more right blurring the middle and aligning the society especially when it comes to this war and after October 7th. The polls showing Netanyahu popularity plummeting is good at least, though other troubling polls show over 75% believe in Gazan's leaving Gaza being a good idea or majority of Jews (80%) not caring for how much suffering Palestinians incur in the next phases of fighting: True they aren't oppressed to the level of a Warsaw ghetto or slaves and its silly of people to equate Israeli's to the Nazi's also. Again with how words are used it doesn't have to be the most absolute use of a word to apply as people can describe situations in metaphorical ways like when David Cameron called Gaza an open air prison in the past which isn't true in its most literal sense but partially true in the sense of freedom of movement and restrictions. If we're talking international law then definitions require more precision to be used and applied (genocide, ethnic cleansing for example). Otherwise, certain words are used as analogous to make a point. A revolt or resistance doesn't have to exclusively be only to the most extreme absolute versions of oppression and it doesn't deny the fact that some form of oppression is occurring that needs resisting and protesting to. Ethnic cleansing/displacement is still happening whether they live in a nice house or not - maybe it's worse if a family had a big house with a nice garden in West Bank which they get dispossessed of because their loss is greater - nonetheless a home is a home whether big or small. As for Gaza - they exercised their freewill and democracy which was overseen by 3rd parties and deemed a fair election but they made the mistake of using their freewill to choose the wrong party not as sympathetic to Israel/the West. When people are denied a state their denied a certain type of more civilised and accepted means of protection/deterrence - when a group doesn't have a military, navy, air force, tank units, intelligence agencies or the backing of a global superpower they need to resort to guerrilla warfare and other unsavoury uncivilised tactics for offence and defence like suicide or terrorist attacks - which they are then gaslighted as savages for and I get it, it is savage - but it doesn't detract from their cause being a just one of equal human rights, self determination and dignity even though they go about it in undignified unjust ways of which they have been left with little choice.

I see it in another way, A country that been tortured by a terror organization that traumatized thousands of children in shelters since 2000, murdered hundrets of Israelis in suicide bombing when their fellows refused any peace suggestion you can think of, causing Israel to do countless operations when hiding, using and disguising to civilians making the world put the pressure on the wrong side drawing Israel as an opressor when it doesn't deserve this, and in the end kills, rape, butches and kidnapp 1600 Israelis. Thats why Israel has been exploded. The moralizers can get down their mountain and visit here for couple of days or stay quiet. Enough is enough. Israel response might have flaws tactically but absolutely and utterly understandable to me.

@zazen Why they moved to the right? Because of the suicide bombing. Before that, half of the Israelis were highly into the negotiations and peace.