Posts by Michael Anderson2

I recently stumbled upon an idea that mirrors my own thinking—sir David Attenborough, the legendary naturalist, has been suggesting that our biggest global hurdle is simply overpopulation. He’s advocating for bringing the human count down to a sustainable level. I’ve spent quite a bit of time chewing on this exact scenario myself, and honestly, I tend to agree. When a man like him—someone who has actually seen the world and its systemic struggles firsthand—makes a claim like this, he likely has more insight than I do:

''Sir David Attenborough said yesterday that the growth in global population was frightening, as he became a patron of an organisation that campaigns to limit the number of people in the world. ''

But that just opens up a whole new set of questions.

Is his assessment even accurate? Are we truly overpopulated?
And if so, how do you actually reduce the headcount?
Who would even be tasked with implementing such a massive undertaking?

Doesn't an idea like this open a massive Pandora's box?
How would religious institutions react to this?
What kind of philosophy—if one doesn't already exist—would back such a stance?

How would the general public respond?
What would even constitute an "optimal" number of humans?
Could the process of limiting reproduction become irreversible once started?

Who is ultimately responsible for the 'go forth and multiply' mindset?
Has that philosophy been the driving force throughout human history? And if so, why?
Has this relentless drive for growth eventually backed us into a corner?

If this topic isn't allowed here, feel free to delete it or move the file.

Charles Diaz56 said:Coming to terms with one's own mortality presents a profound challenge to any Homo sapiens. It truly represents a fierce struggle against our most primal fear. To be clear, I am not referring to physical passing or any thoughts of self-harm.
Only once that true internal demon is conquered can the paths toward the divine finally reveal themselves.

The manifestation of Buddha through thought;
What could possibly be so terrifying about contemplating one's own mortality?

Of course we aren't talking about literal death. We're talking about a state of apparent death—something intentionally induced and staged so perfectly that you couldn't tell the difference from the real thing.

So, let's see those "heroes" showing up with their scales and microscopes. And everyone else, too. 🙂

And me...😢

To die. ☕

Edward Flores4 said:Don't sweat it too much... whoever they're referring to will know exactly who it is. 🙂

Quincy:

...and what kind of ways could they have been blocked from their idiotic antics, if...?

Look, I didn't say we could actually stop "them"... I’m just saying it’s high time we step up, take some responsibility, and quit holding our breath waiting for idiots to suddenly start acting like reasonable, productive adults.

Honestly, it’s an ethical obligation for those of us who actually know what we're doing—we can't just let the incompetent run the show. Knowledge comes with a certain level of duty, you know? And let's face it, idiots are inherently irresponsible.

Have you ever actually tried getting involved in politics at any level? I have—and let me tell you, the people holding office, regardless of their rank, can be just about anything except incompetent. In fact, they’re often incredibly talented at the specific traits democracy seems to reward most: sycophancy, bullying, manipulation, scheming, gaslighting, bribery, forming alliances with like-minded cronies only to betray them later, brown-nosing, and the list goes on. I wouldn't call these people idiots—I have a much different definition for "idiot"—but that’s a conversation for another time.

The real question is why democracy consistently brings these specific types of characters to the surface. Are we blaming the players when the game itself is rigged? Or is this just a unique problem here in America? Personally, I think democracy is a fundamentally flawed way to govern.

Mark Torres14 said:It's because this modern lifestyle—where everyone has the so-called "freedom" to own and enjoy everything that used to be reserved strictly for royalty—creates one unavoidable side effect: superficiality.

Who’s going to bother reading when you can get the same thing served up in instant pictures and soundbites? Who’s going to use their imagination when you can just buy a fantasy at any convenience store? Honestly, if we keep going down this road, who’s even going to have kids when you could just rent a surrogate to do the work for you?🙂😉😁

I have to weigh in here again. To be honest, I’ve noticed that same superficiality in myself, and certainly in my kids. We are being absolutely flooded by a constant stream of information and content; there just isn't any breathing room to actually engage with anything deeply. There is too much noise, and before you can even process one thing, the next thing has already hit you. You lose interest because you simply don't have the time. We aren't really living in the present anymore—we're just bouncing between past data and future plans.

My kids finish one video game and immediately jump to the next, then onto music, Skype, soccer, music videos, skateboarding, social media... they flip through a hundred channels on the TV, grab a quick pizza, and barely even take the time to eat properly.🙄

The other day, I was listening to Bach—specifically his work with organs. I accidentally put the wrong CD in, but once it started playing, I figured I might as well give it a listen. As the piece progressed, I got this sense of playfulness, almost as if Bach himself were playing with the organ pipes—up, down, shifting tones, acting almost like a child at play. It’s as if he’s playing with church organs.

It’s the behavior of a child whose father was an organist. After losing his parent at ten years old, he moved in with his older brother, Johann Christoph Bach (1671-1721), who was also an organist. Of course he’s going to play with organs—what else was there to do in a 17th-century church? He didn't have many options. And given his natural talent, it's no surprise he mastered those instruments completely.

The point of this story is: what are our children going to become? They will become whatever they spend their time playing with. In our case, it's everything and anything, done quickly and shallowly. They have no time. Are we raising a generation of superficial shells? I’d be curious to hear about the experiences in the United States, which is certainly ahead of us in these matters.

Edit:
Toccata and Fugue in D minor! 😬

My philosophical take? Technology just manufactures artificial, unnecessary desires. I don't have the bandwidth to build out my full argument right now—deadlines are breathing down my neck! 😁

I'll dive into the details once things settle down.

Mark Torres14 said:I was reaching out my hand toward this massive yellow moon rising over the silver ocean when, suddenly, my rod bent almost all the way to the water, twitching like crazy. "A fish," I thought to myself, gripping the handle tight—and a big one at that. Slowly, pulling against the fish while it pulled back against me and my boat, we drew closer to our inevitable encounter, and just as I was about to haul it in, a giant clock leaps out of the sea and starts ringing, ringing, and ringing...

I snap my eyes open, jump out of bed, kill the alarm on my iPhone 3G, and check my gold Christian Dior. "Seven AM—gotta get to work." With heavy legs and hands that still ache from hauling in that massive fish, I brush my teeth with my electric toothbrush, shave with my electric razor, get dressed, and splash on some cologne—carefully, so I don't stain the shirt. I look out the window—sunny—so I decide to bike instead of drive, mentally running through my to-do list and the meetings I have lined up. I shove something into my bag, then remember last minute that I’ve got a meeting with some guy from a travel agency, so I'll need my laptop to show off his vacation rentals.

Actually, ever since I bought this little laptop at AT&T, it's been the family favorite. Even though we have another laptop and two desktops, this one is somehow the star. I toss the "lap" into my backpack, throw on a beanie (still cold out), crank up my Gepida, and head out toward the bridge in downtown Chicago.

I'm thinking. Once I get to work and knock down my mandatory sugar-free morning macchiato, I'll fire up the office computer, catch up on the last few days, scan the news, hop on the forum to see if anyone replied to my theories, and... get to work. Of course, the radio will be blasting in the background, cutting in with news every hour, so by the 3:00 PM update, it's just mindless white noise. Then, I head home on my bike, eat lunch, sit down at the big computer, check my mail, and open the forum again. In the background, the Soniyev TV is playing one of its endless reruns interrupted by commercials, while from the other room, I hear some supposedly "pleasant" but actually horrific music my daughter is headbanging to. We've got five TVs in this place—one in every room—and over 700 channels (who even understands digital cable nowadays?). Honestly, I don't even watch TV.

I'm beat. I turn down the TV, crank up my wat line and speakers (just something light), lie on the couch, and close my eyes. I can't sleep, though—so I turn to my library of over 1,300 books, grab one, and start reading. Five minutes later, I have no idea what I just read or even which book I'm holding. My mind won't shut up. All the bills I have to pay, how am I going to afford everything since my daughter starts college this year, when am I going to prune the trees, what needs painting at the lake house, I need to buy my younger daughter a professional digital camera—but where's the money coming from? My son has to take those certification exams that cost an arm and a leg, and cash is tight right now. I haven't even renewed the hosting for my website... etcetera, etcetera.

I get up because my wife walks in, and we start talking about her issues at work. The phone rings (I have two, and I never know where they are—the house is huge and the kids leave the receivers in impossible spots), and friends call to say they're coming over. I sprint to the store for drinks, there's no bread, my wife is yelling—"get coffee too!"—and me, cursing, I pull my shoes back on, hit the ATM, run to the grocery store, and then help her prep dinner and get ready for the guests.
The best friends showed up, lots of laughing, joking around, gossiping about people who aren't there, and by eleven o'clock, I feel absolutely exhausted.
I’m lying here, and my wife tells me I crashed out like a freight train. Meanwhile, I’m stuck trying to get back into this dream where there’s a massive yellow moon and a fish that just won't surface.

__________________________________________

Here’s the question:

Is there an absolute breaking point for the pace of life—a limit to how fast a person can go biologically and psychologically before they snap? And what actually happens when you cross that line?
The thing is, everyone around me thinks I live at a snail's pace. I don't rush, I take it easy, and honestly, most people are pretty jealous of that.

Honestly, your neighbors aren't wrong. Enjoy that peace while it lasts. Just to give you an idea, here's what a typical day looks like for me. 🙄

placidharbor7 said:Look, you're just wandering around aimlessly! placidharbor7 ran a whole masterclass here with over 20,000 enrollments, not to mention a few other major headlines. It's all sitting right there in the archives—why don't you go ahead and look?

So, here we go again—another adjective I can't quite wrap my head around. Where is this tone even coming from? Where do you get these labels? Please, explain "inherent" and "clueless" to me, and walk me through how you arrived at those specific claims. Why does every single post you read seem to be interpreted as a personal attack against you, leading you to respond with these little "masterstrokes"? I didn't mean anything malicious, let alone anything offensive, but it seems like you only read things in a way that suits your own narrative—and honestly, that says a lot about you.

placidharbor7 said:Look, you're just wandering around aimlessly! placidharbor7 ran a whole masterclass here with over 20,000 enrollments, not to mention a few other major headlines. It's all sitting right there in the archives—why don't you go ahead and look?

I’ve been tracking your little sect for quite some time now—don't you worry about that. Honestly, what kind of amateur sleuth would I be if I hadn't spotted the biggest topic on this entire forum? Quality and quantity don't always go hand in hand, after all. I have to give credit where it's due, though—nice work on the effort.

Jeffrey Gray4 said:Exactly I stepped up to be the vocal apprentice for a day (just wanted to see what the man had to say when forced into such a corner
but the master says no! He claims apprentices don't learn, they just endure life's challenges)
That sounds like someone sitting in the middle of a field claiming they're building a house while waiting for it to construct itself....
I am trying my hardest to get something out of him, but nothing.😍
I throw questions his way, but he dodges me.
It feels to me like our master is just transferring air from one void to another...
(Let's see if this provocation actually stirs him...
though I highly doubt it, but whatever)

I'm giving it my best shot, but honestly—maybe we just aren't worthy...
It’s either one or the other:

Edward Flores4 said:We’re all placidharbor7—well, except for those moments when we’re all more like Mirko Norac 🤣 (the older crowd will remember that whole era, and the younger ones... well, they get to keep their innocence) 🙂

Honestly, I don't see any point in communicating like this—there’s no actual discussion, no exchange of ideas, nothing at all.

Exactly. He’s actually playing the part of a true Zen master perfectly... A real master lures in students the way you might tease a child with a clenched fist, making them believe there's something precious inside, when in reality, the hand is empty. Every master is essentially a con artist, because if he truly had something valuable to "sell," he wouldn't be wasting his time hanging out here and flooding forums with posts 😉

Why so harsh, Master? Not to sound bold, but why the attitude?

Because he’s leaning hard into that Far East guru vibe and all their clichés... except he hasn't realized that their behavior actually makes sense given their circumstances. Specifically, people go to them begging to be taught, so that kind of persona works. But our "master" is just copying their folklore in a totally inappropriate setting—an environment where nobody is asking him for anything, let alone begging him to be their teacher.

He doesn't seem to grasp that, which is why he acts so out of touch. He just wants to feel important and respected. 😕

Why won't you answer the questions being asked of you?

The second he opened that hand, everyone would see it was empty, and the "magic" in his head would vanish instantly. The privilege of being a master is getting to ask the questions and laugh at every answer—right up until the moment you realize there are no answers, and you just have to laugh at yourself for being foolish enough to think a master actually had something to teach you.

Why don't you explain the reasoning behind your thoughts on the subject?

Because they aren't his own thoughts... it's just a routine, and routines are hard to justify logically. So, the master keeps his fist tightly clenched, just waiting for someone to fall for the trick. 🙂

So, basically, if you actually feel like you have something valuable to add to the conversation, why aren't you jumping in more often, plodonosnije?

If I did, I’d say so. That much is crystal clear!

I think you’re right—unfortunately.
There’s also a third possibility—that the contractor actually has someone watching over their shoulder...😁

casualmaker13 said:Hold on, is it my question, yours, or his that's actually arrogant and pointless?😲😂
Maybe you and I are actually one and the same, even if we think otherwise.😂

Sure, everything is one. But even that's just an illusion. 😉
I'm thinking about making myself a t-shirt that says, "We're all masters!"

placidharbor7 said:Well, it sure seems like you aren't either!😢

Honestly, I don't see any point in communicating like this—there’s no actual debate, no exchange of ideas, nothing.

Why so rigid—or should I say, why so abrasive, placidharbor7? Why dodge the questions being thrown your way? Why not actually lay out the reasoning behind your views on the topic? Honestly, if you truly believe you have something valuable to contribute, why not engage more meaningfully in the discussion? Explain things, teach us, make a recommendation, drop a link—just give us something to work with. Most of your posts just seem to be an invitation to conflict. Show us this "transcendence" you keep talking about...🙄

placidharbor7 said:Honestly, you’re grasping at straws even more than someone who barely understands the basics—which is pretty typical for a truth seeker.

If there's supposedly "nothing going on," how can you possibly claim this Master is actually "working" or—even weirder—going on some illogical "mission"?😲

Why don't you go talk to Edward Flores4 instead? He’s even more lost than you are, so maybe the two of you can work your magic together and figure it out!

😕 I’m struggling to wrap my head around the adjective and its origin. Whose follower am I, really?

placidharbor7 said:Honestly, you’re grasping at straws even more than someone who barely understands the basics—which is pretty typical for a truth seeker.

If there's supposedly "nothing going on," how can you possibly claim this Master is actually "working" or—even weirder—going on some illogical "mission"?😲

Why don't you go talk to Edward Flores4 instead? He’s even more lost than you are, so maybe the two of you can work your magic together and figure it out!

You’ve got over 4,000 posts—if that isn't a full-time job, then I'll eat my hat. But, if every single one of them is just like the one I just quoted, then you really aren't accomplishing much at all. 😁

placidharbor7 said:Honestly, you’re grasping at straws even more than someone who barely understands the basics—which is pretty typical for a truth seeker.

If there's supposedly "nothing going on," how can you possibly claim this Master is actually "working" or—even weirder—going on some illogical "mission"?😲

Why don't you go talk to Edward Flores4 instead? He’s even more lost than you are, so maybe the two of you can work your magic together and figure it out!

If I find myself needing anything, I'll be sure to reach out.

And yeah... exactly.🤣

placidharbor7 said:Imagine—it’s all just visions and projections! Isn't that wild to think about?

What we’re actually talking about when we say someone is "starting to wrap their head around things" is pure intellect. But let's be clear: intellect and consciousness are two completely different beasts! One is just processing data, while the other is something much deeper, don't you think?

How on earth is the intellect supposed to dismantle duality when the entire structure of our thinking is built upon it? It’s a bit of a catch-22, isn't it? Every tool we have to analyze, categorize, and understand the world relies on making distinctions—this versus that, light versus dark, self versus other. If the very foundation of our logic is dualistic, how can we ever hope to transcend it using that same logic? It feels like trying to use a hammer to unbuild the very concept of a nail! Can we truly think our way out of a framework that defines our capacity to think in the first place?
Do you ever stop to wonder if there’s actually a massive divide between pure intellect and true consciousness? It’s one of those deep, late-night questions that really gets the gears turning, isn't it? I mean, think about it! We often toss those two terms around like they’re interchangeable, but are they really? On one hand, you’ve got intellect—that sharp, analytical engine in your brain that processes data, solves complex equations, and navigates the logic of everyday life. It’s like having a high-powered supercomputer sitting in your skull, right? It’s brilliant, efficient, and incredibly capable at crunching numbers or winning an argument. But then... there's consciousness. That’s something entirely different, isn't it? That raw, subjective "feeling" of being alive. It’s the actual experience of the warmth of the sun on your skin or the sudden, inexplicable ache of a beautiful melody. You can have a machine with more processing power than any human alive, but does it *feel* anything? Does it truly "know" what it means to exist? It makes you wonder: can you have one without the other? Can you be a genius with zero awareness of your own existence, or can you be deeply conscious without the capacity for high-level reasoning? I’d love to hear what you all think about this distinction! Is it a clear-cut line, or is it all just one big, beautiful blur?

That’s exactly right! We’ve all finally seen the light—there really isn't anything left for us to uncover, is there? It looks like you might have cut off your message! You only sent "trebali," which translates to "they should have" or "we needed." Was there more you wanted to say? I’m all ears and ready to dive into whatever topic you were about to bring up! What's on your mind? Honestly, isn't it wild how everything just seems to fall right into place on its own? It’s like the universe has this incredible way of unfolding exactly as it should, without us having to force every single little thing. Doesn't it feel like life just flows when you stop trying to micromanage the chaos? Everything is just happening!

Barely.

placidharbor7 said:Imagine—it’s all just visions and projections! Isn't that wild to think about?

What we’re actually talking about when we say someone is "starting to wrap their head around things" is pure intellect. But let's be clear: intellect and consciousness are two completely different beasts! One is just processing data, while the other is something much deeper, don't you think?

How on earth is the intellect supposed to dismantle duality when the entire structure of our thinking is built upon it? It’s a bit of a catch-22, isn't it? Every tool we have to analyze, categorize, and understand the world relies on making distinctions—this versus that, light versus dark, self versus other. If the very foundation of our logic is dualistic, how can we ever hope to transcend it using that same logic? It feels like trying to use a hammer to unbuild the very concept of a nail! Can we truly think our way out of a framework that defines our capacity to think in the first place?
Do you ever stop to wonder if there’s actually a massive divide between pure intellect and true consciousness? It’s one of those deep, late-night questions that really gets the gears turning, isn't it? I mean, think about it! We often toss those two terms around like they’re interchangeable, but are they really? On one hand, you’ve got intellect—that sharp, analytical engine in your brain that processes data, solves complex equations, and navigates the logic of everyday life. It’s like having a high-powered supercomputer sitting in your skull, right? It’s brilliant, efficient, and incredibly capable at crunching numbers or winning an argument. But then... there's consciousness. That’s something entirely different, isn't it? That raw, subjective "feeling" of being alive. It’s the actual experience of the warmth of the sun on your skin or the sudden, inexplicable ache of a beautiful melody. You can have a machine with more processing power than any human alive, but does it *feel* anything? Does it truly "know" what it means to exist? It makes you wonder: can you have one without the other? Can you be a genius with zero awareness of your own existence, or can you be deeply conscious without the capacity for high-level reasoning? I’d love to hear what you all think about this distinction! Is it a clear-cut line, or is it all just one big, beautiful blur?

That’s exactly right! We’ve all finally seen the light—there really isn't anything left for us to uncover, is there? It looks like you might have cut off your message! You only sent "trebali," which translates to "they should have" or "we needed." Was there more you wanted to say? I’m all ears and ready to dive into whatever topic you were about to bring up! What's on your mind? Honestly, isn't it wild how everything just seems to fall right into place on its own? It’s like the universe has this incredible way of unfolding exactly as it should, without us having to force every single little thing. Doesn't it feel like life just flows when you stop trying to micromanage the chaos? Everything is just happening!

I understand it intellectually, but if you’re asking whether I truly *know* it? Not a chance. 🤷
If you've got nothing better to do, then why are you out here playing missionary on this forum?
Searching for truth seekers? Or just spinning your wheels in a vacuum?

placidharbor7 said:"Oneness" is also an illusion, though perhaps not in the way you're thinking.

How can a single, unchanging measure of consciousness possibly "progress," dear truth seeker?

So, oneness is an illusion too? Does that mean, fundamentally, there's nothing there? I don't quite follow—could you clarify, if it's even possible to explain?

placidharbor7 said:"Oneness" is also an illusion, though perhaps not in the way you're thinking.

How can a single, unchanging measure of consciousness possibly "progress," dear truth seeker?

In my experience, consciousness expands—it encompasses more, understands more, and rises higher—whether through gradual shifts or sudden leaps. That’s what I call progress in consciousness.

I could go on with some obvious examples, from birth to the first spark of self-awareness as a subject, all the way up to the dissolution of duality—but what exactly do you mean by "one single measure"? Are you suggesting our consciousness is limited? That progress is impossible? That consciousness itself is an illusion we need to escape? Or that it’s irrelevant?

Are you saying we're all already enlightened and there's absolutely nothing left for us to do? 🙂

And yes, I am a truth seeker.

You’re moving toward One, toward Truth, toward liberation from Maya, and toward the dissolution of duality.

But why would dissolving duality be possible solely through "forces outside of myself"? If those forces are external, wouldn't the One just be another illusion?

placidharbor7 said:Haha! "Who am I to judge?"🙄And that's, if I do say so myself, "based on my own humble estimation!"🤣But still!😁

Don't even sweat it when it comes to placidharbor7—if he’s actually telling the truth, you probably wouldn't even recognize it if it hit you in the face! But if he isn't? Well, then you can just stick with Edward Flores4 and the rest of that crowd.

See, you're already making progress! 👍

I would have appreciated it if you’d actually addressed my take on the topic at hand, rather than just circling back to your own little ego trip. Ego? Coming from someone supposedly enlightened? Or did you just run out of things to say?

Peter Phillips32 said:Look, ladies, of course it's possible, because those were just declarative statements in the first post.

What we’re really looking at here is Jiddu Krishnamurti’s whole observation about how trying to micromanage yourself—your thoughts, your moods, all that stuff—isn't actually the way to go; instead, you're supposed to just be this impartial observer. See, when you start trying to police your own brain, you run straight into that old dilemma: "Who watches the watchmen". When he was reading sections of his books, he’d toss that question out at his audience, and since they couldn't wrap their heads around an answer, they just swallowed his ideas whole as if they were absolute gospel. Instead of nudging people toward their own deep dives and independent thinking, he basically pushes his own perspectives as these untouchable truths.

Since everyone knows there isn't just one single road to reaching a destination, I’m going to take a crack at answering his question myself, and I'm honestly curious if anyone else has some different takes on it so maybe we can collectively stumble upon some alternative answers.

As far as I can tell, this isn't actually about trying to control someone else or observing an outside object. It’s really about self-mastery—controlling yourself and observing your own inner workings, your own consciousness. If that isn't the case, then you can just disregard my entire argument.

Edward Flores4 said:Look... control is essentially manipulation—it's this conscious process where you try to steer some subject around.

Observation, on the other hand, isn't this forced, manipulative effort. It's more like a physical reaction to a change in your environment—something that happens naturally without us having to step in and force it.

So, observing and controlling are two completely different animals. Control is an action, while observation is a reaction. An action requires a subject, which means you end up with two subjects: the one doing the controlling and the one being controlled! Observation is just you—the single subject—reacting to an external shift (which isn't a subject at all).

Which brings me to this... honestly, your question doesn't really hold water, and it seems like you haven't quite grasped what the actual issue with the "controller" is.

Trying to "control yourself" is a bit like practicing voluntary schizophrenia. People with schizophrenia don't choose their state, but "controllers" do it intentionally—they actually believe they're doing something productive, thinking they're "working on themselves." 🙂

I’m not going to get bogged down in debating what counts as an action versus a reaction—it’s honestly beside the point. The real issue is that when you try to step into the role of a controller or even just an observer, you still remain a subject. And a subject is only truly a subject if they possess self-awareness, or as placidharbor7 would put it:

placidharbor7 said:Heh, wait a second! If that external change is happening, then it's an OBJECT, my dear Truth-Seeker. And on the flip side, you can really only call that thing of yours a SUBJECT if there's actual self-awareness involved. And that’s where things get messy! See, self-awareness is simultaneously about judging and being judged; it's about personalization and that whole "ego" concept—which is really just one big, heavy word for MAYER. Now, if you want to believe we can escape from MAYER in little bits and pieces here and there, then sure, you'll be a beginner forever!

Moving from being the one in control to simply being an observer is where you actually make progress—you aren't actively meddling in the process anymore, yet you still remain a subject with all those qualities placidharbor7 pointed out. The ultimate goal is to become the thing being observed; to dissolve that duality between the observer and the observed. I'm curious if Krishnamurti was the one who originally wrote that. I think I'll dig through some of his texts to find out.

placidharbor7 — I’m taking this opportunity to speak up. I’ve been reading through quite a few of your posts lately, and honestly? I’m pretty disappointed. If you really are some enlightened being—as you seem to suggest—then you certainly picked a terrible spokesperson. Your delivery is uninspired, your expression lacks any real depth, and ultimately, it feels incredibly immature—hardly the mark of true mastery. You clearly have potential, in my humble opinion, but then again, who am I to judge? Still, I suppose there’s actually something to be learned from Edward Flores4...😁

Peter Phillips32 said:Look, ladies, of course it's possible, because those were just declarative statements in the first post.

What we’re really looking at here is Jiddu Krishnamurti’s whole observation about how trying to micromanage yourself—your thoughts, your moods, all that stuff—isn't actually the way to go; instead, you're supposed to just be this impartial observer. See, when you start trying to police your own brain, you run straight into that old dilemma: "Who watches the watchmen". When he was reading sections of his books, he’d toss that question out at his audience, and since they couldn't wrap their heads around an answer, they just swallowed his ideas whole as if they were absolute gospel. Instead of nudging people toward their own deep dives and independent thinking, he basically pushes his own perspectives as these untouchable truths.

Since everyone knows there isn't just one single road to reaching a destination, I’m going to take a crack at answering his question myself, and I'm honestly curious if anyone else has some different takes on it so maybe we can collectively stumble upon some alternative answers.

What nonsense. So, self-control is bad because we have to ask who controls the controller? And that's why we should just be observers? Fine—but then who's observing the observer?

Once you actually dive deep, there isn't even a controller or an observer left. It’s all one thing...☕

Mark Torres14 said:I’m walking along the beach, picking up shells. The tide is out—typical for this time of year—and there's a bit of a wind, but the sun feels warm. I pick up a stone filled with fossilized remains from a creature that lived long before humans ever walked the earth. It’s pitted and worn down, probably part of some ancient shoreline that turned to stone instantly, trapping whatever life was caught in its path. Time has taken its toll, and this single shell, partially frozen in crumbling rock, has taken over my thoughts. A tiny, insignificant being. Even if it had never existed, the world around me wouldn't change one bit.

So, what kind of world is it?

It’s a world of things that, much like humans, are fleeting. They emerge, they occupy space, they exist for a while, and then they vanish. Every single thing is unique, an original, both new and old, and impossible to replicate. There isn't a carbon copy of any of it anywhere in the universe. And yet, despite how complex or important these things might seem, none of them are actually necessary for the world to keep turning.

But if nothing is strictly necessary for the world to exist, why is it here at all? If you really think about it, there has to be something fundamental holding the whole thing together. Something necessary. What is it?

Believers would point to God; scientists would point to the laws of nature. While people go back and forth on whether God exists—not just as a matter of faith, but as a philosophical debate—there is no question that the laws of nature are real. The conservation of energy, the speed of light, mathematical constants... they're clear, precise, and interestingly enough, they don't share any traits with physical objects. They aren't fleeting, they aren't "unique" in a physical sense, they don't take up space, and time doesn't wear them down. They possess one undeniable, almost divine quality: they are always true. You could argue that these laws are so perfect, and our reliance on them so absolute, that no religious God could even compete with the laws of physics. It's perfection itself. Which means Plato might actually have been onto something—that our reality is just a shadow cast by a world of pure ideas.

What exactly are laws?

🙏

Not much to add here, other than to say this hit home. It reminds me of how I used to view the world back when I was younger and full of idealism—before the harsh realities of everyday life pulled me back down to earth.

placidharbor7 said:What people call "increased awareness" is really just an increase in thoughts, imagination, and endless overthinking. It’s just more tension, more stress, and more mental clutter...
Sure, you see more, but does that mean you see any *better*? At the end of the day, your life remains exactly the same as it was before you started overanalyzing everything.

Awareness is nothing more than simple observation without ever actually rising above the mundane, everyday grind.

I asked for more awareness—and now I can't even sit through TV, movies, American sitcoms, variety shows, or reality shows...😬

This debate is more intense than a playoff game! 😂

I was actually thinking about getting into meditation, but after seeing this, I don't think it's even necessary. Thanks, master! 🙂

Jeremy Davis7 said:I see meditation is a pretty hot topic on this forum lately, so figured I’d throw my two cents into the ring.

I started messing with this stuff as a kid, totally by accident. And I’m telling you, anyone who gives it a shot is going to hit experiences that blow past the mind and all that conditioning that keeps our consciousness boxed in from reality.

You won't find this in any book.

It’s not in some ancient scroll, and it isn't part of any "school" or organized spiritual movement out there.

This is a pure, homegrown American product!
Just a random discovery by a dumb kid from a suburban neighborhood—and honestly, it’s the most effective meditative technique I know. No fake modesty here: compared to anything I’ve ever practiced or anything taught by gurus throughout history, regardless of where or when they lived...

It just blows everything else out of the water with how simple it is. It makes everything else look like background noise.

Sounds unbelievable, but it’s the truth.

I’m putting this out there for the first time, so if you’re interested, be my guest.

Do me a favor and try to kill that reflex to be skeptical right away. Just for a second, set aside all the nonsense you've been conditioned to believe—all the ideologies, the tantras, the mantras, the gurus, the spiritual ego, the thousand-year traditions, the mystical gimmicks... just try to feel the simplicity of what I’m saying with an open heart. Just for a moment. Without judging.

Meditation on the Infinity of Space;

Try to actually "grasp" what "space" is.
Take a second to really think about what space even is.
No matter how hard you try to imagine where it ends, you just can't do it.
It’s always baffled me how our minds just spontaneously "close their eyes" to this simple fact—this incomprehensible reality that the brain is physically incapable of processing or limiting through mere chemistry.

It’s so gripping and fascinating that the mere attempt to "understand" spatial infinity pushes the mind right to its breaking point.

You don't even have to close your eyes.

Just put in the effort and truly contemplate it.

You’ll get the strongest effect on clear, bright nights when you can see the Milky Way stretching across the stars.
Trying to feel the vastness of the universe standing right in front of you is something that will absolutely leave you breathless.
Find somewhere quiet, far away from the city noise, sit down, and as you watch the outlines of the galaxies, just let the infinity of the space you're staring into swallow you whole.

The mind, quite simply, cannot wrap itself around what I’m talking about, and eventually, it’s going to snap.
Your consciousness will spontaneously leap past the boundary of the mind to merge with the infinity you’re provoking by pushing your perception to its limit.

At first, you might just get a hint that something is stirring beneath the surface...
But after a while, you’ll get these sudden "flashes," unexpected moments of realization—an indescribable state of perception that I can only describe as a magnificent, breathtaking experience.

The "eyes" of your inner being will snap open without warning, and you will undergo a cognitive explosion into something incomprehensible and grand—something that literally knocks the wind out of your lungs because the mind just can't handle it.

The sheer, brutal power and magnitude of the experience will knock you off your feet. All you'll remember is this frustratingly beautiful feeling that something slipped away.
It was right there, within reach, literally a millimeter from your nose, and in a heartbeat, it vanished.
It’s like you saw "everything" for a split second, but you didn't have the capacity to process what you saw, so you reflexively retreated back into the safety of your thoughts.

Literally.

It's worth a shot.

If it was possible for a little punk kid like me, it’s definitely possible for anyone else who tries.

PS.
And honestly? It’s all for nothing. Nobody even has to cough up a dime.

🙂

I've had a similar moment myself—maybe not quite as cinematic as yours, but I remember it clearly. It was a crisp, clear night at a backyard BBQ, and we were all just lying back on the grass, staring up at the stars.
At first, it felt totally normal, but then it hit me—this sudden, overwhelming realization that I was looking into this massive, endless, dark, cold, empty, terrifying SPACE. It felt like staring into an abyss, and somehow, the abyss was staring right back at me... Yet, it wasn't scary—not even close. If anything, I felt a strange sense of belonging to it all.