Posts by slymaker9

briskraven28 said:It seems that way to me too. Furthermore, there’s this frequent insinuation within spiritual circles that intuition is somehow distinct—even contrary—to intelligence. What is intelligence, exactly? It is the capacity to navigate new situations, the ability to solve problems, the sensitivity to recognize them... even the ability to "invent" complex problems just to devise sophisticated solutions when things are going well. Therefore, intuition *is* intelligence; intelligence is mental acuity and insight. Since spirituality is ostensibly based on some shallow preconception of intuition, it serves merely as a smokescreen for lower capability and diminished intelligence—because a truly intelligent person is necessarily more spiritual. And what happens next? How could types like Coelho, Tolle, various Cardinals, priests, psychics, Buddhas, gurus, or any other "ascetic" advocates of a spirituality that excludes everything (which it does by declaring itself "spiritual") manage to fleece their little flock? There is no greater spirituality than simply being oneself. 😁 If these so-called believers actually read the New Testament, they would see that Jesus was essentially saying the same thing—great minds think alike 😍...

Since standard IQ tests primarily measure logical-mathematical and sometimes verbal-linguistic abilities, everyday conversation has conditioned us to view those specific traits as the sole definition of intelligence. That represents intelligence in the classical sense. When we look at intuition, researchers attempt to measure it through specialized testing, yet they rarely include it in mathematical or verbal metrics; instead, it is occasionally categorized under bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.

If spirituality is supposedly based on some superficial notion of intuition, then it serves as nothing more than a smokescreen for lower cognitive ability and diminished intelligence, because a highly intelligent person would inherently be more spiritual. And what is the result? How could figures like Coelho, Tolle, various Cardinals, priests, fortune tellers, Buddhas, or other "ascetics" and proponents of this exclusionary spirituality—which excludes everything by labeling itself "spiritual"—ever profit from their followers? There is no greater spirituality than being true to oneself. 😁 If these so-called believers actually read the New Testament, they would see that Jesus was essentially saying the same thing (great minds think alike😍).

I don't quite follow the bolded section regarding the superficiality of intuition acting as a cover; I have never encountered the argument that intelligence and ability are inversely proportional to spirituality. I have heard calls for humility and renunciation, but certainly not the claim that they share an inverse relationship.
Regarding intuition: even if we aren't entirely certain of its exact mechanics, that doesn't make it a superficial preconception. The issue might simply be the difficulty of verbalizing certain experiences.
Take vision, for example. It isn't easy to describe every single detail of what a person sees using only words; it is far simpler to present one's perception to others through a painting.

placidranger said:I think that's a pretty romanticized view of the past.
I don't buy the idea that people were more fulfilled back then—there's no reason to believe that. They suffered and struggled just like we do today. It was survival of the fittest, plain and simple. Occasional wars, droughts, famines—it’s essentially the same as what we face now.

So, what has progress actually given us? Sure, life is easier and more convenient in many ways, but we're being bombarded with information. We're constantly told we can't live without every single thing on the market, all while being categorized, ranked, and labeled.
At its core, we've been turned into tools serving capital. Even those who hold the wealth end up as instruments of it—eventually, the money takes control, overriding the person who supposedly owns it.
Capital has become God and the whip on this planet.

remained... capital has always driven the world.

Modern man is unhappy, alienated, exhausted, and drained, despite all the massive advancements that progress has provided.
To me, it seems we are more miserable, more tired, more depleted, and more isolated than ever before.
We've severed our ties with nature, with God, with other people, and ultimately, with our own essence.
Is progress a revolution that will eventually consume its own children?

The only thing that strikes me as truly critical is this growing detachment from one another. That's where the real trouble lies if it continues... humans are social creatures; we crave community. Solitude is rare for a reason.

People performed much more physical labor than we do today. Humans are biologically designed for a combination of physical and mental exertion. That is why people pay expensive memberships for gyms and aerobics classes nowadays. Back then, people faced genuine existential crises. Today, some people experience a crisis over the specific shade or tone of their hair color. It isn't disputable that mortality rates were higher, child mortality was greater, and life was objectively less comfortable... But today, people constantly obsess over trivialities and make a drama out of every minor inconvenience.
In those days, problems were real problems. Now, we are anxious about all sorts of nonsense, just as if our only cow had died and we had six kids to feed at home.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64K2gfKunog
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpQyg9z14a4
For instance, my grandfather lost his leg in a quarry and simply carried on with his life; he went to the fields, worked, and provided for the family. I am not saying it wasn't a tragedy or that it didn't impact the whole family, but he kept living.
Interestingly, I recently met the grandson of the owner of that same quarry, and it turns out he also lost a leg in that same quarry.
Life was harder, less comfortable, and crueler, but it was more natural and less artificial.
Today, everyone claims to be stressed, and they are—due to an excess of everything (demands from others, desires, lack of time, information overload) and the sheer velocity of modern life.
Previously, you were stressed due to legitimate, natural reasons: a death in the family, losing your livelihood, facing violence, or falling ill...
Quincy:

remained... and capitalism was already driving the country.

True, but it didn't have the speed we have now. Modern technology has massively amplified capital and its mobility and penetration.

I think the only significant issue is the isolation of individuals from one another. That is what could cause real problems if it continues... humans are social creatures built for community, and solitude is rare.

Then there are environmental issues (pollution, water purity, ozone...), increased life expectancy affecting pension and healthcare systems, and modern viral diseases...
🤷

Edit: Looking strictly at the role of offspring, I must say that the social standing of women today is incomparably better; there is no debate about that.

@tt
In the US, there are various non-profits dedicated to inclusion and promoting social integration, aiming to help people with disabilities break out of isolation and participate more fully in society.
As for those without any disabilities, the prevailing principle is much more blunt: "it's a dog-eat-dog world—sink or swim."

People need to vent about their relationship issues once in a while; otherwise, they’ll just sit there acting like their feelings were mortally wounded.
tt misses Tarzan, but everything else is fine by her.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pffYEIgCOs
A total nobody... ugh.
Anyway, here is a pro for you:

Ronald Rogers27 said:Fine. I'll make sure to steer clear of your topics. Just do me a favor and don't go cloning mine—it’s like looking at a distorted reflection in a funhouse mirror.

Nothing personal, I just don't want to mess up your flow... 👍

Ronald Rogers27

Honestly, you're such a cheapskate; no wonder women don't seem to get you.😂

Man, this thread is already drifting into off-topic territory, and it's still so new. 😢
@nobody
It isn't quite total alienation, more like an emotional distance—an emotional divorce, if you will. Anyway, fine.
In any case, I don't have anything against you personally.
While this topic does touch upon relationships and love, that feels like a tangent, especially since we're getting into specific personal experiences. If you want to keep discussing those things, I'd ask you and tt to move the discussions regarding romantic successes, failures, and ambitions over to that thread about evil. Even though that one is technically off-topic too, it has basically turned into a confession booth. 😁

As far as staying on this specific topic goes, you are both more than welcome.🙂

Nancy Peterson3 said:Hey there, pioneer. 😬

That’s why I mentioned earlier that some people are pioneers, while others are just followers who go along with whatever everyone else decides.

Well, I guess the pioneers know best—no point in me trying to act smart by stating the obvious, right? 🥳

I wouldn't call myself a pioneer. That’s more of an engineer's trait.
The real question is whether our early innovators overreached—perhaps getting carried away in good faith—and ended up messing things up for everyone. 😬

Here is what my friend Tom Hanks thinks about it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWsVbneJiyk

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go use my steamer. Honestly, I don't know how I managed without it. 😂

Nancy Peterson3 said:My great-great-great-great-grandchild will probably be the one to answer that question for you...😁

Some people actually take the time to gather data, analyze trends, and refine their insights to predict what comes next. You clearly aren't one of them.

You’re the type who just waits to see which way the wind blows before deciding where to go.
That’s a valid way to live, I suppose.
Which is why I mentioned earlier that some people are pioneers, while others are merely followers, simply adapting to the world as others shape it for them.

Nancy Peterson3 said:And one could easily just isolate themselves and pull away from the rest of society 😁 I’m thinking of various retreats, monasteries, or even communes...

Actually, I’ve lost my train of thought here 🤔 I was talking about a very human trait I notice all around me—specifically that "the human heart always needs something; it's never truly satisfied" and that this exact impulse is what drove the "progress"—or rather, the evolution—of our modern American civilization 🤷

The truth is, we don't actually need much—three meals a day is probably overkill, you can get through a day without the internet, you can even sleep on a wooden floor... yet, because of that constant drive to improve, we've arrived at this age of convenience, technology, and scientific advancement.

Exactly. So the question remains: have we overstepped at some point? Has the beast broken free from its leash, dominating us until we became slaves to it while it pulls the strings? Or does the individual still hold the reins? Is progress simply a revolution destined to consume its own children?

Nancy Peterson3 said:I feel the same way 😬—that’s really just the starting point for my broader theory. 😁

What can I say? Honestly, it seems we’re never quite satisfied. 🤷 Maybe I’m overthinking things and applying this whole philosophy to trivial matters, but it feels like people are never happy with "enough"—they've never been. There's always this constant drive to get more, and more, and more. Whether it's pure curiosity or something else entirely, I'm not sure; I just think the hardest part is learning to be content with what we have. That’s why I’m focusing on that one specific sentence of yours—it just doesn't seem to hold up to scrutiny. 🤔

I don't think we can make a blanket statement here.
Certain individuals are more ambitious, greedier, more inquisitive, more intelligent, or braver—they act as pioneers and pull the rest of society toward what they perceive as a goal. Meanwhile, others are often simply forced to adapt to the reality that has already been established.

Ronald Rogers27 said:You women... when you phrase it like that, it sounds almost sweet: one of the implicit motivations within a complicated incentive mechanism. 😍

My view is that a Man needs to distance himself first. He needs to sort out his own context and find peace within himself before he can truly integrate with society. A Man who breaks free from those external pressures is way more motivated and fulfilled than someone trying to survive in a broken community, clinging to the illusion that he's actually in control of his life.

I wasn't trying to criticize you. I just wanted to point out that you might be unconsciously adopting my ideas within this whole complex spiritual motivation thing. 😬

Ronald Rogers27

As I mentioned, I am not in favor of alienation. I absorb a great deal from my environment—both consciously and unconsciously—process it, and I find that perfectly acceptable.
Despite the fact that society doesn't always cater to my whims, I am a social creature at heart.

On the other hand, if you truly want to actually alienate yourself, assuming this isn't just an act or a pose, it seems you would have to stop posting on this forum entirely. It is otherwise inevitable that people will influence you, just as you influence them.

Nancy Peterson3 said:But honestly, we need a massive amount. I think all this relentless "progress" just proves that point—if we actually only needed the basics, we'd still be out there gathering fruit 😁

Now, that is an interesting thesis, though it is phrased rather curtly. I would appreciate it if you could expand on that point a bit more.

Lisa Morales4 said:Unconditional love is one thing, and naturally, it can't be bought, but the attention, support, and recognition you get from colleagues within your professional network is a completely different matter.

I am incredibly proud of our teamwork lately; it has become my main source of personal fulfillment. I wouldn't be able to find this level of satisfaction or achieve this kind of success without these people. We serve each other—the mutual interest and satisfaction are shared by all.

As for unconditional love... after my first post on this thread, I hopped in the shower and washed away both the glory and the spiritual highs of the evening, along with a bit of self-pity because my shower isn't tucked away under some jungle canopy in a movie where Tarzan can hand me a towel. Feeling reborn, I started fresh, believing that every new day is a clean slate. Even though it was already 11 PM, I remembered that my dogs hadn't been to the park today. In the crisp, cool air of an American night, sitting there with my two pups who absolutely adore me unconditionally, I realized that even a soul like mine has living beings who show true, selfless devotion.🙂
and that is something special.👍

It isn't just "something"—it's everything.👍

Ronald Rogers27 said:slymaker9, I’ve noticed that your threads always seem to follow mine with a bit of a delay.

Why are you following my lead? You take my topics, twist them around to fit your own perspective, and then try to push them out there as if they're some brand-new idea.😍

Ronald Rogers27

So, what now? 🤷
Nothing. I will simply assume you prefer the truth over a flattering lie.🙂
Ronald Rogers27, certain topics and questions resonate with a large number of people, which is why our current discussions overlap. The question regarding the negative impact of modern society on the individual is an age-old one—a subject considered by every liberal and humanist.

I have read and participated in your thread, and it is certainly possible that it served as an unconscious catalyst within the complex machinery of motivation.
However, it seems to me that our topics are fundamentally different. This is due not only to our distinct language and style but also because you seem to advocate for alienation from others—or at least, that is my impression. My own focus is on connecting with God, with others, and with oneself.🙂

In any case, I never intended to be your competition. 😍
I only consciously noticed the similarity because you brought it to my attention.

The attention people direct toward those they deem "successful" is purely transactional. It is calculated—offered like a stake or an investment in the hope that this favor will be recognized and repaid when it becomes convenient or useful later on.
Unconditional love and genuine attention are entirely different matters. A person can sense the difference immediately; you can tell whether someone is giving you affection simply because of who you are, or because they believe you might be of use to them down the road.

Love is not a commodity

At the end of the day, all a person truly needs is very little.
One of my favorite thinkers and philosophers, Toma Bebić, captures this beautifully in this song (though unfortunately, I could only find the version covered by Banov):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v5xuBSI7T4

What do we actually need to survive? Food, clothing, shelter, understanding, acceptance, and love from others—that’s it. Some people also require spirituality, while others feel they don't need it at all.

If we look back at history, people worked hard to secure their basic necessities. Once those needs were met, it brought them a genuine sense of satisfaction, achievement, and fulfillment.

So, what has progress actually given us? While life is easier and more convenient in many ways, we are constantly bombarded with information. We are told we can't live without every single thing on the market, and we are perpetually categorized, ranked, and labeled.
Essentially, we have been turned into tools serving capital. Even those who possess wealth are, in a sense, instruments of it, because at some point, money takes control and usurps power over its supposed owner.
Capital has become both a god and a tyrant on this earth. Like water, it always finds a crack to seep through, turning things around in ways no drill ever could.
Some have embraced this easily, making capital their god; others struggle with it, seeking answers, peace, and even solace in spirituality.
Despite all the advancements and conveniences progress has provided, people today are unhappy, alienated, tired, and exhausted.
It seems to me that we are unhappier, more exhausted, and more disconnected than ever before.
We have distanced ourselves from nature, from God, from one another, and in part, from our very essence.
Is progress a revolution that will eventually consume its own children?
P.S. I hesitated between posting this in Philosophy or Spirituality, but I decided Spirituality was the better fit.
If the moderators feel another subforum is more appropriate, I have no objection to moving it.

Sam Hayes said:My dear friends, I’ve finally taken that very first step... I know there is quite a long road ahead of me—it feels a bit daunting, really—but I suppose if I just take things one small step at a time, I'll eventually get where I need to be, slowly but surely. 🙂

👍 Fingers crossed for you.🙂

Charles Howard said:I've gone through the motions of prayer myself, but nothing comes of it. Have you ever thought about just talking? You know, just having a conversation from the heart. That's always worked for me.😁
(And look, I'm not trying to push any particular religious agenda here)😁

Agreed.😍

Tyler Diaz4 said:I agree; having good friends around provides exactly the kind of support you're looking for. To build on what Tyler Diaz4 mentioned regarding chemical support—namely medication—it is my professional opinion that one also needs expert guidance. Sometimes you need someone professional and neutral, yet still trustworthy enough to truly open up to.
The issue we face here is that instead of investing time and resources into counseling, education, or proper guidance, we often opt for expensive pharmaceutical interventions. We end up masking the symptoms rather than addressing the root cause.

She has what we Americans call "issues," and a psychologist would be her best bet.
Regarding the cost, a psychotherapy session realistically costs more than a bottle of meds.
For instance, Ad Cipralex costs $50, and I’d wager an hour of therapy costs at least that much if you're paying out of pocket.
Sometimes medication is necessary just to get a person's energy levels high enough to function and even engage in therapy itself.

dustyraven26 said:Have you ever placed your faith in something, only to find out it wasn't true? If you have, did you cling to that belief or simply accept it as an illusion?
For those who offer unconditional belief without verifying the facts, reality can prove to be quite brutal.

There is a profound satisfaction in witnessing one's own ability to navigate the challenges of reality. Identify the issue, resolve the issue, and move on. 🙂

If you don't pivot, you will simply end up exactly where you were headed.

I have, and I accepted reality. Sometimes it took time, and sometimes it happened instantly.
Every individual requires a specific balance of truth and illusion at any given moment to remain functional; that is precisely why the human psyche employs defense mechanisms.
In my view, forcing too much truth into a psyche—more than a person can actually process—leads to either a complete retreat into a world of delusion or total collapse.