Posts by Douglas Brown4

Charles Grant7 said:Actually, I disagree. I think they definitely have an edge. They get more attention from the opposite sex, and honestly, it helps in many career paths too. For crying out loud, a good-looking guy might even snag an extra scoop of fries at McDonald's just because he flashed a smile at the girl behind the counter. Let's be real—you've probably been in a situation where you were a little extra polite to a woman simply because she was stunning. The only area where less attractive people might have the upper hand is that they aren't constantly obsessed with their appearance; since looks didn't get them far, they didn't focus on it, which often leads to a much more grounded, peaceful life. That is, assuming they don't spiral into depression over their looks. 😬

Like you mentioned, they aren't obsessed with appearance, so I guess they wouldn't get depressed over looks alone.
Depression usually comes from constant rejection, not just from dating, but from friends too. If a female friend who claims to value you suddenly ditches you because some hot guy showed up, that’s going to hurt. Even worse, if there's a guy playing mind games with you and your friend falls for him—then she tells him all your secrets—he basically has leverage over you. That's a dangerous situation, and it can lead to much darker places than just simple depression.

briskowl85 said:I have to admit, I’m on the other side of this one too. Growing up, nobody ever actually told me I was pretty until I hit my twenties (well, except for my mom 🙄). Before that, everyone just thought I was "cute," sweet, or smart. I can't quite put my finger on when the shift happened—other than the fact that I'm not dealing with those hormone-fueled breakouts anymore 😉—but lately, it feels like all I hear is how good I look. I’ve even been invited onto a few specialized talk shows on networks like CNN to share my expertise, and it drives me crazy because NOBODY ever mentions my insights or what I actually know; they just comment on my appearance. It’s honestly pretty insulting and discouraging, and I really feel like once people decide you're attractive, they stop taking your brain seriously. 👎

Look, speaking from my own experience: if you don't demonstrate your intellect, people tend to respond by saying, "Well, at least she was pretty."
It isn't because your looks are a flaw; it’s more about how you handled yourself. If you had shown more substance, they probably would have called you smart. They only mention your beauty because, I guess, that's all you chose to show.

Donna Campbell6 said:Honestly, briskgull27 has a point. The main perspective—the one that actually matters most—is how everyone else sees things, you know? The "unlabeled" crowd. If some guy falls for a girl dealing with schizophrenia (or vice versa, obviously), his whole circle is gonna jump down his throat with those "helpful" little suggestions... like, "Hey, she's great, but maybe think twice about this?" Most people would seriously hesitate before even grabbing a quick bite at McDonald's with someone struggling with that kind of diagnosis. It’s just the way it is... damn.

I have a friend in another city who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Even though we had some disagreements over the summer, she is much more pleasant to me than many "normal" people here in Washington, D.C. I never worry about whether a girl is ill. I only care if she treats me poorly. And in that regard, the "normal" people have actually been far worse than her. So, my advice is: ignore everyone else.

There is one catch, though: some women with schizophrenia aren't above being arrogant and demanding a perfect partner they can't actually have. They neglect their local friends and then blame all their failures on their illness. I know someone like that here in Washington, D.C. She's arrogant, haughty, and rude. Then she acts surprised when everyone avoids her.

So, I suppose if you are polite to those around you within reason, considering the illness, everything should be fine.

Maybe I didn't mention: that girl from the other city and I were actually in love. But her own mother literally forbade her from being with me.
The mother pushes every guy away, and I suspect she might even be a contributing factor to the illness, since she is pathologically attached to her daughter and won't let her go.

Sean Martinez4 said:👍

Unless the student is just being difficult, has a migraine, a nosebleed, or hemorrhoids.
Otherwise, these targeted Eastern spiritual tales are quite lovely. They seem very sterile, though, stripped of anything that doesn't fit the specific theory some guru wants to push.
It’s an example from everyday life, meant for everyday life, yet it lacks any actual elements of reality. I suppose it's just selectivity and censorship. That's my take on it.
So, what's wrong if a student has a knife in their gut right now? Nothing, really, besides the fact that it hurts.

Arthur Grant4 said:Rinzai had this way of keeping his students on their toes: right in the middle of a lecture, he’d just hold up a finger and ask, "What’s missing right now?"
The students would scan the room, totally locked in, and that was it—they’d hit that moment of presence.
Pretty slick, right? And naturally, they’d realize that in the present moment, everything is exactly as it should be. It's only when you're dwelling on the past or tripping over the future that things start feeling like they're missing, don't you think?

If he tried that today at the European House, he’d probably just be seen as some mediocre, dim-witted spiritual guru. It's basically the whole science of how to live in the present.
Fine. We've mastered it: the present matters. We can handle this "truth" on our own. If there's anything else on the agenda, I'd say...

Karen Sanchez19 said:And what’s your move if I tell you that what I’m claiming isn't just some leap of faith, but something I actually *know*?😉 😁 😁

I suppose I'll believe you, though I might feel sorry for you.

Karen Sanchez19 said:And how on earth would you know that?🙄

Deep insight and strong faith, I suppose. 😁

To be honest: I don't know, but then again, what do any of us actually know?

brightnomad5 said:You have these overweight women sitting on towels doing "yoga" or "meditating,"😬 when really they’re just hitting up weight loss seminars. Meanwhile, the guys are doing "yoga" because they heard it boosts their libido. And of course, there's the inevitable joint, or something even stronger, to change their "state of consciousness" or "ascend" to higher planes... honestly, just look at those Scientology-style "churches" with their "stress relief" programs, using machines to intercept people on the street to measure their "stress levels" just so they can pitch a service to some girl for a tiny, insignificant fee. 😬 "Big business, big business, making millions off this stuff..."

There are serious people out there, but they are much harder to find...

There you go. That’s why I don't do yoga. I don't have any issues with my drive. Actually, maybe it would be better if I were less driven. 😁

Quincy:

And of course, the inevitable joint, or maybe something stronger to change one's "state of consciousness," to "ascend" to higher planes...

Right. A joint raises your consciousness—or so people think. It's just cheap weed that has a weak effect. Plus, kids love it because it's illegal, so it feels like rebelling against the law. And honestly, who knows what those kids are actually smoking when they buy "weed." Most likely just dried grass or birdseed.

Quincy:

Then you really have to see that Scientology "church" with their "anti-stress" programs and that machine they use to stop people on the street to measure their "stress levels," only to offer some girl a little bit of compensation. "Big business, big business, making millions..." 😬

True. I was walking through New York City near the Big Apple and the Capitol building when...
They had rented out the entire hall across the street. Don't be lazy; they even approached me. I figured, why not take a look...
I went to check it out. It was an exhibition, larger than anything ever held in Washington, D.C., but it didn't particularly interest me. That E-machine, or whatever it's called... I tried it. I won't comment: it's just a device that measures resistance, nothing special.

So, that's it.

Karen Sanchez19 said:Enough with the fairy tales and the gods.😁

Those aren't really my fairy tales. I don't particularly pray, for one. But I am suggesting that my own sense of self and the essence of God aren't the same thing, nor is it just some broken symmetry of a universal self.

Anthony Perez9 said:It’s just part of the hype machine for the movie. The book actually came out after the film hit theaters.

from Our Editors in
In conjunction with the popular independent film comes this book of the same title -- but with so much more.

from The Publisher Gravity sometimes Doesn't work

Gravity sometimes doesn't work.
Some things are both waves and particles. . .at the same time.
Electrons simply disappear . . . all the time.

🤣

Well, I suppose I might take a look at the book.
Though, since I can't really stand Deepak Chopra either, I doubt it will impress me much.

Daniel Chavez14 said:I noticed you're actually quite sharp and don't just settle for surface-level stuff.
So, go ahead and re-read what I said, keeping the context in mind. 🙄

I saw a book with that same title at the bookstore yesterday. It seems it isn't just about the movie. Or maybe the cult is basing itself on the book.

Karen Sanchez19 said:Well, I don't pray to anyone at all.😁

It isn't about whether you pray. It's about the fact that others do. Being an atheist doesn't necessarily mean you're denying the existence of God.

Karen Sanchez19 said:And what kind of absolute God are we talking about here—one existing outside of which nothing else can even exist?🙄

Who says it actually has to be absolute?
If that were the case, how would you even pray to someone who encompasses you while you're simultaneously a part of them? You'd basically be one and the same. And you aren't.

rustymaker5 said:I honestly can't give you a roadmap for that... I have my own circle of friends, and believe it or not, we aren't all obsessed with New Age stuff. It doesn't bother us at all that we all hang out and have a good time together. You don't exactly go around forcing your philosophy down everyone's throat; you just live it out through your actions. Eventually, you cross paths with people who share your interests, you realize you actually enjoy their company, and suddenly it clicks that you're on the same wavelength. You just gravitate toward each other without having to hunt anyone down. And look, we all work, we all make a living, and sometimes we even collaborate on business ventures... 🙂
They say birds of a feather flock together, right? 😉

p.s.

And what’s so wrong with hedonism anyway? Isn't it true that every single person is just trying to make life better, to be happy, satisfied, and to actually enjoy being alive?

That’s what I have. In fact, many of you are actually reading and watching what we do.

Quinn:

They say birds of a feather flock together. 😉

I suppose that should be the case.

Quinn:

p.s. And what's wrong with hedonism? Doesn't everyone strive to feel better, to be happy and satisfied, and to enjoy life?

I forgot to mention "shallow." You always seem to nitpick my words, yet when I provide examples, you accuse me of gossiping.
I mean, look, sleeping with three guys and five girls at once isn't spirituality. Using drugs, smoking joints, and getting drunk isn't spirituality either.
What's wrong with that? Nothing, I guess. It's just not for me.

Daniel Chavez14 said:I'm not a fan of the first part (honestly, I don't subscribe to those views at all). But the second part? Definitely! 🙂

Could someone give me a quick rundown so I don't waste time downloading it right now? I guess, what specifically didn't you like about the first part?

rustymaker5 said:It’s honestly a shame you’ve had such terrible experiences with New Age... assuming you’ve actually experienced it at all. Because everything you just listed sounds more like a critique of people who claim the label just because they think it makes them look cool. Every group has its parasites, after all. You don't blame the bread just because there's a few weevils in the grain...🙂

I have met plenty of people. Fine. I'll grant you that they were all bad. Or rather, they were all parasites.
So, here is my follow-up: where am I supposed to find the good ones? The people for whom New Age isn't just an excuse for laziness, hedonism, or being a degenerate?

Daniel Chavez14 said:I'm not a fan of the first part (honestly, I don't subscribe to those views at all). But the second part? Definitely! 🙂

Could someone give me a quick summary so I don't waste my time downloading this? What specifically about the first part didn't sit right with you?

rustymaker5 said:It’s almost like looking at the mind, body, and soul as one big interconnected thing; sort of a cocktail of theosophy, environmentalism, Eastern mysticism, and Western materialism, all wrapped up in this idea that a new age of peace and harmony is right around the corner...
Like the belief that a person's destiny is a private matter between them and God, rather than something dictated by some authority in a cathedral? Or the idea that every individual needs to take full responsibility for everything happening in their life because everything is fundamentally linked? And learning how to truly love people, in a way that actually frees them from our own selfish expectations...
That isn't quite a definition, I suppose, but those are certainly some hallmarks of NAG. 🙂

Yes. That is how it’s stated on paper.
In reality, it mostly boils down to being irresponsible, smoking joints, and just existing without any drive to actually achieve or do anything. People fake meditating and working on their consciousness. It's bad music with shallow harmonies. It's making money by reading tea leaves and selling smoke. Laziness, hedonism, and plain stupidity.

Jesse Wright24 said:Don't be so reductive; you're only describing half of reality.

The other half is:

"George, you idiot! Do you actually believe that? You're sick. What kind of Indian deities?! Go get some help! Why won't you sleep with me? You pig! Idiot! I hate you! I should kill you! I want you to suffer forever! Sleep with me! Now! Right now!"

(A paraphrase of one breakup; any resemblance to actual persons is purely coincidental)

Jesse Wright24 said:Don't hold your breath expecting an explanation from me. Obviously, those New Age types are all about butterflies and flower power...

New Age is (this progression is honestly exhausting because it highlights the hypocrisy):

a) the scent of mown shadows and a gentle breeze brushing against your nose while the blue sky above radiates peace
b) birds chirping and the sound of a light wind moving through spring light
c) your silhouette giving me goosebumps
d) passionate embraces and the smell of sweat as our lips meet
e) screams piercing the air, a fire of passion consuming us
f) tired bodies held in an embrace
g) the feeling that we exist, and that we are part of an infinite universe. United in the time and space of existence and blah, blah, blah.

And what is that? Just plain old hedonism and raw desires driven by pure biology. Nothing more than what animals have.