Posts by Anonymous

little dragon says
Secondly, I don't think hate is actually the opposite of love.

Thirdly, hate usually crops up when we feel like our lives are being dictated by everyone else. It happens when we feel trapped, rigid, and like we’ve lost our ability to make our own choices. See, any negative emotion—hate included—actually carries a seed of liberation within it.
The thing about emotions, though, is that they are exactly what they claim to be: emotions. They're irrational, instinctive reactions triggered by whatever is happening around us. And honestly? You have to let them out. If you're angry, be angry! Go smash some plates and glasses if you have to. But once the dust settles, sit down and actually figure out why you were so pissed off in the first place. That way, you don't lose your moral compass or your freedom of choice by letting everything sink into pure hatred.

...The goal isn't to suppress or control your emotions, but to control your actions.

If you're mad about something, fine. Go punch a pillow or something, just don't go out and take it out on your neighbor.

As far as I'm concerned, hate is just a wasted emotion.

Hatred just isn't the answer. 🙂

Uffff. Now it feels like you’ve wandered down the wrong path—you realize things aren't working out, so you just want to tear everything down so you can start over, free from all that bad energy built into the foundation.

Honey, I appreciate you looking out for me, but this isn't just about my personal situation.

I’m asking a broader question here. It comes from watching how people live and seeing how they spiral when they give up on themselves—maybe because they let themselves be led astray or because they were operating on a totally warped view of the world.

So, logically speaking, wouldn't the best move be to just walk away from it all and break it all down, just to get a fresh start from square one?

Bradley Fisher20:
You’re really throwing me for a loop here, Solaris. Is that the goal? To leave everyone—including yourself—completely confused?

You're the one who got me hooked on this 😉 😁 😛 😛

So what’s the actual question here? I mean, choosing destruction isn't the same thing as just giving up. Take Leb, for example—he gave up, but he wasn't destructive. Then there was that one guy who was incredibly destructive precisely because he refused to let go, even though he couldn't see any other way out.

Destruction is basically just giving up on the idea of "building" or nurturing life. It’s when we take all that internal energy and channel it into breaking things down instead of growing them back up. Destruction happens when someone loses faith in their ability to create anything meaningful or high-quality; if they feel they can't build, they pivot to tearing down, because at least you can't fail at being bad. Or maybe, deep down, they feel they're so flawed that they don't deserve life, so they settle for destruction instead.

I honestly can't stand this whole Yin Yang thing. It forces this duality on everything, and frankly, it means nothing to me.

Oh, *you* can't stand it? Well, you have to realize that your personal preference doesn't make you the universal standard—just like it doesn't for me or anyone else sitting here.😉

And duality?
I don't see it as true duality; I see it as balance.

What is in the end to be shrunken,
Begins by being first stretched out.

Why are you trying so hard to pin down one single, perfect answer?

relax...

I’m a certified massage therapist—fully licensed by various professional boards here in the States where I actually went to school—so if you have any questions at all, feel free to pick my brain!

...it’s just a fact. Beefheart is a total legend, though it’s a shame he doesn't get much love around here in the States.
I wonder when someone in a big city like New York or Chicago will finally decide to open a dedicated listening lounge for Beefhearta—maybe even throw in some Pere Ubu tracks for good measure?

Bradley Fisher20 said:If I’m following you correctly, you’re saying the fear is that giving up means you'll actually reach the goal? That sounds like a cheap trick to me. 😢.

By the way, are we talking about you generally giving up, or just accepting things as they are?

I don't think you get it. Nobody is even talking about some "goal" here. In this context, a goal isn't something anyone actually wants. 😉

And for the record, this isn't even my story... 😉

See, that’s the fundamental difference between a traveler and a wanderer. A traveler knows exactly where they’re headed and why. A wanderer just drifts along until they get bored. I’m guessing you’re more of a wanderer. Once you hit a wall and feel exhausted, you’ll have to decide if you’re actually okay with where you ended up. If you ever decide to move again, you'll need a purpose and a destination. Forget those Lao Tzu quotes.

Anyway, maybe you'll just decide to go wandering again?

No, no, no... 🙄

You’re missing the point. This thread has absolutely nothing to do with "The Path," travelers, or wanderers—not even close. 😉

This isn't about being tired or feeling depressed. It's about intentional destruction. It happens when someone feels like self-sabotage is the only way they can truly express their own life force.

Or maybe this should have been a health forum thread...

Anyway, can Yang really be born from the absolute fullness of Yin? Can it?

Is this that turning point where we actually have to let go of our ego just to find ourselves?

I realize now that I’ve been conflating two different things: there's the negative kind of giving up, and then there's the other kind—true surrender and letting go...

😳

Maybe it’s actually Nigredo.....

Blaise:
But what if you're just wrong? What if you haven't exhausted every single option yet—what if there weren't 1,000 failed attempts, but only 999? How can you be so sure the battle is already lost?

🙂 There's no such thing as objectivity here.

Sometimes people just choose to be wrong.
They decide they want to lose the fight—basically choosing not to fight at all.
It comes down to a lack of self-belief, or just not loving themselves enough.

Lacking motivation, desire, or strength? Fine. Maybe you're just exhausted...

But what if all those things exist, but they're being channeled the wrong way, toward destruction? What if they just lead straight into total emptiness?

The boundary is that tiny flicker of hope, or that lingering desire for something to happen. If you aren't absolutely certain—and you can't ever be truly certain—that the flame has gone out, then you've reached the edge. Do you realize what that little spark might turn into later on?

Giving up can bring relief. That's a real thing. Even just making the decision to quit can feel like a weight off your shoulders.

But what about that spark? .

🙂 A tiny spark hides a wildfire; drop by drop, a river is formed. 😉

Trust me, I know. I know it all.....

I'm just wondering... what do you call that place where everything finally stops, where everything just sinks away?

Larry Fox5:
You can't ever just throw in the towel.
"Only a true Gentleman fights for a lost cause."
If you're running on empty, take a breather, recharge, and then go back in for the final showdown.

🙂
Honestly, I used to feel the exact same way.

The real beauty and fulfillment come from the struggle itself, not the trophy at the end.

But... what if...

what if we simply don't have the drive anymore? What if we just DON'T WANT TO😕

It’s not about being exhausted or needing a nap. It’s when you have all the energy in the world, but you just don't want to play the game—or worse, you're using that leftover energy to sabotage yourself.😕

What if we're actually taking our own teammates down, crippling them just because it feels like the only way to prove we still have some fight left in us?

The bottom line is: the lack of WILL.

Why is that?

Bradley Fisher20:
Maybe you're trying to run straight through the wall instead of looking for the door? Step back from the obstacle for a second.

Pandora:
I mean... after a thousand failed attempts at smashing through a brick wall... maybe it's time to stop and look for a door. Or even just a window.

It isn't the wall's fault, nor the door's, nor the window's. The issue lies entirely with the person trying to get out.

Because they don't actually want to leave.

But why?

Maybe 😕 because there's nothing out there to see.

Maybe they're blind?

Maybe they just don't know how to truly look?

Or maybe... there really is no point.

🙂 👍 Such beautiful responses, thanks

Mr. Peach said:Are we talking about a life struggle in general, or one specific battle in someone's life?

I’m talking about giving up in a broad sense—not just walking away from a single fight, but surrendering the war itself. It’s about giving up the identity of being a warrior altogether.

parsifal:

1) The real question isn't whether one should give up, but WHO actually wants to give up.
And what exactly are they giving up? The goal that was set for them.

My question is: WHO set that goal in the first place?

2) That whole method—viewing everything as part of a larger process—is something you really should have embraced from the get-go.
YOU SHOULD WORK LIKE AN AMBITIOUS PERSON, but without getting hung up on the results of your efforts—because, honestly, those results are out of your hands once the goal has been set by something higher.

3) Once we finally let go, we are left with reality as it is. And that's when what we truly need starts to flow in.

1. Yeah, I think you hit the nail on the head here 🙂 — Who? From what? And why?
This "person" who thinks they are me... the psychological ego... there are so many ways to look at that. Basically, it's the negation of self.

2. But what if you just don't want to accept the process? What if you refuse to accept anything at all? It's not even about the goal... I'm talking about a pure rejection of Life, of the Vital Force, or whatever you want to call it.

3. 🙂 my thoughts exactly

🙂

This one is hands down the strongest...

Wait, are you that guy who’s obsessed with that jittery old man?

Count me in! (Whether it’s day or night, I’m just a young guy hanging out on the forums, keeping an eye on all of you). Please, put me at the top of the list.
I may be hungry but I sure ain't weird.

Giving up.

Is it time to throw in the towel when you feel like you’ve exhausted every single option left on the table?
When you’re completely running on empty?
What happens when the motivation is gone, the drive has vanished, and you’re staring down the barrel of your 1,000th failed attempt...

How do you actually decide whether to push through or just walk away?

Is there any point in fighting a battle you already know is lost?
Why bother?

Or is it better to just let it all go...

How do you find that line—that exact moment where you need to stop, drop everything, and just surrender to the flow?

And if we do give up, what comes next...?🙂 🙂 😕

Basinger is totally lost in *8 Mile*, her acting just doesn't land here.

*The Recruit* is a decent flick, but Pacino is still the real deal.

😎

Watched 8 miles
Watched the rookie

The first one was just mediocre

The second one? Same story, totally average

I actually checked out a few more from your list too, but I can't recall which ones right now

Honestly, I'm dying to see Gangs of New York

Peter Reed81 said:That girl with the snake around her neck?
She looks way better in the movie, though.

It honestly looks pretty much like the best thing in the world...

RED DRAGON IS SOLID

Man, Blood Work with Eastwood—was that from 2002? Because it’s actually such a great flick.

Has anyone else seen Blood Work? Also, that Polanski piano player movie is killer, though I can't remember if it came out in 2002 or just this year.😎

Ralph could have easily snatched the win, Kim could’ve taken second, and just for the hell of it, Michael probably wouldn't even finish the race, haha 😁. If that happened, all three would have been within a single point of each other.