Posts by slyfox23

Conan the Barbarian

The incredible hulk 😁

royal red 👍 though there are five different ways to approach this 😁

It could honestly be anything at all, really, but if you’re planning on being away from home for a while, why not just unplug it entirely? There’s actually a power switch right there on the power supply, located directly on the bucket itself. 😁

Is there really any other way you could have managed to get banned besides this one? Seriously, what was that even about?

I was wondering, is your computer actually capable of handling 1080p playback without any issues?
I’ve been running into this frustrating problem lately whenever I try to play back 4K footage; it seems like my machine just can't keep up with the load.

I find myself on a similar hunt for a unicorn myself. 😁

redpilot37 said:No, I’m not about to start changing who I am just for the sake of it. That feels too much like admitting I’m not enough as I am right now. It’s not that I haven’t tried, but nothing really came of it—at least nothing close to what I actually wanted. I truly believe things flow better when there's less resistance. Because at the end of the day, you always attract what you are, not just what you want.

It seems to me that some people grow up believing they aren't quite enough, perhaps because of how they were raised or the specific environments they moved through in America; it becomes their entire reality. In many ways, we choose to play the victim because it offers a certain comfort, doesn't it? Isn't it much easier to justify any behavior if you can simply view yourself as someone being wronged by the world?
The only thing I would ever truly sacrifice myself for is my children; my immediate family comes first, while everyone else is secondary to that bond.
I tend to look at it this way: whatever you are genuinely seeking is actually out there seeking you, too.

notyourtype,
It feels almost as if I were the one who penned your very first post, though my own journey involved different struggles and a unique set of circumstances that pushed me right to the edge of my existence. I eventually arrived at that exact same realization you did: the necessity of walking away from everything dysfunctional to fully commit to a life that actually works. If only I had made that pivot twenty years ago when I was still young and full of vigor, but then again, is it ever truly too late to start over? Now, I have a crystal-clear understanding of what I want and how to get there, knowing all the while that this path is entirely my own choice. Would I mind finding a compatible partner along the way? Not at all—in fact, there are moments when I find myself missing that connection quite deeply—but I refuse to chase it at any cost, and I certainly won't let it consume me the way it used to.

I couldn't agree more with everything you've laid out here. 👍
Before I found myself navigating the exact situation I described above, I was actually going through an incredibly destructive period myself—specifically, a phase defined by intense self-sabotage. Looking back, I truly believe that my downward spiral happened precisely because of that underlying mindset.

wearyowl29 said:You really think you get it?

You aren't even walking in my shoes—honestly, you don't even know what size I wear...

No, I really don't think there's much point in me repeating myself since I feel like I've already covered just about everything, haven't I? And honestly, if my previous comments came across as being condescending or arrogant, I truly am sorry—that definitely wasn't my intention at all.

wearyowl29 said:You really think you get it?

You aren't even walking in my shoes—honestly, you don't even know what size I wear...

Would you be so kind as to share the details with me? I find myself genuinely curious and would love to hear more about it, if you don't mind!

The ego represents everything I consciously experience and how I choose to present myself within this dimension—this version of me existing in this physical realm, defined by logic and precision, whether that persona I project toward this material world happens to be perceived as good or bad.

cosmictinker21 said:The real question is what you actually mean when you say "ego." Are we talking about the first definition or the second one, huh?

Because if you're defining ego as pure egocentrism, selfishness, or vanity, then you aren't necessarily correct. Those traits stem from the deepest parts of a personality; they’re often unconscious, making them pretty much impossible to catch through rational detection, cognitive processing, or any kind of logical insight and correction. But, if you're defining ego as self-awareness, then obviously that’s inextricably linked to reason... which doesn't inherently have a "bad side" in and of itself.

You still seem to be missing the point that gratitude is an incredibly active process. It isn't just some passive emotional vibe; it's a conscious acceptance of that feeling and a deliberate decision to express that thanks to whoever did the good deed. Those are the fundamental pillars of gratitude. You can't truly feel grateful without being aware that you *are* feeling it and recognizing it as your response to someone's kindness. Maybe try looking into the nuances a bit more instead of just chasing this intense urge to pivot toward spirituality while ignoring everything that exists outside your own desires. Your stance on the concept of gratitude is pretty rigid and misses several key components... you're essentially blinding yourself to certain truths. Try opening your mind and actually learning. Without the egocentrism. When there's more to the story, try to see it too...

None of this would even exist if it weren't for the ego and the intellect. In truth, perhaps none of it exists at all, because we are the ones constructing it—the ego, the mind, the self. Every single one of us constructs our own version of truth and our own sense of self. Consciousness is also something we each create, and for each individual, that creation becomes their "reality."

I wonder why you assume I have this intense longing or that I am somehow lacking in understanding? Before I realized everything I know now, I was one of those strictly literal, "what you see is what you get" types of people. I didn't have any such desires, nor did I believe that anything existed beyond what was exact, provable, visible, and tangible; in fact, I used to find the idea of anything else completely impossible and unacceptable.

Then, life happened, and I experienced death—literally, I was dead. When I woke up, the intensity of it meant I was no longer the person I had been just the day before. During that window of time when I was physically deceased, I realized everything that has fundamentally changed me from the roots up.

I was given exactly what I needed to receive, and I realized exactly what I was meant to realize. That is precisely why it is so difficult to understand and discuss these things with others; everyone has their own unique realizations, and there is no requirement for them to align with mine. Because of that, I don't think it's fair to say someone is "lacking" or needs to struggle to "perceive" something, or that they are incapable of understanding. I can say with absolute certainty—unless you have undergone a similar experience to mine—that you may not be able to grasp what I am describing. You have your own experiences, which I respect and find interesting; I am certainly not trying to impose my experiences as the sole truth or as something final.

It feels as though you are attempting to rationalize something that simply cannot be subject to rationalization.

Yes, I am grateful for everything, I am grateful to you, and I am genuinely interested in the experiences of others. What I survived isn't even the point, because that which I truly am does not die—to suggest otherwise would imply that everything dies, which simply isn't possible. Please don't assume that I have mastered gratitude just because I am still alive.

I am certain that I haven't realized everything yet, but I am equally certain that I will, whenever the time is right.

I'm not claiming to be right; I am simply sharing my own journey.

cosmictinker21 said:

wearyowl29 Asks:
First you say it’s not about your ego, and then suddenly it totally is... pick a side...😉

I’m not entirely sure if slyfox23 was making a distinction between the classic concept of the ego—you know, as self-knowledge, the actual sense of self, or just basic self-awareness—and that other version of the ego. That’s the one everyone talks about when they mean selfishness, greed, or being full of oneself... that constant need to belittle others, act superior, or hunt for praise and validation, sometimes bordering on total idolatry. I suppose you could also throw in the side effects like being overly sensitive, intolerant, or just generally aggressive... maybe.🤔

The ego and reason are essentially two sides of the same coin, which naturally means they carry both their virtues and their flaws together.

Based on your username, I’m assuming you’re a guy. 😁

wearyowl29 said:First you say it has nothing to do with the ego, and then you say it does—pick a side!😉

My friend, you’ll come to realize all of this on your own eventually, as everything tends to unfold exactly when it's meant to, don't you think? 👍

cosmictinker21 said:That isn't really possible, because we aren't purely spiritual beings; we're material ones too. A human being is an integrated mix of matter and energy, weaving together emotional, intellectual, physical, intuitive, and instinctive layers... it's all tangled up. My ego, in terms of consciousness, has to be present just to distinguish what's happening in the first place. On a purely instinctive level, you could try to describe a snail or a tomato that way, though even that wouldn't be quite right. Every single reaction is proof of how complex the system is, since it requires at least a receptor and a reactor. In humans, that happens at a reflex level. You have to understand at least the basics of neurology to realize there are parts of the brain specifically designed to enable consciousness and the understanding of that consciousness. If we've reached this stage of development, why deny the necessity of consciousness when it comes to gratitude

Do you honestly think a dog isn't consciously grateful?? If you've ever owned a dog, you'd know they show their gratitude very deliberately. And it’s not just to anyone—it’s to the person they love and who has been kind to them. You really think that's just pure automation? Then you clearly don't know animals. Gratitude is a highly conscious emotion; if it were just automatic, everyone would feel it. But many people don't feel it at all. Some can't even form the thought of gratitude. You're really underselling the gift of consciousness...

Just so we are clear, I am not denying any of the points you've raised; rather, I am suggesting they are tied to the ration. I have a dog and grew up surrounded by animals.

What I am referring to is primordial being—that state which exists beyond all rational dimensions, whether you choose to call it enlightenment or something else entirely.

In that dimension, we are indeed material beings, complete with all the attributes that come with physicality. Rationally speaking, I agree with everything you are saying.

However, the spiritual realm is something else altogether, and one must arrive there in their own way, along their own path, and in their own time. Nothing happens by accident; everything serves a purpose.

The same applies to gratitude; I don't "feel" it in the traditional sense, nor do I choose whom or what to direct it toward; it is simply a fundamental part of my being, much like unconditional love.

Rational gratitude or love always expects something in return; without that expectation, they cease to exist.
Primordial gratitude and love are the very fabric of the entire universe, asking for nothing in return—they simply exist. Each of us will either realize this or not, and perhaps that is precisely why we live these lives.

cosmictinker21 said:I don't think "rationalization" is quite the right term here. Using it implies some sort of psychological defense mechanism—you know, that subconscious move where you swap a real motive for a fake, objective one. In the case of gratitude, that kind of transfer doesn't really serve any function.
If someone is acting "inherently," as you put it, they’re acting primarily on emotion, independent of upbringing or outside influence, just feeling what they feel and riding with it. But gratitude itself is always a conscious feeling. You’re aware of it. Because of that awareness, you choose to act gratefully toward a person or a being, or you engage in a mental process like, "Oh, this is good; I'm genuinely glad this happened for me." You feel grateful for something you didn't actually cause—it’s a gift, a gesture, or care from something external. Being able to hold that conscious sense of gratitude within yourself is the only way it works. If you aren't aware of that emotional layer, then it's no different than a dog wagging its tail because it's happy. That doesn't mean the dog is "grateful" to its owner or trying to show it; sometimes, by pure chance, it wags its tail because it's just happy and happens to be grateful to the owner too...

Everything you’ve described seems to stem from the ego and the rational mind. In fact, your comparison to a dog is spot on, because a dog acts on those raw, instinctive impulses rather than through conscious thought.

What you're describing is actually a rationalization of your own feelings; when you live purely from instinct, there is no choosing who or what to feel gratitude toward. That very act of choosing is a product of the ego and the intellect.

Think of it this way: it is only when you close your physical eyes and open your third eye that you can truly see and feel from that primal, instinctive place.

Gratitude has absolutely nothing to do with the ego, much like love itself; it is entirely unconditional. Can one truly feel grateful without first stripping away all those heavy masks of the ego and the "I"?

Any kind of rationalized gratitude, just like rationalized love, isn't actually our primal essence. Haven't we all arrived here with a specific purpose, perhaps even a reason to be here, to finally learn the lessons we are meant to master?

Rationalization is merely a byproduct of the ego and logic, whereas true gratitude and love are something else entirely. Beneath all those layers of persona we project, we already possess these qualities; it is simply a matter of when we decide to bring them into the light.

Dear coastalwalker9 👍