Posts by mistybison

David Vaughn75 said:So maybe the whole point of heaven is that it’s totally tailored to you—you finally get exactly what you want. 🤷

The real kicker is, once you get bored of it—kind of like how a kid loses interest in a brand-new toy after a week—what happens then?

Then you reincarnate, and by the time you're struggling through life on earth, you certainly won't be bored anymore. 😁

I think we've finally cracked the code of the universe and existence itself! 🙂

To God, it's simply a matter of boredom...

Thomas Nelson25 said:There’s zero tech or gadgets in paradise
From where we're sitting—if you can even call it that—it'd probably look pretty primitive to you guys.
But hey, you don't have to worry about sleep or having too much downtime... most of the time is spent just wandering around and flying about, basically hanging out with the locals.

😢

Looking at it through a modern lens, that sounds more like hell. 😁

David Vaughn75 said:Look, I wasn't talking about how the universe started, I was talking about why we're actually here.

Are you absolutely sure they're claiming humans were born without any purpose or reason?

Exactly—God is just a giant jukebox meant to grant everyone's wishes. 👍

The real question is whether you're such an idiot that you wish for something stupid—which, let's be honest, happens way more often than people wishing for anything smart.

What do you mean "niche"?
The whole concept of having to surrender control and your entire self to some higher being who takes over—that’s not rare at all. You see that everywhere, from major mainstream religions to basic shamanism.

Remember when you tried to explain to me that theology isn't about gods and deities? That really stuck with me. 😁I just happened to be well-mannered enough not to laugh in your face.

No one actually knows the answer to that. Everyone is simply making assumptions.

Exactly, God is like a jukebox that grants everyone their every wish.👍

The real issue is whether one is foolish enough to wish for something trivial, which happens far more often than wishing for something wise.

There are New Age beliefs suggesting that the soul selects various bodies, lives, and experiences to facilitate learning and maturity. In this view, life is merely a dream from which the soul awakens after death, only to choose the next dream-life to acquire new wisdom. Consequently, pain, suffering, illness, and death aren't truly real, even if they feel that way while we experience them.

Of course, this belief is just as unprovable as any other.

Morgan Peterson6 As stated by:
That is exactly what I tell him—there are times when you just have to trust your own gut.
There is simply no effect.

That means they aren't looking for any help.

You simply cannot help an adult if they aren't willing to accept your assistance.

A friend I mentioned before—the one who started reading the Bible and turned quite dark—didn't strike me at all as someone seeking help to escape that gloom during our conversation. On the contrary, he seemed like someone who had embraced the darkness as the absolute truth and was actively trying to pull others down with him. Because of that, I decided to distance myself immediately.

I have decided to step away.
Now I just need to figure out how to let this go without causing him any unnecessary pain.
I would love to pin him against the wall—and honestly, I could, since he’s quite a bit smaller than me.🤣Oh, please, get it together. You're being ungrateful.🕺
I simply cannot.

If you truly want to make an impact, there are much more effective ways to lend a hand, such as volunteering. People will be incredibly grateful for that kind of dedicated support.

Joseph Bailey41 said:If I’m following you correctly... you sit there listening to his constant Gnostic rambling, try to bond with him by talking about your love for birds... and then Mr. Gloomy just dismisses you instantly with a "those are just programs"?

Maybe I’m being too impulsive or lacking empathy here... but if someone came at me with that kind of rudeness, I’d give them such a reality check they'd finally understand what it feels like to actually take flight. 🙂

Sorry, but to me, that just sounds like a total jerk. I mean, even birds might leave a mess on your balcony sometimes, but at least they’re pleasant to look at and better company than people like that.

A friend of mine (who used to be perfectly fine 😁 ) suddenly hit a crisis and started reading the Bible all day long. The last time I saw him, he was saying things like, "Everything is written in the Bible! We are sinners! We are evil! We deserve everything bad that happens to us! And worse! We deserve to suffer in hell!" No matter how much optimism or positivity I tried to offer, he would always find some dark counterpoint from the Bible to shut me down. We haven't seen each other since. 😁 I heard through a mutual friend that he has become so bleak that it's impossible to have a conversation with him anymore.

Morgan Peterson6 said:they used to be here ages ago
and were such an active member

If he decides to return, we might be able to show him that the "absence of free will" isn't a depressing concept at all when viewed through the right lens. 🙂

Morgan Peterson6 said:He’s got a job, a family, and pets he absolutely adores—plus he squeezes in sports whenever he can.
He isn't some depressed guy walking around with a dark cloud over his head; you wouldn't even tell by talking to him—he laughs, he jokes...
I was talking to him yesterday, and when I told him he sounded depressed, he just said, "No, I'm just sad."
He says that after everything he's searched for, there's just this emptiness inside him.
There's nothing left to hold onto.
He just doesn't see the point in existing anymore.

He's really into that whole New Age thing—not like following gurus or those weird authors, but more about how we perceive our origins and where we go once we leave this dimension.
He thinks we're all just puppets in some kind of Matrix.
And honestly? That's what's killing him.

I don't know—I'm letting it go. I tried, but it's just not working.

I'm giving up.🙂

I don't even know why I started this thread. I care about him so much, but I just don't have the capacity to help him myself—our perspectives are worlds apart. Everything I say or offer as a solution just doesn't resonate with him because my idea of God and his idea of God are completely different... and frankly, I don't know anything about his version of God, and I'm not a fan of it either.

He Must shift his perspective. 🙂

What if purpose is found simply in the present moment—in being fully present and experiencing life to its absolute fullest? Perhaps he isn't here to reach some imaginary goal or future destination, but rather to experience the pure act of being in every passing second. 🙂

His perception of reality is unique and unrepeatable. While it may feel insignificant to him personally, it could be vital to existence itself. 🙂

Morgan Peterson6 said:Just thinking about it...
humanity is just broken,
and honestly? I feel sick right along with it.
It hurts—really hurts.
I can't even fix myself,
so how am I supposed to heal the rest of the world?

The tears are already starting to fall—it’s heavy.

Where on earth does he get these bizarre ideas?!

Humanity is doing just fine. 🙂 Our population is higher than ever. 😁

Perhaps he should spend less time consuming sensationalist news and doom-scrolling through various catastrophes... That tendency is usually reserved for people who find satisfaction in morbidity.

Morgan Peterson6 said:I have to admit, that gave me a lot to think about—he really knows how to throw me for a loop.
He isn't "depressed" in the traditional sense, though; he talks to me about it constantly. If his friends heard him, they'd be totally shocked because, on the surface, he functions just fine.
I'm an optimist through and through, and I try with everything I have to show him a different perspective, but nothing works.
I didn't mean to bring this up in the psychology thread, but I really think the root of his struggle is that he hasn't found anything meaningful in his spiritual search.

He keeps telling me there *has* to be something—some higher purpose for why we're even here—but he just can't see it.

The other day we were talking about birds—I absolutely love them! I was telling him how incredible it is that such tiny brains possess that kind of intelligence, like how they navigate perfectly... how the creator designed everything so flawlessly. But to him? It's all just "programming," blah blah blah.
He's obsessed with this idea of programming and how we aren't truly free...

He might finally be realizing that spirituality itself can be an illusion. 🙂

he keeps bringing up these programs and our lack of freedom...

But who exactly is being denied freedom? 🙂

It seems odd that someone so immersed in spirituality would be so unsettled by the concept of freedom or lack thereof.

Perhaps you could encourage him to join the forum so we can offer some support.

Morgan Peterson6 said:He’s definitely depressed, that much is clear—
but I don't think he's necessarily "unstable" or anything? One of the ladies on the forum mentioned she doesn't see it as loneliness either... it’s more like his search led him straight to that point, and honestly, it's the only scenario he feels he's actually lived through.
He’s got a wife and a kid, and he loves that little one so much.
It doesn't even matter when I try to tell him to just hold on—it's like I'm talking to a wall. :-(

It might largely be a matter of a midlife crisis...

bluemason3 said:The chicken or the egg—does spirituality lead people toward depression, or does a predisposition toward depression drive them toward spirituality?

It really depends on what’s actually causing it:
a psychiatrist prescribing an SSRI,
or
a psychiatrist recommending psychotherapy.

Then there's the physical side. Hit the gym and grab some supplements when your testosterone starts to dip, and that might help too.😁

I believe testosterone replacement therapy is an option as well. 🤔

In any case, it is worth looking into. 🙂

David Vaughn75 said:I’m throwing this out there for anyone who actually believes in an afterlife—but hey, if you’re a skeptic, feel free to jump in and tell me why you think it’s all nonsense too.

So, here's what's rattling around in my brain: do we actually get a physical body in heaven, or are we just floating around in some vague, spiritual void? If we do get bodies back, who gets the final say on what we look like—is it God making the calls, or do we get some kind of cosmic autonomy?
And what’s the crowd situation like? Are we talking about a private VIP lounge where it's just us, or is the place packed with other people and... I don't know, other beings hanging out in the same space?
Is paradise basically just some pristine botanical garden like Adam and Eve had in the Garden of Eden, or is it more like a non-stop, eternal rave where we can indulge in whatever we want without any consequences?

Anyway, how do you guys picture it?

It is my view that existences follow one after another in an endless cycle.

Individual realms might certainly seem "heavenly" when compared to our current reality...

coastalwalker9 said:You make a good point; perhaps once I finally take a day off to clear my head, I will start looking at things differently.

Be selective about which users you engage with and which threads you choose to join. It takes a bit of time and experience to figure out who is worth talking to, what topics are worth your breath, and whether the vibe of a specific sub-forum actually suits you.

There are pleasant members here whom you can always have a great conversation with, others you can talk to occasionally depending on the topic, and then there are those you should simply avoid entirely—or better yet, just add to your Ignore list and move on.

Not everyone on this site has good intentions or even an interest in the subject matter; some people are just trolls, attention seekers, or even show up intoxicated and can't remember their own posts the next morning 😁 and so on.

If you approach everyone with endless empathy and tolerance, the "energy vampires" of the internet will drain you dry in no time. Save your energy and compassion for the people in your real life who truly matter. On a forum like this, it is wiser to remain somewhat reserved and maintain a healthy distance. You don't need to be rude, but you shouldn't overinvest either. At the end of the day, this is all just casual entertainment. 🙂

With a smile. 🙂

northernviper4 said:It is simply the desire to do so if the option is available, nothing more than that... I truly cannot fathom why anyone would suggest there are deeper motives at play.
I am merely inquiring about the possibility, though if it isn't an option, well, life goes on and I suppose I must accept the circumstances as they are... 😁

The benefit? For instance, one avoids leaving behind digital footprints and profiles that are no longer necessary... I prefer to maintain a sense of order and total control over my online presence, regardless of how anonymous that presence might actually be. 😁

Sent from my BLN-L21

That is just proof that you spend far too much time on this forum.
🧐😁
Whenever I catch myself dwelling on things like this—or trying to remember who said what or who was arguing with whom—I realize it is time to take a break.
After stepping away from the forum for a few days, I find that I truly don't care about some random handle and avatar sitting out there with my "brilliant" 😁 insights. 🤣

northernviper4 said:To put it bluntly, the whole mess started the very second we all clicked "agree" to the community guidelines😬

Let me be perfectly clear: if they would just delete the user profile entirely, I wouldn't care one bit about what happens to the individual posts...

The reason these old forums died out is simple: people migrated to Meta groups, USA, Quora, and other platforms that offer much better control over personal profiles and individual posts.

To be clear, my only requirement is that the user profile itself be deleted; I have no particular concern regarding the individual posts.

I would, too. With this. She was quite satisfied. 😁

That was just one guy who caused the entire forum to crash during a server outage. I am here..)

Our only real option now is to log out and simply stay away. 😁

Benjamin Taylor90 said:It’s not about being outdated; it’s about the fact that letting people wipe their profiles would basically gut the integrity of the whole forum. Most boards that claim to allow deletions usually just let you scrub your handle while keeping the actual posts intact—meaning your username just gets swapped out for Deleted user.

On USA, you can wipe everything—both posts and profiles—and it remains the largest global forum with hundreds of millions of users...

I don't see why it would be an issue to effectively "deactivate" a username so that the posts remain, even if the profile itself is gone and cannot be searched or used anymore. 🤔 This wouldn't compromise the quality of the discussions. Ultimately, the substance of the conversation should matter more than the specific person who wrote it.

Unfortunately, that isn't an option.

Even if someone enters the wrong password, uses an incorrect email address, or gets banned entirely, the profile remains intact with all its posts; the owner simply loses access to the account.

Traditional forums like this one were established back when privacy concerns were minimal, and posting under a handle or avatar was considered sufficient anonymity.

Perhaps if the owner eventually migrates to a more modern forum platform, such a feature might become available...

lonestag15 said:Are Tehuti, Bodjan, Ronin, Baphomet, Ndugu, Pavaogc, or Harmonije still hanging around?

...I see Nemruth is active, Samthing too, Krena... but practically everyone else is gone... and honestly, the quality here has absolutely tanked. Like, seriously...

Tehuti was definitely a heavy hitter...

The forums just aren't as popular anymore. I haven't been around here for about 8 or 9 years, and when I finally returned, the state of things truly shocked me. On the "spirituality" board, the most recent post was a year old. Alderlon wanted to archive and shut down the sub-forum, so I stepped up to moderate for a while just to prevent that. However, it became exhausting and tedious very quickly—there are just so many trolls, oddballs, addicts, people with serious mental health issues, and religious fanatics. There is no reason to spend one's free time reading through all that nonsense! That is why I only drop by occasionally now, and even then, I follow the discussions less and less. I start reading, and then I simply lose interest...

I believe a major issue with discussions like this is that everyone approaches the subject from a different angle. Take >, for example. One person might read it and accept everything within its pages as absolute truth without hesitation. Another might read it and attempt to intellectually deconstruct the ideas, interpreting concepts and comparing them to other texts. A third person might read it simply wanting to perceive reality through the lens it describes; they aren't interested in blind faith or intellectual debate, but rather in direct experience and insight.

That said, people value direct experience differently. For some, it is the ultimate goal of existence, and they will use any means necessary to reach it. They might experiment with various substances, follow strict diets, practice intense meditation, or retreat into complete isolation, often neglecting their daily lives entirely. Conversely, there are those who view such experiences merely as tools to enrich their understanding of life as it is. They maintain their health and stay engaged with the world, believing that ordinary life itself is the purpose, while spiritual insight serves as the seasoning.

Those seeking direct insight often struggle to communicate with people who lack it or have no interest in it. They find it difficult to accept faith without scrutiny, and they find philosophical debates—which often devolve into mere mental gymnastics or the analysis of a from a great teacher—to be exhausting. They can perhaps share their experiences with others who have had similar encounters or at least desire them. It is draining to try to convince others of what we have experienced, especially when explaining something inherently inexpressible to people who lack the will to even try to understand.

In my view, these are the primary reasons why meaningful dialogue on this subforum is so difficult and why fewer people choose to share their intimate spiritual journeys.

Regarding various insights, we must remain mindful of our own limitations. We are essentially just slightly more rational animals. Just as a dog cannot learn multiplication tables no matter how hard we try to explain them, a human living in three dimensions simply cannot grasp something that may exist in sixteen dimensions. Evolution moves slowly; despite all our advancements in medicine and technology, humans today are fundamentally the same as they were 2,000 years ago. Our cognitive capacity is limited. If we are unable to register or comprehend something, it does not mean that it does not exist.

bluemason3 said:That’s debatable. Without knowing what an allergy actually is, without testing to find out exactly what you're reacting to, or having treatment on hand if things go south after you eat something... you're just guessing.

More importantly, there's no basis for applying your own experience to others. You aren't a large enough sample size, the variables aren't controlled, and your own perception isn't objective enough. If that were the case, we wouldn't need science to uncover the causes of diseases; a thousand years ago, people would have already figured out it was bacteria rather than ghosts or shamans.

That all holds true, but we shouldn't overlook the value of personal experience. 🧐

That would be an entirely different extreme.

Despite my allergies, I continue to eat strawberries because doctors insist they're healthy—completely ignoring my own lived experience and ultimately leading me toward my demise. 😁

Even when it comes to spirituality, it isn't for everyone. 🙂