Posts by Sean Cruz

Hi everyone!

I want to go on record saying that bluerider2 is one of those rare, truly fair moderators—at least based on my own experience with her. I’ve even brought her up in other threads as a gold standard for how to handle things properly.

I had a single "issue" with one specific person regarding that PDF, but honestly, you find stuff like that everywhere. I don't think we should judge the entire document just because a few individuals decided to be difficult in the comments.

Personally, I think any of the three candidates proposed would be an excellent choice.

coastalstag15 said:I was debating whether or not to bring him up, but since we’re already talking about Jesus, I might as well take a breath and join in. 😁

Josip Broz Marshall

The reasons themselves are almost redundant to state, but I was one of Marshall's pioneers, and those were my very first spiritual vows 😍
that I still honor to this day.

🙏

Good for you. I used to regret never becoming a youth leader, but now I’m actually glad I stayed an eternal pioneer.😁

The Pioneer's Vow

Nightside said:Beyond that, it’s honestly hilarious watching how much pop culture in the West obsesses over tantra. It’s usually just a convenient excuse for lazy impulses wrapped up in a flashy, "sexy" label. Even if you set aside the shallow versions—like "how to last longer" or "how to be a bedroom beast" to outdo some hardcore porn—the New Age wave has completely butchered this term. They strip it of all context until the whole thing boils down to this: read a couple of books, masturbate aimlessly, and convince yourself you’re a Tantrik. It’s basically like... well, it's a joke 😍

I couldn't agree more.

Andrew Sanchez572 said:Well, goodness me, someone here simply has to be the resident ignoramus. I suppose that role falls to me 👋

Sean Cruz, please understand that magic and tantra aren't merely techniques designed to enhance one's sexual relationship with a partner—that is my primary point, and I believe it is an essential distinction to make, as most people tend to conflate the two.
Both disciplines focus on accelerating karma and achieving mastery over oneself, a process where the regulation of sexual energy plays an absolutely monumental role.
I certainly have nothing against your spiritual path, provided that path consists primarily of finding deeper intimacy with your partner. 👍

That being said, I am quite curious... what exactly led you to conclude that I practice sex without any emotional connection? 😕

Well, you wrote that yourself:

Sexual Magika and tantra aren't necessarily tied to emotions.

Ryan Wilson2 said:I would argue, however, that sexual intimacy does indeed improve to some degree, simply because it grants partners the ability to manage their climax, allowing them to sustain the encounter for longer periods.

Instead of three minutes, you could be looking at thirty.😁

You can achieve that without even touching tantra, and honestly, you could stretch the timeline out much longer than what you’ve suggested here.

Andrew Sanchez572 said:Why do you use the word 'we'?

I believe you are perhaps mystifying both spirituality and sexuality, as well as their intersection, a bit too much. It is rather like suggesting that chanting is some sort of pre-spiritual activity for people.
Well, that depends on who you ask.
For someone who understands mantras and possesses the correct ones, it is not merely a matter of ease; rather, it serves as a genuine catalyst for spiritual advancement. The mantra itself is the tool for progress.
The same principle applies to sex.

Furthermore, I feel there is a slight exaggeration regarding these romantic, partner-based experiences. Sexual magic and Tantra are not necessarily tethered to emotions, relationships, or similar things. While it is certainly lovely to possess such a discipline and to share it with another, it is primarily a practice of self-discipline.

I don't know what "romance" means to you (it doesn't mean much to me personally), but sex without emotion doesn't move the needle for me either. Honestly, I've never even practiced it that way. I don't know much about the specific type of magic you're into, but based on how you're describing it—if that's actually magic—I don't even want to know more.
For me, true fulfillment comes from that spiritual, emotional, and physical connection with a partner. Any other version of sex feels half-baked.
It's like when I'm cooking a meal; I love the process of seasoning it, breathing in the aromas, and savoring the flavor and presentation. I lean into that sensory experience. Sex is the same for me—I want to soak in my partner's scent, their taste, and everything else. To me, there is nothing more spiritual than that.

wiredbear2 said:I’ve been doing quite a bit of reflecting lately... It strikes me that very few people have actually experienced sexuality—true intimacy—on a level that transcends the purely physical, or even that raw, animalistic drive we often fall back on.
It feels to me as though sexual connection in the Tantric sense remains an absolute mystery to the human race. There is an overwhelming amount of evidence to suggest this, though there are also countless reasons why we remain so disconnected from it.
I suppose I am essentially offering a diagnosis of our species when it comes to our sexual nature.
My dear fellow humans, you truly haven't the slightest clue what is actually happening here...
I honestly believe we are stunted as sexual beings. And really, it isn't surprising if you take a look at how neglected we've become in the spiritual realm. We are fundamentally incomplete 😁

You simply cannot have meaningful, high-quality intimacy without spirituality, much like you can't expect flowers to bloom in a meadow without the warmth of sunlight. When I speak of spirituality, I am not referring to any organized religion or labeled dogma, but rather to the human capacity for a holistic, all-encompassing experience of reality—noticing all those small and large details that surround us. A person who hasn't achieved spiritual growth or self-realization simply isn't prepared to explore the true depths and vastness of sexual connection 😉

You know how I view "spiritual" sex? It’s a total emotional and physical merging of two people—but only after they've already established a profound connection on both a spiritual and emotional level. That's when you can say you've finally moved past the purely animalistic stage.
Of course, that kind of connection is incredibly rare in the real world. 😁

That said, I do think our primal side helps us evolve in its own way sometimes. Anyway, stop listening to me; I'm currently watching "Wolf" starring Jack Nicholson. 🤣

Andrew Sanchez572 said:I must reiterate, we aren't discussing edge cases here, but rather the general rule. Most college students simply aren't married yet.

I fail to see what all this insistence is about...

I’m talking about the forced emphasis on sexuality. I’m not advocating for celibacy, but I’m also against pushing sexual activity as if it’s an obligation. It’s just like what Bridget mentioned earlier: you can eat even when you aren't hungry, but that doesn't mean you actually want to eat.

Andrew Sanchez572 said:That is precisely what I was getting at in my previous post, yet you went ahead and accused me of making sweeping generalizations. But, if I may, let's please try to steer the conversation back to the actual topic at hand...

That is certainly an ambitious goal, but one has to wonder how many people in America today—men and women alike—are actually working solely for the paycheck rather than out of a genuine passion for their profession. I would venture to say that those who truly find themselves doing what they love while simultaneously earning a substantial income are becoming quite a rare breed...

That is certainly true, though I would argue that a significantly larger number of men tend to view their professional careers as deeply fulfilling; and even in those instances where work falls short of providing purpose, they almost always have a dedicated hobby to fall back on...

What exactly were you getting at with those bolded parts? Are you suggesting that people end up staying single longer, or is there some other angle you're playing at? And honestly, just because someone has a fancy degree doesn't mean they're more "self-aware." I know plenty of pseudo-intellectuals out there who are so incredibly narrow-minded that I wouldn't even bother exchanging a single word with them if I didn't absolutely have to... on the flip side, I’ve met people without any higher education at all whom I could talk to for years on end without ever feeling bored for a single second.
One might be tempted to believe that a degree from an Ivy League university serves as the ultimate benchmark for capability, but I firmly believe that higher education is not the definitive measure of a person's true worth or potential... While academic credentials certainly hold weight in certain circles, they often fail to capture the nuanced reality of practical wisdom and genuine character. It is quite possible for someone to possess an extensive pedigree yet lack the fundamental intuition required for real-world success... Therefore, we should look beyond the diploma to find the true essence of ability.

You are once again deviating from the primary subject at hand...
I didn't mean any of those things you concluded... It’s quite simple, really. People complete their studies and then, naturally, they get married and start families. That is all there is to it...

In any given relationship, there’s always going to be a sense of competitiveness, and honestly, I don't see that as a negative at all. In fact, if you ask me, it can actually be quite motivating...
When it comes to women, that competitive streak almost always boils down to who can be the most attractive or catch a man's eye, whereas the competition between men tends to take on much more interesting—and frankly, more entertaining—dimensions. That is, unless you’re dealing with a group of total Neanderthals for male friends; in those cases, the rivalry just turns into an endless showdown over who has the bigger bank account or the flashier truck... 🙄 Those types of guys, honestly, rarely ever have women as close friends...

From where I'm sitting, that isn't quite right.

I wasn't implying any of those conclusions. It's just that people who focus on college tend to get married and start families later. That's all.

Even that doesn't hold up from my perspective—I know plenty of people who finished their degrees while already married (myself included). But I won't derail the thread further (even though you're the one who sparked this debate); I'll just say that in my own circles, things look different, likely due to various factors that forced most of my generation to grow up much faster than usual.

Personal growth requires constant work, and choosing one's own path is a deeply personal decision. I actually find myself agreeing with Bruno Mars on this topic—I'm not a fan of forcing anything.

hiddenhound3 said:Ah, that relentless competitive spirit—faster, stronger, more—it truly is quite monstrous, though I find myself wondering if you believe such an impulse is entirely absent among men? 🤣

Of course we do. We just tend to be a bit more subtle about it... and a lot more cutthroat. 😁
When it comes to friendships or dating between men and women, that edge almost entirely disappears. Unless, of course, you're dealing with certain types of high-strung, ego-driven competitors. 🙄 But let's be honest: that isn't a friendship, it's a business transaction. And in that arena, it doesn't matter—except that men are usually much easier to beat. 🤣

Andrew Sanchez572 said:Well, Sean Cruz, I believe you are actually generalizing quite a bit in a post specifically dedicated to condemning generalizations 😁

However, I think you may have misread my intentions entirely. While you correctly observed that women within a family structure often shoulder an overwhelming number of responsibilities—leaving them very little room to cultivate a life outside of domestic duties (and I include their careers in that, as those jobs often serve merely as a means to fund the household rather than a path for professional growth)
I am certainly not suggesting that every single woman fits this mold, though the vast majority does indeed fall into this pattern.
One might find slightly more breathing room in academic circles where education is prioritized and freedom is more accessible, yet those highly educated demographics represent a very small slice of our society.

So, we aren't really discussing the outliers here; we are talking about the statistical norm.

Furthermore, while these patterns might be less pronounced outside of America, I don't see much point in pivoting the conversation toward international comparisons right now, given that we are living here in the States and I would prefer not to derail the topic unnecessarily.

Elizabeth Bishop4, regarding the matter of sexual relationships, I don't have any particular grievances with men either 😁
Of course, there are certain behaviors that I find objectionable, but once they cross my threshold of tolerance, I simply end the relationship.
That being said, my current partner and I have been together for six years now, and I am truly satisfied with how our connection has evolved; the relationship has become progressively better and more meaningful on every level as the years pass.

I am not generalizing; I am simply describing the women in my own circle and social life.

No, you misunderstood me. While you correctly noted that women in a family setting carry an overwhelming load of responsibilities—leaving them little room for a life outside those duties (which includes jobs that often serve merely as family income rather than paths for career growth)—that was my point.

That implies ambition, but honestly, how many people today—men or women—work solely for a paycheck rather than out of passion for their craft? I’d argue it’s much rarer to find someone who truly loves what they do while also earning a high salary.

I’m not saying absolutely every woman is like this, but the vast majority are.
It’s slightly better to be in academic or intellectual circles, since education takes longer, which theoretically grants more freedom, but highly educated people make up a very small percentage of the population.

What were you getting at with the bolded text? Are you suggesting people stay single longer, or something else? Also, having a degree doesn't automatically make someone more "aware." I know plenty of pseudo-intellectuals I wouldn't want to talk to if I could help it because they are incredibly narrow-minded, just as I know people with less formal education whom I could talk to for years without ever being bored.

So, we aren't discussing exceptions right now, but the majority.

A college degree isn't the benchmark.

Andrew Sanchez572 said:It appears our life experiences are quite divergent, Elizabeth 🙂
throughout my entire life, I have found myself maintaining much more substantial and profound emotional connections with men than I have with women, which is an observation that seems to grow stronger as I age. I am referring strictly to platonic friendships, devoid of any sexual element...
Women tend to orient themselves toward a man, and they do so decisively. When we are younger, this isn't nearly as apparent, particularly if one is immersed in intellectual circles where we focus on personal growth, but once the "game of life" begins—meaning marriage, children, and such—women often neglect almost every other facet of their existence to focus exclusively on their spouse and family. Men, conversely, almost always maintain their own circle of friends and a career, or at least some hobby that provides an escape from those purely biological imperatives...
In most instances, women completely abandon their pursuit of self-development the moment they marry, or at least once the prospect of marriage becomes imminent...

To be perfectly candid, I have very few female friends with whom I can discuss the same range of topics that I can with my male friends, of whom I have no shortage...😛

Which is precisely why spirituality and self-discipline exist...😛

I can't say I agree with you at all. You're generalizing—which is exactly what you claim to avoid 🙂. Speaking from my own experience and observing the women in my life—friends, acquaintances, colleagues—very few actually lose themselves to their families the way you describe. The reality is that while these women certainly have more on their plates, those truly committed to self-growth won't let a husband or a child derail them. I don't mean that literally, of course, but if you're with a decent man who actually respects and understands you, you can balance it all. That’s a different story for women marrying traditionalist types who think they know "a woman's place," or for those who never had ambitions beyond marriage and kids to begin with. But in my circle, there are plenty of women you can have a real conversation with. There is, however, a flip side: there's often a subtle jealousy among women when one becomes more successful than the others. That's actually why I tend to have more male friends. 😛

I’ve only filed three reports so far. On the first two, the moderators actually stepped in and someone got banned, but the third one? Total silence—even though the post was nothing but mocking emojis. It’s funny how I ended up getting a warning for trolling on that thread, yet when I reported a user who’s been throwing insults for ages without consequence, nobody lifted a finger. That’s when it clicked for me: some people clearly have special privileges on this forum, so I don't really see the point in reporting anything anymore. ☕
Lately, I’ve been feeling exceptionally peaceful, so I just don't have the energy to go toe-to-toe with the mod team.
As for signatures, I’ve never reported one.
To be honest, filing these reports feels a bit like tattling, and I’m not a fan of that. Still, occasionally a user crosses the line so hard that you don't really have any other choice.

Megan Ramos29 said:Coelho talks about the Dark Night of the Soul in Bridge, using it as this metaphor for magic and mystical rituals—like it’s some kind of essential phase of training or an initiation process, you know?

The core idea is that we have to confront our deepest fears head-on if we ever want to reach true enlightenment. It’s about facing exactly what scares us most.

T.S. Eliot captures this sentiment perfectly in his poem "Everyday Lament," describing his own "dark night":

...To be weak, and powerless,
and alone without anyone,
restless, and desperate...

Ultimately, we are only as strong as our ability to face our greatest terrors, fight through them, and claim our peace of mind.

I voted for because I’ve realized this PDF doesn't actually serve the purpose it was designed for—a fact I've confirmed more than once now. There's really no point in it even existing.

Well, this is absolutely unbelievable.

Why was Florine banned?

Is this just meant to be a warning to the rest of us to pipe down before we face the same fate? Can someone please explain why the Spirituality moderator bans anyone who dares to disagree with his takes on the Komaj region?

Since you’ve already opened this thread, I figured I’d ask an official: what exactly makes this post considered trolling? Furthermore, does the host change actually have the authority to start tagging people from other threads who weren't even mentioned in the original discussion?

Seriously though, why is everyone getting banned? 😕

casualtiger2 said:Well, here I go again—getting heated, judging, and being biased. 🙂
I've never been a fan of people using multiple accounts (honestly, I don't really get the point), but hey, I won't stop you.
Maybe you just prefer those other handles—so when you feel like I'm not feeling you, you can just—I don't know—switch profiles. 😉

Actually, we're saying the exact same thing. I *am* trying to stay objective. Maybe our definitions of "objective" just don't line up? 😬
I like who I like, and I'm not out here trashing anyone else.

That's certainly possible.
And I agree on the first part—who I like is my business, but as for who I don't... well, I'd rather leave that unsaid. 😁

casualtiger2 said:The "yellow" thing was actually just aimed at Unknown and about a dozen other users he kept tagging with the same label.
I didn't ask for the moderator gig—it was thrust upon me—but since I’m already in the seat, I might as well do the job with some integrity.

The offer is still on the table: we've got maybe 40 active members here talking about Philosophy (not counting the bots).
Most of you have already agreed that I'm just the wrong guy in the wrong place. You only need 18 more votes and I'll step down. Voluntarily.

Look, I hold that man in high regard, and that is my prerogative. You spoke in the plural earlier, so don't try to backtrack now, though it hardly matters. I have nothing against you personally, but don't go judging me based on scraps of information. It isn't my place to decide whether you remain a moderator here, but don't play God. Get back down to earth; you'll find there are actual people living there.
We don't have to agree on everything, but everyone has the right to an opinion—and the right to support whoever they choose. You're the one who accepted the responsibility of moderating; therefore, you need to be objective, rather than showing favoritism to certain users while trashing others.

casualtiger2 said:Well, you pretty much nailed my intentions. 😬
I’m not kicking anyone off this forum.
Maybe a few people might leave on their own once they realize there aren't enough gladiator matches, tears, or blood (aka arguments) to go around.
Sure, having one solid, large group of decent forum members wouldn't be a bad thing. And they don't have to "fit" me—meaning they don't need to think or feel exactly like I do. But they do need to respect the space enough to make this place worthy of the name spirituality. Among the people I actually respect, there are plenty who hold views completely opposite to mine on just about everything.

You claim, for instance, that I insulted someone. On what basis are you making that claim?
Nobody here actually knows anyone, yet everyone is busy judging everyone else. You, Florin, and Alexis are the worst offenders (and you mostly just claim everyone else is a negative influence; weirdly, it's usually the moderators, who were apparently chosen for some reason to be in those roles?!).
What are your actual intentions here? Are you here to write about spirituality, or are you just waiting to jump at the moderators every time a topic doesn't go your way (trying to get certain threads banned while pushing others... which will happen anyway, just maybe not according to your "concept").
PS
For the record, I don't know much about the other users, just like they don't know much about me.
But I do know that Alexis hasn't started a single thread—not in philosophy, not in spirituality. And that’s not me judging her character, just her activity as a user. It’s definitely not an insult.

You conveniently skipped over my last post, which says quite a bit about you. Yes, you’ve certainly given yourself permission to pass judgment. What do you actually know about me? Do I belong to that group of radicals who pushed out the moderates, or as we say back in Boston, did the wolves come in and drive out the sheep? Who are you to judge me? Does my advocacy for a specific topic give you that right? And now Florin is criticizing the moderators?😂 Well, as far as I can tell, you're the first person Florin has ever addressed this way.
And exactly which "spiritual" topics am I supposed to write about? The ones promoting drugs or your little cult?
Get real, man. Being a moderator doesn't make you a god.

hiddenhound3 said:Hey everyone!

Personally, I find myself in disagreement with every single one of Benjamin Long's opinions; however, I believe he possesses the absolute right to critique anything, including this very forum. We live in a free democratic nation where our laws and Constitution are not violated simply because opinions and criticisms are voiced publicly.

Based on your current attitude, I can already tell that I will no longer be frequenting this sub-forum.

To me, this whole situation reeks of autocracy.

It is unfortunate, but I find your conduct distasteful. As a moderator, you ought to be serving the community of users, yet you seem to have convinced yourself that you are some sort of enlightened prophet.

Look, Florin, it seems like that's exactly his goal—to handpick a little group that fits his agenda. If you don't fit in, you're out. Plus, he thinks he has the right to insult people and pass judgment on individuals he doesn't even know. He's the perfect moderator for the Spirituality section.