What are your expectations?

boldsailor2 said:We really need to focus more on the actual work itself rather than obsessing over the end goal. Every single action naturally leads to a result—so if we just do things the right way from the start, our attention should stay on the task at hand instead of worrying about what happens next. Honestly, people spend way too much time dwelling on the past or chasing things they haven't achieved yet—and that’s how you lose the only thing that actually matters: the present moment.
Just do the work, give it everything you've got, and try not to get hung up on the outcome. That’s basically the whole point of karma yoga 🙂

otherwise, frustration is pretty much inevitable...

It’s way better to find joy in the process itself than to live in this fantasy where happiness is some prize waiting for you at the finish line... because that finish line never actually arrives—it's a total trap 😉

Every action leads to a result, though I guess it isn't always the one you actually wanted.
I’m much like boldsailor2. I don't feel any need to eliminate my desires, nor do I think I need to leave this world behind to find some kind of release. I have no intention of running away from suffering, either. It’s just that, I guess, I don't want that, and maybe I don't need it.

Quincy:

If we handle everything correctly from the start, I guess our focus should stay strictly on the work itself. We shouldn't really worry about the end result. People seem to spend so much time dwelling on the past or chasing things they haven't achieved yet. In doing that, they lose the most important thing—the present.

If everything worked exactly the way you claim it should, I guess people wouldn't bother taking photos, historians wouldn't exist, and there wouldn't be any written documents left to find. Maybe.
Kudos to you, but I think I’d rather live in all three timelines at once. The present just feels far too small compared to everything that has happened and everything yet to come, I guess.

Quincy:

Just work hard, give it everything you've got, and try not to get hung up on the outcome. I guess that's really the whole point of Karma Yoga. 🙂

I don't really do yoga that way, nor do I particularly want to.

You totally missed my point—and honestly, I’m not even going to waste my breath trying to explain it again... whoever gets it, gets it, and the rest of you can just deal with it

boldsailor2 said:You totally missed my point—and honestly, I’m not even going to waste my breath trying to explain it again... whoever gets it, gets it, and the rest of you can just deal with it

We figured out your car is red, has 200 horsepower, and is an IBM.
But... I don't actually need a car.

Look, I said "I," not "we"—not everyone’s living life with their cup running over, you know? My post wasn't even directed at you... you clearly already have all the answers you need. The point is honestly too simple and blunt for me to sit here and explain—you completely missed the mark. I’ll just let the people who think they know better than me keep thinking that way... anyway, that's most people for you. You're just part of the herd. 😉

Cheers!

boldsailor2 said:Look, I said "I," not "we"—not everyone’s living life with their cup running over, you know? My post wasn't even directed at you... you clearly already have all the answers you need. The point is honestly too simple and blunt for me to sit here and explain—you completely missed the mark. I’ll just let the people who think they know better than me keep thinking that way... anyway, that's most people for you. You're just part of the herd. 😉

Cheers!

Don't get worked up. You haven't said anything we don't already know. Unfortunately, your line of thinking is exactly what the New York City herd tries to push on us.

Douglas Brown4 said:Don't get worked up. You haven't said anything we don't already know. Unfortunately, your line of thinking is exactly what the New York City herd tries to push on us.

"We" again? 🤣
If you think you actually know what "my" teachings are, then you're still just as lost as before... 😵

btw I'm not getting worked up, you're just being tedious 😉

boldsailor2 said:"We" again? 🤣
If you think you actually know what "my" teachings are, then you're still just as lost as before... 😵

btw I'm not getting worked up, you're just being tedious 😉

The issue is that you seem to be taking this far too personally.
Just relax. It's only a discussion.

Douglas Brown4 said:The issue is that you seem to be taking this far too personally.
Just relax. It's only a discussion.

the issue is you're assuming you know exactly what I mean...

and if you want to believe I'm getting worked up, fine—keep thinking that... you're just projecting your own biases at this point, and honestly, I don't even feel like explaining myself anymore... 😉

boldsailor2 said:the issue is you're assuming you know exactly what I mean...

and if you want to believe I'm getting worked up, fine—keep thinking that... you're just projecting your own biases at this point, and honestly, I don't even feel like explaining myself anymore... 😉

That’s probably your problem. If I misunderstood, then maybe you didn't explain it very well. I believe I understand your point.

Quincy:

and if you want to think I've gotten attached, then go ahead... you're just projecting your own biases again... and honestly, I don't really feel like explaining myself further in that spirit 😉

Fine. It's your choice.

Douglas Brown4 said:Every action leads to a result, though I guess it isn't always the one you actually wanted.
I’m much like boldsailor2. I don't feel any need to eliminate my desires, nor do I think I need to leave this world behind to find some kind of release. I have no intention of running away from suffering, either. It’s just that, I guess, I don't want that, and maybe I don't need it.

Quincy:

If we handle everything correctly from the start, I guess our focus should stay strictly on the work itself. We shouldn't really worry about the end result. People seem to spend so much time dwelling on the past or chasing things they haven't achieved yet. In doing that, they lose the most important thing—the present.

If everything worked exactly the way you claim it should, I guess people wouldn't bother taking photos, historians wouldn't exist, and there wouldn't be any written documents left to find. Maybe.
Kudos to you, but I think I’d rather live in all three timelines at once. The present just feels far too small compared to everything that has happened and everything yet to come, I guess.

Quincy:

Just work hard, give it everything you've got, and try not to get hung up on the outcome. I guess that's really the whole point of Karma Yoga. 🙂

I don't really do yoga that way, nor do I particularly want to.

You really think I'm that simple—?
"Getting rid of desire"... that’s just impossible. You have to learn how to channel it instead—and stop obsessing over the end result.

"You need to get out of here"... that's just wrong—the location doesn't actually matter at all.

"You’ve gotta let go"... but that "part" is already free—it’s just grasping—and you shouldn't be identifying with the "unfree" side—the ego, the mental modifications and all that.

"I don't even want to escape the suffering." ... me neither—I just keep wondering who exactly is doing the suffering, like, is it really ME or just some other part of me?

Douglas Brown4 said:Every action leads to a result, though I guess it isn't always the one you actually wanted.
I’m much like boldsailor2. I don't feel any need to eliminate my desires, nor do I think I need to leave this world behind to find some kind of release. I have no intention of running away from suffering, either. It’s just that, I guess, I don't want that, and maybe I don't need it.

Quincy:

If we handle everything correctly from the start, I guess our focus should stay strictly on the work itself. We shouldn't really worry about the end result. People seem to spend so much time dwelling on the past or chasing things they haven't achieved yet. In doing that, they lose the most important thing—the present.

If everything worked exactly the way you claim it should, I guess people wouldn't bother taking photos, historians wouldn't exist, and there wouldn't be any written documents left to find. Maybe.
Kudos to you, but I think I’d rather live in all three timelines at once. The present just feels far too small compared to everything that has happened and everything yet to come, I guess.

Quincy:

Just work hard, give it everything you've got, and try not to get hung up on the outcome. I guess that's really the whole point of Karma Yoga. 🙂

I don't really do yoga that way, nor do I particularly want to.

It’s honestly silly—inspiration always seems to hit right when you're finally alone with your own thoughts and actually present in the moment...

Douglas Brown4 said:Every action leads to a result, though I guess it isn't always the one you actually wanted.
I’m much like boldsailor2. I don't feel any need to eliminate my desires, nor do I think I need to leave this world behind to find some kind of release. I have no intention of running away from suffering, either. It’s just that, I guess, I don't want that, and maybe I don't need it.

Quincy:

If we handle everything correctly from the start, I guess our focus should stay strictly on the work itself. We shouldn't really worry about the end result. People seem to spend so much time dwelling on the past or chasing things they haven't achieved yet. In doing that, they lose the most important thing—the present.

If everything worked exactly the way you claim it should, I guess people wouldn't bother taking photos, historians wouldn't exist, and there wouldn't be any written documents left to find. Maybe.
Kudos to you, but I think I’d rather live in all three timelines at once. The present just feels far too small compared to everything that has happened and everything yet to come, I guess.

Quincy:

Just work hard, give it everything you've got, and try not to get hung up on the outcome. I guess that's really the whole point of Karma Yoga. 🙂

I don't really do yoga that way, nor do I particularly want to.

That’s just impossible... I mean, there's only the present moment—that's pretty easy to wrap your head around. Your logic makes it sound like you're identifying too much with the ego—you know, the "um"—since you think it "lives" through all three time periods.

Douglas Brown4 said:Every action leads to a result, though I guess it isn't always the one you actually wanted.
I’m much like boldsailor2. I don't feel any need to eliminate my desires, nor do I think I need to leave this world behind to find some kind of release. I have no intention of running away from suffering, either. It’s just that, I guess, I don't want that, and maybe I don't need it.

Quincy:

If we handle everything correctly from the start, I guess our focus should stay strictly on the work itself. We shouldn't really worry about the end result. People seem to spend so much time dwelling on the past or chasing things they haven't achieved yet. In doing that, they lose the most important thing—the present.

If everything worked exactly the way you claim it should, I guess people wouldn't bother taking photos, historians wouldn't exist, and there wouldn't be any written documents left to find. Maybe.
Kudos to you, but I think I’d rather live in all three timelines at once. The present just feels far too small compared to everything that has happened and everything yet to come, I guess.

Quincy:

Just work hard, give it everything you've got, and try not to get hung up on the outcome. I guess that's really the whole point of Karma Yoga. 🙂

I don't really do yoga that way, nor do I particularly want to.

You really think you can figure out my whole vibe after just a few sentences—? 😵

boldsailor2 said:You really think I'm that simple—?
"Getting rid of desire"... that’s just impossible. You have to learn how to channel it instead—and stop obsessing over the end result.

"You need to get out of here"... that's just wrong—the location doesn't actually matter at all.

"You’ve gotta let go"... but that "part" is already free—it’s just grasping—and you shouldn't be identifying with the "unfree" side—the ego, the mental modifications and all that.

"I don't even want to escape the suffering." ... me neither—I just keep wondering who exactly is doing the suffering, like, is it really ME or just some other part of me?

It’s honestly silly—inspiration always seems to hit right when you're finally alone with your own thoughts and actually present in the moment...

That’s just impossible... I mean, there's only the present moment—that's pretty easy to wrap your head around. Your logic makes it sound like you're identifying too much with the ego—you know, the "um"—since you think it "lives" through all three time periods.

You really think you can figure out my whole vibe after just a few sentences—? 😵

I’m just adding my two cents regarding how Westerners tend to interpret Eastern philosophy.

It’s foolish, really. Inspiration always seems to strike right when you finally find some peace and become truly present in the moment.

I find that inspiration hits me best when I’m hovering above the present moment. It’s that feeling of being detached—sort of stepping outside of both space and time.

That's just impossible... there is only the present moment, after all. That part should be easy enough to grasp. I guess your line of reasoning suggests you're identifying yourself too closely with the Mana, since you claim "it lives" across all three time periods.

That’s right. I agree.
The present is nothing more than an illusion; I guess it only truly exists within a specific point in time.

You think you can figure out my style after just a few sentences? Maybe. I guess. 😵

No.

Douglas Brown4 said:I’m just adding my two cents regarding how Westerners tend to interpret Eastern philosophy.

It’s foolish, really. Inspiration always seems to strike right when you finally find some peace and become truly present in the moment.

I find that inspiration hits me best when I’m hovering above the present moment. It’s that feeling of being detached—sort of stepping outside of both space and time.

That's just impossible... there is only the present moment, after all. That part should be easy enough to grasp. I guess your line of reasoning suggests you're identifying yourself too closely with the Mana, since you claim "it lives" across all three time periods.

That’s right. I agree.
The present is nothing more than an illusion; I guess it only truly exists within a specific point in time.

You think you can figure out my style after just a few sentences? Maybe. I guess. 😵

No.

Honestly, don't even bother... you can only really interpret anything if you're actually practicing it and looking inward—anything else is just useless intellectual gymnastics that leads people astray...

Douglas Brown4 said:I’m just adding my two cents regarding how Westerners tend to interpret Eastern philosophy.

It’s foolish, really. Inspiration always seems to strike right when you finally find some peace and become truly present in the moment.

I find that inspiration hits me best when I’m hovering above the present moment. It’s that feeling of being detached—sort of stepping outside of both space and time.

That's just impossible... there is only the present moment, after all. That part should be easy enough to grasp. I guess your line of reasoning suggests you're identifying yourself too closely with the Mana, since you claim "it lives" across all three time periods.

That’s right. I agree.
The present is nothing more than an illusion; I guess it only truly exists within a specific point in time.

You think you can figure out my style after just a few sentences? Maybe. I guess. 😵

No.

That’s where language fails us... because when I say "the present," I mean pure existence—totally outside of time and space.😉

boldsailor2 said:Honestly, don't even bother... you can only really interpret anything if you're actually practicing it and looking inward—anything else is just useless intellectual gymnastics that leads people astray...

That’s where language fails us... because when I say "the present," I mean pure existence—totally outside of time and space.😉

But how can you be sure I don't have that insight? 😁

then the terminology failed... when I say "the present," I mean pure existence, outside of time and space 😉

Terminology might fail, but there is such a thing as precise description. We aren't in New York City!

Douglas Brown4 said:But how can you be sure I don't have that insight? 😁

then the terminology failed... when I say "the present," I mean pure existence, outside of time and space 😉

Terminology might fail, but there is such a thing as precise description. We aren't in New York City!
Terminology might fail, but there is such a thing as precise description. We aren't in New York City!
Terminology might fail, but there is such a thing as precise description. We aren't in New York City!
Well, I don't— 😳
that's why I say people just breeze past Western philosophers and their whole interpretation thing 🤣
... I want to hear what *you* think—forget about them. 😉

boldsailor2 said:Terminology might fail, but there is such a thing as precise description. We aren't in New York City!

Terminology might fail, but there is such a thing as precise description. We aren't in New York City!
Well, I don't— 😳
that's why I say people just breeze past Western philosophers and their whole interpretation thing 🤣
... I want to hear what *you* think—forget about them. 😉
Well, I don't— 😳
that's why I say people just breeze past Western philosophers and their whole interpretation thing 🤣
... I want to hear what *you* think—forget about them. 😉

I have expectations, but maybe not desperate ones.

Douglas Brown4 said:Well, I don't— 😳
that's why I say people just breeze past Western philosophers and their whole interpretation thing 🤣
... I want to hear what *you* think—forget about them. 😉

I have expectations, but maybe not desperate ones.
Who else is just sitting around waiting for this to actually happen?😁

Douglas Brown4 said:I’m just adding my two cents regarding how Westerners tend to interpret Eastern philosophy.

It’s foolish, really. Inspiration always seems to strike right when you finally find some peace and become truly present in the moment.

I find that inspiration hits me best when I’m hovering above the present moment. It’s that feeling of being detached—sort of stepping outside of both space and time.

That's just impossible... there is only the present moment, after all. That part should be easy enough to grasp. I guess your line of reasoning suggests you're identifying yourself too closely with the Mana, since you claim "it lives" across all three time periods.

That’s right. I agree.
The present is nothing more than an illusion; I guess it only truly exists within a specific point in time.

You think you can figure out my style after just a few sentences? Maybe. I guess. 😵

No.

Finally, someone who actually admits when they are talking nonsense, even if they are having a grand old time doing it. You have my utmost respect...

Jesse Wright24 said:Finally, someone who actually admits when they are talking nonsense, even if they are having a grand old time doing it. You have my utmost respect...

So you're basically saying you've been WAITING for someone to just own up to it this whole time? 🙂

shame on you 🤣 😁

Jesse Wright24 said:Finally, someone who actually admits when they are talking nonsense, even if they are having a grand old time doing it. You have my utmost respect...

Not really. I just respond to nonsense in kind. These debates supposedly cover metaphysical topics, but it's mostly just mental speculation. It isn't that I mind everyone having their own perspective; it's just funny to watch how intensely people approach things they can't possibly grasp, convincing themselves of whatever they happened to read without ever connecting it to reality.

boldsailor2 said:So you're basically saying you've been WAITING for someone to just own up to it this whole time? 🙂

shame on you 🤣 😁

I have no idea where you got the notion that I was expecting an admission. It didn't even cross my mind that anyone would concede anything, and even if I had been hoping for it, I fail to see what there is to be ashamed of...

VioletStorm said:Not at all. I simply respond to nonsense in kind. We are ostensibly having debates about metaphysical topics here, yet in reality, it is nothing more than mental speculation. It isn't that I object to people having their own perspectives; rather, I find it amusing to observe how fervently individuals approach subjects they fundamentally cannot grasp, convincing themselves of things they merely read somewhere without ever connecting them to actual reality.

It's the exact same thing. It’s like that old saying about two people with their heads stuck in a gutter—you both have your heads in the gutter, but one of you is in a slightly better position than the other... if you can manage to overlook the fact that your head is in the gutter to begin with, then all the better...😁