It is not the strength nor the skill we lack to succeed, only the will.
I have come to find intelligence, skill, strength, speed, agility and wisdom are made useless without the will.
All men step aside for the man who knows where he's going.
In my many meetings and just as many partings, I have found those whom are most perseverant, most stubborn, most reluctant and most determined... are the ones whom get what they wish for. I am writing this because I believe we must all become more determined and more reluctant to give up. For it is those who refuse to go quietly into the night who survive, this is a world of survival, regardless of what intellect we may have.
It is those who are most determined to survive and to strive which make it out alive.
With these words, take to heart and with everything you do, do so with absolute resolve, uncanny belief, unstoppable will and only then does failure become impossible.
These are my thoughts on life and on succeeding, do what you will.
Full Version: Thoughts on Life
very Nietzschean
Say I were to be imprisoned~ What then?
My thoughts on this question: so long as you know you are right, no man can take your freedom.
My thoughts on this question: so long as you know you are right, no man can take your freedom.
Imprisioned? You escape.
I recently saw a documentary on a conman who not only became the CFO for one of the largest pharmesutical companies in America. He also escaped from
A Maximum High Security Prison... 4 Times!
This really stuck with me because of just how damn arrogant and persistant he was in doing whatever the hell he wanted to. He faked his own death, disguised himself as a Doctor. He even walked into the very prision he was once captive in, disguised as an Attourney, 12 times.
He is by far one of the most persistent people I have ever heard about. It seems as though there is nothing they can do to stop him, they can only hope to slow him down.
There was one thing he said that really got to me,
"Every system has its weakness', you just need to be observant and watch for things"
This was the basis for how he escaped every time and pulled off all of his Cons. Finally when the documentary was about to end with the interview of him in prision, they asked one final question.
"Well have you found any weakness' in this prison?"
...smiles "Yes."
Barriers only exist in the mind Flex, freedom cannot be taken from you if you hold that freedom within yourself. There is no true prison, only what appears to be one. Knowing right or wrong, thats just perception, if you want to be right, make your perception so that you will be right. However always being right limits your ability to grow, you really do learn more from the failures than the successes.
Lucid, nice to see you, how have you been?
I recently saw a documentary on a conman who not only became the CFO for one of the largest pharmesutical companies in America. He also escaped from
A Maximum High Security Prison... 4 Times!
This really stuck with me because of just how damn arrogant and persistant he was in doing whatever the hell he wanted to. He faked his own death, disguised himself as a Doctor. He even walked into the very prision he was once captive in, disguised as an Attourney, 12 times.
He is by far one of the most persistent people I have ever heard about. It seems as though there is nothing they can do to stop him, they can only hope to slow him down.
There was one thing he said that really got to me,
"Every system has its weakness', you just need to be observant and watch for things"
This was the basis for how he escaped every time and pulled off all of his Cons. Finally when the documentary was about to end with the interview of him in prision, they asked one final question.
"Well have you found any weakness' in this prison?"
...smiles "Yes."
Barriers only exist in the mind Flex, freedom cannot be taken from you if you hold that freedom within yourself. There is no true prison, only what appears to be one. Knowing right or wrong, thats just perception, if you want to be right, make your perception so that you will be right. However always being right limits your ability to grow, you really do learn more from the failures than the successes.
Lucid, nice to see you, how have you been?
Well I suppose no amount of determination could overcome being killed~
Ìllusion the belief in unstoppable will may be, but it is certainly better to belief in such an illusion.
After all we are living in a world of illusions, why can't we believe in an illusion that suits us?
Whos to say even if even death can have a hold on me?
After all we are living in a world of illusions, why can't we believe in an illusion that suits us?
Whos to say even if even death can have a hold on me?
No room for the meek then?
Sounds like Maximus has come down on the side of free will. After all, advocating willing to will is pointless if we aren't free.
Obstinancy and stupidity sometimes go together. The great example above of the unstoppable will was a criminal. Aristotle advocated more of a balance. Triumphing over all others is not the optimal solution. Just ask the defeated folowers of Hitler. Community is a Democratic value.
Obstinancy and stupidity sometimes go together. The great example above of the unstoppable will was a criminal. Aristotle advocated more of a balance. Triumphing over all others is not the optimal solution. Just ask the defeated folowers of Hitler. Community is a Democratic value.
If you have will you can do anything.
Welcome to Dopamine's world of the reward system.
Welcome to Dopamine's world of the reward system.
Here here!
The belief in yourself and your own righteousness is all there is to life. We need this belief, one way or another - sheep or shepherd.
The belief in yourself and your own righteousness is all there is to life. We need this belief, one way or another - sheep or shepherd.
The mechanics of expanding the mind into the absolute and removing the anchors of self defeating programs, (thoughts that are created by beliefs) requires that the mind experience something greater than what it has in the past.
This is facilitated by a meditative process, using tools to draw the mind inward, tools that charm the mind and have deeper meaning than fear and hopelessness.
This process isn't instantaneous no matter what that process is, because the internal programs of the mind are rooted deeply in memory and intertwined within other memory patterns of ones past.
The older the person the more complex and deeply ingrained are the patterns of associative thought about reality based on the experience of life. If all you know is self defeat and low self worth everything runs from that platform of reality.
Just as in hypnosis there is no instant removal of the underlying deep programs of the psyche, there is no instant gratification in the re-writing of internal programs in the process of expanding awareness through meditation.
This is probably why there are so many who stop using a method of meditation to turn toward the absolute. There is no instant solution when the mind has created a habit and returns to it because of belief.
Being that this is an instant gratification world there are few who will commit to anything that doesn't give them everything they think they want, NOW.
Faith in something greater has alot to do with changing the mind in its direction of thought. The Ego however lives and breathes from it's identification with the past memories, and instantly draws from the recognition of failure and any pain and suffering it has experienced, to return the mind to its defensive position of fear as the foundation of thought, to try and protect itself from any more suffering.
Faith, if strong enough will guide one through the fear but regardless of ones faith if one was to be persistent about using the tools, one could easily plow through the internal programs drawing the mind into greater experience of itself.
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was giving a lecture at a university back in the late 60's detailing the mechanics of expanding consciousness through Trancendental Meditation.
A University student asked the Yogi if it was more compassionate to spread TM in the world rather than to feed the hungry and fix the problems that existed in society.
His response was that all problems are created from a mind that is not seated in potential and from a mind that is lost in beliefs of limitation. He said if you teach a hungry man Trancendental Meditation he will be a "happy hungy man."
One who has a greater experience of reality will not hold onto the lesser experience or believe in the past because the mind is seated in the pure potential of the moment.
Not cycling thoughts of past failures and fear, the mind and body which are intimately connected, are more energized. The mind clear and without self defeating thoughts of impending failure and past suffering will be more open to create something different; something it had previously been unable to do due to its burden of thought and belief.
Of course he didn't explain that the process may take some time. The inward march of the mind begins to work instantly but rewriting internal programs is not instantaneous. The deeper rooted the self defeating internal programs, the deeper the mind must go through those programs into the still potential of the absolute to transmute them from the foundation of thought.
I was never taught a TM mantra but the system I use is based on the same mechanical principles.
We've taught many in the Federal prison system and they become more positive about their environment as their mind becomes more stable in the present moment rather than following thoughts of depression or regret about the past and projecting into thoughts about a hopeless future.
Some of these people are serving life sentences and have no open invitation by the federal prison system to change and get out.
These people are changing because they want to change themselves, regardless of their environment.
Because they have the tools to use they are using them rather than trying to figure out how to change from their present level of understanding.
Many in the prison system are self educating themselves but intellectual understanding is not enough to change their emotional body nor does it enliven the spirit within.
Those that are using the process of meditation are enlivened thru spirit to expand the intellect and to make the most of where they are without the need to escape.
Unfortunately for some who are not in prison, the idea that one cannot escape life is often worse. They know there is potential but they cannot find it within themselves to grab a hold of it, because they believe it doesn't exist for them.
There is no changing ones mind, if they themselves do not choose to change.
This is facilitated by a meditative process, using tools to draw the mind inward, tools that charm the mind and have deeper meaning than fear and hopelessness.
This process isn't instantaneous no matter what that process is, because the internal programs of the mind are rooted deeply in memory and intertwined within other memory patterns of ones past.
The older the person the more complex and deeply ingrained are the patterns of associative thought about reality based on the experience of life. If all you know is self defeat and low self worth everything runs from that platform of reality.
Just as in hypnosis there is no instant removal of the underlying deep programs of the psyche, there is no instant gratification in the re-writing of internal programs in the process of expanding awareness through meditation.
This is probably why there are so many who stop using a method of meditation to turn toward the absolute. There is no instant solution when the mind has created a habit and returns to it because of belief.
Being that this is an instant gratification world there are few who will commit to anything that doesn't give them everything they think they want, NOW.
Faith in something greater has alot to do with changing the mind in its direction of thought. The Ego however lives and breathes from it's identification with the past memories, and instantly draws from the recognition of failure and any pain and suffering it has experienced, to return the mind to its defensive position of fear as the foundation of thought, to try and protect itself from any more suffering.
Faith, if strong enough will guide one through the fear but regardless of ones faith if one was to be persistent about using the tools, one could easily plow through the internal programs drawing the mind into greater experience of itself.
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was giving a lecture at a university back in the late 60's detailing the mechanics of expanding consciousness through Trancendental Meditation.
A University student asked the Yogi if it was more compassionate to spread TM in the world rather than to feed the hungry and fix the problems that existed in society.
His response was that all problems are created from a mind that is not seated in potential and from a mind that is lost in beliefs of limitation. He said if you teach a hungry man Trancendental Meditation he will be a "happy hungy man."
One who has a greater experience of reality will not hold onto the lesser experience or believe in the past because the mind is seated in the pure potential of the moment.
Not cycling thoughts of past failures and fear, the mind and body which are intimately connected, are more energized. The mind clear and without self defeating thoughts of impending failure and past suffering will be more open to create something different; something it had previously been unable to do due to its burden of thought and belief.
Of course he didn't explain that the process may take some time. The inward march of the mind begins to work instantly but rewriting internal programs is not instantaneous. The deeper rooted the self defeating internal programs, the deeper the mind must go through those programs into the still potential of the absolute to transmute them from the foundation of thought.
I was never taught a TM mantra but the system I use is based on the same mechanical principles.
We've taught many in the Federal prison system and they become more positive about their environment as their mind becomes more stable in the present moment rather than following thoughts of depression or regret about the past and projecting into thoughts about a hopeless future.
Some of these people are serving life sentences and have no open invitation by the federal prison system to change and get out.
These people are changing because they want to change themselves, regardless of their environment.
Because they have the tools to use they are using them rather than trying to figure out how to change from their present level of understanding.
Many in the prison system are self educating themselves but intellectual understanding is not enough to change their emotional body nor does it enliven the spirit within.
Those that are using the process of meditation are enlivened thru spirit to expand the intellect and to make the most of where they are without the need to escape.
Unfortunately for some who are not in prison, the idea that one cannot escape life is often worse. They know there is potential but they cannot find it within themselves to grab a hold of it, because they believe it doesn't exist for them.
There is no changing ones mind, if they themselves do not choose to change.
Just as you might believe in god, then you might believe in you.
The two are inclusive
QUOTE(Joesus @ Dec 20, 2006, 08:26 PM) 
The two are inclusive
They are, one.
QUOTE(lucid_dream @ Dec 12, 2006, 07:18 PM)
very Nietzschean
Very good.
QUOTE(Joesus @ Dec 21, 2006, 01:25 AM)
They are, one.
So 1+1= ..... errrr, 1?
Hmm, prehaps it is 1 = 1 divided by its parts?
Using Joesus' statement, 1+1 still = 2. Its the definition of 1 that changes.
I think they are paradoxically one Hey Hey, Joesus creates his God and his God creates him, they are forever creating each other.
Using Joesus' statement, 1+1 still = 2. Its the definition of 1 that changes.
I think they are paradoxically one Hey Hey, Joesus creates his God and his God creates him, they are forever creating each other.
You can put a mask on something and what is behind the mask doesn't really change.
QUOTE(maximus242 @ Dec 21, 2006, 02:48 PM)
Hmm, prehaps it is 1 = 1 divided by its parts?
Using Joesus' statement, 1+1 still = 2. Its the definition of 1 that changes.
I think they are paradoxically one Hey Hey, Joesus creates his God and his God creates him, they are forever creating each other.
Lifes hardest questions: which came first the chichen or the egg? which came first Joesus or his God?
Both, always are...
Flex asks: "Life's hardest questions: which came first the chicken or the egg?"
According to the theory of evolution the answer is: Reptiles. They layed eggs, which, following a long period of evolution, became chickens, which became hens, which layed eggs...
Did you hear about the philosopher who ordered a chicken sandwich and an egg sandwich? When the waiter asked, why, he responded: "I want to see which one will come first?"
According to the theory of evolution the answer is: Reptiles. They layed eggs, which, following a long period of evolution, became chickens, which became hens, which layed eggs...
Did you hear about the philosopher who ordered a chicken sandwich and an egg sandwich? When the waiter asked, why, he responded: "I want to see which one will come first?"
Max writes: "I have come to find intelligence, skill, strength, speed, agility and wisdom are made useless without the will."
Max, I agree. IMO, what I think of as life is the result of a complex combination and integration of at least three components--essential parts: the somatological (physical), the psychological (mental) and the pneumatological (the will, spirit or conscious awareness) components. What is to be--in my world--is up to me.
Max, I agree. IMO, what I think of as life is the result of a complex combination and integration of at least three components--essential parts: the somatological (physical), the psychological (mental) and the pneumatological (the will, spirit or conscious awareness) components. What is to be--in my world--is up to me.
Are not intelligence, skill, strength, speed etc. the biproduct of will?
They are inherent qualities of of the Self brought into manifestation through desire, and regulated by the freedom of will, experienced by the mind.
QUOTE(Joesus @ Dec 22, 2006, 01:52 AM)
You can put a mask on something and what is behind the mask doesn't really change.
Everything is a mask. Behind the mask is a mask, is a mask .....
The reflection of the absolute.
QUOTE(Flex @ Dec 21, 2006, 10:43 PM)
Are not intelligence, skill, strength, speed etc. the biproduct of will?
I like to think of the three components of my being--soma, psyche and pneuma--which I mentioned above, as being like the three legs of a stool, or the three sides of a triangle. IMO, each has equal value and importance.
When I die--Keep in mind that I was born in 1930 and love reading the news-making obits, daily--if I survive the physical-death experience--which I hope I will--I do not want to think of myself as a being some kind of a disembodied and mindless spirit.
If I survive--and I have no guarantee that I will--I look foreward to, possibly, having a new kind of body, mind and spirit. In this new being, I hope to have the opportunity to doing many things, such as... Well, you name what you would like to do in your old age and beyond.
.
QUOTE(Lindsay @ Dec 23, 2006, 05:13 AM)
When I die--Keep in mind that I was born in 1930 and love reading the news-making obits, daily--if I survive the physical-death experience--which I hope I will--I do not want to think of myself as a being some kind of a disembodied and mindless spirit.
If I survive--and I have no guarantee that I will--I look foreward to, possibly, having a new kind of body, mind and spirit. In this new being, I hope to have the opportunity to doing many things, such as... Well, you name what you would like to do in your old age and beyond.
What happens to all of these reincarnated beings at the end of the universe? (Long life and good health to you in the meantime).If I survive--and I have no guarantee that I will--I look foreward to, possibly, having a new kind of body, mind and spirit. In this new being, I hope to have the opportunity to doing many things, such as... Well, you name what you would like to do in your old age and beyond.
"What happens to all of these reincarnated beings at the end of the universe? (Long life and good health to you in the meantime)."
Thanks for the good wishes, HH.
About your very interesting question: Because it makes rational sense to me, I would like to think that some kind of reincarnation is possible. However, besides wanting to see, with my physical eyes, what my grandchildren and their generation will do with their adult lives, one of the things which motivates me to want to live longer is that I am extremely interested in what science will uncover about the nature of time and space. I cannot conceive of there being an "end of the universe", or of consciousness, or time.
IMO, if there is an end of the universe and no such "thing" as GØD (Love), let's hope that more and more people will become at least moral, ethical and loving atheists, ones who enjoy being good for goodness sake. Without compassionate love, IMO, life is hell. With it, we can all help make a heaven on earth. I think it was Fyodor Dostoyevski who said, "Without God, eveything is permitted".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dostoyevski
http://shestov.by.ru/sk/sk_01.html
http://www.allreaders.com/Topics/Topic_353.asp
Thanks for the good wishes, HH.
About your very interesting question: Because it makes rational sense to me, I would like to think that some kind of reincarnation is possible. However, besides wanting to see, with my physical eyes, what my grandchildren and their generation will do with their adult lives, one of the things which motivates me to want to live longer is that I am extremely interested in what science will uncover about the nature of time and space. I cannot conceive of there being an "end of the universe", or of consciousness, or time.
IMO, if there is an end of the universe and no such "thing" as GØD (Love), let's hope that more and more people will become at least moral, ethical and loving atheists, ones who enjoy being good for goodness sake. Without compassionate love, IMO, life is hell. With it, we can all help make a heaven on earth. I think it was Fyodor Dostoyevski who said, "Without God, eveything is permitted".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dostoyevski
http://shestov.by.ru/sk/sk_01.html
http://www.allreaders.com/Topics/Topic_353.asp
About GØD as Love.: It is important to note that the Bible--1 John 4:8--specifically states, "God is Love" (Ho Theos agape estin).
Okay, if this is so, perhaps we can create another metaphor and speak of the GLØVE of God. After all, would it not be proper for the hand of GØD to wear a glove?
Okay, if this is so, perhaps we can create another metaphor and speak of the GLØVE of God. After all, would it not be proper for the hand of GØD to wear a glove?
Why would it be proper? The Love of God is not a feeling nor by any surface appearances locked into form.
QUOTE(Joesus @ Dec 23, 2006, 10:04 AM)
Why would it be proper? The Love of God is not a feeling nor by any surface appearances locked into form.
If the love of God is not a feeling and can't be locked into form, then what the hell is it? If it is not something intangible like a feeling, nor locked into form, then it does not exist in our world, does it? Everything is eaither tangible or intangible no?
J, as I was unable to "lock into form" the intent and meaning of your comment, I have no answer to it. Therefore, I thank Flex for handling it, nicely.
BTW, in my opinion, love can include feelings, but it need not be dominated by them. In other words, it is possible for me to wish my enemies--and I do have some--good fortune and good health, without "loving" them, feelingly, as I do people I enjoy, naturally.
BTW, in my opinion, love can include feelings, but it need not be dominated by them. In other words, it is possible for me to wish my enemies--and I do have some--good fortune and good health, without "loving" them, feelingly, as I do people I enjoy, naturally.
QUOTE
If the love of God is not a feeling and can't be locked into form, then what the hell is it?
It is much more than a feeling in that it supports all feelings, thought and action.
QUOTE
If it is not something intangible like a feeling, nor locked into form, then it does not exist in our world, does it?
The world exists because of it.
QUOTE
Everything is eaither tangible or intangible no?
Relatively speaking.
You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them…(Exodus / Shemot 20:4).
Ok this is kind of off topic, but I must say that Heaven must be a terrible place. Surely in Heaven I would not be allowed to drink, smoke pot, or have promisuous sex--what fun would eternal life be without those things?
Heaven in a box...
I'll take one to go please.
I think most people stop imagining if there could possibly be anything better, until they start thinking about what they don't like...
If you have all that and can't think of anything better then you must be in heaven already.
I'll take one to go please.
I think most people stop imagining if there could possibly be anything better, until they start thinking about what they don't like...
If you have all that and can't think of anything better then you must be in heaven already.
What a waste of resource! Why no heaven in this existence? Why transcend? Why not now. A game with an observer? Rats in a box? Some god!
QUOTE
Why transcend?
QUOTE
Rats in a box? Some god!
For some the latter is the belief in reality. Transcending that belief opens the heart and the mind to something much greater.
QUOTE(Joesus @ Dec 24, 2006, 08:15 AM)
QUOTE
Why transcend?
QUOTE
Rats in a box? Some god!
For some the latter is the belief in reality. Transcending that belief opens the heart and the mind to something much greater.QUOTE(Hey Hey @ Dec 24, 2006, 06:20 AM)
Why no heaven in this existence? Why transcend? Why not now.
That is the message Jesus gave humanity. Heaven is here now.
Jesus, smeeshus. YOu can't be serious, Joesus
Is there some kind of hidden message in your remark? 
QUOTE(Joesus @ Dec 24, 2006, 11:04 AM)
That is the message Jesus gave humanity. Heaven is here now.
Maybe this Jesus guy wasn't so bad after all--I mean he did turn water into wine, I would love to have a guy like that at my party!
QUOTE(Flex @ Dec 13, 2006, 02:47 PM)
Say I were to be imprisoned~ What then?
My thoughts on this question: so long as you know you are right, no man can take your freedom.
I don't think maximus is suggesting that having absolute will guarantees success. Rather he is saying that it is often a bottleneck, that natural skill or aptitude cannot simply replace.
QUOTE(Joesus @ Dec 24, 2006, 12:04 PM)
That is the message Jesus gave humanity. Heaven is here now.
Joesus hit the nail on the head on this one. Happiness is not determined by situation but rather the perception of that situation - I suggest reading PsychoCybernetics by Maxwell Maltz, he goes deeply into how the self image is a reflection of the happiness of a person, how to change the self image and how to be happy now instead of "when i pay off the mortgage or when I get a new car" I will be happy. To be happy it starts now, heaven is in your backyard if you want it to be.
Heres an example. Your trapped in the woods, no food, no water and suddenly you see a dirty old cabin that will keep you warm in the middle of winter.. huzzah!
Now compare this
You have just planned your vacation, your travelling to Russia and will be staying in a log cabin, you payed 10,000 to get this trip and are taken out by plane.. suddenly you see this dirty old shack and the pilot says thats where you will be staying.
You would be sleeping in the same cabin, yet in one situation you would be glad to have a place to sleep and the other you would be miserable. You have the same end result yet your emotions are diffrent.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and happiness lies in our hearts.
In regards to the will and perception there is a famous quote that I think can give percpective. "Whatever our minds can concieve and believe, they can also come true".
QUOTE
"Whatever our minds can concieve and believe, they can also come true".
Very true. This is the essence of link between the inner and outer world. Whats interesting is if matter was formed from a Universal consciousness, or its predecessor, then this mind is simply recursing through biological life, gaining intricacy along the way.
I've seen evidence in cymatics that matter formed from vibrations/sound like religious texts state. Our brains must be resonating in the same way. Maybe they should stop looking for reductionist style answers to the mind, and start looking for symphonies
As for someone questioning the reality of a primary source:
Just because something is impercievable doesn't mean it isn't there. Keep disecting a seed and you wont find a tree anywhere, the world is constantly transmuting into something else. Put salt in water and let it dissolve. You can taste the salt in the water, but it is unpercievable to anything except direct experience (taste).
Heaven and Hell are simply the peaks and trough of the eternals waveform - the expression of duality and the Trinity. Demons are the polar opposite to angels. Why do angels have wings? Its the feather/flight archetype, mankinds will to rise above all challenges and evils.
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