High Expectations

Off Topic
61

[quote]batman730 wrote:

[quote]orion wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]orion wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:
My wants feel like needs .[/quote]

Yes, they do.

But, its a lie. [/quote]
If it is, it’s a very useful one[/quote]

A very destructive one too, if you cannot rise above it.

[/quote]

Yep. If your every want feels like a need there can be no freedom, even given infinite time and resources to pursue them all to their ends. You will always be a prisoner to your own compulsions even if you are “free” to indulge them all. Hungry ghosts and all…[/quote]
I wasn’t implying that every want felt like I need. Just a few.

62

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]bdocksaints75 wrote:

[quote]flipya4it wrote:

[quote]bdocksaints75 wrote:
There are no more barriers to cross. All I have in common with the uncontrollable and the insane, the vicious and the evil, all the mayhem I have caused and my utter indifference toward it I have now surpassed. My pain is constant and sharp, and I do not hope for a better world for anyone. In fact, I want my pain to be inflicted on others. I want no one to escape. But even after admitting this, there is no catharsis; my punishment continues to elude me, and I gain no deeper knowledge of myself. No new knowledge can be extracted from my telling. This confession has meant nothing.[/quote]

I assume this is a copy and paste from somewhere?

Its from American Psycho with Christian Bale, Great movie if you haven’t seen it.

if you put that together on the fly in response to the OP then you’re one smart motherfucker!reads like a final journal entry from a movie like apocalypse now or similar.good stuff.[/quote]
Its from american psycho which is what op original post reminded me of
[/quote]
I guess I should feel honored
[/quote]

63

ok I swear I’m typing something but its not showing , anyways its a quote from American Psycho which is what OP’s post reminded me off.

64

I liked this one too from cstratton2-There is a zen saying “The bird of paradise lands only on the hand that does not grasp.”

interesting thread.

65

I’m going to come back and contribute. Just wanted to say for now that I feel very very much the same way as you. This is an awesome idea for a thread.

I’m 23. In Uni.

66

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]batman730 wrote:

[quote]orion wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]orion wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:
My wants feel like needs .[/quote]

Yes, they do.

But, its a lie. [/quote]
If it is, it’s a very useful one[/quote]

A very destructive one too, if you cannot rise above it.

[/quote]

Yep. If your every want feels like a need there can be no freedom, even given infinite time and resources to pursue them all to their ends. You will always be a prisoner to your own compulsions even if you are “free” to indulge them all. Hungry ghosts and all…[/quote]
I wasn’t implying that every want felt like I need. Just a few.[/quote]

Sounds like those few are enough. I stand by what I said, although I should have quoted you more directly (i.e. If your wants feel like needs etc, etc…).

67

[quote]flipya4it wrote:
I liked this one too from cstratton2-There is a zen saying “The bird of paradise lands only on the hand that does not grasp.”

interesting thread.[/quote]
Yes, I’m aware of the saying. The principle factor that the saying doesn’t address is that the hand must first be a suitable platform for the bird.

68

[quote]batman730 wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]batman730 wrote:

[quote]orion wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]orion wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:
My wants feel like needs .[/quote]

Yes, they do.

But, its a lie. [/quote]
If it is, it’s a very useful one[/quote]

A very destructive one too, if you cannot rise above it.

[/quote]

Yep. If your every want feels like a need there can be no freedom, even given infinite time and resources to pursue them all to their ends. You will always be a prisoner to your own compulsions even if you are “free” to indulge them all. Hungry ghosts and all…[/quote]
I wasn’t implying that every want felt like I need. Just a few.[/quote]

Sounds like those few are enough. I stand by what I said, although I should have quoted you more directly (i.e. If your wants feel like needs etc, etc…).[/quote]
I guess it’s just a byproduct of a dreamer mindset.

69

Find a local charity and do something nice for someone who needs it.

70

[quote]SkyzykS wrote:
Find a local charity and do something nice for someone who needs it.

[/quote]
I’ll probably be working with kids again

72

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]flipya4it wrote:
I liked this one too from cstratton2-There is a zen saying “The bird of paradise lands only on the hand that does not grasp.”

interesting thread.[/quote]
Yes, I’m aware of the saying. The principle factor that the saying doesn’t address is that the hand must first be a suitable platform for the bird.[/quote]

I interpret your statement above to mean that you long for certain things but don’t really feel worthy of receiving them.

this is probably what is holding you back.

once you feel worthy of the great things available to you,then you will attract them into your life.

very similar to relationships I guess-no use trying to have someone love you until you actually love yourself.

i’m intrigued by the place you find yourself at spar4tee and wish you strength.

a quote that helps me sometimes is-“life and success will always be about getting up one more time than you get knocked down”.

73

check your estrogen levels
or maybe you just need a tampon

74

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]batman730 wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]batman730 wrote:

[quote]orion wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]orion wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:
My wants feel like needs .[/quote]

Yes, they do.

But, its a lie. [/quote]
If it is, it’s a very useful one[/quote]

A very destructive one too, if you cannot rise above it.

[/quote]

Yep. If your every want feels like a need there can be no freedom, even given infinite time and resources to pursue them all to their ends. You will always be a prisoner to your own compulsions even if you are “free” to indulge them all. Hungry ghosts and all…[/quote]
I wasn’t implying that every want felt like I need. Just a few.[/quote]

Sounds like those few are enough. I stand by what I said, although I should have quoted you more directly (i.e. If your wants feel like needs etc, etc…).[/quote]
I guess it’s just a byproduct of a dreamer mindset.[/quote]

My suggestion is that unless you allow your mindset to shift, you will be unable to experience the sense of satiation you profess to be seeking, regardless of all your future accomplishments, adventures, progress etc.

Of course, it’s as meaningless for me to say this to you now as it was when someone else said something similar to me back when I was going through my own version of what it sounds like you’re going through now.

It’s all part of the process.

75

[quote]batman730 wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]batman730 wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]batman730 wrote:

[quote]orion wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]orion wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:
My wants feel like needs .[/quote]

Yes, they do.

But, its a lie. [/quote]
If it is, it’s a very useful one[/quote]

A very destructive one too, if you cannot rise above it.

[/quote]

Yep. If your every want feels like a need there can be no freedom, even given infinite time and resources to pursue them all to their ends. You will always be a prisoner to your own compulsions even if you are “free” to indulge them all. Hungry ghosts and all…[/quote]
I wasn’t implying that every want felt like I need. Just a few.[/quote]

Sounds like those few are enough. I stand by what I said, although I should have quoted you more directly (i.e. If your wants feel like needs etc, etc…).[/quote]
I guess it’s just a byproduct of a dreamer mindset.[/quote]

My suggestion is that unless you allow your mindset to shift, you will be unable to experience the sense of satiation you profess to be seeking, regardless of all your future accomplishments, adventures, progress etc.

Of course, it’s as meaningless for me to say this to you now as it was when someone else said something similar to me back when I was going through my own version of what it sounds like you’re going through now.

It’s all part of the process.[/quote]
Terminal velocity

76

[quote]flipya4it wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]flipya4it wrote:
I liked this one too from cstratton2-There is a zen saying “The bird of paradise lands only on the hand that does not grasp.”

interesting thread.[/quote]
Yes, I’m aware of the saying. The principle factor that the saying doesn’t address is that the hand must first be a suitable platform for the bird.[/quote]

I interpret your statement above to mean that you long for certain things but don’t really feel worthy of receiving them.

this is probably what is holding you back.

once you feel worthy of the great things available to you,then you will attract them into your life.

very similar to relationships I guess-no use trying to have someone love you until you actually love yourself.

i’m intrigued by the place you find yourself at spar4tee and wish you strength.

a quote that helps me sometimes is-“life and success will always be about getting up one more time than you get knocked down”.[/quote]
Not so much about being worthy. Just thinking of a hand that’s open and extended. You still want to reach out and be open.

77

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]cstratton2 wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]cstratton2 wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]cstratton2 wrote:

[quote]orion wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]bdocksaints75 wrote:
What needs are not being met?[/quote]
I suppose financial gain, professional success, and intellectual curiosity/satiation. I feel I should be much further along in life by now. It’s hard not to be envious of the success of my friends when I feel so stagnant. I also have this very deep desire for adventure and exploration.[/quote]

Interesting topic, and I know what you mean.

You simply want, want, want MORE and the voices in your head never stop.

BUT, at least as far as success and intellectual development are concerned you really do not want to stop ever.

Because if you reached the very pinnacle of what you are capable of, the voices in your head would not stop and you would have nowhere left to go to.

Its a journey, one step after the other and, quite frankly, I am looking forward to be being 50 and 60 and 70 because if you dont stop growing it is all very rewarding.[/quote]

If you had nowhere else to go you would be placed up front and center with the emptiness that comes with seeking everything in goals and ambitions… The ego can only do so much before it runs on wits ends… A mid life crisis is nothing more then the drying up of pushing and striving of the mind, maybe instead of distractions and avoidance a person should move into this sense of space and go past the voices of the mind. Do not get to wrapped up in you’re conditioning or you will never be able to stop and enjoy the roses, you’ll just keep looking for the next thing.
[/quote]
That’s where the desire for adventure and exploration comes from… at least partially[/quote]

Use that curiosity and adventure to enter into that unknown territory, Contemplate Who Am I and From who do these thoughts belong when thinking takes over, or the “voices”. See what you find, meditation helps too… Allowing things to be and moving into the space between thoughts, watching the thinker, focus on that awareness that is the silent watcher.

There is a zen saying “The bird of paradise lands only on the hand that does not grasp.”
[/quote]
Right. I usually just passively let my subconscious work on its won. Just to be clear though. The adventure and exploration I’m seeking is very much physical.[/quote]

The physical and everything else is already completely connected so there is no separation. What are you looking for? New experiences? Travel?
[/quote]
I know everything is connected. I was just clarifying. I’m mostly looking for answers, enlightenment, and rebirth.[/quote]

The meditative practice “Who am I” and the others I wrote are the practices of enlightenment which just is a perception of totality without separation and illusion… It is a burning of everything that isn’t real, a path of utter destruction.

If you are talking about wanting a shift in life and the sense of being that is what it is… falling into that void people perceive as emptiness, its that little itch saying you aren’t living the life you should be.

Anyways other then that there are plenty of other things you can do like charity work, school events, clubs, read some new books in you’re downtime, Ohh learn a new language that’s always fun! I am still working on my Japanese. Other then that just don’t project you’re happiness and fulfillment on activities that are just functions and activities, remember its all internal and you won’t be chasing new distractions to find some completion or short lived bliss that is not already completely whole and perfect within.

78

Thanks everyone for all replies and advice. My mood is better now than it was this morning.

79

[quote]cstratton2 wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]cstratton2 wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]cstratton2 wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]cstratton2 wrote:

[quote]orion wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]bdocksaints75 wrote:
What needs are not being met?[/quote]
I suppose financial gain, professional success, and intellectual curiosity/satiation. I feel I should be much further along in life by now. It’s hard not to be envious of the success of my friends when I feel so stagnant. I also have this very deep desire for adventure and exploration.[/quote]

Interesting topic, and I know what you mean.

You simply want, want, want MORE and the voices in your head never stop.

BUT, at least as far as success and intellectual development are concerned you really do not want to stop ever.

Because if you reached the very pinnacle of what you are capable of, the voices in your head would not stop and you would have nowhere left to go to.

Its a journey, one step after the other and, quite frankly, I am looking forward to be being 50 and 60 and 70 because if you dont stop growing it is all very rewarding.[/quote]

If you had nowhere else to go you would be placed up front and center with the emptiness that comes with seeking everything in goals and ambitions… The ego can only do so much before it runs on wits ends… A mid life crisis is nothing more then the drying up of pushing and striving of the mind, maybe instead of distractions and avoidance a person should move into this sense of space and go past the voices of the mind. Do not get to wrapped up in you’re conditioning or you will never be able to stop and enjoy the roses, you’ll just keep looking for the next thing.
[/quote]
That’s where the desire for adventure and exploration comes from… at least partially[/quote]

Use that curiosity and adventure to enter into that unknown territory, Contemplate Who Am I and From who do these thoughts belong when thinking takes over, or the “voices”. See what you find, meditation helps too… Allowing things to be and moving into the space between thoughts, watching the thinker, focus on that awareness that is the silent watcher.

There is a zen saying “The bird of paradise lands only on the hand that does not grasp.”
[/quote]
Right. I usually just passively let my subconscious work on its won. Just to be clear though. The adventure and exploration I’m seeking is very much physical.[/quote]

The physical and everything else is already completely connected so there is no separation. What are you looking for? New experiences? Travel?
[/quote]
I know everything is connected. I was just clarifying. I’m mostly looking for answers, enlightenment, and rebirth.[/quote]

The meditative practice “Who am I” and the others I wrote are the practices of enlightenment which just is a perception of totality without separation and illusion… It is a burning of everything that isn’t real, a path of utter destruction.

If you are talking about wanting a shift in life and the sense of being that is what it is… falling into that void people perceive as emptiness, its that little itch saying you aren’t living the life you should be.

Anyways other then that there are plenty of other things you can do like charity work, school events, clubs, read some new books in you’re downtime, Ohh learn a new language that’s always fun! I am still working on my Japanese. Other then that just don’t project you’re happiness and fulfillment on activities that are just functions and activities, remember its all internal and you won’t be chasing new distractions to find some completion or short lived bliss that is not already completely whole and perfect within.[/quote]
I definitely get what you’re saying. It’s like a conic planes model.

I know I’m meant for more and that I’ve made mistakes have concaved my slope. I agree. I’m not where I should be, but I’ll still end up in the right place.

Yeah like I said earlier, I’m doing a lot of self study as well as various creative pursuits. There’s also lifting which I finally got back to. Go out with friends on occasion.

80

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]cstratton2 wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]cstratton2 wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]cstratton2 wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]cstratton2 wrote:

[quote]orion wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]bdocksaints75 wrote:
What needs are not being met?[/quote]
I suppose financial gain, professional success, and intellectual curiosity/satiation. I feel I should be much further along in life by now. It’s hard not to be envious of the success of my friends when I feel so stagnant. I also have this very deep desire for adventure and exploration.[/quote]

Interesting topic, and I know what you mean.

You simply want, want, want MORE and the voices in your head never stop.

BUT, at least as far as success and intellectual development are concerned you really do not want to stop ever.

Because if you reached the very pinnacle of what you are capable of, the voices in your head would not stop and you would have nowhere left to go to.

Its a journey, one step after the other and, quite frankly, I am looking forward to be being 50 and 60 and 70 because if you dont stop growing it is all very rewarding.[/quote]

If you had nowhere else to go you would be placed up front and center with the emptiness that comes with seeking everything in goals and ambitions… The ego can only do so much before it runs on wits ends… A mid life crisis is nothing more then the drying up of pushing and striving of the mind, maybe instead of distractions and avoidance a person should move into this sense of space and go past the voices of the mind. Do not get to wrapped up in you’re conditioning or you will never be able to stop and enjoy the roses, you’ll just keep looking for the next thing.
[/quote]
That’s where the desire for adventure and exploration comes from… at least partially[/quote]

Use that curiosity and adventure to enter into that unknown territory, Contemplate Who Am I and From who do these thoughts belong when thinking takes over, or the “voices”. See what you find, meditation helps too… Allowing things to be and moving into the space between thoughts, watching the thinker, focus on that awareness that is the silent watcher.

There is a zen saying “The bird of paradise lands only on the hand that does not grasp.”
[/quote]
Right. I usually just passively let my subconscious work on its won. Just to be clear though. The adventure and exploration I’m seeking is very much physical.[/quote]

The physical and everything else is already completely connected so there is no separation. What are you looking for? New experiences? Travel?
[/quote]
I know everything is connected. I was just clarifying. I’m mostly looking for answers, enlightenment, and rebirth.[/quote]

The meditative practice “Who am I” and the others I wrote are the practices of enlightenment which just is a perception of totality without separation and illusion… It is a burning of everything that isn’t real, a path of utter destruction.

If you are talking about wanting a shift in life and the sense of being that is what it is… falling into that void people perceive as emptiness, its that little itch saying you aren’t living the life you should be.

Anyways other then that there are plenty of other things you can do like charity work, school events, clubs, read some new books in you’re downtime, Ohh learn a new language that’s always fun! I am still working on my Japanese. Other then that just don’t project you’re happiness and fulfillment on activities that are just functions and activities, remember its all internal and you won’t be chasing new distractions to find some completion or short lived bliss that is not already completely whole and perfect within.[/quote]
I definitely get what you’re saying. It’s like a conic planes model.

I know I’m meant for more and that I’ve made mistakes have concaved my slope. I agree. I’m not where I should be, but I’ll still end up in the right place.

Yeah like I said earlier, I’m doing a lot of self study as well as various creative pursuits. There’s also lifting which I finally got back to. Go out with friends on occasion.[/quote]

Meant for more in what way, in what way are you not already there? Mistakes that have concaved what slope? What future is there, does it really exist? Is there anything other then the here and now? These are better questions to contemplate so you don’t fall under the trap of psychological beliefs and mental chains. Good sounds like you are doing fine, just enjoy yourself and let it take care of itself while you enjoy the ride.