Hey, sure you're reading this now, but what I'm about to tell you should get you off your ass.
What can you say for the experiences you've had? Would you say that you've tried a lot of different things?
In my case, I make my day by doing new things. Last month I tried squash for the first time, now I'm there every week. Just recently I thought that I would try seafood again after deciding since a child that seafood was the devil's cuisine. Tried it. Hated it. My point? Some things you try will not be enjoyable. And that is a good thing. We have lost so much of our emotionality to the desensitizing effects of Television and the news. Its amazing how we can sit in front of a TV and watch 300 Spartans rips the heads of other men (Can't wait till it comes out in 3D). That said, we've lost touch with some of the emotions that come out in sadness, horror, disgust, anger, fright, etc. These emotions can resurface by trying new things that might spark this kind of reaction.
The reason you should experience those emotions is because it keeps you in touch with yourself. You can get to know your yourself so much better. And that has amazing results.
Go bungee jumping, and if you shit your pants, all the better! The second reason I advocate trying new things is you can get yourself in so many social circles. It is a great feeling when you have something that you can relate to anyone you meet. For example, if you were in a room with 99 strangers that come from every end of the world, try to be able to relate to about 90 of them. If you're stuck on your couch all day or you stick to the same sports, it won't help.
Who knows, maybe you'll be really good at what you try. I've made impressive amounts of money discovering my proficiency in something I had never thought about before. So go now, and buy that beginners guitar handbook or take a week of work and head to Africa. You can never be disappointed if you don't want to.
Showing posts with label The Self. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Self. Show all posts
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Philosophy for the Lazy (and Horny)
Hedonism: the pursuit of pleasure.
Hedonists strive to maximize net pleasure (pleasure minus pain). They maintain that pleasure is the only "intrinsic good."
But really? Do you think our only motivation is self-interest? In ethical hedonism, it is said we should act so as to produce our own pleasure. Imagine a physcho gets hold of this doctrine. Say.....MICHAEL MYERS?!!? Psychos seek pleasure by killing, maiming, and disfiguring! How can any person in their right mind, encourage this philosophy? That is definitely a major drawback to the theory.
However, some people make good of it. Ever heard of hedonist resorts? For the low price of only $100, you can enjoy a night full of romantic firsts. Join us on the nude beach for volleyball, or nude scuba-diving, and after that, naked spelunking!
Sound enticing? You know, some people like the pervs on NBC's Dateline could make productive use of this place. For those of you unaware, NBC hosted a show called To Catch A Predator, basically exposing online sexual predators. Instead of wasting their time and money in a chat room, these guys could spend a night or two at one of these places and (hopefully) be relieved.
All things considered, I think aspects of hedonism should be important to everyone. Something like, "you should derive pleasure from everything you do (even if long-term)." Yeah, I like it.
I'm off to break up with my girlfriend and request a student loan. See you on the bright side!
Hedonists strive to maximize net pleasure (pleasure minus pain). They maintain that pleasure is the only "intrinsic good."
But really? Do you think our only motivation is self-interest? In ethical hedonism, it is said we should act so as to produce our own pleasure. Imagine a physcho gets hold of this doctrine. Say.....MICHAEL MYERS?!!? Psychos seek pleasure by killing, maiming, and disfiguring! How can any person in their right mind, encourage this philosophy? That is definitely a major drawback to the theory.
However, some people make good of it. Ever heard of hedonist resorts? For the low price of only $100, you can enjoy a night full of romantic firsts. Join us on the nude beach for volleyball, or nude scuba-diving, and after that, naked spelunking!
Sound enticing? You know, some people like the pervs on NBC's Dateline could make productive use of this place. For those of you unaware, NBC hosted a show called To Catch A Predator, basically exposing online sexual predators. Instead of wasting their time and money in a chat room, these guys could spend a night or two at one of these places and (hopefully) be relieved.
All things considered, I think aspects of hedonism should be important to everyone. Something like, "you should derive pleasure from everything you do (even if long-term)." Yeah, I like it.
I'm off to break up with my girlfriend and request a student loan. See you on the bright side!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Nature vs Nurture
Ah, the age-old debate. Obviously, we are who we are because of the two working in tandem. It is not one or the other. However, I would like to expose which parts of a person are developed more by one or the other.
So, physically, you are based of the genes of your parents...your environment doesn't affect your looks. But wait! What about goths or muscular people? What do they have in common? Well they have both modified their original appearance into something more suitable for them. Is this a result of genetics? As in, did their biological make up have fate set out for them to wear make-up or be at the gym five times a week? Maybe that trait was passed down by their parents, but more likely, I think it is a result of their environment. Through socially accepted practices and pressures, they made those choices. Did heredity influence Pam An to get a boob job? Doubt it...who can resist the temptation of a handful of greenbacks in our wallet?
What about sports? Are pro athletes born into the Hall of Fame? Hmm...alternately, were musicians born to sell 50 million platinum records? This may take some investigation. Now may be a good time to mention the book The Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell (Blink, Tipping Point). He conducted a study of success. How did the pros get to be the way they are? How did Bill Gates earn the wealth of a small country? Gladwell claims that luck plays a huge part. These successful people share something in common; opportunity. I wont reveal anymore, but I urge you to read the book. So, whats the conclusion? Well, ask yourself, was Gretzky born to be great or was it the fact that his parents had him skating before he could walk? Gladwell expounds a theory called the 10,000-hour Rule. It makes sense. Imagine you put down the controller and gave up MW2. All the hours spent playing video games could have been put toward painting or something. Even if you didn't have a natural talent for art, you must admit, you'd be pretty damn good with 10,000 hours of hard work.
Now again, is it possible to have a natural talent for art? I don't think so. BUT! People are born with varying degrees of creativity, so some may be predisposed to create art in many forms.
What have we decided? We can now postulate that we are born with certain traits and we will be attracted to the things that we are good at, thereby getting better. If we were born athletic then we will likely be raised in an active lifestyle because we enjoy that environment due to our proficiency in it. Our parents provided the foundation, and our environment dictated what activities we pursue.
For all we know, Chris Rock or Dane Cook's parents are not humorous at all, but I think they are guaranteed to have passed on the foundation for humor; an open and inquisitive mind.
So, physically, you are based of the genes of your parents...your environment doesn't affect your looks. But wait! What about goths or muscular people? What do they have in common? Well they have both modified their original appearance into something more suitable for them. Is this a result of genetics? As in, did their biological make up have fate set out for them to wear make-up or be at the gym five times a week? Maybe that trait was passed down by their parents, but more likely, I think it is a result of their environment. Through socially accepted practices and pressures, they made those choices. Did heredity influence Pam An to get a boob job? Doubt it...who can resist the temptation of a handful of greenbacks in our wallet?
What about sports? Are pro athletes born into the Hall of Fame? Hmm...alternately, were musicians born to sell 50 million platinum records? This may take some investigation. Now may be a good time to mention the book The Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell (Blink, Tipping Point). He conducted a study of success. How did the pros get to be the way they are? How did Bill Gates earn the wealth of a small country? Gladwell claims that luck plays a huge part. These successful people share something in common; opportunity. I wont reveal anymore, but I urge you to read the book. So, whats the conclusion? Well, ask yourself, was Gretzky born to be great or was it the fact that his parents had him skating before he could walk? Gladwell expounds a theory called the 10,000-hour Rule. It makes sense. Imagine you put down the controller and gave up MW2. All the hours spent playing video games could have been put toward painting or something. Even if you didn't have a natural talent for art, you must admit, you'd be pretty damn good with 10,000 hours of hard work.
Now again, is it possible to have a natural talent for art? I don't think so. BUT! People are born with varying degrees of creativity, so some may be predisposed to create art in many forms.
What have we decided? We can now postulate that we are born with certain traits and we will be attracted to the things that we are good at, thereby getting better. If we were born athletic then we will likely be raised in an active lifestyle because we enjoy that environment due to our proficiency in it. Our parents provided the foundation, and our environment dictated what activities we pursue.
For all we know, Chris Rock or Dane Cook's parents are not humorous at all, but I think they are guaranteed to have passed on the foundation for humor; an open and inquisitive mind.
Lucid Dreaming
Heard of this? Well, if you're well-informed, then you should have. Nonetheless, let me tell you about it.
Lucid dreaming is the act of being conscious during a dream. It is the ability to say, "Hey, Im dreaming right now!" You may have felt quick or little variants of this. This is good. But you're wondering, hmm, why would I ever want to feel awake when I'm trying to get my sleep?? Answer: because you can experience real-life situations, solve real-world problems, and act out any fantasy you've had. Some examples: let us say that you are having troubles with your partner and are trying to find the least dangerous way to break up. Acting out this scenario in your dreams allows a risk-free environment to find real, applicable solutions. You're perceptions of your partner in reality will be translated into your dream, therefore, any reaction they might have in the dream will be genuine. Another example of fantasies often dreamed about (pun intended) is flying. Lucid dreamers are revered by their ability to fly. It is one of the best feelings you can ever achieve.
Interested yet? Well you can do it too! Call now and receive our complimentary memory foam pillow and hand-crafted dreamcatcher. Results not guaranteed. That's right. Don't expect to be able to float across the great Pyramids of Egypt in your first try. Like anything else, lucid dreaming takes practice. They say some people experience the dreams without trying, while others may take months to experience it. If you don't already, start keeping a dream journal. This is your first step. Not only does it focus your mind on remembering your dreams, they are damn funny to read when you've wrote them at three in the morning with no light and a failing pen. The key is to write whatever comes to mind. When you wake up, don't move, just grab your book and start writing everything you remember. Don't force it, just let it come to you. Start with the general ideas, then move to specific. As I've mentioned, this task will mentally prepare you for the lucid dream. We all dream every night, some of us just have trouble remembering them. Keeping notes will focus your mind on remembering the dream and you will notice that your dreams will seem more frequent.
Once you have established a steady pattern of dreaming every night, you are ready to prepare for the conscious dream. To achieve consciousness in a dream, you have to tell yourself you're dreaming. This is not easy. However, the best way is to associate the real world with the dream world. Develop a habit like looking a your watch or pinching yourself and saying, "I'm dreaming right now." This habit will carry over to your dream world and when you look at your watch in your dream, you'll see that the hands are spinning all around or the numbers don't make sense and you tell yourself you're dreaming right then. And almost suddenly, you'll "wake up" and everything will seem much more vivid. Don't lose yourself though! Stay in there! Now you are the boss and moderator of your own dream. Go rob a bank or kiss that girl that you gawk at from across the room.
*NOTE. This all takes time! As they say in the dream world, "Patience, patience, patience."
Lucid dreaming is associated with your REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. These periods last about 25 minutes and happen four to five times a night. They tend to be longer in the later hours of your sleep, so depending on your awareness, your lucid dream is best experienced in the early hours of the morn. Note that your brain's neurons during REM sleep are very alike to that of the waking hours. (Have a read on Sleep Paralysis which is characterized by waking up during REM sleep.)
Lucid dreaming is the act of being conscious during a dream. It is the ability to say, "Hey, Im dreaming right now!" You may have felt quick or little variants of this. This is good. But you're wondering, hmm, why would I ever want to feel awake when I'm trying to get my sleep?? Answer: because you can experience real-life situations, solve real-world problems, and act out any fantasy you've had. Some examples: let us say that you are having troubles with your partner and are trying to find the least dangerous way to break up. Acting out this scenario in your dreams allows a risk-free environment to find real, applicable solutions. You're perceptions of your partner in reality will be translated into your dream, therefore, any reaction they might have in the dream will be genuine. Another example of fantasies often dreamed about (pun intended) is flying. Lucid dreamers are revered by their ability to fly. It is one of the best feelings you can ever achieve.
Interested yet? Well you can do it too! Call now and receive our complimentary memory foam pillow and hand-crafted dreamcatcher. Results not guaranteed. That's right. Don't expect to be able to float across the great Pyramids of Egypt in your first try. Like anything else, lucid dreaming takes practice. They say some people experience the dreams without trying, while others may take months to experience it. If you don't already, start keeping a dream journal. This is your first step. Not only does it focus your mind on remembering your dreams, they are damn funny to read when you've wrote them at three in the morning with no light and a failing pen. The key is to write whatever comes to mind. When you wake up, don't move, just grab your book and start writing everything you remember. Don't force it, just let it come to you. Start with the general ideas, then move to specific. As I've mentioned, this task will mentally prepare you for the lucid dream. We all dream every night, some of us just have trouble remembering them. Keeping notes will focus your mind on remembering the dream and you will notice that your dreams will seem more frequent.
Once you have established a steady pattern of dreaming every night, you are ready to prepare for the conscious dream. To achieve consciousness in a dream, you have to tell yourself you're dreaming. This is not easy. However, the best way is to associate the real world with the dream world. Develop a habit like looking a your watch or pinching yourself and saying, "I'm dreaming right now." This habit will carry over to your dream world and when you look at your watch in your dream, you'll see that the hands are spinning all around or the numbers don't make sense and you tell yourself you're dreaming right then. And almost suddenly, you'll "wake up" and everything will seem much more vivid. Don't lose yourself though! Stay in there! Now you are the boss and moderator of your own dream. Go rob a bank or kiss that girl that you gawk at from across the room.
*NOTE. This all takes time! As they say in the dream world, "Patience, patience, patience."
Lucid dreaming is associated with your REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. These periods last about 25 minutes and happen four to five times a night. They tend to be longer in the later hours of your sleep, so depending on your awareness, your lucid dream is best experienced in the early hours of the morn. Note that your brain's neurons during REM sleep are very alike to that of the waking hours. (Have a read on Sleep Paralysis which is characterized by waking up during REM sleep.)
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Booze and Drugs
The key here is self-control.
The consumption of these substance sins is near harmless if taken in moderation. Now, I am speaking from experience; as I have done my share of experimentation. I have yet to feel any pull to a drug.
I believe that it is a mental thing more than any other factor. If you can tell yourself with confidence that you won't abuse the substance, then you wont. If you believe that you can conquer the substance, then your behavior will reflect that. This is the basis of the self-fulfilling prophecy.
As for a reason behind the intake of any of the substances at hand, it is completely up to you. For myself, I enjoy trying new things; to the point you wont believe. I will carry out tasks or experiments that may be masochistic to myself or maybe sadistic to other people if I know that their gain equals more than their loss. An example you ask?
Hmmm...how about convincing somebody with arthritis to bungee jump or someone with a fear of public speaking to sing in front of a crowd in a public space. Yes, fear and humility have them chained back, but I think it is better to be unchained and possibly suffer, then to remain ignorant of what you are not suffering from. As Plato says in his Cave allegory, enlightenment may make you dizzy and nauseous at first, but once experienced, you can never go back to the dark world.
So, my advice? If you live in your own direction as opposed to being led by life's chauffeurs, then go ahead and give 'em a try. You will experience different feelings and thoughts that you may be able to translate to the sober world. This is definitely worth it as long as no harm comes of it.
Happy travels!
And remember, "Everyday in every way, I make myself better and better."
The consumption of these substance sins is near harmless if taken in moderation. Now, I am speaking from experience; as I have done my share of experimentation. I have yet to feel any pull to a drug.
I believe that it is a mental thing more than any other factor. If you can tell yourself with confidence that you won't abuse the substance, then you wont. If you believe that you can conquer the substance, then your behavior will reflect that. This is the basis of the self-fulfilling prophecy.
As for a reason behind the intake of any of the substances at hand, it is completely up to you. For myself, I enjoy trying new things; to the point you wont believe. I will carry out tasks or experiments that may be masochistic to myself or maybe sadistic to other people if I know that their gain equals more than their loss. An example you ask?
Hmmm...how about convincing somebody with arthritis to bungee jump or someone with a fear of public speaking to sing in front of a crowd in a public space. Yes, fear and humility have them chained back, but I think it is better to be unchained and possibly suffer, then to remain ignorant of what you are not suffering from. As Plato says in his Cave allegory, enlightenment may make you dizzy and nauseous at first, but once experienced, you can never go back to the dark world.
So, my advice? If you live in your own direction as opposed to being led by life's chauffeurs, then go ahead and give 'em a try. You will experience different feelings and thoughts that you may be able to translate to the sober world. This is definitely worth it as long as no harm comes of it.
Happy travels!
And remember, "Everyday in every way, I make myself better and better."
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