Best Of
The Higher Self
From a Buddhist point of view, what actually is The Higher Self? I know some Buddhists compare it to Buddha nature but I find that answer unsatisfactory or some might say its what lies beyond ego but to me this answer is vague and too abstract. People talk about it as if it's a little silent unseen deity which somehow lives in our heads. Does it exist at all?
Tavs
Re: Ploggers of the world...unite!
Kotishka, at a certain level recycling has to be a communal effort. We have separate garbage pickups for plastics, paper and green waste, and underground containers for remnant waste. There is very little litter here. But because the municipal government supports it we make the effort to separate out waste in the home.
Very proud of your ploughing efforts! Well done!
Jeroen
Re: Ploggers of the world...unite!
I moved to Granada and the city does make a huge effort to keep the streets clean. Daily, split in many shifts, but the mornings are when they hit 'em plates hard. If you know what I mean. My plogging is quite limited. I do appreciate their work a lot.
I still pick litter and try to "motivate" others who are part of my circle. Yesterday my boss opened a pack of smokes and dropped the upper thin layer of plastic which covers them to the ground. I mentioned this. And at least he did not drop the rest of the plastic there.
One thing though that I realised when making this statement is how I stopped recycling because my entire block does not! We have a communal rubbish container which gets collected by the local authorities. And it is genera trash only. I have seen around a few recycling points which are not far. So it seems, if your building does not want to comply, you have to find the other collection points which are around town.
Also, any chance to send regards to master @how is a good reason to post!
And to you too @marcitko !
And by the way... how "clean" would you say your area is? Also, running and picking up thrash? Awesome!
Gassho!
Kotishka
Re: What do you think of modern movies?
For me, films that really changed my life on a deep level included these:
Schindler’s List (1993): Spielberg’s film is told after a true story from the Second World War, and this includes both the measure of true evil in Ralph Fiennes’ portrayal of extermination camp commandant Goethe, and the measure of good that a man can do in Oscar Schindler’s saving of Jewish workers from the death camps. Deeply heart-wrenching, emotional film for me.
Spirited Away (2001): this animated film by Hayao Miyazaki includes a beautiful portrayal of a protected childhood, which suddenly opens up as Chihiro gets lost in the magical world of the spirits. It is about freedom, finding your place in the world, friendship. It rightly won the Oscar for best animated feature. Wonderful, wonderful film.
The Life of Brian (1979): Monty Python’s hilarious comedic film about Jewish boy Brian who gets mistaken for the messiah in Roman-controlled Palestine made me laugh so much. I still remember many of its jokes today. Besides being one of the funniest films ever made, it dares to poke fun at the Catholic faith, which has done so much harm around the world.
I may add more at a later date.
Jeroen
Re: Let Them
@Vastmind said:
‘ The phrase “Let them” was originally written by poet Cassie Phillips, whose work has not been credited in Robbins’ promotion of the theory. While Robbins has undoubtedly brought the idea to a larger audience, failing to acknowledge its original creator raises ethical concerns about intellectual property and fair recognition.Beyond this issue, there’s also an important conversation to be had about when “letting them” is helpful—and when it’s potentially harmful. While letting go is a powerful practice in many situations, it’s not a universal solution, especially in cases of abuse, neglect, or when boundaries need to be enforced.
Therapists often talk about locus of control, the idea that people fall somewhere on a spectrum between believing:
External control (“Everything happens to me.”)
Internal control (“I create my own outcomes.”)
Shifting toward an internal locus of control means understanding that you can’t always control others—but you can control how you respond. Instead of chasing validation, forcing relationships, or stressing over someone else’s actions, you shift your focus to what you can do.
When applied correctly, The Let Them Theory aligns with these healthy psychological shifts. But there are times when “letting them” is absolutely the wrong approach.‘
https://www.abraverspace.com/blog/the-problem-with-let-them-theory
That's good point about acknowledging her source, but Mel does also add Let Me, making a meaningful change in the idea. I think the larger point is resolved by including the second half of the phrase which is left out of the title and slips the mind. That of after Let Them, its Let Me. So in cases of abuse, etc. it isn't JUST Let Them, it also needs to be actions to take such as removing yourself, or speaking up, etc.
person
Re: Let Them
‘ The phrase “Let them” was originally written by poet Cassie Phillips, whose work has not been credited in Robbins’ promotion of the theory. While Robbins has undoubtedly brought the idea to a larger audience, failing to acknowledge its original creator raises ethical concerns about intellectual property and fair recognition.
Beyond this issue, there’s also an important conversation to be had about when “letting them” is helpful—and when it’s potentially harmful. While letting go is a powerful practice in many situations, it’s not a universal solution, especially in cases of abuse, neglect, or when boundaries need to be enforced.
Therapists often talk about locus of control, the idea that people fall somewhere on a spectrum between believing:
External control (“Everything happens to me.”)
Internal control (“I create my own outcomes.”)
Shifting toward an internal locus of control means understanding that you can’t always control others—but you can control how you respond. Instead of chasing validation, forcing relationships, or stressing over someone else’s actions, you shift your focus to what you can do.
When applied correctly, The Let Them Theory aligns with these healthy psychological shifts. But there are times when “letting them” is absolutely the wrong approach.‘
https://www.abraverspace.com/blog/the-problem-with-let-them-theory
Vastmind
Re: What do you think of modern movies?
@Jeroen said:
So I was thinking about a new Top 5, made of movies which are favourites of mine but which are actually uplifting, fun, insightful films
It’s actually interesting, I’m not the only one to have made this distinction, or something like it. The YouTube channel Like Stories of Old made a video essay about the 50 most life changing films, which I devoted a solid three hours to watching in it’s entirety, in the hope of picking up on a few films that I hadn’t seen yet which would move the needle.
While I don’t entirely agree with LSOO’s film list, the fact that he split up his list into ten chapters each with a theme I could get behind. The inclusion of the 10-hour documentary Shoah and then leaving out Schindler’s List, or not including Saving Private Ryan on the war films, or including Kingdom of Heaven but not Gladiator on goodness and virtue, I found a little strange.
Anyway here is the whole list…
Jeroen
Re: Meditation and mental health
@Jeroen said:
@IdleChater said:
if you’re having mental health issues, take them to a doctor and not to a forum like this.With the proviso that a doctor will likely prescribe you pills, which will have side effects, etc.
There could easily be different treatment plans offered to or even accepted by the patient. Medication is one option of at least several that can be used with other methods/approaches. My experience has shown that different treatment plans work for different people. It’s important that a mental health care provider work with a patient to optimize results… that the patient is willing and comfortable with.
And yes, most things we ingest have side effects. That’s not a reason to avoid medications if/when they’re needed. It’s just called making an informed decision and weighing the risks with the need.
Yes, I do think everyone was trying to help. No harmful or ill intent in this community. I just prefer to go on the safer side and suggest a professional when it comes to mental health issues.
Thanks Ren for the section reference. I sure went and read it. I knew there was something on the books, just didn’t know where/what.
Vastmind
Re: Meditation and mental health
Jon Kabat-Zinn is a professor of medicine and teacher of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
Jeffrey
Re: Meditation and mental health
I know a medical practitioner who practices what is supposed to be a hybrid of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and mindfulness but in fact, what they do is actually far more therapy than mindfulness and I felt that they had no understanding of meditation. They also said that sometimes they "hate meditating."
Tavs