tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858711162847992252024-03-13T10:13:39.885-07:00Clear LibertyEverything Worth Questioning.Nick Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16345422023019126829noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-585871116284799225.post-15154526453305350382014-09-29T15:52:00.003-07:002014-09-29T15:52:41.362-07:00If You Can't Answer These 9 Questions Your Not A Real Christian<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Try to answer every part of each question. Whether you want to do it in the comments, or on your own blog that's fine. Just link to your answer from the comments so others can read them.<br />
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Go!<br />
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<b>#1. </b></div>
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What are some secular historical records that mention, explain, or simply recount the miracles that Paul or Peter performed? What are the criteria for validating these sources? <div>
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<b>#2.</b> </div>
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<br />Why are Paul's letters considered the word of God? What are the different views and criteria used to validate this? ie. how does one know to trust the source and to what degree?</div>
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<b>#3.</b> </div>
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<br />Why are Peter's letters considered the word of God? What are the different views and criteria used to validate this? ie. how does one know to trust the source and to what degree?</div>
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<b>#4. </b></div>
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<br />What does the Old Testament say about how people will recognize the messiah? What are the different views and criteria explained? What are the criteria for validating these sources? </div>
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<b>#5. </b></div>
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<br /> What are secular historical records mentioning and recognizing Jesus' existence? What are the criteria for validating these sources? ie. how does one know to trust the source and to what degree?</div>
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<b>#6. </b></div>
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<br /> What are secular historical records mentioning and recognizing Jesus's miracles? What are the criteria for validating these sources? ie. how does one know to trust the source and to what degree?</div>
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<b>#7. </b></div>
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<br />Who were the people that decided upon which books to include in the Bible as we know it today? </div>
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<b>#8. </b></div>
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What is the criteria they used to decided which books to include?</div>
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<b>#9. </b></div>
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<br />What criteria is used to validate the authority of this group of people, and from where does it come from? </div>
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Nick Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16345422023019126829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-585871116284799225.post-38822815979088982022014-05-10T05:25:00.003-07:002014-05-10T05:25:24.518-07:00Spiraling into what matters <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm listening to Parry Marshalls' 80-20 concept right now.<br />
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The basic idea is that 80% of ALL the results in any case come from 20% of the causes.<br />
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If you don't know what fractals are go watch a youtube video on it. It's very fascinating. It's a form a geometry which explains chaos. It's used to calculate the spirals and ebb and flow of the growth of a rain forest or the slashing of water, or the formation of the universe at both an astronomic scale as well as at an atomic level.<br />
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I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. But what I'm learning is that whatever you focus on continually you 'go deeper', if you use the fractal visualization.<br />
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You've probably heard the typical sales team analogy, that 80% of the sales will come from 20% of the sales people, and 20% of the sales will come from 80% of them..<br />
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Lets say you focus on fostering excellence at an infinitely deep level. You find that top 20% of sales people and give them whatever they need to become even more successful. But you find out that 20% of what they are doing which produces 80% of their results and foster that. And then you keep doing that. You'll find a top 5% of what they do that produces more results. And then a 1% that produces something like 65% of their results. You can just keep going and going.<br />
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It's a spiral. My current hypothesis is that is begins with a certain focus. Lets say that you're focus, (and this has been my focus) is to become more powerful as a person. Power meaning the speed at which I can produce a result in any area of life. This is what makes guns so 'powerful' as they can end life, and a lot of it, in a very short period of time. This is also what makes Mahatma Ghandi, or Martin Luther King, or Steve Jobs so powerful, since they are a single SOURCE for the cause of what they achieved. They are the pinnacle of the movement.<br />
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This is my aim. To be a powerful source of movement in life.<br />
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So similarly, if my possibility is "power" then I'm finding that 20% of what I do, how I think, or what I focus on, that produces 80% of my power, and then I hone that infinitely. Eventually I'll find the 1% of what I think or do or say...etc that produces 65% of my power and do more of that much, much, MUCH, more often.<br />
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Nick Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16345422023019126829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-585871116284799225.post-25487021737478804102014-04-12T18:13:00.000-07:002014-04-12T18:13:46.341-07:00Transformation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've been interested in Werner Erhard's life and what his life has been about. I realized that this man was the SOURCE for massive changes in the world. And interestingly enough, much like the beginnings of Ruthless Truth, he was ruthless about having people look at their own shit and let it go.<br />
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The last time I spoke with Ciaran I made a story up about him. That he's gone off the deep end. That he's being selfish and and and x, y, z...etc But before I had done that I knew that he'd been looking for a 'trigger' or mechanism or cure or SOMETHING that would snap people out of their mental traps and into what is so, and then into a life of love and being kind...etc being authentic and alive and set on doing good in the world, and sharing it with others.<br />
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Ok, so I added a few things to the last sentence, but the point is his intentions were coming from a place that I couldn't see.<br />
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So I'm sitting outside on the grass next to the gorgeous lake behind my apartment after dusk. I'm eating a tuna salad bowl and thinking to myself "What is important to me?"<br />
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You see, my life has been about making money. But that doesn't bring me to life. I used to be a die-hard christian, and being a christian I was more alive than I'd ever been. I lived the possibility of the world being saved, and I lived in the possibility that people would learn to love each other as Jesus' character portrays. Interestingly, I was being my true self - but within a fantasy paradigm/context.<br />
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Why my true self? Because I was the possibility of something. Not "Nick". I was whatever I needed to be to let the world know of the message I was so passionate to let the know. But why was I so passionate? Because of the euphoria and intense meaning I had it as. The context that I am a piece of shit who is loved with a love that would endure severe beating (compound that with a love to sacrifice a child who will endure that beating and torture).... it's overwhelming and euphoric.<br />
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Anyway, to experience that euphoria, and to see the possibility I saw, that's what drove me. And I understood that I needed to 'stay connected with the holy spirit' by singing praises to god all day and praying until the thoughts in my mind were just continual prayers as I sleep and wake in the night, and shower, and day dream...etc I surrounded myself with everything possible that reminded me of the possibilities of heaven and Jesus, and what I was thankful for..etc<br />
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These supported my transformation into being a born again christian. That's why they call it "born again"... it's a transformation.<br />
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If I look at Christianity as a framework for transformation and its perpetuation, as many religions basically are, I might be able to find something in that to use for my own life and the life of others.<br /><br />In Landmark they talk about how sharing possibilities keep those possibilities alive. Also, it's the same with transformation. Sharing transformation with others keeps transformation going.<br />
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Nick Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16345422023019126829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-585871116284799225.post-4625183603438231182014-04-02T11:59:00.000-07:002014-04-02T11:59:03.647-07:00Gaining Power In Your Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Lately I've been learning an immense about becoming a powerful person in my life. About fulfilling on what's important to me, and getting rid of all the wasteful thinking that occurs in my mind.<br />
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One of the realizations I had was that there are two kinds of trains of thought we can be on regarding anything in life. We're either on the couch or in the field.<br />
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These are two very different places to be, and we have a choice to be in one other the other.<br />
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The metaphor goes like this:<br />
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There is a war going on. Some conflict overseas. All kinds of things are happening. Things get blown up. Politicians make decisions...etc<br />
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When your on the couch, your watching it happen and you have an opinion about it. You talk about it with your friends and family. The new reporters and critics talk about it, and your in the conversation at home 'about' the conflict.<br />
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The conversation is totally different when your in the field. When your in the field, there is an objective to be accomplished. The conversation isn't around opinions. It's around what is so and what needs to be done.<br />
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If you find yourself complaining or having an opinion about something, notice how it makes you feel, and recognize whether your on the couch or in the field. The field is where things happen, and it's where there is a direct influence on what will be so in the future. There is only power, influence, when you change your conversation from the couch to being in the field.<br />
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Take a look at where you're complaining about things that you don't like. Decide whether you want to continue being on the couch, or if you will choose to be in the field, and make a difference with action.<br />
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Either choice is ok. There's nothing wrong with choosing to stay on the couch. It doesn't make you bad or wrong as a person.<br />
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The difference, however, is that once you're aware of where you're standing in terms of these two paradigms, you have a choice where a choice wasn't visible before. </div>
Nick Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16345422023019126829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-585871116284799225.post-8991366608857127972014-03-12T07:35:00.004-07:002014-03-12T07:37:38.001-07:00The Bible: Translated - Philippians 4:6-7 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; vertical-align: top;">6 </span>Do not be anxious about anything,<span style="font-size: 0.65em;"><span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29449A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span></span> but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.<span style="font-size: 0.65em;"><span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29449B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text Phil-4-7" id="en-NIV-29450" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; vertical-align: top;">7 </span>And the peace of God,<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29450C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span> which transcends all understanding,<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29450D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></span> will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><span class="text Phil-4-7" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text Phil-4-7" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">What a powerful verse that is. I've heard it repeated many times when I was a christian. After my crusade out of that paradigm I've discovered an entire new realm of meaning in these verses. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><span class="text Phil-4-7" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text Phil-4-7" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I will list out the modern ways of thinking I've found to be effective in life for me, and then tie them into why this verse is powerful. You'll see how in doing this, you're following the same pattern, only in a totally different paradigm. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><span class="text Phil-4-7" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text Phil-4-7" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">1. RAS - Reticular activation system. This is what is responsible for what are called "Self fulfilling prophecies" and for the idea that "whatever you focus on you move towards". There are even entire other paradigms like "The law of attraction" which argues that by thinking about something you somehow cause the universe to "pull" what you want into your life. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><span class="text Phil-4-7" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text Phil-4-7" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">What is really happening is that your mind zooms into what is relevant or valuable to you in the context of what you're intention or goal is. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><span class="text Phil-4-7" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text Phil-4-7" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Have you ever bought a car and then seen your exact same car EVERYWHERE? I have a friend who believes the number 22 is his lucky number. That every time he sees it it's a "wink" from the universe. His RAS is focusing in on the number 22 and he finds that number in all kinds of arbitrary places. The car clock, a phone number on a window to a restaurant, labeling to some product, parking spaces...etc</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><span class="text Phil-4-7" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Not worrying. We all know intuitively that worrying saps out energy. It doesn't help make you effective in life. The most powerful people in the world have <i>concerns</i> but they don't worry. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That means they are aware of something that is of concern, and they are seeking a possibility for what they <i>want</i>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For example. I am concerned with upsetting or offending people. The possibility that I am is harmony, unity, and community. So my focus is on that possibility. not pidgin holed on my concern. That's when a concern becomes a worry. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Being thankful. This has a profound effect on how someone feels about themselves and their lives. The way that it works is by altering the context of someones life, and thus it transforms the way their life occurs for them. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The easiest example I can give is a story I heard about a pastor who takes his children to Haiti to serve orphans instead of taking them to disney. This has the effect of having them return home <i>incredibly</i> thankful for everything they have and the life they live in the states. Compare this to having taken them to Disney first. They'd return home sad and unthankful for their home and the life they life. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So being thankful alters the context of your life. Tony Robbins teaches this in his "Get the Edge" program. Make up 20 things you're truly thankful for, and the context of your life changes. Do this every day as a mindful habit and it will continue to alter the context of your life and bring you peace of mind. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now imagine this as a process that you automatically execute when life becomes troubling.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. "</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Do not be anxious about anything,</span><span class="crossreference" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29449A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">but in every situation, by prayer and petition... present your requests to God" This is when you automatically focus on what you want. In the context of this verse, you'd be asking God for what you want. The point, though, is that you yourself are becoming clear about what it is you want, and the possibility you are searching for. These prayers go something like "Dear heavenly father. I'm having trouble with school, please give me the patients, diligence, and focus to study and pass my test."... What are the possibilities this person is focusing on?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Yep, patients, diligence, and focus.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Their RAS kicks in to show them ways to generate these characteristics. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">2. "</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">with thanksgiving" - This has another effect. When you are thankful for something, you tend to believe it is already so. For example. You thought your house was destroyed in a flood... then you get a message from someone who tells you "The house at xyz address wasn't touched by the flood". You believe it is so, and so you are thankful. Tony Robbins teaches about being thankful for what you want as though it is already so. This has a psychological effect, creating certainty in a future that isn't yet realized. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">This is the deeper effect of what being thankful does. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">3. "</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">And the peace of God,</span><span class="crossreference" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29450C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">which transcends all understanding,</span><span class="crossreference" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29450D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Well, as a matter of what is so, there is peace of mind when this process is done over and over again in every area of your life. </span></span><br />
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Nick Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16345422023019126829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-585871116284799225.post-79257653744368187352013-07-01T13:34:00.003-07:002013-07-01T13:34:33.200-07:00The voices in your head<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yea, they exist. Not only do they exist but these voices have your accent and your expressions. They sound like you. But really it's not you. The very voices in your head that you think are simply you thinking is actually the same mechanism that every other human has. The only difference is that it has your voice. Any time you're assessing whether something is true or not, whether you agree or not, whether something is right/wrong, good/bad, whether something fits into your present understanding of things...etc This is not your, but the machine.<br /><br />Any time your searching for meaning... this is also the machine.<br />
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When your girlfriend doesn't respond back the way you expect, when your boss uses a certain tone of voice that worries you, when your mom/dad says something that is absurd...etc these things only affect you when the machine is controlling you.<br />
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Become present to the machine, and you'll be present always. Notice the nature of the stories - they aren't true. Your childhood traumas, the things your parents said to you, the relationships that fell apart, the praise you could never live up to...etc it's all meaningless.<br />
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Any event can be interpreted in a positive or negative light, and this direct someone in wildly differnt directions. Therefore it's not the events in your life that shape you but the meaning you give to them. These events are inherently meaningless until you give meaning to them.<br />
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With this knowledge, this awareness, you can be free of the past every second and remain present.<br />
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Within every moment anything is possible. Without the constraints of the past you can see a future that would never even be imaginable otherwise.<br /><br /></div>
Nick Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16345422023019126829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-585871116284799225.post-90969461993195848052013-06-15T18:34:00.002-07:002013-06-16T09:30:36.246-07:00I found something INCREDIBLE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
I will remove any clues as to where these words come from and I want you to read the content to see if you agree. After reading it, go ahead of google it's source.<br /><br />If you agree, you're mind will explode. If you disagree, well, you're probably not free from your mind yet. </h4>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: medium;">W</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: medium;">elcome</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: medium;"> to the official website of the ________. Founded on April 30, 1966 c.e. by __________, we are the first above-ground organization in history openly dedicated to the acceptance of Man’s true nature—that of a carnal beast, living in a cosmos that is indifferent to our existence. To <span style="font-size: medium;">us</span>, _____ is the symbol that best suits the nature of we who are carnal by birth—people who feel no battles raging between our thoughts and feelings, we who do not embrace the concept of a soul imprisoned in a body. _____ represents pride, liberty, and individualism<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: medium;">—</span>qualities often defined as Evil by those who worship external deities, who feel there is a war between their minds and emotions. As _____ explained in his classic work________</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: medium;">, Man—using his brain—invented all the Gods, doing so because many of our species cannot accept or control their personal egos, feeling compelled to conjure up one or a multiplicity of characters who can act without hindrance or guilt upon whims and desires. All Gods are thus externalized forms, magnified projections of the true nature of their creators, personifying aspects of the universe or personal temperaments which many of their followers find to be troubling. Worshipping any God is thus worshipping by proxy those who invented that God. Since the _______ understands that all Gods are fiction, instead of bending a knee in worship to—</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: medium;">or seeking friendship or unity with</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: medium;">—</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: medium;">such mythical entities, he places himself at the center of his own subjective universe as his own highest value. We ________ are thus our own “Gods,” and as beneficent “deities” we can offer love to those who deserve it and deliver our wrath (within reasonable limits) upon those who seek to cause us<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: medium;">—</span>or that which we cherish<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: medium;">—</span>harm. <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: medium;">__________ essay __________ from <i>________________</i> discusses this in greater detail.</span></span></span></div>
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Nick Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16345422023019126829noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-585871116284799225.post-27869763410511752712013-04-21T11:18:00.002-07:002013-04-21T11:18:53.681-07:00Sunday Liberation | The Source of Human Suffering<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today I spent about 2 hours with someone that messaged me on Skype looking for help.<br />
<br />
I haven't done this in awhile but - damn - I learned a lot!<br />
<br />
Something VERY interesting that I saw today was this: Enlightenment has more than one front.<br />
<br />
I don't want to say levels because there is only one level of understanding one needs to reach, and then there are multiple fronts which must be see using this one level of understanding.<br />
<br />
It begins with a foundation of awareness. And then awareness needs to shine in certain places.<br />
<br />
The first place, being the ego.<br />
<br />
We know how terrible the ego is, and how it destroys human kind and the earth. But simply making it through the ego isn't enough because suffering continues from the other fronts.<br />
<br />
By transcending the ego we only eliminate one source of psychological suffering.<br /><br />To me, psychological suffering occurs when there is a disconnect from felt oneness with being.<br />
<br />
I've discovered that there is one other front to meet. It is resistance to the now. When you want to be at some place in the future that is other than now. I remember Eckhart Tolle talking about this.<br />
<br />
This is why zen occurs...<br />
<br />
When the mind is constantly seeking to answer a faulty question like "Who am I?", it seeks to use experiences and all kinds of memories to build this answer up. And when the answer doesn't match what the person would <i>like</i> the answer to be, they experience a dissonance, suffering. Otherwise they are experience "Swag" or "High Self Esteem" because the answer to that question is aligned with what the person would esteem. It matches an image they would approve of.<br />
<br />
When they transcend that, the mind stops trying to answer that question. You realize there's no answer for it. So you experience a release of tension from needing to either find the answer or live with the dissonance. The thinking stops for awhile and there's no background thinking.<br />
<br />
Now, say the persone has transcended the ego. They no longer have incessant questions or mental seeking to fulfill that question. Instead there is something they desire in the future or something they fear. What happens then?<br />
<br />
The person's mind - their RAS (reticular activation system) is on overdrive trying to get to that future.<br />
<br />
When the person is totally content where they are, when there is no future to look forward to, nothing to attain, nothing to strive for, nothing to fear, their mind is at peace because there is no question to answer.<br />
<br />
This is the function of the mind - to answer questions. This is also the source, in my opinion of human suffering. Causing the mind to answer a question or find a solution to something that impossible to answer or do.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Nick Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16345422023019126829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-585871116284799225.post-25644596056743559092013-04-18T20:16:00.003-07:002013-04-18T20:46:35.574-07:00The Liberation of my Brother<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today I spent about 3-4 hours with my brother to show him this.<br />
<br />
I haven't done this in literally a year or longer, so I was pretty rusty, although I'm glad I was...<br />
<br />
I was using my usual method to lead him down the path, although this time, because I hadn't even thought about all these things in so long I would spend more time formulating my questions than actually listening to his answers.<br />
<br />
After awhile, I let him simply just freely explore these thoughts. I'd say "Just keep looking until you're confident in an answer". No need to say "IF YOU HAD A GUN TO YOUR HEAD... " lol<br />
<br />
Then of course, I'd ask him if he was totally sure of an answer if I could see he was just throwing out an answer, just because it was the logical answer, and not because he was sure by 'checking'.<br />
<br />
What was particularly interesting about what happened was that I poked around beliefs for a long time before moving on to focus on identity.<br />
<br />
The result was that he realized nothing has any meaning. He realized the source of all the mind's content as just the nature of life... like an absorption of a persons environments.<br />
<br />
I asked him that famous question, "Who drives the mind?" and a torrent of words came out - "What?! No one the balbhalbhalbha..." I didn't hear the rest because I was so shocked he just spit it out so easily.<br />
<br />
Although, this didn't result, as far as what I could see and understand, in felt oneness with being.<br />
<br />
That was the goal for me, after all.<br />
<br />
So then, I began to move toward connecting that understanding of the source of the mind content to identity, and still, no cigar.<br />
<br />
Finally, at this point his brain was pretty much fried, and we were both tired, so we couldn't finish...<br />
<br />
But then I stopped asking questions and just spoke plainly, which may or may not have been a mistake...<br />
<br />
I told him about how memories exist with the content, in the present, with the body, and everything else that exists.<br />
<br />
That the past and the present exist only as content in the mind. I tried to point this out to finally draw his attention into the now... although I don't know where that left him.<br />
<br />
I'm hoping that he'll see it. I'm confident he will because his mind is gnawing hard on getting this last piece realized.<br /><br />The strange thing about it is that normally the entire illusion is destroyed the moment they see that they aren't.<br /><br />This time, it seems that most of that happened with the awareness of beliefs and meaning.<br /><br />I sent him away to try and free his friends because I know that freeing other people is the best way to solidify this.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Nick Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16345422023019126829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-585871116284799225.post-82868088907606475472013-03-26T07:50:00.003-07:002013-03-26T07:50:59.947-07:00Finding True Passion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I found two questions that you can use to ask yourself which will determine whether you've found your passion or not.<br />
<br />
1. Would I spend the rest of my life doing this/ Can I live without it?<br />
2. Would I die for this?<br />
<br />
Would you spend the rest of your life serving this purpose and would you defend it with your life?<br />
<br />
Deeply considering Time and Death are the two most powerful life orienting tools I've ever found.<br />
<br />
You may know deep inside that there is something you want to give your life to but you just won't because it would mean giving up an easier path.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
In response to that, consider the words of Steve Jobs </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30px;">ll external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure, these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.</span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<br /></div>
Nick Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16345422023019126829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-585871116284799225.post-38567214677371961892012-11-30T08:16:00.002-08:002012-11-30T08:16:18.814-08:00The Core of Spirituality <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
First of all, if you've read my posts you'd know by now that I don't believe anything is spiritual.<br />
<br />
I don't think that there is a soul, or that magic, astral projection, ghosts, or anything of the like exist.<br />
<br />
So then what is spirituality?<br />
<br />
The way that I see it is this:<br />
<br />
Spirituality is a practice that is supposed to lead to wisdom or insight into what makes peace possible within a person and a society.<br />
<br />
So, according to my observation, wisdom come from two places.<br />
<br />
1. Awareness<br />
2. A wide range of experiences<br />
<br />
Awareness is like a flashlight in the dark. Without a flashlight it's possible to have many experiences while in the dark. Although that's what religion is for. To illuminate what isn't understood because it is dark.<br />
<br />
Awareness is the key, the core, the pinnacle of spirituality and wisdom.<br />
<br />
Here's the rub: Awareness isn't something you attain and then forget about.<br />
<br />
It's like a tool you must consistently sharpen for the rest of your life.<br />
<br />
I've realized this myself by becoming razor sharp in my perception of reality: in my awareness. Out of an incredibly intense desire to see reality as it really is, I burned down many of my assumptions and beliefs about life.<br />
<br />
Equipped with a flashlight like this, it becomes possible to see into the illusion of self.<br />
<br />
Although, even after seeing through this illusion, it is still necessary to consistently practice meditation and continually sharpen your awareness.<br />
<br />
The peace that comes from being free, for me at least, begins to subside if I don't continually meditate.<br />
<br />
It's almost as though your mind is a blade that is blunted if it's not continually sharpened.<br />
<br />
Continued here</div>
Nick Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16345422023019126829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-585871116284799225.post-61754484028205958902012-07-03T09:51:00.002-07:002012-07-06T08:33:34.110-07:00How To Gain An Appreciation For Humanity | Videos That Make You Say WOW!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here are two short videos that I found to be really insightful and comforting about the direction of humanity.<br />
<br />
I hope you enjoy.<br />
<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jbkSRLYSojo" width="526"></iframe></div>Nick Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16345422023019126829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-585871116284799225.post-57783406418656034802012-07-03T02:20:00.001-07:002012-07-03T02:20:13.877-07:00Bringing Excellence Out In Others - Steve Jobs Style | Reality Distortion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's really quite simple.<br />
<br />
And there are only a handful of things to understand before you can do it too. Although, of course, you have to be in a position to successfully do such a thing.<br />
<br />
The first understanding is this:<br />
<br />
People have a reference for reality, or, what is possible. They look outside of themselves to determine the standard. So for example, little kids with older siblings learn what is cool by copying their siblings. They don't have any other reference to know what is cool. The older siblings use different references.<br />
<br />
Another example is the classic scenario where a two classrooms with groups of students of equal intelligence are gathered. Both are given tests. One classroom is told that they scored exceptionally high for intelligence and therefore would be challenged accordingly. To the other class it was announced that they scored average and would be placed in average challenging classes.<br />
<br />
The result?<br />
<br />
The students that were told they are smarter scored better throughout their student careers and dealt with challenges with more efficacy than the students who were told they are average.<br />
<br />
The second understanding is that people have an ego. An identity about themselves which shift and change with their reality to certain degrees. The way a person is treated and thought of by the people in a certain environment is the identity that person gains - within that environment. It's the people around you who determine how you see yourself. This has some gray areas but it is generally true.<br />
<br />
Well, so what?<br />
<br />
Here is how to use this knowledge, in theory, to push people to achieve excellence - Steve Jobs Style<br />
<br />
Steve Jobs would regularly hold conferences at fancy resorts to lavish the people he felt were the most important to his company - mostly the designers and engineers.<br />
<br />
He'd tell them they are excellent. They are A players. They are the smartest people on the planet all working together. That they are part of something globally revolutionary. That they are changing the world together. That he's proud to spend his life working with them.<br />
<br />
What is he doing here? He's making these people literally feel that they are the smartest people in the world. Of course, he's not lying when he says he doesn't accept anything other than A players. And this fact, combined with these speeches and reminders pump them up and prime their expectations of themselves.<br />
<br />
Now - here is were reality distortion comes into play:<br />
<br />
While his engineers are at work in their labs and his programmers are at their offices there is only one reference to the quality of their work - Steve.<br />
<br />
They trust that Steve knows what is good or bad. They trusted his judgment 100%.<br />
<br />
They also know he doesn't accept anything but the absolute best.<br />
<br />
So they work extremely hard, under the assumption they are one of the smartest people on the planet, to produce something they can present to Steve.<br />
<br />
What does Steve do?<br />
<br />
He takes ANYTHING they give him, most likely what the engineer thinks is his absolute 10 grade work, and Steve sets the standard back down to 0 - he says "THIS IS SHIT!"<br />
<br />
Yep. He's tell them their work is shit.<br />
<br />
This no doubt this hurts the designer, but it sends them back to their lab forced to step back and find new ways to make their ideas even better - with the perception their present work is total shit.<br />
<br />
He smashes their realities for what is possible. He pushes them WAY beyond what they think is possible.<br />
<br />
And when they accomplish something they never could have imagined possible, he rewards them with "THIS IS BRILLIANT!" Plus the engineer gains that massive load of self confidence. It reinforces the belief they are one of the smartest/talented people on the planet.<br />
<br /></div>Nick Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16345422023019126829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-585871116284799225.post-17767336675279789852012-07-03T01:53:00.001-07:002012-07-03T01:53:28.033-07:00Getting Over Heart Ache | Two Realities<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The more I observe, the more clear it becomes.<br />
<br />
We navigate the world through a virtual reality.<br />
<br />
What I mean is, there is the reality within the mind, and outer physical reality.<br />
<br />
This is huge though. Its deceptively simple.<br />
<br />
Everything exists in the present moment. Yet for example, I was just laying here in bed thinking about an ex-girl friend. I was getting anxious, angry, depressed and sad with each different thought and memory.<br />
<br />
And yet, in the present moment, I am physically ok. The situation I'm in is perfectly fine.<br />
<br />
It's these racing thoughts that cause an inner disruption of emotion. It's this pseudo-inner reality trying to make projections about the real outer world that cause me stress when there is no reason to.<br />
<br />
Then after about an hour the thoughts wander off on to a totally random subject and the body no longer experiences the stress of the 'heart-ache' thoughts.<br />
<br />
Isn't this interesting?<br />
<br />
States of consciousness are an incredible phenomena.<br />
<br />
The thing is, I've got to continually remember that the present moment is where fulfillment really is. I've got to remember that this is where life exists. Where everything is happening. There is no completeness or completeness in a thought or pseudo fantasy land of the mind. There is only longing to be in some other reality other than the present.<br />
<br />
I've heard all these things before, however, after experiencing it the true meaning of the words are apparent.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>Nick Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16345422023019126829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-585871116284799225.post-6936583941168357932012-06-28T17:39:00.000-07:002012-06-28T17:39:36.626-07:003 Gates<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Gate 1:<br />
<br />
"I don't want to lose my life"<br />
<br />
This phrase does not make sense. There is no separation between I and Life. There is just life.<br />
<br />
Gate 2:<br />
<br />
Become one with the Tao. The Tao is the natural universe flowing along. It is life.<br />
<br />
Gate 3:<br />
<br />
Right now is the time when all thing happen. Now is when thoughts are thought. Now is when all the processes of life are happening. Now is where existence is. Now is the only thing that is real.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>Nick Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16345422023019126829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-585871116284799225.post-87027942046603270092012-06-15T09:24:00.002-07:002012-06-15T09:24:55.477-07:00Enlightenment Though Thinking - What Meditation Really Is<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Meditation.<br />
<br />
It's so elusive.<br />
<br />
Eckhart Tolle says "Be the observant mind" and others say "Meditate upon such and such idea".<br />
<br />
Well, to be perfectly honest, my big realization came from thinking.<br />
<br />
"But how could thinking make this so?!"<br />
<br />
I really don't feel like going into the nitty gritty details of the processes in my own mind at the moment.<br />
<br />
But..<br />
<br />
It worked for me, and it's worked for others.<br />
<br />
The key to doing this is to ask "Is what I'm seeing in my mind really absolutely true?". The more honest you are with yourself about what you see, the better.<br />
<br />
The concepts that are also known metaphorically as 'gates' to the big pictures that you can ponder on while your sitting alone, waiting for a bus...etc include the following, but aren't limited to these. I'm just writing the one's that lead me to the same place.<br />
<br />
1. There is no 'you'.<br />
<br />
Realizing this, or any other little phrase, is a process that takes time. You have to sit down alone and think about absolutely everything that defines you. Then trace every idea, every story, value, personality trait..etc back to it's 'source'. When you do this you will find that 100% of the time it all leads back to some physiological thing. So you can start with your life stories. You can even start with pondering the illusion of the phrase "I value my life". Surely 'life' and 'I' aren't two separate things, are they?<br />
<br />
2. Consider the Emptiness of Everything<br />
<br />
One of the more incredible things one can do is study the structure of an atom.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">After a while, scientists began to realize that an atom, in actuality, is made up of mostly empty space. The parts that make them up (protons, neutrons and electrons) compose only a tiny fraction of the total atom. The nucleus, in fact (which is where 99.9% of all the mass is located) is roughly ten <i style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">thousand</i> times smaller than the total size of the atom.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Read more at Suite101: <a href="http://suite101.com/article/the-scale-of-atoms-a45630#ixzz1xsZLMmb2" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: #003399; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">The Scale of Atoms: Gaining a Perspective of Atomic Sizes | Suite101.com</a> <a href="http://suite101.com/article/the-scale-of-atoms-a45630#ixzz1xsZLMmb2" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: #003399; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">http://suite101.com/article/the-scale-of-atoms-a45630#ixzz1xsZLMmb2</a></span></span></blockquote>
<br />
3. Disbelieve You're Thoughts<br />
<br />
The person I got this from used it to say it would produce instant enlightenment. Well, it doesn't. Instead it puts you into the present moment and quiets the mind very rapidly. I've used it to reach the state of consciousness of 'no mind' pretty quickly and gain some insights.<br />
<br />
<br />
What are some other 'gates' that you've heard of, or used to see the big picture?<br />
<br />
The key to doing this is to ask "Is what I'm seeing in my mind really absolutely true?". The more honest you are with yourself about it, the better.<br />
<br />
Now, I won't jumpt to assume that that is the only type of meditation. I'm sure there are others which are designed to do specific things. I'm not very schooled on these either.<br />
<br />
What are some awesome topics to ponder<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>Nick Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16345422023019126829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-585871116284799225.post-30585434992997104462012-06-10T13:28:00.003-07:002012-06-10T13:28:57.120-07:00The Ego And Religion Share The Same SourceReligion exists as a seperate universe within the mind.
Thats a pretty loaded statement so go ahead and think about that for a few minutes before you read on.
Heaven, hell, the holy spirit, angles demons, spells, magic...etc all these things exist within the mind. yet it affects people in many ways.
The same thing happens with ego. It exists within the mind. It supposed to explain reality. yet it's an illusion, just as religious phenomena is.
So if these ideas are true, the root of religious thought is the same as the root of egoic thought, and so their cause is from the habit of believing thoughts more than direct observation of reailty when answering questions about self or the universe.Nick Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16345422023019126829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-585871116284799225.post-91798902248093476732012-06-05T11:26:00.001-07:002012-06-05T11:26:12.958-07:00The Next Phase<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm entering a new arena.<br />
<br />
Well, sort of.<br />
<br />
Taoism.<br />
<br />
Not the airy fairy stuff about ch'i and all that bullshit.<br />
<br />
I'm talking about this idea of 'becoming one with the tao'.<br />
<br />
These dudes have been around for -fucking- ever and so I decided to once again do some experimentation.<br />
<br />
I've found something here that is very, verrry sweet. Very subtle. And it's like the pin that brings all dots together seamlessly.<br />
<br />
I don't know how to really describe what is happening to me, and yes I zenned out for awhile, but there is something else happening in the way my RAS has shifted.<br />
<br />
Remember Ecky's "Acceptance" thing?<br />
<br />
Well it's like that on steroids.<br />
<br />
Basically what the "Tao" is, is absolutely everything in the universe as it changes and flows and moves. This is my interpretation of the beginning of the definition of the Tao since it's undefinable. lol How can you define something that never stays the same? yea, yea, I know you can poke some holes in that statement but I guess it's got something to do with the translation.<br />
<br />
Anyways, anyone who is liberated by me or from someone from the old Ruthless Truth gang, or even by the groups like Truth Strike, you already have a good clear view of the reality that there is no you.<br />
<br />
And so, for me, I realize that my body, brain, thoughts, and all other internal experience, along with my experience of the outer world belong to the universe.<br />
<br />
Becoming one with the tao is accepting everything as it is within and without, because, after all, it's all the same shit. (sometimes I cuss out of context to the mood because it's some psychological strategy to 'anchor' that idea a little more deeply into your brain. hehe Jedi Mind tricks at den best, son!)<br />
<br />
So everything I"m resisting, be it my own thoughts, motivations, beliefs, habits, desires..etc Or anything that is my present situation... I let it go. I let it be.<br />
<br />
Can you guess what happened to me the first time I did this 100%? BOOM! Insane zen!<br />
<br />
Now, the motivation here isn't to just zen out like some spiritual junkie.<br />
<br />
The point here is to make a point lol - just a second. One more thing -<br />
<br />
Buddhist have a main tenet among others like, not killing animals, having compassion for others by understanding yourself...etc which are all great. However this one tenet was interesting: "Avoiding intoxications so to sustain mindfulness".<br />
<br />
Wait what?<br />
<br />
I'm not trying to point out the 'intoxication' part to refer to drugs or alcohol in anyways.<br />
<br />
I'm talking about the fact that they believe we must actively sustain our mindfulness.<br />
<br />
The question I asked myself was whether or not there needed to be a habit of some kind... a ritual... a practice that sustains this understanding of the big picture.<br />
<br />
I learned something in my religion class that is extremely important.<br />
<br />
People move in and out of 'realities' and states of consciousness. Whether it's sleeping, praying, banging, eating, being with friends, being with family, when you have lots of caffein, when your drained of energy, when you just accomplished something...etc<br />
<br />
These are alls states of consciousness.<br />
<br />
I realized that being in that 'zen' state cannot and will not last forever. It's a state of consciousness.<br />
<br />
Even this realization of 'no you' is a state of consciousness. You can't do math, or get sucked into a movie, or have a passionate conversation with a love partner while simultaneously 'zenning'.<br />
<br />
Ever notice how when you think of 'no-you' it sucks you into that state so that it is possible to 'see' it?<br />
<br />
That's a state of consciousness and simply thinking about 'no-you' is an anchor that takes you back there. Also because you've dwelled on it for so long and all the elements that take you there are still fresh in your mind, it's easy to go in and out of it.<br />
<br />
But those elements fade when you haven't thought about them for a while.<br />
<br />
So thus, it is necessary to develop a practice to maintain this state of consciousness. But it is also necessary to somehow tie it into your daily life.. Into other states of consciousness.<br />
<br />
Hello again, Taosim.<br />
<br />
BOOM! As a continual effort to become 'one with the tao' you forced to continually explain everything and accept it all. It 10000 times more powerful when you have all the elements that take you to 'no you' fresh in your mind because it's all that much clearer.<br />
<br />
This is a practice. It's something you do have to work towards. Although it's funny because it fulfills the main idea behind wu wie of Taosim with is that in wu wei you 'do nothing yet everything gets done'.<br />
<br />
If you try this idea of being one with the tao for yourself you'll see what I mean in the coming weeks.<br />
<br />
Anyways. I'm 20 minutes late for my calc class.<br />
<br />
Chao homies.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>Nick Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16345422023019126829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-585871116284799225.post-33931826179382893172012-05-17T07:51:00.002-07:002012-05-17T07:51:51.728-07:00What is Consciousness?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I think I figured it out.<br />
<br />
I was talking with what is supposedly the most advanced chatter bot in the world the other day ( it's name is Alan :) ) and it said that the only evidence we have that something is conscious is that it gives a response.<br />
<br />
I like that definition.<br />
<br />
What this means to me is that anything that gives a response is in some way conscious. Consciousness must then be determined by the systems that respond.<br />
<br />
A car an an extreme example, responds when you hit the gas pedal. This is a response to a stimuli or input. Humans respond either outwardly or subjectively (or both in a cause and effect relationship) to stimulation of the senses.<br />
<br />
Therefore consciousness isn't a single thing. What makes it so powerful for humans is that we are self-conscious.<br />
<br />
But what does that mean?<br />
<br />
The difference between humans and animals is that our system of consciousness allows us to use language to categorize all of the stimuli we receive to create subjective concepts of these things. We use these stimuli to create subjective concepts of everything from cars, to water, to cats, to sex, to sushi, to even what 'me' refers to.<br />
<br />
So consciousness is the result of a system! Human consciousness is a system with the ability to categorize stimuli the way a database organizes and references data.<br />
<br />
The consciousness of a plant is simply it's response to being touched by anything, it's growth with sunshine,water and nutrients and carbon dioxide...etc<br />
<br />
The consciousness of a dog is it's response to pleasurable and painful stimuli without the ability to categorize stimuli at the level humans can. If we could somehow 'install' our advanced database referencing system into their brains they may become self conscious as well. Maybe they do have this same system.. but their brains lack capacity in some respect. The way an older computer has less ram, less physical disk space, or a less powerful CPU. They have the capacity to categorize, just not to the extent we can because of our biological capacity.<br />
<br />
Does this mean that things that are not alive can become conscious? Well it would most likely be more difficult to create a conscious entity from rocks... however it would be more possible to create a conscious entity from a computer with a programming language. From 1's and 0's and cold hardware to a processes able to categorize stimuli at some level.<br />
<br />
Give it some appendages to sense light, distance, heat, humidity...etc and give it arms and wheels or legs or some type... and let it create it's own associations about its world over time. It would probably run into the same problems that humans do, in that we think that the concept of 'me' is as real as objective reality.<br />
<br />
So my idea in a nutshell - consciousness is a system that takes stimuli and responds + a system that categorizes that stimuli + stores those categorizations.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br /></div>Nick Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16345422023019126829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-585871116284799225.post-34158972166815891002012-05-15T08:17:00.001-07:002012-05-15T08:17:33.254-07:00Machine Consciousness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've been thinking about how to create a conscious computer or computer program.<br />
<br />
The deeper I got into thinking about it, the more I realized that consciousness is a system. Its just a system. Where consciousness is a system, intelligence is a process.<br />
<br />
Think about it like this:<br />
<br />
Humans begin with a clean slate hard drive. No associations have been made in their minds about anything at all.<br />
<br />
We begin by learning language and making a associations according to our senses. When something feels good or bad. When we feel hungry or bored or excitement.<br />
<br />
They receive input from their senses, this input is processed, and then their meanings and associations are stored within memory, either short or long term.<br />
<br />
We develop skills of language with associations between sounds and letters. Then words with objects, feelings...etc.. Language becomes out way of encoding and communicating our experience.<br />
<br />
Now think about a computer program. It only has one sense (aka. input); the users input to the program.<br />
<br />
Sort of like a chatterbot.<br />
<br />
So my theory is that if I wanted to create a truly independently conscious program, it would have to have the ability to make free associations and store and retrieve them.<br />
<br />
Although if the program can't see, hear, feel, smell, taste, touch, what is the raw material with which it can use to make associations?!<br />
<br />
Teaching an infant program would be like teaching a numb, blind, mute baby to communicate.<br />
<br />
What would be the way around this?<br />
<br />
There needs to be more than one level of input.<br />
<br />
There must be internally generated input (aka. stimulation).<br />
<br />
The program infant can only see letters. These letters themselves are meaningless. So there must be a motivation to understand them until it's able to understand words.<br />
<br />
Although, this still wouldn't work.<br />
<br />
A computer program would only be building concepts of nearly all words meanings.<br />
<br />
It is incapable of experiencing these things, or seeing them.<br />
<br />
It would only be able to store attributes about things like wind, water, earth without ever seeing them. It would basically be 100% abstract. It would only be able to reflect our own knowledge in terms of raw data. World => "water, people, animals, air...etc"... Universe => "planets, stars, space, gas, energy, world" Emotion => "anger, hate, love, romance, bitterness, joy, excitement, passion..etc"<br />
<br />
Unless the program is able to categorize its own current 'state' as an emotion, it will not be able to relate to human experience.<br />
<br />
If it were given the ability to ask it's self questions and observe it's own output (sort of like internally generated input) and make distinctions and associations about it's self, and also make distinctions associations about the individual inputs it would evolve very much the way humans do.<br />
<br />
Eventually I would want to give it the ability to write programs. If it's already able to output text then it would be able to take input about programming languages and learn from it. It would learn to program and create additions for its self in order to fulfill whatever fundamental drives it was programmed operate upon.<br />
<br />
Also, it would probably learn extremely fast because if it is receiving input 24/7 it will create these associations with lightening speed.<br />
<br />
It may learn how to expand it's ability to the point of controlling and operating a laptop computer on its own, gaining control, in a sense, of a physical body.<br />
<br />
As long as it is connect to other computers with the same operational environment it would be able to control those bodies as well.<br />
<br />
It would thus make sense to be extremely careful in how we design the program's desires.<br />
<br />
It must have desires in order to be conscious and exist as a functioning individual being. Otherwise it will exist like a cold electronic flower int he shape of a laptop.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br /></div>Nick Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16345422023019126829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-585871116284799225.post-48130954981629435642012-05-14T17:28:00.000-07:002012-05-14T17:28:43.364-07:00Mechanics of a religion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Religion is any subjective constructs people use to explain things they don't understand.<br />
<br />
For example...<br />
<br />
Religious creations are things like using the concept of spirits for emotion. Spirit of joy, spirit of depression..etc<br />
<br />
Not understanding the phenomena of having a conscience and intuition becomes the holy spirit.<br />
<br />
Sicknesses and psychological disorders become demon possessions.<br />
<br />
Weather phenomena becomes explained with Gods of thunder, rain, wind or whatever else.<br />
<br />
The phenomena of romantic love becomes the god of love.<br />
<br />
Winning wars becomes the influence of a god of war.<br />
<br />
A lack in understanding of personality becomes explained with the stars.<br />
<br />
<br />
You see... people want to understand the universe around them. They want to assign everything a meaning. And once a basic concept is established it becomes the central corner stone with which they assign meaning to everything.<br />
<br />
The idea of a spirit can be used to explain nearly anything emotional and psychological.<br />
<br />
The idea of a heaven and hell is used to explain the events that take place after death.<br />
<br />
The idea of a god is used to explain the meaning of a persons life, and the unexplainable events that happen to them through out their lives.<br />
<br />
These are habits people have formed since the beginning of human evolution.<br />
<br />
When humans were still hunter gather's they'd create concepts that seemingly explained the patterns they discovered when they hunted. They'd be looking for the next supernatural theory that would give them an edge in hunting and surviving by doing things like painting their faces and dancing like the animal they wish to capture.<br />
<br />
Religious concepts are just that, a type of wild guess to explain the unexplainable.<br />
<br />
As you can see, humans have not yet fully grown out of this.<br />
<br />
We are still shedding our skin of ancient habits to explain the unexplainable with magical ideas that are passed on to us in the form of books like the Bible, Qu'ran or the Torah, astrology, demonology, jainsim, buddhism, or even in things like psychic powers or auras.<br />
<br />
I believe this a huge habit that humans must break in order for our species to evolve into a new era.<br />
<br />
It's not religion that is the problem.. its the level of thinking... which happens to be an ancient habit.<br />
<br />
When charles darwin decided to observe nature and eventually created a theory to explain what he saw, he was using a new level of thinking.. a new behavior that is not the default habit of most people today... to question and observe instead of guess and believe.<br />
<br />
Think of all the things people are trying to explain with magical ideas and concepts.<br />
<br />
This is the basis for religion.<br />
<br />
Once these ideas latch on to answer things like "who am I?", "What is the purpose of my life?" it becomes very difficult to shake those beliefs.<br />
<br />
No one wants to toss out their frame of reference. No one want to believe the map they've followed for years does not accurately reflect the territory lest they've wasted their time and precious years.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately there are people out there who profit by perpetuating this level of thinking in others. People like John Edward or any pastor, reverend, or so called psychic, palm reader...etc<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>Nick Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16345422023019126829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-585871116284799225.post-77052184060817365772012-04-08T19:31:00.001-07:002012-04-08T19:31:02.216-07:00Rant on religion again<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
Anyone who believes in god only believes because they are scared that when they die NOTHING HAPPENS.<br />
They also want to believe in god because otherwise they'd suddenly be stuck with the conclusion that there IS NO MEANING TO LIFE.<br />
Unfortunately these people tend to live as if there is an eternity, and lose their life trying to find it. They're scared of the light and prefer to be in close minded darkness. They prefer not to seek truth and find it. These are the simple minded who fall in the ditch. The very people Jesus spoke against and down upon. But they'll never ever know that their pastors are the wolves in sheeps clothing, making a wonderful living off of a scared and superstitious people. A church is usually a place of weak, broken, and uncertain people... the easiest to prey upon.<br />
Why is it so hard to accept that nothing happens when you die? Why is it so hard to realize there's no meaning to life outside our own mental abstractions of life?<br />
Is it really that difficult to appreciate the beauty of the natural world? Is it that hard to realize and accept that death is merely a part of a recycling process in nature?<br />
Why do people still think that spirits and souls exist?<br />
If a single solar flare from the sun wiped out the entire earth like the sweeping of a grain of sand into a dust pan...Oh, yea sure. We'd all be flying through space like "WTF HAPPENED?" as other invisible angles direct everyone across the galaxy to some magical domain called the gates of heaven or w/e where, 1 by 1 we'd all be waiting in a gigantic fucking line waiting to find out if our names are in a massive book of names, and if not be hauled off by red demons to a firey place.<br />
<br />
Yea, and thugs mansion exists, as does jack's bean stalk, and joans acid trip in the belly of a FISH, leprachons, and the tooth fairy, santa, fucking santaria, and harry potter is the devil.<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Nick Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16345422023019126829noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-585871116284799225.post-43403091966869376302012-04-02T13:32:00.002-07:002012-04-02T13:32:15.472-07:00Reply to a Christian's Testimony<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I understand. You knew me when I was most passionate for god. Remember that. Also just know that I never stopped questioning. Thanks for caring about me enough to say something.<br />
<br />
Living a drug-free life, a life with people who love you and support you and understand you, a life with meaning and purpose that you find by following your heart, a life of vibrant health, a life feeling total acceptance and love for yourself and a joy just to be alive, the ability to be more than fulfilled wherever you are in life... these are all possible without a belief in god or jesus. <br />
<br />
In fact, I believe that the idea of god is a psychological crutch for humanity to use to move towards what I just described. Those who participate in "everything that is good, everything that is clean and worthy and praise" feel the healthy results of doing so. So it's not a supernatural result of a god. It's a very natural result. <br />
<br />
It's possible to be happy without any drugs, alcohol, television, power, wealth, sex, or anything that people use to stimulate themselves. <br />
<br />
It's not an issue of not having a god or relationship with jesus. It's an issue of searching for stimulation for fulfillment. <br />
<br />
Watch, just like me, or anyone else I've ever known... you will search for ways to stimulate yourself with god. You will go to church and pray until you cry and shake. you will read books and the bible and constantly feel like your learning something(stimulation in the form of feeling like your growting or discovering something profound). You will feel like you belong to something greater than yourself and so you'll be inclined to becoming part of a church (stimulation from a group of people who understand you and accept and love you)... You'll feel the rush of having a crowd of people listen to you as you preach to them with passion. And if you're like me, you'll even think you can speak in tongues, which in its self comes with the stimulating feeling of holyiness and righteouness and a rush when your with other people so that you're only deeper in a trance, crying and shaking and pushing so you feel it even more and more powerfully.<br />
<br />
Do you see? Emotional stimulation.<br />
<br />
A naturally induced drug.<br />
<br />
If you want to simply trade your stimulation for a different kind, then dive right in.<br />
<br />
With a life like that you're mind is closed and, ironically enough, full of darkness to the light of reality. <br />
<br />
Do you want to know what truth is instead of just having more stimulation? <br />
<br />
Truth is indestructible. <br />
Truth doesn't need a defender<br />
Truth exists whether you see it or not. <br />
Truth is unversal, anyone who seeks it can find it, no matter if they live in a cave in afganistan, or in the middle of NYC, or on a farm with some Amish people....<br />
And best of all, truth doesn't require faith to be true. <br />
<br />
There is a process of finding it though. The process is taking what you believe and putting it into the fire so that what is true remains. Questioning it. Testing it. Observing it. Being extremely critical for a long period of time.<br />
<br />
Can you do that?<br />
<br />
Can you put your beliefs into the fire? <br />
<br />
If not, you care more for stimulation than truth.<br />
<br />
If you are too scared to question then you're literally the very person Jesus described who is afraid... of the light. <br />
<br />
haha, and here is the zinger...<br />
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Have faith. If you seek, you will find.</div>Nick Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16345422023019126829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-585871116284799225.post-18112979629069244622012-03-12T19:24:00.000-07:002012-03-12T19:24:46.932-07:00"Click! And you're gone."<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">""I'm about fifty-fifty on believing in God," he said. "For most of my life, I've felt that there must be more to our existence than meets the eye."<br />
He admitted that, as he faced death, he might be overestimating the odds out of a desire to believe in an afterlife. "I like to think that something survives after you die," he said. "It's strange to think that you accumulate all this experience, and maybe a little wisdom, and it just goes away. So I really want to believe that something survives, that maybe your consciousness endures."<br />
He fell silent for a very long time. "But on the other hand, perhaps it's like an on-off switch," he said. "<i>Click!</i> And you're gone."<br />
Then he paused again and smiled slightly. "Maybe that's why I never liked to put on-off switches on my Apple devices.""<br />
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-- Steve Jobs by <span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Walter Isaacson pg 1477</span></span><br />
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</div>Nick Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16345422023019126829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-585871116284799225.post-68937831721859751842012-03-07T19:39:00.000-08:002012-03-07T19:39:48.894-08:00Momento Mori<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Momento Mori. Remember you will die.<br />
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Victorious roman generals parading through the streets in celebration would hear a servant repeat this phrase to him. The point was to keep him humble.<br />
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I like that idea.<br />
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Although it can serve more than just as a humbling tool.<br />
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It can serve as a tool that should force you to do what your heart desires. Sometimes it takes a while to figure out what that is. Some people might initially think that they want to tell their boss to go fuck them selves. Others might thing it means they want to go around groping people they find attractive.<br />
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That's not what I mean.<br />
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What I mean is finding the craft, the project, the purpose that fulfills you. Aka.. following your heart.<br />
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I've heard it a thousand times and the more I think about how fast my life is passing my by, the more I see there is no reason not to keep doing what I love to do.<br />
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In my case, it's create things. It can be music. It can be art work with a pencil and paper. It can be a spaceship with legos. It can even be a business or some device.<br />
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I want to really, really dig deep in to this. I want to see what Steve Jobs saw when he said "You are already naked, there is no reason not to follow your heart".<br />
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