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fireworks_god
Sexy.Butt.McDanger



Registered: 03/12/02
Posts: 24,855
Loc: Pandurn
Last seen: 1 year, 12 days
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What Do You Live For?
#7583333 - 11/01/07 09:36 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Our existance is impermanent. This present experience is fleeting. None of us even know how much more time we personally have, as this form we hold now. I find it strikingly amazing that we even have the opportunity in this moment to function like this, to live this life, to be aware and interact with reality... 
How many moments have passed in which we have been identified with ourselves and our life situation to the point that we lose sense of the formlessness that permeates our present existance, such that our mind becomes opaque to the light of awareness?

If we are not self-aware, then who and what are we?
Nevermind asking how, even if we are acutely self-aware. Its a complete mystery.
Seriously, though, ask how. When one fully embraces the mystery of life, of our present experience, I'm inclined to think that one would appreciate the blessed opportunity. As all we know is the phenomenon of living, we tend to become conditioned to life, such that we never really live.
So, what of your present experience? What of who you presently are? Is it worth dying for?
I've personally had several experiences (honestly, the same experience at different points in time), usually while on acid, wherein the inevitability of the immediacy of my death is readily apparent. It is a moment wherein total dissolution is but an exhalation away, so to speak. I've always brought myself right up until that point, but have never fully let go. The first two times, on acid, I didn't, simply due to a feeling not to. The second time it felt as though it took great effort to not transcend this form, like I wasn't suspossed to have stayed, or something. The third experience was sober, but wasn't entirely the same, as it was centered around accepting the expected death of a loved one. The last time, the moment came unexpectedly, only being stoned, just as intense as the times on acid... I feel like I arrived at that point due to the process of internalizing my acid experiences and developing myself... Anyways, the only thing that kept me from completely letting go was looking forward to being with the one I love and treasure most.
I'm not sure if I will arrive in this moment again, in such a final way, as I've realized that I'm a human being, and I might as well live in this form until this form will no longer function. What I have noticed, though, is that the nature of awareness is such that we are either becoming more aware, or less aware. I've always marveled at how interested I am in becoming more aware, until it brings me to the point where I am a breath away from realizing death.
Recently, though, I've noticed that the less attached I have become to security, through these experiences and similar ones of the same path, the more comfortable I am with delving deeper and deeper into awareness, of reality. The feeling of standing on this floating orb at night, surrounded by a seemingly infinite sea of space and formlessness and mystery, and relishing the thrill.... It is nothing that I could have expected. 
Here we are, emanations of the Sun. Truthfully, of course, we are the Sun, as any line to be drawn is merely an arbitary distinction. 
So, what do you live for, and what makes you happy?
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If I should die this very moment I wouldn't fear For I've never known completeness Like being here Wrapped in the warmth of you Loving every breath of you
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demiu5
humans, lol


Registered: 08/18/05
Posts: 43,948
Loc: the popcorn stadium
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what am I currently living for?
Trying to be the strongest, healthiest primate I can be.
Why?
I dunno
-------------------- channel your inner Larry David
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fake estate
didgin it out



Registered: 10/13/07
Posts: 264
Loc: NC
Last seen: 8 months, 4 days
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Re: What Do You Live For? [Re: demiu5]
#7583466 - 11/01/07 10:15 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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i live for the unknown
-------------------- eat more algae.
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Jack Albertson
bismillah rahmani rahim



Registered: 04/14/06
Posts: 10,065
Loc: SOLARIS
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Re: What Do You Live For? [Re: fake estate]
#7583479 - 11/01/07 10:21 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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I live for the love of life.
-------------------- Man is timid and apologetic; he is no longer upright; he dares not say "I think," "I am," but quotes some saint or sage. He is ashamed before the blade of grass or the blowing rose.Man postpones or remembers; he does not live in the present, but with reverted eye laments the past, or, heedless of the riches that surround him, stands on tiptoe to foresee the future. He cannot be happy and strong until he too lives with nature in the present, above time TRANSCEND
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Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
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I live for the psychedelic experience. I am trying to find it without the psychedelics now. It's not easy is what I have found out. Most of the cultural things that are supposed to make life worthwhile do not do it hardly at all for me. So I'm kind of in limbo these days. It's uncomfortable.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
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beneath
One Way Street


Registered: 10/30/07
Posts: 1,239
Loc: The un-united kingdom
Last seen: 11 years, 7 months
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i don't know why i live anymore, i got lost.
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Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
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Re: What Do You Live For? [Re: beneath]
#7583619 - 11/01/07 11:09 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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It happens more often then then one might think.
As the need for filling up ones days with survival issues vanish often we don't really know what to do with ourselves.
I can honestly say that in the modern human culture I also feel lost.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
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Bernackums
The universe will have its way.



Registered: 08/06/07
Posts: 865
Last seen: 13 years, 11 months
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Re: What Do You Live For? [Re: Icelander]
#7583668 - 11/01/07 11:20 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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There are still things I want to experience in life that I haven't yet, emotions I haven't felt. I live for the things I've put ahead of myself, or rather, things I want to do.
"So I'm kind of in limbo these days. It's uncomfortable."
I've been having a crisis lately, struggling with the fact that to me life is meaningless. I know that at some point in my life I'm going to [truly] realize that life needs to be what I make of it. I'm not there yet though, I understand it but I haven't had an epiphany. Lately I've been feeling kind of empty, kind of alone (because do I really know anyone else exists?), it's something that I assume will pass with time and thought. For now I'll force myself to smile and enjoy life until it's not forced any longer. I know I can enjoy everything around me because I have before, I just have to get out of this [Nhilist?} mindstate.
-------------------- Let's get the fuck out of here.
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Silversoul
Rhizome


Registered: 01/01/05
Posts: 23,576
Loc: The Barricades
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Re: What Do You Live For? [Re: Icelander]
#7583703 - 11/01/07 11:34 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
Icelander said: I live for the psychedelic experience. I am trying to find it without the psychedelics now.
That about sums it up for me.
--------------------
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Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
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Re: What Do You Live For? [Re: Bernackums]
#7583762 - 11/01/07 11:50 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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I understand completely.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
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fake estate
didgin it out


Registered: 10/13/07
Posts: 264
Loc: NC
Last seen: 8 months, 4 days
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Re: What Do You Live For? [Re: Icelander]
#7583824 - 11/01/07 12:07 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
Icelander said: I live for the psychedelic experience. I am trying to find it without the psychedelics now. It's not easy is what I have found out. Most of the cultural things that are supposed to make life worthwhile do not do it hardly at all for me. So I'm kind of in limbo these days. It's uncomfortable.
i feel exactly like you...did you go thru a state of depression upon realizing most of this? im just now coming out of mine and its getting better but still difficult understand it all
-------------------- eat more algae.
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Lion
Decadent Flower Magnate



Registered: 09/20/05
Posts: 8,775
Last seen: 3 days, 17 hours
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I live for the moment that I stop comparing myself to my images of everyone else.
-------------------- “Strengthened by contemplation and study, I will not fear my passions like a coward. My body I will give to pleasures, to diversions that I’ve dreamed of, to the most daring erotic desires, to the lustful impulses of my blood, without any fear at all, for whenever I will— and I will have the will, strengthened as I’ll be with contemplation and study— at the crucial moments I’ll recover my spirit as was before: ascetic.”
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Mastamike1118



Registered: 03/29/07
Posts: 2,010
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Re: What Do You Live For? [Re: Lion]
#7583895 - 11/01/07 12:27 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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nothing
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Clean
the lense


Registered: 05/11/03
Posts: 2,374
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Re: What Do You Live For? [Re: Lion]
#7583941 - 11/01/07 12:37 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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nice post FWG  i resonate quite a bit with bug and icelander's answers..
i live to learn and continue this experience..whatever it is.
 what makes me happy? me! 
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Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
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Re: What Do You Live For? [Re: fake estate]
#7583955 - 11/01/07 12:41 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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I have dealt with depression my whole life. My childhood facilitated that state.
I still deal with it and guess to some extent I always will.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
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Clean
the lense


Registered: 05/11/03
Posts: 2,374
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Re: What Do You Live For? [Re: Icelander]
#7583989 - 11/01/07 12:52 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Avoidance of sadness causes major imbalance.. Learn to tolerate sadness as much as you tolerate happiness and suddenly you're living in a different world.
Edited by Clean (11/02/07 10:42 AM)
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Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
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Re: What Do You Live For? [Re: Clean]
#7584286 - 11/01/07 02:33 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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That's the reason I'm still alive and kicking friend. And that's where my philosophy derives from.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
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gluke bastid
Stinky Bum



Registered: 12/20/00
Posts: 3,322
Loc: Charm City
Last seen: 5 years, 3 months
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Right now I am living for the music that I make. It is crazy and all I think about and all I put my energy into. I even am making love to my girlfriend less to put more energy into music. Most of the reasons I still take drugs is to help me create music. I know that I will never make a living off of being a musician. I know that society does not take me seriously because I am poor man, and because I have no career aspirations, or family aspirations. I am getting older and I probably will have to sell out someday. Yet I am still doing this. I can't figure out why. I can't tell you why I am putting everything I have into something that I might not get anything back out of. Sometimes it feels unjust...most of the time I am frustrated and angry at the world, at music, and mostly at myself for being 26 and not having really produced anything I feel proud of.
But that is what I live for. I don't know why, I just do.
--------------------
Society in every form is a blessing, but government at its best is but a necessary evil - Thomas Paine
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Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
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Be glad you have found something that takes your mind off of yourself. (could this be the why in why you do it;)) If you can just meet your basic needs and not be out on the street then keep on playin. That will be plenty for a satisfying life as long as you love it.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
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Boundless
Stranger
Registered: 01/04/06
Posts: 38
Last seen: 15 years, 11 months
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Re: What Do You Live For? [Re: Clean]
#7584348 - 11/01/07 02:51 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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If you tolerate depression and sadness then you will never get better. To truly enjoy life one must remove all obstacles to living a perfect life.
These obstacles are mostly in the mind itself, and that is where the real work begins and ends. Outside of the self one interacts with the enviroment in a way that continuously reflects the inner expeience.
It stimultes the mind to learn and think in a way that it has dealt with in the same way over and over again...and thus is no new learning acheived.
So the real way to live a perfect life is to remove belief from all negative thoughts and emotions(which are caused by thoughts).
Though the way to do this may seem difficult or even impossible to some, it is because the nature of the programs conditioned inside the mind and how it reacts to stress and the enivorment.
If one has a negative thought and responds by attacking himself then he simply projects his anger away from himself, but in truth, it just get stored away to be dealt with at a later time, and so suppression and agression towards negative thoughts only promotes delay of healing the real issue of why the thought occured.
So I think it requires a great deal of mindfulness of the self to be able to deal with and understand the cause of the negative thought, and from that point when the place of origin is established, then true healing can begin. And this will bring one into their right mind.
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