The people of this planet have been conditioned for obedience so that they can be farmed like animals.
This conditioning starts very young in the educational system. Of course, it carries on through with a job being told when to be somewhere, what time to take a break, and when to leave.
I agree with the idea that people are always looking towards big brother. People will talk about freedom, hating having big brother looking over their shoulders, yet when push comes to shove, they are the first to scream for someone to do something about it.
The victimization mindset is a powerful weapon. I learned early on that I wasnt going to stay sober as long as I was a victim. This is a condition that most under the throws of addiction clink to. The rationalization and justification gets a lot easier when one is pointing out all the wrongs the world did to him.
Responsibility is a tough thing. It is much easier to blame others. This absolves one of having to take action although, ironically, they do end up suffering the consequences.
In the end, we are responsible for the lives we lead. I like your view on things @wwf....thanks for helping me to grow.
I think it's necessary to have a bigger brother... But as a guide to us, not as a leader.
When we have a big brother, he has a long experience and great wisdom that helps us grow fast and shorten a lot of time...
thank you @taskmaster4450
It is one thing to have a mentor...it is another to have a jailer.
One loves, the other enslaves.
Oh man, I was blaming others most my life. Once I stepped out of that and took responsibility things really started to change for me. It's a hard thing, but a necessary thing. Everyone is responsible for where they are whether they know it or not. The more we blame others, the more we give away our power to change things
Isnt that the truth @jakeybrown.
That is why every spiritual teaching mentions going within. The answers are not outside of us because that is not where the power resides. Inside is where we find the connection to pure consciousness....the power of the universe.
When we are focusing upon what others did, their actions, and trying to change them, we are in for a long waiting game.
The only one to be changed is me....that is where the power lies.
Of course, outer situations and people reflect back to me what I need to learn and apply. Life presents mirrors to me each day of the stuff I do not like about myself which requires attention.
Sadly few take the opportunity to embrace the images in the mirror and be grateful for the opportunity to point out an area where I am falling short.
Yes, our outer world is always teaching us, we just need to remain open and listen to what it has to say :)
I did not realize you were once an addict like myself. I'm not sure why, but it seems that it requires spending some time in the darkness in order to find the inner strength and light to work through it. The journey to accomplish that is difficult and requires hard work. But the benefits of doing that work are astounding to behold.
Bravo to you for having the courage to confront yourself, do the hard work and come out the other side. It is my honour my friend and spiritual brother!
Yes and through that addiction I learned how senseless fighting is. I fought alcohol a lot...most every day...and the record is perfect...I never won. Alcohol was the bigger foe.
It was only when I surrendered, ceased fighting it, embraced it for what it is...the power it wields...the lessons I learned, that I started to overcome it.
Over my two decades on this path, I realized that applies to all aspects of life. When I am fighting the problem "out there", I am in for a loss. Whatever the foe, it is too great for me.
"We ceased fighting anyone or anything..."
An excerpt from our literature.
...And we surrendered to a power higher than ourselves.
I cannot recall if it was the Buddha or a zen master who once said that for one to be enlightened one must first have suffered the afflictions of terrible physical disease. I would expand upon that by saying that the burden of addiction in its many forms will also put one through the refiners fire. I've done my fair share of groaning under the burden of affliction. The irony is that what I once hated, I've come to be grateful for. For it is the burning furnace of life that makes us what we are.
Amazing how our tormentor can become out best ally on the path of growth.
Good for you @taskmaster4450 for being brave enough to change! It's great to know you walk the good path. Your son is a lucky boy 💚💙