similarminds.com

[lightsun]

Why is it as a society do we / I continue to REINFORCE the ugly side of reality
We / I tune in on negative, whining, complaining, news shows hosts. The
news casts generally do not showcase PROBLEM SOLVING, positive role
models, and real LIFE heroes. We / I tune in and are HYPNOTIZED by
celebrities. What is far, far worse are reality shows which appeal to our
primitive, base dark emotions. The worst part is that the shows showcase
pathological, and extremely sick people who need help. We / I "negatively
reinforce" this " behavior" EVERY time we tune in! It is not appealing nor
nurturing for a walker of the path of peace and wisdom, and a seeker
of the way. Why do we not (1) demand positive, problem solving vs.
problem showcasing stations, and (2) STOP watching pathological, negative
energy, sick people! The sad, disturbing truth is that first one has to be
sufficiently healed and also centered, before one can RESIST the dark energy.
The problem is that these shows distract us from more fully healing and
using our creative powers!

[lightsun]

What attracts us to the dark side?

How can we resist it and refocus on our chosen path?

Is there a way (1) we can know who we are, and makes us most happy and

(2) be creatively involved in this personal passion, gift! and

(3) with discipline and desire be able to anchor ourselves to this chosen

desire, and (4) resist nonsensical and non creative behaviors!

I suppose the bottom line is to walk one's own path, find others of similar

spirit and OF COURSE allow others their own path until they heal.
_________________
Apollo LightSun Peaceweaver
I want PEACE!
I want to UNDERSTAND the nature
of distortions, distractions, &
illusions that keep us from the
TRUTH!
I WANT TO BE HAPPY!
INFP, cognitive style MERCY!
eneeagram #9!!
Zodiac "cancer"

[Romana]

[lightsun]

Thank you Romana. That is what this forum is all about, the refinement of
thought's and ideas. A clarification is in order.
By dark side, I am not talking about where something can be learned that
might help society.
Dark side is not talking about criminal justice, though there is room for
improvement there. I am not talking about forensics and interviewing
convicted criminals to better understand and Implement PREVENTION
techniques. NO, not at all.
I am talking about where nothing is gained or learned.
I AM talking about celebrity glorification. I am talking about the media
endlessly repeating gossip about so and so's mistakes.
I am talking about television reality shows rewarding people with
personality disorders and sociopath tendencies.
There are many, many more examples. But where do you draw the line.
I will just walk my path and seek to learn and be creative.
_________________
Apollo LightSun Peaceweaver
I want PEACE!
I want to UNDERSTAND the nature
of distortions, distractions, &
illusions that keep us from the
TRUTH!
I WANT TO BE HAPPY!
INFP, cognitive style MERCY!
eneeagram #9!!
Zodiac "cancer"

[lightsun]

"ART OF HAPPINESS" by Dalai Lama
"FLOW" by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
"LEARNED OPTIMISM" by Martin E.P. Seligman
"LOVE" by Leo Buscaglia
_________________
Apollo LightSun Peaceweaver
I want PEACE!
I want to UNDERSTAND the nature
of distortions, distractions, &
illusions that keep us from the
TRUTH!
I WANT TO BE HAPPY!
INFP, cognitive style MERCY!
eneeagram #9!!
Zodiac "cancer"

[lightsun]

I've already state how we are energy & chemical beings & thus are tied to the
universe.
Some say we are also spirit and are tied ro the universal consciousness known
as God. There are many mysteries.
I certainly don't KNOW the answers.
I rely on what I learn. What I have been taught. I also rely on my inner intuition.
It is like the scales of justice and can feel or determine a "truth", based on a
resonance. It seems instinctive. Whenever I com across a writing, a body of
research, or the spoken word of a wise one, my inner being cries out and
yells, "yes, you know that the hell you are talking about!
Well, originally this was about energy.
I've also stated how "negative" energy sickens and even kills a person and
all those around him or her.
Perhaps I am a feeler and thus am more attuned to these forces of energy.
Science and research are proving the above statements.
Then why are we negative to one another in real life even here on the forum
at times. It's almost as we can't help it.
Well, we have a choice to try to be the best that we can be. And this is not by
hurting people or their energy levels.
Or we can be selfish. Caring only about our own needs and not caring that we
at times spread an most spiritual cancer to our follow man with our own negativity.
It is a choice. I say it is a duty to be cognizant of
our own negativity and do our best to not spread
it to the world.
In this way thw earth can heal.

[RadicalDreamer]

[lightsun]

Exactly, RasicalDreamer.
This was my original post on how we dummify society by continuing to create and
watch these "roman coliseum" entertainment type foe the masses.
I take careful attention to not name by name any of the personalities
or shows in question.
Why? Because by even naming them I give "NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT" and
give away my power & time and energy to these inane, nonsensical elements
of society.
This is what I originally called "negative energy". It does nothing for us that is deep
lasting, or has any significance.
Romana helped me clarify, that when I said dark or negative energy, I was not
referring to real problems and concerns in life, nor what we can learn from them.
We have to look at real life squarely and honestly and LEARN how to both solve
problems and make society better. My initial passion was to showcase the baser
elements of society and compare it with our possibilities for growth and achieving
"FLOW".
I want people to be happy.
I want them to reach their potential. I wanted to showcase flow and say that we
have a choice of FLOW, or watching what other people are doing and not reaching
down to maximize our own intellectual and creative potential for "true" happiness,
contentment, & fulfillment in this life.
_________________
Apollo LightSun Peaceweaver
I want PEACE!
I want to UNDERSTAND the nature
of distortions, distractions, &
illusions that keep us from the
TRUTH!
I WANT TO BE HAPPY!
INFP, cognitive style MERCY!
eneeagram #9!!
Zodiac "cancer"

[RadicalDreamer]

Could the "negative energy" be the modern master/slave morality in our corporatist system and the "flow" be the will to power?

[lightsun]

That is certainly on way of looking at it. Those in power give to the masses "their table
droppings" to partially soothe and give an artificial contentment to the masses.
The masses become addicted to the "soothing" qualities of the mass produced inane
senseless, and time consuming "entertainment" world.
I said earlier, that it ages great strength of will as well as k owing who you are and what you
want to resist the "DARK ENERGIES" that suck our concentration almost like a
"black hole".
In this way the masses stay sedated.
In this way the rich & powerful hold on to their wealth.
In this way we don't WAKE UP.
In his way our time, energy, will power, & our very life is consumed by chasing
these "illusions".
In this way we don't demand social change.
In this way we do not evolve, but remain a "crippled" species.
Very dark energy.
_________________
Apollo LightSun Peaceweaver
I want PEACE!
I want to UNDERSTAND the nature
of distortions, distractions, &
illusions that keep us from the
TRUTH!
I WANT TO BE HAPPY!
INFP, cognitive style MERCY!
eneeagram #9!!
Zodiac "cancer"

[blueelm]

Maybe we/you/i are drawn to "dark" things out of a need to deal with our own issues which we see reflected in those things? Aren't they beautiful though? Maybe we/you/i get a lot out of the cathartic rage of agreeing or disagreeing with a blowhard on TV. I have a morbid curiosity, but it only goes along with the rest of my curiosity. However I deeply embrace the dark side of life and humanity. I believe it's important.

I would disagree with you about "baseness" of emotions. I do not believe in "base emotions" only emotions. They are neutral and all valuable although sometimes destructive. In general our society does not allow much expression or investigation of these things. Why are the dichotomy and subsequent repulsion?

Why not look for the love it indicates in yourself as a positive? Isn't it more a sign of love and tolerance to drop the judgment on talk show hosts, celebrities, and messed up people on reality shows?
_________________
intj? istj facilitator? rloei?

Some girl doing her thing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ13HcVtYLw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6JGLX65Trg

[RadicalDreamer]

In defense of the system, we have food (obesity), clean water, order and these creature comforts to keep us entertained. It is better than most of the world where basic needs of survival aren't even being met.

How about human nature in relation to social change? I think there is a point where social change would be difficult or impossible because it would require biological change. It goes back to my question on social and genetic determinism. The socially constructed aspects of humanity can be molded like clay but the hardwired stuff (the good and bad) is something that is going to have to be channeled productively, and respected and dealt with as is with a policy of containment in my opinion.

[lightsun]

I generally agree RadicalDreamer.
The "HARDWARE" we have to cope with is our primitive emotional part of the brain and
it's overt responses in day to day living.
Our out of control at times emotions.
This involves "emotional and cognitive" intelligence that we need to learn at
a very young age.
Our "SOFTWARE" problems are due primarily to the way we raise our
children.
I've already stated in previous posts how I would handle that.
_________________
Apollo LightSun Peaceweaver
I want PEACE!
I want to UNDERSTAND the nature
of distortions, distractions, &
illusions that keep us from the
TRUTH!
I WANT TO BE HAPPY!
INFP, cognitive style MERCY!
eneeagram #9!!
Zodiac "cancer"

[lightsun]

blueelm, "Maybe we/you/i are drawn to "dark" things out of a need to deal with our
own issues which we see reflected in those things?"
Wise. Partially the truth.
In this I may err. I am judgmental against these "sesame street" mentality shows.
I don't think we learn or grow.
Or perhaps we do learn "a little" by watching other people's mistakes.
I still believe that unless we are creatively challenged to grow into our gifts, these
shows are a danger to the human mind and us ever "growing" up!
They suck our energy and time. They do not challenge us.
Unless we are challenged we can not grow.
The best way to grow is through interaction.
And by DOING things, something, anything rather than go the easy route and just
watch our lives slip away watching tv.
I commend you on your tolerance in this matter.
_________________
Apollo LightSun Peaceweaver
I want PEACE!
I want to UNDERSTAND the nature
of distortions, distractions, &
illusions that keep us from the
TRUTH!
I WANT TO BE HAPPY!
INFP, cognitive style MERCY!
eneeagram #9!!
Zodiac "cancer"

[lightsun]

Sblueelm, "...get a lot of the cathartic rage of agreeing or disagreeing..."
Again on the surface I agree.
Maybe it gets us through the day & life in general.
Perhaps it is a cathartic release & FEELS good.
The problem is, what about "growth"? Do we really grow as a person?
It is "DISPLACEMENT", as you said. There is no true growth or healing.
To heal, grow, evolve, we must be challenged and DO, not "WATCH".
The bottom line it is choice.
I said earlier that a person must be somewhat "evolved" & healed, knowing
who they are, and what they want out of life.
This is a lengthy process.
It takes commitment. It takes a will to believe that we can be better to "resist".
blueelm, "Isn't it more a sign of love and tolerance to drop the judgment on talk
show hosts, celebrities, and messed up people on reality shows?" I commend your
sweet & gentle spirit. As I said earlier it is choice.
We are all individuals. I just wanted to point out the dangers of "dummification", and
point out instead that we were meant for greatness. All we need to do is to listen to
that inner voice and learn to "FLOW".
_________________
Apollo LightSun Peaceweaver
I want PEACE!
I want to UNDERSTAND the nature
of distortions, distractions, &
illusions that keep us from the
TRUTH!
I WANT TO BE HAPPY!
INFP, cognitive style MERCY!
eneeagram #9!!
Zodiac "cancer"