I am Done with Forced Self Development
I’m far from perfect, but I’m really starting to think that forced self development is a waste of my time. I fear that the striving to be somebody better is counterproductive because it means rejecting what I am now. I’ve also noticed that the artificial self development tends to be shallow and short lived. It differs from the real self development that occurs naturally by dealing with reality – this is life changing and permanent. My biggest fear is that the forced type of self development, the stuff that comes from self help books and spiritual texts, may actually be a means to avoid the real self development that occurs when I jump headlong into life.
The Universe Knows How to Get Me into Shape
The universe is a superb teacher. Modern educators might say that this crude carrot and stick approach is a bit old fashioned and harsh, but there is no doubting its effectiveness. If you refuse to learn the lessons that life sends your way, it will turn on the pain. Life will relentlessly beat you down until you become teachable. The universe is a patient teacher, and it is prepared to wait decades for the student to pass a lesson – you can remain caught in a rut like addiction and there is no escape until you are ready to progress.
I’m convinced that the universe was designed in such a way as to encourage conscious beings to develop their potential. I don’t pretend to know the reason for this, and it can be fun to speculate. Even if I’m wrong about the universe being created to promote development it doesn’t matter because that is the way things work. In order to progress in life I need to fit in with reality. I know this for a fact because of my years of trying to go against the stream. So even if the universe is not created to be a teacher for all practical purposes it does function in this role for humans. When we fit in with reality our life becomes easier, but when we fight against it things turn to shit.
Artificial Self Development is a Waste of Time But…
I think the Buddha was a really smart guy, but the advice he gave that is most applicable in my life now were there in his last words – be a lamp unto yourself . It is important to hear what the wise teachers have to say, but I feel at the end of the day we are all on our own journey. I will still read spiritual texts and maybe even occasionally purchase the latest must-have-self-help book, but I now view this almost as a type of entertainment. Unless I become wise there is no real way for me to judge the wisdom of anyone else. My teacher is the universe, and I’m confident that any self development that needs to take place will come from the ups and downs of being alive. I’ll still meditate because this is something that I enjoy doing, but I no longer expect it to make me a better person – life will take care of that.
Please check out one of my latest posts.
You really put words to my own thoughts. Write a new book … I buy it!
Hi Anders, I’ve written two 🙂
It does feel like I’m benefiting from some real clarity in my thinking at the moment.
This is why I really want to get my thoughts written down in case things become muddled again.
Have you already … what is the other book’s name?
A proposal … Eat butter, bacon, egg, cream! Avoid fruit and and all other forms of carbohydrate sources. You should know that insulin is the culprit of why you become corpulent.
Perhaps someone will say that you eat nutrient-poor if you do not eat vegetables and fruit. Three eggs a day will fix it! A limes a week taking care of your vitamin C needs and a serving of chicken livers per week covering up the rest … Forget the rice and noodles until further notice. They are the cause of your belly! Eat how much saturated fat you want and right with protein!
That sounds interesting Anders. I’ve moved my attention away from weight loss to healthy living – at least for the time being. I have been going for long walks every day, and I try to avoid eating obvious junk – the stuff that makes me feel bad afterwards. This does seem to be bringing things under contol. I feel that if I go back to living like a slim person my body will eventually catch up.
I mende with my suggestion was that you can try this … just because it works! … Then you can write about it!
I think you have the ability to tip over our full truth solve iddeer about how we should eat. But only if you put yourself in the question!
If you want I’ll help you …. I promise you, this is Paradigm times!
I know a lot about nutrsion but I’m not a doctor. BTW, the doctor can anything about what foods we eat … no one can! During their eight-year students will they learn nutritional science in two weeks. And what they learn is crap!
Cheers
Anders
I must admit that I’m also a bit dubious about what the nutritional experts suggest. It seems that the more they try to mess with our diet the worse things become. I wouldn’t be suprised at all if we are about to enter a new paradigm – something has to be better than our current way of dealing with obesity.
Did you know that cancer cells live on glycos and that you can survive malaria and any other diseases if they hold on their glucose intake!?
Glucose is the main culprit for all sickness … I know, I took in a little too much. But still no! Believe me …
“I fear that the striving to be somebody better is counterproductive because it means rejecting what I am now.”
That is very well said. Never heard it phrased like that before, but that really hit the nail on the head.
Thanks Amy. There is plenty of room for improvement in my life, but I don’t have to change to become a worthy human. The striving can just become a type of escapism,but there is nothing here worth escaping.