Cassiopaea Forum Reading Workshops - Public

[987baz]

Hi everyone,

Here are the links for the recent Aus-Asia-Am group discussion regarding final thoughts on Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents, & our discussion on Laura's article Stalking or Precis on The Good and The Evil.

Here's the video of the last meeting
The audio
And the folder

This concludes our series of Workshops for this year & we will resume back on Saturday 4th January at 7 pm Sydney time (GMT +11). Season's greetings to you all, may you have a joyful Caesarmas and a very happy New Year!

View attachment 103829

See you all then!
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Below are the links to what we discussed:

Raging against the machine - The Tablet

One of our most influential thinkers tells Abigail Frymann Rouch that the ever-proliferating crises facing the world can be traced back to society’s

www.thetablet.co.uk

Transmarginal Inhibition

www.sott.net

Session 18 July 2015 where transmarginal inhibition is discussed
A bit of info on Michael Topper & Southern Crown mystery school

Thanks everyone for a great year, it really has been a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon with you all, learning and laughing! Huge extra thanks to @Arwenn for hosting and leading us through all the fascinating information, much love to you all!

 

[Pecha]

Hey y'alls,

The Am-EU group finishes the introduction and chapters 2 & 3 of William B. Irvine's A Guide to the Good Life on November 17th. Turgon has collated the Video and Audio for the meeting.

I've attached the mind map below in both PNG & PDF form. For readability, I've also printed the mind map in bulleted form here:

Chapter 2: The First Stoics

• Zeno of Citium was the first Stoic. In earlier life, he was shipwrecked in Athens where he became a pupil of Crates the Cynic. The Cynics lived ascetic, homeless lifestyles. They willed themselves to not seek earthly pleasures, opting to live with patience such that no external influence can move him or her. Also known for their wit and wisdom.
  • (Mari): This ascetic way of living for the Cynics is like the way of the Fakir.
  • This is also similar to the Buddhistic monastics too.
  • (Mari): In the Autobiography of a Yogi, it's stated that they lived off of what people gave them. It reminds me of how the Universe can provide.
  • (whitecoast): A way to practice non-attachment is to not expect anything in return when giving.
  • (whitecoast): Shares a book called Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer
  • (Seato): There seems to be a difference between begging and asking. The former often induces pity and emotional aspect. In asking, it is non-demanding.
• (cassandra): Stoics have their wills tested and as a result, have self-control not to over-indulge
• (Turgon): Gurdjieff referred himself as a Cynic before.
  • (Mari): Gurdjieff was a traveler and was skilled in making money out of anything.
  • (Turgon): Laura did say his moving center is very developed and could be why he is like that.
• Said to be the most famous Cynic, Diogenes of Sinope stated that men's values have been corrupted in that they seek greater and greater earthly delights to satisfy their growing desires. Diogenes, living a more ascetic lifestyle, would for example wait until he's hungry to eat or drink.
  • That way, quenching his thirst in a humble river would be more enjoyable than a good wine. This attitude allows him "to be prepared for every fortune"--an important Stoic principle.
• Zeno eventually created his own philosophical school (the Stoics!) that focused on not only lifestyle applications (for which the Cynics focused on) but also theory (like Socrates has).
  • It became popular because it gave others in part a base to practice aspects of the Cynics without becoming essentially homeless and sacrificing their will to enjoy the good things in life.
  • The Stoics also sought to live more simply, but also availed themselves of any good things that were available, as long as they were readily available to give them up.
  • The Stoics refined their logic and naturally became good at argument forms and persuasion.
• Zeno's Stoicism had three components:
  1. Refinement of logic - Stoics saw rationality as the distinguishing feature of humanity. This naturally led them to become very good at argument forms and persuasion.
  2. Study of physics - they were curious about the world around them and the nature of gods.
  3. Ethics - for Stoics, ethics were about having a "good spirit", or having a good and happy life (moral wisdom).
• (Mari): The Cs say to be aware on three levels 1) body and immediate environment, 2) wider world affairs, and 3) cosmos and spirit.
• Stoic philosophy can be seen as a fertile field, with the three components representing one aspect of it:
  1. Physics = Soil
  2. Ethics = Crop
  3. Logic = Encircling fence
• Stoic virtue is a characteristic of excellent people, denoting their ability to perform functions humans were designed to do, in accordance with nature.
• While the ethical goal for Greeks was the attainment of virtue, Romans added a second goal to suit their needs--tranquility. It is a state bereft of negative emotions like grief, anger, and anxiety while maintaining positive ones like joy.
  • For Romans, the pursuit of tranquility helps one to attain virtue, more so than vice-versa. It's easier to sell the attainment of tranquility rather than the attainment of virtue. It's in the hopes that this tranquility will eventually lead to becoming virtuous in the Stoic definition of the word.
  • (cassandra): Attaining tranquility seems to be more marketable to the Romans.
  • (RedFox): Cs also mention to limit limiting emotions. It's draining.
    • (cassandra): It's like Castaneda regarding being impeccable, not letting these negative emotions drain you.

Chapter 3: Roman Stoicism

• The most important of the Roman Stoics were, from a learning standpoint: Seneca, Musonius Rufus, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius.
• Seneca, known for his wit and prose as an excellent Stoic, Roman writer and playwright, with financial acumen. His involvement with the imperial court got him banished to the barren island of Corsica, where he learned more about the island and further practiced Stoicism. Eventually he came back strong as an advisor the Emperor Nero.
  • While he enjoyed good standing in Rome in elevated positions of power, it marks a difference between Stoicism and Cynicism where the former doesn't live an ascetic lifestyle, but can enjoy the finer things in life, much to the chagrin of those that call Seneca's seeming philosophy and lifestyle hypocritical. He knows he can thrive even without nothing, like during his banishment to Corsica.
• Seneca's On the Happy Life, detailed methods to pursue tranquility and freedom. In essence, people need to use reasoning ability to drive away "all that excites or affrights us", cultivating within a boundless joy unmoved by anything.
  • A sense of deep, inner cheerfulness and joy, as opposed to pleasures of the flesh that are "paltry and trivial and fleeting".
  • (cassandra): The Cs say that joy is something different compared to pleasure.
    • (whitecoast): They say something about joy being of the soul, and pleasure being physiological, or of the body.
  • (Mari): On page 281, there's a Stoic reading program, it mentions On the Happy Life.
    • (Turgon): Shares On the Happy Life.
• Musonius believed that practicing Stoicism shouldn't withdraw people from the world (like Epicureans advised), but to become active, public participants of it while maintaining tranquility. He advocated that both men and women can benefit from philosophy, since both are endowed with reasoning ability of the gods.
• (cassandra): The Roman emperor had so much power, yet still chose to adopt Stoicism, which is remarkable. Contrast that to Castaneda, where the slave was able to apply principles similar to Stoicism and in this way, in all kinds of situations, you can apply Stoicism.
• (whitecoast): Shares image:
  • 
• Epictetus was a renowned student of Musonius who was born a slave and due to his intellect and initiative, was trained and put in connection with the imperial court. After some shifts in rulers, he eventually started a Stoic school.
  • His classrooms were like that of a physician's consulting room and students were left feeling bad rather than good, with the idea that examining themselves closely would reveal ugly truths they need to work on practically.
  • He taught how to respond to insults, incompentant servants, an angry brother, how to deal with the loss of another, etc.
  • (Mari): It's like what we do on the forum--holding mirrors up for others to face the qualities of ourselves that we normally don't want to see. A way for self-reflection and awareness.
  • (Turgon): It's also like Don Juan's removal of self-importance.
• Epictetus states that even Zeus has his shortcomings and could not fully make humans in his image. Instead they are given part--the rationality to be able to choose and to live a happy life or not.
  • (whitecoast): There's the mythic level like Homer, where the gods embody a lot of the negative aspects of human nature. Another level is the "high church doctrine", which is on the level of the Logos, for which has links to Stoicism, which later influenced Christianity.
  • Seneca and Epictetus shared similar views on humans' relation with God in that a good man/woman doesn't live an easy life--that he/she is tested and strengthened by God for service. And that to live in accordance with nature is to have a good life.
• Marcus Aurelius, emperor of Rome, was exceptionally good in part due to his Stoic philosophy. He knew the plight of the common man and was sanctified as one of the last Five Good Emperors (96-180 AD) who made Romans happy and prosperous.
  • Marcus in his adult years was sick due to having to deal with weak constitution, viciousness of politics, and natural disasters. His Stoic tranquility would seek to aid help ameliorate some of these effects.
  • Eventually, he passed away due to serious illness at age 58, causing a public outburst of grief in the population. Cassio Dio posthumously recognizes his achievements through his ability to preserve the Roman empire and being able to deal with issues despite what circumstances have dealt him.
  • (?): Paul also suffered a bunch of physical ailments, similar to Marcus Aurelius in a way.
• (Turgon): Shares Dr. Michael Sugrue's Marcus Aurelius' Meditations: The Stoic Ideal.

General Notes

• (cassandra): What do you think about the Trump situation?
  • (Anya112003): Trump says that he's ending dual citizenship among other things.
  • (Bluefyre): A commentator on Candace Owen's show is saying that Trump and RFK are in danger of assassination. I remember the Cs session talking about the possibility of Trump getting a heart attack.
  • (?): He was asked on Joe Rogan if he was going to release the JFK documents and Trump said that it would be one of the first things he would do.
    • (anartist): Initially it was Mike Pompeo that talked Trump out of releasing it, but it seems now that Trump doesn't listen to him.
  • (Mari): What will happen if Trump were to release the JFK and 9/11 documents, if it goes against Zionist interests?
  • (Laurs): Epstein files would be good to release too.
  • (Turgon): If Trump went fully against the Zionists, he'd be dead.
  • (Turgon): Trump may have to concede some things to the Zionists and play their game. It's possible that he will shift funding away from Israel at some point.
    • (Trump): Three minutes into talking with Netanyahu, Trump got a feeling that he doesn't want the war to end.
  • (Laurs): Article on SOTT regarding Peter Thiel. He's responsible for all of the AI technology in bombing Palestinians. He's JD Vance's mentor.

For Next Meeting - November 17th, 2024

In going with our two chapters a week bonanza, we may cover:

• Chapter 4: Negative Visualization - What's the Worst That Can Happen?
• Chapter 5: The Dichotomy of Control - On Becoming Invincible

See y'alls in a bit!

 

[Luis Miguel]

Hello everyone!

The Am-EU meeting will start in 30 mins:

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting now
Meeting ID: 953-026-3587

 

[RedFox]

Won't be able to make todays meeting, sorry everyone. Have fun!

 

[Pecha]

Hey y'alls,

The Am-EU group finishes the introduction and chapter 4 of William B. Irvine's A Guide to the Good Life on November 24th. The recordings will be shared at a later point.

I've attached the mind map below in both PNG & PDF form. For readability, I've also printed the mind map in bulleted form here:

Chapter 4: Negative Visualization - What's the Worst That Can Happen?

• One of the reasons for contemplating possible bad things that can happen to ourselves is to avoid them. The second that Seneca proposes is to lessen their impact on us, for the times bad things are unavoidable.
  • "Misfortune weighs most heavily, he says, on those who 'expect nothing but good fortune'".
• The third reason is insatiability--after getting what we want, we grow bored of it. We abandon this desire in pursuit of grander desires, hinting at a sort of "satisfaction treadmill" (hedonic adaptation).
  • This adaptation process makes people take things for granted, so we need to remediate or even reverse this process--to want for the things we already have in life.
• A Stoic psychological practice to ward against this is negative visualization--to imagine we have lost the things we value (i.e. possible loss of loved ones and friends, our own death, stuff we have, etc.), which cultivates gratitude for the things we have already. It also helps in being able to let go, to not seek to possess. It's an acknowledgement of the impermanence that pervades our world.
  • While this may lead to pessimism, for Stoics, it is a pathway to optimism. For them seeing the glass as being half-full instead of half-empty leads to joy and a positive mentality. It's also noted that this practice is not used all the time, but periodically. There's also a difference between contemplating a possibility of a negative event and worrying about one.
  • (Luis): Our past books on reincarnation and the afterlife may also give us comfort when someone close to us passes away.
    • (Breo): In the FoTCM calendar: (November) "Be therefore, not remiss to weigh well all you do and every word you say; not in anxiety, but rather by cultivating a habit of will to do good; always and everywhere to radiate kindness of heart, for in the Kingdom these are not of small account, but go to make robes bright and bodies radiant" - Rev. G. Vale Owen.
  • (Turgon): Need to be present and grateful everyday. You never know when we have to say goodbye to someone.
  • (Redrock12): As it stands, it has been hard to move around due to heart issues. It makes you think and appreciate the good health he had.
• Children have a great capacity for joy because they take almost nothing for granted. The world they inhabit is wonderful, new, and surprising. Maybe the things they have today will vanish tomorrow. The tendency is that when they age, they become more jaded, and taken in by hedonic adaptation.
  • (Luis): Be like children!
    • (Anya112003): Not like teenagers!
  • (Breo): What happens to teenagers that make many of them become ungrateful?
    • (Anya112003): It mostly has to do with hormones.
    • (Mari): Her children used to groan when she sang, but now they join in on the singing.
• Maybe there's a reason for catastrophic events happening. Great loss can lead some people to appreciate what they had and do have. This state of mind may not be permanent and oftentimes after a period they may return back to apathy. Negative visualization doesn't have this drawback, as it can be a continual practice.
  • Saying grace before a meal, when correctly understood, is a form of negative visualization too. This saying implies that this meal may not have been here and shared in the company of others.
  • (Luis): In times of struggle and crisis, cultivating an antifragile mind builds resilience from negative thought loops.
• Another related technique is called projective visualization as described in Epictetus' Handbook. It's the practice of observing or visualizing something bad happening to others and thinking what if that happened to us instead. The reverse is true, what if the bad thing that happened to others, happened to another instead (reverse negative visualization).
  • In effect, it helps to preserver our tranquility as it will help us to appreciate the "relative insignificance of the bad things that happen to us".

General Notes

• Mari: Shares book - Brain Changer: How Harnessing Your Brain's Power to Adapt Can Change Your Life by David Disalvo
  • (Mari): It says in part to write your own obituary and to reflect on your life. To put yourself in a catastrophic scenario to balance worry and more productive measures.

For Next Meeting - December 1st, 2024

We are looking to possibly cover the following two chapters for next week:

• Chapter 5: The Dichotomy of Control - On Becoming Invincible
• Chapter 6: Fatalism - Letting Go of the Past...and the Present

See y'alls in a bit!

 

[Turgon]

Hello everyone!

The Am-EU meeting will start in 30 mins:

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting now
Meeting ID: 8364-9121-029