Is it too late to start a university degree? And is there any point?

[Keyhole]

Why did you want to do the degree in psychology and neuroscience to begin with if you don't mind me asking? BTW, it's totally fine to have wanted to do something, then change your mind! Also, years from now, you can always take on the degree. I hear stories of people taking degree after degree through the open university whilst maintaining a full time job, for fun no less!!

At first the psychology was because it sparked an interest reading some of the books on the recommended reading list. Secondly, after reading Cupid's poisoned arrow I was fascinated by the science of it all. Then went on to read some of the books on neuroscience and became enamoured with that, because isn't actually all that much different from biological psychology and the subjects go together nicely. I think I had to trick myself into believing I wanted to go into research though... I don't like writing scientific reports and I don't much enjoy my time in lab experiments either. Why would I want to be a research scientist if that is what composes the job? It's just so easy to identify with an idea, an image of yourself that you would like to portray to others. You know?

I think it has to be remembered that this topic has a lot to do with both Aim and Third Force (sometimes described as the answer to the question ‘why’).

If we take the discussion out of this context then things take on a different light, everything is taken in the usual way. But we should factor in that things can be different if we have an Aim. If our focus in life becomes this Aim, then whatever helps this Aim will should be given primary consideration. There is good, there is bad, and the specific circumstances that define which is which.

I have been contemplating this that the past day. I am only vaguely familiar with the concept of the law of three theoretically. In fact I think G would actually describe it as philosophically - it's highly likely that I am not even at that level yet. I have absolutely no idea where to start with regards to actually applying it to my own life in a practical manner. How can one recognise the active and passive force? I would really like to have some guidance on this. No one can decide for me which direction I should take in life, and that's not what I am asking for now.

What I have learned from this forum is that formulating an Aim that is far ahead of my capabilities is practically useless, it is unachievable. If steps are made towards achieving small goals, this is more effective. I can't say that I want to be the master of myself and assume that this is achievable in my current state of consciousness. It's almost self-defeating to think in this way.

With all of that in mind, I think it would also be useful to factor in conscious acts as opposed to mechanical, and with that to add faith and hope, as in conscious faith, conscious hope as opposed to wishful thinking. If we are on a path, are sincerely applying ourselves in pursuit of a conscious Aim, then perhaps one needs a little faith coupled with that, that the Universe will place the right lessons before us to help become what we wish to be. Always remembering that a lot depends on our own efforts in that regard, it ain’t just gonna out of nowhere appear as if by magic.

How can one truly know if they are not deluding themselves misinterpreting mechanical acts for conscious acts? Throughout this thread the past few days, reading the comments and seeing how they have affected my own internal state, my direction has swayed back and forth - back forth, makes me cautious of my own self.

I said I was sure that I didn't want to pursue university education, and when people give me feedback that is in favour of that decision this feeling is strengthened.
One the other hand, when I hear about others positive experiences which are in favour of the university route, I am swayed and internal doubt begins to kick in. I am completely controlled by external influences and cannot to see anyway to break free of this.

The truth is... this isn't just about university. This is the situation that mechanical man is faced with, and it could apply to any endeavour in life, just this time it has manifested in the choice of whether to study further or not. I think this is what I meant when I said that things have just lost their "colour". No choice is ME making that choice which is a pretty dire situation.


Luke, Alada, luc and Thiagrr, thanks for sharing your own personal experiences here with me.

 

[Chu]

I have been contemplating this that the past day. I am only vaguely familiar with the concept of the law of three theoretically. In fact I think G would actually describe it as philosophically - it's highly likely that I am not even at that level yet. I have absolutely no idea where to start with regards to actually applying it to my own life in a practical manner. How can one recognise the active and passive force? I would really like to have some guidance on this. No one can decide for me which direction I should take in life, and that's not what I am asking for now.

I don't know whether this can help you or not Keyhole, but it seems that your doubts come from the fact that your Aim is vague. And that's also fairly common, so don't beat yourself up for that. How about making it your AIM to discover what your real Aim is? ;) What leads you closer to finding your Aim, then, would be good, and what leads you further away from it would be bad.

What I have learned from this forum is that formulating an Aim that is far ahead of my capabilities is practically useless, it is unachievable. If steps are made towards achieving small goals, this is more effective. I can't say that I want to be the master of myself and assume that this is achievable in my current state of consciousness. It's almost self-defeating to think in this way.

Well, yes and no. Because if you work every day to observe yourself, to try new endeavors, new skills, etc. maybe you will be able to formulate that Aim. IMO, it is impossible to do so and self-defeating, as you say, only when you don't take some steps first.

In other words, since you don't know where to start with that Aim, discover what your Aim is NOT about. For example, the university degree (at least for now, and maybe one day you will see it differently).

How can one truly know if they are not deluding themselves misinterpreting mechanical acts for conscious acts? Throughout this thread the past few days, reading the comments and seeing how they have affected my own internal state, my direction has swayed back and forth - back forth, makes me cautious of my own self.

I would say that that is healthy as long as you don't take it to the other extreme.

I said I was sure that I didn't want to pursue university education, and when people give me feedback that is in favour of that decision this feeling is strengthened.
One the other hand, when I hear about others positive experiences which are in favour of the university route, I am swayed and internal doubt begins to kick in. I am completely controlled by external influences and cannot to see anyway to break free of this.

I suggest an exercise to you: Every night before going to sleep, do the Prayer of the Sould and ask in between each verse: "What is my Aim?" Do so for about two weeks, every single night. Write down any feelings or dreams that you have. Sometimes doing so unblocks many things.

The truth is... this isn't just about university. This is the situation that mechanical man is faced with, and it could apply to any endeavour in life, just this time it has manifested in the choice of whether to study further or not. I think this is what I meant when I said that things have just lost their "colour". No choice is ME making that choice which is a pretty dire situation.

I understand. But then, what to do about it? Try, try some more, fail a few times... each time will teach you what you DON'T want.

Since you said you tend to be good at focusing on things and not procrastinating, that is a plus. Focus on finding your Aim. Do things, and discover how you feel about it. Find somebody who can teach you a trade, carpentry, etc. for example. See if that makes you feel like it's "your thing". And so on. Try to be focused on finding that Aim. If nothing works, at least you will know. And in that case, a good Aim may be to find any work available, which leaves you enough spare time to do things you like, networking, working on group projects, learning here, etc. If you can't find it in a job, the Aim doesn't always have to be part of that. Your job could also be a tool to help you get by through life so that you leave space to follow your Aim. It's complicated! Many options. :)

And of course, if money is tight, you may need to get whatever job you can get for the time being, while still thinking about this AIM of finding an Aim. But one can learn a lot from that too! When you only have so many hours for yourself in a day, you tend to make more out of them in many cases.

Every minute can count, even if you are just testing the waters. You can learn a lot, because at the same time, you are being open and forcing yourself to not always think with the way you think, but think differently.

(I hope this is not too convoluted!).

My 2 cents.

 

[Keyhole]

Thankyou for giving me guidance Chu,

I don't know whether this can help you or not Keyhole, but it seems that your doubts come from the fact that your Aim is vague. And that's also fairly common, so don't beat yourself up for that. How about making it your AIM to discover what your real Aim is? ;) What leads you closer to finding your Aim, then, would be good, and what leads you further away from it would be bad.

From now on, this will be my Aim. My Aim is to find my Aim :).

Well, yes and no. Because if you work every day to observe yourself, to try new endeavors, new skills, etc. maybe you will be able to formulate that Aim. IMO, it is impossible to do so and self-defeating, as you say, only when you don't take some steps first.

In other words, since you don't know where to start with that Aim, discover what your Aim is NOT about. For example, the university degree (at least for now, and maybe one day you will see it differently).

I am beginning with making it my goal to self-remember at least once every day. Small, achievable goals on a daily basis is the best place to start from. Self-remembering, recapitulation, reading, making use of my free time productively, participating on the forum and networking, struggling between "yes and "no". This is a start. Engaging in life the best I can, and probably making many mistakes along the way. I realise now that this is the only way I can actually discover what is not my Aim.

Since you said you tend to be good at focusing on things and not procrastinating, that is a plus. Focus on finding your Aim. Do things, and discover how you feel about it. Find somebody who can teach you a trade, carpentry, etc. for example. See if that makes you feel like it's "your thing". And so on. Try to be focused on finding that Aim. If nothing works, at least you will know. And in that case, a good Aim may be to find any work available, which leaves you enough spare time to do things you like, networking, working on group projects, learning here, etc. If you can't find it in a job, the Aim doesn't always have to be part of that. Your job could also be a tool to help you get by through life so that you leave space to follow your Aim. It's complicated! Many options. :)

I have decided to be pro-active, did a google search and have found an intensive carpentry course that will provide me with some basic skills in the field. Luckily I have two old friends who are professionals who have also given me some very good advice as to what to actually do. This way I can determine whether it IS actually a worthwhile endeavour, and if not, I can simply try something new. Nothing lost, only lessons learned.

I suggest an exercise to you: Every night before going to sleep, do the Prayer of the Sould and ask in between each verse: "What is my Aim?" Do so for about two weeks, every single night. Write down any feelings or dreams that you have. Sometimes doing so unblocks many things.

Thankyou for suggesting this! On the first night I dreamt that I DID go to study, only not to study the course that I was planning to do. And in the dream I had the sensation that my purpose in life was to defend and protect Vladimir Putin. Perhaps THAT is my real Aim ;D

 

[Alada]

I have been contemplating this that the past day. I am only vaguely familiar with the concept of the law of three theoretically. In fact I think G would actually describe it as philosophically - it's highly likely that I am not even at that level yet. I have absolutely no idea where to start with regards to actually applying it to my own life in a practical manner. How can one recognise the active and passive force? I would really like to have some guidance on this. No one can decide for me which direction I should take in life, and that's not what I am asking for now.

I think you can look at it quite simply to get a handle on it:

Active force, 'affirming', or "yes".
Passive force, 'denying', or "no".
Reconciling force, ‘neutralising’, or "why".

What comprises the three can change, the order can change, even in relation to the same question, depending on what third force is. For example ponder the same question (I mean any question not just the uni thing) with 'because it is a mechanical choice' as third force (added: actually I think that’s wrong come to think of it, that if something is a mechanical choice there can be no third force whatsoever, just flitting between active and passive until something mechanical, or nothing, happens), then with 'because it is a conscious choice, or 'because of conscience'. Everything can change depending on third force (if it is present).

Hope that helps!

Edit: made a correction re. third force.

 

[gottathink]

I would strongly encourage you to do what you feel is good for you AND the future. Giving up and giving in is not what we are about and if you have watched the Knowledge and Being videos, you'll know that you might end up in a different reality not only by taking certain steps, but where those steps lead to a different reality in and of themselves (if that makes sense).

This is key for me, I have had to use a lot of discipline in my life to go from, whats the point to actually embracing a future.

 

[Keyhole]

Hi guys, just an update:

After Chu's advice I made a concerted effort to do the POTS every night, asking what my Aim was and for some guidance in between each verse. After the two week period I no longer routinely did POTS each night and have become a little lazy in that respect, however I have managed to do EE twice a week rather than just once or not at all.

Anyway, after what was said on this thread I started looking for jobs/pathways that could further my skills and enable me to learn carpentry. To cut a long story short, I learned that it was relatively difficult to find any local work in this field that could provide me with enough money to survive with having no previous experience. So I eventually just stopped looking for this type of job, decided that this would be too difficult and it would be easier just to give up and find one working with animals or support work. Decided that I no longer was going to worry about my occupation, and to make it my Aim to just work any job that provided me with enough money to survive and enough free time and energy to be able to do my research and network.

A few days after I stopped looking and had lost faith, a local assistant carpentry position came up and guess what... I got offered the job

Interesting how things work out when you least expect. I think that all of the excess energy I spent fixated on this subject and the anticipation was probably blocking the flow. Just thought I'd share this with you all

 

[Gaby]

Congratulations for the new job!

 

[Xico]

congratulations!!
and yes, NO anticipation!!! is the Key....

 

[casper]

Congratulations on the new job, life is really unpredictable, I wish you luck on your new job

 

[luke wilson]

Nice Keyhole!

 

[StrangeCaptain]

That is totally awesome! Good luck with it! I hope you learn loads!

 

[riclapaz]

Congratulations keyhole , good luck in your new job.

 

[Foxx]

Congratulations Keyhole! I hope the job goes well

 

[Navigator]

Great news! and an example of non-anticipation I guess!

 

[Meg]

Congratulations on the new job, Keyhole!