I didn't forget about this post - sorry, though, for the ludicrous delay; for nearly a month now, due to a combination of internal and external factors, I've not had the opportunity to post, while, after a week of not even that, I've at least been reading up on new postings.
Also, thank you Laura for the thanks - it made part of my mind react as it could not accept that I had made a good contribution that was so well received. Made for a bit of inner friction managing it while it lasted.
On to replying:
Guardian said:
I have always had the distinct impression that I chose my values, purpose, etc. .."job" if you will, wayyyyy before I hopped in the meatsack.... but I could be wrong. Perhaps I just created those memories for myself subconsciously because they make me feel good?
Well that's a depressing thought thank you very much LOL
It might well be so that we so choose the set of lessons to deal with, and along with them, the way of doing so. I think that this orientation could be seen as a potential; disintegrating, reintegrating and and the conscious choosing of values
within this life, then, is the fulfilling of that potential. (reaching that orientation)
Guardian said:
These self-chosen values - what the person has decided to become - are then maintained in the face of opposing factors of life; it no longer matters whether it is pleasurable to hold them, or if pain can be avoided by abandoning them.
I didn't know abandoning them was an option?
I've tried coming up with a good answer to this, but I'm not sure as to how exactly to answer it.
One short answer: It is a hypothetical option, the point being that this does not happen when the person has reached this stage.
A longer, earlier attempt: It is not so much that someone would otherwise just go - "Oh, I know - I'll just abandon these prized ideals of mine and everything will be much easier!" Rather, it is that what has been growing within them might be crushed before it is complete and in full strength. The process of development is uncertain and can be disrupted before it has reached that point of no return.