Tired of trying to wake up anyone

[Mike]

Re: I'm about to give up trying to wake anyone up

Hi Al Today,

You might find this selection of Gurdjieff's thoughts on knowledge and giving it to others worth reading. I thought about it when reading the thread. - http://www.ardue.org.uk/university/intro/knowdist.html

It seems that it is a law that not everyone or not a large portion of people can receive condensed knowledge and may be one reason you're running into the feelings you are having about most everyone around you being asleep and not caring to know more. It is tough to see the world going crazy in many aspects like the house is on fire and interact with others on a regular basis that don't see the smoke or the flames. Frustrating and surreal at times.

I also think that as things continue to deteriorate in the US and the world you never know if you are going to come across a person that truly wants to know what is going on and asks you. So I take the approach of trying to be externally considerate of those around me, not push the issue and to be ready in case someone asks to know what I think about a subject, etc.

 

[placematt]

Re: I'm about to give up trying to wake anyone up

I agree Redrock12. Seems the "could care less" selfishness attitude prevails around here...

We all have lessons to learn. I gotta quite worrying about others and work more on myself. And get off this White Horse. I ain't no Knight is Shining Armor...

Someone said something about preaching. I had to smile because seems a lifetime ago I would get up on the pulpit, speaking gawd stuff, many numerous times.
Memories...

Hey AL Today,

My thoughts exactly, what right do i have to lecture others when i still have so much work to do myself. ofcourse it's different when people ask or want to engage in discussion. I too have memories of being in this same place. of thinking i had a right to educate people who didn't choose it. In hindsight i see how wrong i was!!

 

[Alana]

[...]
PS: Al, would you like us to merge the two threads you started, since they are on the same topic? This way all the answers are on the same place, and it is less confusing for you (and us as well :D )

Yes, by all means, please do...
Thanks.

It is done

 

[bjorb]

Re: I'm about to give up trying to wake anyone up

Yes, people have to wake up on their own. I saw a documentary (?) about cognitive dissonance recently. It helped me a lot to see someone trying to awaken people via rational conversation and looking at some photos/videos with them. Gosh, how people cling to their beliefs! Seeing this from some distance helped me to get over trying to 'help' people.
The film is called Water Time. Here is a snippet from the production showing what ought to be a rational conversation with a rational, well informed individual.:

http://<iframe width="560" height="...BI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I found the whole thing to be very depressing, but helpful.

That was distressing to watch, but it certainly explains a lot.

For most people it's natural from birth to feel comfortable in their own skin right? They don't have chronic anxiety? Does that make them masters in disregarding any displeasing feelings they might experience? How can someone toss logic and common sense so easily away when it comes to uncomfortable truths? I get how it's horrible that your own government commits mass murder. But it has been 15 years already, get over yourself.

If you ask me, at some point cognitive dissonance becomes just another synonym for spineless coward. I think the following quote is fitting for all who suffer from cognitive dissonance and don't have one courage bone in their body to get over themselves:

''People who shut their eyes to reality simply invite their own destruction, and anyone who insists on remaining in a state of innocence long after that innocence is dead turns himself into a monster.''
- James Baldwin


As for trying to wake others up, the Universe is giving you a mirror if I you try I think. It's not about you, it's about the importance of the Truth you share. And we can mix that up at times. In return you can learn a lot about yourself + you learn how to get better in touch with your authentic self instead of being dependent what others might think or not.

The art of being creative enough to wake someone up is also practiced. It's all about respecting their higher self and act upon it best you can.


And about social media, I am declared death on FB. But I used to post things about 9/11 / US Imperialism / Comet activity / Monsanto etc

All to no avail. But whatever, it's not about receiving support from others, it's about the sake of the truth. And sharing the truth may give others the courage to do the same.


Like most I don't experience many moments of Joy were others seem to get it, it rarely occurs.

But recently I had a conversation with someone who has concerned about the rise of Islamophobia. I was really surprised because years ago he made a remark about how Muslims killing each other in Syria was not a bad thing.

I told him that his worldview was based on stereotypes that hold no basis in reality. You are either uninformed, or just racially motivated. I hope it is the former.

And it seems it was, so he managed to learn along the way. And I had plenty to share about the issue thanks to certain SOTT.net Authors :)

So that is always fun.