I have no friends, I will never have them and I am going to die a virgin. That said, can I live a wholesome and fulfilling life? Most of my suffering is inflicted by my own mind because I think by standards of society and nature I am a failure and worthless so I start hating myself and get depressed and life starts to feel like a prison because I am permanently locked from being normal.
>>33880237Guess it kinda depends on your outlook on things. I can live a life without friends. Haven't had any in soon 7 years. Only need my brother and mom.
>>33880237Most people can't. Even very introverted people benefit immensely from having a friend or two. The amount of people who can go through life as complete hermits or loners is like 1% and most them have mental illnesses of some kind. We are a social species
>>33880267this
>>33880267So I have to become less that 1% of those who can? It seems like I have no other option since I can't kill myself and I have to live for about a half a century more.
>>33880292Well you can kill yourself. Not saying you should, but you can.
>>33880354Can't now. Might never be able to. For some people I guess it's easy. I am not gonna stop you if you say you can.
>>33880237This isn’t shitposting I promise: become a monk.I’m not kidding. Monks (of any religion) live in isolated mini-societies where they rely on themselves and a disciplined lifestyle for living. While it isn’t complete isolation you do get most of the day to yourself where you can pray to God/the gods, study whatever you’re passionate about, and take care of yourself in general. It’s absolutely NOT a life for everyone but I’ve never talked to a monk that regrets being one.
>>33880407I am from a catholic country but I don't resonate with christianity or religions in general. I am fascinated by daoism but it doesn't exist in my country. Moving to china and trying to survive on my own would be harder than my current life.
Find hobbies, become obsessed with it, and get good at them. With each small accomplishment, you'll feel good about yourself and won't have to worry about being friendless.
>>33880463You don't need to integrate yourself into organised religious institutions to live a life dedicated to it.Daoism is a fantastic philosophical stance on life and I'd strongly recommend you consider exploring eastern philosophy further. As a starting point I'd recommend Alan Watt's "Become What You Are" and then read it in conjuction with a few of his idiot's guide to zen / dao / tao books. I don't present this as the opinion of some extremely well travelled scholar but he's got a brilliant way of introducing western minds to eastern concepts that makes it very accessible and easy to understand.Take the commitment, make the pledge. Begin adopting monastic values and higher level religious conduct as a personal oath. The thing about Daoism is that its extremely easy to integrate into regular life and very easy to live a very dignified, personal spiritual practice away from other people. Seek truth my friend. This is The Way.
>>33882140Thanks. It's hard to practice the authentic thing without a teacher but I hope nature will be my guide. Daoism is not just a philosophy. It includes health and energy practices and on deeper levels of internal practices it gets kind of esoteric and paranormal.
>>33882229I don't use the western materialist edition of "philosophy" - when I speak of philosophy I speak of a far greater concept than what words can express. I fucking know Daoism pretty well dude. I'm studied in few different substrates of eastern religion. Personally settled on zen buddhism over a decade ago as what I "claim" since it's easier to explain but tao / dao are large components of my groundwork and practice too.You don't need a teacher. Whatever guidance you need can be found in books and study. Don't just read the book, write things down, study it, underline things. Whatever. Allow the universe to show you what you need. Seek stillness within and listen to what comes up. When outside, be quiet within and truly see what is before you. There are answers hiding around every corner, lessons to be learned from every interaction, every moment you witness - if you are willing to see it that way. Life is the mirror of the soul. Nothing is coincidence. If you'll forgive me saying something extremely goofy... I challenge you to treat the next 24 hours as if you were already a practicised disciple of The Way. To simply pretend that the universe has a soul, that you are OF the same ecosystem and material as it - and to actively try and receive whatever messages / guidance comes up. Don't expect the clouds to part and a voice to rain down from the sky. In my experience some of the most profound universal wisdom I've ever received was from the most mundane of coincidences like overhearing a snip of NPC dialogue that was well timed and serendipidous - or random shit like watching a duck glide across a pond.This is The Way.
>>33882299I am too confused to know if insights I get are my own projections or something divine but there were rare mundane moments in my life that strike me with quiet wisdom that feels like it needs no words and it's like even trying to explain is degrading it since words can't do it justice and people wouldn't truly get it anyway. It's a stupid example but I can draw meaning and see beauty in certain media because it's a reflection of daoist ideals and holds meaning to me but nobody else would see it. Your post was something I needed to hear. I bitched out on the practice and reading for a long time and my life got a little worse internally for quiting the path. Maybe this is what I needed to hear.
>>33882427That my friend is the precariousness of beginning to listen to what the universe wants to show and tell you. When Ego over interprets the message, things get lost in translation. Things could be warnings are taken as encouragement - things that could've been precious can be ignored.The trick is to become comfortable with this and use your discernment, use your principles and study to guide your interpretations.Or better yet, give up on interpretations. You are simply a receiver, receiving as is. The quiet wisdom is the best wisdom my friend and I assure you that beauty, wisdom and depth can be drawn from all moments in life and media. It's about perspective. It's about understanding. It's about being a student of life. Realise that your perception of life is simply a mirror to your soul, allow it to guide your inner work whilst you flow with the outside.Get back on the path today brother. This is The Way. Commit to it. Throw yourself into it. Make it non-negotiable. Life without practice is not a life worth living - once you've already tasted it. You already know the deal my friend and whatever your inner compass tells you, I encourage you to chase it quickly and not let this spark die as it may be the spark that reignites the fire and keeps it burning for the rest of your life. Good luck Brother, pleasure speaking to you.
