LoBD

Cheshirecat: % )

Jib: Thank you for that; valerian root is something I haven't tried yet, and that looks promising. I also hope you get very useful feedback on your work...getting torn to pieces is usually pretty discouraging >_< A couple plusses for every negative...or not. Depends on who's giving the criticism, yeah?

jak: Haha so I had to hide my face to get a compliment Thanks! I, too, think that that look suits me best at the moment.

Jib: I really do write too much. Gotta work on that! Anyway, the point is, I think it's only important to be aware of how much suffering there is in the world, and what types, so we can address what they are and devise more effective ways to handle them. There we go, that would've been much more concise XD

Jib: Sensory deprivation can make you retarded (sometimes I seriously think I have brain damage from basically spending 99% of my life in this basement), and I don't think even the deepest meditative state would withstand prolonged living in solitary confinement, like a supermax prison. I think there are, just maybe, things in the world that need changing. You could argue for reincarnation and say that everyone just HAS to suffer these things for an ultimate good, and the end justifies the means...and maybe it does. But there's the split: just accepting life and wanting to change it; maybe there's a marriage to be had there. Anyway, I like to think that as time progresses, we progress and evolve, and religion/spirituality/psychology/etc. all started things that need completing. The story isn't over yet, and I don't think it ever will be. I just hope that it keeps getting better and more interesting for everyone as the pages turn indefinitely.

Jib: Thanks for the comment; I don't know what to say. You made perfect sense, and well, it's just nice to be able to connect like that. Very nice! I think about that core misery a lot as well; I'm thinking as of late that there's a core love, however, and speaking for myself, I know a big reason I'm afraid to embrace it is because it feels like it's taking away from all the romantic fantasies I've invested so much in. Like if I could be abundantly happy with less than I imagined I needed, I wouldn't want to, because I don't trust that that abundant happiness will really be what I need. Love between a man and a woman is all about trust; intimacy's based on trust, because it's so private, and by giving yourself to another person, whether you know it or not, you're trusting them. So trusting the universe, or God, or love, or whatever you want to call it, to give you everything you dream of, works the same way. And relationships take a lot of work!

Silver_Dragon: Your very welcome.

Jib: The Bible does interest me; I'm confused as to what I believe, though. That is, I agree with so many teachings, but it seems like they all converge at some point, so I don't have any solid beliefs, except that love is at the center of existence. Everything else -- like who this or that person is -- all seems extraneous to me. Kind of like the idea in quantum mechanics that reality is non-local, or the hazy area where things only take on a definite form when they're observed/measured. I have to say, I'm not sure if solid beliefs help -- I'm sure they could -- but I find myself unable to adhere to any system for too long. I like what Jesus and Buddha and all these other people said, but at the end of the day the only thing I have to fall back on is that love is the highest reality. Everything else strikes me as ambiguous, so I suppose I'm like a reality-agnostic; I completely believe in God, but I have no idea as to what God would be, if it's dualistic or non-dualistic, local or non-local, indwelling or outdwelling, so on and so on...and either way, from what Jesus taught, it seems like it's the same as the "I don't know" thing that Buddhism and so many other religions point back to; and since Bell's Theorem came out in I believe 1965, science is heading down the same road. So in short, I don't know what I am, but I have at one point been heavily influenced by Christianity, though I always prefer looking at the principles of things over doctrine....so what you wrote struck me as very funny, because it reminded me of jokes I make with another frined of mine all the time. As an ending note, as far as beliefs go, it seems like if 'technical' beliefs fell out of existence and love took over -- which I honestly think it naturally would do if that were to happen -- well, I'll leave that to the imagination. In the meantime, psychology/neurology/quantum mechanics/religion/spirtuality/nutrition/art are all fun to compare and intermix in imagination land Though I'm not sure if it's healthy to do that too often, judging by the state of my own mind. But the jury's still out on that one!!!! Thank you for all the friendliness too, you're a pleasant person to talk to =]

Jib: Thanks for the laugh I pictured that and it made me smile again. That's the best thing that's happened in my entire life.

Jib: I'll definitely keep that in mind; thanks for the advice I was somewhat concerned about the ending to that one, and that comment did help a lot -- so thanks again Always appreciate the feedback.

jak: Haha, nope, not getting stuffed into walls yet. I still believe in the good in people, so I am not worried about it, but if someone were to try, I can put a fight...I hope. And you are welcome. I wanted to leave a more constructive comment, but then decided those words were enough to describe how I felt about that entry. Just a little curious about the title.

omnicron: So, nice to see your true face.

Jib: I enjoyed it thoroughly as well =]

jak: The picture did seem a little unrealistic, but then again, most people on here don't show their faces. I like to imagine that's because they have something interesting to hide. It's nice to put a face to the pen, though.

jak: Thanks! With a view like that, it's hard to take a bad picture.

Jib: Ah, I see...well that's terrific. All the more anticipation!

Adrielkeska: You posted about a 'zine in the pub. sbox, looked interesting. Care to share?

Jib: Same with your post. I think I'll take a look at that now, actually.

Jib: Did you get my e-mail? I just don't want you to think I didn't get to it; sometimes my e-mail freaks out, and things don't send. Just wanted to make sure.

Jib: I would like a copy of the manuscript; want to PM it to me or something?

Chuck_Norris: Congrats on our test, also love the pic

Jib: Someone else who gets it! That's a great thing to keep in mind...I'll have to remember that one

Jib: And hey, by the way, I don't know what you usually do or what your life is like, but have you been up to anything new lately? How's everything going for you?

Jib: Thank you so much for the comment!

StainedGlass: You seem so interesting!

cleverclogs: Thank you so much!