How do you cope?

[Elpo]

Hello dear Nexians,

I am sure you have all been confronted with videos and news about animal abuse, people getting slaughtered, nature being raped and so forth. It's all over the news and if you have any social network you most certainly have seen these videos on your wall.

It happened to me today when I saw the video about the angora wool and how the rabbits get abused to get this. this is one of the many examples but I was overcome with sadness, anger and frustration. It seems to affect my whole mind state for the rest of the day.

Sometimes I manage not to let it affect me, but on other days I just can't. I find it hard to cope with these feelings I get.

Do you have these moments as well, and how do you cope with them?

This thread is not intended to talk about animal abuse in particular or to confront it with other terrible things. I am just curious to know how you go about with this in your daily lives. Do you do anything about it and how do you feel about them.

Any thoughts or techniques are much appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[Jaigurudevaom42]

This reminds me of the first time I did acid. I was telling myself to think positive, imagine smiley faces and to stay with positive people and places. as soon as I took the tabs I was shown by the acid that good and bad are all a matter of perspective.
that those negative feelings we dub for sadness, depression, anger and what not are no more but part of our behavioral nature, to try to live a life without sadness or anger is as worthless as living a life without happiness. psychedelics show you the highest of highs and lowest of lows. If you want to expand your mind to appreciate the highest, you must be ready for the lowest too, not just image wise but emotion wise and so on. once you find a balance between all feelings, nothing (like animal abuse images) will affect your state of mind without your previous approval.
Ying and Yang kind of thing.
Find balance and peace will be waiting at the corner.

 

[benzyme]

music.

 

[112233]

Hello dear Nexians,

I am sure you have all been confronted with videos and news about animal abuse, people getting slaughtered, nature being raped and so forth. It's all over the news and if you have any social network you most certainly have seen these videos on your wall.

.

Any thoughts or techniques are much appreciated.
Thanks.

Delete your Facebook page and go for a walk, read a book under a tree. Liberal doses of DMT. Repeat as needed.

 

[bluesky]

Ultimatly I Think that all we call good or bad is just something that we humans (and likely other animals as well) have invented to better understand and interact with the world around us, it's therefore nothing that really exists by itself. However we humans still see the difference subjectively between good and bad and it's no doubt an important part of everyday life.

Personally I cope with it by focusing on what I can do to make the world a better place, in your example with the rabbits a good idea might be to not buy products made from angora wool and also to spread the word around about the suffering of these animals. Something that you have already done to some extent just by starting this thread!

 

[Elpo]

I actually agree with all of you and just reading your comments helps, so thank you.

I want to make something clear, it's not that I feel depressed or anything, it's just that those moments arise and make me feel that way. Like Jaigurudevaom42 said it is a part of life and I know that, but still sometimes it is hard to look at it that way. It's the empathy that I feel towards the other being which is suffering that makes it harder. Taking psychedelics has taught me to accept the good and the bad indeed, but it also taught me to care and respect other beings, therefor making it harder to see them suffer.

I do read a lot, go out for walks with my dogs every day and I enjoy those things immensely. Music is a huge part of my life. And even when it comes to Facebook, there are damn interesting things on there next to some of the bs you see there.

And Bluesky, yes I try to change my ways of living as to do as little damage as possible, but there are moments when that doesn't feel like it's enough.

I can say one thing for sure, I'd rather be a person who thinks and cares about those things than someone who doesn't at all. And I'll take the pain, sadness and anger that comes with it.

 

[corto]

I try to change my ways of living as to do as little damage as possible, but there are moments when that doesn't feel like it's enough.

I can say one thing for sure, I'd rather be a person who thinks and cares about those things than someone who doesn't at all. And I'll take the pain, sadness and anger that comes with it.

When I feel pain, sadness and anger arising because of some issue, I tend to contemplate the issue at hand, plan and execute what I can, then leave it at that (reviewing and reworking over time where needed).

Continual mulling/hand-wringing, with attendant emotions like pain, sadness and anger aren't good for me, and my view is that me feeling them doesn't practically benefit the other party or parties (or species or whatever) either.

(not saying this is what you do, I'm just relating my own experience)

PS despite knowing this I do occasionally get dragged into prolonged mulling/hand-wringing! :roll: But then I remember there's no good in that.

 

[Mz.Gypzy]

I feel your pain Elpo.

Im also very empathic towards the pain and suffering of animals and people. All creatures really.


I also seen the video you speak of today. (Angora wool)
And I can't help but to feel so sad for the rabbits, but also the people who have not a care to the suffering they are causing an innocent creature.

I think feeling that sadness is necessary, to cause the change that is needed.
I don't wear fur, but if I did......
I would never agian after watching that video.. I think that would be the case with most people. I would hope.

Some people refuse to look at, or into these things because their ignorance is an excuse for the continue of bad behavior.


Though FB is full of mostly crap, it is helpful for spreading messages to a large audience and getting information to people who need it.

I just watched Blackfish yesterday, and I've enjoyed SeaWorld, but I will never go there agian.
I admit, I was ignorant to what actually goes on in places like that. I felt that sadness when I found out, and don't want to contribute.

Agian, I think feeling that empathy is much needed in our society today.

They only way I have found to cope with these feelings is to just feel them. When the sadness subsides, send loving energy to all of the worlds suffering creatures.
And I hope when I am suffering, empathic beings will send loving vibes my way.

The world has enough pain and suffering as it is. I wish humans would stop causing so much, so unnecessarily.

 

[Elpo]

@corto: I agree that continual mulling does not help one bit and I too get dragged into that occasionally. Contemplating the issue and then letting it go seems indeed to be the best option. It seems that that is what I do as well, since I feel a lot different to the issue now as opposed to the time of writing.

@Mz.Gypzy: Thanks for your understanding words, I had not yet heard of the documentary Blackfish, but I looked it up and it seems very interesting. Must look into that.

Empathy is much needed indeed, as long as we know how to go about the feelings we have because of it. It seems so obvious to try inflict as little pain as possible, yet the world is filled with it. I think empathy and care differentiates between beings.

 

[dio]

Don't be attracted to toxic media. Stay centered and learn how to operate your brain to direct and absorb only what is nourishing.

Always feel what is occurring world round, the pain is part of the game. Send your love to it and remain connected to it, as no phenomena should be censored from awareness. But keep the sacred space of your internal vision and imagination where it needs to be in order to do your work. We are given absolute control of our cognitive realm for a reason, the mind can always transcend.

If you feel yourself attracted to such media and can't leave it alone, it's probably because you need to do something about it. Your work has some involvement with it. But always understand it is cyclical. The name of the game in natural life is cruelty. More than permitting of love, mother earth is punishing of anything inadequate. Part of acceptance of this I think comes with making personal amends with death and realizing, no matter how cruel nature is, the infinite love is always found in death. The great condolence that the cycle of life has to the suffering is that death is so beautiful.

If you wish to elevate various entities to be less in cycles of intense cruelty, death and rebirth, well thats a personal work to remove yourself from it. We are single points of light in an vast sea of chaos, love, cruelty and suffering. Our will can only stretch so far, can only affect so much. But is ultimately always increased by working on the self, anchoring the energy you wish reflected to you. But you also must always take into account, our existence is dualistic in nature. No matter how good we wish to be, as sentient beings we have positive and negative. We must eat something and we must shit somewhere. Our mere existence inflicts a continual flow of negative used, and ravished energy somewhere. It's unavoidable, but it's tolerable and enjoyable when directed into proper alignment with all of your self or selves. Energy as a manifest form is meant to be cycled, pain and beauty, the cycle is divine, evil is just as divine as good, they are the same process. The cycle must never be cursed, but recognize and utilize it's existing momentum for forward progress.

 

[Cosmic Spore]

How do you cope?

I use Cannabis frequently. I find it helps to watch as little corporate-sponsored tv as possible. (I like FreeSpeechtv & Linktv).
I deleted my Facebook account long ago; no regrets.

When bothered by bad things, I try to brainstorm a plan to potentially change the situation in the future. [weed helps me].

 

[Elpo]

Don't be attracted to toxic media. Stay centered and learn how to operate your brain to direct and absorb only what is nourishing.

Always feel what is occurring world round, the pain is part of the game. Send your love to it and remain connected to it, as no phenomena should be censored from awareness. But keep the sacred space of your internal vision and imagination where it needs to be in order to do your work. We are given absolute control of our cognitive realm for a reason, the mind can always transcend.

If you feel yourself attracted to such media and can't leave it alone, it's probably because you need to do something about it. Your work has some involvement with it. But always understand it is cyclical. The name of the game in natural life is cruelty. More than permitting of love, mother earth is punishing of anything inadequate. Part of acceptance of this I think comes with making personal amends with death and realizing, no matter how cruel nature is, the infinite love is always found in death. The great condolence that the cycle of life has to the suffering is that death is so beautiful.

If you wish to elevate various entities to be less in cycles of intense cruelty, death and rebirth, well thats a personal work to remove yourself from it. We are single points of light in an vast sea of chaos, love, cruelty and suffering. Our will can only stretch so far, can only affect so much. But is ultimately always increased by working on the self, anchoring the energy you wish reflected to you. But you also must always take into account, our existence is dualistic in nature. No matter how good we wish to be, as sentient beings we have positive and negative. We must eat something and we must shit somewhere. Our mere existence inflicts a continual flow of negative used, and ravished energy somewhere. It's unavoidable, but it's tolerable and enjoyable when directed into proper alignment with all of your self or selves. Energy as a manifest form is meant to be cycled, pain and beauty, the cycle is divine, evil is just as divine as good, they are the same process. The cycle must never be cursed, but recognize and utilize it's existing momentum for forward progress.

Thanks for these inspiring words. Actually meditating seems to help and I guess those moments of helplessness are part of life in its totality. It's good to know that other people struggle with these things as well.

How do you cope?

I use Cannabis frequently. I find it helps to watch as little corporate-sponsored tv as possible. (I like FreeSpeechtv & Linktv).
I deleted my Facebook account long ago; no regrets.

When bothered by bad things, I try to brainstorm a plan to potentially change the situation in the future. [weed helps me].

Weed doesn't work for me. It just flattens my whole character and spirit. Probably this is due to the abuse of it. I'm not saying it is a bad thing, but it just doesn't work for me.

 

[Korey]

I watch Fox news religiously and employ my complete faith in the ideologies of Rush Limbaugh.

 

[Parshvik Chintan]

I watch Fox news religiously and employ my complete faith in the ideologies of Rush Limbaugh.

this.
nobama ruined my 'murrikah

no but in all seriousness. i firmly believe that duality pervades, even in humanity... maybe that's delusion, but i sincerely doubt it (though i suppose most deluded people doubt they are deluded). plus we live in an exciting time where a revolution is occuring in technology and scientific knowledge. these are exciting times, and every bit as much yang as there is yin.

 

[SpartanII]

Do what you can to help alleviate suffering, but remember that sometimes shit just happens and there's not much you can do about it besides stop paying so much attention to it, accept things as they are, and develop a level of emotional detachment so you don't drain your energy indulging in pity.

"Energy flows where attention goes" -Huna principle

"Grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference." -Serenity Prayer

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” -Mahatma Gandhi

 

[anon_003]

^^^^ What spartan said. There is a whole lot of stuff happens, bad and good. It might even be said that if no bad stuff happened, we wouldn't be able to appreciate the good stuff! Or at the very least, not as much.

Sometimes you NEED to focus on the bad stuff - like when it affects you or people you care about. Most of the time, the way we come up with solutions to our problems are from focusing on what the issue is and what we can do to fix it.

But there is simply too much terrible stuff always happening to focus on it all; there is just ABSOLUTELY no way to stop all of it. Nor is it your responsibility to. Don't feel bad about it!

When there is nothing you can do about something that is bothering you.... why subject yourself to the mental anguish? QUIT THINKIN ABOUT IT. It's a waste of time, energy, and emotional health.

 

[SpartanII]

Sometimes you NEED to focus on the bad stuff - like when it affects you or people you care about. Most of the time, the way we come up with solutions to our problems are from focusing on what the issue is and what we can do to fix it.

True, it's wise to have awareness of "the bad stuff", but I think a distinction needs to be made in how we focus on it and the level of ego-attachment that is involved.

There is a difference between simply observing a "bad" or "negative" thing or situation vs. becoming identified with it to such a degree that it traps our attention, affects our own happiness, and drains us of energy.

For example, it can be sad to hear about the cruel treatment of children or animals. Even though having awareness of it can empower us to make a change, most of the time we have very little control over what happens in life, yet we can change how we choose to respond to it. Free will, baby! Yeah!

We can respond with compassion (only to the degree to which we can relate to their suffering since we are not them and obviously don't necessarily feel the same exact suffering that they feel), but if we become too attached and respond with pity we become identified with their suffering; we become it. This is the same process that happens in meditation in which we become so identified with the object of our meditation we merge with it and become it, (except in this context the results are usually more "positive" since we usually meditate on something neutral or that produces peace or joy).

It seems the degree to which our egos identify with or are attached to something or someone is equal to the degree of suffering we experience when we lose that something. Hence is the delicate nature of temporal experience.

Maybe the secret lies in finding a balance between attachment and detachment, compassion and indifference, love and fear?

Don Miguel Ruiz Jr. gives a lot of insight into suffering and emotional attachment in his book, The Five Levels of Attachment: Toltec Wisdom for the Modern World. He uses a sports or game analogy to identify five levels of attachment:

1. The Authentic Self: You enjoy watching the game for what it is. The moment the referee blows the ending whistle – win or lose – you go on with your life.

2. Preference: You now root for one team. You’ve invested an emotional side of yourself that enjoys the ups and downs of a great game, but are yet able to let go.

3. Identity: You’re a committed fan of one team. While you’re able to enjoy a beer with an opposing fan, your attachment extends beyond stadium gates.

4. Internalization: Your association with your favorite team is intrinsic to your identity. Your team’s performance affects self-worth. Whether others agree or disagree with you is a condition for acceptance versus rejection.

5. Fanaticism: You worship your team. An opposing fan is an enemy. In your eyes, a true fan is willing to die and kill for his or her soccer heroes.

 

[Elpo]

"Grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference." -Serenity Prayer

I really love this quote, had never heard it before.
It really sums up how to cope with these type of situations in my case. Thanks Spartan.

I did indeed feel as if my energy was drained, I am working on not letting it affect me in that same way.

Thanks for all the posts you guys, I can truly say that I love the Nexus

 

[anon_003]

Thank you for the wise words Spartan! You are absolutely right. Just like everything, it's all bout finding that magical balance.

 

[Praxis.]

This is an amazing thread. I've lately been experiencing bouts of existential anxiety--the world is so close to being beyond repair and there is so much suffering; and yet nobody seems to care. I can't express how much reading many of your responses has helped me. I have few people to discuss this sort of thing with in general and even less within the context of what psychedelics force you to confront. It often feels like a burden.

Anyways, the advice and wisdom here is beautiful and it is extremely reassuring to see that I'm not alone in my feelings of helplessness.

As for my own methods of coping--I tried to cope with weed but that just made me more anxious. Every time I get high I feel like I'm forced to sit face to face with the absolute massive scale of our problems, the universe, and the utter fragility and impermanence of everything. Usually now I stretch and do simple exercises whenever I'm feeling stressed or anxious. I meditate frequently and try to detach myself--but I think total detachment is escapism. I think it's healthy to detach yourself enough so that you can acknowledge what you can and can't change, and where your energy is best spent. But I do think it is imperative that everyone do absolutely everything they can to be the best person they can be; and in my opinion that includes being a healer, even if it requires self sacrifice. Yes, it is important to be rational and realistic, but I don't think many people acknowledge that there is a hell of a lot more we could be doing (and need to be doing) other than changing our diet, switching our lightbulbs, and driving hybrids (not that these things aren't important; diet is actually a huge root of many of the problems facing us). So I personally am actively seeking to participate in as much local change as I can. It's useless and unhealthy to endlessly ponder the problems and worst case scenarios; I believe in being proactive and putting your energy towards realistic goals that can influence what you see as positive change.

I think that if everyone is honest with themselves and others,sincerely tried to be a good person and do the right thing, and maybe thought and reflected before acting all of the time, the world could change overnight. Hoaky and idealistic as that might sound, think of how quickly you changed your first time trying DMT, or doing a psychedelic at all. And I know one thing psychedelics taught me is that everything is essentially building off of one pattern; I s'pose fractals, microcasms and macrocasms...All is in All--anyways the point I'm trying to make is that if you can change in the matter of a few hours, or in the case of DMT even in a few minutes, why couldn't everyone else? The collective group is made up of individuals, and individuals can change their minds about things awful quickly. To me, that offers hope.

Just stay positive and do what you can! Try your hardest and set an example for others. Spartan was right on, it's all about free will. We can mope about how much things suck, but growing up requires we recognize that we can do something about it, and then collecting the courage to actually do so.

Again, thank you all--this is exactly what I needed. It's funny, I was feeling pretty anxious and overwhelmed, and then decided to see what was on the Nexus because it'd probably cheer me up!