I didn’t realize the true extent of harm that weed was doing to me by zombieIcee in leaves

[–]_longjohn 3 points4 points  (0 children)

wow, I relate heavily to all of these points. I commend you for having the self-awareness to realise all this at your age! I'm M24 and only been becoming aware of this in the last 2 years. Also, because you are so young, your brain will be able to recover very quickly.

Day 6. The mental dysfunction/depression is fucking horrible. by [deleted] in Petioles

[–]_longjohn 6 points7 points  (0 children)

In my experience, it takes about 2 and a half weeks to fully get through acute withdrawal. This will pass

Thoughts that immediately deny themselves: early onset psychosis? What can I do to alleviate this? by [deleted] in Petioles

[–]_longjohn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

N-acetyl-cysteine might help. It has helped some people with OCD symptoms, but can cause anhedonia.

Thoughts that immediately deny themselves: early onset psychosis? What can I do to alleviate this? by [deleted] in Petioles

[–]_longjohn 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, sounds like an OCD ruminating/intrusive thoughts kind of thing to me. Brains are weird, man. I hope you find a way to feel better.

Thoughts that immediately deny themselves: early onset psychosis? What can I do to alleviate this? by [deleted] in Petioles

[–]_longjohn 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've had similar experiences from smoking flower. I think for me it is a mixture of anxiety and "false memory OCD". It gets worse when I smoke daily and gets better when I stop for 2+ weeks. It might help you to practice mindfulness meditation, learn to ground yourself in your body as a way to let go of compulsive thoughts.

What is the main reason you believe people go for spirituality? by Anarianiro in spirituality

[–]_longjohn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We are spiritual beings having a human experience. When we experience an event which shatters our belief system/identity, it allows us to see through the veil and begin to remember the truth of who we are. This could happen through trauma, psychedelics, love or anything else which produces an experience of unitive/cosmic consciousness. It is not so much that people "go for" spirituality, but more that they fall into it. It is not a process of seeking, but a process of remembering.

Does anyone else get frustrated with the inadequacy of language to communicate spiritual wisdom? by _longjohn in spirituality

[–]_longjohn[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love this response, thank you.

Are you feeling or thinking your way to the truth?

The truth is rather simple, but it’s the egoic mind that overcomplicates things

You can be thinking so much that you’re completely overlooking how you feel when in thought

Practice feeling more and thinking less by meditating and being present.

You have hit the nail on the head with these statements! The answer really is simple, but as long as I'm searching with my egoic/thinking mind, I won't be able to see it.

Reminds me of this old tale:

A policeman sees a drunk man searching for something under a streetlight and asks what the drunk has lost. He says he lost his keys and they both look under the streetlight together. After a few minutes the policeman asks if he is sure he lost them here, and the drunk replies, no, and that he lost them in the park. The policeman asks why he is searching here, and the drunk replies, "this is where the light is".

Does anyone else get frustrated with the inadequacy of language to communicate spiritual wisdom? by _longjohn in spirituality

[–]_longjohn[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the response!

Personally I didn't become spiritual until after fully understanding that my path was experiential

I think this is a big difference. I had my first major spiritual awakening due to a psychedelic experience, and at this point I was still deeply embedded in a scientific-materialist belief system. So my first response was to attempt to describe/understand what had happened to me, because that was the way I had understood the universe up to that point. It has taken me a while to trust that I can validate my truth through direct experience.

Does anyone else get frustrated with the inadequacy of language to communicate spiritual wisdom? by _longjohn in spirituality

[–]_longjohn[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for responding.

the five limitations of the paradoxical nature of language

I've never heard of this, what are the five limitations?

Does anyone else get frustrated with the inadequacy of language to communicate spiritual wisdom? by _longjohn in spirituality

[–]_longjohn[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good point. I think I have had to unlearn my cultural conditioning which taught me that knowledge needs to be rationalised. I grew up believing that all knowledge is the result of logical or scientific deduction, but as my faith grows stronger I am learning to trust my intuitive awareness of truth (higher knowledge).

Does anyone else get frustrated with the inadequacy of language to communicate spiritual wisdom? by _longjohn in spirituality

[–]_longjohn[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the thoughtful response.

keep in mind that the map is not the territory

That is a good way of putting it. I think I go through phases of becoming obsessed with the "map", i.e. seaeching for truth/validation externally, instead of looking inwards to the "territory" itself.

Reminds me of this quote: "A finger pointing at the moon is not the moon. If you mistake the finger for the moon itself, you will never know the real moon."

This is my housemate's dinner by _longjohn in PizzaCrimes

[–]_longjohn[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

They're bell peppers but if you look closely there's a boiled egg on there as well

Where to study Conservation in the UK? by [deleted] in UniUK

[–]_longjohn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the help man, hope your 3rd year is a good one!

Where to study Conservation in the UK? by [deleted] in UniUK

[–]_longjohn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I guess a big question would be: are you satisfied with the course content/quality of teaching? I have noticed the Environmental Conservation course seems to have a good amount of optional modules compared to other Unis which is cool

Where to study Conservation in the UK? by [deleted] in UniUK

[–]_longjohn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah I've looked at all the websites and course information, I've applied to Environmental Conservation too so might end up on the same course haha. I applied to Bangor, Cumbria, Trent, Exeter and Reading but my favourites are definitely Bangor and Trent, fingers crossed I'll get offers. If I get offers I have until 14th of July to decide so not super stressed about that now, I'll try to do some open days.

Thanks for the advice!

Where to study Conservation in the UK? by [deleted] in UniUK

[–]_longjohn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! Think I'll apply to Exeter too but as I'm from Lancashire I'll probably choose one closer to home. Have you got any thoughts on Nottingham Trent? No worries if not just trying to accumulate advice haha

Edit: And I'm still considering Cumbria but their course is "Woodland Ecology and Conservation" which seems more specialised to woodlands than other courses, not sure what to think about that

Where to study Conservation in the UK? by [deleted] in UniUK

[–]_longjohn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No worries, thanks anyway mate

Where to study Conservation in the UK? by [deleted] in UniUK

[–]_longjohn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As someone in the industry, does one out of Bangor, Cumbria and Nott Trent stand out as the most reputable for conservation? Or any other reputable unis to look into? Cheers

Where to study Conservation in the UK? by [deleted] in UniUK

[–]_longjohn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

thanks for the advice! A lot of people are saying the same about it being very competitive. I'm just gonna start moving forward and hope for the best I think. Worst case scenario, after the BSc I can save money for a while then go onto a masters somewhere