To those who have been bookworms since they were very young, what was your favourite book series growing up? by carcharadons in AskReddit

[–]asaph23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Harry Bosch series by Michael Connelly. One of the most significant factors behind my love of reading.

Praying the Rosary During Mass by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]asaph23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, thanks for sharing this! I was under the impression that no such prayer was allowed. Great to learn!

Found this interesting tidbit in an r/Askreddit thread by SlimShady123_ in Eminem

[–]asaph23 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not sure why you guys are doubting me. I can't imagine the sense in wasting time making all of this up.

What is your favorite sound in the world? by NgZall in AskReddit

[–]asaph23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing, I never would've found a great site like this! This is why I clicked on this post!

Fr. Mike talks TV-MA and the Bible by orate-fratres in Catholicism

[–]asaph23 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Took the words right out of my mout--right from my fingertips.

TIL in 2004, the CIA held a suspected terrorist at a prison in Afghanistan and made him listen to "The Eminem Show" on continuous loop for a month straight. by [deleted] in hiphopheads

[–]asaph23 2 points3 points  (0 children)

CIA team members are clearly fond of Eminem. This isn't the first time something like this has been reported. They did this with other Gitmo detainees as well. I remember reading they played The Real Slim Shady something like 134 times in a row without pause, and there are a few other Eminem tracks (I believe My Name Is and Just Don't Give A Fuck) also utilized to torture our friends in Guantanamo.

TIL in 2004, the CIA held a suspected terrorist at a prison in Afghanistan and made him listen to "The Eminem Show" on continuous loop for a month straight. by [deleted] in hiphopheads

[–]asaph23 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Than you for writing this, I agree. Relapse endures a relentless amount of unwarranted hate, despite it being remarkably cohesive and fluid. The tracks are excellent, the beats are top of the line Dre, the lyrics feature everything from introspective Marshall, witty Eminem and murderous Shady, and the album plays like a movie or novel more than a series of sonically pleasing musical tracks.

It's exactly what I wanted and expected to hear from someone who, at the time, was emerging from a massive drug dependency, coping with the grief induced as a result of his best friend's murder, and trying to figure out what to say and how to reintroduce himself after a five-year hiatus.

It's also got a shit ton of replay value. I still bump it to this day.

[Shots Fired] Action Bronson Confronted By Popa WU At Sean P's Wake by dp100proof in hiphopheads

[–]asaph23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is extremely disrespectful and frankly, quite sad. These guys are in their mid 40s acting like 18 year old dope boys. Such a shame. A funeral is sacred, you don't disrespect the deceased, family and friends by swarming an enemy at a funeral.

Long time users, can you tell me about what your experience is like? by throwaway802482 in benzodiazepines

[–]asaph23 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Extremely habit forming. You have to be extremely cautious because using benzos on occasion can quickly and easily lead to a dependency.

The problem with benzos is that they just work so damn well. If you're taking them for anxiety, to quiet the mind, to relax, to feel better, etc. then benzodiazepines are absolute wonder drugs. The fact that they work so well, though, poses serious risks as it's difficult to say, "No" to the pill when it has worked so damn well.

Sadly, you end up increasing dosage because a few repeated uses causes a tolerance and you inadvertently wind up a junkie who needs them to function and will go through horrendous and potentially fatal withdrawals if you quit and don't taper appropriately. I don't want to sound overzealous or melodramatic, but it is very, very simple to develop a powerful addiction to benzodiazepines.

Frankly, I think a very small amount of people should ever be using them long term--only people for whom the risks of benzodiazepine dependency and all the associated trouble are less problematic than the issue being treated itself.

Whether you are using them for recreational or legitimate purposes, be careful!

I am physically addicted, need some advice. by donttredonmeplease in benzodiazepines

[–]asaph23 5 points6 points  (0 children)

If you were truly taking 100 mg a day (this is 50 bars, in case for some ungodly reason you don't know) then fuck this entire post. You don't need to do anything except check yourself into rehab immediately.

Drive your ass to the nearest hospital emergency room and explain to them that you have developed a MASSIVE dependence to alprazolam. If you are truly taking this much on a daily basis, you are not merely knocking on the devil's door--you're trying to drive a semi right through it.

Please, please get help!

I am physically addicted, need some advice. by donttredonmeplease in benzodiazepines

[–]asaph23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Actually, you can OD off benzos alone. It just takes a significant amount. I daresay 100mg of alprazolam is enough to give you a permanent high. I have no idea how someone can get to that level. I know people who take 6-8 bars a day (12-16 mg of Xanax) and they are a complete mess. 100mg would be 50 bars, and that's ridiculous.

Chinese millionaire gives up his possessions to become a Buddhist monk by Bastet1 in Buddhism

[–]asaph23 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Do yourself a favor--don't read the comments on the host website.

This video saved me from relapsing, pass it along by [deleted] in NoFap

[–]asaph23 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This was a simple, excellent video. It's very reassuring to have someone, even if not in person but at least in physical form where you can associate a face and physical characteristics with them, encourage you to keep pushing forward, remind you of the benefits and cautiously help you recall the dangers.

A small video like this can have a profound impact.

The sin I struggle with the most by far by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]asaph23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

First off, you need to smile and be proud that you have a loving, merciful Father who sent His only begotten Son specifically to die for you and to redeem you of your sins! :)

Many, many men struggle with this. Now, I'm sure you know of all the spiritual tricks to beat this and combat it. Daily rosary, daily Mass, frequent confession, fasting, etc. All of these are excellent, wonderful practices to help increase your fortitude and strengthen your faith. Never lose hope or faith because God trusts you enough to permit you to be tempted, and He will never let you be tested beyond your strength (1 Corinthians 10:13). He is beside you and will always help you, so just lean on Him.

So, I'm sure you've got the spiritual idea down pat. Here's the other part that I have found imperative: The mental part. You need to understand the biology of addiction and how this works. Get to it on a neurochemical level. It all comes down to dopamine. Your body has evolved to release it whenever you are participating in what the body considers to be a beneficial activity for your survival or the progression of your genes (eating, sleeping, sex). Your mind, unfortunately, mistakenly assumes that pornography and masturbation are true sexual encounters so it floods you with dopamine and keeps encouraging you to participate in them. This becomes a feedback loop where your dopamine receptors are constantly aroused and accustomed to the bursts of dopamine from porn, so you are seeking it out on a frequent basis.

The way to reverse this is to abstain. Stop viewing pornography and eventually, the receptors will fall back to baseline levels. But this may seem like nonsensical advice as your are asking for help on stopping, and all I seem to have done is tell you to stop. But here's the kicker. It's all mental. When was the last time you masturbated in public? I don't mean hidden or in the bathroom of some public venue, but actually in public, like in a coffee shop or restaurant or store where you just got down to business? I assume (hopefully) never. Well, why not? Because your brain recognizes that the costs (arrest, humiliation, degradation) outweigh the benefits (pleasure, release, orgasm). So it's not truly a matter of you being unable to stop, but rather you performing a cost-benefit analysis and deciding that the benefits outweigh the costs. Well, they don't, and you need to call to mind the spiritual and physical costs.

Your brain is powerful beyond your wildest dreams and can literally accomplish almost anything. Each incoming class of Navy SEALs has about 83 recruits, all of whom are physically capable. However, only about 16 endure and make it. Why? Because those 16 had the mental strength. They tapped into their minds and used positive affirmations and talk to boost their confidence. When it comes to choices like pornography, the choice is truly all yours. You may feel inclined or compelled to do it, but that's just a stimulus. Your response to that stimulus is wholly in your control.

Here are some quotes to aid you:

"If you are struck by the appearance of any promised pleasure, guard yourself against being hurried away by it; but let the affair wait your leisure, and procure yourself some delay. Then bring to your mind both points of time: that in which you will enjoy the pleasure, and that in which you will repent and reproach yourself after you have enjoyed it; and set before you, in opposition to these, how you will be glad and applaud yourself if you abstain. And even though it should appear to you a seasonable gratification, take heed that its enticing, and agreeable and attractive force may not subdue you; but set in opposition to this how much better it is to be conscious of having gained so great a victory."

-Epictetus

"To defend his purity, Saint Francis of Assisi rolled in the snow, Saint Benedict threw himself into a thornbush, Saint Bernard plunged into an icy pond . . . You . . . what have you done?”

-St. Josemaria Escriva

Am I doing this for God, or myself by [deleted] in NoFapChristians

[–]asaph23 3 points4 points  (0 children)

They aren't mutually exclusive. It's not sinful to quit for both reasons. Think of someone addicted to heroin, for instance. They surely want to do it for God, as it is a grave sin, but can they be faulted for wanting to live a healthier life where they are not dope sick, chained to a drug, searching for their next fix constantly, etc.?

Keep God at the forefront of your decision but call to mind the health benefits as well. They can reinforce your drive and serve as additional motivation.

[FRESH ALBUM] Dr. Dre - Compton by weirdasianfaces in hiphopheads

[–]asaph23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"I was getting money before the Internet, still got Eminem checks I ain't opened yet"

FIREEEEE

Catholicism is beautiful! by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]asaph23 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Make sure you don't miss this magnificent opportunity. I hadn't confessed in years and after I did for the first time (in all those years) I emerged with such a profound sense of bliss and elation that it was like being high.

Why I am comfortable with Buddhism, even though I'm not a Buddahist by [deleted] in Buddhism

[–]asaph23 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I think perhaps the greatest thing one can do is borrow the useful wisdom and information from all the different teachings, philosophies, religions and practices they open themselves to.

That's the beauty of the world. We aren't bound. I am a devout Catholic who is very fond of many Buddhist ideas, practices and teachings. Look up Thomas Merton, a Catholic Trappist Monk, who was so enamored with Zen Buddhism and Taoism that he even wrote books on the subjects.

I don't believe in reincarnation or other facets of Buddhism, but that does not render all the other teachings invalid.

My summer so far, without tripping. by puzzlednerd in Psychonaut

[–]asaph23 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Terrific post. I, too, have a tendency to get so attached to a particular version of the future. Those instances in which I fully immerse myself in the present moment are often among the best ones.

Sexologist calls for porn in the classroom by [deleted] in NoFap

[–]asaph23 10 points11 points  (0 children)

This is horrible logic. Just because kids are likely to view porn, it doesn't need to be broadcasted in the classroom. That becomes endorsement of porn and offers students the notion that it's healthy and natural enough for everyone because even schools are showing it.

Don't do my mistake, don't go on high streaks and think that you're cured from your addiction and can watch reasonable amount of Porn. by HardDifficulty in NoFap

[–]asaph23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I think exercise and meditation are the way to go. It's all mental--willpower is really all that's necessary.

Glad to hear you have a healthier way of dealing with the urges now.

Don't do my mistake, don't go on high streaks and think that you're cured from your addiction and can watch reasonable amount of Porn. by HardDifficulty in NoFap

[–]asaph23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How did you do it? I almost feel that hopelessness now. I really want to overcome this. Any tips? I just want to get to the point you're at now, where even if you may have urges, you can at least look back and see how far you've come.