With regards to perception, I’ve seen a few different models of reality. Most people seem to subscribe to the Religious Model: an obligation to fill out a checklist in order to attain peace/happiness.
The Transcendental Model implies there is no checklist, that your only choice is to turn your perception toward enjoyment and fulfillment (which, in the transcendental model, is available in any circumstance, as farfetched as that may seem) or not. It’s hinted at in mystical statements when saints and sages say the kingdom of God is within you; we are what we think, all that we are arises with our thoughts; etc. etc.
For most of my life, I followed the Religious Model, chasing after this condition or that condition, thinking that happiness was conditional. It was only after I started to experience the best outcomes after giving up strife or being easy and light, that I slowly began to prefer the Transcendental Model. Acknowledge the negative and abide in the positive, instead of the other way around. Have faith that everything is happening for the best, and that in time the reason will reveal itself.
As foolish as it may seem, I’m beginning to believe that being a happy idiot (as others may see it, anyway), a concept I once laughed at and ridiculed, may in fact be an incredibly powerful state of being. It may be our birthright—for a happy idiot can abide in transcendence without knowing a single verse of scripture or reading a single book of philosophy.
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Dirty Sci-Fi Buddha 
My instincts lead me towards a trancendental view, too. It’s harder than following a few ( or many) rules.
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Yep. Simon Says is a hard game to play for an entire lifetime.
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There’s no right or wrong way. Nothing can dictate the state of one’s heart and mind. To each their own peace and joy.
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That edge between stupidity and genius can be pretty thin sometimes. I did an undergrad research paper on “The Religious Experience of Video Games” not only did I finish Diablo II in record time, I got a 4.0 in Comparative Religions. —I’ll sleep when I’m dead—the mantra of 20-somethings.
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I used to say that, but then I realized I love sleeping. 😅
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I’ve got no use for models, in general. Religion of any kind has never been something that works for me. Faith works for me. The idea of “organized” faith – I think – takes away from faith in and of itself. I think “GOD” does not require us to follow ritual or rules of any kind. I think life experience is what he/she/it wants from us.
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Indeed. Faith vs a torturous game of Simon Says. I choose faith.
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So beautiful
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Dear Kent, Quite a contrast between realism and transcendentalism.
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Yes, I believe you are right. There is health in happiness and the Bible says that the joy of the Lord is our strength and that laughter does good like medicine. Jesus is the center of my joy and I choose to walk in His joy and peace daily. It’s a happy place to live!
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lets start with the basics, no malevolants, and weights walking, carrying the lights! lets not get into the area’s people break on purpose and the lock their door on it! Very few of us are strong enough to work or kill religiously! under the Mayan calendar all are taken equally! Completing a life’s work of collections is one thing! Finding you are the only one left and seeing if they are still running their worlds after a billion transfer events is another! Gods work is ensuring those who break negatively through the subjugation of other are set to their legislation! Faith is in the knowledge and the knowledge saves the world!
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