Desensitization

stateofkane · 05-22-2009, 11:59 AM

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verklingen · 05-22-2009, 12:12 PM

sense of self is all-important in the pursuit of happiness, imo. allowing the opinions of others to meddle in that pursuit reveals there is something to address inward. consider your thoughts, behaviors and feelings and try to figure out how you are allowing this to happen. if you can do that, it's a simple matter of readjustment to achieve the desensitization (good word choice btw) you seek.

for me, it all came down to integrity. imbuing my every behavior with a sense of integrity caused all external judgments to fall by the wayside. in doing this, the very act of being has become my validation.

Center · 05-22-2009, 01:07 PM

Well I could give you advice on how to accomplish that goal but I think that goal isn't worthy of speaking upon.

I think you MUST be sensitive to other people because people are the gatekeepers to the world. In every worldly goal you could think of you WILL need to deal with and develop 'good' relationships with people to become successful. I think you need to keep your sensitivity to how other people react to you but at the same time develope a very very thick skin which will prevent letting people's OPINIONS of you hurt and alter yourself simply because you need their approval. You must be able to take criticism well but still have a strong core persona that will not shift unless you decide it's in your best interest to do so. Sometimes other people are right and YOU do need to change, but only do so for your own best interests.

Take that advice for what it is. Each must find their own way.

**SweetSativa** · 05-22-2009, 02:48 PM

Oh, I'd like to say I don't care what others think but I do... to some extent. When I find myself at dis-ease about what others are saying or thinking about me I find it helpful to take a step back and look at it from outside of the situation and outside of myself. Have I done anything wrong? These things that people are saying or thinking (or that I'm afraid that they are) are they true? Am I afraid they might be true? Usually I come back to "Of course they're not true"... I know I'm a good person and I do the best I can. Then, if I feel I have done something wrong... truly wrong... I apologize.

Live with integrity
Be meticulous with your word
Take nothing personally
Do the best you can do

^The Four Agreements

The Rev · 05-22-2009, 06:47 PM

I think smokers and other "drug users" are both blessed and cursed, in this sense. Compared to the average person I deal with in the so-called real world, people here at the 'Hooka are generally more inclined to think, feel and reflect. Life moves them more, and they enjoy their substances both to enhance this, and to escape it.

I've had the interesting opportunity to move from one state to the other, in the sense of being overly emotionally reactive. I spent much of my life suffering from depression, only to later take medications that altered that emotional state; and I can tell you, the entire WORLD changes with our emotional states, our tendencies to react. I think most people really underestimate this truth. It really IS hard to understand what another is going through, unless you've gone through it yourself (this applies both ways).

The Rev

xMSx · 05-22-2009, 11:56 PM

Couldn't agree with you more Rev. Your emotions almost solely dictate your outlook on life, everything is presented differently when your mood is changing.