Steve, I think even the behavioral addictions like gambling have a chemical
component. Meaning that the behavior releases and or stimulates certain
chemicals in the brain that produce a good feeling. But I would think that the
direct chemical addictions like cocaine might be beyond whether or not one is
told the supply is unlimited. I often tell my Mom that it's not that she
doesn't have will power. It's that a little sugar in the morning will create a
craving that will continue all day long. Does this make sense?
________________________________
From: Steve Sundur <steve.sun...@yahoo.com>
To: "FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com" <FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 28, 2013 6:51 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Re: [FairfieldLife] RE: RE: RE: The Beast and the unborn
Hey Judy, sorry for any nastiness. Seraphita's analysis of the book touched on
some of the reasons I did like the book. Addiction issues have always been of
interest to me, maybe because those tendencies run in my family, although more
along an OC vein.
What I enjoyed about Diary of Drug Fiend was again, something Sera touched on -
that cocaine and heroin can have some beneficial applications. And also, one
technique brought to light in the book was that removing the taboo on taking
the drugs, could help mitigate some of the addictive hold of the drugs.
Now, perhaps in the long term, or even short term that will not work, but I
find it an interesting idea, and one that I employ on occasion with regard to
some tendencies I have.
I mean that is nothing new. Telling someone that can't have something only
increases the desire to have it. If they can suddenly have it in unlimited
amounts, then, it may lesson the desire. As for an addiction, perhaps not, but
that was the premise of the book, IIRC. Plus the story line was kind of
interesting
Having said that, that is about the only piece in the Crowley list of writings
that I have really looked in a more than cursory fashion.
From: "authfri...@yahoo.com" <authfri...@yahoo.com>
To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, September 28, 2013 6:16 PM
Subject: RE: Re: Re: [FairfieldLife] RE: RE: RE: The Beast and the unborn
Seraphita wrote:
From:"authfriend@..." <authfriend@...>
To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, September 28, 2013 8:32 AM
Subject: RE: Re: [FairfieldLife] RE: RE: RE: The Beast and the unborn
Steve wrote:
Like Sera said,
("Sera"??)
maybe delve a little deeper into some of his writings before you make a snap
judgment.
Did Ann "delve into" any of his writings, to any depth? Or did she say she'd
been turned off by his ridiculous garb in the photo she posted? I don't blame
her, frankly. How could anybody who'd be willing to be photographed in a getup
like that possibly have anything to say that one would want to take seriously?
You're funny Judy. I hope your m o in life is working for you. Somewhere
along the way I've learned to look beyond superficial appearances to make
judgments about people. But as they say, whatever works for ya.
You know, I've been reading voraciously for most of my life, and there's still
gobs and gobs of stuff I have yet to get to. How do I choose? I don't have
that much time left. Somebody who looks like a pretentious asshole is less
likely to be worth my while. Maybe I'm wrong in any given case, but I have to
have some way of beginning to narrow down my choices.
You might want to give me a break, though, because I've found your enthusiasm
for Crowley convincing enough to be willing to look further than that photo
(for that matter, your apologia for the photo was enough to make me think twice
about it) and the extensive quotes I told you I'd read. I even asked you for a
recommendation of one of Crowley's books. I can't say I'm wildly excited at the
prospect, but I'm willing togive it a shot. Seems like that counts for nothing
with you.
Do you think you could be accused of not seeing the forest for the trees?
Not legitimately, no. I make my own decisions about which is more important to
speak to in any particular case. Sometimes people get offended if they disagree
with one of those decisions when one or the other is a pet concern of theirs
and I've addressed the opposite. But in most cases I've looked at both before
deciding which one to deal with.
I've found that frequently if the trees are, shall we say, misidentified, that
translates into an off-kilter forest; other times, the trees really don't
matter much. It's a judgment call, and YMMV in any given instance. That's OK;
we don't all have to have the same priorities.
I predict some day you may be a case study for such an affliction.
I haven't been insulting you, Seraphita (at least not intentionally). What's
the story here? Why the nastiness?
(what was it I once preached?) - "broad comprehension with the ability to
focus sharply"
Hey, have you had your meditation check recently?
But if Seraphita thinks he's worth reading, as I said, I'm willing to give him
at least a preliminary shot by checking out a Kindle sample. But there's too
much still to be read in the world to spend time on him if he doesn't grab me
right away.
"Diary of a Drug Fiend" was one I found very insightful.
Seraphita, would you recommend this one? I think it's available for Kindle.
From: "awoelflebater@..." <awoelflebater@...>
To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, September 27, 2013 11:20 PM
Subject: [FairfieldLife] RE: RE: RE: The Beast and the unborn
---In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, <fairfieldlife@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
Seraphita wrote:
Re As to Crowley...eeewwww.:
authfriend have you ever actually read any of Crowley's books? Don't believe
the bollocks the normals say about him.
I haven't read any of his books, actually. I have, however, copyedited several
books about various occult topics that quoted him extensively, and the
personality that came across always just set my teeth on edge. I have no idea
if the authors of these books were "normals," but they weren't denouncing him
or anything. I'm also sort of allergic to that whole area of modern occultism.
Sorry if I've impugned a hero of yours!
Tell you what. I don't want to spend any $$ on his books without previewing
them, but if you'll give me a few titles you like and they're available for
Kindle, I'll download samples and have a look at those. If any of them appeal,
I'll consider buying and reading one. Deal?
Here is your man. I think I am having a hard time taking him seriously. Does
this make me shallow to judge him on his garb? Or the fact that he would wear
this in all seriousness?
Sorry, image won't copy, you'll have to check him out in the picture with
headdress a la King Tut.
http://http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aleister_Crowley,_Golden_Dawn.jpg
