Philosophy Discussion Forums

This is a discussion forum topic for the November 2022 Philosophy Book of the Month, In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All.


I don't know who needs to hear this, but...

Let go of the illusion that it could have been any different.

We could rewind and replay the past a million times. It would happen the exact same way every single time.

Accept the past, and find peace by letting go of this illusion.




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What about hold on as self righteousness creeps? Let the illusion build around the city! Roam.

Jennifer Benitez 1 wrote: ↑December 15th, 2022, 3:29 pm What about hold on as self righteousness creeps? Let the illusion build around the city! Roam.

I'm sorry. I'm not sure what you mean and want to say. Can you explain in a bit more detail?

Scott wrote: ↑December 15th, 2022, 3:30 pm

Jennifer Benitez 1 wrote: ↑December 15th, 2022, 3:29 pm What about hold on as self righteousness creeps? Let the illusion build around the city! Roam.

I'm sorry. I'm not sure what you mean and want to say. Can you explain in a bit more detail?

That is as detailed as it is going to get! Sure, if you want to toggle by with some words.. I may find empowerment in myself to face the demons that sore from Constantinople; from the last bravo" the last supper" I want to be the first! When you look at yourself in that mirror, wouldn't had you seen the dragon? I will not leave mine behind not for illusion not for personal gains. It burns to accept the differences, but when you see that beast, you quickly remind yourself of acceptance. Your statement is for a battle against the antichrist, in my opinion.

Often, such straightforwardness of thought is the result of discovering the true focal point of our existence.

What we should practice is to be able to let go. And we always find it difficult in doing so. We love to cling to our pasts and we are afraid of our future. And we love to look at things retrospectively and ruminate on different possibilities and results if things would have happened differently. What we do not understand is our inability to change the past.

But if we actually CAN change the past, then I think we all have things that we would love to replay and do in a different manner.

Completely agree with this statement!
How many times have you lingered on things that happened in the past, wished you had done things differently and thought 'what if..." to all kinds of situations. The reality is that if you had done anything else differently you wouldn't be WHO you are today, or where you are. Whether this is for the best or worst, whether you experience pain or joy it made you who you are and was an invaluable lesson in many cases. Accept your past because they made your present.

Sushan wrote: ↑December 28th, 2022, 3:05 am What we should practice is to be able to let go.

[Emphasis added.]

You are welcome to believe that statement and argue it is meaningful and true, but it utterly contradicts both the book and the most fundamental aspects of my philosophy. Most notably, I would refer you to the chapter that is "Suggestion Four" which comes very near the end of the book and builds on early concepts. That whole chapter is dedicated to this point.

However, the idea is referenced in a very short summary as early as page 15:

In It Together, page 15 wrote:Truth is something that can be revealed, not something that can be done. There are no shoulds or oughts when it comes to truth. Truth is simply a matter of what is.

I also have topic in this forum dedicated to the subject: There is no "Is-Ought Problem" because there is no 'ought'.

I have often pondered the what if...... What if I could go back and change that day, that hour, that moment? Would I be happier? Would I be who I am today if not for yesterday? I will never truly know if today is better, I can't change the past. I do know I cherish today and hope for tomorrow.

This is a wonderful mindset. It is so easy to get lost in the past, wondering what could have been, that people forget to be in the present and enjoy the moment.

This is an important topic. Although people often try to believe that something could have been different if they redid anything, it is simply not the case. If they were teleported back to the place they wish to change, they would ultimately be stuck with the same information and the same knowledge that they did in the specific given moment and would end up with the same results.

Yes, I fully agree with this. As much as we can cry about the past, the fact remains that it has passed and we can't do anything about it. The wise thing is to focus on what you can control, which is your present, and essentially your future. But we can learn from our past not to re-create the same cycle of regrets and anger.

This is so true. We should not dwell on the past and accept the present. Thinking about what could've gone right or wrong won't do any good. On top of that, I'm a firm believer of ' Whatever happens, happens for a reason.'

Nothing would ever be different. The same decision would always be made since you couldn’t have any different information. Different information is only available because you made the decision that you did. It is what it is.

I totally agree. to keep thinking that you could have changed something you never had control on is not that smart. acceptance and moving on is the best you can do.