Has this forum helped you?

[The Cloud]

Really. How does this forum help people with fundamental personal development issues? I mean, it's great for getting feedback on raw-food diets and polyphasic sleeping, but does it really help with getting people past their fundamental barriers to development and growth? I would love to hear some personal stories on how this forum has helped you come to a truly deeper understanding of something, be it yourself or reality or the plot of Donnie Darko.

So, how has this forum helped you come to a more profound understanding of, well, anything?

[Bruce Achterberg]

Originally Posted by The Cloud

Has this forum helped you?

[...] how has this forum helped you come to a more profound understanding of, well, anything?

I don't find it does, actually. Ha!

I mostly deal with my own PD challenges myself, largely because it's not effective to ask for assistance with things when people don't really know the big picture of your life situation. It's like asking someone to tell you about a movie by showing them only one frame. Snapshots—posts—just don't give enough detail.

I use a similar approach to Steve and get most of my PD resources from experts in the PD industry (or at least, experts in whatever field said expert is in).

I use the forum mostly for discussion purposes and to share my perspective for the benefit of all. I actually spend more time writing posts then I do reading them. I do, however, enjoy the sense of community here and the acceptance you get from fellow members. It's rare to find so many like-minded people (especially people like us!) in one place. I'll admit that I have gained a substancial indirect benefit simply from writing so many posts (over 380 at the time of this writing).

I'm content simply being involved and having the opportunity to partake in this community. And that's how I like to see it—a community. Just like in a real community, you don't always have to talk to everyone or engage in all the local events. Heck, you can even stay inside your house if you want to (i.e. members who don't post, or non-member "lurkers").

Myself, I prefer to channel the majority of my time towards interesting real-life projects and pursuits and communication with people I know in person (I live in Australia), but I'm a big supporter of the Pavlina forums and it definitely holds a special place in my life. Interacting via the forum may not be as tangible as it is in person, but I feel you can definitely "connect" with people over the internet, even if you're just reading the posts.

And that's what I enjoy—the connection.

(Wow, this post finished up rather nicely somehow. Totally unplanned! Ha!)

[Vee]

Since I've joined the forum I've left I job I hated and found a job I really like

Don't think the forum helped me directly get the job. But reading other posts and asking for advice supported me through the transition.

On a deeper level, I am more at peace with life. I still have days where I am frustrated, angry or sad - but they pass quicker (ie. I don't stay in bed for days) and the feeling is somehow duller - don't know if that makes sense but it's the only way I can explain it.

Reading posts on the forum along with books from Tolle, Chopra etc. is helping me to grasp the concepts of the ego, consciousness, not judging things as good or bad etc.

I wouldn't say anything profound or amazing has happened but i somehow feel more fluid. It's not constant though - some days I get angry and despondant and feel its all untrue.

Also, I joined the forum to develop skills in LOA and manifestation. But my wishes may be "superficial" or "egoic" - ie. - I want to manifest better looks, luxury, etc. So this is a struggle for me as some teachers say you can only manifest properly in an absence of the ego. But they also say we are entitled to abundance and prosperity.

I use a story that Wayne Dyer gives about his little girl to motivate me - she had flat warts on her face which she hated and doctors said could not be cured, but she talked to the flat warts for about 2/3 days and they disappeared. Wayne said she achieved this cos she didn't have an ego.

I want to manifest a physical change too. But have had no luck as yet (it's been about three years). I don't understand cos we both seem to have the same reason for wanting to change something physically (ie. dislike) but I can't achieve it like she did.

But now I am taking part in ALG's manifestation experiment. Maybe this support will help me achieve it? Or bring about more positive changes in my life.

BTW - this is the only forum I've stuck with more than one month. I've always found others to encourage me to argue (ie. in political debates) or create enemies with other posters which is just stupid. I've never found this here. People disagree but there is a level of respect. I am very glad I found this forum and feel at home here x

[Marierama]

Finding a sense of community is one of the greatest benefits or any kind of forum interaction. Occasionally I find topics that really interest me. At other times I might offer a word of encouragement etc.

I think many like to share their pennyworth and that's good too.
I will continue to contribute where I feel it may help, on this and other forums.

Cheers,
Marie

[joylangtry]

I had quite a learning experience recently with this thread. Near the bottom of the first page I made a comment, based on my own perceptions of hearing Tolle, and a few posts later I was quoted with this response:

This really isn't accurate.

My first reaction was that I knew if I looked through all the transcripts of the Oprah/Tolle webcasts over the first 3 or 4 weeks, I could find a quote that would back up my opinion. I was less interested in the point this poster was making than I was in defending myself. I felt a bit embarrassed, then had thoughts of inadequacy. Then, I told myself that even if one person posted and disagreed with me, there were probably others more in tune with my ideas, who just hadn't spoken up.
Next, I stepped back and recognized what was happening - my ego was clearly at work here, and I was struck with the irony that would have been apparent had I chosen to debate my position.
I chose not to comment, but just watch the thread and see how it plays out. It's interesting to observe the comments, and just sense the kind of thinking behind them. No judgment, just watching the egos playing amongst each other. Very interesting.

... So, how has this forum helped you come to a more profound understanding of, well, anything?

By understanding that even when a bunch of "Smart People" (myself included) come here to play, there are just as many individual egos and agendas at work here as anywhere else, and the change is ultimately coming from inside each of us. This forum is one catalyst, but there are millions others that may work just as well.
I like the ideas that Erin and Steve share, and the challenges to my thinking they present. The blogs are key for me, but the forums demonstrate the responses of many. Fascinating!

[openeyes]

Originally Posted by Bruce Achterberg

I don't find it does, actually. Ha!

I mostly deal with my own PD challenges myself, largely because it's not effective to ask for assistance with things when people don't really know the big picture of your life situation. It's like asking someone to tell you about a movie by showing them only one frame. Snapshots—posts—just don't give enough detail.

It's rather similar for me. Most of my energy is directed offline, and I just occasionally pop on here to share little things I've come across, or to see what fun others have come by.

For a closer community, I have individual friends I keep up with, some which have known my family for over 30 years. Then there are various groups I enjoy, such as a Unitarian Universalist student group I've hung out with for ~3 years, a Quaker church I recently began attending for silent meetings on Sundays, and a self knowledge oriented group I've been involved with on and off for a bit over 5 years. Even those groups can't really be said to be responsible for my life, rather development is a result of every experience I have and how I process it.

When I have a bit of free time and seeing friends would be inconvenient, I pop on sites like this. This has become much less frequent lately as most nights are spent happily cuddling up to my girlfriend

[Marco Polo]

As a source for practical information and ideas, it has helped me tremendously.

As a temporary emotional uplift, sometimes.

As a source on the "deeper" issues of life, not so much. I've got other sources for that. I see this site as just one of many many tools available to me. Posting here is not an automatic ticket to success, i realize that. It's just a good place to share ideas.

[GoingPrimal]

Donnie Darko... Ahh, what a good movie.


How has this forum helped me? It hasn't so much helped me as it has let me try to help others. I've gotten some good things out of Steve's articles and some new insights or ideas from this form, but the real reason I post here is in response to others. I like trying to help others.

[The Cloud]

Originally Posted by GoingPrimal

How has this forum helped me? It hasn't so much helped me as it has let me try to help others. I've gotten some good things out of Steve's articles and some new insights or ideas from this form, but the real reason I post here is in response to others. I like trying to help others.

That's what I have been thinking about lately; how does this forum help me versus how I use it to try to help others. It might feel good to try to help people, but in the end was there really any point in actually posting my response? Because if the things from this forum don't really help people get past deeper issues, then the only use of me writing responses on such subjects is for my own benefit.

Not that that is going to stop me from posting. I was just curious as to whether it was having any real benefit beyond myself and the things I learn in trying to solve other people's problems. As I suspected, the main benefits aren't the things written, but the people writing them.

Of course, I'm sure we're all still interested in hearing about how this forum has been beneficial, so by no means do I want the thread to end here.

[seeker5]

To answer the question of "Does this forum help people with fundamental personal development issues?":

In my case: yes yes yes and yes!

The people in this forum have helped me tremendously in discovering fundamental personal development issues and then dealing with them. From the threads I've started asking for help, through posts from others who both answered my own questions, through posts from others that were conversating to others, through posts concerning someone else's issue that I've had to really think and write, and through the friendships I have formed on this forum whom I chat and email with off this forum with! So much! I tend to use this forum, and those I've met through it as my primary "personal development sounding board". I do read audiobooks, listen to audiobooks, read some blogs, but I don't really conversate on personal development with anyone who isn't a member of this forum. Thus for me, this forum is currently a very important part of my personal development.

[Love]

I think the forum is nice place to hear the thoughts and issues of other nice people. It's a nice place to respond and have discussions. It is a civilized community, and that's probably the reason that I like it so much.

I think the forum can give you the strength and the support to do things you might normally have only thought of. For example, I had been wanting to get fired and then poof! on the forum, there was a post about someone wanting to be fired. All the members gave advice to just quit. So I decided to quit as well, and I am very happy because of it.

So yup, the forum has helped me.

[stevedevane]

I've been around about a week or so, but I can say the forum has helped me in two ways.
First, it has helped me see that folks are experiencing many of the same issues I face. It's been encouraging to see people respond with understanding to those seeking help.
Second, it has helped me to interact with people who don't look at issues exactly like I do. Several times, I've read something and said to myself, "Wow. I would have never thought of looking at it in that way."
It's been a great experience and I appreciate it.