#Activating the self in an intersectional framework

[elsiebrayisgay]

there is something that feels so insidious to me in the way certain loved ones will wish me well. sometimes it feels like there is an obvious implication that the presumed goal not just of my treatment but of my life is the absolute minimization of symptoms, which is probably fine on the surface. symptoms feel bad, right? so why shouldn't you do everything you can to avoid them and keep all the "normal" function you can?

however, i think there is some implicit ableism that has snuck its way into that framing and is doing a lot of the lifting, it turns out. first, it implies a narrative of the "illness warrior"—life with an illness is often depicted as a struggle against the disease, and to lose your life (in terminal cases, as with cancer) is to "lose your fight." even in non-terminal chronic illness, i believe that framing is still common, at least from those who are not sick around the chronic illness patient, though there are some sick people who identify with that language. for some people, it can be empowering, giving them the strength to be a warrior and get up and fight, but for me, it feels like it puts the severity of my illness in my hands. to be very ill is to lose ground and fight badly. to some extent this is true, in that there are certain factors in my life i can change that will positively or negatively impact my health, but more broadly, this idea feels brutally unfair. if i am in pain because of a weather-triggered migraine, am i to simply get up and move my entire life in time with the seasons to avoid storms? it feels terribly unfair and lays responsibility for my symptoms existing or disabling me at my feet.

secondly, the high valuation of symptom-free—or as close as possible—existence feels to me to be assimilationist with capitalist values of labor. there has been a lot written about intersections and cross-applications between queer and disability theory. comp het translates to similar ideas of comp-abledness, which i think is a large part of what's going on here. i would extend this further to use queer assimilation as a framework for disabled assimilation. in the way that traditional values will lend more legitimacy to a queer couple who are monogamous, who follow established norms of marriage, cohabitation, etc, there is legitimacy to be had for disabled people who support themselves without or with minimal benefits, who are gainfully employed, who "do not let their disability stop them." yet disabled labor is undervalued especially in the laws that allow for disabled workers to be paid under minimum wages and the bleak landscape of legal accommodations being insufficient, difficult to enforce, at an employer's discretion, or all of the above leaving disabled workers in the hands of petty tyrants. disabled people are encouraged to keep working but not protected or treated fairly when they do. i believe this extends beyond work as well—the minimization of symptoms allows for a disabled person to keep their own household and do their own chores without support, and is therefore the valued goal, however unrealistic or difficult. in what i believe is a critically under-read essay, sunny taylor outlines "the right not to work," defending the value of a disabled life which does not fit norms of productivity in the workforce or the home. so i wonder: if there are supports available, why restrict myself from them? if there is a life that does not involve recovery to the norm but rather prioritizes quality of life, isn't that worthwhile? if there is a life without recovery to the norm but rather recovery self-directed towards the activities and functions a patient wants for themself, would that be so bad, even if they are still sick, even if they still need help?

i hope for such a life.

#disability theory #disability #chronic illness #sorry you can tell i have a theory degree from reading this post i'll try to hide it better in the future

[azura-tsukikage]

Understanding the distinctions between intentions, principles, values, and beliefs can be quite enlightening, not just in the context of witchcraft but in personal development and decision-making in general. Here's a brief overview to get you started, and then we can dive deeper:

Intentions: These are specific goals or objectives you set for yourself. Intentions are about what you want to achieve in the future, often guided by your principles, values, and beliefs. In witchcraft and in life, it's not enough to simply set an intention and hope for the best; you need to put your energy into practical steps that move you closer to your desired outcome.

Set Clear Goals: Begin by defining your goals with precision. What exactly do you want to achieve? The more specific your goals, the better you can create a plan to reach them.

Plan and Organize: Develop a clear plan of action. Break down your goals into smaller, manageable tasks. This makes them less overwhelming and helps you track your progress.

Consistent Effort: Consistency is crucial. Regularly engage in the activities that align with your goals. Consistent effort over time can lead to significant progress.

Adapt and Learn: Be open to adapting your approach if something isn't working. Learning from your experiences, whether in witchcraft or any other pursuit, is an essential part of growth.

Practice Patience: Achieving your goals may take time. Be patient with yourself and the process. Keep your focus on the end result while appreciating the small steps you make along the way.

Stay Mindful: Mindfulness can help you stay connected to your goals. Regular meditation or reflection can help you maintain your focus and energy.

Seek Support: Don't be afraid to seek support or guidance from others who have experience in your area of interest. Their insights can be valuable.

Remember, whether in witchcraft or any other aspect of life, you have the power to shape your future through your actions and intentions. By aligning your energy with practical steps, you can turn your dreams into reality.

Principles: Principles are fundamental truths or rules that guide your behavior and decision-making. They serve as a foundation for your actions and are often closely aligned with your values and beliefs. In witchcraft, principles might include the Wiccan Rede or the Law of Threefold Return.

Values: Values are your core beliefs about what is most important and meaningful in life. They shape your character and influence your actions and choices. In witchcraft, values might include a reverence for nature, a commitment to ethical practice, or a focus on personal growth.

Beliefs: Beliefs are the convictions or acceptance that something is true or exists. They are often influenced by cultural, religious, or personal factors. In witchcraft, beliefs can encompass a wide range of spiritual or metaphysical ideas, from the existence of deities to the power of magic. Now, we can delve deeper into each of these elements and explore how they intersect and interact, both in witchcraft and in daily life.

1. Intentions and Principles:

Intersection: Intentions are often guided by principles. For example, if one of your principles in witchcraft is to harm none (a common Wiccan principle), your intentions for spellwork will align with this principle by focusing on positive, constructive outcomes.

Interaction: Your principles provide a moral and ethical framework for your intentions. They help you determine what is acceptable and aligned with your values when setting intentions. Your intentions, in turn, become the practical expressions of your principles.

2. Intentions and Values:

Intersection: Intentions can reflect your core values. If personal growth is a value, your intentions may revolve around self-improvement and introspection. In witchcraft, values like a deep connection to nature can inspire intentions focused on environmental protection.

Interaction: Your values inform the content of your intentions. The things you want to achieve or manifest are often connected to what you value most. Your values provide motivation for your intentions.

3. Principles and Values:

Intersection: Principles and values often overlap. If you value honesty and authenticity, a corresponding principle could be to always be true to yourself and others. In witchcraft, a value of reverence for nature aligns with a principle of respecting and protecting the environment.

Interaction: Your principles are a way to uphold your values. They provide guidance on how to live in alignment with what you hold dear. In witchcraft, your principles ensure that your values are translated into ethical and spiritual practice.

4. Beliefs and Intentions:

Intersection: Your beliefs can influence the nature of your intentions. If you believe in the power of deities, you might set intentions that invoke their assistance or guidance. Beliefs in the effectiveness of magic can shape your intentions for spellwork.

Interaction: Your beliefs provide the foundation for your intentions. They shape what you think is possible and what methods you choose to achieve your goals. Your intentions are, in part, a manifestation of your beliefs.

5. Beliefs and Principles:

Intersection: Your beliefs can align with or challenge your principles. For example, if a belief in divine justice is central to your spiritual practice, it may align with principles of karma or the Threefold Law. However, beliefs can also lead to the adaptation or modification of principles.

Interaction: Your principles help you navigate and interpret your beliefs. They offer a structured way to incorporate your beliefs into your daily life or spiritual practice. They guide your actions based on your beliefs.

6. Beliefs and Values:

Intersection: Your beliefs often reflect what you value spiritually. If you value harmony and interconnectedness, you might hold beliefs in a web of existence or a collective consciousness. Your beliefs shape your spiritual values.

Interaction: Your values influence which beliefs resonate with you. They guide your selection of beliefs that align with your innermost convictions. Your values provide a filter for accepting or rejecting certain beliefs.

Understanding these intersections and interactions is crucial for crafting a meaningful and ethical path in life as well as witchcraft. It allows you to set intentions that resonate with your values, align with your principles, and are rooted in beliefs that feel authentic to you. This alignment enhances the potency and integrity of your mind and actions as well as your magical and spiritual work.

#witchblr #witchcraft #witches of tumblr #spiritual growth #psychology #self care #self awareness #intentions #behaviors #beliefs

[therianomalocaris]

I am never beating the Dirk allegations

CONTENT WARNING: mention of system integration

Today is my birthday, and as always that means I am reflecting on myself and the ways I've changed throughout my life. Let's talk about my relationship to Dirk Strider and how I've started calling myself a "kinnie" despite hating the word.

There's a running joke in my friend group, that when I say certain things people respond "Okay, Dirk." and I pretend to be offended. This is of course in reference to the character Dirk Strider from Homestuck, my favorite guy that I study and rotate in my mind every single second of every day. They love doing it and I encourage it, and the more it happens the more I find myself reflecting on it.

I don't know how I feel about it.

I guess it feels good, and makes me feel seen, but having awakened as fictionkin many years ago I can't say it's the same kind of feeling as when people acknowledge me as my kintypes. But lately it has started to affect me.

I've talked in the past about how my BPD and alterhumanity intersect, namely that I have a very thin sense of self. A part of that manifested in me becoming a robot after a friend I'm very close to decided to acknowledge me as one, the statement ringing so true that I changed in accordance. I became someone else.

I do not label myself as robotkin(d) or machinekin(d), because a robot is simply a thing I am. Appending -kin(d) feels to me like i am putting distance between me and being a robot, because my kintypes are only parts of me. There is a me that would still exist if you took the anomalocaris or the Vriska or the Kevin out, but if you took the robot out I would be a fully different person. That's what it means to me, at least.

So is that what's happening to me right now? Am I, in a sense, in the process of becoming Dirk Strider through a similar chain of events? Well, yes, I believe I am.

But there is something else. An event I have put off reflecting upon, mainly because it wasn't a very fun time. In 2019, the Homestuck Epilogues dropped, and my system collapsed- I was already having an incredibly hard time in my personal life and the harshness of the text, triggering subject matter, and my altered state of mind due to having been drinking at the time all collided to create a trauma response in us that caused us all to integrate.

We all had to rebuild ourselves as separate people in the thirty minutes that followed, and in that moment I think I absorbed a non-insignificant portion of the very text that caused this to happen. I now believe my brain processed the event through the lens of Ultimate Dirk.

Unlike with my Vriska theriotype, I don't believe this caused me to actually become the character. Though both have similar origins as responses to trauma, Ult!Dirk was a framework my mind came up with to rebuild itself rather than a conscious choice I made to cope with a bad situation.

I did not feed this particular change for a long time, and when other people started doing it for me I was more puzzled than anything. I was genuinely a little offended at first, because the statement was factually wrong, but as time goes on it's starting to become true. It felt wrong for a long time, until it eventually... didn't.

For better or for worse, the word "kinnie" is the only one that I feel fits my current state with regards to this. I wish there was a better one, but it's the one that clicks- if being a robot is simply a truth about what I am, and my kintypes are part of me, then Ult!Dirk is currently one level removed from that. This is why the word is currently useful to me, not that I'm really happy about it.

I am fully aware that to a lot of people even admitting that's what I've been calling it makes me sound less serious about my alterhumanity, and I am actively looking for a better term. These birthday writings only reflect where I currently am in my life, even if it's messy, and this is where I am. Maybe by next year this will have changed, but only time will tell.

#fai7h 8a88les #otherkin #fictionkin #personal writing

[varii-corvid]

so I recently learned about winterpunk and I really had to step back and analyze this properly for a solid day or so. I do feel like the original coiners are attempting to be in good faith with their coin and I have no ill will towards them. I myself am not winterpunk, but I do believe it can be used as a framework for anti-racist action.

my understanding is that winterpunk attempts to decolonize and decenter whiteness and dismantle racism in all forms. it requires an intersectional lens of oppression and how it relates to racial justice. Winterpunk means being an active observer in how whiteness affects racial biases rather than being conditioned into being oblivious to the oppression. It's about realizing that until we're all free, none of us are. racism hurts everyone. racism doesn't affect everyone equally but all people suffer from it's existence. Winterpunk must use nuanced, honest, and open dialogue in order for it work coherently and shouldn't dominate over other racial issues and conversations. it also requires listening to and supporting other racialized people as equals and allies with unique struggles, flaws, and strengths. Winterpunk should encourage self acceptance to work past white shame and guilt, which often bogs down real action. Winterpunk should be a prison, military, and police abolitionist movement. Winterpunk should mean supporting rehabilitative and transformative justice as ways of protecting the community. winterpunk is about reparation and restoration to harmed racialized identities. Winterpunk should be anti-institution and antipsych. Winterpunk should support all transids and paraphiles as long as making contact wont harm living beings that don't/can't consent and instead finding healthy outlets for avoiding harmful contact. Winterpunk should be about confronting fears head on and learning to stand against stigmas around anti racism. Winterpunk should create a core framework for white allyship, make anti-racism accessible, and create new vocabulary and analysis.

I think instead of using terms like "white pride" and "white joy", which is often conflated to dog whistles used by white supremacists, it should instead use terms like "racial euphoria" and "racial self acceptance" to describe both trans and cis racial experiences. self acceptance is a radical act and embracing that can heal and restore lost bonds to community.

I wasn't trying to stir up drama with this post, just trying to honestly navigate the topic in a sensitive manner. I feel that it's often important to use critical thinking and taking a step back to deconstruct the whole story before making any judgements rather than making a reactionary knee-jerk judgement based on emotions.

I still ID as radqueer, but I support winterpunk if it's used as a reconstructive anticolonialist framework for white identity.

lmk any feedback. I'm always open to constructive criticism.

#winterpunk #rq 🌈🍓 #sakuraqueer🌈🌸 #radqueer #decolonize whiteness

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Jewish Institute for Liberal Values

Published: Apr 1, 2024

A Guide to Left-wing Antisemitism 🧵

Left-wing antisemitism entails prejudice, discrimination, or hostility against Jews, based on leftist ideologies. It's especially insidious, as it often masquerades as part of a broader "Social Justice" movement.

How does antisemitism on the left compare to the far-right?

Political horseshoe theory illustrates similarities between far-left and far-right antisemitism. Despite ideological differences, both extremes view Jews as a singular malevolent group with excessive power.

Far-right antisemitism is often overt and easily identifiable, while left-wing antisemitism is typically more subtle, making it more prevalent and socially acceptable among progressives.

What does left-wing antisemitism look like?

Labeling Jews as 'Oppressors': Jews are framed as “privileged” and “oppressors” within an “intersectional” academic framework, disregarding their diverse experiences and history of persecution.

Anti-Zionism: While criticizing Israeli policies is not inherently antisemitic, denying Jewish self-determination or deeming Israel illegitimate can be.

Collective Guilt: Holding all Jews accountable for Israel's actions constitutes a form of antisemitism.

Selective Outrage: Disproportionate criticism of Israel while overlooking similar or worse actions by other countries reflects a bias against Jews.

Holocaust Revisionism: Denying or downplaying the Holocaust, often disguised as questioning historical narratives or criticizing Israel, is a form of antisemitism sometimes found on the left.

Where does left-wing antisemitism come from?

While there have been various influences, one significant contributor stems from an academic framework that emerged around the 1970s: Postcolonial Theory.

This theoretical framework was pioneered by Palestinian-American scholar Edward Said, who framed Zionism as a “colonial project.”

Postcolonial Theory, like other Critical Theories, operates as a form of activist scholarship. While presenting itself as legitimate and rigorous, it prioritizes its political goals over the genuine production of knowledge.

Postcolonial Theory doesn't aim for historical accuracy. Instead, it seeks to "reenvision history" from the "perspective of the oppressed."

Within Postcolonial Theory, Israel is portrayed as a colonial, imperialist, oppressive power, while Palestinians are depicted as helpless victims without agency—even those that commit the October 7 atrocities.

This portrayal has significantly influenced perceptions, particularly in activist circles, turning the cause of "Free Palestine" into a trendy "Social Justice" issue. 

How did left-wing antisemitism spread?

Middle-eastern Funding of Universities: Undisclosed billions from the Middle East to U.S. universities have influenced academic discourse, framing the Israel-Palestine conflict as a struggle for “indigenous rights” against “colonialism.”

Social Media Activism: Social media has helped propel what was once an obscure academic field mostly confined to college campuses into an international post-colonialist movement.

DEI: Through corporate diversity programs, post-colonial concepts have become a dominant ideology in mainstream institutions, including many Jewish organizations.

Underestimating the problem: Many Jewish organizations dedicated to combating Jew hatred chose to focus on far-right antisemitism, allowing left-wing antisemitism to proliferate. 

Why the focus on left-wing antisemitism?

Many Jewish organizations already exist to tackle antisemitism associated with the far-right. While there is concern about threats on both sides of the aisle, the Jewish Institute for Liberal Values (JILV) focuses on the left.

JILV was formed in 2021 to address a specific ideology emerging on the left that has become embedded into our institutions and propagates antisemitic ideas and tropes.

Visit to learn more.

#Jewish Institute for Liberal Values #liberalism #antisemitism

[rockislandadultreads]

Black History Month: Biographies & Memoirs

Notes From a Young Black Chef by Kwame Onwuachi 

By the time he was twenty-seven years old, Kwame Onwuachi (winner of the 2019 James Beard Foundation Award for Rising Star Chef of the Year) had opened - and closed - one of the most talked about restaurants in America. He had launched his own catering company with twenty thousand dollars that he made from selling candy on the subway, yet he’d been told he would never make it on television because his cooking wasn’t “Southern” enough. In this inspiring memoir about the intersection of race, fame, and food, he shares the remarkable story of his culinary coming-of-age.

Onwuachi’s love of food and cooking remained a constant throughout, even when he found the road to success riddled with potholes. As a young chef, he was forced to grapple with just how unwelcoming the world of fine dining can be for people of color, and his first restaurant, the culmination of years of planning, shuttered just months after opening. A powerful, heartfelt, and shockingly honest story of chasing your dreams - even when they don’t turn out as you expected - Notes from a Young Black Chef is one man’s pursuit of his passions, despite the odds.

On the Other Side of Freedom by DeRay Mckesson

In August of 2014, twenty-nine-year-old activist DeRay Mckesson stood with hundreds of others on the streets of Ferguson, Missouri, to push a message of justice and accountability. These protests, and others like them in cities across the country, resulted in the birth of the Black Lives Matter movement. Now, in his first book, Mckesson lays out the intellectual, pragmatic political framework for a new liberation movement. Continuing a conversation about activism, resistance, and justice that embraces our nation's complex history, he dissects how deliberate oppression persists, how racial injustice strips our lives of promise, and how technology has added a new dimension to mass action and social change. He argues that our best efforts to combat injustice have been stunted by the belief that racism's wounds are history, and suggests that intellectual purity has curtailed optimistic realism. The book offers a new framework and language for understanding the nature of oppression. With it, we can begin charting a course to dismantle the obvious and subtle structures that limit freedom.

The Beautiful Ones by Prince 

Prince was a musical genius, one of the most beloved, accomplished, and acclaimed musicians of our time. He was a startlingly original visionary with an imagination deep enough to whip up whole worlds, from the sexy, gritty funk paradise of “Uptown” to the mythical landscape of Purple Rain to the psychedelia of “Paisley Park.” But his most ambitious creative act was turning Prince Rogers Nelson, born in Minnesota, into Prince, one of the greatest pop stars of any era.

The Beautiful Ones is the story of how Prince became Prince - a first-person account of a kid absorbing the world around him and then creating a persona, an artistic vision, and a life, before the hits and fame that would come to define him. The book is told in four parts. The first is the memoir Prince was writing before his tragic death, pages that bring us into his childhood world through his own lyrical prose. The second part takes us through Prince’s early years as a musician, before his first album was released, via an evocative scrapbook of writing and photos. The third section shows us Prince’s evolution through candid images that go up to the cusp of his greatest achievement, which we see in the book’s fourth section: his original handwritten treatment for Purple Rain - the final stage in Prince’s self-creation, where he retells the autobiography of the first three parts as a heroic journey.

My Time Will Come by Ian Manuel

The United States is the only country in the world that sentences thirteen- and fourteen-year-old offenders, mostly youth of color, to life in prison without parole. In 1991, Ian Manuel, then fourteen, was sentenced to life without parole for a non-homicide crime. In a botched mugging attempt with some older boys, he shot a young white mother of two in the face. But as Bryan Stevenson, attorney and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, has insisted, none of us should be judged by only the worst thing we have ever done.

Capturing the fullness of his humanity, here is Manuel's powerful testimony of growing up homeless in a neighborhood riddled with poverty, gang violence, and drug abuse - and of his efforts to rise above his circumstances, only to find himself, partly through his own actions, imprisoned for two-thirds of his life, eighteen years of which were spent in solitary confinement. Here is the story of how he endured the savagery of the United States prison system, and how his victim, an extraordinary woman, forgave him and bravely advocated for his freedom, which was achieved by an Equal Justice Initiative push to address the barbarism of our judicial system and bring about "just mercy." Full of unexpected twists and turns as it describes a struggle for redemption, My Time Will Come is a paean to the capacity of the human will to transcend adversity through determination and art - in Ian Manuel's case, through his dedication to writing poetry.

#black history month #black history #black stories #biography #autobiography #memoir #nonfiction #nonfiction reads #nonfiction books #library books #book recommendations #reading recommendations #book recs #reading recs #TBR pile #tbr #to read #booklr #book tumblr #book blog #library blog

[muslimpsychologist]

Islam and Mental Health: Nurturing Inner Peace and Well-being

In a fast-paced world filled with stressors and challenges, the importance of mental health cannot be overstated. For Muslims, the teachings of Islam provide a rich framework for achieving and maintaining mental well-being. In this blog post, we will explore the intersection of Islam and mental health, examining how Islamic principles and practices can contribute to nurturing inner peace and emotional stability.

Spiritual Resilience through Prayer (Salat): One of the pillars of Islam, Salat (prayer), is not only a means of connecting with Allah but also a source of comfort and tranquility. Muslims perform five daily prayers, providing regular moments of reflection, gratitude, and submission to a higher power. These acts of devotion can alleviate stress, reduce anxiety, and offer a sense of purpose.

Quranic Guidance and Healing: The Quran, considered the ultimate source of guidance in Islam, contains verses that offer solace and encouragement during difficult times. Reciting and reflecting upon Quranic verses can provide emotional healing and strength. The Quranic concept of "Dhikr," or remembrance of Allah, serves as a form of meditation that helps individuals find inner peace.

Seeking Forgiveness (Tawbah) and Self-Reflection: Islam encourages believers to seek forgiveness for their sins and shortcomings. This practice of Tawbah not only fosters spiritual growth but also alleviates the burden of guilt and self-blame, contributing to improved mental well-being. Self-reflection and self-improvement are essential components of this process.

Community and Support (Ummah): The sense of community (Ummah) in Islam provides a strong support system for individuals facing mental health challenges. Muslims are encouraged to offer emotional support, lend a listening ear, and help those in need within their community. This sense of belonging can combat loneliness and isolation, which often exacerbate mental health issues.

Balanced Lifestyle: Islam promotes a balanced and holistic lifestyle that includes physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Observing a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and getting adequate sleep are all emphasized in Islamic teachings. These practices contribute to overall wellness and mental health.

Breaking Stigmas and Seeking Professional Help: While Islam offers valuable tools for mental well-being, it's essential to acknowledge that mental health challenges are real and can affect anyone. Islam encourages compassion and understanding, emphasizing that seeking professional help for mental health issues is not a sign of weakness but a responsible step toward healing. Breaking stigmas and promoting open conversations about mental health within the Muslim community is crucial.

Conclusion: Incorporating Islamic principles and practices into one's life can be a powerful way to nurture mental health and find inner peace. By combining the spiritual guidance of Islam with a commitment to self-care, seeking support within the Ummah, and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, Muslims can embark on a journey toward emotional well-being and resilience in the face of life's challenges.

#clinical pschologist #islam #mental health #muslim #ummah

[chattingwiththelightkeeper]

Exploring Boundaries: Ethical Non-Monogamy Within The D/s Lifestyle

The D/S lifestyle encompasses a broad spectrum of relationship dynamics that extend beyond the conventional boundaries of traditional partnerships. Within this vibrant community, individuals explore various relationship configurations, including polyamorous or non-monogamous relationships. While these relationship types are not for everyone, the lifestyle embraces those who explore or adopt alternative arrangements which provide opportunities for diverse expressions of power dynamics, emotional connections, and personal growth. Here we are going to delve into the intricacies and nuances of these non-traditional relationships, shedding light on how polyamory and non-monogamy intersect with the principles and practices of the lifestyle.

Polyamory refers to the practice of having multiple concurrent intimate relationships with the knowledge and consent of all involved parties. In the context of the lifestyle, polyamorous relationships expand the possibilities for individuals to form connections with multiple dominants or submissives. This arrangement enables the exploration of diverse power dynamics and the meeting of various emotional and sexual needs.

In a polyamorous relationship, clear communication, negotiation, and consent are paramount. Establishing and maintaining effective communication channels is crucial for ensuring the emotional well-being of all partners involved. Boundaries, expectations, and power dynamics must be openly discussed and agreed upon to foster a healthy and sustainable dynamic. Additionally, the use of tools such as check-ins and regular relationship evaluations can help maintain transparency and ensure the ongoing consent of all participants.

Ethical non-monogamy encompasses a wide range of relationship styles that diverge from the traditional monogamous paradigm. Within the D/S lifestyle, non-monogamous arrangements offer opportunities to explore multiple partners while maintaining a central dynamic. These relationships can take various forms, such as open relationships, swinging, or relationship anarchy, among others.

Similar to polyamorous relationships, non-monogamous relationships require open and honest communication to establish boundaries, expectations, and consent. It is essential for all parties involved to engage in ongoing dialogue, addressing any potential concerns or insecurities that may arise. Trust, mutual respect, and emotional support play pivotal roles in navigating the complex web of relationships that non-monogamy entails.

Those who are poly or non-monogamous, often share that for them these are distinct advantages over monogamy:

Expanded Emotional Connection: In polyamorous or non-monogamous lifestyle partnerships, individuals have the opportunity to form deep emotional connections with multiple partners. This can provide a diverse range of support, intimacy, and companionship. Different partners may fulfill unique emotional needs, fostering a sense of fulfillment and emotional abundance.

Increased Personal Growth: Engaging in multiple relationships allows individuals to explore different power dynamics, roles, and desires. This exploration can lead to a deeper understanding of one's own identity, preferences, and boundaries. By navigating the complexities of multiple relationships, individuals have the chance to grow emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually.

Enhanced Sexual Exploration: Polyamorous or non-monogamous partnerships create a space for individuals to explore their sexual desires and fantasies within the framework of consent and negotiation. With multiple partners, individuals can experience a broader range of sexual dynamics, activities, and experiences. This exploration can lead to increased sexual self-discovery and satisfaction.

Supportive Community: Engaging in polyamorous or non-monogamous relationships often involves participating in a supportive community of like-minded individuals. This community provides a platform for sharing experiences, seeking advice, and building connections with others who understand and embrace non-traditional relationship dynamics. The support and understanding of this community can contribute to a sense of belonging and validation.

Diverse Perspectives and Learning Opportunities: Each relationship within a polyamorous or non-monogamous configuration brings unique perspectives and experiences. Engaging with multiple partners allows individuals to learn from different viewpoints, expand their horizons, and challenge preconceived notions. This diversity can foster personal growth, empathy, and a broader understanding of human relationships.

Personal Autonomy and Agency: Non-monogamy can empower individuals to exercise autonomy and agency over their desires and needs. By openly negotiating boundaries, roles, and expectations, individuals can actively shape their relationships according to their preferences. This sense of agency promotes a greater sense of self-empowerment and fulfillment.

Increased Communication and Relationship Skills: Managing multiple relationships requires robust communication skills, including expressing desires, addressing concerns, and navigating complex emotions. Polyamorous or non-monogamous partnerships offer individuals the opportunity to develop and refine their communication skills. These skills can extend beyond their non-monogamous relationships and positively impact other areas of their lives as well.

On the other side of the coin, untraditional relationships also bring challenges such as:

Jealousy and Insecurity: Jealousy can arise in any relationship, and it may be more prevalent in polyamorous or non-monogamous relationships due to the presence of multiple partners. Managing feelings of jealousy and insecurity requires open communication, trust-building, and self-reflection. It is essential for all parties involved to address these emotions constructively and work together to find solutions that promote emotional well-being.

Time Management: Balancing time and attention among multiple partners can be challenging. Each relationship requires quality time and investment, and finding a harmonious balance can be demanding. Effective time management, setting priorities, and ensuring equitable distribution of time and energy are vital to maintaining healthy relationships within a polyamorous or non-monogamous dynamic.

Communication and Negotiation: With multiple partners come increased complexities in communication and negotiation. It is crucial to establish clear channels of communication, and openly discuss expectations, boundaries, and power dynamics with all parties involved. Consistent and honest communication is key to ensuring that everyone's needs, desires, and concerns are heard and addressed.

Emotional Support and Connection: Providing emotional support and maintaining deep connections with multiple partners can be challenging. It requires active listening, empathy, and the ability to balance emotional needs across relationships. Ensuring that all partners feel valued, seen, and supported can be demanding, and individuals must be willing to invest the necessary emotional effort to sustain healthy and fulfilling connections.

Societal Stigma and Misunderstanding: Polyamorous or non-monogamous partnerships often face societal stigma and misconceptions. Mainstream society tends to uphold monogamy as the norm, which can lead to judgment, marginalization, or misunderstanding. It is important for individuals in these relationships to find support within like-minded communities and to educate others about the consensual nature and benefits of their chosen relationship style.

Relationship Dynamics and Hierarchy: In polyamorous lifestyle relationships, defining and managing relationship dynamics and potential hierarchies can be challenging. Establishing power dynamics, roles, and levels of authority within multiple relationships requires careful consideration and consent from all parties involved. Balancing the needs and desires of each relationship while respecting the autonomy of individuals can be complex and requires ongoing negotiation and adaptability.

Personal and Emotional Capacity: Engaging in polyamorous or non-monogamous relationships can demand a significant amount of emotional energy, self-awareness, and personal growth. Individuals must be prepared to confront their insecurities, biases, and limitations. It is essential to engage in regular self-reflection and self-care practices to ensure emotional well-being and the ability to navigate the challenges that may arise.

While there are advantages and disadvantages to any relationship paradigm and one of the beautiful things about the lifestyle is that it allows people to explore, learn, and grow in whatever style of partnership fits them. So no matter if one is monogamous or ethically non-monogamous everyone can find their home in the lifestyle and learn relationship tips and tricks that will enhance their partnership(s). No matter if you are ENM or mono, is there a lesson, tip, or bit of advice that was offered for polyamory that made a positive impact on your relationship, and what was the thought-provoking idea?

As with all of my thoughts, please see this disclaimer.

©TLK2023

#d/s relationship #d/s community #d/s blog #d/s real life #dom/sub #bdsmblog #bd/sm community #bd/sm lifestyle #ds community #chattingwiththelightkeeper #bdsmlife #bdsmrelationship #d/s lifestyle #d/s dynamic #bd/sm relationship #my thoughts #my writing #polyamory

[compneuropapers]

Interesting Papers for Week 29, 2022

Dynamic decision policy reconfiguration under outcome uncertainty. Bond, K., Dunovan, K., Porter, A., Rubin, J. E., & Verstynen, T. (2021). eLife, 10, e65540.

Sex differences in learning from exploration. Chen, C. S., Knep, E., Han, A., Ebitz, R. B., & Grissom, N. M. (2021). eLife, 10, e69748.

Rewarding cognitive effort increases the intrinsic value of mental labor. Clay, G., Mlynski, C., Korb, F. M., Goschke, T., & Job, V. (2022). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 119(5), e2111785119.

Hierarchical and nonhierarchical features of the mouse visual cortical network. D’Souza, R. D., Wang, Q., Ji, W., Meier, A. M., Kennedy, H., Knoblauch, K., & Burkhalter, A. (2022). Nature Communications, 13, 503.

Neurons as will and representation. Fried, I. (2022). Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 23(2), 104–114.

Breathing coordinates cortico-hippocampal dynamics in mice during offline states. Karalis, N., & Sirota, A. (2022). Nature Communications, 13, 467.

A self-supervised domain-general learning framework for human ventral stream representation. Konkle, T., & Alvarez, G. A. (2022). Nature Communications, 13, 491.

Selective responses to faces, scenes, and bodies in the ventral visual pathway of infants. Kosakowski, H. L., Cohen, M. A., Takahashi, A., Keil, B., Kanwisher, N., & Saxe, R. (2022). Current Biology, 32(2), 265-274.e5.

Landmark-modulated directional coding in postrhinal cortex. LaChance, P. A., Graham, J., Shapiro, B. L., Morris, A. J., & Taube, J. S. (2022). Science Advances, 8(4).

A neural circuit linking learning and sleep in Drosophila long-term memory. Lei, Z., Henderson, K., & Keleman, K. (2022). Nature Communications, 13, 609.

Neurons learn by predicting future activity. Luczak, A., McNaughton, B. L., & Kubo, Y. (2022). Nature Machine Intelligence, 4(1), 62–72.

Synchronous inhibitory pathways create both efficiency and diversity in the retina. Manu, M., McIntosh, L. T., Kastner, D. B., Naecker, B. N., & Baccus, S. A. (2022). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 119(4), e2116589119.

Predisposition to domain-wide maladaptive changes in predictive coding in auditory phantom perception. Mohan, A., Luckey, A., Weisz, N., & Vanneste, S. (2022). NeuroImage, 248, 118813.

Intersecting kinematic encoding and readout of intention in autism. Montobbio, N., Cavallo, A., Albergo, D., Ansuini, C., Battaglia, F., Podda, J., … Becchio, C. (2022). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 119(5), e2114648119.

Spatial maps in piriform cortex during olfactory navigation. Poo, C., Agarwal, G., Bonacchi, N., & Mainen, Z. F. (2022). Nature, 601(7894), 595–599.

Event boundaries shape temporal organization of memory by resetting temporal context. Pu, Y., Kong, X.-Z., Ranganath, C., & Melloni, L. (2022). Nature Communications, 13, 622.

Valence biases in reinforcement learning shift across adolescence and modulate subsequent memory. Rosenbaum, G. M., Grassie, H. L., & Hartley, C. A. (2022). eLife, 11, e64620.

Modelling learning in  Caenorhabditis elegans chemosensory and locomotive circuitry for T‐maze navigation. Sakelaris, B. G., Li, Z., Sun, J., Banerjee, S., Booth, V., & Gourgou, E. (2022). European Journal of Neuroscience, 55(2), 354–376.

Negative Color Aftereffect in the Absence of a Colored Stimulus. Sivkovich Fagin, O., & Mack, A. (2022). Perception, 51(2), 77–90.

Emerging experience-dependent dynamics in primary somatosensory cortex reflect behavioral adaptation. Waiblinger, C., McDonnell, M. E., Reedy, A. R., Borden, P. Y., & Stanley, G. B. (2022). Nature Communications, 13, 534.

#science #Neuroscience #computational neuroscience #Brain science #research #cognition #neurons #neurobiology #neural networks #neural computation #psychophysics #cognitive science #scientific publications #olfaction

[femmebis]

The bisexual activist glossary

You wanna get into bisexual activism? Wow! That’s so cool!! But if you wanna fight for bisexual equality, you gotta have the vocabulary for it.

So, for your viewing pleasure and convenience, here is the bisexual activist glossary! A big post of words common in bisexual activist spaces and their meanings.

Bisexual: people who are attracted to multiple genders.

Biphobia: the systematic oppression of, dislike of, or prejudice against bisexual people. The aversion of bisexuality and bisexual people as individuals. Biphobia comes in many forms.

Bi erasure: also referred to as ‘bisexual invisibility’, bi erasure describes the tendency to ignore, remove, falsify or explain away evidence of bisexuality or bisexual individuals. It also refers to the tendency to assume that a person is either gay or straight.

Heterosexual privilege: the benefits of basic civil rights, recognition, and privilege that heterosexuals accord themselves as "the norm". This varies depending on race, class, culture, age, and physical abilities.

Intersectionality: an framework for understanding how aspects of a person's identities combine to create unique modes of discrimination and privilege. It states that markers (e.g. “woman” and “black”) do not exist independently of each other, and that each informs the others.

Bimisogyny: the intersection of bisexuality and misogyny.

Internalized oppression: The process of people coming to believe the stereotypes and misinformation the dominant culture communicates about their identity. Internalizing these assumptions perpetuates the stereotype as a self-fulfilling prophecy.

M-spec: short for ‘multisexual spectrum’. An umbrella term used to describe individuals attracted to multiple genders. Also known as ‘the bi+ umbrella’. However, someone attracted to multiple genders may or may not label themselves as ‘m-spec’ or ‘bisexual’.

Monosexual: a term used for both heterosexuals and homosexuals — i.e., all people who love only one gender. This term is not derogatory in any shape, way, or form.

Monosexism: the belief that monosexuality is superior or more legitimate than bisexuality or other m-spec orientation. May be considered a synonym for biphobia.

Bisexual manifesto: a public declaration about the bisexual identity from the bisexual magezine, Anything That Moves, from 1990. It famously states, “Bisexuality is a whole, fluid identity. Do not assume that bisexuality is binary or dougamous in nature... In fact, don't assume that there are only two genders.” This is used to debunk the myth that bisexuality is binary in nature.

WLW: an acronym for women-loving-women, or women who love women. It is an umbrella term used to refer to all women who love women, regardless of orientation. ‘Sapphic’ is a synonym for this word.

MLM: an acronym for men-loving-men, or men who love men. It is an umbrella term used to refer to all men who love men, regardless of orientation.

Straight-passing: typically used in terms of ‘straight-passing privilege’, this term is taken from the black community’s ‘white-passing privilege’. It perpetuates the idea that bisexuals in what the average person would assume to be a M/F relationship have privilege. The assumption that one is straight for being in a M/F relationship, as you may note, is actually an example of bisexual erasure. Because of this, this term is widely detested.

Radfem: a radical feminist. Radical feminism is a perspective within feminism that calls for a radical re-ordering of society in which male supremacy is eliminated in all social and economic contexts. This sounds good on paper, but radfems are a very largely biphobic, transphobic, and anti-sex work group. Radfems are not a bisexual’s friend.

#bisexuality #bisafe #bisexual #bisexual pride #bi positivity #bi posts #my posts

[rewritingtrauma]

On asking better questions

Last year I wrote a post about questions I would no longer respond to, unsurprisingly, those questions have continued to come up in regular conversation and, just as predictably, I've flailed about in response, failing to either answer them or express my unhappiness about the nature, implications and framework of the questions themselves. This has been very damaging to me, and to the relationships I've had to necessarily retreat from in order to avoid these questions and the hole they drop me into. These questions are (some variant of):

"What projects are you working on?"

"Have you had any shows lately?"

"What have you been up to?"

It came up during my therapy session today why these questions are not merely problematic but toxic: Questions like these equate what you do with who you are. They overshadow the complex and gentle 'being' with the specific, measurable, and therefore comparable "doings". They are an invitation to display the notable notches on the bedpost of your CV, an invitation to self presentation, comparison, and competition. Questions like these involve an assumption that by doing/exhibiting/project working, by actively building and performing your CV you are 'improving' yourself, 'developing' your career, 'emerging' as an artist. In short, you are competing in the game of life and are succeeding.

In all of this there is a whiff of the Capitalist ethos of Ascension through work, "Progress", of hierarchy... There is also more than a whiff of elitism and discrimination in the failure to recognise that many humans, including me, struggle to work at the best of times. Therefore, if our work and list of projects equates to who we are and how good we are at being a person, what these questions invite is a reflection on, or an apology for, how we've failed at life. These questions undermine the intersectional. They put us all in the same race with an assumption of equal chance, opportunity, skills, and resources to propel us across the finishing line.

I hear myself getting annoyed here, of taking a voice to present my argument in compelling terms but what's going on inside me is something more like a crumbling. These questions make me incredibly sad. I have had such a hot and cold relationship with work and career, for many reasons, over the years and this has left me at a point in life where I am unable to participate in the race. Unable and unwilling. The work I am doing everyday is not the work of the race. It is more foundational, I am still tending the soil, I am doing the subtle, invisible (according to these questions and the framework they originate from) work of maintenance and care taking. Healing, tending, growing, reconnecting, the invisible work of women, femmes, and the wounded. It is not easy work and we do not get rewards for it. What I am doing, making, working on is of no value to a commodity system... This work will not get me public recognition, a record deal, an exhibition or an award. It will not pay the bills or buy me a new pair of shoes. But what I am doing is fundamental and foundational. Arguably, it is the most important project of all.

Maintenance, being, healing, care taking, all the activities hold so much intrinsic value but hold little or no monetary or career value. I do t know how I'm going to answer the next person who asks me one of those triggering questions but what I do know is that I need to reflect back how the question makes me feel, and how at odds this way of communicating is to my healing journey. If you have thoughts, reflections or feedback of your own, I would love to hear them.

With love,

Iris

#language #trauma #recovery #rewriting #conversatiin #career #art #triggers #hierache #capitalism #iris priest

[frankendykes-monster]

The cats are in charge. The noble birds are swooping from their roosts. A gathering of woodland smallfolk agitate in their holes and burrows, whispering, whispering. And a winsome raccoon packs his rucksack and sets out for adventure.

Adorable and ferocious in equal measure, Cole Wehrle’s Root is Redwall by way of A Distant Plain. And it’s both a total delight and the most accessible asymmetric experience Leder Games has produced thus far.

There are four factions in Root, each with their own playstyles, rules, and approaches to victory. But don’t let that intimidate you. Unlike Vast: The Crystal Caverns, which frightened away some players with its more-is-more approach to asymmetry, there’s a purity at the heart of Root that wouldn’t feel out of place in an optimistic Bildungsroman. While each of its actors is playing their own role, they’re still bound by the same universal principles. A oneness of being, if you want to be snobbish about it.

Let me clarify what I mean. Playing as the brutal Marquise de Cat feels nothing like playing as the crusading Eyrie Dynasties, which in turn feel nothing like the bashful Woodland Alliance. And forget about the escapading Vagabond. His role is so different that he doesn’t even field armies or build structures.

And yet each of these roles is built around the same core concepts. Vast’s roles were at cross-purposes not only in name, but also mechanically. The Knight was playing a dungeon-diving game, complete with quests and movement restrictions and experience points and all the rest. The Dragon was playing a resource-gathering game where snacks and gems and flames were the resources. The Goblins were managing their own little harem of monsters and clans, then sending them out into the growing cavern via their own peculiar pathways.

You get the idea. Five sides, each laden with their own rules and exceptions and victory conditions. Their own games, essentially. To play Vast well was to understand five distinct experiences and the ways they intersected. It was madness. That was the appeal. But nobody is pretending it wasn’t an appeal without a hefty upfront investment.

Now consider Root.

Each side uses the same movement rules. They do battle via the same dice. They share a deck of cards, and use those cards to activate abilities or craft items for new tricks or points. Speaking of points, everybody wins the same way. In fact, you have to cut a few inches into the design before you start seeing the mechanical differences between its four sides. So, like Vast in some ways, but is almost more reminiscent of Star Trek: Ascendancy, where a shared foundation rooted (pardon me) all these unique factions within the same system. Asymmetrical, but bolted atop enough of a framework that you’ll never need to thumb through the rulebook to recall how the Birds attack the Cats.

This isn’t to say that Root is a total breeze.

It’s important to understand that Root has a wildness to it, a fierce competition to alter one’s place within this ecosystem’s food chain. And like an ecosystem, it veers between self-regulating and fragile. It’s possible for someone to win because they were forgotten by their opponents, or to gang up on a leader so thoroughly that someone else will rush to fill the vacuum that nature so abhors. There are no laws more fundamental than those of tooth and claw, and you’ll have to spend some portion of each turn dragging at the leader of the pack as well as forwarding your own goals. Without that constant tension between rivals, the whole thing fails to function.

But when everyone is paying attention, understands how the roles interact, and is making smart decisions? Man, this thing bellows.

We haven’t even talked about the factions yet. Let’s rectify that.

Given how the COIN Series was one of Cole Wehrle’s primary touchstones in crafting Root, it’s unsurprising that the first two sides fall into the categories of oppressor and oppressed. The Marquise de Cat takes on the role of the governing status quo. This invasive species has recently conquered the woodland, and is now determined to transform all hundred acres into centers of industry. Sawmills, recruiters, workshops — their career revolves around forcing their underlings to strip the forest for lumber, then transporting it to construction sites. Naturally, this requires some policing. Additional cats to keep the supply routes clear, the occasional push into fresh territory, compelling laborers to produce more lumber…

And all with only a handful of actions per turn. Sure, you could spend some mercenary hawks from your hand to get more done, but that cuts down on what you can craft. And it doesn’t help that the cats soon find themselves pressed on nearly every side.

By the upstart Woodland Alliance, for example. These guys are total underdogs — scratch that, they’re under-bunnies and under-foxes and under-mice — and their narrative arc is perpendicular to that of the Marquise. While the cats begin with a warrior in nearly every clearing and are soon digging in their claws to keep what’s theirs, the Woodland Alliance starts completely absent from the board. More accurately, they’re there, running the sawmills and helping craft items, but they have yet to congeal into a fighting force in their own right.

Little by little, they creep onto the table. Cards become supporters, which generate sympathy in various clearings. At first sympathy seems insignificant, incurring a card cost against anyone marching into that space or trying to suppress it, but otherwise just sitting there like a moose turd. And for a while, moose turd seems the order of the day. Stinky, yeah, but often more of a mess to clean up than to avoid.

But all those preparations have a purpose when the turd is finally stepped in. With the right supporters and sympathies, the Woodland Alliance comes roaring into play. It’s a revolution, complete with foot-tall guillotines and birdseed manifestos and everyone in that clearing getting their noggins lopped off. Now with a fighting force of their own, the Woodland Alliance begins exporting the revolution to new clearings. The whole process is about gathering momentum rather than maintaining it — and although they struggle to gain traction, once they get going it’s a true pain in the cloaca to uproot them.

Meanwhile, the Eyrie Dynasties are the old money to the Marquise’s new cash. As the former rulers of the forest, they’re more about stodgy tradition than efficiency. Each turn sees you adding new cards to the “decree,” their leader’s list of campaign promises that — and this is where Root takes a step into total fantasy — must be upheld lest the entire government slip into collapse.

At first this decree is a beautiful thing. Each order is resolved in turn, letting the birdfolk take a whole wing’s-length list of actions. Fresh warriors! Military expeditions! Glorious battles! New roosts! But each new turn brings additional promises, old orders piling upon new, and gradually the Eyrie is transformed from lean fighting raptor to blubbery turkey. Now armies will march back and forth just because the boss promised they would; battles are fought despite being guaranteed disasters; roosts are assembled along ever-more dangerous frontiers. Given enough time, the whole thing implodes. Points are lost, a turn is stalled, and a ruler with new ideas — and a beakful of fresh promises — arises to start the cycle anew.

As different as these three factions are, none of them are quite as distinct as the Vagabond. His is easily Root’s most joyful lot. Rather than leading an army, he’s a lone wanderer, slipping in and out of the forests where nobody can touch him, completing quests at his own leisure, and sometimes taking sides in the conflict. He gains points almost flippantly, which makes him a sort of game timer. More importantly, he’s a prankster, so easily overlooked that he can single-handedly drag a faction back from the brink of victory.

But in another sense, the Vagabond is the game’s most diplomatic role. Since his actions are taken by exhausting his equipment, it behooves him to have as many tools as possible. These tools are the tokens crafted by the other factions for points, and acquired when the Vagabond lends his aid in the form of a card. Just like that, the Vagabond is more than a lone wanderer, but a crucial interloper in the goings-on of the forest.

As you’ve probably guessed, the real joy of Root is found in the way these factions interact, their interests sometimes aligning and something hewing apart. One time, the Marquise was a single turn from constructing her final building, only to watch in yowling despair as the Vagabond emerged from the forest to torch four of her structures and wreck her supply of timber. Another time, the Woodland Alliance’s guerrilla fighters managed to hold their clearing against a vastly superior force of Eyrie warriors. Another, the Marquise suppressed one uprising after another, only to suffer a devastating blow when one finally got through in a vital clearing, wrecking three structures and beheading a dozen felines at once. Power to labor!

Crucially, though, these moments were memorable not only because they were distinctive and impactful and all the usual jazz. They were memorable because they were managed so fluidly. Everyone has their perks. The Woodland Alliance always gets the better roll in battle, the Vagabond can always move into hostile territory, the Eyrie wins ties for rulership over clearings. But these exceptions are minor enough that the game’s learning curve is surprisingly gentle.

Asymmetry in a board game is always spring-loaded, both kinetic and liable to poke someone’s eye out. In many ways, Root represents asymmetry at its best. It’s streamlined, brisk, and bestows each side with an identity without belaboring their differences. If it occasionally requires a certain level of player attentiveness to continue plugging along… well. Is that really such an issue?

Far more importantly, Root exemplifies a lot of the reasons that I play games at all. It’s competitive, even savagely so, but manages to keep its proceedings perky. It’s clever, constantly revealing subtle interactions, new tricks, and diplomatic moments. And it knows how to spin one heck of a yarn, veering between class struggle, ascent and collapse, and tall-tale pluck. You can practically hear the banjos whenever the Vagabond traipses from one clearing to another.

Root is a good one. A great one. One of the best.

#long post

[cyntoken]

Read the Bible, Earn Rewards: The CYN Token Bible App Launches

Introduction

The CYN Token Bible App is a groundbreaking platform that integrates spiritual growth with financial reward. At its core, the app serves as a digital space for users to engage with the Bible, offering an immersive experience for scripture reading and study. The key features of this innovative application include:

Daily Scripture Reading: Encourages consistent interaction with the Bible.

Community Sharing: Allows users to share insights and discuss passages.

Rewards System: Users earn CYN Tokens for their engagement with the app.

As users delve into biblical texts and participate in community discussions, they accumulate CYN Tokens, creating a unique ecosystem where faith meets finance. This launch presents you with an exciting opportunity to not only deepen your religious practice but also to gain tangible rewards in the process. By aligning spiritual activities with the CYN Token ecosystem, users find themselves at the intersection of devotion and economic incentive – a pioneering step in faith-based applications.

Understanding the CYN Token and Its Role in Building a Financially Stable Community Aligned with Conservative Judeo-Christian Values

The CYN Token is a digital currency designed to provide financial stability while embodying conservative Judeo-Christian values. As a digital token, it holds several distinct characteristics:

1. Security and Transparency

Utilizing blockchain technology, the CYN Token ensures that all transactions are secure and transparent, fostering trust within the community.

2. Alignment with Values

The token represents an alignment of financial activities with ethical and spiritual beliefs, ensuring that users can manage their finances in a way that stays true to their values.

3. Community Empowerment

By providing a means for secure investments and transactions, the CYN Token empowers its community to take financial actions without compromising their principles.

In today's financial landscape, there is an increasing demand for systems that not only provide economic growth but also reflect the ethical standards of their users. The CYN Token addresses this need by offering an alternative to conventional financial models that may not align with certain moral frameworks.

The decentralized nature of blockchain serves as the foundation for the CYN Token's platform, offering several advantages:

Decentralization: With no central point of control, the system is less vulnerable to corruption or manipulation.

Resilience: A decentralized network is more robust against attacks and fraudulent activities.

Stability: By distributing data across a vast network, blockchain technology helps prevent sudden financial fluctuations that could affect token value.

These features collectively contribute to a resilient financial ecosystem where users can confidently engage in transactions knowing that their values are upheld and their assets are protected.

The Vision: Creating a Parallel Decentralized Economy to Empower the Judeo-Christian Community

The main goal of the CYN Token initiative is to create a parallel decentralized economy. This new economic system is designed to give believers more control over their finances, leading to a sense of community empowerment. At the center of this system is the CYN Token, a digital currency that serves as both a medium of exchange and a representation of the beliefs and principles of the Judeo-Christian community.

Achieving Financial Self-Determination

Believers have control over their financial resources, without relying on traditional systems that may not align with their values.

The CYN Token allows for secure transactions within a network that uses blockchain technology, which provides transparency and accountability.

Incentivizing Participation through Shared Values

Community members receive rewards for contributing to and getting involved in projects that align with Judeo-Christian values.

The incentive mechanism encourages active participation, leading to personal and collective growth based on spiritual beliefs.

By combining financial tools with faith-based activities, the CYN Token creates an ecosystem where ethics and economics come together seamlessly. This approach offers not only material success but also spiritual fulfillment within a connected community, all driven by shared beliefs.

Key Features of the CYN Token Bible App

The CYN Token Bible App is a unique platform that combines spiritual growth with financial incentives. As you read and study the Bible, this app offers you the chance to earn digital currency as a reward. Let's take a closer look at what sets this app apart and how it can enhance your daily devotions:

1. Spiritual Engagement with Rewards

At its core, the app rewards you for reading, meditating on, and discussing biblical passages. This incentivization aims to foster a habit of engaging with God’s word while providing a financial incentive.

2. Exclusive Rewards System

By using the app regularly, you gain access to CYN Tokens. These tokens are more than just virtual coins; they represent participation in a faith-driven ecosystem that values your spiritual journey.

3. Community Sharing and Bible Study

The app encourages not only individual reflection but also community interaction. Share insights, join study groups, or engage in discussions about Scripture—all while earning tokens for your contributions.

4. Connection to Scripture

The app's interface is designed to deepen your connection to biblical teachings. With user-friendly navigation and personalized reading plans, you can immerse yourself in the Scriptures in a meaningful way.

5. Secure and Transparent Transactions

Utilizing blockchain technology ensures that each reward earned through engagement is recorded transparently and securely.

By integrating these features into your daily routine, you benefit from an enriched spiritual life coupled with tangible rewards. The CYN Token Bible App invites you into an experience where faith meets finance seamlessly.

Integrating Faith and Finance: How the CYN Token Bible App Works

The CYN Token Bible App offers a unique blend of spiritual growth and financial reward, providing an engaging way for users to deepen their faith while earning tokens. Here's how the functionality of the app translates into earning rewards:

1. Reading Activities

As you immerse yourself in Scripture through the app, every chapter or verse you read contributes to your CYN Token balance. Whether it's a morning devotion or an in-depth study session, each interaction with the Bible text is acknowledged and rewarded.

2. Community Interactions

Beyond personal reading, engaging with fellow believers through discussions or group studies further increases your opportunity to earn tokens. These community interactions are central to fostering a vibrant ecosystem within the app.

The role of blockchain technology in this process is crucial, ensuring that all transactions are secure and transparent. Here's why:

Security: Blockchain provides a robust layer of protection against unauthorized access, making sure that your earned tokens and personal data remain secure.

Transparency: Each transaction is recorded on the blockchain ledger, offering clear visibility over token earnings and redemptions. This transparency builds trust within the community as users can see how their interactions translate into rewards.

Efficiency: The decentralized nature of blockchain eliminates intermediaries, allowing for swift and direct transactions within the app. This enhances user experience, ensuring that rewards are processed quickly and accurately.

By integrating these elements, the CYN Token Bible App not only incentivizes engagement with scripture but also introduces users to a new way of managing finances that is rooted in faith.

Embracing Stewardship: The CYN Token Bible App as a Tool for Wise Financial Management

The CYN Token Bible App introduces an innovative approach to financial management by leveraging the principles of decentralized finance. This method resonates with the Judeo-Christian ethos of stewardship, which is deeply rooted in the Scriptures. Here are key ways that the app promotes sound financial practices:

Decentralized Finance: By operating outside of traditional banking systems, the app gives you more control over your assets. This autonomy is akin to the biblical concept of stewardship, where individuals are called to manage their resources wisely and responsibly.

Alignment with Values: The app ensures that financial transactions stay true to conservative Judeo-Christian values. It supports ethical decision-making and integrity, mirroring the biblical injunctions about honest dealings.

Integrity in Money Matters: The blockchain technology underlying the CYN Token ensures transparency and accountability in transactions. These qualities are essential for maintaining integrity, a virtue highly esteemed in biblical teachings.

By integrating these aspects, the CYN Token Bible App not only encourages engagement with Scripture but also equips you with a platform for managing finances that aligns with your faith values.

The seamless confluence of spiritual and fiscal responsibility sets a new standard for how you interact with money, fostering a community where prosperity goes hand in hand with righteousness.

The Future of Faith-Tech Innovation: Opportunities and Challenges for the CYN Token Bible App

The integration of the CYN Token Bible App within the faith-based technology sector signifies a transformative step, offering a new dimension to how religious engagement is rewarded. As users interact with scripture, they simultaneously navigate an emerging space where technology intersects with spirituality. This synergy presents a unique future outlook for both developers and users:

1. Enhancing Community Engagement

The app could potentially redefine participation in religious activities, making it more interactive and rewarding. With the rise of faith-based technology, the CYN Token Bible App stands as a pioneering model that other platforms may emulate.

2. Supporting Faith-Based Initiatives

Through its rewards system, the app could channel resources into projects and causes that resonate with Judeo-Christian values, thereby expanding its impact beyond personal enrichment to communal upliftment.

Challenges are an inherent part of innovation, and the CYN Token Bible App is no exception:

1. Balancing Incentives with Spirituality

Critics might question whether financial incentives could overshadow the intrinsic spiritual motivation for engaging with Scripture. Maintaining this balance is crucial to ensure that the app enhances rather than detracts from genuine faith practice.

2. Navigating Regulatory Landscapes

As digital currencies face scrutiny globally, ensuring compliance with varied legal frameworks could present hurdles for widespread adoption of the app.

By recognizing these challenges early on, developers can address them head-on, ensuring that the CYN Token Bible App not only thrives but also maintains its core mission—integrating faith with finance through secure and meaningful interactions.

Joining the CYN Token Community: A Step Towards Financial Empowerment and Spiritual Enrichment

Join the movement that combines financial empowerment with spiritual growth by becoming a part of the CYN Token ecosystem. Download the CYN Token Bible App today and experience a new way of community involvement where your faith and finances go hand in hand.

Download and Discover: Immerse yourself in the Scriptures like never before; engage, learn, and earn with every verse you read.

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By participating, you not only enrich your spiritual life but also contribute to the collective growth of a community grounded in Judeo-Christian values. This unique opportunity not only deepens your connection with Scripture but also opens up pathways for wise financial management within a trusted network.

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The CYN Token Bible App brings together Bible study and digital rewards in a new way. It shows how technology and spirituality can work together. This app is designed to fit seamlessly into the lives of believers, offering:

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[anasraza25]

Nurturing Well-Being: A Holistic Approach to Health with Insights from Surah Mulk

Introduction:

In the pursuit of a fulfilling and healthy life, individuals around the world are increasingly recognizing the importance of holistic well-being. While modern medicine and scientific advancements play a crucial role in health maintenance, many also turn to their religious beliefs for guidance. This article explores the intersection of health and Islamic perspectives, focusing on Surah Mulk from the Quran as a source of valuable insights.

Physical Health:

Physical health is a cornerstone of overall well-being. Islam places great emphasis on taking care of one's body as it is considered a trust from Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Your body has a right over you" (Sahih Bukhari). In the context of physical health, Surah Mulk encourages believers to reflect on the creation of the human body and the earth.

Islamic Perspective from Surah Mulk:

Surah Mulk, in its opening verses, prompts believers to contemplate the heavens and the earth, acknowledging the intricate design of creation. This reflection instills a sense of gratitude for the physical body, which is a remarkable creation. From an Islamic perspective, recognizing the body as a trust implies taking measures to maintain its well-being.

Practical Steps:

Engage in regular physical activity, aligning with the Sunnah, which encourages walking, swimming, and other moderate exercises. Consume a balanced and wholesome diet, avoiding excess and adhering to the principles of moderation (Quran 7:31). Prioritize adequate sleep, as it is essential for physical recovery and overall health.

Mental and Emotional Well-Being:

A healthy mind is intrinsically linked to overall well-being. Islamic teachings emphasize the importance of mental and emotional balance, promoting resilience in the face of life's challenges.

Islamic Perspective from Surah Mulk: Surah Mulk invites believers to reflect on the consequences of their actions and choices. This reflection encourages mindfulness and self-awareness, crucial elements for maintaining mental and emotional well-being. Seeking forgiveness and guidance from Allah is an integral aspect of Islamic teachings that can bring peace to the heart and mind.

Practical Steps:

Engage in regular acts of worship, such as prayer and supplication, to find solace and tranquility. Practice mindfulness and gratitude, acknowledging the blessings in life and maintaining a positive outlook. Foster strong social connections within the community, as Islam encourages mutual support and companionship.

Spiritual Connection:

A strong spiritual connection is the foundation of holistic health. Islam provides a comprehensive framework for spiritual well-being, guiding believers in their journey towards closeness to Allah.

Islamic Perspective from Surah Mulk: Surah Mulk underscores the concept of accountability in the Hereafter, urging believers to lead righteous lives. This awareness of divine accountability strengthens the spiritual connection, motivating individuals to seek forgiveness, perform good deeds, and fulfill their obligations to Allah.

Practical Steps:

Engage in regular acts of worship, including prayer, recitation of the Quran, and supplication. Seek knowledge and understanding of Islamic principles to enhance spiritual growth. Consciously strive to improve character and adhere to ethical values in daily life. Conclusion:

In the quest for optimal health, a holistic approach that encompasses physical, mental, and spiritual well-being is essential. Islam, through its teachings and the wisdom found in the Quran, provides a guide for individuals seeking to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

Surah Mulk serves as a profound source of inspiration, encouraging believers to reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth, recognize their responsibilities, and seek Allah's guidance in all aspects of life. By integrating these insights into our daily routines, we can cultivate a comprehensive understanding of health that harmonizes with both modern principles and timeless Islamic wisdom. Ultimately, the journey towards well-being is a holistic endeavor that encompasses the body, mind, and soul.

[thefeelingroom]

Redefining Masculinity: The Transformative Journey of Men's Work

In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in societal attitudes towards masculinity. Traditional notions of what it means to be a man are being questioned, leading to a growing interest in self-exploration and personal development among men. This cultural evolution has given rise to a phenomenon known as "Men's Work," a transformative journey aimed at redefining masculinity and fostering healthier expressions of manhood.

Understanding the Traditional Masculine Paradigm

For decades, the traditional masculine paradigm has been characterized by qualities such as stoicism, dominance, and emotional suppression. Men were expected to conform to rigid societal expectations, often at the expense of their emotional well-being. This narrow definition of masculinity limited the emotional range of men and contributed to the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes.

The Emergence of Men's Work

Men's Work emerged as a response to the limitations of the traditional masculine paradigm. It encompasses a diverse range of activities, workshops, and discussions designed to encourage men to explore their emotions, challenge societal norms, and cultivate healthier relationships. This movement recognizes the importance of embracing vulnerability, empathy, and authenticity, providing men with the tools to break free from the constraints of toxic masculinity.

Embracing Vulnerability and Emotional Intelligence

One of the central pillars of Men's Work is the encouragement of vulnerability. Men are encouraged to dismantle the notion that showing vulnerability is a sign of weakness. Instead, they are taught that embracing vulnerability is an act of strength that fosters deeper connections with oneself and others. This shift towards emotional intelligence allows men to navigate complex emotions with resilience and authenticity.

Challenging Toxic Masculinity

A key objective of Men's Work is to challenge and deconstruct toxic masculinity. Toxic masculinity perpetuates harmful stereotypes and behaviors, such as aggression, dominance, and the suppression of emotions. Men's Work seeks to dismantle these toxic traits, promoting a more inclusive and compassionate understanding of masculinity. By encouraging self-reflection and accountability, men are empowered to reject harmful behaviors and contribute to a more positive and supportive societal framework.

Building Authentic Connections

Men's Work emphasizes the importance of building authentic connections with other men. Through group discussions, retreats, and shared experiences, participants have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who are also on a journey of self-discovery. These connections provide a support system that challenges the isolation often associated with traditional masculinity, fostering a sense of community and mutual growth.

Fatherhood and Role Modeling

The transformative journey of Men's Work extends beyond individual growth to impact the dynamics of fatherhood and role modeling. Men engaged in this process often strive to redefine their roles as fathers, rejecting outdated models of distant and emotionally detached parenting. By embracing active involvement in their children's lives and promoting emotional expression, these men contribute to breaking generational cycles of toxic masculinity.

The Intersection of Cultural Diversity

Men's Work recognizes the importance of cultural diversity in shaping individual experiences of masculinity. This movement actively addresses the intersectionality of race, ethnicity, and other cultural factors, acknowledging that the challenges faced by men are often nuanced and influenced by a variety of societal factors. By fostering inclusivity and understanding, Men's Work aims to create a space where all men feel seen and supported.

Conclusion

The transformative journey of Men's Work signifies a profound cultural shift in our understanding of masculinity. By challenging traditional norms and embracing vulnerability, emotional intelligence, and authentic connections, men are redefining what it means to be masculine in the 21st century. This movement not only benefits individual participants but also contributes to the broader societal goal of breaking free from harmful stereotypes and fostering healthier, more inclusive communities. As Men's Work continues to gain momentum, its impact on shaping a more positive and empathetic version of masculinity is evident, paving the way for a more enlightened and compassionate future.

[cosmicwhimsyexplorations]

FREE WILL is the philosophical concept that individuals have the capacity to make choices and decisions independent of external constraints or determinism. It's a cornerstone of discussions in metaphysics, ethics, and theology.

Here's a detailed breakdown:

1. **Definition**: FREE WILL refers to the ability of conscious agents to make choices that are not predetermined or coerced by external factors. It implies autonomy and self-determination in decision-making.

2. **Metaphysical Considerations**:

- **Determinism vs. Indeterminism**: The debate often centers on whether the universe operates in a deterministic or indeterministic manner. Determinism suggests that every event is predetermined and inevitable, while indeterminism allows for randomness or unpredictability.

- **Compatibilism vs. Incompatibilism**: Some argue that FREE WILL is compatible with determinism (compatibilism), asserting that meaningful choices can still exist within a determined framework. Others argue for incompatibilism, contending that true FREE WILL is incompatible with determinism.

3. **Neuroscience and Psychology**:

- Scientifically, the question of FREE WILL intersects with studies in neuroscience. Brain activity, neural pathways, and decision-making processes are explored to understand how much control individuals have over their choices.

- Psychologists delve into the subconscious and conscious factors influencing decisions, examining how external influences and internal motivations shape behavior.

4. **Ethical Implications**:

- In ethics, FREE WILL is crucial for concepts like moral responsibility. If individuals are considered free moral agents, they can be held accountable for their actions.

- The concept of moral responsibility hinges on the assumption that individuals have the capacity to choose between right and wrong based on their FREE WILL.

5. **Theological Perspectives**:

- In theology, FREE WILL is entwined with discussions on divine omniscience and human responsibility. Various religious traditions hold diverse views, ranging from predestination to the belief in a God-given FREE WILL.

6. **Existential and Philosophical Perspectives**:

- Existentialist philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre emphasized radical FREE WILL, asserting that individuals are condemned to be free and responsible for creating their essence through choices.

- Other philosophical perspectives offer nuanced views on the nature and extent of FREE WILL, exploring how it coexists with societal influences and personal experiences.

In essence, the exploration of FREE WILL is a profound and multifaceted journey, touching upon fundamental aspects of human existence, consciousness, and the nature of reality. It remains a dynamic topic inspiring rich philosophical, scientific, and ethical dialogues.