Question:

existential crisis?

lama-assassinator3240 on Existential.com - 2007-12-22 18:04:52 - Religion Spirituality

i have a problem and i am wondering how to overcome it (i think it is an existential crisis). i am in my late teens and i have been writing since i was twelve, but now the sparks gone and i start to wonder what the point of writing is. i used to read tolkien as a kid, but now the only thing that i like reading is nietzsche. now, i am starting to question a lot of things-especially after i learned buddhism. i am really annoyed by others to the point where i have stopped talking to anyone unless they talk to me. this is because they seem artificial. and everything is starting to seem artificial; i have forgotten what was authentic. i dont even think im authentic anymore. i used to think that by questioning everything, i could reach enlightenment, but now i am really wanting to go back to the way things were,when i was reading tolkien.what is also bugging me is the fact that i want to be a creative writer,but now ive got writers block probably because of my crisis.how do i overcome this?

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Write about your truth.... What you are experiencing can make you insane, or it can truly enlighten you. Know it does not need to be all or nothing as you will not continue to have these actualizations without living life, as superficial and aimless as it appears and is in many cases. Know too that some people need to live that way; "ignorance is bliss" is a true sentiment and it is not up to us to deny other people their happiness, despite where we recognize it to be false or contrived. This may make you "weird" to the average person, but the only truth that one needs is to oneself and your renewed sense of happiness will be within you and your own. The annoyance will dissipate when you leave life alone. You can not go back, only forward - on a new and different path. '

Other Suggestions:

Realize that you're not in the Matrix, that reality around you is real, and that you can have a fulfilling life by enjoying your life on a daily basis.

Well, Buddhism can do that to you. =/ Any false religion is bad for you. Get out of there, and try talking to Jesus sometime. He has the opposite effect.

It's something that all people go through during their teenager years. It's natural, though it is a very painful time, when you constantly question everything and think, 'What's the point?'. You have to be strong and not give in to feelings of despair, and you'll get through it.

Most people are artificial. Your options there are be fake with them or tolerate the fake while you look for more honest people. As far as your writers block. If you've written anything decent why not try to get it published. I've found nothing helps my writers block like knowing other people like my work. Seeing your work in a magazine or whatever can be a big thrill. Good luck.

Sounds like a stage you are going through. I went through it around the same age you did. You have to chose if you want to join reality again, or stay antisocial. Nietzsche is probably not a good read while you are going through this. I'd suggest re-reading your own material. Start with your earliest works, and read forward. You'll find yourself again. Yes, you've changed, but you are still there under all the layers you've created for yourself.

That happens to people in their late teens. It will pass by the age of 25. In the mean time, keep studying philosophy, but avoid the Germans for a while. Try switching to metaphysics, logic or ethics. As for writer's block, I don't know what to tell you. It is hard when your motivation is gone. If you can still motivate yourself to write, switch to non-fiction for a while, or try some basic creative writing exercises.

False idol,s will do that,come to God and he will lighten your load,he say,s to place all your cares upon him and he will put a light in you that will never go out.

OK, you probably questioned yourself without the major component of asking yourself whether what you found was actually reality or not. And the biggest component of going 'Ok, so maybe I've been a bit of a phony' is practicing compassion and changing the way you act and think with patience and care. Beating yourself up is counterproductive and that is not the point of the Buddha's teaching at all. You might also be focused on the destination of enlightenment which is a sure way to cause yourself a lot of suffering. Don't concern yourself with the destination, concern yourself with living fully present, accepting what's happening now and treating yourself and others with loving kindness. Try practicing the loving kindness meditation: "I wish you peace, I wish you love, I wish you joy, I wish you health', you say this to yourself until you feel this towards yourself and then you start expanding your focus to your family, your friends etc. This is a good one. You need to get out of your head and into your heart. Yes, people aren't going to realize that things they do are inauthentic but that's where you practice real compassion. You're agitated with others because you see yourself in them. You are going to be fine. I promise you. Please read what I've written very carefully. Many blessings (Buddhist)

This too shall pass. It's a growth spurt in you that requires no evaluation. Enjoy each moment as is. Relish in the now and release any need to validate what seems real or artificial. You determine what your reality is, and as you experience more joy and appreciation for what resonates with you, you will invite into your life more to feel good about and start to write from inspiration.

repent of your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. Ask our Heavenly Father to reveal to you SOn Jesus Christ and to give you peace in his name. Ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to pray for you and console you. God bless!

Write about your truth.... What you are experiencing can make you insane, or it can truly enlighten you. Know it does not need to be all or nothing as you will not continue to have these actualizations without living life, as superficial and aimless as it appears and is in many cases. Know too that some people need to live that way; "ignorance is bliss" is a true sentiment and it is not up to us to deny other people their happiness, despite where we recognize it to be false or contrived. This may make you "weird" to the average person, but the only truth that one needs is to oneself and your renewed sense of happiness will be within you and your own. The annoyance will dissipate when you leave life alone. You can not go back, only forward - on a new and different path. '

i just want to start by saying....I SHARE YOUR PAIN!!!! my gosh. i have writer's block as well!!!! i've been trying to write a Christian fantasy novel for years now, and i just can't seem to make up my mind as to exactly what i want to write! every new idea i have....i begin writing on it...then i lose touch and scrap the whole idea. this is often followed by the thought of "oh...i've got a better idea!" then the whole process starts all over again. it is extremely frustrating and i have a good idea of how you feel. you mentioned that everything now seems artificial to you. maybe it would help if you take a break from writing for a while, try to clear your mind and sort out your priorities in life. it may be that other factors affecting your life are having a major impact on your passion for writing. try to figure out what exactly is bothering you...try to determine exactly what may be at the root of your "crisis". take some time off, breathe, and do stuff that you enjoyed doing back in the time when you enjoyed reading Tolkien. if you can revive those "sparks" you had in life back then, maybe it will be able to help to revive your writing passion. on a very important note, i would also wish to advise that you stay connected to your power source at all times...that is God. draw your strength and energy from God, for through Him all things are possible, and know that you can make it through this rough spot you are presently facing. i wish you best of luck. go in peace...and WRITE ON!!!! :) ~Rx~

You are what you eat, this applies spiritually and emotionally, as well as physically. If what you are feeding your mind with is driving you apart from everything you used to enjoy, driving you apart from others, and even from yourself, then it would seem that what you have been feeding your mind with is not good for you. There is nothing wrong with questioning things, but where you have been lately doesn't seem to be doing you any good right now. Maybe you aren't ready for Nietzche, maybe you need to direct your attention somewhere else. It's possible that you could be having "growing pains" triggered by the ideas that you have been exploring, but there is nothing wrong with taking a break from it, and exploring somewhere else, especially if you have immersed yourself in the Nietzche, to the exclusion of anything else. Even though they are good for you, a steady diet of nothing but carrots could do just as much harm as a steady diet of nothing but twinkies, and they are likely to turn you orange as well! Have a twinkie once in awhile, you'll feel better.... I'm an artist, I get blocks, I go do something else for awhile, and often whatever I went to do will inspire something in my chosen medium later.......