Keeping Things Simple

later12

This girl moved into my house a few weeks back who I guess some people would describe as a little alternative. She's not religious, per se, but maintains a very simple way of life: she regularly fasts, rarely wears make up, and the other day told me she often chooses to go for long stretches of time without having sex. And believe me, this girl is attractive, she could have her choice of men.

It's a way of life I've started to find really fascinating. As I hang around with her, I can see a definite benefit to maintaining almost monastic levels of simplicity in your day to day living. I fasted a few days back (for the craic, like) and walked about twelve miles on my own. Although the following isn't the primary aim of ascetic living, I can't remember the last time I felt to appreciative of my life. It was almost like a re-tuning, if you like. I began to see some previously important matters begin to diminish.

I can really see the benefit of maintaining simplicity in your life. Retreats, vows of silence, abstinence, renunciation of certain luxuries: is it something many of you ever think about?

chin_grin

I feel like I'm reading the synopsis of that movie 40 Days and 40 Nights.

AlmightyCushion

Is it true that if you don't use it you lose it?

strobe

Nah, there'll be plenty of silence, abstinence and passing up of luxuries when I'm dead. You only get one short little life, no chance in hell I'm going to spend it denying myself the things I enjoy.

Don't get me wrong, whatever you're into like. Just not for me.

Temptamperu

Once I fasted... turned out I was just poor and could not afford food.

later10

later10 wrote: »

This girl moved into my house a few weeks back who I guess some people would describe as a little alternative. She's not religious, per se, but maintains a very simple way of life: she regularly fasts, rarely wears make up, and the other day told me she often chooses to go for long stretches of time without having sex. And believe me, this girl is attractive, she could have her choice of men.

It's a way of life I've started to find really fascinating. As I hang around with her, I can see a definite benefit to maintaining almost monastic levels of simplicity in your day to day living. I fasted a few days back (for the craic, like) and walked about twelve miles on my own. Although the following isn't the primary aim of ascetic living, I can't remember the last time I felt to appreciative of my life. It was almost like a re-tuning, if you like. I began to see some previously important matters begin to diminish.

I can really see the benefit of maintaining simplicity in your life. Retreats, vows of silence, abstinence, renunciation of certain luxuries: is it something many of you ever think about?

Go for it.

dancesatnight

Temptamperu wrote: »

Once I fasted... turned out I was just poor and could not afford food.

I know how you feel im like that right now waiting for pay day lol

chin_grin

Temptamperu wrote: »

Once I fasted... turned out I was just poor and could not afford food.

All hail to the Koka!

later12

strobe wrote: »

Nah, there'll be plenty of silence, abstinence and passing up of luxuries when I'm dead. You only get one short little life, no chance in hell I'm going to spend it denying myself the things I enjoy.

Yeah that was my initial reaction as well.

But I think if anything, it can actually increase the level of satisfaction you can get from luxuries. You don't have to cut them out altogether. After that day of fasting and walking, coming home and eating pizza and wine never felt so amazing. It was a little bit of ecstasy.

Sofaspud

The things a man will do to get his hole.

lefthooker

later10 wrote: »

I can really see the benefit of maintaining simplicity in your life. Retreats, vows of silence, abstinence, renunciation of certain luxuries: is it something many of you ever think about?

I'll keep it real simple..... HELL NO

Doc Ruby

While not being of a monastic cut myself, in fact about as far from it as possible, you do get a kind of solitude and need discipline when you're out and about far away from the centras and streetlights, halfway up a mountain somewhere. Can be a bit more punishing if you drop the ball than if you sneak a mars bar during your fast mind you so not recommended for everyone.

Rockery Woman

chin_grin wrote: »

All hail to the Koka!

Or you can get Aldi ones for 20cents :pac:

AnonoBoy

I'm on a similar kick at the moment.

I was getting UPC installed and went for the regular one, no HD, no movie or sports extras, just the basic 50 or so channels.

I feel quite zen-like.

krudler

AnonoBoy wrote: »

I'm on a similar kick at the moment.

I was getting UPC installed and went for the regular one, no HD, no movie or sports extras, just the basic 50 or so channels.

I feel quite zen-like.

thats a level of self control I could only hope to achieve one day.

RichieC

once I didnt put mayo on my chips.

billybudd

Everything in moderation is a good way to live life imo, 2 days of silence without talking is a very good thing for a persons mentality sometimes, it opens the door for self reflection and self awareness.

AnonoBoy

Seriously though when I was a teenager I used to see how long I could go without talking.

It did help of course that I was massively unpopular so other kids at school tended to ignore me.

My name is URL

I kinda like the simple way of living, but it goes beyond what some people consider to be 'simple ways'. I don't need to live in a field cut off from the rest of the world just to assure myself that I can and do live a simpler life than most.

Chuck Stone

I've often thought of going on the road and walking from town to town helping people out with their problems.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgGKSjiw0HQ

davoxx

maybe no make-up leads to these long stretches of no sex?

later10 wrote: »

And believe me, this girl is attractive, she could have her choice of men.

pics or it did not happen ...

sbsquarepants

later10 wrote: »

Yeah that was my initial reaction as well.

But I think if anything, it can actually increase the level of satisfaction you can get from luxuries. You don't have to cut them out altogether. After that day of fasting and walking, coming home and eating pizza and wine never felt so amazing. It was a little bit of ecstasy.

Abstinance aint for me.
If you want a little bit of ecstasy in your life, try a little bit of ecstasy. That way you can still eat biscuits and get your hole should the chance present itself!
It's called a win/win situation.:)

VinnyTGM

I like to over indulge in every aspect of life.

smash

It's all bollox, you're only doing it cos she's hot.

kkdela6

It just sounds like an excuse for being really lazy?

I can see the logic.. My equivalent would be my solo motorbike trips. It's not a vow of silence or fasting but it's 3/5/7 days out by myself with only my bike, map, money and a few words of Vietnamese. Feel great every time I come back from one.

membersonly

How on earth could you go days without talking? Do you warn your friends and family first that you're doing it or do you just blank them for the duration with no explanation?

Sindri

Your going through one of the many (mid-life) crises people go through throughout their lives. Re-evaluating some of your attitudes and beliefs.

You'll get over it. Hopefully what you learn though will make you a more rounded person.

Dial Square

later10 wrote: »

And believe me, this girl is attractive, she could have her choice of men.

Pics or GTFO! :pac:

The King of Moo

.......

Nothingbetter2d

fasting for me is not really an option due to medical issues... i have to take pills daily for IBS & GERD... some of the pills have to be taken with food to be of any use to my system.

but whatever floats your boat i guess.

biko

Damn those new age chicks, so hot and so unavailable.

Sindri

Does she wash OP?

old_aussie

Chuck Stone wrote: »

I've often thought of going on the road and walking from town to town helping people out with their problems.

In your thoughts was you name.....Kwai Chang Caine

Cee-Jay-Cee

I've stopped taking sugar in my tea. Same thing really.

iamthe43

I have chosen not to have an i-phone and not to have a TV.

I read books. I listen to music. I use the internet at home. I can use a map/compass.

The simpler life is fantastic.

later12

smash wrote: »

It's all bollox, you're only doing it cos she's hot.

I admit it, I wouldn't be so interested in her way of life if she wasn't. I am a little bit smitten but she's out of my league and also she's my housemate. Anyway that just sparked the initial interest. I think hers a fascinating way of living; it just shows you don't have to confine yourself to the hills of Donegal to enjoy a meditative life; it's something I hadn't considered before. That's all.

kkdela6 wrote: »

It just sounds like an excuse for being really lazy?

Really? Twelve mile walks, fasting, keeping a strict diet and temporarily abstaining from pleasures is lazy

Deleted User wrote: »

I can see the logic.. My equivalent would be my solo motorbike trips. It's not a vow of silence or fasting but it's 3/5/7 days out by myself with only my bike, map, money and a few words of Vietnamese. Feel great every time I come back from one.

This is exactly what i mean.

Cutting yourself off for a short retreat can do wonders for you. Friends and family are so important, but at the same time maybe people don't talk to themselves enough in terms of assessing what they want from life, or where they are going. And these bursts of abstinence or retreat can be a fantastic way of doing it, it seems to me.

Captain Darling

New age bullsh1t.

the groutch

I might take it seriously if the OP wasnt a FF supporter

KeithAFC

Nothing like sitting on a hay bale during the summer and thinking about life and whistling a classic song or two. The silence is wonderful.

4zn76tysfajdxp

KeithAFC wrote: »

Nothing like sitting on a hay bale during the summer and thinking about life and whistling a classic song or two. The silence is wonderful.

Stop whistling then.

KeithAFC

Ashlyn Rapping Businessman wrote: »

Stop whistling then.

Got to entertain the sheep. :cool:

Robdude

Where I come from, we'd just call her 'lazy as f***'.

kowloon

KeithAFC wrote: »

Got to entertain the sheep. :cool:

The sheep are there to entertain the man, not the other way round.

Casillas

I hope OP you explained to her how clothes are a luxury

RainbowRose81

later10 wrote: »

This girl moved into my house a few weeks back who I guess some people would describe as a little alternative. She's not religious, per se, but maintains a very simple way of life: she regularly fasts, rarely wears make up, and the other day told me she often chooses to go for long stretches of time without having sex. And believe me, this girl is attractive, she could have her choice of men.

It's a way of life I've started to find really fascinating. As I hang around with her, I can see a definite benefit to maintaining almost monastic levels of simplicity in your day to day living. I fasted a few days back (for the craic, like) and walked about twelve miles on my own. Although the following isn't the primary aim of ascetic living, I can't remember the last time I felt to appreciative of my life. It was almost like a re-tuning, if you like. I began to see some previously important matters begin to diminish.

I can really see the benefit of maintaining simplicity in your life. Retreats, vows of silence, abstinence, renunciation of certain luxuries: is it something many of you ever think about?

She is probably spiritual. being spiritual and religious are two different things. Anyways in this society for many people you need to have self discipline and self sufficiency because who else is going to get you out of bed in the morning, do your work for you and pick you up when your down and everything is wrong, no one but yourself that's who.

Why would you expect everyone to be having sex and especially those who you find more attractive expecting them to have more of it? We are more than just meat suits. Normally and usually this is an expression of love especially especially for women but there is not much normality in this society, everything seems to be influenced by hormones. There are people who want to meet someone they love first before actually making that move.

Peetrik

All joking aside I can really see the appeal of it.

Most people I know who live 'normal' lives tend to get blotto at the weekend to escape from it if only for a few hours.

I say go for it. There are plenty of examples of this type of approach being used to sucessfully improve your quality of life. To empty out all the crap you don't need from your life and lets you focus on more important things.

... plus as was said, you might just get the roide out of it

RainbowRose81

Peetrik wrote: »

All joking aside I can really see the appeal of it.

Most people I know who live 'normal' lives tend to get blotto at the weekend to escape from it if only for a few hours.

I say go for it. There are plenty of examples of this type of approach being used to sucessfully improve your quality of life. To empty out all the crap you don't need from your life and lets you focus on more important things.

... plus as was said, you might just get the roide out of it

But if she actually was Christian and this was part of her faith, she would be viewed very differently and in a negative way with labels and stereotyping.

Peetrik

RainbowRose81 wrote: »

But if she actually was Christian and this was part of her faith, she would be viewed very differently and in a negative way with labels and stereotyping.

Well yes because she would believe in an invisible benevolent zombie that could communicate with her telepathically but chooses not to do so because she thinks that proves he exists.... in short... she would be crazy

later12

RainbowRose81 wrote: »

Why would you expect everyone to be having sex and especially those who you find more attractive expecting them to have more of it?

I didn't say I was 'expecting her' to be having sex at all. We were talking about her lifestyle and she told me she chooses to go for stretches without having sex. It's a conscious, spiritual decision as opposed to simply 'waiting for the right guy'.

Normally and usually this is an expression of love

Have to say I never felt the 'sex is love' vibe myself; for me sex is fun. From that point of view, abstaining from it sounds interesting in an almost ascetic sense, or in terms of simply appreciating it all the more when you choose to let it happen. I imagine it's quite liberating both to feel that sort of control over your passions and to later allow yourself enjoy it completely.

--LOS--

I would consider myself pretty low maintenance. I however do not see the point in fasting and abstinence