I had actually wanted to get this out, with a lot more content, before Xmas.... but I just didn't get to it. On the subject of Krampus.... Krampus is not just from German mythology, but from surrounding countries and regions as well. According to Wikipedia... "Krampus appears in the folklore of Austria, Bavaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Northern Italy, Autonomous Province of Trento and South Tyrol, Slovakia, and Slovenia." [Book: 'Celebrating Life Customs around the World: From Baby Showers to Funerals' by Victoria Williams; 2016]. Although German in origin, it ultimately comes from Norse mythology, and likely traveled within the folklore of Germanic tribes and bands such as Goths, Cimbrians, etc.
It seems strongest in the eastern Alps. However, although it's fun to be able to lay some sort've ancestral tie-in to the Krampus legend, the Italian Alps is ripe with many other mythological legends that I'll cover at some other time. On one video, someone suggested that the Krampus legend "migrated" to Trento, the Dolomites, etc. from the Austrian-Hapsburg Empire. This, of course, is absolute nonsense, as the Austrian occupiers were hated in Trento, Lombardy, and the Tri-Veneto! I didn't want to argue the point since it was just all just in fun. Clearly, this cultural migration was due to several small soft migrations of Germanic peoples over the centuries.
From the moment we are born as human beings, the people around us prepare us to fit the herd. We start out as being part of a family, and then we expand our social life with friends, acquaintances, colleagues, and, in many cases, a significant other. People tend to work together and spend time with each other, and thus, they form a well-oiled machine called society.
Living among the herd has many benefits, like safety, security, access to other people including potential mates, and a shared identity that creates a sense of self. But in some cases, the herd doesn’t want you anymore, and you become an outcast. Or you don’t want the herd anymore, and you become a recluse. Or, perhaps, a little bit of both.
No matter what the reason is: some people just don’t seem to belong. And when you don’t belong, you’re an outsider; an outcast. So, how do we handle being an outsider? What about those that don't belong?
This video explores the fate of those outsiders and outcasts that live outside the herd.
Somebody sure needed to state what's on the above image! Sometimes some closed minded right or left wing ideologue is presented with some fool-proof fact(s) that stops them in their tracks, and they immediately do a cowardly "quick google search" in order to justify their position with some scant counter argument, and they use it as justification for some destructive belief that they just can't exorcise from their minds. A real critical thinker---at least in their own mind!---challenges their beliefs by looking at it from the opposite camp, or a whole assortment of other checks to test it's validity. The main point that I wanted to make is that we all need to start physically going to the library again! Also, in our library systems are special research rooms, where records and other information can be found that we should all know about. Maybe we all need to make note that 2023 would be a good time to start using our library system a lot more!
Massive pyrotechnics and hardcore industrial music. What a show. Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we count down our picks for the Top 10 Rammstein Songs.
"a top 10 is not enough for rammstein" -- starforce224
"The beauty of Rammstein, to me as a native English-speaker, is the fact that I have no idea what the hell they are singing. I just love the way it sounds." -- jeffwads
"Till Lindemann easily has the perfect voice for metal music. Man i love Rammsteins music" -- TheCarBrothers
Nietzsche recommends to spend some of our time in complete solitude. To reflect upon the inner voice that conditions our life which is the product of the common conscience of society.
Solitude is but a temporary matter. He also recommends to spend time with people who possess virtues of the love of life, these “higher men” allow for mental elevation. An individual who isolates himself without ever valuing external opinions will only have his conscience with himself and nobody to ever confront or challenge his views.
Solitude is thus not just a result of the contempt of the masses, but allows to forge a more profound longing for a community that allows one to explore the best version of oneself. Company is important, and if chosen well – can be mutually beneficial.
In this sense, solitude is compatible with life in community, but it is also necessary to retreat into complete solitude once in a while, in order to receive its fruits.
"The solitary is he who challenges society's desire to turn the human being into an absolutely gregarious animal. There is great risk in wanting to live and think like a solitary, for he is expected to conform to culture and popular opinion. Yet it is the solitary who is free..."
--Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Of the Way of the Creator
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"Flee, my friend, into your solitude! I see you dazed by the noise of the great men and stung by the stings of the little. Forest and rock know well how to be silent with you. Be once more like the tree that you love, the broad-branching one: silent and listening it hangs over the sea. Where solitude ends, there begins the marketplace...."
-- 'Thus Spoke Zarathustra' - Part I - 'One the Flies of the Marketplace'
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"For the person who went into solitude and came back to mankind to share what he learned but couldn’t teach anyone, I think I finally understand. I’ve been meeting more people who have been going through “awakenings”. I can’t talk about things like this to someone who watches the Kardashians 24/7, but I can with those who are awakened and/or are awakening.
"By awakening, I suppose I mean moving towards a higher state of consciousness."
-- John Doe
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"I am in solitude quite a bit. I used to be married but she decided to separate. Now, once, there was life in my house, I am alone, in solitude. I used to be in solitude years ago before marriage. I loved it. Then, I got used to being with another, for over a decade--now, being in solitude again, i hated it but am now getting used to it again. I always try to think, regardless of what others might believe, that there is a higher consciousness watching over me, but never saying anything, at least, not with a voice we can understand in these bodies, with these ears, I am not sure if I invented this higher consciousness or it invented me.
"I sometimes wish I could find good company, that is, people not afraid to advance their personal views of morality and ethics or even whatever they choose to believe. More 'spokes' on a wheel makes a wheel stronger, and, if every human being is a wheel, and every new perspective and interpretation is a spoke, then we must absorb as many perspectives as we can to strengthen our own wheel or understanding."
-- drolgh8
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"I first was turned on to Nietzsche in 1972 when a friend gave me his book THUS SPOKE ZARATHUSTRA. It would be one of the most influential books I ever read. Over the years of my life it’s funny to see how unknowingly it would have been so much a part of my life.
"PS: something I find almost comical is there is a relatively new “trend” called Vipassana which people pay a lot of money to go spend 10 days in isolation, in order to to create a paid manufactured group experience of isolation with other paying members who are also in their own isolation. Odd that anyone would pay money to be disconnected and alone for 10 days when you could just stay home and disconnect all your electronic /communication devices. A contrived experience of being alone verses a life experience of solitude is like Tang to real fresh orange juice."
-- JVS 3
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"Solitude is the key if you do it right. There’s a realization when you’re out alone in the expansive silence of a mountain summit that you are never completely alone. Being away from society enables you to takes your mind back and truly connect with what’s around you. You uncenter to recenter. There’s too much in our smart phone culture that pats you on the back and reenforces petty ego attachments. That ultimately weakens people and makes them dependent on a very superficial form of tribal validation that can’t see much further than image. You can be popular or you can be interesting."
-- C.S. Hayden
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“Solitude is dangerous. It is addictive. Once you realize how much peace there is in it, you don’t want to deal with people”
-- Carl Jung
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Solitude is but a temporary matter" -- Nietzsche
I think throughout all of this, certain ideas get convoluted. This isn't about "introverts and extroverts," although introverts would more often have an easier time adapting to this concept. It's not exactly about having a "retreat," although some might feel it's something of that nature. The vast majority of people are actually afraid of "delving into their own being" as Nietzsche put it. The problem is worse today than ever, as a huge segment of society are so afraid to go against the grain that they literally censor their own mind! They develop something akin to "multiple belief system personalities" to coin a term. They've trained their minds to quickly observe their surrounding and then they choose which belief system pundit or political character they're going to play! This is related to cognitive dissonance, but not the same thing, as often the subject actually has a handle on what they're doing. They may be intelligent and have developed three or four different political characters that make sense to them, and are ready to project one outward at a moments notice.
In contrast, a person who is Authentic is someone who does not necessarily bend to the will of the established order, and is simply themselves. It's probably no longer possible to be like this 100% of the time, even if certain individuals may claim that they are. Everyone falls into the orbit of one of these two, and for the vast majority it's the former. I once had an old grammar school book of short stories in which one of the stories told of a guy who had, for his job and career, conformed into anything and everything that he observed would aid him in his upward path... a social climber. However, these were not things which were specifically related to the actual job itself. He wore the correct clothes, read the correct books, had the correct interests, said the correct things, had the correct opinions, and changed himself on a dime if and when any of those particulars themselves were changed by the establishment.
Then one day he woke up and in a moment of clarity, came to the realization that he wasn't even taking care of his job responsibilities! He was so busy "fitting in" that he had ignored his job duties. He went into work very worried. After he arrived, his boss called him into his office. The guy was fully expecting to be fired as the the text narration of his thought processes confirmed. In his mind, he told himself something like "well, I guess I deserve it." After the door to his boss' office slammed shut, and he slouched down in the chair waiting to be fired, his boss gave him a promotion and a raise! Although I highly doubt that such a short story would find its way into a public school classroom today, it made a powerful point to the reader of how societies actually operate. I tried to find that book, or at least that particular story, a number of times over the years with no luck.
As I take it, this isn't really about being a loner, enjoying nature, taking a retreat, or rebelling against society---although some could add those ingredients if they liked---but it's at the very least about being Authentic to yourself. Who are YOU? We can all think of times in our lives when we were firmly on the "wrong side" of an issue, from our own general perspective. "Solitude is but a temporary matter," and can range from a lifestyle to something of a personal slow moving think tank or brainstorming session. A conversation with yourself about all matters. During this time, you're free! You should not censor your mind at all. If you feel uncomfortable with a reoccurring thought or interest, then maybe that's something you can change? It's a chance to at least examine it privately without judgement.
Part of one Nietzsche quote from the video read "Where solitude ends, there begins the marketplace...." I take that as perhaps meaning something like a marketplace of ideas for yourself. Just as a collective could share a marketplace of ideas, an individual should put all of their ideas down and decide how they should fit together in their own life. What do they want? What are your values? What are their goals? How do all of these aspects of our life or ideas that we are drawn to, all work together? Some of these elements are in conflict, and that should be worked out in your own mind at least. If a solitude would take a person into a remote area to gain a self perspective for a time, that has been a timeless human ritual for ages; coming back and applying the newfound clarity of purpose. Any purely spiritual part of this process can be as small or large as you see fit, and would naturally be a big added bonus as I see it. For me that would be something that would be fully integrated.
"It's More Difficult To Rule Yourself Than To Rule A City" -- Jordan Peterson
We basically have free will, but most people seldom exercise it to the extent that they could, and I'm as guilty as anyone. This is about who you really are, an organizational process, and your own Will to apply it. This is a transformative process for the Self. This is about your chance to get your own ideas and interests out there, both for yourself and the society at large. Sleep is a process in which the individual's mind can relax and make sense of, and work through, everything in their own life; a solitary process does the same, except in a more explicit way. Some people may say something like "I know my faults," but often don't do anything about them. Just "knowing" isn't enough. This is about finding and discovering oneself.
Think of an example from the workplace, where once in a blue moon a particular subject will come up. The workplace big mouth has a lot to say about that subject, even though they actually know very little about it. The person who follows that subject closely and knows everything about it backwards and forwards; their eyes light up. However, they barely get a word in, and soon the subject goes away. As the old saying goes: "That what we think about most, we talk about least." It's up to you to formulate your life to change that; to incorporate important things into your life in creative ways. 'Think and Grow Rich' ties into that concept, especially since the "economic you" should be an important part of this whole process.
"It is what one takes into solitude that grows there, the beast within included." -- Nietzsche
I think this is why some say that solitude can be dangerous. It's only dangerous if you've lost your grip on reality maybe. Getting lost in your own head is just a temporary process, but it is something to consider. "Feeding your inner wolf" could be a good or bad thing. In my way of thinking, it can only be a positive thing, but maybe a weaker person could take some fantasy or gripe too far.
"The solitary is he who challenges society's desire to turn the human being into an "absolutely gregarious animal." Thus Nietzsche not only advocated solitude as a psychological utility or even a life-style but perceived solitude as the logical position of anyone who had unmasked society. -- Hermatery.com - 'Friedrich Nietzsche on Solitude'
"Solitude can become much more beneficial when you allow yourself to feel the emotions that come with it." -- Jessilyn Callioux
"Truth reveals itself in silence." -- Marius lordache
"Surrender; Faith; Patience" -- Mohana
"Surrender" in this instance could mean surrendering oneself to the process. "Faith" could mean to have faith in yourself. "Patience" is of the essence; the process can't be hurried. I've long noticed that many people who work in restaurants are always in a big hurry, even outside of work; "I gotta go!" In contrast, when you connect with hikers out on the trail, they're the polar opposite of that; always having the time to talk to you. It's very beneficial to at least train one's mind to take time outs to balance the energy.
"What's done in darkness always comes to light"
To sum this up, "self-discovery" in solitude" is not suddenly becoming a loner, although it could be a type of lifestyle. It could be interpreted as temporarily retreating from the hurried crowd that flies up and down the freeways and highways like it was a Formula One race, and engage in self-examination and the bigger picture for yourself in simple solitude. To learn about yourself, as strange as that may sound. To engage in this self-think tank in the shadows, then take what you have learned and breathe life into it; to take this essence of yourself and bring it out into the open!
To try to put a metaphor to this, there are always athlete's who are very consistent, steely, and predictable... a little bit like all of those very hurried people we see flying around bends along the highways. Not that there is anything wrong with that in particular, but in contrast I've always admired the athlete who maybe wasn't so consistent or steely, but who could rise to the occasion! The one who could explode and sour like an eagle. I've always found that to be more exciting and meaningful, and maybe could be related to the person who takes the time to know themselves and what they want.
The steely individual is much more common, and also like most people are like dreamers of the night. In contrast, the self-reflective individual is not as common, and are more like dreamers of the day.
"All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds Awake to find that it was vanity; But the dreamers of day are dangerous men. That they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible." -- T. E. Lawrence, 'Lawrence of Arabia'
Spending time alone can be a profound opportunity to go deep within and discover who you truly are.
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Background Music: "Light Blue" by Alan Piljak (Royalty Free Creative Commons Attribution)
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"The pandemic was one of the best things that happened to me. I'm finally having a lot of time alone, no job, no friends, no interaction, and I'm enjoying it.." -- Anna Costa
"Wisdom comes in silence of the mind ! Your true self comes out the moment you are aware that you're not your mind . You should not let your mind tell you who you are and how to live your life , is your hart you should listen . Truth reveals itself in silence. I like your peaceful and loving energy "Awaken Insight" ! God bless You ! -- Marius lordache
"I have just recently found you on here. I have spent A LOT of time alone throughout my life. I have always enjoyed my alone time as I work in the customer service industry. The last few years I have dealt with physical health issues injuries and a surgery which had caused me to be more isolated than ever and then this pandemic hit..... Still an essential customer service worker yet more isolated than ever in my personal life for so many reasons. I have been finding comfort in different voices on YouTube that help me in knowing that I am not alone. And this is a perfect time to reflect more and understand and love myself more. I listen to Alan Watts and different vibrational music daily since April. Now, Nada, you have brought a new level to my days. I thank you! I especially like your videos when you are outside because if I am not working I am sitting outside and relating to my backyard surroundings and habits of nature. I have been scrolling through some of your past years yet I hope that you will continue with this journey of sharing as a student of life like me 😊 " -- Theresa Hanson
"Its kinda strange being me in a way. I usually don't care wether people like me or not because I am so lost in my own world learning things and creating arts and music. I mean at the same time I also don't want people to talk bad about me or lie about me for no reason. I mean I leave them alone so they should leave me alone too. People can be very toxic when they want to. Because I used to have problems with people because they had negative interpretations of me I would just walk into the woods to be alone and focus on the arts and lose myself into a wonderful world. Not losing touch with reality or anything just a world of thinking positive thoughts in a peaceful environment like the woods beside streams etc. Or I wil focus on the people who I do get on well with and relive good memories." -- Exploring Biblical End Times
"I absolutely love time by myself where I can ponder on life, myself and just learn to accept myself. I feel harmony here, unconnected from the other reality, but more connected with what life is. I love this time. 🌸 -- Sammi - Love is the Answer
"I’ve been alone most of my life. Except the company of pets, I was forced into mixing when married, but it went across the grain, so now, largely I choose life hermit style. I need a non superficial friend who is well awakened, then it could be beautiful...but doubt meeting such w soul will be possible in this life" -- margaret robertson
"I think it takes a long time (~years) to de-condition yourself. I am just trying to be a witness to my actions, thoughts, everything. I see the resistance that comes up as a result of learnt values. I see a contest between the reality and what I think reality ought to be and even that contest is a part of reality. I have a lot of anxiety about everything but I chose to stay away from what I consider shallow materialism to be alone at home." -- Rithvik Sreekantham
"I began my spiritual journey as a result to spending time alone. For years prior to that, I had always felt lonely, and un-relatable. I then began to learn more about myself in that time I spent alone. This year, I then decided to reach out to people more and engage as a way to "come out of my shell". However, since I've evolved spiritually , I have become un-relatable once again. I didn't want to be "alone" anymore, I wanted to share my growth but nobody really understood me. Lately I've been confused on how to go about finding solitude because of how I have disconnected from many people and energies...I wanted to share this in case anybody else could "relate" (haha!)" -- Aphiwe Mdiuli
"The Peace I get being with my dogs alone is worth more than a million dollars to me. I can spend numerous hours in the park with my dogs per say and get a peaceful meditation in which leads to a Peaceful day, week, year and I love it. I will never trade this time in for anything or for any person in the world. We also walk approximately ten miles throughout the day and night through the woods and on the beaches. They have taught me more then any tricks I've taught them in our Lifetime. Unconditional L❤️ve." -- Lisa Lane
"you might find yourself when you are alone for a period of time" Daniel olsson
"Very beautifully put. What you are describing is the teachings of the Avaita teachers. For most practical teaching today that can be lived in everyday like is Roger Castillo the pupil of Ramesh Balsekar. Just really liked your delivery ....thanks. As humans we all experience fear ( from a mild uncomfortableness to sheer terror) of being alone and not part of a group in which we experience a sense of safety. This s why we go to great lengths to be accepted and approved of by the Group. Recognising this fear and just letting it be there will result in one day totally dissolving." -- Graham Travé
"Thank you" -- Mohana [From her page, the mantra: Surrender; Faith; Patience]
In this video we investigate the fear of solitude, explain the detrimental effects it can have on one’s relationships, and explore the benefits of overcoming this fear and learning to find solace in solitude.
"The fear of finding oneself alone - that is what they suffer from - and so they don't find themselves at all." -- Andre Gide
"It is what one takes into solitude that grows there, the beast within included." -- Nietzsche, 'Thus Spoke Zarathustra'
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”I used to think that the worst thing in life was to end up all alone. It’s not. The worst thing in life is ending up with people who make you feel all alone.” – Robin Williams
-- BMW E46 M3
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"Solitude is food for the soul. It's not dangerous, it's the key to freedom." -- Srikanth TS
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"If you are lonely when you're alone, you are in bad company." - Jean-Paul Sartre
-- Parmenides
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"When you seclude yourself and let go of attachments it helps you realize the lies and deceit created within society. I consider my physical disability a curse, yet it is a blessing. Since I have had to quit working I have learned much about myself that I wouldn't have had time to figure out." -- Richard Lanier
"Self-imposed solitude without forced isolation is healthy. Overcoming the fear of being alone is a profound facet of self-mastery. For me, it is a blissful achievement." -- Luke N
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"Being alone is one of the greatest blessing you can ever experience.. dont believe the masses or psychology.. trust yourself.." -- Palmer Off Grid
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"You get so alone at times that it just makes sense." ~Charles Bukowski
-- Bearded Jagger
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"I’ve always loved being alone but noticed that I often used cleaning, entertainment etc to distract my mind. Solitude can become much more beneficial when you allow yourself to feel the emotions that come with it.
"I am an introvert (not shy) to the most extreme extent, and really needed this video to connect back with and understand myself again. Thank you."
