#BOTH misunderstand attachment in different directions

[princessjojo-x]

Venus Synastry

ignore the crossed out parts, that’s only for me & my chart

💝 venus conjunct venus - partners express love in the same way as one another. however, sometimes it’s too much of the same energy causing partners to clash over their more challenging venus traits. this aspect works best if the venus signs aren’t in detriment or malefic.

💝 venus opposite venus - oppositions in astrology often represent polarity, two energies in tension, pulling in opposite directions. partners have different needs, values, desires, love styles & rxship expectations. although the difference can lead to conflict & misunderstandings, it creates a sense of intrigue & fascination for one another. partners are drawn to each other’s differences & find they complement each other well. for example, a a scorpio venus man & a taurus venus woman: he is drawn to her grounded & steady nature, whilst she is intrigued by his intensity & mystery. the difference pushes both partners out of their comfort zones which can feel exciting & daunting simultaneously. the push & pull dynamic can result in cat & mouse games. both partners give subtle hints but there’s one who’s more oblivious than the other. the undeniable tension manifests as fiery passion & undeniable attraction but it may take effort to balance & they will need a sexual outlet. although they’ll want to tear their clothes off every time they interact, they’ll be unnecessary arguments & explosive fights too.

💝 venus conjunct mars - this aspect indicates partners progressing at a high speed. they may become sexual with each other quickly due to the guaranteed sexual attraction. however, partners may get under each others skin & mars especially isn’t afraid to bite back. usually mars takes on the masculine role & makes the first move on venus. whereas venus takes on the more feminine, passive & seductive role.

💝 venus conjunct sun - this interaction played out differently to what i expected. firstly, the connection didn’t feel that sexual or romantic. consequently, the chemistry wasn’t strong enough to warrant any sort of longing for him. this may may be an outcome of the traditional gender roles being reversed, with the man’s femininity amplified through his venus & the woman’s masculinity amplified through her sun. secondly, i felt it was a very “all or nothing” rxship; it felt too demanding & i felt suffocated at times. however, these rxship always take on the qualities of the sign the conjunction is in. in my case, it was in aries, which would explain why i felt that way. regardless, within this rxship venus is responsible for the harmony & functionality. venus seeks attention & validation from sun.

💝 venus trine saturn - found in many long term rxships (libra/aquarius venus or capricorn/virgo saturn)

💝 venus conjunct juno - juno views venus as perfection personified (leo venus or taurus juno)

💝 venus conjunct pluto - both partners feel intense emotions for eachother even when they're not together. pluto sometimes wants to control venus into only looking & thinking abt them. (sag venus)

💝 venus square venus - unresolved trauma from both parties taint the rxship. partners may have different love languages & polarising tastes, for example, music, lifestyles, slightly trivial things. despite the negative connotation attached to this aspect, it is very common aspect within couples. partners can be very loyal to each other but have a very different way of showing it. (aqua/leo venus)

💝 venus opposite rising - usually venus thinks rising is extremely physically attractive whilst rising only has a mild attraction to venus. but once they get to know each other rising starts to feel deeply attracted to venus. this is a rxship that gets better with time. (cap venus or scorpio rising)

💝 venus opposite pluto - instability (gemini venus/ scorpio pluto)

💝 venus square mars - these planets reflect our desires & passions. harsh aspects (square/opposite) between the two it indicates hesitation & restraint regarding intimacy. this aspect specifically can be an challenging & awkward bc there’s tension that neither partners are comfortable with. one partner (typically mars) is active/aggressive whilst the other partner (typically genus) is passive/stable. mars can come off too strong & this makes venus feel repulsed. partners need patience & maturity to work through their differences &!understand one another. (leo/aquarius/scorpio venus or mars)

💝 venus square pluto - creates a lot of sexual tension between the two. pluto becomes very possessive & jealous over venus, even if they’re not together, pluto will act like venus is theirs. however, pluto tends to be very lowkey abt their feelings it’s rare anyone will notice. (aqua/leo pluto or virgo/pisc venus)

💝 venus square eros - lack of common ground (leo/aqua eros or scorpio/taurus venus)

💝 venus square saturn - painful aspect. saturn feels like they’re babysitting venus. venus feels misunderstood & isn’t able to express themselves. saturn restricts venus from being able to express any kind of loving venus like nature. a very binding aspects regardless of how much partners love or hate one another. however, venus is going to feel frozen & very misunderstood. venus is restricted from expressing lighthearted affection & is giving negative undertones from saturn. also, this aspect indicates a slow burn rxship & taking a long time to finally get together. (leo/aquarius saturn of virgo/pisces venus)

💝 venus square rising - partners have different social preferences, love languages or lifestyles which causes tension or discomfort. rising is not just how you look but how you act too. venus dislikes how rising acts & carries themselves. rising is probably not venus’s usual type & venus may have not noticed rising straight away. rising may feel unloved & unwanted by venus. rising may feel they’re not attractive enough for venus or that venus is too good for them. also, partners sweep problems under the carpet to maintain harmony but overtime this turns into hate & resentment. on the bright side, they are usually viewed as an attractive duo or the “it couple”. (leo/aquarius asc or libra/aries venus)

💝 venus square neptune - doubts from venus preventing trust (leo/aquarius neptune or taurus/scorpio venus)

💝 venus square uranus - this connection usually ends abruptly. one partner, usually uranus will ghost/leave when venus least expects it. (taurus/scorpio venus or leo/aqua uranus)

[sunnie-angel]

Part 9: The Bargain

part 8 | series masterlist | ao3 link

jason todd x fem!reader

summary: unsettling news upsets the careful balance of your friendship with jason todd

tags: mention of offscreen violence, angst, misunderstandings, kissing, fingering, p in v sex

rated explicit (mdni) | wc: 3.1k

a/n: wrote most of this while i was sick and a little loopy from medication, so if this is tonally a little different from the rest of the series that's why

Time seems to melt together, like the snow that covers the Gotham University campus. Jason looks devastating with wind chapped cheeks and snow dusted curls, red rising high across his cheekbones. Maybe you won’t ever get to tell him how beautiful he looks with snowflakes collecting on his lashes or how your heart had soared when he complimented you on finally getting one of his recipes right. It’s fine, or that’s what you tell yourself. You can have this much of him at least. As much as you wish it would, the strange tension never really dissipates between you, only fading to a low thrum in the background of your mind that your learn to live with. Eventually exams consume your life and you have very little time left to nurse wounds that never seem to heal quite right.

Winter break – when it finally, blessedly arrives – is not exactly the reprieve you had hoped for. Aside from a few random emails from the school warning of increased muggings near campus (which, when supervillains exist, ranks high on your list of problems why exactly?) you could almost forget that one Fall night. Almost. But Danika keeps inviting everyone over to celebrate the end of the last first semester and Lina won’t stop sending you and Jason considering looks every time you so much as breathe in his direction. You can tell she wants to ask but it won’t be Jason she comes looking for and so you don’t give her the opportunity to corner you alone.

On one memorable occasion you had physically dragged Jason in front of you as a human shield, spilling hot chocolate onto your glove and onto the snow covered ground. The hot liquid had melted into the snow immediately, carving out uneven abstract patterns. Jason hadn’t seemed to catch on as to why exactly you were so determined to attach yourself to his side, but had endured your proximity with what you might almost call joy if you didn’t know better. There wasn’t the resistance you expected, though the cavern between you doesn’t fully dissipate. It was...nice to feel his arm tucked under yours, a solid weight against your side. Maybe the little scraps of affection you could stomach weren’t so bad after all. Maybe one day the two of you could return to the time before you destroyed the closeness between you. Now if only you could get Danika to stop trying to set you up with someone, maybe you could find your footing again.

All of your best intentions go to hell only two days before you’re meant to be back for the final semester. There was a temporary skating rink in the public park, courtesy of Mr. Freeze’s latest foiled plot, one that would only last a few days before melting on its own. Like any true Gothamite, Danika had seized the opportunity with both hands and dragged you all out skating with her. It had been fun to watch Rei windmill his arms, red faced and struggling to keep his balance on his rented skates. Lina had been more than happy to offer him a steadying arm and flirtatious grin. Oddly even Will had decided to participate, the gleeful joy infectious. Jason, of course, had been a natural, gliding across the icy surface and dodging other people with an ease you envied. It had been a lovely afternoon, meant to end with laughter and chafed noses, maybe even a snowball thrown or two.

A choreographed ping of notifications to all of your phones puts an end to that. Digging with numb fingers through your thick pockets, you manage to pull out your phone and swipe through to your notifications. An email from the Gotham U, odd for this late in the day. 

An NYU student visiting home killed near GU campus, screams the subject line. It goes on to talk about measures the school is taking to keep students safe but you can’t help but click on the embedded news link. A funhouse mirror stares back, smiling. Sweat prickles at the nape of your neck. She looks like me..., you think dazedly. The texture of her hair, the colour of her eyes, even the sweep of her nose all echo yours. Dead in an alley, disfigured, torn to pieces, the news greedily crows. Violated. A hand falling heavy on your shoulder causes you to flinch, breaks the trance it has on you. With wild eyes you stare back up at Jason as he steadies you before you can fall on your ass on the ice. Wordlessly you look at your gathered friends and their bloodless faces. 

“She looks like me,” you croak, needing to have someone – anyone – tell you that you’re seeing things. 

“A little bit," Rei hedges, eyes darting to Lina for support.

“A little,” Will snorts, “try a lot."

“Hey–” Jason cuts in, glaring at Will over your head, “–not helpful.” He turns back to you, eyes still focused somewhere on your shoulder, neatly sliding himself between you and Will’s gaze. “What happened to her is a tragedy, yeah? But she’s not you, you’re right here with us and you’re safe.” 

His voice – his presence – steadies you but it’s not enough to erase the mental image of the girl with your face dead in an alley you probably know. The dead girl you might have been if Jason hadn’t stopped that mugger. Your hand tightens around your phone until the edges cut into your palm and you shiver, but not from the cold. 

“Sorry I don’t– I don’t really feel like having fun anymore.” You smile apologetically up at them over Jason’s shoulder.  Your phone pings again, your mother texting for the first time in weeks asking if you’d seen the news. The smile on your face turns brittle. “I think I just want to go home for a bit.”

“Sure, but text when you get back and let us know if you need anything,” Danika tells you gently, throwing a withering look in Will’s direction and smacking his mostly healed arm. You bite your lip and nod, skating slowly over to a nearby bench to wrestle with your skates.

Large hands shoo your shivering fingers away and you look up to see the top of Jason’s curly head as he kneels in front of you. He props your skate up on one broad thigh and untangles the knot in silence. Gently, he sets one foot down and starts working on the other.

“Look I’ll walk you back so you don’t have to worry, yeah?" he says as he sets your foot back down, still not looking at you. You can’t do anything but nod and accept his help as you change back into your boots, cold air still biting through your thick socks.

The bus ride home is fairly silent between the two of you. Jason manages to snag a recently vacated seat and ushers you into it, leans against the hand rail and shields you from the world. Unable to spend the 20 minutes or so just staring at his belt buckle, torturing yourself with the clink it makes as it comes undone, you lean your head against the window glass and watch the world melt past. It starts to snow again, fat flurries gently skimming through the streets. A quiet, still cocoon has built around the two of you and not even the bus coming to a screeching halt at your stop breaks it. Dreamlike and hazy, your body pilots you back to your front door, Jason holding your bag as you fumble for your keys.

He turns to leave you at your doorstep then hesitates, fingers running through his snow dusted curls. “Would it– would it be fine if I took a look around?” he mutters nervously. “Just, I noticed the other day that there’s some potential security issues and I’d feel better if I took a look and maybe you’d too?” His voice rises on the last syllable.

You stare at him for a second, baffled by his questions. He shifts his weight from foot to foot as you continue to stare.

“...yeah that’s fine,” you finally say. Looking for your phone to let Danika know you’re back, unthinkingly you add, “You already know your way around.” Facing away from him, you freeze, cursing yourself out mentally for the reminder of the last time he had entered your apartment. He clears his throat awkwardly.

“I’ll just be quick, yeah?”

Jason pads through your apartment quickly and surprisingly quietly for man his side as you unwind your scarf from around your shoulders and brush the half melted snow from your coat. Your sweater goes over the back of a chair to dry, leaving you standing in the kitchen in just your thin thermal undershirt. Jason chooses just that moment to walk back in.

“–should probably be fine, might want to change the lock on the fire escape window but– hey. C’mere.” He moves to hug you – he moves first! – and you fall into him, arms wrapping tight around his waist under his jacket. He freezes up at first as you nuzzle into him, the warmth of his chest cutting through the icy fingers that had grown around your spine at the sight of the dead girl that wasn’t quite you but could have been. Jason’s arms come around you, hold you tight to him like you’re actually something precious to him. A hand comes up to cradle the back of your skull and he sighs, body relaxing into yours.

“Probably just a bad coincidence, but I’ll look into it,” he whispers into the crown of his head. You can feel the zipper of his jacket pressing into you through the thin material of your thermal. “Don’t gotta worry about this at all, yeah?” His voice rumbles through your chest.

“You’re a good friend,” you mumble into his shirt. Slowly you lean back into his hand until you can look him in the eyes, nowhere for him to escape your searching gaze. He’s still tall, but there’s a half inch less of a difference between you without his boots on. Your hand slips from its python grip around his waist and tentatively winds itself around the nape of his neck. Finally, after what feels like months of yearning and waiting but had only been a few keenly felt weeks, Jason Todd looks you in the eyes.

There’s something unreadable there, some dark possessive emotion you can’t quite set your finger on. It’s too late. It’s everything you’d ever wanted from him. Makes the small part of yourself you’d tried so hard to bury over the last few weeks come clawing out of the shallow grave you’d dug for it. Vindication and bitterness go to war in your belly. Slowly you bring a hand up to trace over the sharp point of his cheekbone. His eyes close and he inhales sharply through his nose, full body shuddering as you move to tuck his hair behind his ear.

“S’all I want to be–” his eyes open wide, pupils rapidly eating up the blue of them “–your friend.”

“We are,” you reassure him. Tentatively you let the hand at his neck drift through his curls. Carefully note the way he relaxes into your grip. “Good friends.”

Your tongue darts out to wet your lips and Jason tracks the movement with predatory hunger. His own lips part in response and you’re so close you can almost feel his breath on your skin. Tension spools out into the space between you, so thick you could almost reach out and grip the knotted mess of it with your bare hands. You hardly dare to breathe know that you’ve finally got Jason’s attention, a physical, tangible thing that traces the swell of your cheeks and the curve of your lower lip. He swallows and you press the full length of your body against him.

“We can stay good friends, can’t we?” you breath out. Inch by inch you draw yourself closer to him, attuned to him in case he draws back, before gently drawing the tip of your cold nose from the hinge of his jaw to the sharp jut of his chin. Inhale the warm scent of him under the lingering smell of the cold outdoors. “We understand each other,” you say, almost directly into his mouth. “So well, because we’re friends, right?” His hold on you tightens. “So well, that we don’t even have to talk about this part, right?” you plead, desperate for him to let you have this.

Jason’s lips crash onto yours and delirious laughter bubbles up into your chest. Easy, so easy. All you had to do was amputate your sense of dignity. His fingers tighten in your hair as he pulls back, breathing ragged and rough.

“We’re just– just friends,” he pants, and the sight of him so out of control makes you giddy. “But so long as we don’ talk about it we can have this too.” 

You answer him by kissing him again, the soft, sweet touch of your lips turned into something filthier as he invades your mouth. His hand slides down from your waist to palm your ass as he walks you back into the bedroom, still familiar from the last time he was there. Efficiently, both of your clothes come off, his jacket and belt hitting the floor with heavy thuds. He takes his time looking at you, and you drink up the sensation. It’s been so long since he’s truly, properly looked at you and you want to enjoy it while it lasts.

Because it won’t. He’ll retreat again or get tired of you, or both. It’s temporary, this complicated, burning thing between you, or at least it is on his part. You won’t ever have his heart, no that’s something so far beyond your grasp it’s laughable to even think about, but you can have this. His desire. His attention. His base need to fuck someone wet and willing. You can have just this much of him and no more.

There’s no air of urgency this time as he explores your body this time, palms smoothing over the length of your ribs. You shiver as he trails still cool fingers across your hips, across the fat and muscle cradling your womb. Hiss as he parts your slick folds with them, his fingers freezing against the burning heat of your core. Jason grins at your reaction before pressing a finger in in in, causing you to arch off the bed and clench down at the intrusion. He laughs as your thighs tremble at the stretch in your cunt when he adds another finger. Peppers kisses down your neck until he can bite and lave at the bud of your breast, working his fingers in and out of you the whole while.

Jason draws back and you moan at the loss, try and chase after him but he pushes you back down onto the bed.

“M’coming back, just need the condom outta my wallet. Need you to be patient, yeah?”

You nod but whine anyway when he pulls his fingers out of your tight heat, already bereft by the loss of him. He rolls the condom on and you want to hide from embarrassment when you see just how shiny with your slick his hands are. Carefully he adjusts your limbs to where he wants them, hooks your thighs over his hips and threads one hand through yours as he slowly starts to press in.

And it’s not– it’s not tender, but it’s kind, the way he slowly feeds every inch of his cock into you. Kisses you as you hiccup and squirm your way through accepting the fat weight of his dick in your guts, tensing and unclenching as he tears you in two only to stitch you back together. Finally, finally his hips hit yours and your eyes close as you sigh in relief at having taken him all. With a sticky hand Jason brushes the side of your face, places a kiss to where your furrowed brows meet. He waits until you relax under him, nod and let him know that you’re ready, before he starts to move, both of his hands tangled up in yours.

It’s such a relief to feel the heavy drag of him inside of you again, where he belongs your traitorous mind whispers. Immobilized, spread out, and pinned down beneath him like this you can do nothing but eagerly accept what he chooses to give you. He swallows the gasps and sighs of pleasure directly from the source as he plunders your mouth. Kisses down your jaw and nibbles at your throat. He bites down at the cords of your throat in a cruel mark of ownership you know he doesn’t mean just as he thrusts into the soft gummy part of your cunt that has you seeing stars.

You can’t help the whine of “Oh please, Jay,” as it is torn out of you, but you feel the exact moment his strong body stops rocking into yours and you realize your mistake. “M’sorry, m’sorry. Know you don’t like– didn’t mean to say it. M’sorry,” you babble, mortified by your error and wanting to bury your face in the pillows to disappear because he’d told you.

“Shhh shh shh,” he soothes, running the pad of his thumb across the outer corner of your eye, collecting the tears of frustration gathering there. You’re cursing yourself, terrified he’s going to take even this away from you because you couldn’t keep your big mouth shut and not let the name he hates slip from your tongue. “It’s okay, s’okay. You can call me Jay, okay, but only here. Just for you, just here, yeah?”

You nod, keening your agreement as he punctuates his words with a slow thrust back into you. His pace increases, no longer leisurely but controlled. Sharp thrusts in accompanied filthy, slow drags out. Your’s so full you can practically feel him at the base of your throat, carving out any claim to your body that isn’t his. Pleasure crawls up your veins, burns deep in your belly as Jason fucks you. The wet squelch of you around his cock makes your cunt flutter and he groans into the side of your throat at the sensation. Sweat beads at the base of your spine as the too much too good feeling winches you up higher, muscles curling tight. It only takes Jason growling into your skin, cock curving up at just the right angle, to shove you off that final ledge.

Sightless and weightless, stretched thin around him, you scrabble at his solid weight, desperate for something to anchor you to the present.

“ ‘ank you. Thank you. Please, god. Jay. JayJayJay,” you sob, words slurring together as he fucks your brains out, fucks you through it. He comes to the feel of you rippling around his cock and his name on your lips.

Jason’s still there in the morning, warm and whole in the bed next to you. Your heart isn’t so lucky.

part 10

[olderthannetfic]

Okay, I need advice: I'm in a very tiny fandom (like less than two dozen active people and everyone knows each other) and one of the women in it is kind of freaking me out.

We became mutuals because we had some good discussions on some of the characters we liked, but I soon became sort of uncomfortable with a lot of her online behavior whereas simultaneously she's DM-ing me more and more.

She's one of those people who's a hardliner on the issues she cares about (mostly feminism- and SA-related) while talking over people when it comes to issues she doesn't care about (mostly racism and related things). And I see a lot of her trying to intrusively police how other people talk/act, derailing people's posts, arguing with people online over the most stupid shit (where not even her own opinions come off as overly coherent - this week she'll argue something along the lines of "men are evil" and the next she'll argue that people are "demonizing masculinity" - I'll add for clarification that she's not a TERF and supports trans rights but boy... Does she sound like one sometimes) and then digging through people's profiles to find and publicize minor transgressions and bad takes, passive-aggressive vagueposting, and going into mental breakdowns over the most innocuous of online interactions.

TBH she scares me. As someone who suffered through toxic people getting overly attached to me, I genuinely sometimes get a physical reaction when I see her lashing out on the dash.

And she keeps initiating conversations! And sometimes I don't reply or bring the conversation to a natural closure and she keeps at it, or sends me random fics of hers to read that I don't have the heart to tell her don't interest me or whatever. And recently when she disagrees with something I reblogged she direct messages me to rant about it - with a lot of sort of indirect language because she doesn't want to offend me but I can see the intent. The last couple of times I replied politely because I cared about clearing misunderstandings on the topic but next time I'm just gonna tell her I dislike it when she does that.

I really want this person to stop interacting with me, to be honest, and all my polite hints to the effect go unnoticed. But the fandom is so small I feel awkward and uncomfortable about unfollowing or blocking her. I don't think she's too bad of a person, she just comes off as very... Mentally ill, I guess? And since I've tried to be polite so far I feel like it might come out of left field for her?

TBH I feel like something about her behavior also triggers some kind of freeze/fawn reaction inside of me that I don't often get and consequently don't know how to deal with.

So I need impartial advice because I don't see the situation clearly myself

--

To summarize, a person who is a walking red flag wants to be friends, and you can't easily ghost her because the fandom is small.

I think you have to accept that there is no low-conflict way out of this.

That's what's holding you back, right? You don't want more drama and you know it's coming. I think you already know in your heart of hearts that you need to get away from her even if it's a pain in the ass.

Step one is to stop responding to her DMs. That will probably make her reach out more, but you should keep not responding. If she escalates and attacks you over it, block her.

The more you offer reasons or try to gently hint, the more that will encourage her. I don't think that's true of everyone, but I do think it's the case here. This is both because it doesn't sound like she's good at perceiving or respecting boundaries and because she inspires a bad lack of ability to assert boundaries in you.

I agree that it's unfortunate that you can't stand up for yourself or tell her plainly when she's out of line, but since you can't and that probably won't change any time soon, you'll need to protect yourself a different way. Sometimes, we just have to avoid people who are bad for us even when it's an us problem. (And here, whoaaaa red flags, so I don't think it's just a you problem anyway.)

There are many sad, lonely, needy people in the world. Some of them are officially mentally ill in some way with a diagnosis. Some just need things they aren't currently getting. That sucks...

But it's also not your job to fix.

[hermeticphoenix]

Understanding Moksha, Nirvana, and Maya: Clearing Misconceptions

There’s a lot of misunderstanding when it comes to concepts like moksha, nirvana, and maya, especially when compared to other spiritual systems like Kabbalah. Some claim that Hinduism and Buddhism overly focus on detachment or reject the value of the physical world. Let’s set the record straight.

First, moksha (in Hinduism) and nirvana (in Buddhism) are not about selfishly ignoring the world or its suffering. They’re about liberation—from ignorance, suffering, and the cycles of rebirth. Moksha refers to realizing one’s unity with the divine (Brahman), and nirvana involves extinguishing the fires of craving and ignorance, reaching a state of ultimate peace. Detachment, which is often misunderstood, doesn’t mean rejecting life or people. It’s about freeing yourself from unhealthy attachments, not apathy. The Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 2, Verse 47) explains this beautifully: “You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions.” This isn’t about abandoning effort but about doing your best without clinging to outcomes.

Similarly, Maya is often misinterpreted. It’s not saying the physical world is fake or pointless. Instead, it teaches that the physical realm is impermanent and part of a larger, interconnected reality. It encourages people to see beyond surface-level existence and understand the divine essence within and around them. The Chandogya Upanishad reminds us of this unity with its famous line, “Tat Tvam Asi” (You are That). Maya has nothing to do with the concept of "chosen ones" in a spiritual context. Anyone can recognize Maya and achieve liberation, not only selected individuals.

Buddhism has similar ideas. The Heart Sutra teaches that “form is emptiness, and emptiness is form,” reflecting the interplay between the spiritual and physical realms. Ethical actions in the physical world are vital for spiritual growth, as emphasized in the Dhammapada (Verse 183): “Not to do any evil, to cultivate good, to purify one’s mind—this is the teaching of the Buddhas.” Far from being selfish, this path involves compassion and wisdom. Also, don't forget the bodhisattvas and their sacrifices!

Now, let’s compare this to Kabbalah. Kabbalah also emphasizes the importance of both the physical and spiritual realms, teaching that the physical world is a mirror of the spiritual. The Zohar highlights this: “The higher world and the lower world are interconnected. The actions of people below awaken powers above.” This shows that engaging with the physical is not contrary to spirituality—it’s essential.

All these traditions agree that balance is key. The difference often lies in how these teachings are presented and interpreted. Misunderstandings can arise when someone oversimplifies or cherry-picks ideas, missing the broader wisdom.

It’s also important to recognize that all spiritual traditions have their strengths and weaknesses. They’ve evolved, shaped by culture, history, and the biases of followers for centuries. No single tradition represents the entirety of truth, and none is without flaws. It’s also important to practice what resonates with you and works for you—something you’ve had direct experiences with.

Before adopting any spiritual beliefs, it’s essential to remain balanced and use common sense. Question your own beliefs from time to time, and avoid becoming overly reliant on religious figures or communities. People are human, and perfection is subjective. You could face disappointment if they don’t meet your expectations. Spirituality is a deeply personal journey, and no path is universally “better” than another.

Check out the following texts for more information:

The Upanishads (such as Mandukya and Chandogya)

The Bhagavad Gita (Eknath Easwaran’s translation)

The Heart Sutra (from Mahayana Buddhism)

The Dhammapada

The Zohar and Sefer Yetzirah for Kabbalah

(This is a response from someone who claimed that Kabbalah is better than Hinduism and Buddhism since the former acknowledged that both physical and spiritual realms are important unlike the latter which she viewed as selfish. I have practice both paths, but I mainly practice Bardon hermetic system. Peace to you all!)

[thewandererh]

🔄 my other cccc au, ccccycles!

⚠️TW // (coughing up) blood, choking, (mentions of) body dysphoria, rope neck, gnarly head scar, gorey concepts, violence

ccccycles synopsis: heart, mind, and soul are stuck in whole’s empty house. they are forced to live together and get along, but it never goes as well as they hope. arguments often escalate into direct physical fights, and the themed events of cccc play out in every. single. loop (juno event, mind’s apathy, soul’s desperation). permanent damage caused to anyone during these fights results in a reset: everyone painfully changes forms and begin again in their rooms.

heart hates the resets. he desires serenity above all else, but never understands mind’s ravings or mindset enough to proceed.

mind refuses to process the changes emotionally, and comes to wall off his ability to feel entirely by manually changing his mind.

soul cycles and cycles through the stages of grief after every reset. he starts to hate himself for his inability to solve problems.

everyone remembers every loop, but processes it differently. heart buries himself in his mistakes, desperately trying to find the lesson in a long-dead situation, or maybe some reasoning behind mind’s glassy eyes. mind treats the cycles as a new day, misunderstanding resentment and grief, and prioritizing work over play. soul is breaking under all the pressure the cycles bring, and often can’t even look in the mirror to avoid getting attached to his current form.

they go through many forms (all of which are in a different sketchbook i don’t have right now </3), and experience agonies, problems, and surprising bonding experiences. hopefully, these loops don’t end up lasting forever…

the current ccccycles forms: Dyadracide and Eddie. (still designing heart)

Dyadracide, a name he coined meaning “to kill a duo”, starts off shattered and enraged. but with life’s quarrels and a relationship of understanding, he manages his grief and discovers something new for once. he has an extendable rope neck that coils inside his abdomen, a trident splitting his brain hemispheres that shoots out the roof of his mouth for combat (the aftermath of this leaves him coughing up blood), and a misaligned face he learns to like. also he speaks with a lot of ‘h’s. breathy to keep the blood out

Eddie is (mostly) mechanical, and enjoys feeling surrounded by schedules and basic patterns to understand his environment. His unchanging voicecoded smile and judging clock eyes that tick unsymmetrically intimidate with ominous blankness. He doesn’t flinch at violence or raised voices. Besides, both his reflexes and slender figure keep him out of the harm that really matters.

[missb0at]

The lack of posts about Portgas D. Rouge being a bounty hunter on this platform is absolutely criminal so I'm going to yap about ideas and thoughts for a WIP that I've been stressing about for a solid year or so

Bount hunters in one piece tend to work in smaller groups as far as we've seen (ignoring Baroque Works)

But Rouge, in typical D fashion, completely ignores that and only half accidentally ended up creating a massive alliance between a lot of different bounty hunters from pretty much every sea.

I'm saying half accidentally because creating a massive alliance wasn't her goal. She was just going with the flow and somehow ended up as the head of an alliance between almost every important bounty hunter on the seas. But half accident also means half on purpose, Rouge knows how to go with the flow but she also plans. She knew that making allies out of those people would benefit her. She just didn't expect them to also become allies with each other.

I called the alliance Blackjack Bounty Hunters in my drafts but not sure how much I'm sticking to that name

During all of this Rouge also managed to somehow gather a crew, no one knows how that really happened, and I called her ship the Agrotera Amaranth

Agrotera is an epithet of the greek goddess Artemis that means "the Huntress". Amaranth flowers symbolise immortality and everlasting love and beauty. There is also devotion and hope and resilience and determination. Also healing and abundance.

You know how Garp and Roger are from the same sea and have this strange rivalry/frenemy? Yeah well Rouge and Sengoku are both from the South and also have a strange rivalry. No frenemy because they're technically both on the same side. Strange because they're constantly trying to talk the other one onto switching occupations.

Rouge after dropping off another bounty: you know you'd make a pretty great bounty hunter with how ruthless you are

Sengoku: and you'd make a pretty good marine with that sense of justice of yours.

Rouge's second in command is a woman called Marin Ann. Name was inspired by Mary Reed and Anne Bonny. I originally had her named as Mary-Ann but then remembered the already existing character named Marianne aka Miss Goldenweek. i think I tried naming her after pirates because I originally wanted to make her and Rouge pirates but then switched to bounty hunters

Ann used to be a marine researcher specialising in poison but was dishonourably discharged at one point and then joined Rouge.

Oh also yk how Roger and Rayleigh and Gaban have metal related last names? Well Portgas and Marin are both sea related so when I get around to naming Rouge's third in command she'll also get a sea related last name

Rouge earned her epithet of Hibiscus not only because the flower was always in her hair but also because she would always deliver her bounties with them covered in hibiscus flowers.

She usually used a shotgun that that a blade attached to it and always carried two revolver with her.

In the same way Ann got the epithet of Belladonna because she was always using poison to kill or incapacitate her bounties.

Unlike Rouge she tended to stay out of direct conflict but she does run around with needles and different poisons on her person at any given point.

Rouge's first encounter with Roger happened because she heard rumours about the Roger Pirates kidnapping children and forcing them into becoming cabin boys. Rouge and Roger fought, Ann tried to sneak Buggy and Shanks away but they were fighting her every step and then Rayleigh fought her.

In the end the misunderstanding was cleared up and they became allies.

As stated before, Rouge is a planner, a schemer. Ann is one too. Just a bit more extreme than Rouge.

Buggy picked up on their schemer ways during the numerous times that the Agrotera Amaranth and Oro Jackson crossed paths.

Roger, Rayleigh, Rouge, Shakky, Ann Polycule hmmmm maybe Garp? Probably also garp hmmmm (Roger/Rayleigh, Roger/Rouge, Rayleigh/Shakky, Garp/Roger, Rouge/Ann)

Ok that's all my brain can remember right now

[sid-the-sandwich]

Masked Runner (V1); Secret (LFLS Fanfic AU)

Hi everyone! i conjured up yet another fanfic idea, but this time it takes place in an AU, and it's extremely lighthearted compared to others - here it is!

However, as i wrote, the story split into two, both with the exact same beginning, but pivorts into their own stories with different concepts -

This is version one of Masked Runner, nicknamed "Secret", the other version is called "Blackmail"

SUMMARY:

when a misunderstanding spirals out of control, rumours leak to the local paper that Tae Myungha, an ordinary school teacher, is dating Korea's most famous Track-and-Field Olympic Athlete.

Instead of denying the rumours, Myungha goes along with them, adding his own spins and twists to the story to advance in his career, and be respected by staff and students alike - knowing that the real Cha Yeowoon would ever hear about the news,

on the other side of Korea, Cha Yeowoon is flooded with calls of the the situation - it fills him with rage. And against his better judgement, Yeowoon decides to confront Myungha, aiming to sue him penniless.

Unluckily for Cha Yeowoon he starts to fall for Tae Myungha, and his motivations change...

START:

BACKGROUND: Myungha is in his mid-twenties and started working at Shinyeop High School just a few months ago. because he is young, rebel-looking and freshly graduated, he is usually isolated and overlooked by most of the older teachers.

START: Myungha is in class on his lunch break, he is marking papers and gets a call from Kyunghoon - he answers

Kyunghoon talks about his Photoshop skills and emails Myungha some of the photographs he took and then he tried to Photoshop (by adding himself and Myungha into the pictures to see how believable they are).

Myungha opens the attachment and most of them with random celebrities; movie stars, models, athletes - Myungha complements his photoshop skills.

Myungha is cut out his thoughts when a student enters the class, and asks Teacher Myungha for a workbook.

While myungha is at the back of the classroom to retrieve the workbook, the student peaks at the screen and sees a photoshopped picture of Myungha with Cha Yeowoon.

the student gets his book and starts a rumour that Myungha knows Cha Yeowoon.

Myungha sits back at his desk and waits for lunch to be over.

Once the bell rings and students come back in the class, the students are weirdly nice to him,

over the next few days, the other teachers and the principal hear the rumour and they begin treating Myungha nicely, giving free food, and the best work duties (the principal compliments Myungha a ton) - they all ask him about Cha Yeowoon, how they met, ect.

Myungha is confused, but doesn't disappoint; he sees this as an opportunity and decides to go along with the rumour as it is helping him advance his career even though he's never met Cha Yeowoon.

a local paper catch wind of the story and interview Myungha who can't seem to tell the truth now and lies over his first meeting with Cha Yeowoon - even saying he knows how the masked-runner looks and how attractive he is.

MEANWHILE : on the other side of Korea, Cha Yeowoon has just read the article as its gaining more and more traction.

Yeowoon is rightfully angry and is getting hundreds of calls from fans, haters and advertising companies.

Yeowoon decides he wants to meet Tae Myungha and sue him penniless - He even tells his lawyer, Choi Jinjo - Yeowoon asks to find everything they can about Myungha

Despite being advised against it, Yeowoon takes time out of his day to drive to Myungha's location

After at the school and asking another teacher for directions, he gets to Myungha's class and sees Myungha for the first time,

Myungha asks who Yeowoon is, and Yeowoon is about to argue, but realised he didn't have his mask on, (and therefor would risk leaking his real identity, and he especially didn't want to do that in front of this liar.)

Yeowoon gives a fake name, and Myungha mistakes him for a volunteer.

Yeowoon says he read about the rumours in the news and asks about it, trying to see how far Myungha would go

Myungha casually complains about the attention he's getting from everyone; calls, photographs, newspapers, texts, flowers from students and staff.

Yeowoon listens with little disbelief and hidden anger as Myungha recounts the fake story of his and Yeowoon's 'first meeting' - yeowoon is also annoyed because the story makes him seem like a simp

Yeowoon decides that instead of immediately sueing Myungha right this moment, he could stay for a little while (with this disguise of being a volenteer), build a case, and then sue him for even more down the line.

Yeowoon half-smirks, he wants Myungha to pay

MIDDLE:

the entire story, Myungha still pretends like he is dating the athlete Cha Yeowoon

Yeowoon goes by a fake name (Please suggest some - preferably a name similar to Yeowoon)

Yeowoon spends time with Myungha, and keeps seeing Myungha's good deeds with others

Yeowoon tries to act like he lives in the area. he even buys a small rooftop flat that seemed like it needed fixing to play the part.

Yeowoon's story is the same as the series (abusive father, abandoned by his mother, loss grandmother), but he did not injure his leg.

even after the rumour dies down, Yeowoon is still there volunteering under the guise of 'collecting info'

Myungha and Yeowoon grow close, and Yeowoon even meets with Myungha's Grandmother.

Yeowoon even looks forward to Myungha's texts or just to help him with things -

Yeowoon balances volunteering and his usual life

Yeowoon takes notes in a little notebook

Yeowoon grows close to some of Myungha's friends - Kyunghoon, Siah and surprisingly Sangwon

Yeowoon is a bit jealous of Sangwon but he doesnt know why.

Sangwon is very casual person and flirts with everyone

Myungha and Yeowoon even spend some alone time together, and each time Yeowoon seems to be growing fonder of Myungha - the boys even have some romantic tension.

Myungha helps to heal Yeowoon's inner child.

Myungha makes Yeowoon's life better - helping him merely becuz he is a person and not becuz he is famous (Myungha worried, cooked occasionally, spoke casually, had icecream, ect)

Yeowoon realises his crush on Myungha but doesnt know how to act on it - conflicted between getting revenge and acting on his emotions (since Yeowoon had never liked anyone before)

Halfway through Yeowoon even forgets about taking revenge, and even settles into his little life of training early morning, volunteering during the day and then resting in his rundown rooftop flat (the one he brought solely to fit in) - sometimes Yeowoon forgets to go back to his real home.

Myungha gets increasingly stressed as time goes on and he continues to 'date a famous person' - the lies sometimes contradict

this entire time, Myungha does NOT know Yeowoon is THE Masked Runner he is pretending to date.

CLIMAX:

EVENT 1: Myungha's school hold an open night for new students, and to incentivise attendance, Myungha's Principal asks Myungha to bring his boyfriend - Myungha tries to argue, but the principal had already printed on the posters that 'Masked Athlete Cha Yeowoon' would make an appearance - the principal tells Myungha to make it happen (with a little threatening edge)

Myungha panics and doesn't know what to do - since Athlete Yeowoon wears a mask, he first asks Kyunghoon to pretend to be Yeowoon but its nowhere even close - Myungha's panic escalates. eventually, Yeowoon (still under the disguise of volunteering) sees Myungha's panic and agrees to 'pretend' to wear a mask and be Myungha's Bf for the night.

the night comes and Yeowoon appears masked, everyone believes it (Yeowoon is throwing out tons of cash to show his wealth and impress everyone as a doting bf... but Myungha worries this is coming out of his wallet)

the night ends as Myungha and Yeowoon sit near a riverbank, Myungha gets a little drunk and admits the truth of lying about dating a famous person - Myungha is so happy to finally let that weight off his chest.

EVENT 2: time passes without incident,

Myungha and Yeowoon get closer to each other as Yeowoon's feelings grow each and every day.

Yeowoon is planning on confessing everything (both his feelings and about him being the masked runner) to Myungha.

Yeowoon meets up with Myungha,

Yeowoon confesses his feelings to Myungha, but stops before revealing his true identity

Myungha is in shock... he actually doesn't know how to respond, and so avoids the confession - he still hangs out with Yeowoon, but tiptoes around the question for a number of days. in that time the answer is eating Yeowoon up.

Kyunghoon notices a change in his bestfriend and they have a little heart-to-heart - after talking, Myungha accepts Yeowoon's confession

the boys go on a few dates happily as ever, and both Myungha and Yeowoon forget about the whole 'dating a celebrity' rumour.

during one date, Myungha and Yeowoon kiss in public... a photograph is taken from afar.

EVENT 3: A random fan had taken the picture of the two boys kissing - Myungha is dragged through the dirt, people accusing him of cheating, calling him hateful words, bullying, ect.

as soon as Yeowoon hears about it after a day, he immediately rushes to Myungha's Grandma's house.

he is told Myungha had not come back home since yesterday - but says she doesnt worry because he used to do this all the time as a teen - but still, Yeowoon assumes the worst. (Grandma doesnt use social media and so doesnt know about the scandal)

Yeowoon walks around town and sees Myungha just sitting quietly by the riverbank with a box in his hands.

Yeowoon sits by Myungha's side without a word.

Myungha admits he got fired because some of Athlete Yeowoon's fans sent angry letters and calls to the school - but Myungha says it doesnt matter because he does deserve it for lying for so long.

Yeowoon feels heartbroken and doesnt know exactly what to say at a time like this, he wants to reveal the truth (of his identity) but at the same time doesnt know if that's the best course of action

THE END:

Yeowoon is forced to have a press conference to address the rumours.

Yeowoon (masked) is cold and uses little words as possible; he dodges all the reporters' questions, and talks directly to the camera.

Yeowoon admits to being in a relationship with Myungha on national television - Yeowoon then does something he never thought he would ever do, Yeowoon removes his mask.

everyone is in shock and awe

Yeowoon talks directly to Myungha in the camera, hoping he is watching from hime - he tells Myungha that he has something important to tell him, so please don't ignore him.

Yeowoon quickly ends the press conference, ignoring the reporters hounding question

Myungha was watching from home in awe, he readies to leave but

Yeowoon is already at Myungha's house in the matter of minutes

Myungha is very confused and Yeowoon worries Myungha would be mad - (Myungha was more shocked than anything)

the boys kiss and Grandma sees them, she tells Myungha to be nice to Yeowoon (she doesnt really cast a glance at the two boys kissing).

EPILOGUE:

Myungha and Yeowoon have a beach date, it was supposed to be just the two of them, but Myungha accidentally invited the rest of his friends.

(btw - Myungha does get his job back - infact, he gets a better job)

apologise if the story seems a little cliche - I admit it is, but I enjoyed writing down these notes on this hypothetical idea.

im going to write, and post the second version of this story 'Blackmail' in the next few days, hopefully you'll stick around to read it - it has the same beginning, but pivorts the story in a new direction.

anyways, thank you for reading,

Stay Safe <3

| Masterlist |

[a-fantasy-lover-surfing-the-net]

Feud Ep 15-23 thoughts

- I understand where both of our leads come from. I can't say either one of them is wrong for believing in what they should do. However, I feel the conflict between them about following the heavenly order leads to them becoming "enemies" because of external force. Because Bai Jiusi wants them to not break rules because of 1) his belief and 2) the punishment that they will have to endure. And Hua Ruyue wants to break the rules when mortals are being harmed and she cannot bear to not help them when she has the ability to do so. I feel if they fought purely for their opposing views on whether immortals should interfere in mortal affairs then it would be more impactful to viewers. But by involving a third party (the defenders of the heavenly order i.e. the heavenly emissary) it makes the story prone to the classic drama misunderstandings and gives the writers an easy target to use to direct the characters' anger towards rather than letting the characters make their own decisions having to deal with the consequences that follow. I'll probably make a lengthy post regarding this later.

- I think why Hua Ruyue feels so betrayed is because they made a promise to each other that they would be together and have each other's back throughout this love tribulation and then he abandoned her there telling her what she did was wrong. We didn't see much of their interactions and dynamic before and during the tribulation which is a big flaw in the writing that makes the viewers less invested in them as a couple. Bai Lu's acting was the only thing that made me sympathize with Ruyue. Also, it was obvious that Jiusi is only doing this to take the punishment on behalf of Ruyue. But it rankles me that they don't discuss their issues in depth. If you want to be together you need to have the hard talks, you can't just avoid them. You're thousands of years old, act like it. I get that you're both new to relationships but you guys have been living together for decades. It doesn't feel like you have based on your behaviors tho.

- Meng Changqin you may have been the catalyst of the conflict between these immortals but you're a great guy and I like his spirit and determination.

- Zhang Suan, shouldn't you ingest the cure pill and keep yourself alive before gallavanting off to find her? KEEP YOURSELF ALIVE LONG ENOUGH TO MEET HER.

- I want to form a Ling'er protection squad and I want to cheer her on from the sides. Love her.

- Love how Meng Chu so bewildered by the truth that elders put on an act of opposing his choice of partner and also that all the outer disciples were more powerful than the elites. I wonder if he's related to Changqin.

- They finally started to discuss their differences but at this point I don't think it'll make much difference. Their points were thought provoking tho... I'll give them that.

- I don't think Bai Jiusi knows how to live as a mortal or even understand their mindset.

- She gets attached very easily while he maintains distance with people.

- Finally, Zhang Suan went to get his cure pill.

- Bai Jiusi really has one track mind i.e. be with Hua Ruyue at all times even if she stabs me or actively plots my demise.

- In the illusion apart from Lin Tao and his mother (through whom she showed her experience), she also tried to convey her point view through Lin Fan especially the destiny debate.

- For a second, I really believed that Li Mo also was a spy. Can't be too sure of anything in this drama.

- I really don't know how they can ever be together even if she forgives him which is also unlikely to happen.

- Long Yuan just looking at him is rage-inducing. It seems to me that he has a personal grudge with Hua Ruyue.

- I appreciate the lighthearted moments of respite in between the seriousness.

- Ruyue don't give Zhang Suan any crumbs for him to rest his hopes up on if you're not intending to be with him.

- How many symbolisms are they going to give them? Not only are they Yin and Yang, they're fire and ice and can sense each other since they came into existence !!!

- Not going to lie ep 23 made me bawl my eyes out.

- What did he do that makes her want to kill him then ?!?!

- Have to commend Bai Lu and Zeng Shunxi's acting. It was top notch !

Personal blurb-

My personal life became very hectic and I could barely make time to see the episodes. I've posted my thoughts of these episodes that I watched a few days ago. Now I'll be watching the rest. Can't believe they dropped the last 4 eps just when I managed to make time to catch up on the rest of the episodes. I have many ideas for rant posts that hopefully I manage to write and post.

[furinana]

The uncertainty of Asahi's family background caused by the strategy book

“Apprentice hunter. Although she was an orphan, she was taken in by Boss and raised alongside the protagonist. [...]”

Mmm, is that right? I decided to remake a past post addressing this to avoid misunderstandings since it's likely this info isn't actually compatible with SMT4A's setting for fair reasons ↓

Confusion is apparent among Japanese fans:

"I read the strategy book but is it true that Asahi was also an orphan? Isn't that just a mistake on the part of the editors? Maybe Asahi and Nanashi were orphans living together and Asahi remembered her name? And they were both picked up and raised by Boss, so Asahi became very attached to Nanashi?"

"SMT4A's strategy guide says that Asahi was an orphan who was adopted by Boss, but isn't Nanashi the only one who is an orphan and Asahi is Boss's real child??"

"What I don't quite understand from SMT4&A's setting is concerning Boss's fiancee and Asahi's birth; Boss is overly worried about Asahi and whenever he appeared, Nanashi and Asahi seemed to be in different positions. But then the strategy guide says Asahi was also an orphan and I was like huuuuh"

"[...] In the strategy book, Asahi is an orphan, but in the Setting Materials Collection, she's Boss's child... she would be an orphan with a name while Nanashi wouldn't have one lol"

"[...] If Asahi is also an orphan, why does she have a proper name?* That's why I thought she was his biological child after all" *: 朝日 asahi means morning sun while 名無し nanashi means nameless

"I wonder if Boss was the one who named Asahi. I thought it was a name filled with a lot of hope. It's like he wants to show this child the sunrise that he can't see at the moment. On the other hand, who gave Nanashi such a careless name? [...]"

[The only in-game info we have regarding Boss]

After discussion with @/oozmium, here's the gist:

[The Strategy Guide (left) and the Setting Materials Collection aka SMTIVA's artbook (right)]

A plausible explanation is that it could be a dated aspect from the concept stage that doesn't apply to the final product. In any case, we lack hard evidence for whatever angle you look at them from.

The only stated facts are: 1) Nanashi was rescued as a baby (who rescued him is not specified) 2) Boss retired from being a Hunter due to his wife's death when Nanashi and Asahi were 5 3) Nanashi and Asahi knew each other as early as they remember 4) Boss being Asahi's father is strongly reiterated more through the game

With this much up in the air, is it possible to, let's say, build a scenario where the unequal treatment regarding Nanashi and Asahi makes sense while still under the perspective that Boss tried the best he could with both? Well... to each fan their own interpretation.

Nevertheless, even if the game doesn't go further on this topic, some fans still are fond of associating Nanashi and Asahi to siblings:

"Huh, Asahi's dad is Nanashi's adoptive father, so does that mean they're like siblings? (I've decided they're an older sister & younger brother duo)"

"About Asahi, she looks like an older sister with Nanashi as a younger brother"

"Asahi and the protagonist have been childhood friends for probably over ten years so because of that Nanashi would only view Asahi as an older sister or a mother, unable to see her as a SO or a lover"

"Wouldn't Asahi and Nanashi be cute if they were older sister and younger brother... the fearless older sister who keeps pushing forward and the younger brother who follows her from behind but steps forward to protect her when the time comes. So damn adorbs!"

"The way I headcanon my own Nanashi is that he's Asahi's twin, but he was a little hurt for being the only one without a name! That's why he renamed himself to Hinata* in his smartphone (*∩´ω∩) Asahi and Hinata. Children waiting for the sun (*∩´ω∩)"

*: Both Asahi and Hinata share the kanji for sun (日). 日(ひ)向 hinata means sunny place (lit. the direction the sun is shining)

[angirasstuff]

Emotional departure.

Near Tankapani Road, Bhubaneswar.

All day, I had been overwhelmed by the thought of leaving this place. I had fallen deeply in love with it. I came with the intention of embracing it, and I did. The anonymity of living in a place away from home, with its familiar people and the bland, repetitive everyday activities, contrasted with the excitement and new experiences the new place could bring. It was something I couldn't resist. There was an irrefutable pain in my chest that I couldn't shake off. The more I thought about it, the more I felt attached to the place, the house, its belongings, its surroundings, every passing moment in time, and even its people (I'm not a social person though).

It was about time to get ready when Dad barged into our room, unexpectedly fitful. He was yelling—no, telling us to get ready, as he had expected us to be by the time he arrived. For your information, the train would arrive in roughly an hour. How often do we see a calm person get angry? I was unprepared. It caused quite a commotion. I had never seen my parents fight, so this caught me off guard. To me, a family was never a comfort place, as I was raised by a single (abusive) parent, my mother. I had, therefore, developed a deep idea of relationships and held it very dearly. Miscommunication is the biggest fear in any relationship, as it is the root of misunderstandings, which lead to the breakdown of a healthy relationship. So this was quite a shock for me. My mom, unable to handle the frustration, passed it down to me through scoldings and emotional abuse. It wasn't Dad's fault either; it had been a stressful day at work, a person died at work site. Imagine how it might feel having to balance work, life, and family all at the same time. It was quite about time to leave, so we came down in no time, ready to depart as the car was waiting downstairs.

You know how people say, "it is both a curse and a blessing to feel everything profoundly"? I guess it is a part of growing up. I am feeling such a wide range of emotions, putting myself into so many people's shoes, understanding so many different perspectives, and experiencing so much more than I even realize. Why is this happening to me? Jharu, our cook, bid us goodbye. I could feel the pain in his eyes as he saw us leave.

I got into the car, crying and smiling at the silliest things. I couldn't bear the thought of stepping foot in this house for the last time, seeing the place for the last time (immediately spotting the celebration sphere at the opposite of the alley), riding this car for the last time, and passing through this alley for one last time.

“I'll miss you, my Scorpio.”

While I was busy wiping away my tears, I saw a groom on his way to his wedding with a band and a number of guests passing through the same road as us. Today is a memorable day in his life. At the same time, I saw an ambulance rushing from the opposite direction. Someone is enjoying the best day of his life, while someone is witnessing the last day of his life. I realized that life is not the same for everyone.

It was time for us to cross the overbridge to get to platform number 3. While we carried the small luggage, our driver carried the largest of them all—the big, heavy suitcase. He squinted his eyes as he lifted the suitcase, and I could feel the difficulty through his facial expressions. He carried it with one hand and walked down the steps until he gasped for breath. I was glad I didn't have to do it. Life is different for everyone. It was very hard on him. Although he'd get paid for every little thing he helped us with, who would involve themselves in such hard labor for some money? The term "social position" explains it all (according to society, not me). I felt pity just by looking at him.

While we were walking, I saw a bookstore on the platform, and joy spread through my eyes. Nothing can make a vivid reader/observer/writer happier than books. I wished someone could see me and understand what I was feeling at that moment, but Dad didn't stop at the bookstore. I realized that Dad doesn't know me well enough to know that I love books. He never had the chance to spend enough time with me in his life, as he had always lived away.

As I'm writing this journal, sitting on the platform waiting for my train to arrive, I see hundreds of things happening to hundreds of people that I could note down. But guess what? I don't have a hundred hands to capture those different moments simultaneously while they're still in action.

My dad tried to make up for what happened by talking to me, but I'm hard to please.

As the train was about to arrive, my dad was confused about whether our compartment would come to the left or right of the platform. We ran left—maybe not this side—so we ran right, with our driver carrying our large, heavy suitcase. Then again, left. The train arrived, and we were trying to match its pace, running with our luggage to B3, which was far to the left. We kept speeding up, and my mom exclaimed in frustration, "How much more do we have to walk?"

My dad replied, "Just a little more."

I laughed.

Here we have my mom, who gets frustrated at the smallest things, and my overly patient dad, who's about to lose his patience due to this woman. What a sweet pair.

*A pinch of sarcasm*

We got into the train, and my dad and the driver went off after lifting up all the luggage, as the train could leave any second. The train started to move, and I could feel all those emotions again. Tears came to my eyes, and I struggled to wipe them away while I watched my dad growing distant (the train was moving away from the platform) until I could see him no more.

[jiejing-lifechanyuan]

Letting Go into the Tao: What I Learned from Xue Feng

An autobiographical reflection

-By Xilian Celestial

June 25, 2025

A week ago, I encountered something rare — not a loud awakening, but a quiet turning within. It came not through books or rituals, but through a few short, seemingly ordinary exchanges with Xue Feng on the Lifechanyuan intranet. And yet, within those words was the energy of deep clarity — a clarity that pierced through the surface of my spiritual habits and went straight to the heart of my inner distortion.

What I realized — and could not have seen without his guidance — was that I was still attached to control.

Not in the obvious sense. I did not demand, manipulate, or resist life externally. But inside, there was a subtle resistance — a hidden clinging to how I wanted things to be. A longing to be understood. A hope that what I see as beautiful and true would be recognized by others. A quiet expectation that alignment should be shared and mutual. I hadn’t even noticed how these attachments were shaping my perception of reality.

The Gentle Unveiling

••••••••••••••••••••••••

What astonished me was how Xue Feng led me to this realization — not by instructing, not by correcting, but by pointing lightly, like a breeze that moves a curtain and lets the sunlight in.

He does not argue. He does not explain at length. He simply reveals — and in that moment, your own clarity arises. That’s what makes him so powerful: he never imposes, yet somehow you come to see. And once seen, the illusion disappears.

His words were like clear water: simple, direct, and utterly unclouded by personal agenda. He made no attempt to guide me with pressure or authority — only by resonance, by being completely aligned with the Tao. That alignment reflected my distortion back to me — and I saw it for what it was.

This wasn’t just a new idea; it was a felt truth. I was out of sync with the natural flow — because I was still subtly trying to shape it.

Returning to Trust

••••••••••••••••••••••••

Your clarity reminded me to let go of my own subtle attachments —

the wish for others to understand,

the hope that beauty might be recognized by all.

I now see that even misunderstanding has its place in the grand design.

Thank you for helping me return to a space of quiet trust in the natural unfolding of everything.

It’s a very profound teaching, and I’ve come to realize that without some previous inner work, one might not even recognize what Xue Feng is pointing to. His way of teaching is energetic, subtle, and incredibly refined. You must be listening with your soul, not just your ears. You must be ripe for realization — and I was.

This is my first direct experience of being guided by him, and already, it has shifted something fundamental in me.

How I Live and Practice Differently

••••••••••••••••••••••••

As a medical practitioner, this realization has immediate application. In the past, I may have unconsciously carried the pressure to “fix,” to restore balance, to ensure my patients could see what I saw — the path to healing, the importance of trust, the wisdom of nature.

Now, I practice differently.

I offer space, not solutions.

I listen, not just with my ears,

but with my conscience.

I act, not from the urge to help,

but from alignment with what the moment truly asks.

I allow outcomes to unfold — even when they don’t match my hope or effort.

This has made my healing work more gentle, more respectful, and paradoxically, more powerful.

Even in daily life, I’ve softened. I don’t need to explain myself. I don’t rush to correct or persuade. I speak only when moved by the Tao — and remain silent when silence is the higher offering. There is more peace now — not because life has changed, but because my relationship to life has changed.

What I Carry Forward

To walk in alignment with the Tao is not a method. It is a surrender. And to encounter someone like Xue Feng — who lives this surrender fully — is both a mirror and a guide.

He did not give me anything new.

He helped me see what I was already holding, and what I no longer needed.

And for this, I offer my deepest gratitude not just to him, but to the Greatest Creator who arranged this meeting at exactly the right time.

I walk forward now with fewer questions, less urgency, and more trust. Not as a follower, but as someone quietly returning home to the Tao.

Please know more about Lifechanyuan Thailand Branch from: https://newoasisforlife.org/new/forum.php?mod=forumdisplay&fid=135

[coupleswhodance]

Beyond Words: The Power of Non-Verbal Communication in Partnerships

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you're speaking to your partner, but it feels like you're talking to a brick wall? Or perhaps you've had the frustrating experience of saying one thing, only to have your partner hear something completely different? If so, you're not alone. We have wildly different communication styles, so we come up against the misunderstandings this can create. We have found ways to keep it from causing harm to our partnership through the non-verbal communication dance offers. It’s why we’re so passionate about sharing it with other couples.

In this article we will guide you through some helpful information so you can be informed on your journey, and we’ll include helpful tools to realign with your person. So let’s get on the right step together. Move together, grow together!

The Challenge of Communication Styles

One of the biggest pain points in relationships is the clash of communication styles. Some of us are direct communicators, while others prefer a more nuanced approach. Some express emotions freely, while others tend to keep feelings bottled up. Our attachment styles have a huge impact here and that’s something we will explore more at another time. These differences can lead to misunderstandings, frustration, and even conflict.

But what if we told you that the solution to these communication woes might not involve words at all?

The Silent Language of Dance

As relationship experts and authors of "...And So, We Dance," we've discovered a powerful tool for enhancing non-verbal communication: Dance. Partner dancing isn't just a fun activity or a way to stay fit; it's a profound method of communication that can bridge the gap between different communication styles.

Here's how dance enhances non-verbal communication:

Body Language Awareness: Dancing makes you hyper-aware of your partner's body language, teaching you to pick up on subtle cues and signals.

Emotional Attunement: Through dance, you learn to sense your partner's emotional state without a word being spoken.

Trust and Vulnerability: The physical nature of dance requires trust and allows for vulnerability, both crucial elements in effective communication.

Synchronization: Moving in harmony with your partner teaches you to sync up on a physical level, which often translates to better emotional and mental synchronization off the dance floor.

Dance and the 5 Love Languages

Interestingly, dance touches on all five love languages identified by Gary Chapman:

Physical Touch: The most obvious connection to dance.

Quality Time: Dancing together is undivided attention at its finest.

Words of Affirmation: While dancing itself is non-verbal, it often involves verbal encouragement, loving support, and praise.

Acts of Service: Learning to dance for your partner can be a profound act of service.

Receiving Gifts: The gift of dance lessons or a dance date night can fulfill this love language.

Practical Tools for Enhanced Non-Verbal Communication

Even if you're not ready to hit the dance floor, you can start improving your non-verbal communication today:

Mirror Exercise: Spend 5 minutes mirroring each other's movements. This builds awareness and synchronization.

Silent Gaze: Practice maintaining eye contact for 2 minutes without speaking. This builds comfort with non-verbal connection.

Touch Communication: Try expressing emotions through touch alone, without words. This enhances sensitivity to physical cues.

Breath Synchronization: Spend a few minutes syncing your breathing. This creates a powerful, wordless connection.

The Dance of Life

By enhancing your non-verbal communication skills, you're not just improving your ability to understand each other; you're deepening your connection on a fundamental level. You're learning to dance through life together, in perfect harmony.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you're intrigued by the power of non-verbal communication and want to explore how dance can transform your relationship, we invite you to join us. Our book, "...And So, We Dance," dives deep into these concepts, providing practical exercises and insights to help you and your partner move together in perfect rhythm.

We also offer workshops and retreats where you can experience the transformative power of dance firsthand. Whether you're dealing with communication challenges or simply want to deepen your connection, we're here to guide you through the beautiful dance of partnership. You can visit our website or contact us directly for more information.

Remember, a great relationship, like a great dance, requires practice, patience, and a willingness to move together. Are you ready to take the lead in transforming your partnership? Take our Relationship Check-In Survey

Let's connect and discuss how you can bring more rhythm and harmony into your relationship!

Move Together, Grow Together,

James and D’Leene DeBoer

Couples Who Dance

What's your experience with non-verbal communication in your relationship? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

[5xtrade]

Debunking Common Myths About Indian Stock Market Trading Platforms

The Indian stock market has seen a remarkable surge in retail investors, with participation growing by over 300% in the past few years. This boom has led to increased usage of various trading platforms. Choosing the right Online Stock trading platform in India is crucial for both novice and seasoned investors, as it can significantly impact trading success. Unfortunately, many misconceptions cloud the decision-making process. This article aims to clarify these misunderstandings about stock market trading platforms in India.

Myth 1: All Trading Platforms Are the Same

Trading platforms are not one-size-fits-all. They vary widely, categorized mainly into discount brokers and full-service brokers. Each type has its unique features.

Feature Discount Brokers Full-Service Brokers

Commissions Low to zero Higher rates

Advisory Services Limited Comprehensive

Trading Tools Basic Advanced

Customer Support Email/Chat Phone/Personal

User Interface Simplified Feature-rich

Commission & Fees: Pricing structures differ among brokers, affecting profitability. For example, Zerodha charges zero brokerage for equity investments, while HDFC Securities has different rates, which can impact your returns.

User Interface and Experience: A friendly and intuitive interface is essential, especially for beginners. Platforms like 5xtrade and Kite offer user-friendly designs that can make trading easier.

Myth 2: Higher Charges Mean Better Service

Not all expensive platforms provide superior service.

The Value of Full-Service Brokerage: Full-service brokers offer valuable research and advisory services. However, these features may not be necessary for every investor. An industry expert notes, "Quality research can enhance decision-making, but it comes at a price."

Hidden Charges: Many platforms impose costs that aren't initially clear. Examples include inactivity fees from ICICI Direct or maintenance charges from Sharekhan.

Value for Money Analysis: Evaluating a broker’s overall value requires looking beyond commission rates. Assess the services and support provided in relation to the fees charged.

Myth 3: Only Experienced Traders Need Advanced Features

There’s a misconception that complex tools are necessary only for seasoned traders.

Advanced Features Explained: Features like charting tools and margin trading can benefit newcomers. Understanding these tools can enhance trading decisions.

Risk Management Tools: Beginners should also leverage risk management options. Platforms often offer stop-loss orders to help safeguard investments.

Demystifying Technical Analysis: Technical analysis can seem complex, but it’s simply the study of market trends through charts. Familiarizing yourself with basic concepts can improve trading confidence.

Myth 4: Free Trading Platforms Are Always the Best Option

While free platforms seem attractive, they often come with strings attached.

Understanding "Free" Services: Many free services hide costs, such as limited features or high trading fees. For instance, while a platform may advertise no commission, they might charge for withdrawals.

The Value of Paid Services: Paid platforms often provide better customer support and more advanced analytics. Consider services that fit your trading style and needs.

Choosing the Right Balance: Finding a balance between cost and features is vital. Assess what you truly need from a trading platform.

Myth 5: Security Is Guaranteed on All Platforms

Investors often assume all platforms are secure, but that’s not always the case.

SEBI Regulations: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) provides a regulatory framework that protects investors. It enforces stringent rules to enhance investor safety.

Data Security and Privacy: Many platforms employ strong data encryption methods to safeguard personal information. Look for features like two-factor authentication.

Due Diligence for Investors: Always research a platform’s legitimacy. Check for regulatory compliance and read reviews to ensure data security.

Conclusion

Dispelling these common misconceptions about Online stock market trading platforms is vital. Each platform has features, costs, and services that cater to different investor needs. Careful selection based on your preferences and risk tolerance is critical. Before investing, take the time to research and choose a platform that aligns with your financial goals.

[lifechanyuan]

The Five Laws on the Eternity of LIFE - 3

Humans have three origins and this is why there are three major religions; Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. The differences in the doctrines resulted from the different origins of their LIVES.

This is just an outline of an outline and its real complexity would be too difficult to explain clearly as it involves too many astonishing details. A little imprudence could cause major misunderstandings, so therefore it can only be perceive by heart and not explained verbally.

Scientists are taking efforts to establish a “unified field theory” of the universe while the gods are endeavoring to establish a unified perspective theory of human beings. Both groups are trying to unify all the inharmonious elements into the harmonious Way of the Greatest Creator which is why phenomena such as angels descending to the earth, Martians coming to save the earth, new age concepts, and others are appearing. The birth of Lifechanyuan is a part of this general trend. Those with clairvoyance can smell the era changing from Lifechanyuan.

Because of this, all religions except for the three listed above are heterodoxical because of their false sources and should cease their activities and disappear automatically. Owing to the different doctrines and unconquerable qualities of these three, they should compromise with each other and gradually blend together in order to safeguard the harmony of cosmic LIVES.

In the eyes of the Greatest Creator, all LIVES are equal and share the same opportunity. As LIVES are imperishable, everyone, regardless of their religion, faction, nationality, or race at present, should stop thinking about maintaining their own current interest, but only consider their future direction.

LIFE has spirituality, consciousness, reaction, and emotion, but its spirituality comes from LIFE’s origin, the psychic energy of the Greatest Creator which is also the Tao in Laozi’s Tao de Jing. Tao is the blood and vitality of the universe; it runs throughout all time and space and exists in motion and variation of all material and nonmaterial beings. As long as the Greatest Creator exists, Tao works; as long as Tao exists, LIFE is imperishable. Even if we wanted to end our own LIFE, it would be impossible. We could only kill our physical body, but we could never kill our LIFE because our LIFE and Tao, the psychic energy of the Greatest Creator, are integrated.

Owing to the eternity of Tao, the LIFE attached to it is imperishable. This is another law of the eternity of LIFE.

Finally, let us look at whether or not the nonmaterial structure of LIFE will ever be faced with extinction. As we know, only energy that is attached to a structure can form a shape and play a role. We grow from germ cells into adults with complete organs and limbs under the absolute determination of the energy which attaches itself to our LIFE structures. Without these LIFE structures, energy could only remain energy forever with no way of becoming constituent parts of human bodies. We can imagine that if these germ cells were divided continuously, they would eventually enter the domain of quantum mechanics and superstrings. With a further step, they would enter the dimension of the spirit and consciousness which are nonmaterial. All material with forms in the universe are ever-changing and able to disappear, but spirit and consciousness are not. We always say that deities lurk one meter above our heads, but who or what are these deities? They are nonmaterial and intangible; although intangible, they are substantive and will never disappear. Each material has a structure and each nonmaterial also has one. As a result, since nonmaterial structures cannot disappear, then these nonmaterial structures of LIFE will never do so either. This is another law of LIFE’s eternity.

In summary; LIFE is eternal for the following five reasons:

The universe is eternal

The universe’s morality is eternal

LIFE beings can transmigrate and change

The psychic energy of the Greatest Creator - Tao - lives forever

Nonmaterial structures are eternal

These five reasons determine the law of LIFE’s eternity.

If my theoretical analysis above leaves you confused, then consider the facts.

What facts?

From the research reports of near death experiences and the records of reminiscences about previous lives, one can understand that LIFE is eternal. If you have not read about them, you can still sense and feel them in your dreams.

In conclusion: LIFE is eternal.

[jp-noir]

Writing a relationship between an Italian-American man and a French woman can be both exciting and complex. The cultural differences and personal backgrounds will add richness to the dynamics of their relationship. Here are some elements to consider when writing this kind of relationship:

1. Cultural Differences

Language: The Italian-American man may speak English with traces of Italian influence in his speech, or he may even speak Italian, depending on his family’s heritage. The French woman would speak French fluently, and her English may carry a French accent. Their interactions could involve playful language barriers or moments of bonding over shared words or expressions.

Food and Cooking: Food is central to both cultures. The Italian-American man might value hearty Italian meals, such as pasta, pizza, and rich sauces. The French woman might be more into lighter French cuisine like croissants, baguettes, or gourmet French dishes. This could lead to fun interactions where they try to outdo each other’s cooking or discover each other’s culinary preferences.

Family Values: Both cultures emphasize family, though in different ways. The Italian-American man may have a very close-knit, sometimes overwhelming family, with regular Sunday dinners and strong expectations. The French woman, depending on her background, might value family but could also have a more independent or formal relationship with her own family. These differences could lead to conflicts or growth in the relationship.

Romantic Expressions: Romance is a common thread in both cultures, but the ways in which they express it may differ. The Italian-American man might be openly affectionate, passionate, and expressive, whereas the French woman might be more reserved or sophisticated in her expressions of love. This could create moments of humor or tension as they navigate their differences.

2. Personal Dynamics

Differences in Expectations: An Italian-American man might have a deep attachment to his roots and could value traditions like taking care of loved ones, while a French woman might be more focused on personal freedom, intellectualism, or romance in a different way. There could be tension when their values about life and love clash, but also potential for growth and mutual respect as they learn from each other.

Humor: Both cultures are known for their sense of humor. The Italian-American man may enjoy being loud, expressive, and playful, using humor as a way to connect. The French woman might appreciate dry wit, subtle humor, or sarcastic remarks. They could both laugh at how differently they view certain situations or misunderstand each other in funny ways.

3. Possible Conflicts or Tensions

Cultural Stereotypes: They may have preconceived notions about each other’s culture. For example, the Italian-American man might think of the French as being snobbish, while the French woman might stereotype Italians as overly emotional. These stereotypes could lead to humorous misunderstandings, but ultimately the characters would have to overcome these biases as they grow closer.

Language Barriers: If neither speaks the other's language fluently, they might experience some awkward but endearing situations where they struggle to communicate. Their conversations might be a mix of English, French, and Italian, leading to moments of laughter or frustration.

4. Romantic and Emotional Connection

Passion: The Italian-American man might be more fiery and passionate in his approach to love, eager to show affection and share his emotions. The French woman, who may have a more reserved nature, might take a slower, more nuanced approach to romance. This difference can create emotional tension, but also opportunities for them to deepen their emotional connection as they learn to appreciate each other’s styles of love.

Communication Styles: The Italian-American man may be more direct and open about his feelings, while the French woman could be more subtle, relying on actions over words. This could lead to miscommunications or moments where one feels the other is not as invested, but ultimately, they can learn to speak each other’s emotional language.

5. External Influences

Cultural Events: Their relationship could be influenced by cultural holidays and traditions. For example, the Italian-American man might want to celebrate Christmas with a big Italian family gathering, while the French woman might prefer a quiet New Year's Eve in Paris. Navigating holidays and family obligations can provide both conflicts and opportunities for bonding.

Travel and Exploration: Given the different cultural backgrounds, the couple may enjoy traveling to each other’s home countries. This could be a great source of romance and discovery, where each learns more about the other's heritage and culture. Trips to Italy and France could open up new adventures, conflicts, and opportunities for deeper understanding.

Example Scenario:

The Italian-American man, Marco, always has a loud, passionate way of speaking. He's been raised in a close-knit Italian family where food and family are at the heart of everything. His girlfriend, Celine, is French and prefers the more subtle, elegant approach to life. When they cook together, Marco insists on making homemade pasta, while Celine argues that a simple French omelet is the most elegant dish. They banter in a mix of English, Italian, and French, trying to understand each other’s perspectives. At first, Celine finds Marco’s openness a bit overwhelming, but gradually she appreciates his deep connection to family and his passion. Marco, on the other hand, learns to appreciate the more refined and philosophical approach that Celine brings to life, and they find common ground in their love for food, travel, and adventure.

By mixing elements of cultural background, personal quirks, and emotional growth, you can create a relationship full of depth, humor, conflict, and romance that will resonate with readers.

[deathfavor]

   I was thinking about this yesterday on the whole rivalry dash shenanigans, but I don’t think Kazutora understands the difference between a rival and an enemy, or even in different scales of opposition. It’s eat or be eaten. Games are on thing, he CAN in that regard because games are set up to be competitive so he understands that can be friendly competition. But something like a rivalry OUTSIDE the confines of a game? He doens’t. It’s a genuine lack of understand because it doesn’t match up to what he’s known about the world. It wasn’t an intentional overaggressive or dramatic response on his behalf to escalate terms. It was a genuine misunderstand / misconception on Kazutora’s behalf that the tension was moving from a passive one-sided threat to an active threat.  (Hence today’s post in not hating Chifuyu but hating the threat that Kazutora perceives that ROLE as.) 

   I’ve mostly talked about Kazutora’s perceptions on threats in specific situations regarding Mikey / Baji and Kazutora’s understanding of the situation at the time (his hatred directed at Mikey and how Kazutora could snap so fast to attack Baji). But it’s something that is large scale for Kazutora.  Kazutora sees the world in threat (active and passive) or not threat.  It was a mindset that was deeply enrooted thanks in no small part to his upbringing. This idea of threats came about as a way for Kazutora to survive, especially as he grows more and more unstable. Something is either actively a threat to his wellbeing or it is not. 

     It’s not so simple as to something being a physical threat or not though. Obviously, his father plays an active threat in his head given the abuse at his hands. But fighting for example is not a threat to Kazutora BECAUSE he expects the danger and is ready for it, he enjoys it. There’s physical danger, but there’s no mental or emotional danger to Kazutora. It’s why he also doesn’t share about the Black Dragons initially - both because he is proud, and because it’s also not a threat to ‘him’ in any emotional compacity. A passive threat is Chifuyu’s role (and thus unfortunately projected onto Chifuyu sometimes but not all the time) - he’s afraid that role threatens his stability with Baji. And this is also why Hanma fits into the no threat category despite physically being able to be a threat. He feels stable in that connection without any threat. he knows Hanma’s bad news and a piece of shit and he’s willing to take that risk, so it isn’t a threat because he can only blame himself. It’s also not as strong of a connection. He dislikes him but also likes him. Like I said, its the we’re both awful but at least around you I don’t have to worry about it. 

 But at the same time his mother is also a threat to him. He lists the traitors in his life: his father, his mother, his friends (Junpeke’s group). His mother might not have had the physical aspect - but she was absent. A passive threat that really drove home how things can be a threat emotionally to Kazutora rather than physical or just verbally like his father. Physically he was safer with his mother, but emotionally it was no better. She was the one that pushed the idea that ‘you can only have one, never both’ mentality. She was supposed to care but she is absent almost all the time, leading to a very lonely childhood where he sought attention and acceptance with people he KNEW on some level were using him. He shows as much when first encountering Baji. He was supposed to be happier with his mother but he isn’t. Because that loneliness hurts him and is thus a threat to him. He’s upset and bitter when she isn’t around for his birthday or basically ever. It’s all so cold.

   In the extras, Kazutora talks about how scared he is of growing attached to people. He once thought friends were the exception but that turned out to be false.  He wants to be friends.....but that makes people a threat. Because then he can be betrayed, then he can be hurt. Things can be a threat if they hurt him.

   It takes a LOT to get through that mental barrier of keeping people at a distance. Even just with Toman there’s was skepticism even hanging out. And the moment he started to bond, he tried to break things off and go on his own again till Baji and Mikey came for him. Baji more or less expected at that point already, but that was when Mikey really solidified as becoming something more important (and thus later becomes the full recipient of this ‘threat’ viewpoint to be an enemy). Both going at his father because Mikey thought he was being kidnapped and then coming to help him even after he said they were done? It struck a deep cord with Kazutora. And then he finally began to open up more. Never the way he did and does with Baji, but more than he had. What happened with Junpeke created a deep wariness with groups compared to one on one bonds. It is also why later he’s still receptive to the other Toman members to some extent. He had that safety guard in his mind and always kept some distance (that and not feeling particularly welcomed initially). It isn’t a threat although it did HURT because he was braced for it to some level.

  On the flip side, Chifuyu’s role is a threat to Kazutora. NOT Chifuyu, he doesn’t actually see Chifuyu himself as a threat nor hate him as a person. He’s in the not threat categoy. But because Kazutora has opened himself up so much to Baji, he’s afraid that role will threaten the safety and comfort he has with Baji. It doesn’t happen with the others because he knows they aren’t AS close with Baji and often have someone else. Mikey and Draken, Pah and Peh, so on and so forth. But Kazutora and Baji became Chifuyu and Baji while he was doing time and now he’s afraid. He’s scared because he’s vulnerable. It’s a way to directly harm him. His mother’s ‘one or the other, never both’ saying haunts him deeply in regards to the matter. He’s thankful in a way to Chifuyu for being there for Baji as a person. But the role sets him on edge and feels like a threat. He’s never hated Chifuyu which makes bonding when he’s out of prison easier (besides the guily and concern of something happening to Chifuyu). He’s had help to work through that idea that the world is ONLY a threat or non-threat division and misconceptions. Not that it doesn’t flare up or his anxiety twist at times, but it’s far, far better. Not every deep connection is a threat, he gets that when he’s older. But when he’s younger, he doesnt.

Kazutora is always just trying to survive and it ends up with this creation of a threat and non threat view towards the world, however warped. And so it creatures issues because he DOESN’T have the understanding others often build through siblings, or school, or other connections. Kazutora never had it, which is WHY he often tends to overexaggerate and take things far too seriously when he does engage, but also alternatively is so cheerful and calm in other situations where most are more concerned. It’s all about how much of a threat something is to his very fragile and flawed mentality or the very few bonds he does have. He has to eliminate threats in his mind to be able to keep surviving because he’s barely hanging on as it is.