Break out the kitty litter.

The problem is whenever I do this, withdraw from the senses and connect with the higher self, I get power.

In my experience, it is not about withdrawing the senses whatsoever. In fact, I feel much more alive from a sensory/awareness perspective than I ever have before.

What Epictetus means by “moral purpose” - as I understand it - is simply recognizing what is inside the sphere of one’s control and what is not. What lies outside of it is simply beyond your control, and therefore cannot be impacted, so it is senseless to call it good or evil. What lies within your control, on the other hand, can be impacted by you, and therefore *should* be. To not improve it consciously is the true root of evil.

refuse all the manifesting delights

I guess that means sweet cakes too.

How’s it seem to remain so hard after all this time?

I bet you and all of the people you respect do this all the time and don’t realize it.

If my boss wants to choose sides in an office conflict he closes his door to me and says he’s busy. He’s not too busy to give assistance to the person I’m having a problem with.

You want a reputation for being in charge and not necessarily for making the right decision.

Someone makes a bad call at work but you have no pity and watch him suffer instead of helping.

Rage at someone instead of realizing that the roles the two of you are playing don’t allow for good decision making, the system is flawed.

Do you envy and want to emulate your boss who surrounds him/herself with lovers/flatterers etc. or are you repulsed by it and try to help your coworker who has been mistreated because of this type of situation.

I’ve had every one of these bosses. A coworker recently pulled away from her old crowd, told her boss what she wanted to say,(after years of sitting on his desk, pulling down her already low cut blouse before going in his office, etc.) stopped being the gatekeeper keeping out truth. All we can say about her is “thank God she finally got some self respect”.

I know, everything reminds me of work. I draw the line at eliminating sweet cakes though.

Why is that?

The simplest and hardest thing. Over and over again, it seems it all comes back to this “you must change your present practices”…and “make” self-respect one’s protection. Rephrased in a million ways by so many wise ones.
How’s it seem to remain so hard after all this time?