There is a fascinating—and not at all surprising—overlap between TRP and various spiritual disciplines like Zen Buddhism, and/or pragmatic masculine philosophies like stoicism. Although most of the posts made here are concerned with field reports, and the incessant boorishness of SJWs, every once in a while someone makes a post about how meditation is the shit, or how reading Marcus Aurelius got them through a bad breakup. I've even seen posts about TRP and the use of psychedelics, which indicates a lingering curiosity amongst TRP readers about practical means to induce states of consciousness that are useful to those wishing to let go, cut the bullshit, and start afresh.

Although the spiritual/philosophical elements of TRP are foreign to many, and maybe even unwelcome to some, that they are never very far from the mainstream of TRP's concern is a good thing. Philosophy is for the mind what lifting is for the body, and spiritual disciplines are part and parcel of self-improvement. "Monk-Mode", anyone?

Suffice to say, there are people here who are making use of the religions, philosophies, and disciplines that are out there to unrustle jimmies, liberate men from their mind-forged manacles, and make even the mundane elements of life transcendent and wonderful. If you happen to be one of those people, isn't it fabulous? Hooray!

Isn't it awesome to keep your head while other people are losing their shit? Isn't it powerful to walk through life guided by the wisdom and virtue of the greatest men who ever lived? Isn't it unspeakably good to walk home from the gym without any thoughts in your head? Isn't it astonishing when you're actually fucking like you want to fuck? Isn't it the best when girls are literally getting wet because of the prowess of your mental and physical discipline? That's a tasty milkshake.

Don't you want to help others to experience that majesty for themselves?

Doesn't it just hurt when you know a beautiful girl who has no philosophy, no discipline, and no virtue?

Don't you feel empathy for the suffering she causes herself because of her ignorance?

Don't you want to share with her the wisdom you have found?

Don't you long to see her flourish under the light of your inspirational wisdom?

Don't you just know she needs what you've found?

NOT ANYMORE YOU DON'T

Because from this point forward, you will never make yourself responsible for a woman's spiritual development. You can't help her. She's not a philosopher. You can't save her. She's not malleable like that. You can't influence her. Her brain doesn't work like that. You can't change her. You will only fool yourself if you try. You can't do anything for her. Do things for yourself instead. Don't be Pygmalion. Sculpting a girl into an image you can worship is like trying to polish a turd.

I'm not saying you can't set expectations and boundaries when you're in a relationship with a girl, or that it's a bad idea to crush her shit-tests, but what I am saying is that if you expect a girl to manifest your brilliant philosophy all by herself, independent of her relationship with you, you're a damn fool. A dog may resist the temptation to eat a treat on the floor when you forbid him from doing so, but what do you think he's going to do when you're not around and there are treats everywhere

The only circumstance in which it's appropriate to take responsibility for a girl's spiritual development is when she's your daughter.

I'm interested to know what TRP thinks about this phenomenon of foolish men trying to instruct women, or change their minds, or teach them things, or turn them into philosophers, or lead them out of Plato's cave. I think it's one of the major elements of the friend-zone pitfall that guys throw themselves into. It stems from the erroneous assumption that women can think like men do, and that the reason why they act like damn fools is because they just haven't been shown the light yet.

Dorothy Parker was once challenged to use "horticulture" in a sentence.

She said, "You can lead a horticulture, but you can't make her think."

Thoughts? Comments?