How to Overcome the Downward Pull of Other People 

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Now thats what a real self-help channel looks like. Good old philosophy made relevant with todays culture. No background music. No flashy cuts and edits of people with dreamy eyes looking outside a window. No over the top vocal fluctuations in speech. No big claims. No testimonials. No sales pitches embedded in message. Just plain and simple truth told with such compassion. Arts slideshow is a bonus. Thank you for making such a beautiful and genuine channel.

I live at a homeless shelter & I'm constantly surrounded by negative people in many different ways. I try to keep in mind what Jordan Peterson sez "endure without being corrupted!" Life is a daily challenge & I try to sympathize & not demonize. Pray for me🌵☦🌵

6:22 "If people cant control their own emotions then they have to start controling other peoples behavior" - Robin Skynner

Some people need to be left behind, until the day comes when they appreciate the ability to have a relationship with you.

I needed to see this ten years ago, but I suppose intellectual maturity is always better late than never.

It took me a lifetime to realise that people can only measure you by their own standards because that’s all they have as a yard stick. Realise that another’s limitations are not yours. Don’t be held back by the people afraid you’ll leave them behind.

Better to be alone, than surrounded by false friends & Toxic Family members. Stop letting these people drag you down. Walk away. Go NO CONTACT. Find yourself. Find a better circle of friends. Live your life for yourself, not others. Somewhere along the way, you will realize you are happy.

Suffering either breaks you or makes you.

Chekhov reminds me of my man. His mother gave him for adoption when he’s a child. And when he was adopted, he was just physically beaten. When he’s 16, he ran away. He made some big sacrifices, failed from to time to time, hit the lowest point of his life. But he persisted, worked more than everyone else and is committed with his goals despite of anything. Now at 29, he’s successful and has his own company. That’s why, he has my biggest respect because he has every reason to be bitter, to be selfish and to be angry but he’s none of those things. Instead, his experiences made him a strong, forgiving and gentle human being. And he said he’s lucky to find me. But I always rebut saying, I’ll always be the luckiest woman to find a beautiful human like him.

Had to remove myself from the toxic emotional quicksand of my bio family. Whew. The curtain of light and greatness has been raised and is upon me!!!!

These lessons can also be applied when resisting the downward pull which arises from within.

I think that like minded individuals such as the ones who love this channel, must come and grow stronger together.

“The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog.”-Mark Twain 🙋🏼‍♀️

I don't always pause videos to take notes, screenshots, or download the works of authors cited. But when watching AOI, it happens every upload. Thanks again guys!

Energy vampires...kick em out of your life.

Your videos touch my soul every time, cannot thank you enough. "Loneliness does not come from having no people about one, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to oneself, or from holding certain views which others find inadmissible." Carl Jung; Memories Dreams and Reflections

I've been watching for two years now and with every video you guys continue to remind me of why I subscribed. I won't touch on the many thinkers you've introduced me to.

I grew up in an environment where you were expected to just accept your "lot" in life and be grateful, despite being surrounded by negative and toxic individuals who seemed determined to undermine me at every step. Anyone who showed signs of potential to do great things was seen as a threat, and had to be stamped on quickly, lest they get ideas above their station! The small-town mentality very nearly destroyed me before I had a chance to develop my full potential - at 17, I discovered a new life in a new town, with new friends, and I have't looked back...

Accept people as "facts...." Whew. That....you really have something there. You never question a rose about why it's a rose and why it doesn't have fewer thorns like a carnation. You never question an apple about why it doesn't taste more like a banana, but at the same time, you surely won't eat a rotten apple. I think you really said something important there.

The day I realize I can't share this with any of my immediate entourage is not a good sign, actually.

Avoid friends who use you to live vicariously through you and who just take and don't give. I also avoid people who need for me to explain everything I say, who never get nuance, who don't use context or follow the flow of conversation. I get exhausted having to backtrack often to people who were just too mentally lazy to keep up.

Although I may not have had it as bad as Chekhov, I realize that I must break my family chain and become the one to mold things back together. Thank you for this channel.

Don't judge others, you don't know their story. Don't assume you have got it made, you could find yourself in a desperate situation at some point. Keep your compassion and your humanity, but protect your energy. When we go inside we find the answers. Sometimes those who have been through the worst get to experience the best. If you have never been on your knees in the darkness ,you will never truly know how beautiful it feels to stand in the sun.

I've been surrounded by people my entire life, who always wanted to shape me into something less than them, and wanted me to be the least I can be. It has been me versus the world..

Your voice has become so familiar that it feels as if my own big brother is speaking. Keep up the good work.

It's hard with no safety net, I raised myself yet somehow as a kid I knew I had to work hard to get off the streets. To this day I can't tolerate toxic people.

I truly love this Channel, I'm a young man living life in solitude and fully aware of my power and energy but like all of us I find myself doubting and overthiking sometimes and listening to your videos brings me simply back to my inner power. Thank you.

The very discouraging part of life is the loss of pursuit while wanting to pursue something.

When I let go of my ego everyone I knew left everyone but my grandma my mom and my little sister. 3 brothers 1 sister and a handful of super close friends for over 20 years they all left and at the time it happened was within the 3 weeks before my father passed away at home in hospice, it was last year and it has been a ..... I don't have a word for it but I do know that I'm living the all me all my true life and my story has many pages left it's a lonely life but I find myself just absorbing all the knowledge about anything and everything thing, and I built a couple ponds and do a lot of gardening that keeps me and my mind all good. Great channel found it a day ago and can't stop listening to it. It's one of my background fillers that I have going as I do other things.

I've watched this video about 12 times. It speaks to me.

Everyone is different. People just need to ACCEPT THAT. You have no right to intentionally abuse someone because you don't approve of how they are.

*This is one of the most valuable channels on youtube.*

Thank you for this channel.

I think the gist is to choose your friends wisely, but do not be so quick to judge others. We all fail.

I belong to the category of those pursuing a meaningful life, those who believe there's more to this life than what meets the eye, besides my brother, a high school friend who lives in another country and a good friend who moved to another state, I have met nobody else who is "deep", everyone is so superficial, all people talk about is the weather, the official perspective on the covid lockdown, nobody talks ideas anymore, nobody reads!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm certainly alone but I don't feel lonely.

The channel is so underrated, but it’s an unfortunate fact that so many people are unwilling to change themselves and feel attacked when they hear these sorts of ideas. “‘I’m not smart enough, not motivated enough, I’m too busy, I don’t have money”etc. Anything you do is enough, one step is enough, anything but zero is “enough”. Keep going!

This is why I prefer to be alone - no one can pull me down !

It's uncanny how this channel always helps me articulate what I've been thinking about.

Downward pull (psychologically & physically) from people and peers were manageable... but it really hurt me when few of my professors or teachers (who ideally should bring out the best in their pupils) used this technique against me with selfish motives, while I just followed them with respect and a level of trust, in order to gain some priceless knowledge and be a good student. Now I'm starting to realize that no amount of superiority (either monetary status or education) can change the utter core of human nature of being insecure/jealous/envious etc. unless the person has a strong character or is willing to make conscious efforts to build up good character to guide others or become a role model for followers.

In these dark times I've listened to AOI often and it has given me reminders to keep on the path. My philosophy degree was once described as useless. Given these times, it's the most useful thing I ever did.

Sometimes you just gotta cut people loose. If you don’t you’ll waste your life interacting with destructive people.

This short video ended a conundrum I've been struggling with for almost a year. I can't thank you enough.

Agreed. I got rid of all the negative people in my life. They were a necessary evil for a little while. As soon as I got out of college, built my resume, and skill sets, I ditched all of them. I have no regrets. So much happier. I choose who I want to hangout with based on mindset.

Pull 'em up with you! As Bob Marley says: "help the weak if you are strong!"

I've noticed recently that certain kind of people tend to use shame to bring us down. If you succeed in something, it might create feelings of envy, disappointment and shame in another, especially if they themselves wish to succeed in the same endeavor. One way to deal with these negative emotions and neutralize the situation is then to shame and disparage the successful. This realization has helped me to frame the potential shaming as praise and appreciation in disguise. Probably wise to limit contact to such people altogether.

You guys are improving at such an exponential rate. You always deliver, and seemingly, each upload somehow finds a way to pierce into my current reality. It’s absurd how practical these video essays are. If you see this, know that what you choose to do with Academy of Ideas in your life is a noble way of living; of expressing.

Thank you for mentioning Anton Chekhov. His life of service is inspiring.

Our families can be the worst type of people for us, and we need to be able to get away from them.

Your channel is most definitely one of the best on RU-vid, man.

With every video, you remind me of why I subbed. Hats off to you sir.

I was taught as a young child that people were like crabs in a bucket. When you try to improve yourself, your friends and relatives like crabs in a bucket will try to pull you back down. I have seen nothing in my life that has given me any reason to doubt this maxim. Hell I have lived it my whole damn life.

Woah!....I had a debate about this topic last night!....The timing of this is unbelievable. I was feeling lonely by being surrounded by people who I don't share values with. I was feeling bad about the disconnection. Perhaps it's for the best. Thank you. It seems I'm alone in this afterall.

If you have a group of good friends but not as ambitious as you are, be the one who is ambitious and they will follow/learn ;)

welp. another synchronicity... always posting what i wonder about . thank u

My family tryed to do this . 💖💫💚I have removed my energys from theese people . I love them from distance now very little contact . Life is peacefull 💖

In this age of internet, it is easier than ever to follow our mentors and get educated by the people we admire. The good influence of Academy of ideas is one example. We are no more limited to our family and local entourage. This was a liberation for me. Of course one has to be connected... Great visual art by the way.

The quality of your videos, the script and your voice work is phenomenal!

This channel has given me hope during tough times which I've had to endure alone, thank you for your content, I look forward to more.

For too many years, I surrounded myself with people who were not just "broken" but who revelled in their brokenness; it was not a part of their persona, it was their entire life. These people did not make me depressed (that is on me), but they did influence me - there is a distinction. I finally managed to break free of these relationships and am now learning to live my life in a more positive manner.

I appreciated the art as much as the message. Thank you.

Words cannot describe how much I like this video. I feel that something changes in me after I watch your videos. Thank you!

I love how crystallized your ideas are. I have subscribed to your channel a few months ago and I thank you for bringing forth such great videos. You are truly changing people's lives.

I really resonate with the whole breaking the pattern of your family, I have slight resentment however with the fact that it had to be me that did it and not my parents.

So well illustrated with beautiful art - thank you!

The most underrated channel in RU-vid.

It's like you know that I needed this now, though I am sure that a lot of people do as well. Thank you for the video.

This channel is a hidden gem. Video after video of pure knowledge and psychology. Better than any self help program you can find. Keep it up! Great content!

Never stop making these. Very impressed with the consistently high quality over so many years. Thank you AoI!

Thank You. I sometimes listen to your work for hours, while doing other things. Even sitting outside with headphones, to enjoy a day. Your work, and subject choices are good for us all. Lifting and sharing those best parts of humanity. 🥂

Discovered this channel last week, and I'm hooked. Great work.

Step on them politely as you rise up on their behalf. They offered themselves and if they did, it was a trap and you must disengage and show another way. Stepping stones. 🙏🏼✌🏼

Only stumbled upon this channel recently and I am so happy I did. This is a great channel. Thank you!

The video waxes poetically on the subject of seeing people as phenomena, to learn from and not to judge them. And the images of classic paintings also serves to enhance that poetic context. The key for me that I have found in this process is to focus on accepting myself as I am now as well as who I was in the past when I often struggled in some way or another. It is only by accepting myself that I can really accept others. To turn this around if I look at someone else and notice that I judge them in some way I can turn that back on myself and say what is it about myself that leads me to judge them?? Because when I am judging others I am projecting something on others that I am not accepting in myself.

I needed this video, it really changes the way I see this world. It’s really helped me to grow and improve.

Bravissimo! Almost brought me to tears at the end.

Every video I've watched on this channel has made me audibly wow in awe. Remarkable.

I remember orientation on the first day of graduate school at UCR. The chancellor gave a speech where he said, "Graduate school will open doors that you did not even know existed." I think that was the most profound statement I have ever heard about education, which truly only begins at the graduate level.

This channel is a blessing, thank you for your work. I hope this channel will keep going and keep growing.

WOW! Great video. Thanks The quote about interacting with others is most relevant. I can relate to this since I live in "Hooterville" where the conversations are mostly about cows, corn, sex and pickup trucks. And I can't forget SPORTS. Shakespeare (Francis Bacon?) said, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances. And one man in his time, plays many parts." I've concluded that those around us are just "playing their parts" for our spiritual advancement. Part of my daily affirmation, says, "I accept the people in my life as they are, not as I would prefer, since they are on their own journeys to enlightenment, and are playing their assigned parts, from which they learn, and from which I learn from them. . I offer them the opportunities to learn, to rise above ignorance, to rise above those around them, to grow in spirituality, and to strive for excellence." Learning acceptance and tolerance of others is one of the most important lessons in the quest for greater spirituality. I find that I must "fake it" by appearing to be interested in what these yahoos are saying. What is irritating, though, are their attempts to change me.

Brother, thank you so much! These videos are immensely helpful in our struggle to become he, who we wish to become!

Thank you so much for making these videos, please never stop making them. They have impacted my life in ways i can't describe, and I'm sure, many other as well.

Great message, and beautiful artistic selection. Thank you!

It amazes me how these videos pop up on my feed as I’m experiencing this conflict in my life. Thank you!

The way that this video is conviniently relevant at the exact time that I've been failed by people, is admirable. This video is much appreciated.

This channel is awesome. One of my best channels on RU-vid. Excellent job, guys!

"Some relationships are so toxic, some interactions so hollow, some people are so set in their ways, ways which may be inimical to the ways we wish to be, that ending certain relationships may be the best way for us to move forward." You have exactly stated the citizen and State relation in America.

Thank you for these videos. They have given me a great deal of guidance on my journey to better myself and grow...It's difficult enough to identify your own shortcomings but finding out how to correct and overcome them is so much harder. These vids really help and I continue to share them with others.

Sao much great wisdom in your videos! I can relate to the man you speak of as a mirror of my own experience in life being abandoned by my family also at the age of ten to fend for myself and reject the factory indoctrination of public schools that went against my street knowledge of common sense and logic, as well as religion that prohibits self realization.

This is certainly one of your best videos! Glad to see you keep improving your formula even if I didn't think there's something to improve. And as always, your words and quotations touched not only on the topics but also my soul, thank you!

You are one of the brightest minds I've ever come across. Most meaningful channel I've ever found on RU-vid

Can’t tell you how much I enjoy and value your videos. Thank you so much!

Fantastic! As always... Your videos are so insightful, excellent work. Peace

With few encouraging people in my life I'll atm settle for an uplifting AOI video and my dog's company-

As always a well put together inspirational video. Can't express how grateful I am for all your hard work.

Fell into this, profound..timeless, examination... again... a year later. Second time as valuable as the first time. Much gratitude.

Brillaint videos, this is the kind of content that many people need in their lives. Thank you.

this is one of the greatest videos that ever talked about my life. deep and so influential. i need (and will need) this much more than i think. thank you very much

I remember dropping a group of people out of my life and I am amazed at how motivated I am I don't see a day where I am idle I know work.

To the people of academy of ideas your channel has got me thinking keep posting you will hear from me in the short time I have been subbed my thinking has changed cliff australia