Jump to content

Welcome to the new Traders Laboratory! Please bear with us as we finish the migration over the next few days. If you find any issues, want to leave feedback, get in touch with us, or offer suggestions please post to the Support forum here.

  • Welcome Guests

    Welcome. You are currently viewing the forum as a guest which does not give you access to all the great features at Traders Laboratory such as interacting with members, access to all forums, downloading attachments, and eligibility to win free giveaways. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free. Create a FREE Traders Laboratory account here.

Szymon

Is Trading Just Another Road to Enlightenment, That is the Question?

Recommended Posts

Hi All,

 

In my opinion I think it’s just another way to Enlightenment.

 

What is Enlightenment? It’s a state of total consciousness being one with the planet, humanity and all kingdoms. You really cannot explain what it is, there are no words that will describe it, you have to go through the experience to understand it, I do not even know if I have felt it or understood it.

 

I think that trading is just another way to Enlightenment; it’s a way to understanding your inner-self especially the two most important emotions that are constantly present in our society. FEAR and GREED are the main emotions that are ruling this world. All you have to do is watch the television or read the newspaper, its all based on Fear.

 

When you first start to trade it feels like a 1000 Watt projector is always on you, every trade you take either winner or loser, you feel like on top of the world and can accomplish anything until you get a loser and it feels like you miserably failed and are not worthy of anything, and you feel depressed.

 

Gradually and slowly by coming to terms with your emotions and skeletons in the closet you success rate increases for some people this takes a long time and for some others they learn it very quickly, everyone is different.

 

I think Persistence is the key; you must persist and continue looking at your inner-self until you understand yourself. Hence the saying “Man Know thyself".

 

A lot of successful traders that I have been in contact over the past few years had one thing in common they understood how fear and greed works and they could exploit that by trading in the markets. Some of these traders had such esoteric trading systems that there are no words to describe it and they knew far more because they had this drive to search and continue searching for the truth even after they made their money. Most of them now do Yoga, Meditate and other forms of new age stuff on a daily basis to be balanced and be in control of those two primary emotions.

 

When you trade you are always learning new things it's a never ending school room just the same way in real life, new situations and challenges arise in your life’s everyday and you have a choice on how to act out that situation either good or bad, remember those cartoons in the olden days where you had a angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other telling you what to do in a situation, the person in the cartoon most of the time took the devils advice and had to pay later for that action. I guess what goes around comes around.

 

Just a few of my thoughts about the psychology of trading.

 

Thanks for reading.

 

Happy Trading

 

Regards

 

Simon

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Trading is a life-changing experience, Simon. When you walk alone and to survive on your own, you see things much clearer. Habits, perspective, beliefs, everything you're taught is absolute B.S. It's just another step toward knowing yourself and your surroundings. Not everything is the absolute truth or absolute lies. We are all responsible for our own actions (good or bad). Accepting that is only the beginning of the knowing who you are and why you do the things you do (good or bad) and that's when the healing, understanding and changing begins. This is why I have this message in my signature.

 

Welcome to the club, Simon!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Trading is a life-changing experience, Simon. When you walk alone and to survive on your own, you see things much clearer. Habits, perspective, beliefs, everything you're taught is absolute B.S. It's just another step toward knowing yourself and your surroundings. Not everything is the absolute truth or absolute lies. We are all responsible for our own actions (good or bad). Accepting that is only the beginning of the knowing who you are and why you do the things you do (good or bad) and that's when the healing, understanding and changing begins. This is why I have this message in my signature.

 

Welcome to the club, Simon!

 

Thanks Torero, for your thoughtful reply.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I like your title, & your comments are obviously very personal & deep (to you), which is cool. There are many angles which folks use to work the markets & each angle is, & should be, unique to the individual.

 

But to me, this game is all about one thing & one thing only…..turning a profit.

 

I’m not here to get a fluffy feeling in my belly, learn to love myself or get all deep & meaningful….I’m here to bury the stiff who gets the wrong side of my next long-short pitch.

 

If I crack off a 2mill Cable clip Wednesday a.m, & book the ride on the back of a 2 figure move into Friday p.m, then someone is $40k lighter to my account as I confirm the ticket with back-office admin.

 

If I’m going to engineer those tickets on a consistent basis, I’m sure as hell going to ensure my minimum requirements (research…geography…set ups…triggers…contingencies etc) are drilled & water tight, & I mean water-tight.

 

That’s what I call positive psychology

 

I know exactly where my price is now

I know exactly where I want to go

I know what it will take for me to crack a trade off (set ups)

I know what will lever me in (triggers)

I know (more importantly) what will lever me out again if events turn sour

I know what it will take for me to add to my position & when to fold my hand

 

If you don’t got that type of game plan, then you’ve got yourself a potential psychology problem. Because someplace down the route, you’re going to hesitate & maybe 2nd guess. You do that, & you’re dead in the water.

 

You think the successful hotshots out there are going to 2nd guess their game plans?

 

These hustlers know the psychology of the masses inside & out, back to front. They know where on the ladder you’ll likely hesitate….they’ll know the likely hot spots on a move (the probable stop, profit & limit camps)….they’ll know who is likely stepping up to play a level & why….they’ll know who is likely to front run a b/o step & where they’ll get greased if the b/o gets faked…..they’ll run a level & if the level fades, they won’t think twice to stop & reverse the move on the spin of a dime if the flows are out of whack….

 

will you & do you know this stuff?

 

They play a very uncomplicated game of psychology. They don’t really need to play it any other way to be honest, coz the majority of the pack out there make life hellishly complicated for themselves enough of the time. And these guy's (pro's) don't require second invitations to hustle your $$'s.

 

Most of the real (negative psychology) issues out there have more to do with traders financial capitalization dockets, which in turn trigger the first stages of the fear cycle than anything else.

 

Scared money wins nothing in this game…..& there’s a whole mountain of scared money churning these markets each & every day.

 

And the old timers, savvy pro’s & hotshot gunslingers know it all too well.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
I like your title, & your comments are obviously very personal & deep (to you), which is cool. There are many angles which folks use to work the markets & each angle is, & should be, unique to the individual.

 

But to me, this game is all about one thing & one thing only…..turning a profit.

 

I’m not here to get a fluffy feeling in my belly, learn to love myself or get all deep & meaningful….I’m here to bury the stiff who gets the wrong side of my next long-short pitch.

 

If I crack off a 2mill Cable clip Wednesday a.m, & book the ride on the back of a 2 figure move into Friday p.m, then someone is $40k lighter to my account as I confirm the ticket with back-office admin.

 

If I’m going to engineer those tickets on a consistent basis, I’m sure as hell going to ensure my minimum requirements (research…geography…set ups…triggers…contingencies etc) are drilled & water tight, & I mean water-tight.

 

That’s what I call positive psychology

 

I know exactly where my price is now

I know exactly where I want to go

I know what it will take for me to crack a trade off (set ups)

I know what will lever me in (triggers)

I know (more importantly) what will lever me out again if events turn sour

I know what it will take for me to add to my position & when to fold my hand

 

If you don’t got that type of game plan, then you’ve got yourself a potential psychology problem. Because someplace down the route, you’re going to hesitate & maybe 2nd guess. You do that, & you’re dead in the water.

 

You think the successful hotshots out there are going to 2nd guess their game plans?

 

These hustlers know the psychology of the masses inside & out, back to front. They know where on the ladder you’ll likely hesitate….they’ll know the likely hot spots on a move (the probable stop, profit & limit camps)….they’ll know who is likely stepping up to play a level & why….they’ll know who is likely to front run a b/o step & where they’ll get greased if the b/o gets faked…..they’ll run a level & if the level fades, they won’t think twice to stop & reverse the move on the spin of a dime if the flows are out of whack….

 

will you & do you know this stuff?

 

They play a very uncomplicated game of psychology. They don’t really need to play it any other way to be honest, coz the majority of the pack out there make life hellishly complicated for themselves enough of the time. And these guy's (pro's) don't require second invitations to hustle your $$'s.

 

Most of the real (negative psychology) issues out there have more to do with traders financial capitalization dockets, which in turn trigger the first stages of the fear cycle than anything else.

 

Scared money wins nothing in this game…..& there’s a whole mountain of scared money churning these markets each & every day.

 

And the old timers, savvy pro’s & hotshot gunslingers know it all too well.

 

Strangely enough, this post was probably my most enlightening experience as a trader, lol. Wow. That really puts everything in perspective. It is so true.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Guest Trader Rich

Well done Simon. Everyone want to be successful in the market need to find a way to discover themselves. If they don't want to do it, the market will do the part for them, of course in a tough love version.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just one distinction I'd like to make about greed & fear: There is no distinction. It's all fear. Greed is just fear of missing out on profits. One need only conquer fear in all its forms to be successful. And if you are 'trying to conquer fear' you are not yet there. It indicates that you are still fearful.

 

It's like this: Many people say that trading requires discipline. However, requiring discipline implies that you have a problem with consistency. I no longer practice disipline, I only execute my plan. Period. No need for discipline.

 

Now you may think this is only a difference in semantics, but I assure you it is not. The vibrational difference (energy) between "Practicing discipline" and "Executing with perfection" is very great.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Fear is a good thing

Fear is the recognition of a possible unknown.

 

Fear is a bad thing

Fear is the resignation of control (if that possible unknown is not dealt with).

Edited by Tams

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
The path to mastery in any field of endeavor, is a path to enlightenment.

 

 

:helloooo:

Be careful

The path to mastery in any field may aid in clearing and/or bringing obstacles to enlightenment to their exhaustion... but the path to mastery in any field is NOT a path to enlightenment... :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The underlying clue in this message is the perception of markets as what they really are - just a game against what another human being is going to want to pay in the future. I would agree that the better this is understood, the more successful a trader can be.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

"If you really are interested in getting enlightened, one way would be to go off to Tibet, crawl in a cave, and sit there meditating for thirty years. Another equally good way – but much, much faster – is to trade the S&P" -- Bill Williams

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
"If you really are interested in getting enlightened, one way would be to go off to Tibet, crawl in a cave, and sit there meditating for thirty years. Another equally good way – but much, much faster – is to trade the S&P" -- Bill Williams

 

I think the ultimate way is to take your laptop and satellite internet connection to the cave where you can trade while you are meditating. Therefore any personality issues can be addressed very quickly and transmuted thus becoming one with the markets. :helloooo:

 

Regards

Simon

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This is a great thread. The rules keep the trade process on objective grounds and protect us from the emotional tugs. For me, that is not enough, I have been forced into some "enlightenment" of coming to grips with long avoided psychological aspects of my makeup. In that sense, I see trading as a path to therapy or "enlightenment."

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Simon,

 

What a great thread! I've been involved in the personal and professional arena now for a few years. I've also been trading now for a few years. I can honestly say (from my personal perspective) trading is by far the most advanced personal growth tool on the planet.

 

I believe our results from trading are simply a mirror composed of our true core beliefs, habits, and perceptions. This is why I believe altering the social conditioning has a dramatic improvement on our overall success as a trader. (Which go hand in hand with our edge). If you're not growing you're...... what? Dying. Nothing stays the same, and neither should we as traders. We must constantly be evolving by upgrading out skill-sets and mind-sets.

 

I do want to challenge you on one thing Simon. You mentioned Fear and Greed. Although I understand what you're implying, I believe everything in this world in only driven by 2 factors....... Either Love or lack of love.

 

Cheers,

 

Ryan

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Hi Simon,

 

What a great thread! I've been involved in the personal and professional arena now for a few years. I've also been trading now for a few years. I can honestly say (from my personal perspective) trading is by far the most advanced personal growth tool on the planet.

 

I believe our results from trading are simply a mirror composed of our true core beliefs, habits, and perceptions. This is why I believe altering the social conditioning has a dramatic improvement on our overall success as a trader. (Which go hand in hand with our edge). If you're not growing you're...... what? Dying. Nothing stays the same, and neither should we as traders. We must constantly be evolving by upgrading out skill-sets and mind-sets.

 

I do want to challenge you on one thing Simon. You mentioned Fear and Greed. Although I understand what you're implying, I believe everything in this world in only driven by 2 factors....... Either Love or lack of love.

 

Cheers,

 

Ryan

 

Hi Ryan,

 

Thanks for your reply.

 

Yes, you are totally right, when I started this thread I was not sure if anyone understood me that is why I wrote it that way.

 

Simon

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Maybe it would sound silly to you guys, but for me trading has actually helped with some bad times in my life. I.e. the total concentration it sucks out of you and the rewards are almost intoxicating . Some scholars that dealt with the question of "what is truely pleasureable" dictated that if one forgets of time and space while doing something, that something is pleasureable above and beyond...Thus , To a great extent online trading is the modern version of "Fishing".

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Be careful who you blame.   I can tell you one thing for sure.   Effective traders don’t blame others when things start to go wrong.   You can hang onto your tendency to play the victim, or the martyr… but if you want to achieve in trading, you have to be prepared to take responsibility.   People assign reasons to outcomes, whether based on internal or external factors.   When traders face losses, it's common for them to blame bad luck, poor advice, or other external factors, rather than reflecting on their own personal attributes like arrogance, fear, or greed.   This is a challenging lesson to grasp in your trading journey, but one that holds immense value.   This is called attribution theory. Taking responsibility for your actions is the key to improving your trading skills. Pause and ask yourself - What role did I play in my financial decisions?   After all, you were the one who listened to that source, and decided to act on that trade based on the rumour. Attributing results solely to external circumstances is what is known as having an ‘external locus of control’.   It's a concept coined by psychologist Julian Rotter in 1954. A trader with an external locus of control might say, "I made a profit because the markets are currently favourable."   Instead, strive to develop an "internal locus of control" and take ownership of your actions.   Assume that all trading results are within your realm of responsibility and actively seek ways to improve your own behaviour.   This is the fastest route to enhancing your trading abilities. A trader with an internal locus of control might proudly state, "My equity curve is rising because I am a disciplined trader who faithfully follows my trading plan." Author: Louise Bedford Source: https://www.tradinggame.com.au/
    • SELF IMPROVEMENT.   The whole self-help industry began when Dale Carnegie published How to Win Friends and Influence People in 1936. Then came other classics like Think And Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins toward the end of the century.   Today, teaching people how to improve themselves is a business. A pure ruthless business where some people sell utter bullshit.   There are broke Instagrammers and YouTubers with literally no solid background teaching men how to be attractive to women, how to begin a start-up, how to become successful — most of these guys speaking nothing more than hollow motivational words and cliche stuff. They waste your time. Some of these people who present themselves as hugely successful also give talks and write books.   There are so many books on financial advice, self-improvement, love, etc and some people actually try to read them. They are a waste of time, mostly.   When you start reading a dozen books on finance you realize that they all say the same stuff.   You are not going to live forever in the learning phase. Don't procrastinate by reading bull-shit or the same good knowledge in 10 books. What we ought to do is choose wisely.   Yes. A good book can change your life, given you do what it asks you to do.   All the books I have named up to now are worthy of reading. Tim Ferriss, Simon Sinek, Robert Greene — these guys are worthy of reading. These guys teach what others don't. Their books are unique and actually, come from relevant and successful people.   When Richard Branson writes a book about entrepreneurship, go read it. Every line in that book is said by one of the greatest entrepreneurs of our time.   When a Chinese millionaire( he claims to be) Youtuber who releases a video titled “Why reading books keeps you broke” and a year later another one “My recommendation of books for grand success” you should be wise to tell him to jump from Victoria Falls.   These self-improvement gurus sell you delusions.   They say they have those little tricks that only they know that if you use, everything in your life will be perfect. Those little tricks. We are just “making of a to-do-list before sleeping” away from becoming the next Bill Gates.   There are no little tricks.   There is no success-mantra.   Self-improvement is a trap for 99% of the people. You can't do that unless you are very, very strong.   If you are looking for easy ways, you will only keep wasting your time forgetting that your time on this planet is limited, as alive humans that is.   Also, I feel that people who claim to read like a book a day or promote it are idiots. You retain nothing. When you do read a good book, you read slow, sometimes a whole paragraph, again and again, dwelling on it, trying to internalize its knowledge. You try to understand. You think. It takes time.   It's better to read a good book 10 times than 1000 stupid ones.   So be choosy. Read from the guys who actually know something, not some wannabe ‘influencers’.   Edit: Think And Grow Rich was written as a result of a project assigned to Napoleon Hill by Andrew Carnegie(the 2nd richest man in recent history). He was asked to study the most successful people on the planet and document which characteristics made them great. He did extensive work in studying hundreds of the most successful people of that time. The result was that little book.   Nowadays some people just study Instagram algorithms and think of themselves as a Dale Carnegie or Anthony Robbins. By Nupur Nishant, Quora Profits from free accurate cryptos signals: https://www.predictmag.com/    
    • there is no avoiding loses to be honest, its just how the market is. you win some and hopefully more, but u do lose some. 
    • $CSCO Cisco Systems stock, nice top of range breakout, from Stocks to Watch at https://stockconsultant.com/?CSCOSEPN Septerna stock watch for a bottom breakout, good upside price gap
    • $CSCO Cisco Systems stock, nice top of range breakout, from Stocks to Watch at https://stockconsultant.com/?CSCOSEPN Septerna stock watch for a bottom breakout, good upside price gap
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.