Why do we live ,or get motivated to do anything when it will just lead to more BS and stress. What is purpose other then making Ur own up there has to be a reason why people work, get married, get rich.

If desires causes suffering and sorrow then what's the reason of doing anything. It's like what Kierkegaard said "what's the point of waking up"

Wow. I spent some time last year with a guy who was...kind of buddhist in his philosophy. And I was kinda into him and started to 'buy' a lot of his philosophy.

And a lot of it was about living to avoid suffering. One of the big things to avoid is attachment and expectations....because they cause suffering. Now, I see how expectations cause suffering. And actually, attachments have, in my life caused a fair amount of suffering too.

But this guy too it to the extreme. He is not attached to anyone, or anything. And he has no expectations. About anything. He also doesn't have a job (I think to avoid paying his ex-wife what he owes her), and doesn't make any kind of committment, including something that is supposed to take place in the next hour or so.

And after much consideration, I came to the same question as you. Hell, if I didn't have SOME expectation about the day, why WOULD I get up? Curiosity? Ok, maybe.

But why put effort into anything...if no expectation of...something? For the pure joy of it? Okay...some activities have joy inherent in their actual doing....like carpentry, or....art.

But most of us have to put up with a certain amount of 'crap'....like laundry, or paperwork, or meetings...or whatever. With no expectation except to avoid some undesirable alternative.

All I can say is this cannot be the complete answer, or I would lay in bed all day, and do only what I want to, when I want to...and eventually I'd be living in the street. And the only way I can avoid THAT kind of suffering is to do quite a few things I don't really want to do.

But....of course....if we 'believe' enough...and put our lives in the hand of a 'higher power', won't it all work out okay?

Certain life goals are built in to us - just like birds fly south for the winter.
Pairing up is one. Having offspring is another.
The nesting instinct is a strong one in the animal world as well. And many a creature will hang their hat in a better one than last years if one's available - "Yeah we're movin' on up! To the East Side! To a dee-luxe apartment, in the sky-hi-hi!..."

I'd say the other struggles we put ourselves through - climbing the job ladder, keeping up with the Jones', etc. - stem from everyone wanting to be the alpha male/female.

Why do we live ,or get motivated to do anything when it will just lead to more BS and stress. What is purpose other then making Ur own up there has to be a reason why people work, get married, get rich.
Folks do these things because they can't help themselves to do otherwise. And why should they dwell upon dark thoughts, if it doesn't come naturally?



If desires causes suffering and sorrow then what's the reason of doing anything. It's like what Kierkegaard said "what's the point of waking up"
This breath is the point. The tap, tap, tapping on my chamber door. The bewilderment.

The lotus flower is its own reason.

Old farty pants Kierkegaard knew that. Didn't he embrace dread until it ceised to be dreadful?


The Dreadful Great.

Peace

Folks do these things because they can't help themselves to do otherwise. And why should they dwell upon dark thoughts, if it doesn't come naturally?



This breath is the point. The tap, tap, tapping on my chamber door. The bewilderment.

The lotus flower is its own reason.

Old farty pants Kierkegaard knew that. Didn't he embrace dread until it ceised to be dreadful?


The Dreadful Great.

Peace

the only reason for livng is the lotus flower eh grasshopper. What is that flower going to bring into life ,or what role fuction does he have other then his reasons. what is reason when action doesn't get you far anyway ?

You might appreciate this McCoffee. You can laugh or you can cry, or a bit of both.

From Spoon River Anthology:


Professor Newcomer
EVERYONE laughed at Col. Prichard
For buying an engine so powerful
That it wrecked itself, and wrecked the grinder
He ran it with.


But here is a joke of cosmic size:
The urge of nature that made a man
Evolve from his brain a spiritual life--
Oh miracle of the world!--
The very same brain with which the ape and wolf
Get food and shelter and procreate themselves.

Nature has made man do this,
In a world where she gives him nothing to do
After all-- (though the strength of his soul goes round
In a futile waste of power.
To gear itself to the mills of the gods)--
But get food and shelter and procreate himself!

You might appreciate this McCoffee. You can laugh or you can cry, or a bit of both.

From Spoon River Anthology:


Professor Newcomer
EVERYONE laughed at Col. Prichard
For buying an engine so powerful
That it wrecked itself, and wrecked the grinder
He ran it with.


But here is a joke of cosmic size:
The urge of nature that made a man
Evolve from his brain a spiritual life--
Oh miracle of the world!--
The very same brain with which the ape and wolf
Get food and shelter and procreate themselves.

Nature has made man do this,
In a world where she gives him nothing to do
After all-- (though the strength of his soul goes round
In a futile waste of power.
To gear itself to the mills of the gods)--
But get food and shelter and procreate himself!
That is good saying zen it's like what Aristotle once said to learn how to live you must study the animals. Your right about negativty in ur eailer post not sure why i'm totally clam and relaxed on min then back to square one no excuse.

Do you really pratice zen I read up on that stuff from time to time need to learn how to do the meadations agian?

Yeah, I do zazen meditation, but am not part of a zendo at the moment. Was in the past. Probably do a retreat this summer, - - Green Gulch Farm in Marin - - living in the SF Bay Area, there's many zen, buddist and other groups.

Zen temples or zendos offer the least BS I've found. No guru worship. Respect for the Roshi, instead. An an environment designed to enhance meditation.

Zen groups are all over the US.

that's why i want to get back into kickboxing that really did the trick for me provided clarity with movements

All roads lead to Rome.

Depression, despair, thinking, and suffering all seem to occur in a place that is far larger than the experience of the pain. A place of clarity, as you put it.

Meditation, or kickboxing, or other diciplines may acquaint you with this place.

Doesn't kill the pain, or change your neurochemistry necessarily, but does introduce a broader perspective, that there's a greater part of you that's aware and doesn't hurt.

That's what I've found.


Of coures, I could be delusional.

Maybe I'm just a cockroach dreaming I'm another Kafka.

"what's the point of waking up"I have taken on a new perspective...just the opposite actually.

"What's the point of going to sleep?"

I sometimes think that sleep is a little piece of death. Sleep is like experiencing death at the end of each day = scary, eh?

For life is genuine and rare in the universe. It's a shame to die- to not be able to wake up = that's the nightmare, NOT LIFE. Am I half dead, or half alive? Am I not dead, or am I alive??


Despair is very natural, everyone experiences it and many never rid themselves of it...that's a terrible fact, for you hardly have to try to...yet the benefits of overcoming it are stupendous

Despair is longing over that which you don't have. Which could be a self, a thing. To be in despair vs. to despair over something...blah, blah, blah...Only having faith in God and willing to be yourself will help you, blah, HOW CAN THIS BE PRACTICAL????

Do you want to be yourself? What are you afraid of; your own reflection? blah blah blah (sorry, I love SK, but sometimes I see it this way)

(I read Kierkegaard (old farty pants? He met an early end-age 40 I think)...it's just that...I didn't get any answers) SK's was a philosophy against philosophy itself. (not be taken by itself, for there really are no answers. And I believe he warns of this)

Do some reading of Chinese philosophy, especially in that of Taoism-- You may notice the essence of Kierkegaard in it.

My remedy for depression is to become a Taoist (at least, act like one)...haha, it's that simple

I can suggest you some reading: Tao Te Ching, [originally, in theory] by Lao Tzu/"Old Master." I believe this book is pivotal for philosophical and spiritual evolution (I'm sure many people do too)....Christianity is good, but it's just too heady = makes you think too much.

I have taken on a new perspective...just the opposite actually.

"What's the point of going to sleep?"

I sometimes think that sleep is a little piece of death. Sleep is like experiencing death at the end of each day = scary, eh?

For life is genuine and rare in the universe. It's a shame to die- to not be able to wake up = that's the nightmare, NOT LIFE. Am I half dead, or half alive? Am I not dead, or am I alive??


Despair is very natural, everyone experiences it and many never rid themselves of it...that's a terrible fact, for you hardly have to try to...yet the benefits of overcoming it are stupendous

Despair is longing over that which you don't have. Which could be a self, a thing. To be in despair vs. to despair over something...blah, blah, blah...Only having faith in God and willing to be yourself will help you, blah, HOW CAN THIS BE PRACTICAL????

Do you want to be yourself? What are you afraid of; your own reflection? blah blah blah (sorry, I love SK, but sometimes I see it this way)

(I read Kierkegaard (old farty pants? He met an early end-age 40 I think)...it's just that...I didn't get any answers) SK's was a philosophy against philosophy itself. (not be taken by itself, for there really are no answers. And I believe he warns of this)

Do some reading of Chinese philosophy, especially in that of Taoism-- You may notice the essence of Kierkegaard in it.

My remedy for depression is to become a Taoist (at least, act like one)...haha, it's that simple

I can suggest you some reading: Tao Te Ching, [originally, in theory] by Lao Tzu/"Old Master." I believe this book is pivotal for philosophical and spiritual evolution (I'm sure many people do too)....Christianity is good, but it's just too heady = makes you think too much.
I've read about Taoism Tao is way wu wai is change how taking no action is the best way. Least resitence is the best way. Why help the weak get weaker and the strong get stronger just enjoy the journey.


Christianity is good, but it's just too heady = makes you think too much why follow any religon when you can seek your own truth ? Bruce lee "Your turth is not my truth atleast I could try to understand"

Well, if desire causes suffering, then I am in for a world of hurt, because I have a strong desire to have a peanut butter sandwich on a regular basis. It is not that I am bad, or evil or anything like that. It is just that I have a natural biological tendency to desire to find food when I am hungry.

Do you see my point ?

I don't think that suffering and desire go hand in hand. I think that having unreasonable expectations of others (and ourselves) sets us up for problems in our realtionships.

don't blame it on pb&j

ME :D


Why do we live ,or get motivated to do anything when it will just lead to more BS and stress. What is purpose other then making Ur own up there has to be a reason why people work, get married, get rich.

If desires causes suffering and sorrow then what's the reason of doing anything. It's like what Kierkegaard said "what's the point of waking up"

Well, if desire causes suffering, then I am in for a world of hurt, because I have a strong desire to have a peanut butter sandwich on a regular basis. It is not that I am bad, or evil or anything like that. It is just that I have a natural biological tendency to desire to find food when I am hungry.

Do you see my point ?

I don't think that suffering and desire go hand in hand. I think that having unreasonable expectations of others (and ourselves) sets us up for problems in our realtionships.

don't blame it on pb&j

ME :D

yeah wht if you frogot to go groceary shopping that day had no pbj you wouldn't be burden or upset not even a little that you have to get up and get the supplies? What if you had no money at the time for the pbj that's life it's rough I guess you have to take action to get what you need to get done at what cost. Taoist say to leave in ambunence try to look at things as not good or bad just there. Life is perfect the way it is then why try to change life?

It is easier to carry an empty cup
than one that is filled to the brim.

The sharper the knife
the easier it is to dull.
The more wealth you possess
the harder it is to protect.
Pride brings it's own trouble.

When you have accomplished your goal
simply walk away.
This is the path way to Heaven.

To know when one has had enough, that is the way.

yay! I notice someone understands at least in part....but the Taoist say,
when you are weary, sleep.
wen you are hungry, eat. (you worry about your person first) you are number 1 = First is first, as they say. There is a strong biological view of the universe in Asian thought. So, speedo..you are not wrong either, in part.
/*/*/some related info...**/*/
The Chinese believe in moderation and efficiency... You can tell by their lifestyle and customs.
-Perfecting even the smallest task, down to the technique of it i.e. posture.
-Eating in smaller portions (also, i've heard it was custom to leave a portion of their meal uneaten to show self-control, I suppose)

Lifestyle wise--
The children are raised to learn that they, themselves were grown, not made

To add, find a good translation of the Taoist bible, the Tao Te Ching...I should also recommend Buddhism; "The Religion of No Religion." Taoism (there are many forms- i.e. Esoteric, Popular, and Philosophical Taoism. Stick with the Philosophical) seems to me to be the most practicable lifestyle, which is not unlike Zen or "Chan Buddhism". Zen is very similar to Philosophical Taoism.

The big thing with Tao is spontaneity, for "foreknoweldge is the beginning of folley."
--In Taoism, the way is suggested, but is not lauded over them. (contradictory is the monotheism, in which there is a boss who makes all things possible for you through his will alone. And this deserves continuous praise/thanks/worship to this omni-powerful being who willed you into existence)

[I had some thoughts of creating my own religion today, in which I just combined what I felt was right in doing that which suited me, right here-right now...I realized this is/if not at least, very close to Tao.]

The eternal way cannot be spoken of, for that which is spoken of is not the Tao. The Tao is knowing though one cannot describe it- I see it similar to a divine state in which every moment is profound. Simply, being without action is freedom. Being able to exist, yet to be still!!! Doing that which takes no action. Conforming to the role of the female,yet knowing the male's. For water wins out over stone in the end.

Knowing what you desire(flowery embellishment of the way), but having discarded it for the fruit

Thought I'd give whomever willing to listen, a taste.
Hope I wasn't rambling just for my health alone.
Take from it whaat you will..
Hope that makes sense,
don't be sad if it all doesn't.
*My philosophy in posting*
It's better to regret something you did,
then something you didn't do,
as they say.

I'm just a doorman, a guide. Any questions, or just want to talk about it, feel free to PM me, I'm easy.:)

what is wrong with creating a god of your understanding or a Tao
of life that becomes your truth nothing wrong with that as long
as it's working for you.


Like you said Euler
no answers why have so many questions why bother to take action or seek answers, learn less then to contemplate
as desecrates

said

I've encountered this question in a philosophy class in college...

First , if we define god as an eternal, perfect being.

Then how is it that mere mortals could create god to their own liking?

For us to do so we must presume ourselves to know perfection, and in doing so be perfect.

For us to assume that we are perfect and capable of a complete knowing of the mind of god (ie: we must be god to create god), we are nothing more than arrogant.

since we are arrogant, we are imperfect.

Lastly, we are mortal, and therefore can not be an immortal, perfect being.

Thus, we are incapable of creating god.


It would be far easiet to try to find what the truth of your world is.
Be like a blind man describing the first tree he ever encountered. I think that will take a person closer to god than anything.

ME :D

yeah it's like what nitzche wrote man destroyed
god, god destroyed man. for a joke god got the last laugh in his case.

yeah it's like what nitzche wrote man destroyed
god, god destroyed man. for a joke god got the last laugh in his case.Yah. definitiiions of these thgings falter. Read my post again. I edited it.

ME :D

I read the edits i guess i'm just thinking of things since I need hobbies and computers are loosing it for me just pondering to tired to do anything.

The problem is not desire. The problem is focusing on the lack of what we desire.

good point madness taoist belive in living in abudence always stay empty

Of course we create god; Old Nobodaddy, the immaculate clothes hanger god.

Some of us project familiar attributes outward, heaping the hanger with our prized garments of gender and power and autority.

This is as evident in monotheism as it is in polytheism.

God(s) with attributes.

Less obvious is the projection of god inwards, but same thing. God(s) with attributes.

Western religions posit god outside.
Hinduism identifies god both outside (Brahman) and inside (Atman)
Buddhism seems to have first discarded Brahman, but retained Atman, then the doctrine moved towards An-Atman, the negation of god (Atman) within.

But all religions have sects that abandon a god(s) with attributes.

Taoism and Chan/Zen explicitly reject attributes of god within, without and of other higher powers.

Thus: the way (Tao) that can be named (spoken of) is not the eturnal way (Tao).

Or: Bodhiddarma (the first Zen patriarch) meets the Chinese Emporer: The emperor, who had converted to Buddhism, ordered Bodhiddarma (an Indian Buddhist master) come to the Palace. The emperor bragged of all the Buddhist temples he had built and how he encouraged the religion, new to China.


"What merit have I achieved for being such a dedicated and generous Buddist" the emporer asked.


"None, whatsoever!" Bodhidarma answered.


Perplexed the emperor leans forwards and demands,


"What is the essential truth of the Buddhist doctrine?"

"Vast emptiness; not any trace of holiness," said the master.


The emperor burned with anger.


"So you say! Who are you to make such assertions?"

"I don't know," the master replied.





No attributes. . . no barrier

Direct without direction.

Cup empty, cup full? But who's thirsty?


God is Nietche is god is Dead is Nietche is God is Nietche is Dead is . . .





Attributes are

The ides of non-attachment and non-desire are two of biggest misconceptions of buddhism. This is mainly a problem of translation from east to west. Its obvious that you cannot get rid all your desires for wanting to do so is desire itself.

Buddhism only suggests loosening desires only because desires come in the form of self-defeating mental chatter. This is self-rejection. So it is suggested that if we simplify our lives so as to quiet this internal dialogue that tells us we are not enough, do not have enough and will never be or have enough.

Shaman call this simplification "not-doing," which simply suggest we pull back from what we are doing, and do something else. If you have short hair try growing it long. Not-doing loosens our attachment to a particular image we my have about ourselves. Its just about opening the mind just enough so that the light can shine through.

By loosening attachments to the mind the Buddhist begins to identify himself with the consciousness rather than the manifiestations of consciousness. In other words, there is a realization that consciousness creates the brain rather than the brain creating consciousness.

What is really meant by non-attachment is to reduce attachment we have to our thinking. When we believe what our minds tell us without doubt it leads to suffering. The truth is that all the mind can tell us is a story about the Reality. This is the case because of the limitations of our symbols. Symbols only point to Reality.

Wow where have you been abre los ojos? Am I wrong or have you been missing in action for a long time?
Nice to see you again.

Nice to see you again, my fellow chameleon...

Hey Stano-
You could rephrase this to say he embraced " 'dead' till it ceased to be 'dreadful'..." (0:


And replace the Dreadful Great with the Greatful Dead.
Comin' from an ol' GD follower, myself, LOL! I know I didn't feel bad whenever I listened to their tunes !

I believe inertia may be another leading cause of why some people 'suffer'.

I, may have chemical imbalances, but I've learned to not be in 'ert' for too long, anymore.

I prefer to be a 'lert' now. (0:

Peace back at ya,

Nova



"Old farty pants Kierkegaard knew that. Didn't he embrace dread until it ceised to be dreadful?


The Dreadful Great."

Peace<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
__________________
-Stan

...you cannot get rid all your desires for wanting to do so is desire itself.
You remind me of hearing of the students who were told that to achieve enlightenment. They 1st have to rid of themeselves of desire.. They come back and their teacher says, OK, but you are still desiring not to desire...(they then think, How do I get rid of that?!) See the point, though? I think it is that those who believe they have to be perfect examples of how a human should act in order to be "ready" or "worthy" of enlightenment, this is a mistake. You don't have to "do" anything...better yet, you CAN'T!!


Shaman call this simplification "not-doing," which simply suggest we pull back from what we are doing, and do something else. You can only "let go" (of desire).
By loosening attachments to the mind the Buddhist begins to identify himself with the consciousness rather than the manifiestations of consciousness....non-attachment is to reduce attachment we have to our thinking. When we believe what our minds tell us without doubt it leads to suffering.
I must say: A war waged purely through human stupidity or greed, such as for livestock or women, is better than a war fought over a Belief.
Purely human desire is not a bad thing (such as when Speedo craves a PB&J)...it's when our desire, forexample, is to kill for, say an ideology is when this is nonsensical.

The Dreadful Great." This embracing dread...could anybody point to where, or in which of Kierkegaard's works this is mentioned? I would like to read that. thanks

Ray , I'm feeling a little morose today also, I am not getting what I want, at least what I think I want, I have been down this road before and if memory serves me right I have had what I thought would make me happy before yet it was'nt what I wanted after all because it did'nt make me happy.
I have seen the greatest happiness, it was when I brought joy to others, when I was concerned about making them a better day -just one not all, just one -and while I was doing it I was'nt concerned about me because it was about them but when that day was accomplished it was I who felt great and filled with joy,I think they were happy but I can only tell you how I felt. They gave me nothing tangible for my effort -I would'nt have accepted it if it was offered and by doing so I was the one who felt worthwhile and content.
we need to get out of ourselves more, do a good deed, help a friend.
I'm still morose right now, usually I'm not, sometimes I slip into temporary depression that soon ends because I have adhd. Optimism is better pessimism -becuse I know soon I'll be singing you can't keep a good man down- but not tonight

That was originally quoted by Stanzen. I made reference to it- as a joke to him.



Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Originally Posted by nova
The Dreadful Great."
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
This embracing dread...could anybody point to where, or in which of Kierkegaard's works this is mentioned? I would like to read that. thanks<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Ray , I'm feeling a little morose today also, I am not getting what I want, at least what I think I want, I have been down this road before and if memory serves me right I have had what I thought would make me happy before yet it was'nt what I wanted after all because it did'nt make me happy.
I have seen the greatest happiness, it was when I brought joy to others, when I was concerned about making them a better day -just one not all, just one -and while I was doing it I was'nt concerned about me because it was about them but when that day was accomplished it was I who felt great and filled with joy,I think they were happy but I can only tell you how I felt. They gave me nothing tangible for my effort -I would'nt have accepted it if it was offered and by doing so I was the one who felt worthwhile and content.
we need to get out of ourselves more, do a good deed, help a friend.
I'm still morose right now, usually I'm not, sometimes I slip into temporary depression that soon ends because I have adhd. Optimism is better pessimism -becuse I know soon I'll be singing you can't keep a good man down- but not tonight

Your right William that's why i signed up for volunteer work helping refuges it doesn't start to May. I also volunteer giving free tech support so it's not like
I'm trying bei self centered lately even though it has come across that way. It's more like what can I change in my life to make me a better person. In my past posts I was just low felt like i had to change everything in my life well made a bad choice lucky that failed due to dog. Now it's like I'm happy that I can serve a purpose whatever that is or could be I'm not really sure. To know the good is to the good i guess. What's good now is appreciating the little things in life , or instead of focusing on what you lack in it. Work towards that goal.

Like in caddy Shack "there is forces in the universe that makes things happen don't think about it let them happen be the ball"

As Bruce Lee said "never be part of ness such as loneliness greatness just be"

Your right William that's why i signed up for volunteer work helping refuges it doesn't start to May. I also volunteer giving free tech support so it's not like
I'm trying bei self centered lately even though it has come across that way. It's more like what can I change in my life to make me a better person. In my past posts I was just low felt like i had to change everything in my life well made a bad choice lucky that failed due to dog. Now it's like I'm happy that I can serve a purpose whatever that is or could be I'm not really sure. To know the good is to the good i guess. What's good now is appreciating the little things in life , or instead of focusing on what you lack in it. Work towards that goal.

Like in caddy Shack "there is forces in the universe that makes things happen don't think about it let them happen be the ball"

As Bruce Lee said "never be part of ness such as loneliness greatness just be"Whatever may or may not have happened to you mccoffee. Whatever you may or may not have accomplished -
I'm proud of you for pulling out of it and finding your optimism.
I know how hard it is to climb out of a pit of depression. Good man.

yes , I applaud you, just be careful- the road out is dangerous

ah, don't worry ray, we all have our wants, and pin our hopes on something we want, and then when it fails we beat ourselves up as if we were failures -A tricky road indeed

Heya McC !!

You and I talk with each other enough...so my making any points would just be redundant, LOL!!

You know how to always find me, anyways, when you need to talk. (0;


Nova

It's more like what can I change in my life to make me a better person. Now it's like I'm happy that I can serve a purpose whatever that is or could be I'm not really sure. To know the good is to the good i guess.

Find time, every day, to remember this, McC.
You already know there's truth behind your statement- figure out a method to always remember it. (0;


Nova

This is a great thread I think Im getting some of these beleifs. Follow life by no outside influences. Like you would if you were the only man alive.

Don't struggle to clean your room to make others happy when you can be happy in a dirty room.

I love it.

This is a great thread I think Im getting some of these beleifs. Follow life by no outside influences. Like you would if you were the only man alive.

Don't struggle to clean your room to make others happy when you can be happy in a dirty room.

I love it.
That's the only real turth though is what you expirence,felt, thought of isn't. Nothing wrong with outside influences ,however it's ur choice to belive them ,or not. So out of crissis and communion we know who we are.

Don't desire love from others
Don't anger if others harm you
For you know harming is a desire
Desire causes suffering
Those who harm suffer too

Have no expectations
For it opens a door to failure
Live without it you will never fail

Good intentions may sometimes hurt others
But the true meaning is in the thought
With good intentions you can never sin

desire does not cause suffering. desire caused motivation. craving, on the other hand, does cause suffering. and a lot of it. craving and aversion are what keep the human mind in it's misery.




Questions and Answers from Goenka regarding Equanimity
Source: drawn from various public talks and discourses


1. What do you mean by being equanimous?

When you do not react, you are equanimous.

2. Can we feel and enjoy things fully and still be equanimous?

Certainly. Life is to enjoy wholesome things, but not with an attachment to anything. You remain equanimous and enjoy, so that when you miss it you smile: "I knew it was going away. It has gone away. So what?" Then only are you really enjoying life. Otherwise, you get attached, and if you miss it, you roll in misery. So no misery. In every situation be happy.

3. Surely it is unnatural never to react?

It seems so if you have experienced only the wrong habit pattern of an impure mind. But it is natural for a pure mind to remain fully equanimous. An equanimous, pure mind is full of love, compassion, healthy detachment, good will, joy. Equanimity is purity. Learn to experience that.

4. How can we be involved in life unless we react?

Instead of reacting you learn to act, to act with a balanced mind. Vipassana meditators do not become inactive, like vegetables. They learn how to act positively. If you can change your life pattern from reaction to action, then you have attained something very valuable. And you can change it by practicing Vipassana.

www.dhamma.org (http://www.dhamma.org/)

These two are great advice.


3. Surely it is unnatural never to react?

It seems so if you have experienced only the wrong habit pattern of an impure mind. But it is natural for a pure mind to remain fully equanimous. An equanimous, pure mind is full of love, compassion, healthy detachment, good will, joy. Equanimity is purity. Learn to experience that.

4. How can we be involved in life unless we react?

Instead of reacting you learn to act, to act with a balanced mind. Vipassana meditators do not become inactive, like vegetables. They learn how to act positively. If you can change your life pattern from reaction to action, then you have attained something very valuable. And you can change it by practicing Vipassana.

ok i have ago at this one

What do you mean by being equanimous?

1...do not understand what the word means

2sorry i dont understand what it is thats been asked so i leveal 4 now ;.(((dorm

ok i have ago at this one

What do you mean by being equanimous?

1...do not understand what the word means

2sorry i dont understand what it is thats been asked so i leveal 4 now ;.(((dorm

equanimity

n : steadiness of mind under stress; "he accepted their problems with composure and she with equanimity"


equanimous
\E*quan"i*mous\, a. [L. aequanimus, fr. aequus equal + animus mind.] Of an even, composed frame of mind; of a steady temper; not easily elated or depressed.
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equanimous

adj : in full control of your faculties; "the witness remained collected throughout the cross-examination"; "perfectly poised and sure of himself"; "more self-contained and more dependable than many of the early frontiersmen"; "strong and self-possessed in the face of trouble"

thanks plainfor your time in telling me dorm ;.)))

Why do we live ,or get motivated to do anything when it will just lead to more BS and stress. What is purpose other then making Ur own up there has to be a reason why people work, get married, get rich.

If desires causes suffering and sorrow then what's the reason of doing anything. It's like what Kierkegaard said "what's the point of waking up"Buddhism is right-- attachment and desire cause suffering. But they also can cause happiness. Emptiness and nothingness isn't life. You need balance, grasshopper. /Taoism

A true buddhist or toaist would never say that attachment causes suffering, because neither believe the idea of cause and effect. They would tell you that suffering is just a contraction of the body, a conscious repression of the flow of energy through the body.

People suffer because they believe the lies their minds tell them. And what does the mind know? Nothing but a story, ususally someone elses, about a subjective experience. There is no such thing as objective reality. So, people suffer for no reason except out of their own confusion.

Suffering is just a choice, and every moment we have a choice to suffer. The mind always seems to have a compelling reason to suffer, but its just a lie. The dynamic of suffering isn't that something other is causing it, rather it is that we believe the mind and punish ourselves. You pull the switch on yourself, and you do it everytime.

Suffering is then perpetuated because the mechanism of self-punisment occurs subconsiously, and that makes it seem like suffering is happening to us from some outside cause, but that is just another lie of the mind. When we believe the suffering happens to us from an outside cause, we throw away our choice to not suffer for a perpetual search for a mysterious cause for our suffering.

As the saying goes, "ive met the enemy and he is me."

to have the dseizer to be loved is in its self the most vuable thing you will ever do in your life ,,,,but it stop stop anyone doing it......love gives meaning to ones life dorm

Hope is the answer to your question.