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alecrain
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Local time: 2:26 PM
Location: Melbourne, AUS
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 Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 6:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Thank you for the posts above- I'll include buddhism in my religions to disrespect list! |
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CET
The Spiritual Atheist
Joined: 02 Apr 2003
Posts: 12865
Local time: 8:26 PM
Location: SoCal, USA
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| Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 4:46 pm Post subject: |
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| ShaSha wrote: | | And of course the stifling of the emotions is way off because I probably did try some of that for awhile. I do of course prefer to step back and not use volatile emotions but denying them isn't healthy. |
This is one of those misconceptions about Buddhism that is very prevalent, and I wish I could help dispel it.
There is no stifling of emotions, that's what Vulcans do, not humans. What Buddhism does try to teach is that one should not be controlled by their emotions. For example, if you're angry, don't make any decisions, because they will almost certainly be decisions you will later regret. Go count to ten and come back when you're more clear-headed.
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Namaste,
CET 
The Spiritual Atheist
"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the delusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha
"Those who dance are considered insane by those who can't hear the music." - George Carlin |
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PJS
Joined: 25 Apr 2004
Posts: 941
Local time: 11:26 PM
Location: Clearwater,Fl.
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| Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:10 pm Post subject: |
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| CET wrote: | | ShaSha wrote: | | And of course the stifling of the emotions is way off because I probably did try some of that for awhile. I do of course prefer to step back and not use volatile emotions but denying them isn't healthy. |
This is one of those misconceptions about Buddhism that is very prevalent, and I wish I could help dispel it.
There is no stifling of emotions, that's what Vulcans do, not humans. What Buddhism does try to teach is that one should not be controlled by their emotions. For example, if you're angry, don't make any decisions, because they will almost certainly be decisions you will later regret. Go count to ten and come back when you're more clear-headed. |
CET-
What do you think of the argument which says the type of non-attachment that Buddhism teaches comes at a price. The point being there is a trade-off as attachments not only bring pain, but also some of our greatest joys. Actions and strivings can add much to our existence and I am curious how your reading of Buddhism would address this.
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The path of least resistance and least trouble is a mental rut already made. It requires troublesome work to undertake the alternation of old beliefs.
-John Dewey |
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CET
The Spiritual Atheist
Joined: 02 Apr 2003
Posts: 12865
Local time: 8:26 PM
Location: SoCal, USA
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| Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:24 pm Post subject: |
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| PJS wrote: | CET-
What do you think of the argument which says the type of non-attachment that Buddhism teaches comes at a price. The point being there is a trade-off as attachments not only bring pain, but also some of our greatest joys. Actions and strivings can add much to our existence and I am curious how your reading of Buddhism would address this. |
An attachment is not that you don't care about anything, but that you are not controlled by anything. When we are controlled by our emotions, they change our perception of what's really happening, and we often tend to react reflexively. A buddha still feels joy, anger, etc. In fact, a buddha is the only being that is truly happy. He sees what's really going on and is able to choose how he reacts.
One of Shakyamuni's most famous sermons involved him sitting in front of a crowed for several minutes. Motionless. Silent. After a while, he leaned over, picked up a flower and smiled. That was the end of the sermon.
In that sermon, we are brought to the present moment and we observe what is really real. What's happening right now? Birds chirping. The person to the left shifts their legs a bit. Someone a few rows back coughs.
The flower is just a flower. It's not "big". It's not "small". It's not "beautiful". It's not "ugly". It's just a flower.
_________________
Namaste,
CET
The Spiritual Atheist
"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the delusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha
"Those who dance are considered insane by those who can't hear the music." - George Carlin |
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ShaSha
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Joined: 21 Oct 2003
Posts: 5541
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Location: Minnesota
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| Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:25 pm Post subject: |
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| CET wrote: | | ShaSha wrote: | | And of course the stifling of the emotions is way off because I probably did try some of that for awhile. I do of course prefer to step back and not use volatile emotions but denying them isn't healthy. |
This is one of those misconceptions about Buddhism that is very prevalent, and I wish I could help dispel it.
There is no stifling of emotions, that's what Vulcans do, not humans. What Buddhism does try to teach is that one should not be controlled by their emotions. For example, if you're angry, don't make any decisions, because they will almost certainly be decisions you will later regret. Go count to ten and come back when you're more clear-headed. |
That's called Xtianity too  At least the form I grew up with. |
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Philosophos
When we look at you, we see an asshole
Joined: 01 Mar 2004
Posts: 9299
Local time: 11:26 PM
Location: In ur body cast
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| Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 9:22 am Post subject: |
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| CET wrote: | | ShaSha wrote: | | And of course the stifling of the emotions is way off because I probably did try some of that for awhile. I do of course prefer to step back and not use volatile emotions but denying them isn't healthy. |
This is one of those misconceptions about Buddhism that is very prevalent, and I wish I could help dispel it.
There is no stifling of emotions, that's what Vulcans do, not humans. What Buddhism does try to teach is that one should not be controlled by their emotions. For example, if you're angry, don't make any decisions, because they will almost certainly be decisions you will later regret. Go count to ten and come back when you're more clear-headed. |
Sha - I agree with CET here, but I'd go even further. If you're angry, what a Buddhist would probably say is... watch it. Literally. Watch the anger. If you "stare" at it (through mindfulness), it'll go away.
And so - get angry. Then look at it.
*shrugs*
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Philosophos
When we look at you, we see an asshole
Joined: 01 Mar 2004
Posts: 9299
Local time: 11:26 PM
Location: In ur body cast
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| Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 9:33 am Post subject: |
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| CET wrote: | One of Shakyamuni's most famous sermons involved him sitting in front of a crowed for several minutes. Motionless. Silent. After a while, he leaned over, picked up a flower and smiled. That was the end of the sermon.
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Ummm... that's the legend of the transmission of the Dharma to Mahakashyapa. Mahakashyapa smiled at the end. Who the fuck is teaching you again? This is the kind of nonsense you get in Cali, I guess...
Tear those manuscripts up, bitches!
Ur doing it rong. FFS - get your lineages and stories right.
Just sayin'. And... don't get angry. kk? We're still bff's. Amirite?
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ShaSha
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Joined: 21 Oct 2003
Posts: 5541
Local time: 10:26 PM
Location: Minnesota
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| Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 10:21 am Post subject: |
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| Philosophos wrote: | | CET wrote: | | ShaSha wrote: | | And of course the stifling of the emotions is way off because I probably did try some of that for awhile. I do of course prefer to step back and not use volatile emotions but denying them isn't healthy. |
This is one of those misconceptions about Buddhism that is very prevalent, and I wish I could help dispel it.
There is no stifling of emotions, that's what Vulcans do, not humans. What Buddhism does try to teach is that one should not be controlled by their emotions. For example, if you're angry, don't make any decisions, because they will almost certainly be decisions you will later regret. Go count to ten and come back when you're more clear-headed. |
Sha - I agree with CET here, but I'd go even further. If you're angry, what a Buddhist would probably say is... watch it. Literally. Watch the anger. If you "stare" at it (through mindfulness), it'll go away.
And so - get angry. Then look at it.
*shrugs* |
Agreed. It is what I have practiced and do practice for many years but again I don't think it is Buddhist wisdom anymore than love thy neighbor is only Xtian. I really believe there are some good psychological inborn attitudes by all humans and collections of this wisdom have passed through the centuries. I believe Jesus' turn the other cheek isn't meant to be taken literally but rather telling people to back of and look at it first.
Meditation is also a universal experience and I found when I was getting angry too often, meditating would smooth it all out. My meditation for anger has taken many forms from staring at it like you suggest to just focusing on something else and getting happy and then the real cause of the anger appears.
This is why I embrace all religions. All including Native American and other aboriginal have great things to teach a human being to get the most out of life. Calling Buddhism a religion is only a crime to some atheists. I see religion as neutral because it is always the person studying it that gives it the power. |
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CET
The Spiritual Atheist
Joined: 02 Apr 2003
Posts: 12865
Local time: 8:26 PM
Location: SoCal, USA
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| Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 8:29 pm Post subject: |
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| Philosophos wrote: | | CET wrote: | One of Shakyamuni's most famous sermons involved him sitting in front of a crowed for several minutes. Motionless. Silent. After a while, he leaned over, picked up a flower and smiled. That was the end of the sermon.
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Ummm... that's the legend of the transmission of the Dharma to Mahakashyapa. Mahakashyapa smiled at the end. Who the fuck is teaching you again? This is the kind of nonsense you get in Cali, I guess...
Tear those manuscripts up, bitches!
Ur doing it rong. FFS - get your lineages and stories right. |
NO, yer doin it rong! There only 88 generations are between Shakyiamuni and myself, and I gots the paper to prove it!
| Philosophos wrote: | | Just sayin'. And... don't get angry. kk? We're still bff's. Amirite? |
One ... two ... three-five-nine-ten, GET 'EM!
_________________
Namaste,
CET
The Spiritual Atheist
"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the delusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha
"Those who dance are considered insane by those who can't hear the music." - George Carlin |
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Philosophos
When we look at you, we see an asshole
Joined: 01 Mar 2004
Posts: 9299
Local time: 11:26 PM
Location: In ur body cast
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| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 9:13 am Post subject: |
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I just like to try to get Buddhists angry, I guess...
I... I guess now's not a good time to discuss my hobby of Buddhist tipping...
They're doing walking meditation, and... well...
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CET
The Spiritual Atheist
Joined: 02 Apr 2003
Posts: 12865
Local time: 8:26 PM
Location: SoCal, USA
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| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 11:51 am Post subject: |
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| Philosophos wrote: | | I just like to try to get Buddhists angry, I guess... |
Your mind tricks will not work on me. Who do you think you are, some kind of Jedi or something?
| Philosophos wrote: | I... I guess now's not a good time to discuss my hobby of Buddhist tipping...
They're doing walking meditation, and... well... |
... you "tip Buddhists" by randomly hand out $20 bills? 
_________________
Namaste,
CET
The Spiritual Atheist
"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the delusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha
"Those who dance are considered insane by those who can't hear the music." - George Carlin |
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