[quote]NAUn wrote:
I think you should begin a quest for enlightenment for several reasons, three of which I’ll list:
Based on your post, it will probably take you awhile, although by asking this question you’ve already started. That will satisfy your itch for now.
Once you realize your true nature, you won’t clutter up our board with these whiny first-world problem posts, because you won’t have that itch anymore, which is what you’re looking for anyway.
It can be an enjoyable process. Frustrating sure, difficult yes, but a guy like you shouldn’t take issue you with.
Enlightenment provides contentment because it frees you from your desires and ignorance, which lead to your suffering. BG touched on this with one of his earlier posts in this thread. Enlightenment is the difference between knowledge and wisdom, understanding and realization.
Without direct realization, you’ll never be fully satisfied. BG also touched on that recently RE: stupid young people who don’t listen to old people. Now that doesn’t mean you have to be rich to learn that being rich doesn’t satisfy (although usually it takes that route), because you can go to the root of it all through something like enlightenment. But, since you’re already past that point and wondering where to go next, why not go to the center of it all?
[/quote]Because there is no center and enlightenment is the acceptance of self, whatever that means to an individual truth seeker. It’s distracting mumbo jumbo.
[quote]NAUn wrote:
I think you should begin a quest for enlightenment for several reasons, three of which I’ll list:
Based on your post, it will probably take you awhile, although by asking this question you’ve already started. That will satisfy your itch for now.
Once you realize your true nature, you won’t clutter up our board with these whiny first-world problem posts, because you won’t have that itch anymore, which is what you’re looking for anyway.
It can be an enjoyable process. Frustrating sure, difficult yes, but a guy like you shouldn’t take issue you with.
Enlightenment provides contentment because it frees you from your desires and ignorance, which lead to your suffering. BG touched on this with one of his earlier posts in this thread. Enlightenment is the difference between knowledge and wisdom, understanding and realization.
Without direct realization, you’ll never be fully satisfied. BG also touched on that recently RE: stupid young people who don’t listen to old people. Now that doesn’t mean you have to be rich to learn that being rich doesn’t satisfy (although usually it takes that route), because you can go to the root of it all through something like enlightenment. But, since you’re already past that point and wondering where to go next, why not go to the center of it all?
[/quote]Because there is no center and enlightenment is the acceptance of self, whatever that means to an individual truth seeker. It’s distracting mumbo jumbo.
[/quote]
If you’ve got it all figured out, why are you coming to us for help? I’ll remind you Buddha walked away from his life in a very similar situation to the one in which you now find yourself. I’m not saying you need to give up all your possessions, nor do you need to follow some arbitrary religious doctrine, nor do you need to sit on top of a mountain in the middle of the Himalayas and meditate for the next 20 years, but if you keep that kind of attitude you are going to be asking yourself these questions the rest of your life.
Your response sounds like arrogant frustration, not wisdom. I have no investment in your contentment though, so take it or leave it. Your statement about enlightenment is significantly incorrect, however. Ask me why or don’t. It sounds like you aren’t looking for real fulfillment, but simply more rungs of the ladder upon which to climb. Keep climbing HG, keep climbing!
[quote]NAUn wrote:
I think you should begin a quest for enlightenment for several reasons, three of which I’ll list:
Based on your post, it will probably take you awhile, although by asking this question you’ve already started. That will satisfy your itch for now.
Once you realize your true nature, you won’t clutter up our board with these whiny first-world problem posts, because you won’t have that itch anymore, which is what you’re looking for anyway.
It can be an enjoyable process. Frustrating sure, difficult yes, but a guy like you shouldn’t take issue you with.
Enlightenment provides contentment because it frees you from your desires and ignorance, which lead to your suffering. BG touched on this with one of his earlier posts in this thread. Enlightenment is the difference between knowledge and wisdom, understanding and realization.
Without direct realization, you’ll never be fully satisfied. BG also touched on that recently RE: stupid young people who don’t listen to old people. Now that doesn’t mean you have to be rich to learn that being rich doesn’t satisfy (although usually it takes that route), because you can go to the root of it all through something like enlightenment. But, since you’re already past that point and wondering where to go next, why not go to the center of it all?
[/quote]Because there is no center and enlightenment is the acceptance of self, whatever that means to an individual truth seeker. It’s distracting mumbo jumbo.
[/quote]
If you’ve got it all figured out, why are you coming to us for help? I’ll remind you Buddha walked away from his life in a very similar situation to the one in which you now find yourself. I’m not saying you need to give up all your possessions, nor do you need to follow some arbitrary religious doctrine, nor do you need to sit on top of a mountain in the middle of the Himalayas and meditate for the next 20 years, but if you keep that kind of attitude you are going to be asking yourself these questions the rest of your life.
Your response sounds like arrogant frustration, not wisdom. I have no investment in your contentment though, so take it or leave it. Your statement about enlightenment is significantly incorrect, however. Ask me why or don’t. It sounds like you aren’t looking for real fulfillment, but simply more rungs of the ladder upon which to climb. Keep climbing HG, keep climbing!
[/quote] Eastern Philosophy in general is a circle, and circles don’t go anywhere. This is not a philosophy I find fulfilling though I do appreciate your suggestion.
It’s obvious from your posts that you’re intelligent, sensitive to life and inquisitive, and you’ve a bit of a maverick as it concerns conventions of society. What you have is a cursed gift.
Enlightenment isn’t really about acceptance of self; it’s about discarding the illusion of self. You’re not really free until you do that.
If I were you, I’d get reading because you’re plunging headlong into an existential crisis. It has many names… the catholics call it “The Long Dark Night of the Soul”, modern thinkers call it “One-Third Life Crisis”, psychologists call it the first multi-level conflict of positive integration, Plato (a “Western” philosopher) called it stumbling out of the cave, Buddha felt it too, Hemingway urged us to “burn the fat from our souls”. It’s not unique, it’s not Eastern, and if you can’t find your way out of it alone, leverage our time’s technology to get in touch with those who have passed through this area before.
Do it now or do it later, it will eventually be the focus of your life. If you’re asking yourself these questions now, it is unavoidable, and the uncertainty will fester in your spirit until it burns and demands your attention.
A good start is Albert Camus. But it’s only a start.
Though a purpose to continue fueling drive is more or less what I’m seeking, I suppose I should be open minded to other ideas too. I’ll check out your author Samir and ill bite naun, what is enlightenment?
You should give away all your possessions and wander the earth for a while. Hitchhike. Live on the street. Become a vigilante. Then earn it all back from scratch and tell your story.
