Posted by llrrrpp on May 15, 2006, at 22:40:09
In reply to Re: You have the right to remain silent..., posted by Jakeman on May 15, 2006, at 20:44:22
The Buddha taught us that the source of much human misery is "comparative thinking". That is, to compare ourselves to others, to how we once were, to how we ought to be, will lead to suffering and little gain.
Unfortunately, at this point in my education, I "acquired" a mental illness and had to give up many hobbies, including Dharma. I don't remember how to get out of the comparative thinking trap. I think it goes something like this: look within yourself, and find what makes you unhappy and then think of a solution and a path to make the solution reality. ... Buddha: the first Therapist...
It might also relate to another interesting Buddhist idea: the definition of self. Who are we? Well, we exist independent of other people, so comparing our 'selves' to them shouldn't really change our "self". We exist independent of our actions (If we lose function of our limbs, we still exist). We exist independent of our prior "self" (We are given infinite chances and choices to change our future, and perhaps we can even slowly change our "selves"). Perhaps most relevant to our modern lifestyles is that we exist independent of our possessions. If our life's accumulated wealth is swept away in a flood, we do not cease to be.
Our thinking about our 'selves' is thus independent of others' "selves', our possesions, our ideas of what we should be, and what we have been.
If only this were easy. The person typing these sensible ideas has yet to incorporate this wisdom into her own life, which is kind of at the bottom of a long downward spiral right now... And here's my own comparative thinking trap: If I were a good Buddhist, and a rational being, I would not be conflicted about my own abilities, and my own past. (In short, I would not fall prey to the cognitive illusions and biases of depression).
I think it's time for my medicine. I'm cracking up.
poster:llrrrpp
thread:644292
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20060513/msgs/644545.html