Zen page 1

Gonzo

14th January 2012, 05:04 PM

Does anyone else actively seek it?

I suppose most people are looking for happiness, but not me.

'Happiness is a mediocrity of middle class existence.'

nostrum

14th January 2012, 05:18 PM

Do you ever yearn?

Gonzo

14th January 2012, 05:24 PM

All the damn time, almost constantly. I don't have much stress anymore, though. No chronic stress, at least, acute stress is a bit trickier to diminish.

nostrum

14th January 2012, 05:29 PM

Is it cheating to accomplish chemically?

Gonzo

14th January 2012, 05:34 PM

I think so, yes, but that is just my opinion. The Eightfold Path clearly says it is so.

Same with buying things, I think. I feel like having a source of money has sort of hindered my mind's development a bit... I can't stand being a capitalist.

nostrum

14th January 2012, 06:02 PM

I hear you. I'd love to opt out.

Facetious

14th January 2012, 07:00 PM

It seems to require a lot of introspection. Happiness is easy to come by otoh, and existence is fleeting.

gib

14th January 2012, 07:59 PM

I hear you. I'd love to opt out.

how would you buy stuff?

Mantisdreamz

14th January 2012, 08:00 PM

Do you think that trying to achieve zen can make a person too apathetic?

nostrum

14th January 2012, 08:17 PM

I hear you. I'd love to opt out.

how would you buy stuff?

Yeah I need a generous benefactor

Gonzo

15th January 2012, 12:45 PM

on second thought irre chemicals might be okay in a state of zen, as long as they didn't hinder you in any way from maintaining that state of mind... ?

maybe it doesn't matter, as long as whatever you do works.

Gonzo

15th January 2012, 12:50 PM

Do you think that trying to achieve zen can make a person too apathetic?

perhaps... I have had the impression that others take me for apathetic, but I don't think I am more than anyone else is and it certainly isn't because I am trying to find peace with myself.

I feel far more apathetic when I turn off from the world. If you try to love humanity you become compassionate and empathetic... that's also something I wish to achieve in my life.

Essentially to be at peace with myself and everyone else... both of which seem to interplay a great deal.... and it's difficult to find the right balance from being too engaged/disengaged with others.

devogue

15th January 2012, 01:37 PM

I have found happiness. It consists of two things:

1) Getting the spunky tissue from the spare room to the toilet before the wife discovers it.

2) Realising that the box grater will not fit in the third drawer down.

Gonzo

15th January 2012, 01:43 PM

Samsara, my friend, samsara.

nostrum

15th January 2012, 03:29 PM

on second thought irre chemicals might be okay in a state of zen, as long as they didn't hinder you in any way from maintaining that state of mind... ?

maybe it doesn't matter, as long as whatever you do works.

It can be unintentional (the chemicals) yet a pleasant result. There is much still to know about the chemistry of the brain.

nostrum

15th January 2012, 03:30 PM

I have found happiness. It consists of two things:

1) Getting the spunky tissue from the spare room to the toilet before the wife discovers it.

2) Realising that the box grater will not fit in the third drawer down.

:hehe:

Well, don't leave us in suspense: where do you put the box grater?

Izdaari

20th January 2012, 05:06 AM

I am not active in Zen. My title of Charismissional Anglican better fits where I am today. But Zen and philosophical Taoism (pretty similar) were important to me in my spiritual journey, and I'm still interested in reading about them.

Gonzo

20th January 2012, 01:29 PM

cool, keep posting on MindRomp, please. :)

Izdaari

21st January 2012, 11:51 AM

cool, keep posting on MindRomp, please. :)
Likely so, and thank you! I'm kinda liking this place so far. :thumbsup:

Gonzo

21st January 2012, 01:48 PM

It's under some good influence.