tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3427479692989285926.post7240022000972712406..comments2024-03-17T11:54:10.124+11:00Comments on Journeyman Philosopher: Layers of BeingPaul P. Mealinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573615711151742992noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3427479692989285926.post-43329174826569447312008-07-24T17:56:00.000+10:002008-07-24T17:56:00.000+10:00Thanks Coop,I appreciate your comments, and I'm gl...Thanks Coop,<BR/><BR/>I appreciate your comments, and I'm glad I've stimulated some discussion. The book you recommend does sound interesting - I'll keep an eye out for it.<BR/><BR/>Regards, Paul.Paul P. Mealinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14573615711151742992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3427479692989285926.post-33331730055928749182008-07-24T04:48:00.000+10:002008-07-24T04:48:00.000+10:00I love this post. If you haven't read Eckheart To...I love this post. If you haven't read Eckheart Tolle's "A New Earth" I recommend it as it deals with the ego and if becoming "egoless" is possible. <BR/><BR/>The neurosis of self-deception you speak of, Tolle would call humanity's sickness, or in other words, the ego. Which exists very prominently in your inner world. It takes the third or "awareness" layer to recognize the ego, thereby overcoming it.<BR/><BR/>Nate, I would understand what you mean if you were to say, "my tv is not mine." Identification with form (objects, roles, relationships, thoughts, etc) causes identification with impermanence. Once that object, role or relationship goes away, if people have identified with it as "mine" or "part of me", which is the ego speaking, this will obviously create problems. The awareness that we are much much greater than our inner or outer worlds, and in fact that we ARE this awareness will bring about peace no matter what the situation. Paul, this is what I believe you touch on when you say you become "unnatached even to oneself." It is my belief that we are more than our bodies and thoughts, we are permanent beings experiencing an impermanent life. And it is very possible to separate the permanent being from the impermanent life experience. Only after we are conscious of this separation can we actually find out who we are. If that makes any sense, haha.<BR/><BR/>CoopCoophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10012081499661966200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3427479692989285926.post-11631829065998126762008-07-09T07:50:00.000+10:002008-07-09T07:50:00.000+10:00Paul,I think your use of samsara is relevant. I ju...Paul,<BR/><BR/>I think your use of samsara is relevant. I just wished to emphasize your point on self-honesty. <BR/><BR/>My point was that sometimes although we speak in one language in order for 'externals' to understand, we must always, in buddhist terms, change our internal language in order to ensure no self deception.<BR/><BR/>NateAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3427479692989285926.post-51022977386275383342008-07-08T19:12:00.000+10:002008-07-08T19:12:00.000+10:00Hi Nate.I guess that's why I alluded to the term, ...Hi Nate.<BR/><BR/>I guess that's why I alluded to the term, samsara, though only Buddhists would appreciate its meaning. But you can tell me if it's appropriate to the context.<BR/><BR/>When I say some attachments are healthy, some unhealthy, I'm really talking about emotional attachments rather than material attachments, though I didn't say that. I think that even addictions are really emotional attachments, or have an emotional component as well as a physical one. <BR/><BR/>On the other hand, I think that attachment to family members, friends, even humanity in general, is perfectly natural and to be encouraged.<BR/><BR/>I don't claim to be a Buddhist, by the way, though, obviously I have an interest, and have read a few books on the subject, in particular, Daisetz Suzuki and the Dalai Lama.<BR/><BR/>Regards, Paul.Paul P. Mealinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14573615711151742992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3427479692989285926.post-29814979671884111852008-07-08T16:47:00.000+10:002008-07-08T16:47:00.000+10:00Interesting. Note that 'attachment' and 'a attachm...Interesting. Note that 'attachment' and 'a attachment' are different in buddhism. <BR/>I can own things I can have what the external world would consider 'a attachment' but I cannot be attached to it. <BR/>This being attached to it causes an illusion of self that causes suffering as we cannot be honest with ourselves of the fact that all is impermanent.<BR/>I find, myself, being a buddhist I use real world terminology when I talk to others and buddhist terminology when I talk to myself.<BR/> I do this as the average person would not understand me if when they ask me if 'this object is mine' I say 'no'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com