Shakyamuni Buddha (The Buddha) has taught us that meaning in life to end suffering (dukkha), well rather that which causes discomfort. Suffering is a little harsh. Anyways, though his teachings he has taught us that the life we lead and everything around is impermanent and subject to end. Because of this impermanence it is unnecessary to create attachments which cause suffering. This is not to say we cannot have joy in out life and that our lives our to be banal and stoic. They're supposed to be compassionate and joyful, but this is beside the point. The main point of Shakyamuni's teachings was to bring an end to the dukkha that plague us. Outside of this, the goal which bring joys varies between person to person. Shakyamuni had no problem with doing what you enjoyed, so if in turn it gives you another meaning, it is fine.
Being a student of Buddha, I concur with what he is teaching as his meaning, for obvious reasons. I have come to realize the dukkhas in life and realize through positive actions I can negate the suffering in my life and others. Outside of the cessation of suffering I find little to no meaning however. I see everything as very impermanent, much like Buddha taught, and for that I myself put no meaning into it. But that is just me. That is not to say my life is devoid and empty. I enjoy the company if my friends and family and fill my time with hobbies that I enjoy, but I know that they are subject to change and do not hold it against them.
But that is just me. Meaning is subjective to everyone and life's meaning is no different. In fact, even followers of Buddha like me may have different meaning of life then I do, and that is alright too. Who are we to tell another man that we are right and they are wrong?
Monday, December 8, 2014
Classmate that I am Thankful for
I hate picking favorites. I always feel bad for the people who I don't pick. Like if they read this, and see they are not picked, they might feel bad and I don't want that. So, with that said, I am thankful for everyone. I am quite serious when I say this too. Everyone in the classroom which I am in, I am grateful for. I am actually quite grateful for everyone in my life, but that is bigger than this. There is no one that I want to pick out in particular and give special recognition to because each person brings something new to the table. With each person there is a new thought and opinion and it broadens my horizon on the scoop of life. Too meta? Maybe. But regardless I am very grateful for everyone.
Monday, November 10, 2014
All Alone
I don't think that we are meant to be alone. It's not natural. It's frightening. When you think about it on an natural, evolutionary basis, we are social creatures. We live in groups to survive. We are not as big or strong, or as fast as some of the other predators in the natural world. Our ancient ancestors lived in groups to help insure survival. Together they were able to fend off large threats and keep each other safe. These primitive traits learned to carry on to our currents lives and is why we seek comforts from others. We are all familiar with that old saying, strength in numbers. It also applies to our mental happiness. We need other people with to give us comfort, strength, and hope. Things that, in a dire time, we can not give ourselves. And so we turn to others. Being alone, is more of a punishment than it is a gift.
Now we may be able to gather our thoughts when we are by ourselves. We are able to think clearer and process things better when we're alone, maybe. But who will challenge these thoughts, how will we know if we are right. After awhile our thoughts are no longer enough. They do not sustain us like a real person can, that is why we start making people up.
In the movie "Into the Wild" we witness Chris McCandless come to this realization unfortunately late in his life. He realized that he was happy when was with others. And this was actually pretty evident through the movie. Now, is that actually true for his real life, I can not say, but it might hold some truth. If he did spend time with generally good people he would have been happier with them then alone.
We are not supposed to be alone. We need others to share our thoughts and useless information that is racing around our minds. Without this means of an export, we go crazy.
We are not supposed to be alone. We need others to share our thoughts and useless information that is racing around our minds. Without this means of an export, we go crazy.
Monday, October 20, 2014
We Still Haven't Figured it Out Yet
What have we figured out? The circumference of the Earth (24,901 miles), how many molecules are in a cubic meter (depends on the molecular make up), how to send robots to Mars. While these are all well and good, what difference do they make in our lives? Have we really figured out anything that is important to who we are as human being and what we are supposed to do.
We still haven't figured out how to be happy. How to love and accept one another. To not kill one another mindlessly. We've been on this planet for quite some time and we still haven't figured it out. Haven't learned that we are all just one race. And as we progress, we figure out how to make fast cars or super computers or 3D televisions, but those aren't fundamental.
We have put off learning the fundamentals so we can focus on other things. Material things, and maybe there isn't anything wrong with that. Besides the fact that no one really knows anything anymore, because all the information you could need is at your fingertips, and we are ever lusting for more as we are force fed the idea that more is good. There might not be anything wrong with that. But I digress. We have strayed to far from trying to learn what is to be a global community, a global family, that it is no longer in out minds and we have yet to figure out what it means.
Maybe a few of us have though. They have looked past the insolent knowledge for that which has true meaning. To those I say, please enlighten us, don't leave us in the dark.
We still haven't figured out how to be happy. How to love and accept one another. To not kill one another mindlessly. We've been on this planet for quite some time and we still haven't figured it out. Haven't learned that we are all just one race. And as we progress, we figure out how to make fast cars or super computers or 3D televisions, but those aren't fundamental.
We have put off learning the fundamentals so we can focus on other things. Material things, and maybe there isn't anything wrong with that. Besides the fact that no one really knows anything anymore, because all the information you could need is at your fingertips, and we are ever lusting for more as we are force fed the idea that more is good. There might not be anything wrong with that. But I digress. We have strayed to far from trying to learn what is to be a global community, a global family, that it is no longer in out minds and we have yet to figure out what it means.
Maybe a few of us have though. They have looked past the insolent knowledge for that which has true meaning. To those I say, please enlighten us, don't leave us in the dark.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
How do I Know What I Know?
Dear reader,
How is it that anyone know truly knows anything? Is it because we are told so?Is it one of the great facts of life like how the sky is blue? Is it because everyone else believes it so it must be true? Is is subject to our own experiences? If knowledge derives from any of those examples, the only one that could be qualified would be through experience. How can we justify that because someone told us it was right? That we just know the sky is blue to a blind person, one who has never seen the sky? That because everyone else agrees with it that it is right? There is no way. Knowledge derives from experiences and experiences are personal. But wait! This would make knowledge subjective, and how can something that is known be subjective. The only person it is known to is the one who has experienced it. Experience is the only way to prove how I know what I know. It's not about showing it off afterwards and forcing it on other people. Knowledge is different from person to person as no two people experience things the exact same way.
Goodbye for now
Nathan
How is it that anyone know truly knows anything? Is it because we are told so?Is it one of the great facts of life like how the sky is blue? Is it because everyone else believes it so it must be true? Is is subject to our own experiences? If knowledge derives from any of those examples, the only one that could be qualified would be through experience. How can we justify that because someone told us it was right? That we just know the sky is blue to a blind person, one who has never seen the sky? That because everyone else agrees with it that it is right? There is no way. Knowledge derives from experiences and experiences are personal. But wait! This would make knowledge subjective, and how can something that is known be subjective. The only person it is known to is the one who has experienced it. Experience is the only way to prove how I know what I know. It's not about showing it off afterwards and forcing it on other people. Knowledge is different from person to person as no two people experience things the exact same way.
Goodbye for now
Nathan
Monday, October 6, 2014
The Garden State
Dear reader,
Is your garden well tended? Do you spend time to care for this, to watch it grow, to reap the rewards when the time come? Or are we to busy with other things? To caught up with the material world and your garden has withered?
Our garden state is the place where we are fullest. No food full, but sort of emotion full. Just like everything seems right. When we are in our garden we are content. Everyone's garden is different, because it is doing the things that we love regardless of the outcome. We are just doing it, because why not.
But is that not enough. We have been trained, raised, that we always look at others and we want what they have. Things that we dont have, so we automatically want it. But why? Why is that when we have enough, it is never enough? Our gardens have be been ignored as we look at someone else's weeds and see roses.
We need to begin to cultivate our gardens again. Ignore what other people have, because it's not truly what we want. I don't know, I don't know if I am making any sense anymore. I just feel like we should do more of what we want. Find new and excited hobbies and let them grow.
I'm done,
Nathan
Is your garden well tended? Do you spend time to care for this, to watch it grow, to reap the rewards when the time come? Or are we to busy with other things? To caught up with the material world and your garden has withered?
Our garden state is the place where we are fullest. No food full, but sort of emotion full. Just like everything seems right. When we are in our garden we are content. Everyone's garden is different, because it is doing the things that we love regardless of the outcome. We are just doing it, because why not.
But is that not enough. We have been trained, raised, that we always look at others and we want what they have. Things that we dont have, so we automatically want it. But why? Why is that when we have enough, it is never enough? Our gardens have be been ignored as we look at someone else's weeds and see roses.
We need to begin to cultivate our gardens again. Ignore what other people have, because it's not truly what we want. I don't know, I don't know if I am making any sense anymore. I just feel like we should do more of what we want. Find new and excited hobbies and let them grow.
I'm done,
Nathan
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Can't do the time, Don't do the Crime
Dear Reader,
Though Voltaire's Candide, we see the main character's, Candide, ideas put to the test. In short he is put through a set of punishments. If you have ever read the book, you know that these circumstances are rather extreme. And as they are there to make a point in the real world, how just does it seem to the character. In truth, Candide's only crime is that of being ignorant, which is not a justification for his extreme punishments. I do not think he should be punished in such an extreme way, actually I do not think he should be punished at all for his ignorance. He should be taught to see a better way. After all, it is not his fault, but rather Pangloss' for imposing such ignorance. But then the question becomes about if the punishments are just for Pangloss. The answer is still no. I do not think that people should be punished for their beliefs. We are free to believe in what we want, and there should be no punishments for that.
That's what I think at least,
Nathan
Though Voltaire's Candide, we see the main character's, Candide, ideas put to the test. In short he is put through a set of punishments. If you have ever read the book, you know that these circumstances are rather extreme. And as they are there to make a point in the real world, how just does it seem to the character. In truth, Candide's only crime is that of being ignorant, which is not a justification for his extreme punishments. I do not think he should be punished in such an extreme way, actually I do not think he should be punished at all for his ignorance. He should be taught to see a better way. After all, it is not his fault, but rather Pangloss' for imposing such ignorance. But then the question becomes about if the punishments are just for Pangloss. The answer is still no. I do not think that people should be punished for their beliefs. We are free to believe in what we want, and there should be no punishments for that.
That's what I think at least,
Nathan
Sunday, September 21, 2014
The Modern Gadfy
Dear Reader,
Sorry that I am late with this post, I've been out of town and away from my computer. But I am here now, and have been asked to consider the "Modern Gadly." However, I believe the gadfly has now gone extinct. No one stands out anymore. No one wants to enlighten anyone. Based on the world we live in, it's all about money. And there is no money in questioning people, unless you're a cop. But most people are not cops and therefore don't truly question people or the problems with society. After people like Socrates, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, Jr. no one dared to complain anymore. These people were killed for what they believed in. It sort of seems like a trend. One that people are to afraid to follow now a days. I'm not saying that we should all be gadflies. I'm just saying that no one wants to do it anymore, we're all content with the world we live in it seems. That or we are to afraid to try.
As always,
Nathan
Sorry that I am late with this post, I've been out of town and away from my computer. But I am here now, and have been asked to consider the "Modern Gadly." However, I believe the gadfly has now gone extinct. No one stands out anymore. No one wants to enlighten anyone. Based on the world we live in, it's all about money. And there is no money in questioning people, unless you're a cop. But most people are not cops and therefore don't truly question people or the problems with society. After people like Socrates, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, Jr. no one dared to complain anymore. These people were killed for what they believed in. It sort of seems like a trend. One that people are to afraid to follow now a days. I'm not saying that we should all be gadflies. I'm just saying that no one wants to do it anymore, we're all content with the world we live in it seems. That or we are to afraid to try.
As always,
Nathan
Friday, September 12, 2014
The unexamined Life.
Dear Reader,
Socrates once said "the unexamined life is not worth living," but how true is this statement? We are all living, and at one point in time, we do look at why we are here and what we are doing. Or at least the majority, I would say, has done this. So is there life worth living more than someone who has not taken the time?
While we all deserve life, why should we live if we have no purpose, or one that we understand. Everything and everyone fills some purpose in some way, shape, or form. The bum on the corner may have a purpose, but not taken the time to understand it, but it doesn't mean he deserves to die.
What is the time span in which we are given to examine are lives anyways? A child doesn't look at their lives to examine their purpose, they don't have the mental capacity, unless they are some sort of philosophical prodigy. That child doesn't deserve to die because of circumstances they cannot control. That would be cruel and stupid.
But that is an extreme. But what of a man who is middle aged? They haven't examined their own life yet, maybe they haven't had that necessity. Do they deserve to die? Does someone deserve to less because they haven't had the necessity to examine their life. Why is their life less than our?
I don't think so. I think we all are the same worth, whether or not we have examined our lives. Understanding what we are here to do isn't necessary to have a good life. A good life doesn't need a purpose. Maybe inlgnorance is bliss.
Truly,
Nathan
Socrates once said "the unexamined life is not worth living," but how true is this statement? We are all living, and at one point in time, we do look at why we are here and what we are doing. Or at least the majority, I would say, has done this. So is there life worth living more than someone who has not taken the time?
While we all deserve life, why should we live if we have no purpose, or one that we understand. Everything and everyone fills some purpose in some way, shape, or form. The bum on the corner may have a purpose, but not taken the time to understand it, but it doesn't mean he deserves to die.
What is the time span in which we are given to examine are lives anyways? A child doesn't look at their lives to examine their purpose, they don't have the mental capacity, unless they are some sort of philosophical prodigy. That child doesn't deserve to die because of circumstances they cannot control. That would be cruel and stupid.
But that is an extreme. But what of a man who is middle aged? They haven't examined their own life yet, maybe they haven't had that necessity. Do they deserve to die? Does someone deserve to less because they haven't had the necessity to examine their life. Why is their life less than our?
I don't think so. I think we all are the same worth, whether or not we have examined our lives. Understanding what we are here to do isn't necessary to have a good life. A good life doesn't need a purpose. Maybe inlgnorance is bliss.
Truly,
Nathan
Friday, September 5, 2014
The Eulogy of Me
Hello reader,
Allow me to introduce myself.
I am a person. I guess I should start off with that. On top of that I am hybrid. A black person with freckles. It's crazy. But not really since I'm also white, it really all makes sense when you think of it. Anyways, along with being the hybrid that I am, I am also an artist. Or at least I say that I am, I don't know how much credit that deserves. I have always enjoyed drawing, I don't think I can say that I loved it until I became older and actually was "good" (good being suplbjective to everyone, so I might jot be good to some. Though for the most part most people will say that I am. Mostly I am the only one who hates everything that I do.) I have been so engrossed in the arts that I plan on majoring in it in college, I hope this doesn't make me lose any credibility that I may have had. If it helps, I plan on being a medical illustrator, so I will have a job. Besides that I live life how it is. The only major plan I have is to be able to travel the world, otherwise I'm taking it one step at a time.
That's all for now,
Nathan
Allow me to introduce myself.
I am a person. I guess I should start off with that. On top of that I am hybrid. A black person with freckles. It's crazy. But not really since I'm also white, it really all makes sense when you think of it. Anyways, along with being the hybrid that I am, I am also an artist. Or at least I say that I am, I don't know how much credit that deserves. I have always enjoyed drawing, I don't think I can say that I loved it until I became older and actually was "good" (good being suplbjective to everyone, so I might jot be good to some. Though for the most part most people will say that I am. Mostly I am the only one who hates everything that I do.) I have been so engrossed in the arts that I plan on majoring in it in college, I hope this doesn't make me lose any credibility that I may have had. If it helps, I plan on being a medical illustrator, so I will have a job. Besides that I live life how it is. The only major plan I have is to be able to travel the world, otherwise I'm taking it one step at a time.
That's all for now,
Nathan
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