We all know the Buddha claimed to be enlightened. And most claim in that same regard, Jesus was too. Buddha described it as an end to suffering, Jesus saw it as salvation.
I know it's an apples to oranges comparison, but many who claim to be enlightened say that everyone is capable of this. Along with the process comes compassion, forgiveness, lasting happiness, gratitude for all life, and really every positive emotion without any of the negatives.
So how do you guys feel about the concept?
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[–] middle_path [S] 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
I think it's a large part of it. I also think recognizing the ego, being mindful in all thing you do, realizing that you are not your thoughts, abandoning hedonism, and being altruistic are all part of it.
In the western world, when we fail in the above, we may feel guilt. And that emotion needs to be abandoned as well. Most of us grew up with Christian ideals and are taught to feel guilty if we fail. Sometimes I can be hedonistic, sometimes I get pissed and my emotions take control. And I feel this overwhelming guilt of sin. But the original word for "sin" means to miss the mark, like with an arrow.
If we see our failures this way (and not burning in eternal hell fire), it's an easier way to grow.
I don't claim to even be right about this, but the concept has been on my mind more and more in the past year, and I've made changes to my life.
[–] 9137173? 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
(: Check out the seven-item list at the bottom of this article: https://aeon.co/classics/massimo-pigliucci-on-senecas-stoic-philosophy-of-happiness
It reminds me of what you're saying here.
Guilt can be very suffocating. It's something I struggle with a lot.
[–] middle_path [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
I never met another aeon fan! Great article, thank you. Stoicism, Buddhist., taoism, and the teachings of Jesus all have a very similar core message.