You are viewing a single comment's thread.

view the rest of the comments →

1
5

[–] middle_path [S] 1 point 5 points (+6|-1) ago 

inner peace is nice, but I sought understanding more than anything else. I don't want peace the way Buddhist represent it - to eschew all other things in life (like sex, rich food, human connections, etc). I want to be a part of this world and understand why people do the things they do, and why things simply are. I feel I am closer to that.

I personally don't believe anyone should make their whole identity about religion or philosophy any more than their life should be reduced to any one thing (like being a parent, or spouse). Taoism is simply the icing on my life's cake.

1
3

[–] MrPim 1 point 3 points (+4|-1) ago 

I never said I eschew anything. In fact the very opposite. The Tao can give peace in the tumult of life. The Tao is the way of all things sacred and profane. And embracing it all is a part of living. The Tao can give one a center and a focus of the mind in the midst of turmoil.

And I certainly do not make it the center of my life. It's a point of view, a mind set. But a mind set which can give clear thinking about situations which can be overwhelming.

To me it's a meditative approach to living. One which can give peace and understanding. A clarity and focus. The ability to allow the world and it's people to be as they are. Indeed to allow oneself to be as I am. And where to go from here w/o being caught up in the world even though I engage all of it.

1
1

[–] middle_path [S] 1 point 1 point (+2|-1) ago 

I never said I eschew anything. In fact the very opposite. The Tao can give peace in the tumult of life. The Tao is the way of all things sacred and profane. And embracing it all is a part of living. The Tao can give one a center and a focus of the mind in the midst of turmoil.

And I certainly do not make it the center of my life. It's a point of view, a mind set. But a mind set which can give clear thinking about situations which can be overwhelming.

My apologies, what I said was not directed on you, just an observation of the world and what I understand of Buddhism. Sorry if it seemed in any way like I was attacking you.

[–] [deleted] 1 point 2 points (+3|-1) ago 

[Deleted]

1
2

[–] middle_path [S] 1 point 2 points (+3|-1) ago 

Thank you!