Best Of
Re: Some troubles with new sila efforts
@marcitko said:
'training grounds' for moral courage and integrity.
I’ve come across a number of training grounds of that type…
Life itself: living life in a chaotic, outgoing fashion, where you encounter people in different functions, tends to be a great proving and training ground of morality. Anything that involves money will inevitably put your integrity to the test, and find you balancing greed against morality. This can be avoided by living a life of routine.
Hallucinatory visions: these can be a moral and spiritual pressure cooker. It tends to of its own accord seek areas where you are vulnerable, using your high intentions against you. Until you learn that almost always the best course is to do nothing, and keep quiet.
Books, films and games: any of the storytelling media can place you in morally complex situations, albeit imagined ones. It can be useful to just step outside the story and see what your own personal response would be in a given situation, away from the story’s railroading.
It of course depends on what type of moral courage you are looking to develop.
Jeroen
Re: Some troubles with new sila efforts
I wanted to offer something organized, but even after reflecting for a bit all I have are a couple random bits of related information.
-Having ones beliefs challenged often feels to our brain like a physical threat
https://massivesci.com/articles/brain-political-beliefs-reaction-politics/
-Often our beliefs are more about social belonging than intellectual or moral conviction. When people cling to obviously false ideas its often because giving them up would mean giving up ties to an important social group. I imagine it works in reverse in adopting a new set of beliefs.
I operate similarly to how you framed it in the OP, I keep it to myself and act in the manner I believe anyway. I think others don't feel as threatened and can respect your own convictions easier if you're not trying to push them onto others. I don't drink but sometimes find myself in situations where people are drinking. It was harder early on to stand out, it feels awkward and there is a fear of rejection. I don't think I ever said its a Buddhist thing, I think I made up some excuse about not liking how it made me feel (not really a lie). In some ways I probably didn't get invited to parties I might have, but at times I get invited because people want a sober driver.
person
Re: Let Them
‘ The phrase “Let them” was originally written by poet Cassie Phillips, whose work has not been credited in Robbins’ promotion of the theory. While Robbins has undoubtedly brought the idea to a larger audience, failing to acknowledge its original creator raises ethical concerns about intellectual property and fair recognition.
Beyond this issue, there’s also an important conversation to be had about when “letting them” is helpful—and when it’s potentially harmful. While letting go is a powerful practice in many situations, it’s not a universal solution, especially in cases of abuse, neglect, or when boundaries need to be enforced.
Therapists often talk about locus of control, the idea that people fall somewhere on a spectrum between believing:
External control (“Everything happens to me.”)
Internal control (“I create my own outcomes.”)
Shifting toward an internal locus of control means understanding that you can’t always control others—but you can control how you respond. Instead of chasing validation, forcing relationships, or stressing over someone else’s actions, you shift your focus to what you can do.
When applied correctly, The Let Them Theory aligns with these healthy psychological shifts. But there are times when “letting them” is absolutely the wrong approach.‘
https://www.abraverspace.com/blog/the-problem-with-let-them-theory
Vastmind
Re: Let Them
This has been my approach to politics and politicians for a long time, and especially now. I have one vote and my voice to speak up and state my opinions, but other than that I have no control. So let those people do what they do and I will live my life. If what they do affects my life I will find a way to live with, ignore or sidestep.
I don't control them, I only control me.
zorro
Re: Meditation and mental health
@Jeroen said:
@IdleChater said:
if you’re having mental health issues, take them to a doctor and not to a forum like this.With the proviso that a doctor will likely prescribe you pills, which will have side effects, etc.
There could easily be different treatment plans offered to or even accepted by the patient. Medication is one option of at least several that can be used with other methods/approaches. My experience has shown that different treatment plans work for different people. It’s important that a mental health care provider work with a patient to optimize results… that the patient is willing and comfortable with.
And yes, most things we ingest have side effects. That’s not a reason to avoid medications if/when they’re needed. It’s just called making an informed decision and weighing the risks with the need.
Yes, I do think everyone was trying to help. No harmful or ill intent in this community. I just prefer to go on the safer side and suggest a professional when it comes to mental health issues.
Thanks Ren for the section reference. I sure went and read it. I knew there was something on the books, just didn’t know where/what.
Vastmind
Re: Meditation and mental health
I know a medical practitioner who practices what is supposed to be a hybrid of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and mindfulness but in fact, what they do is actually far more therapy than mindfulness and I felt that they had no understanding of meditation. They also said that sometimes they "hate meditating."
Tavs
Re: From Seeker to Scholar, and Back Again?
Knowledge come from varying sources. Spoken, written, experience.
Wisdom comes from distilling knowledge and experiences.
We read
We hear/listen
We experience
We distill, question, seek, realize - awaken
Knowledge is passive
Wisdom is active
Knowledge is limited by boundries, personal, societal, cultural...
Wisdom is limitless, posessing no boundries
Knowledge is of things, actions, history....
Wisdom is the undestanding beyond the limits of knowlege.
Observations of a common person
Peace to all
Lionduck
Re: Space - the final frontier
Ah yes, the Lobster Nebula gets a mention. I intended just to see what you were referring to, but I ended up watching the whole video again — it’s that good.
Jeroen
Re: What movies are you watching?
20 or 50 years from now, Someone will be looking back on our best movies and commenting on "How great the movies were back then", as some do today for the the movies of the past. As usual, the commentators will forget that the movies tey are actually referring to are the top .0001%. Technology will be different. Some of the movies may be more interactive. Special effects may be sharper, but the quality of entertainment will be, as today, the same overall. The best will shine and last through the years. The worst will be terrible. And the range will be across the spectrum. The audiences will change and the movies will reflect that. But ageless quality will always stand out.
Lionduck