Opinions vs Attachments

Daozen

I have lots of opinions. Is that a bad thing?

Jeffrey

You have lots of opinions. 'Being a bad thing' is itself an opinion. The way out is to notice that you have opinions and not get caught in the fly paper of being hard on yourself.

Daozen

Thanks Jeffrey. It's just hard to know the line sometimes between passionately beleiving in something and feeling that you are perhaps too attached to a view.

Jeffrey

Yeah just have trust in yourself and don't shy away from the situation. Rest easy that you're a work in progress. And that at the same time you are just right how you are.

SherabDorje

Buddhism for Beginners or General Banter?

Jeffrey

I think the question 'are opinions a bad thing' could possibly go in Buddhism for beginners. If it was focused on a specific opinion of one person than definitely in General.

compassionate_warrior

We just had a thread on this very question last week or so. It's impossible to live without opinions. Why do people perceive opinions to be a problem? A well-based opinion (on how to rescue someone, for example) could mean the difference between life and death. Would going around with no opinions at all be its own form of nihilism, like non-attachment to anything at all? That's not what Buddhism is about. I think I need clarification of the OP. BTW, if no one had opinions, this forum would pretty much cease to exist.

SherabDorje

We just had a thread on this very question last week or so.

That too.

Daozen

Buddhism for Beginners or General Banter?

I thought of that as i posted, but i went with Buddhism for Beginners because i thought does relates to our Buddhist practice - we are always hearing about not attaching to this or that view, yet opinions seem (for me at least) an almost inevitable part of life.

Daozen

We just had a thread on this very question last week or so. It's impossible to live without opinions. Why do people perceive opinions to be a problem? A well-based opinion (on how to rescue someone, for example) could mean the difference between life and death. Would going around with no opinions at all be its own form of nihilism, like non-attachment to anything at all? That's not what Buddhism is about. I think I need clarification of the OP. BTW, if no one had opinions, this forum would pretty much cease to exist.

Hi C_W - what would you like me to clarify? I agree with what you say, opinions are necessary and can be helpful. I guess i'm trying to enquire, where's that line between a 'healthy' opinion, and an attachment to a view, which i believe Buddha warned against.

aMatt

I guess i'm trying to enquire, where's that line between a 'healthy' opinion, and an attachment to a view, which i believe Buddha warned against.

I would consider an opinion to be unhealthy if we assume it is correct, or feel other people should share it. If we attach to the view in this way, agitation happens when we encounter a contrasting view.

If we stay open, contrasting views only add to our wisdom and/or knowledge. We either learn new innovations through the fluid sharing, or we learn about the views of others.

Jeffrey

It depends how heavy rigid and defensive the opinion is. What kind of sense of humor have you got about it? Can you be gentle in speech to another who is controverting your opinion?

compassionate_warrior

I guess i'm trying to enquire, where's that line between a 'healthy' opinion, and an attachment to a view, which i believe Buddha warned against.

This is helpful, Daozen. Thanks.

Now-Is-reality

Well, I was the one who had posted this last week. I basically believe that at some point (aka enlightenment) opinions will be disregarded. That is, as the notion of CW's post goes... Do you risk your life by jumping in to water to save a drowning person, or do you throw them a life saver... But here I would say that it isn't as much an opinion but an evaluation of circumstances.

I think that opinions are really easy to cling to. I first got this idea as I was looking through this site and found that a lot of people will go far in order to simply prove their own ideas on a matter correct. Regardless of how you look at this, it is an opinion. And if you're defending it then, in my opinion (or the irony), then you are attaching to your views.

However if you think that killing a sentient beings is wrong, then for now that is good. I believe that eventually though that you will not act on something based off of whether or not it is right or wrong but rather because it is the appropriate thing to do. I.E. you may think it is wrong to lie, but an enlightened person may not lie based off knowing they do not need to trick people and distract from reality.

Just my thoughts...

Now-Is-reality

I mean you eat an Apple and you think "Apples taste good" how hard is not to form this judgement/ opinion on the matter?

compassionate_warrior

I think that opinions are really easy to cling to. I first got this idea as I was looking through this site and found that a lot of people will go far in order to simply prove their own ideas on a matter correct. Regardless of how you look at this, it is an opinion. And if you're defending it then, in my opinion (or the irony), then you are attaching to your views.

You nailed us, "Now"!

I mean you eat an Apple and you think "Apples taste good" how hard is not to form this judgement/ opinion on the matter?

But what if someone says, "eggs are good for you; they're high in protein, and have nutrients in their yolks as well". Someone else says, "No, they're bad for you. Very high in cholesterol." Do you cling to your view, or consider the opinion of the other person, and modify your view, or suspend judgment until you can do some research?

Daozen

I would consider an opinion to be unhealthy if we assume it is correct, or feel other people should share it.

But don't we by definition believe our own opinions to be correct?

Sure, i am fine with others not sharing my view, and yes i can even laugh at my own views, but the fact is i do have a view and at times will be willing to passionately argue in its favour. And yes i do try to be open to other possibilities - i think debate is only healthy if both parties are potentially open to persuasion - but essentally, i have beliefs and I, well, believe them Sorry if that makes no sense.

Spaceless

It is not until it becomes volcanic erutpions. You see! :vimp: when you breath out, if the space has storage that contained, we would stink to death :buck: Fortunately, space has no storage as like your lovely mind is free of all inequality known as buddha mind. Thusforth, when opinions fly and lingering in your mind, let it free & happy enjoying the touring, otherwise, it will one day ignite flame that harm yourself and others.

ravkes

I have lots of opinions. Is that a bad thing?

It is what is is, then whatever you make of it.

santhisouk

An opinion is just an opinion, a "view" or dhitti. With an opinion, you have the ability to evaluate and decide on them before carrying out an action. Having many opinions may cause you to feel overwhelmed and perhaps you may find yourself less motivated to practice.

through gentle wisdom

Vagabond

You have lots of opinions. 'Being a bad thing' is itself an opinion. The way out is to notice that you have opinions and not get caught in the fly paper of being hard on yourself.

I just have to say man, you are the shit. lol
In other words, you seem very wise...as a lot of you do on this website. I am glad to be able to ask a question here and have it answered ASAP by people like you.

aMatt

But don't we by definition believe our own opinions to be correct?

I feel that part of the practice is softening our opinions... so they become more like hypotheses.

taiyaki

it is fine to have opinions. just understand that your opinion is just as valid as anyone elses opinion. there are no hierarchies
to opinions.

personally i stand with all opinions, thus no opinions. even if i do assert an opinion, the next moment i could contradiction the opinion i asserted. at the end of the day it is just an opinion.

now most people don't have this kind of perspective on opinions. to say that i like vanilla ice cream and hate chocolate ice cream...it really doesn't "fucking" matter. when it comes down to it. all opinions are kind of child play. who cares at the end of the day?

but people want to be right. people want to build a strong personality structure where their opinions matter. hey, whatever float your boat. you create your own suffering!

Jeffrey

Thanks Vagabond. This one was helpful for me and it wasn't just something I pulled out of my butt.

Daozen

Question: when is a 'fact' really a fact, and when is it merely opinion?

Indeed, are all 'facts' ultimately opinions?

I suppose by 'fact' i mean unambiguous, verifiable, disprovable statement .. or something like that. For example: "Paris is the capital of France".

Jeffrey

France and Paris are conventions

Daozen

Convenience is under-rated.