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Is buddhist wisdom candy an addiction?

JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
edited May 2012 in Buddhism Basics
I am not sure if anyone will get what I am saying, but for me there is a certain addiction to wise words like koans and analogies.

I think the dharma is very pure but forum posts there are a lot of anti-gravity potions I call it. Sort of tripy things like "the way only goes forward", or something like that. Know what I mean?

@Tosh, in your experience do you think this is to the level of addiction which causes drinking?

Comments

  • ToshTosh Veteran
    edited May 2012
    I don't know, Jeffrey, but I do know we all have our 'addictions' and some will cause great suffering and some won't as much.

    I think an addiction (attachment) to 'wise words' is a pretty good addiction to be honest; better than rubbish TV, or popular cinema, or many other things that we do to distract ourselves from ourselves. Drinking will drag people like me into the gutter, but an addiction to wise words won't.

    And no doubt the law of impermanence will mean that 'addiction to wise words' will pass to something else.
  • ArthurbodhiArthurbodhi Mars Veteran
    Well, addiction is a compulsive behavior, clearly harmful. Is this "wisdom candy" compulsive incontrollable and harmful? If not, then is not a addiction strictly speaking.

    This can be more a tendency (stubborn for somes, liked for others) that an addiction in my IHMO.

    Just remember "when you know the meaning of the question you don't need look for the answer".... (just trying a anti-gravity potion :D )

    Blessings.
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    Walk the talk.

    or

    Actions speak louder than words.

    A million words in a set of directions are worthless, if the traveller fails to take a single step.
  • ZenBadgerZenBadger Derbyshire, UK Veteran
    I suppose it could be harmful if you end up like a hummingbird, flitting from one source of wisdom to the next without really stopping and getting involved. It is a bit like what has been called Ron Burgundy syndrome, where he boasts of having many leather-bound books as if the quantity and the binding was more important than the content.
  • Floating_AbuFloating_Abu Veteran
    One thorn to remove the ultimate thorn. Both are then discarded.
  • howhow Veteran Veteran
    Perhaps you are striking a little bit too close to home on this forum.
  • PrairieGhostPrairieGhost Veteran
    It could be put in a gentler way - we pick up wisdom, skills, ideas, but all the picking up is for letting go in the end.
  • ZendoLord84ZendoLord84 Veteran
    I am not sure if anyone will get what I am saying, but for me there is a certain addiction to wise words like koans and analogies.

    I think the dharma is very pure but forum posts there are a lot of anti-gravity potions I call it. Sort of tripy things like "the way only goes forward", or something like that. Know what I mean?

    @Tosh, in your experience do you think this is to the level of addiction which causes drinking?
    I understand what you are saying...Buddhism in general can become a bit addictive LOL.

    Don't get high on nirvana.

    :)

  • TheswingisyellowTheswingisyellow Trying to be open to existence Samsara Veteran
    edited June 2012
    Come on man....just one more bit of wisdom candy.... I'm good for it. :crazy:
    Found 15 minutes later in the bathroom passed out on the floor clutching the Dhammapada.
  • Floating_AbuFloating_Abu Veteran
    :)
  • AmeliaAmelia Veteran
    Wanting to constantly read these pearls of wisdom can distract from actual practice.

    Finger pointing at the moon.
  • Floating_AbuFloating_Abu Veteran
    edited June 2012
    Completely distracting. Go to a monastery instead. I find the forums and net addictive and not very helpful past a certain point IMO.
  • SileSile Veteran
    I am not sure if anyone will get what I am saying, but for me there is a certain addiction to wise words like koans and analogies.

    I think the dharma is very pure but forum posts there are a lot of anti-gravity potions I call it. Sort of tripy things like "the way only goes forward", or something like that. Know what I mean?

    @Tosh, in your experience do you think this is to the level of addiction which causes drinking?
    I've found the Zen zingers offputting in some situations, but often it's when I sense the person using it is trying to snippily out-zing someone else. On the other hand there's nothing inherently wrong with intellectual sparring, so I'm not sure why it bothers me. I'm sure it can be a good exercise for many.

    Probably just an example of different forms of Buddhism appealing to different people. It's funny, because from a linguistic standpoint, I should love koans.
  • ToshTosh Veteran

    I've found the Zen zingers offputting in some situations,
    Are 'Zen zingers' one-liners?

    I hear them in A.A. and I'm often not keen on them:

    These spring to mind:

    You can't fix a broken mind with a broken mind.
    If you don't pick up the first drink, you won't get drunk (said in a singy songy voice).
    Put the plug in the jug (attributable to Mrs Reagan I believe; thank you America)
    We are spiritual entities living in a physical existence.
    The only opinion in A.A. is the Doctors (bit of an 'in joke' is that one).
    There are no atheists in foxholes (yes there are!!!)
    Poor me, poor me, pour me another drink.
    Religion is for people who don't want to go to Hell, spirituality is for those who've been there.

    And more.
  • PrairieGhostPrairieGhost Veteran
    The thing about zen zingers is that the bad ones will annoy you, but the good ones will annoy you even more.
  • SileSile Veteran
    The thing about zen zingers is that the bad ones will annoy you, but the good ones will annoy you even more.
    HA! So true!

  • ToshTosh Veteran
    Give me an example of a Zen zinger, please! :D
  • Floating_AbuFloating_Abu Veteran
    edited June 2012
    I am not sure if anyone will get what I am saying, but for me there is a certain addiction to wise words like koans and analogies.

    I think the dharma is very pure but forum posts there are a lot of anti-gravity potions I call it. Sort of tripy things like "the way only goes forward", or something like that. Know what I mean?

    @Tosh, in your experience do you think this is to the level of addiction which causes drinking?
    I've found the Zen zingers offputting in some situations, but often it's when I sense the person using it is trying to snippily out-zing someone else. On the other hand there's nothing inherently wrong with intellectual sparring, so I'm not sure why it bothers me. I'm sure it can be a good exercise for many.

    Probably just an example of different forms of Buddhism appealing to different people. It's funny, because from a linguistic standpoint, I should love koans.
    I think there are 2 (or maybe 3 :D ) sorts of Zen relays. One from people who are genuine and are just being real, two from people who think they know (and these are the annoying ones generally because they mistake their intelligence for wisdom and are generally just full of sh*t) and third, people who just think they are doing Zen banter.

    Sometimes it is hard for the outsider to distinguish which is which.
    Zen is so misunderstood :) but it doesn't mind I guess.

    Thanks for the examples at AA, @Tosh, some were funny.

    Abu

  • SileSile Veteran
    "The wise neither confuse, nor distinguish, genuineness, annoyance and banter. Nor do they make clear which of the two they are or are not doing."

    Kidding ;) I like your breakdown, Abu.
  • Floating_AbuFloating_Abu Veteran
    I like your quote also, thanks for the smile @Sile

    Namaste.
  • SileSile Veteran
    I am not sure if anyone will get what I am saying, but for me there is a certain addiction to wise words like koans and analogies.

    I think the dharma is very pure but forum posts there are a lot of anti-gravity potions I call it. Sort of tripy things like "the way only goes forward", or something like that. Know what I mean?

    @Tosh, in your experience do you think this is to the level of addiction which causes drinking?
    @Jeffrey, I think we may be proving your suspicion that wisdom candy is addictive! Your "way only goes forward" reminds me a my friend's solemn observation, "My legs are the perfect length. They reach exactly from my hips to the ground."
  • SileSile Veteran
    I like your quote also, thanks for the smile @Sile

    Namaste.
    Namaste, Abu. Namaste - one of the best one-liners.

  • driedleafdriedleaf Veteran
    Attachment to non-attachment teachings is still an attachment I believe. It would probably be best to avoid overdoing something to the point of addiction. All addictions are bad I would say.

    Metta
  • SileSile Veteran
    Attachment to non-attachment teachings is still an attachment I believe. It would probably be best to avoid overdoing something to the point of addiction. All addictions are bad I would say.

    Metta
    Very much agree, especially in the context of (likely) being unenlightened, meaning our practice of non-attachment continues to have some imperfections here and there, and is probably not yet true non-attachment.

  • taiyakitaiyaki Veteran
    We are always caught up with language and ideas.
    Wisdom should be apparent. Like the taste of salt.
    Without the taste, beyond words everything becomes a distraction.

    But if we have tasted wisdom even once, then everything can be of use and benefit.

    Because then language and ideas can point directly towards the wisdom tasted. All these teachings are medicine for certain conditions. It is hard to understand our condition without a teacher who can see clearly into our condition.

    We are swamp deep in ignorance and ego. Any fabricated wisdom is just masturbation.

    Have an open heart. Be humble. Try your best. Follow your teacher. Then surely you will recognize your condition and find liberation.

    There is nothing to pick up or throw away.
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