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motivation
swaydam
Veteran
I listened to a talk about two human motivations. One is to feel good and the other is like the spiritual yearning to know the truth.
I think its a good distinction. I have a lot of struggle with the question of seeking comfort. Its very subtle I think, distinguishing the right amount of comfort/pleasure that is valid to seek or hold onto, and how much is better to drop. I guess the key is to gradually drop more and more attachments and find pleasure in more and more simple and wholesome things. Right now I don't have that many responsibilities and attachments, but I feel a constant pressure to be more involved with life. I worry that the more I become involved with the world the more my spiritual side will be obscured.
Sorry, I feel I'm supposed to add something more, but my mind is in a confused state.
I think its a good distinction. I have a lot of struggle with the question of seeking comfort. Its very subtle I think, distinguishing the right amount of comfort/pleasure that is valid to seek or hold onto, and how much is better to drop. I guess the key is to gradually drop more and more attachments and find pleasure in more and more simple and wholesome things. Right now I don't have that many responsibilities and attachments, but I feel a constant pressure to be more involved with life. I worry that the more I become involved with the world the more my spiritual side will be obscured.
Sorry, I feel I'm supposed to add something more, but my mind is in a confused state.
1
Comments
So far you seem to have a good one. :clap:
Do you think the truth can be known? How exciting . . . :wave:
There is nothing wrong with being 'more involved with Life'. But I sense your fear is that by doing so, you will become so involved - so attached - that you will sacrifice your spiritual cognisance of remaining apart from that which you might cling to...
It's a question of Balance.
Evaluate what you are involved with.
Benefit from its pleasure. Enjoy the MOMENT.
Then when you separate from, or terminate that moment, tell yourself it was good, productive, constructive - and come back to your centre.
Of course, the same goes for moments which are the complete opposite.
They take more work in detaching from. Because negative experiences tend to tarnish our thinking more, and hinder our progress, because they occasionally enable despondency.
Meditate on them.
But then let it all go.
Good, bad - it is our evaluation of the moment, not the moment itself, which creates the imbalance.
By all means, be more involved with Life.
But understand that the past is a memory, the future is a fantasy.
So the best moment for involvement, is simply, now.