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Completely confused! (long)
Hi all
I'm new to this forum and also completely new to Buddhism and know very little indeed. However, I've dipped in and out of books for beginners and meditation over the years and am keen to find out more about it and how to apply it to my life.
However, there is one particularly issue in my life and I'm looking for some spiritual/emotional guidance on how to deal with it so here it goes...
I have an ongoing internal conflict between just taking life as it is, and wanting to make the world a "better" place by wishing for everyone to be happier and there being less inequality.
For example, in the past I've tried to get into a more Zen-like philosophy and take things as they are, not to over-analyse or try to take control, let go of desire and just take one day at a time.
As much as I think this is a healthy way of being, I also have frustations about society's inequality and want to do something about it, which seems to become stronger as I get older (now 29). I find myself in a constant battle of wanting to use my life to do what I can to change the way the world is but also realising that who am I to expect others to place the same values in things I do!
It's like I see both sides but find it very hard to get a balance, as how can you take things easy and not stress, not put expectations on others, etc. and also strive to improve to try and eradicate as much inequality and unhappiness as possible?
I know there are certainly charitable ways to help people and organisations, but I've always been of the belief that prevention is better than cure and want to get to the root of problems, which seems to involve forcing my opinions on others. An example might be instead of simply recycling and living an eco-friendly life, also putting pressure the government, media and public about the consumption of goods and fossil fuels.
I have some friends who are very passionate about things but often get stressed as a result of their efforts to campaign for human rights, help the environment, change views on mental health, etc. etc., and others who are completely chilled out and take everything in their stride without worrying about any more than they have to.
I don't want to be the sort of person who thinks only of their own circumstances but does that mean I'm destined for a life of frustration and shoving my opinion in people's faces, when I have no right, or do we have a responsibility to be a voice?! Is it that I need to let go of this desire to improve things as it's leading to my own suffering? :scratch:
Anyone who wishes to share their experience or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
Lou
I'm new to this forum and also completely new to Buddhism and know very little indeed. However, I've dipped in and out of books for beginners and meditation over the years and am keen to find out more about it and how to apply it to my life.
However, there is one particularly issue in my life and I'm looking for some spiritual/emotional guidance on how to deal with it so here it goes...
I have an ongoing internal conflict between just taking life as it is, and wanting to make the world a "better" place by wishing for everyone to be happier and there being less inequality.
For example, in the past I've tried to get into a more Zen-like philosophy and take things as they are, not to over-analyse or try to take control, let go of desire and just take one day at a time.
As much as I think this is a healthy way of being, I also have frustations about society's inequality and want to do something about it, which seems to become stronger as I get older (now 29). I find myself in a constant battle of wanting to use my life to do what I can to change the way the world is but also realising that who am I to expect others to place the same values in things I do!
It's like I see both sides but find it very hard to get a balance, as how can you take things easy and not stress, not put expectations on others, etc. and also strive to improve to try and eradicate as much inequality and unhappiness as possible?
I know there are certainly charitable ways to help people and organisations, but I've always been of the belief that prevention is better than cure and want to get to the root of problems, which seems to involve forcing my opinions on others. An example might be instead of simply recycling and living an eco-friendly life, also putting pressure the government, media and public about the consumption of goods and fossil fuels.
I have some friends who are very passionate about things but often get stressed as a result of their efforts to campaign for human rights, help the environment, change views on mental health, etc. etc., and others who are completely chilled out and take everything in their stride without worrying about any more than they have to.
I don't want to be the sort of person who thinks only of their own circumstances but does that mean I'm destined for a life of frustration and shoving my opinion in people's faces, when I have no right, or do we have a responsibility to be a voice?! Is it that I need to let go of this desire to improve things as it's leading to my own suffering? :scratch:
Anyone who wishes to share their experience or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
Lou
0
Comments
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engaged_Buddhism
Lou,
Take life as it is every chance that you can. Practice full acceptance, and have faith that the world will become a better place as long as you continue to be accepting and do the things that you love, fighting social injustices, being an activist, helping others.
Recognize that you can't change the world on your own and do NOT expect yourself to. Recognize the impermanence of everything, including your drive to help. Understand that it's going to wax and wane, and just accept it as it is at any given time. Just do what you can at any given moment, and don't get frustrated or feel that you aren't doing enough. Simply caring is doing more than most in today's world.
Lovingkindness meditation and full acceptance. Do your part and know that as more people become accepting of life the way it is, life will improve for all. But remember that life is suffering.
I'm not advocating desire, but I have experienced that the only way to get what we want is to STOP pushing away that which is unwanted. Accept all your feelings as they come but do not let them define you.
If desire leads to suffering, I can understand this to an extent, but even if one gave up unnecessary material possessions and the desire to be loved, to have friends, etc. how does one eradicate desire completely? For example, if I want to go out with my friends, is this then wrong because it's a desire? It seems that whatever I'd find myself doing, it is because of a desire of some kind e.g. if I do something charitable, I'm desiring to help that charity.
Moving on from this, Buddha said the middle path was correct (which I've taken as meaning everything in moderation), but eliminating desire seems to contradict that?
Any help appreciated! Thanks
thus you can desire all you want and you don't cling. this isn't something one can just do and imitate because say you force yourself to view reality like this, then you are just doing it in obligation to some philosophy or doctrine.
you have to realize the true nature of reality by realizing your true nature. when you realize the non-dual awareness, all wisdom intuitively springs from suchness. thus you see things as they are rather than from your own subjective/conditioned mind. when you see things as they are you see the three marks. thus you can engage in the world. desire things and objects but you see them as they are, so you don't cling.
find your true nature. don't settle for less.