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Changing the things we know

BaileyDBaileyD Explorer
edited November 2010 in Buddhism Basics
I've learned things about myself since I began following Buddhism. I've learned truth's about myself and the way I am. For instance, I know that I am terribly insecure about my looks and my body and my presence. I honestly believe that if I found a smoking hot girl to date my, it might change how I feel about myself physically. I also doubt myself mentally and believe that if I found a girl more intelligent and better spoken than myself, that it would help me. I believe that getting a better job, making more money, having a nice house, or a better behaved dog would all make me a better person.

I also know all that is bullshit. I know, without a doubt, that it is not true and will never happen. Problem is, it doesn't stop me from thinking it on some level. I know my flaws and I know my strengths. I know what is true in my life and what is delusion. I know lies, but don't know how to stop them. How do I change my thinking when I know the truth?

Comments

  • The_Fruit_Punch_WizaThe_Fruit_Punch_Wiza Veteran
    edited November 2010
    Meditate.

    Try to understand the drawbacks of the conditions you've described.

    For example: Let's say you do meet a smoking hot girl who is intelligent and wise, but what are the possible negative things you might find with it? Brainstorm with me :)
  • PietroPumokinPietroPumokin
    edited November 2010
    maybe our brains are mad scientists trying to control us and we gotta pull some tricks on it so maybe you can be like oh YEAH YEAH YOU'RE RIGHT BRAIN YEAH THAT'S A GOOD IDEA MAYBE I SHOULD SPIT ON BUMS WHEN THEY ASK ME FOR SPARE CHANGE AND MAYBE ORPHANS DO HAVE CRAPPY KARMA BECAUSE THEY WERE BAD PARENTS IN A PAST LIFETIME SO I SHOULD SPLASH THEM IN WATER WITH MY CAR AS I DRIVE BY and so your brain thinks he's winning but THEN YOU HIT HIM OVER THE HEAD WITH A BOTTLE and he falls unconscious and so you tie him up to a chair and when he comes to you say WHERE'D YOU HIDE MY ORIGINAL FACE ? and you and your boys give him the 1-2 and uh yeah you just keep that up i think that might work sometimes
  • The_Fruit_Punch_WizaThe_Fruit_Punch_Wiza Veteran
    edited November 2010
    I think I'm beginning to understand you Pietro Pumokin. You're like a Zen master who is trying to shake up one's thoughts with strangeness to remind us how things are not normal. This is good.
  • PietroPumokinPietroPumokin
    edited November 2010
    hm... yeah zen master pete .... i like the sound of that
  • The_Fruit_Punch_WizaThe_Fruit_Punch_Wiza Veteran
    edited November 2010
    But back to the OP, don't you think that using someone else to compensate for your perceived deficiencies is a little off? I mean if you were to date an ugly girl or get to know a girl of equal or lower intelligence as yourself, do you think it would make yourself more insecure or unhappy? Think about it: "Why do these things matter to me?"

    Usually they're good reasons, like "I appreciate beauty" or "I appreciate intelligence" but then you have to ask yourself, "What is beauty and what is intelligence?" is either permanent?
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