This article reminded me something I thought about emptiness. How the term ‘emptiness’ or ‘void’, even if there’s another definition behind the two, gets seen as something negative and to be fixed/filled/replaced. While the opposite is true for Taoists, who want to travel to that emptiness. The freedom of emptiness gets seen as a jail, in most of the world’s eyes. Well written :).
Yuxuan, I especially like your first section which shows wisdom progression and maturity! I've been thinking about emptying. Still can't quite put my pulse on this sense of detachment, won't it be a bit cruel? Of course, I would feel more sad if it's someone closer to me more than say a stranger. So would the degree of letting such thoughts come and go be different? Or everything is to be received and reflected equally.
Thanks, Peckgee. I think I would agree with your sentiment toward the Buddhist notion of emptiness. The state of seeing emptiness of everything in the world, or nirvana, is still a bit remote to me. Perhaps some 10, 20 years later, I might resonate more with it.
So I'm more inclined toward the Taoist spirit of transcending but not leaving this world 超世間而不離世間.
“At the same time, while it is possible to change our positions on specific beliefs, ideas, and perspectives, it is indeed challenging to rise above the emotional part of human nature.”
This sentence nails it. I think that we have to try to let go of our emotions rather than overcome them. For minor aches and pains it is ‘easier’ for me to ‘let go’ or just accept that I can’t be free of pain in every moment. However when I’m in a bad mood, I find it extraordinarily difficult to simply accept the feeling. Rather, I try very hard to push back against it. …at least I’ve identified the issue, I suppose.
Thanks! It's true that sometimes emotions can beat us. But I think with more experiences, we can better live with them as we understand them, be more aware of our spiritual state, and let them go.
emptiness is key; the common mantra “this too shall pass” works as a thought-terminating cliche, in my opinion, and falls short of attaining a more consistently still heart. it can work to cultivate a resilient spirit, but it is so much easier with a “why” and “how.”
Agreed. And thanks very much for sharing! Disturbances always come and go, giving us the impression that problems will find their proper solutions. But what is external cannot disturb what is already still within.
This article reminded me something I thought about emptiness. How the term ‘emptiness’ or ‘void’, even if there’s another definition behind the two, gets seen as something negative and to be fixed/filled/replaced. While the opposite is true for Taoists, who want to travel to that emptiness. The freedom of emptiness gets seen as a jail, in most of the world’s eyes. Well written :).
Thanks for sharing your insights, Albion! I like your take on emptiness and how it's perceived by conventions. It's a personal choice.
Yuxuan, I especially like your first section which shows wisdom progression and maturity! I've been thinking about emptying. Still can't quite put my pulse on this sense of detachment, won't it be a bit cruel? Of course, I would feel more sad if it's someone closer to me more than say a stranger. So would the degree of letting such thoughts come and go be different? Or everything is to be received and reflected equally.
Thanks, Peckgee. I think I would agree with your sentiment toward the Buddhist notion of emptiness. The state of seeing emptiness of everything in the world, or nirvana, is still a bit remote to me. Perhaps some 10, 20 years later, I might resonate more with it.
So I'm more inclined toward the Taoist spirit of transcending but not leaving this world 超世間而不離世間.
I think the word that summarizes this post is… imperturbable.
Thank you, Rob!
“At the same time, while it is possible to change our positions on specific beliefs, ideas, and perspectives, it is indeed challenging to rise above the emotional part of human nature.”
This sentence nails it. I think that we have to try to let go of our emotions rather than overcome them. For minor aches and pains it is ‘easier’ for me to ‘let go’ or just accept that I can’t be free of pain in every moment. However when I’m in a bad mood, I find it extraordinarily difficult to simply accept the feeling. Rather, I try very hard to push back against it. …at least I’ve identified the issue, I suppose.
Thanks! It's true that sometimes emotions can beat us. But I think with more experiences, we can better live with them as we understand them, be more aware of our spiritual state, and let them go.
emptiness is key; the common mantra “this too shall pass” works as a thought-terminating cliche, in my opinion, and falls short of attaining a more consistently still heart. it can work to cultivate a resilient spirit, but it is so much easier with a “why” and “how.”
Agreed. And thanks very much for sharing! Disturbances always come and go, giving us the impression that problems will find their proper solutions. But what is external cannot disturb what is already still within.