I'm glad you find it useful! I think I did not make it clear in the post. My general view is Taoist, in the sense that identification with the external world should not capture our heart/mind. I resonate with the Taoist view that we are lodged somewhere in this world as floating and temporary beings. To be free from overidentification is to follow the natural course, accepting the unknown encounters and the mysterious arrangements of fate.
I also like Chan Buddhism (Zen)'s take on our relationship with the external world, as summarized in the idea of emptiness. Everything around us, the ontological diversity of phenomena, the conceptualization and duality of the myriad things like right and wrong, are impermanent and fluid, and thus, empty. Seeing through our identifications with the phenomenal world is a form of liberation from within. But emptiness doesn't indicate a nihilistic view toward life, only a sense of deep gratitude and appreciation toward it.
Sorry I can't specify everything here. I hope this explanation makes sense to you. I think I'll write something about this later.
This is probably THE best post I’ve ever read on this platform. I’ve saved it to come back to it daily for the next week to let it sink in more.
As a van-life nomadic guy, many of us exit the systems and hierarchies of this world in a quest for the calm. We get closer than most, I feel like. But I’ve also met many who still feel the noise. Because you can take the human out of the system… but it takes a while to take the system out of the human.
Thanks so much, Rob! I'm really glad this is helpful for you! Love your wise words. It does take some effort to take the system out of the human. To disentangle oneself from the state of conditioning, if possible, is truly admirable and challenging.
Beautiful 🖤
Thank you, Jessica. Glad you like this piece!
Thank you for this thoughtful post. One concept I’m struggling with - what is your take on what it means to identify with the external world?
I'm glad you find it useful! I think I did not make it clear in the post. My general view is Taoist, in the sense that identification with the external world should not capture our heart/mind. I resonate with the Taoist view that we are lodged somewhere in this world as floating and temporary beings. To be free from overidentification is to follow the natural course, accepting the unknown encounters and the mysterious arrangements of fate.
I also like Chan Buddhism (Zen)'s take on our relationship with the external world, as summarized in the idea of emptiness. Everything around us, the ontological diversity of phenomena, the conceptualization and duality of the myriad things like right and wrong, are impermanent and fluid, and thus, empty. Seeing through our identifications with the phenomenal world is a form of liberation from within. But emptiness doesn't indicate a nihilistic view toward life, only a sense of deep gratitude and appreciation toward it.
Sorry I can't specify everything here. I hope this explanation makes sense to you. I think I'll write something about this later.
Wow. Thank you for the answer - and looking forward to more writing on it!
No problem. Glad it helps!
This is probably THE best post I’ve ever read on this platform. I’ve saved it to come back to it daily for the next week to let it sink in more.
As a van-life nomadic guy, many of us exit the systems and hierarchies of this world in a quest for the calm. We get closer than most, I feel like. But I’ve also met many who still feel the noise. Because you can take the human out of the system… but it takes a while to take the system out of the human.
Thanks for this.
Thanks so much, Rob! I'm really glad this is helpful for you! Love your wise words. It does take some effort to take the system out of the human. To disentangle oneself from the state of conditioning, if possible, is truly admirable and challenging.
So difficult, to be fully engaged with the world, and yet remain in a real sense separate from its attractions. I still work on it.
It's hard, especially since there are so many good things we cling to. I'm also in the process.
Amazing. It really is a practice so when things are hard or dark we can access those pathways.
Thanks, Megan. I hope all is well with you. It is a practice, a reminder for ourselves.