Quote:
Originally Posted by JD159
If people didn't want X, nothing we have today would exist. Wanting leads to progress. I welcome cravings and hope that my society does as well. Why live at all if your objective is to deny your own humanity?
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Nobody’s passing judgment but if you invite wants / cravings then you also invite all the suffering that goes with it. The two are linked and there’s simply no getting around it. I suspect for most people there is a willingness to accept some suffering and inner conflict for some craving. The path to inner peace certainly doesn’t lie in a big bank account, flashy car, McMansion, job title or even list of personal accomplishments however. Those things have value but they also create pain - both for us and for others. Just consider what you do and the cost to your own true happiness, that’s all. Most people (particularly those in western societies) do not.
I guess that’s how I’d consider it and try to. I’ve found a lot of joy in simplifying my life, getting away from the “climb the corporate ladder” ratrace mentality and not being so competitive about everything. Of course being around folks that really enjoy life and in a beautiful / peaceful place that’s not such a grind anymore helps with that too. At least for me.
Ambition isn’t all bad or evil - it just has its price and that price can be pretty insidious.
Some of the happiest people I know are those with the least to show by our western / ‘mercian standards. By contrast I’ve worked at (and been) a very high-functioning, driven, type A but truly, deeply miserable inside. Many “religions” teach that the path to salvation lies through suffering. I don’t believe that at all and Buddhism certainly doesn’t teach it either - rather that the path to true peace and happiness and enlightenment is the result of eliminating suffering. Ironically this is pretty similar to what Jesus taught (Christianity) too (“sell all you have and come follow me” - Buddhism might suggest “sell most of what you have and do more for others” rather than “follow me”, but it’s not too far off) but that message is completely lost on most so-called Christians these days it seems.
Just consider it. That’s all. Best of luck on your path.