Monday, May 26, 2008
attachment and desire
A Buddhist friend brought up:
> Noble truth #2: the origin of suffering is attachment.
I replied, and share the reply here:
I think it's all in the translation. I think the kind of attachment that is to be let go of is desperation for, like I can't be happy any time that i don't have this. If we can find peace in every situation, if we can make the best of any situation, then when it suits us the universe can provide tons of everything. If one's lifestyle is out of balance though, things can be lost and then it's important to not be attached, so we can keep on going. Competitive insatiable consumerism has doomed people to some hard times for rebalancing, but there's nothing wrong with wanting and having when it's sustainable and in balance. The natural state of people is to want, and the natural state of the earth is to provide in abundance. Greedy dumb polluting people have messed up the cornucopia, that's all. It will take some work and cooperation to get it back, and that's fine, people are supposed to want it back and thus be motivated to learn how to get it back.
> Noble truth #2: the origin of suffering is attachment.
I replied, and share the reply here:
I think it's all in the translation. I think the kind of attachment that is to be let go of is desperation for, like I can't be happy any time that i don't have this. If we can find peace in every situation, if we can make the best of any situation, then when it suits us the universe can provide tons of everything. If one's lifestyle is out of balance though, things can be lost and then it's important to not be attached, so we can keep on going. Competitive insatiable consumerism has doomed people to some hard times for rebalancing, but there's nothing wrong with wanting and having when it's sustainable and in balance. The natural state of people is to want, and the natural state of the earth is to provide in abundance. Greedy dumb polluting people have messed up the cornucopia, that's all. It will take some work and cooperation to get it back, and that's fine, people are supposed to want it back and thus be motivated to learn how to get it back.
