Did you ever ponder a reason to contemplate death starting from there. In pure ego we see reality through the eyes of somebody denying their own impermanence. The ego's inherrant nature is to preserve the 'self.' That is why heavy-ego'd people die scared, and light-ego'd people die peacefully. Therefore, the contemplation of the deeper reality of "death" may be a healthy part of our prayers and meditations.
Things and stuff can play a wonderful role in the denial of my my own impermanence. If I lose myself in the chatter of my bank account, my car, my ipod, my house, and my reputation then I never have to face another layer of me underneath. Additionally, I may not even know there's a ME in the silence without the stuff. Any mention of it must be voodoo. So, does that mean get rid of stuff? You're not getting my ipod without a fight. A resounding NOOOO! is the answer. The greater truth is that my stuff is what I borrow and nuture (Like my body), it does not define me. So enjoy those toys, take care of them, but do not allow identification through them.
Caleb's National!!!
13 years ago
2 comments:
Sounds very much like a Buddhist concept Jeff, which I greatly admire and respect.
You speak truth. And truth is truth, regardless of the source (and you're a pretty reliable source, but don't let that go to your head).
Whether Philosopher, Christian, Buddhist, Jew, Mormon, Muslim, or Unarian, we all have our own terms and vernacular, but in essence, we all "call a spade a spade."
In this instance, the definition of the term "ego", and what must be done with it, is essentially in agreement across the board, IMHO.
Your point illustrates why materialism is so destructive.
Most of us are mad with it.
We can't get mad enough to difuse it (Mad is an Ego emotion). Did I just miss Wayneman ironic humor or WHAT?
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