Compassion is not absolute, but the closest to the absolute we can come in the relative reality.
The relative factors are relevant to their particular context. For example, if we need a spare part to a car engine, we can only use the part that is specific for that kind of engine.
This principle, relativity related to a particular context, is very common and often very complex.
For example, in Soviet Union a great construct of economy, security and military was made in relation to the political context. When the Soviet Union was dissolved, the relativity of it was shown.
Sometimes the principle of relativity and context is used for drastic and negative decisions. In order to avoid such unnecessary effects, we can use compassion.
Compassion is a soft principle, which links the relative to the effects on human beings.
Showing posts with label compassion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label compassion. Show all posts
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
In mind 2
Compassion is the bottom line in Buddhist philosophy, and the other bottom line is awareness. Is there no conflict between truth and compassion? The answer is no.
Reality can be described in many ways, and all are good except the bad ones. The good ones are about compassion, which means a general, positive attitude towards others.
Compassion is an unusual attitude, as we see from history. History has been driven by egoism and strange ideas about superiority and the right to hurt and kill others.
In mind we can spontaneously have different ideas and experiences, but compassion is not spontaneous. It is something we have to learn. If we do that, we can see all issues in the light of compassion.
In Buddhist philosophy we find the connection between relative truth and absolute truth. The relative is an expression of the absolute, but not in a random or arbitrary way.
The relative truth can be understood in so many ways on the coarser levels of mind. We are normally deceived.
If we can not reach the deepest levels - which we can not do normally - we have to rely on rules of thumb - and the basic rule of thumb is that compassion is right.
Reality can be described in many ways, and all are good except the bad ones. The good ones are about compassion, which means a general, positive attitude towards others.
Compassion is an unusual attitude, as we see from history. History has been driven by egoism and strange ideas about superiority and the right to hurt and kill others.
In mind we can spontaneously have different ideas and experiences, but compassion is not spontaneous. It is something we have to learn. If we do that, we can see all issues in the light of compassion.
In Buddhist philosophy we find the connection between relative truth and absolute truth. The relative is an expression of the absolute, but not in a random or arbitrary way.
The relative truth can be understood in so many ways on the coarser levels of mind. We are normally deceived.
If we can not reach the deepest levels - which we can not do normally - we have to rely on rules of thumb - and the basic rule of thumb is that compassion is right.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
To be and not to be 2
The reality is in thought and name...
There are four names called the immeasurables. They are compassion, love, joy and equanimity.
Our understanding - our thoughts - of these words decide our quality of life.
These words can have negative meanings. Compassion might mean charity, where an inflated I throws a few coins to the others, the destitute and inferior ones.
Love can mean self love, or it can be very trivial as love for certain shoes and color shades.
Joy is negative when it is joy over the mistakes and shortcomings of others. Equanimity is negative when it is uncaring.
But the four names can also have very exalted meanings. Compassion can be the will to help all others to get rid of all suffering for ever. Love can include all. Joy can be the joy over success of others. Equanimity can be the coolness we need to see clearly always.
There is no other reality, than the reality in our thoughts when we define these words.
There are four names called the immeasurables. They are compassion, love, joy and equanimity.
Our understanding - our thoughts - of these words decide our quality of life.
These words can have negative meanings. Compassion might mean charity, where an inflated I throws a few coins to the others, the destitute and inferior ones.
Love can mean self love, or it can be very trivial as love for certain shoes and color shades.
Joy is negative when it is joy over the mistakes and shortcomings of others. Equanimity is negative when it is uncaring.
But the four names can also have very exalted meanings. Compassion can be the will to help all others to get rid of all suffering for ever. Love can include all. Joy can be the joy over success of others. Equanimity can be the coolness we need to see clearly always.
There is no other reality, than the reality in our thoughts when we define these words.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Good 2
Mind is the decisive dimension of everything, and we need to respect mind in order to get a good life. It is possible to get a good life. Not easy and not always socially correct, but possible.
Our mind is naturally deceptive. There are so many things and reactions that feel fine but are bad. To sort out the bad reactions and concentrate on the good ones is an art.
It is also a rational process. If we study the workings in our mind we can see what is constructive and what is destructive. And we can choose the good - after some time. Eventually we can learn to do the right from the beginning.
Typical for a society that does not respect mind and its long term effects is the idea that we can get the good by doing bad. Bad methods - from ignorant ones and lying to violence and killings - can give immediate effects which seem good for some individual in some perspective. In the long run and in the perspective of all, the effects will be bad.
Normally we relate a lot to the external, mainly material world. OK. We can do that, and we can still build a nice mind. We get a nice mind by compassion. However, if we try to conquer an external reality we often try violence rather than compassion. Then we lose.
This is not a natural law in the external world. We might win on the external level.
It is a natural law on the level of mind, that good gives good.
Our mind is naturally deceptive. There are so many things and reactions that feel fine but are bad. To sort out the bad reactions and concentrate on the good ones is an art.
It is also a rational process. If we study the workings in our mind we can see what is constructive and what is destructive. And we can choose the good - after some time. Eventually we can learn to do the right from the beginning.
Typical for a society that does not respect mind and its long term effects is the idea that we can get the good by doing bad. Bad methods - from ignorant ones and lying to violence and killings - can give immediate effects which seem good for some individual in some perspective. In the long run and in the perspective of all, the effects will be bad.
Normally we relate a lot to the external, mainly material world. OK. We can do that, and we can still build a nice mind. We get a nice mind by compassion. However, if we try to conquer an external reality we often try violence rather than compassion. Then we lose.
This is not a natural law in the external world. We might win on the external level.
It is a natural law on the level of mind, that good gives good.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
School shooting
Most people does not return to their old school to kill people, but some does. What is the process in mind leading to this result?
One possibility would be a destructive mind loop.
We have many mind loops. Normally they are positive as in the extreme example of being in love. The thoughts return to the same subject all the time.
The world we live in is quite disturbing and distracting, so we often get negative impulses. All of them can start destructive mind loops.
But normally we dismiss these loops. Sometimes we play around with them, "just for fun" trying to figure out the perfect prank or even crime.
These games are quite risky, as we see in the world. A lot of strange actions take place.
The only safe way to get rid of destructive mind loops is compassion. Compassion is the will to help others.
One possibility would be a destructive mind loop.
We have many mind loops. Normally they are positive as in the extreme example of being in love. The thoughts return to the same subject all the time.
The world we live in is quite disturbing and distracting, so we often get negative impulses. All of them can start destructive mind loops.
But normally we dismiss these loops. Sometimes we play around with them, "just for fun" trying to figure out the perfect prank or even crime.
These games are quite risky, as we see in the world. A lot of strange actions take place.
The only safe way to get rid of destructive mind loops is compassion. Compassion is the will to help others.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Satisfaction
If our basic needs of health, food, shelter, sex and social acceptance are not met we might suffer a lot. But in order to be satisfied, we have to fulfill compassionate ideals.
Compassion is important.
We all have to decide about the relations between egoism and compassion in our basic ideals in life. It is an internal conflict. We might try to avoid it by thinking "God will..." or "I am as I am..." or "social custom is..."
Nevertheless, the question can be asked and must be answered. The ideals we have should be decided by ourselves.
In this internal debate, the awareness of the importance of compassion is...good to have
Compassion is important.
We all have to decide about the relations between egoism and compassion in our basic ideals in life. It is an internal conflict. We might try to avoid it by thinking "God will..." or "I am as I am..." or "social custom is..."
Nevertheless, the question can be asked and must be answered. The ideals we have should be decided by ourselves.
In this internal debate, the awareness of the importance of compassion is...good to have
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Tibet future
Tibetan culture, sometimes called science of mind, is expanding all over the world but China. That is sad.
Tibetan Buddhism is not missionary. It does not try to convince others to become Buddhists. Instead, the Dalai Lama urges his listeners to remain in their original tradition and never lose respect for their original tradition.
The teachings of the Dalai Lama - easily accessible on the net: www.dalailama.com - focus on the extreme importance of warmheartedness, compassion. Is that so dangerous?
Tibetan Buddhism is not missionary. It does not try to convince others to become Buddhists. Instead, the Dalai Lama urges his listeners to remain in their original tradition and never lose respect for their original tradition.
The teachings of the Dalai Lama - easily accessible on the net: www.dalailama.com - focus on the extreme importance of warmheartedness, compassion. Is that so dangerous?
Friday, March 6, 2009
Fragility
What defeated the Soviet empire? Nothing. It collapsed by itself. It was fragile.
In a democratic state the collapse is constant. Every decisions is questioned and often severely critizised. There are frequent changes of power. The whole construct is fragile, but all know that, so new - fragile - structures are erected immediately.
The fragility is a safety measure. If there is no fragility but for example military or economical control, the effects for humans can be very difficult.
The stability - whenever there is stability - is on mind level. Even mountains have "minds" that give stability. This mountain "mind" is technically seen the electromagnetic field that supports the atoms and the molecules in the mountain.
In the human world, the stability is given by human minds. The stabilising factors are agreement and trust.
In the inner world of the mind the difference between compassion and self centeredness is very important. Compassion leads to the good, and self centeredness to the problems. But it seems to be the other way around.
In a democratic state the collapse is constant. Every decisions is questioned and often severely critizised. There are frequent changes of power. The whole construct is fragile, but all know that, so new - fragile - structures are erected immediately.
The fragility is a safety measure. If there is no fragility but for example military or economical control, the effects for humans can be very difficult.
The stability - whenever there is stability - is on mind level. Even mountains have "minds" that give stability. This mountain "mind" is technically seen the electromagnetic field that supports the atoms and the molecules in the mountain.
In the human world, the stability is given by human minds. The stabilising factors are agreement and trust.
In the inner world of the mind the difference between compassion and self centeredness is very important. Compassion leads to the good, and self centeredness to the problems. But it seems to be the other way around.
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