Wisdom
Happiness or sorrow
Whatever befalls you
Walk on
Untouched, unattached.
Do not ask for family or power or wealth
Either for yourself or for another
Can a wise man wish to rise unjustly?
Liberation, partially defined in this quotation from the sayings of the historic Buddha, hinges on feedom from greed, or desire. Learning your true needs is a lifelong occupation for many. Only in old age do they realize the folly of their lifelong ways of striving, attachment and pain. Others never make it to this realization before death.
The wise person strives only for understanding of the human condition. This person understands that everything is transition, change, from one moment to another. Seeking solid footing in any one moment is foolish. It is like trying to stand on the surface of a stream.
Thinking that having the perfect family is the key to personal immortality leads to eventual disillusionment. Building on provenance or pedigree leads to lack of self confidence and individual growth, despite the material success it may bring. The only true measure of a person is that person's measure of himself, naked and alone.
Practice is the daily, moment-by-moment quest for freedom from petty desire and insecurity. Physical and mental health promotion are essential elements of practice. Its focus is not the navel; its focus is the horizon of personal discovery; its purpose is creating peace and justice in the self and in the world.
Whatever befalls you
Walk on
Untouched, unattached.
Do not ask for family or power or wealth
Either for yourself or for another
Can a wise man wish to rise unjustly?
Liberation, partially defined in this quotation from the sayings of the historic Buddha, hinges on feedom from greed, or desire. Learning your true needs is a lifelong occupation for many. Only in old age do they realize the folly of their lifelong ways of striving, attachment and pain. Others never make it to this realization before death.The wise person strives only for understanding of the human condition. This person understands that everything is transition, change, from one moment to another. Seeking solid footing in any one moment is foolish. It is like trying to stand on the surface of a stream.
Thinking that having the perfect family is the key to personal immortality leads to eventual disillusionment. Building on provenance or pedigree leads to lack of self confidence and individual growth, despite the material success it may bring. The only true measure of a person is that person's measure of himself, naked and alone.
Practice is the daily, moment-by-moment quest for freedom from petty desire and insecurity. Physical and mental health promotion are essential elements of practice. Its focus is not the navel; its focus is the horizon of personal discovery; its purpose is creating peace and justice in the self and in the world.
You may want to check out the Early Retirement Extreme blog. The proponents of early retirement believe in living a simple life that doesn't require conspicuous consumption. I thought of them as I read your post - so I thought maybe you'd be interested.
ReplyDelete