Posted by Derf on June 28, 1999 at 20:29:49:
In Reply to: Re: being a healthy 4; to the extent that I am posted by Hal on June 28, 1999 at 09:25:46:
Hello, Hal.
Let's cover our dissent for now:
: : Average: I am not like others. I actively seek to be different, for the sake of being different in itself.
: : Healthy: Whether I am like others is of secondary concern; primarily, I consider myself tactful, tasteful, and spiritually enthusiastic.
: I'm not sure seeing yourself as tactful and tasteful is really healthy. Both of these imply concern with how others perceive you, which again falls into the typical 4 traps. Maybe healthy would be better as, "I consider myself caring, loved, and spiritually enthusiastic."
Why do "tactful" and "tasteful" have to imply a concern for what others think? I mentioned *concern for what YOU think*; and following this, concern for what others think seems to be a given in your mind. By that token, "caring" and "loved" should imply the same thing. Also, by your argument, any statement that begins "I see myself as..." should be suspect, so it doesn't matter what words you choose. Yet, I don't think the implication of a reference to other people is necessary. Not that I think an external frame of reference, in sensible doses, is without advantage. In fact, you can grow a great deal by paying attention to what others think of you, albeit disallowing them excessive control over your mind. Another area I feel I should touch on: If you stand for the obliteration of self-image, too - say, in your quest to become "selfless" - then just as you cannot follow me on my path, so I cannot follow you on yours. :>
: : Unhealthy: I yearn for the little trappings of the external world, and for external self-distinguishment.
: : Average: I yearn for enlightenment. Someday I will attain it.
: : Healthy: I am on the path of enlightenment. It never ends, though I am enriched constantly.
: It's not that I don't agree with the aim of this, but I'm not quite sure how different "yearning for Enlightenment" and "on the path of Enlightenment" are. There is certainly an aspect of "doing" in the path that is not necessarily in the yearning, and this is a good thing, but does the yearning disappear when we start doing? And do healthy people never have doubts about what they will attain, or even their ability to be constatnly enriched? The spiritual path is not constant, but is always changing; sometimes fast and furious, sometimes calm and peaceful, somtimes stagnant. A healthy person would need to realize this, and understand that even these periods are part of the path to Enlightenment.
It's very simple, and I don't need to draw out the explanation. The term "yearning," in this case, deals with the fixation on *future* enlightenment... The "on-the-path" analogy deals with your present experience of enrichment without the crippling habit of dwelling upon, and thus living in, the future. It's just another way of stating the first point in my list.
: - Hal -
Happy trails!
Derf