Comments on: What’s Wrong With You?

By: Bruce

Bruce — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:52:38 +0000

One word you used really resonated with me – “consistently”. So many people get caught up in the idea that they have to be “constantly” something – happy, romantic, productive, etc… Your point that we are human is well taken. We need to be able to give ourselves permission to be “off” sometimes. It’s okay, what’s important is that we stay true to our character. Consistent, not constant.

Thanks, I love your blog.

By: Seamus Anthony

Seamus Anthony — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:51:53 +0000

@Hilary – yes agree with you, although in my case there were always behavioural consequences

By: Hilary

Hilary — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 00:06:35 +0000

Hey, full time partying and self-gratification did so make me happy, back when I could do it without too many consequences. Shame that kind of lifestyle has a limited lifespan.

By: Max

Max — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 15:01:50 +0000

Your post is so true! I can tell by myself: the best times are those when you don’t live by your todo list and other mental limitations but do what you like instead and even allow yourself a day off. If you can add some sort of productivity to this it’s almost gonna be a good day!

By: greatmanagement

greatmanagement — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:05:11 +0000

Great article – best I’ve read for ages. Really got me thinking. TODAY is going to be “my day” whatever I do and say.

Thanks.

Andrew

By: Seamus Anthony

Seamus Anthony — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 00:02:59 +0000

Hey Stephen – you know on one level I completely agree with you as to your definition of enlightenment but another level I believe it is much simpler than that, and I am sure you agree. It’s that whole thing that is beyond words but which us writers keep trying to pin down!

I also reckon enlightenment is always going to be different for different people and even different from moment to moment within the mind of one person. It’s actually not something I think about much, but I reckon it could be as simple as just being cool with what is, even when what is makes you feel totally uncool.

Weirdly, seeing as I keep bring the subject up, I also don’t think it matters. Well it probably does matter until you get a taste of it, and then you realise that it doesn’t matter at all.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 13:14:37 +0000

On the issue of balance I think it would be a mistake to believe balance is some sort of fix locality. The balance in one situation or moment will not be the appropriate balance in another. The world is a fluid thing full of multiplicity and difference in sameness and sameness in difference.

Just my thoughts.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 13:06:04 +0000

Interesting question at the end. I would say that living with what is. Being here and now. Being completely aware of what is right now without judgment, without categories of good and bad, without symbolic labels (language), without distinctions would be pretty damn close to being enlightened.

Include reduced or eliminated identification with the physical body, the personality produced by past conditioning (ego) and a real knowing (not simply philosophical or intellectual) of the fundamental unity of all things and one would be well on their way.

This is, from what I understand, what Taoism calls an immortal.

By: Seamus Anthony

Seamus Anthony — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 12:31:59 +0000

Is it balance though? I reckon balance is over-rated myself. I had a girlfriend once who was a naturopath and one night she got drunk and I was driving her home and I mumbled something cliched about needing more balance in my life and she rolled down the window and threw a beer bottle out onto the road and screamed out “Fuck balance!” and it was one of the coolest moments ever.

I just reckon that it is a good thing when you can just accept that you feel like crap today and just go with that. Makes hangovers easier anyway

By: Shadowduck

Shadowduck — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 09:23:27 +0000

It’s that difficult balance again, isn’t it? Accepting things (including yourself, of course) just as they are, but without losing the drive to improve things where possible. I suspect both are essential parts of the puzzle!

As to what enlightenment is… Chopping wood, no? #8-)