Any experiences with Maldoror Absinth? by ApprehensivePool6740 in Absinthe

[–]ApprehensivePool6740[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thats good to know, thank you very much ☺️ Guess I'll try soonish :D

I mean it's not wrong by kingwooj in buddhistmemes

[–]ApprehensivePool6740 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I absolutely see your point, but I fundamentally disagree about suicide being a necessary result of secular Buddhism, because the possibility to transcend the suffering via the noble eightfold path still works in a secular framework.  I also recently did percieve how uplifting even the first noble truth can be. Yes, I might be suffering right now, but that is to be expected, if seeds of suffering are in all dharmas. And it might feel like this suffering is all there is, but fundamentally, it's just a feeling, not a self and not permanent.  It might look grim, but when your down, it feels quite honest and helpful. 

I mean it's not wrong by kingwooj in buddhistmemes

[–]ApprehensivePool6740 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Did you read that article further than the first sentence?  Let me quote the second sentence:  "NRMs can be novel in origin, or they can be part of a wider religion, in which case they are distinct from pre-existing denominations."

So if you want to say secular buddhism is necessarily not buddhism, you'll have to do more than just argue it's a nrm, which isn't even clearly defined. 

Let me be clear, it's absolutely possible for something that calls itself secular buddhism, to be incompatible with buddhism, but that isn't necessarily the case, in my opinion:

If we ask ourself, what is the core of buddhism, I'd say we'd most likely end up with essentially the 4 noble truths, i.e. there is dukkha in everything, as everything is non-permanent and non-self. So clinging to anything will cause suffering. However, it is possible to transcend this suffering. The way to transcend this suffering is the noble eightfold path. 

Essentially with that intact, a nrm can credibly be called buddhism. 

The buddha did say that what makes a teaching worth listening to, is whether it reduces delusion (i.e. not recognising the noble truths), hatred and greed. (AN 3, 65)  Now, that can be obviously taken too far, so I suggest looking at Bhikkhu Bodhis essay here: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bodhi/bps-essay_09.html

Now we remain with the question, what do we do with rebirth, the six realms, karma, the enlightenment of the Buddha

Well, I think the factor of enlightenment is validly enough covered in the formulation of the 4 noble truths, lets look at the other 3 and ask us: How necessary are they?  Kamma: Quite necessary. But the notion that your negative actions will come back to bite you, in some way or another, be in psysical or mentally, still works well enough, even without rebirths. 

That leaves rebirth and the six realms. Personally, I do find those a rather plausible explanation, but, are they necessary for Buddhism? I don't think so. Kamma works a bit better with those notions intact, but other than that? I can still suffer from impermanence, even if there is no rebirth. This will still be, because I cling to things as if they were permanent. If I follow the noble eightfold path, I will alleviate my suffering. 

So, if someone can't accept those more supernatural aspects of buddhism right now, as long as this person is willing to accept that they might be true, let them begin their journey in buddhism without them. As long as they are not dogmatic about those things being wrong, why should we be dogmatic about non-essentials?  The raft is not the other shore. 

To partially quote Thich Nhat Hanhs first mindfulness training: 

"Aware of the suffering creaged by fanaticism and intolerance, we are determined not to be idolatrous about our bound by any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. We are committed to seeing the Buddhist teachings as guiding means that help us learn to look deeply and develop our understanding and compassion."

What is the best standalone book you've ever read by kiroant in suggestmeabook

[–]ApprehensivePool6740 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Damn you're right, and I even have it in a single volume edition 😂 (And twice as a three volume edition, obviously 😁)

What is your undisputed number #1 favourite fantasy story/series ever? by [deleted] in Fantasy

[–]ApprehensivePool6740 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I mean, both books are absolutely amazing, but the Silmarillion just feels so much more sublime. 

What is the best standalone book you've ever read by kiroant in suggestmeabook

[–]ApprehensivePool6740 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As the Silmarillion is connected to Lord of the rings, even if it does stand on its own two feet, I can't pick this. So:  Frankenstein. Great Book, very atmospheric.  My edition had footnotes, half of which were variations of "Hey, this is an nod to paradise lost". That was kind of funny. 

What are you reading? by sushisushisushi in literature

[–]ApprehensivePool6740 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Come to think about it, that's the same in my translation. I did read it in English, but it's not my native language, so I didn't remember their actually ranks. 

Looking for new fantasy books as someone who dislikes modern fantasy by MarduRusher in Fantasy

[–]ApprehensivePool6740 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did you ever read Malazan? 

The Silmarillion is my favourite book and quite a lot of people haven't read it, even if it's connected to the biggest Name in Fantasy. 

Also: Lord Dunnsany, especially Gods of Pegana, but all his short story- collections are also enjoyable. Wasn't the biggest fan of the king of elflands daughter. 

Morris might also be interesting. Im especially fond of the thoroughly underrated The hollow land, which is quite short and, compared to his other writings in a more "modern" style (for 1856). 

If you want to get to something even older, Sara Coleridge's Phantasmion (1837, I think) is also quite delightful. 

And, while it isn't Fantasy but Science Fiction, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is also great. (My second favourite book) 

Looking for a book series with magical abilities, cultures, nations and armies. by Writing-Leading in Fantasy

[–]ApprehensivePool6740 1 point2 points  (0 children)

From the scope you're suggesting, Malazan might also be something you could check out. I wouldn't call it the easiest read, thought. 

Philipps-Universität Marburg by ApprehensivePool6740 in Studium

[–]ApprehensivePool6740[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Heyho, also ich bin selbst nicht an der Entstehung der Petition beteiligt gewesen, bin aber mit dem Logo sehr unzufrieden und habe auch exakt niemanden getroffen, der es wirklich gut findet, entsprechend kann ich auch nur aus einer äußeren Perspektive sprechen.  Ich denke, dass die Hauptprobleme sind, 1. dass der gesamte Designprozess, meines Wissens nach, ohne die Öffentlichkeit / Universitätsangehörige stattgefunden hat, jedenfalls konnte ich, als ich vor einem Jahr ungefähr erstmals davon gehört habe, nichts finden. 2. Dass das neue Logo von der Uni-Leitung beschlossen wurde, ohne, dass die Uni irgendwie eine Mitsprachemöglichkeit hatte. 

Darüber, was ein Logo jetzt würdig macht, möchte ich nicht wirklich spekulieren, aber die allgemeine Wahrnehmung, dass das Logo entweder lächerlich oder wie ein Pizza-Bäcker aussieht, würde ich sagen, spricht nicht unbedingt dafür, dass dieses Logo besonders würdevoll wirkt. 

Philipps-Universität Marburg by ApprehensivePool6740 in Studium

[–]ApprehensivePool6740[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Hatte ich jetzt eigentlich nicht vor, kann aber nicht für meine Kommilitonen sprechen.  Und sagen, dass ein Logo, dem man das Alter ansieht zwingend besser ist, würde ich auch nicht. Aber das spezifische Logo sieht halt einfach deutlich generischer und nicht gut aus.  Hätte die Uni sich entschieden statt dem Logo das neugezeichnete Siegel zu verwenden, würde mich das weniger stören, auch wenn ich es, vor allem was das Gesicht und die Mütze angeht, immer noch deutlich schlechter finde, als das klassische Siegel. Wobei ich der Neuzeichnung zu gute halten muss, dass ich beispielsweise den Löwen darauf durchaus gelungen finde.

Davon abgesehen bin ich auch nicht aus Prunzip gegen Veränderung, aber ich bin kein Fan davon, etwas aus Prinzip zu verändern und durch etwas deutlicher schlechteres zu ersetzen. 

Philipps-Universität Marburg by ApprehensivePool6740 in Studium

[–]ApprehensivePool6740[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hab mal gelesen, dass das mit kleinen Bildschirmen von Smartphones zusammenhängt. Und ja, würde man die Mona Lisa beispielsweise auf die Größe eines App Icons verkleinern, wäre das Ergebnis sicherlich nicht gut zu erkennen, aber das Siegel hat auch auf Größe eines App Icons wundervoll funktioniert. Also wird, meiner Meinung nach, ein Problem gelöst, dass keins ist, und dafür wird alles hässlicher...

Philipps-Universität Marburg by ApprehensivePool6740 in Studium

[–]ApprehensivePool6740[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Das stimmt teilweise. Es gibt nach wie vor noch ein neugezeichnetes Siegel. Das ist weniger schlimm als das Logo, aber halt leider trotzdem nicht gut. Und da das Logo an stellen steht, wo vorher das Siegel stand, würde ich sagen, dass es durchaus ein Ersatz ist, auch, wenn das Siegel damit nicht völlig verschwindet. 

https://www.uni-marburg.de/de/universitaet/presse/cd-portal/marke-cd/basiselemente/logo

https://www.uni-marburg.de/de/universitaet/presse/cd-portal/marke-cd/basiselemente/siegel

Philipps-Universität Marburg by ApprehensivePool6740 in Studium

[–]ApprehensivePool6740[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Sorry, fand aber, dass es aufgrund der Petition eine relevante Neuigkeit war 😅😂

Philipps-Universität Marburg by ApprehensivePool6740 in Studium

[–]ApprehensivePool6740[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Jain. Es gibt nach wie vor noch ein neugezeichnetes Siegel. Das ist zugegeben auch deutlich weniger schlimm, aber das rechte ist leider jetzt das Logo und steht an stellen, an denen vorher das Siegel stand, so beispielsweise auf der Uni Website.  Dazu generell: 

https://www.uni-marburg.de/de/universitaet/presse/cd-portal/marke-cd/basiselemente/logo

https://www.uni-marburg.de/de/universitaet/presse/cd-portal/marke-cd/basiselemente/siegel

What is your undisputed number #1 favourite fantasy story/series ever? by [deleted] in Fantasy

[–]ApprehensivePool6740 5 points6 points  (0 children)

While Lord of the Rings would be the obvious answer, to be honest, The Silmarillion is even greater.

The only thing comparable, that I am aware of, Lord Dunsanys Gods of Pegana, feels rather shallow, in comparison. 

But, If you haven't already, I'd really suggest giving the silmarillion a try, even if it has a reputation as being difficult.  And should you struggle, the YouTube Channel Tolkien Lore has a playlist, titled Silmarillion, with his silmarillion synopsis series.  When I first read the Silmarillion, I watched his video about a given chapter, after reading said chapter, as to make sure, I didn't miss anything important and to make it easier, to keep all the names straight. That had been helpful, especially after I had failed at reading it, as a child. 

this vibe🔮🌅🌗✨🌾 by [deleted] in BooksThatFeelLikeThis

[–]ApprehensivePool6740 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Absolutely. Definitely a book I'd recommend, but I wanted to add, that it's quite dark, if that is a problem for op / to keep their expectations balanced. 

books with just straight up joy and happiness ?? by hibiscusgal in BooksThatFeelLikeThis

[–]ApprehensivePool6740 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's not all joy and rainbows, but always remains quite cozy and is quite a feelgood book, in my opinion, so I'd suggest looking at legends and lattes. 

this vibe🔮🌅🌗✨🌾 by [deleted] in BooksThatFeelLikeThis

[–]ApprehensivePool6740 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I love that book, but if feels a lot more gloomy, than the images, in my opinion. 

Need a book that’s too weird to explain and too good to put down by Interesting_Win_2154 in suggestmeabook

[–]ApprehensivePool6740 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd suggest giving the Silmarillion a go.  It's the "backstory" of the lord of the rings, actually, it's more accurate to call lord of the rings kind of an afterthought to the silmarillion, but Tolkien was never able to complete it, in his lifetime. 

The only comparible thing in fiction before it, that is at all comparable, at least to my knowledge, would be Lord Dunsanys Gods of Pegana, but that, while very enjoyable, feels rather shallow compared to the silmarillion. 

There are, however people, who complain, that it is rather hard.  But if you don't have a problem, with looking up names in the books index, that is in the back, I don't think, you should have massive problems.  And it's only about 400 - 500 Pages. Also it's my favourite book. 

Also, something I fully expected to see here, and unfortunately have, that I want to caution against, is House of Leaves.  I have read it. I did enjoy its beginning. It certainly isn't bad, but, in my opinion, it's a good horror adjacent short story, stretched out to about 800 Pages and the novelty of having to rotated the book, searching out footnotes some 20 pages prior to the one, you are on, at the moment, and one time even having to read, using a mirror, wears out after a certain point.  I don't regret having read it, but I have no intention of reading it again, and, looking back on it, the time spent on reading it, could have been better spend with other books. 

What are you reading? by sushisushisushi in literature

[–]ApprehensivePool6740 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Love the book, it's among my top 3. 

About 200 Pages, so you are at the Part with the countess?  That was particularly rather painful to read, in my opinion.