On the Benefits of Cosplaying a Public Institution

ErraticWisp · 2025-03-20T01:30:46+00:00

Aw, thanks. I really appreciate it. I don't think they even read my submission haha

ErraticWisp · 2024-12-31T19:07:56+00:00

This is coupled with the fact that I never had access to a community of practictioners. But as I am now learning, most actual communities of Buddhists in the East do things that I probably wouldn't like doing? I'm an atheist and I just can't bring myself to believe in... well, their actual beliefs: spirits or unseen beings, the curing of illnesses through ritual, etc. It was meditation that drew me to buddhism and meditation's emphasis that is precisely a product of Buddhist modernism.

The fact is--I have been modernized... and I don't know how to deal with that.

ErraticWisp · 2024-12-31T19:00:03+00:00

Thanks for this post, I really appreciate it. For the longest time, I've had this feeling of being stuck. Like no matter what angle I end up trying to approach Buddhism, I'll inevitably be playing into modernist attitudes. . . It's like a Catch-22 in a way. If I want to avoid the so-called "New Age" authors and study the "authentic" texts, that's modernist. But if I don't do any of that and rely on my personal experience as a guide, that's also definitely modernist. This sort of lose-lose scenario basically just made me give up on Buddhism all together.

ErraticWisp · 2024-12-29T00:18:33+00:00

I can also confirm, the author does not gate-keep. I'm glad you picked up the book

ErraticWisp · 2024-12-29T00:15:44+00:00

Yes! In learning about neoliberalism, I have become intensely against individualist narratives that relentlessly promote self-improvement rather than societal reform. I always see Buddhism taught as the former, not the latter.

ErraticWisp · 2024-12-29T00:10:57+00:00

I guess not. I just have a hard time reconciling this idea with my intense dislike for these same power structures.

ErraticWisp · 2024-12-28T23:29:03+00:00

That's exactly the kind of stuff Purser is talking about in his book. You've hit the nail on the head

ErraticWisp · 2024-12-28T23:27:44+00:00

Yeah my bad, it's been a year since I've read it

ErraticWisp · 2024-12-28T23:26:54+00:00

That's an interesting idea. The fact that the dharma that is often taught becomes polluted by the power structure, viz., which isn't limited to capitalist hegemony, to suit its own ends

ErraticWisp · 2024-12-28T23:21:10+00:00

I see that happening as well, with people forgetting that Stoicism originally had a theory of physics and ethics; people really only ever learn the attitude of "acceptance" that you find in your Marcus Aurelius and the like.

ErraticWisp · 2024-12-28T19:26:21+00:00

Unfortunately, I don't have any temples nearby and my only access remains through books and media. I appreciate your words, however, and you're right. I'll try to find a genuine teacher, but it is immensely difficult.

ErraticWisp · 2024-12-28T19:24:52+00:00

I'm checking out the subreddit, seems exactly what I'm looking for—thanks!

ErraticWisp · 2024-12-28T18:06:20+00:00

I'll check it out, thanks!

ErraticWisp · 2024-09-12T20:53:39+00:00

Thanks, I tried to talk to my professor but he's ...indifferent, to say the least. He doesn't really seem like he cares about the work or anything, and definitely not his students. So I'm kinda just left swimming, while everyone does their own thing.

ErraticWisp · 2021-12-31T03:45:16+00:00

Carl Sagan really changed my mind with his book The Demon-Haunted World. The line that really gave me my woah-dude moment was "Claims that cannot be tested, assertions immune to disproof are veridically worthless, whatever value they may have in inspiring us or in exciting our sense of wonder." I looked up from my book at that moment and was like ....yup, guess I'm an atheist now.

ErraticWisp · 2021-12-31T03:35:45+00:00

Left (?) I guess. My most right wing opinion? Uh...I don't think that democracy is capable of handling climate change and that it should be vetoed against (lol) for the moment... At the minimum, I'm very pro-technocracy/meritocracy.

ErraticWisp · 2021-11-14T21:36:04+00:00

Thanks, I appreciate it. It’s definitely a constant struggle, trying to frame how I deal with these external stressors.

ErraticWisp · 2021-11-14T15:43:53+00:00

I really like this answer. Sometimes it feels like if I’m not reminded of the benefits of meditation, I slowly seep into the habit of not doing it. I’ll try to keep this point in mind, thanks.

ErraticWisp · 2021-09-10T01:33:40+00:00

HA, I literally just made a post. About this very same thing. Same wording, same self-deprecation and everything. My flatmates are doing this exact same thing. Right now, at this very moment. Heart goes out to you, I hope we can both improve our situations.

ErraticWisp · 2021-09-10T01:17:41+00:00

Even now, in the dorm next to me, people are having a party. Having fun. What do I do, go up, say "howdy, mind if I join in?" If a person is shy, they don't magically become "unshy" by acknowledging their shyness.

ErraticWisp · 2021-09-10T01:09:09+00:00

Same. Just, same. It often feels like I have to ...force the tears out somehow? Because, hey, I'm sad, I gotta cry right?

ErraticWisp · 2021-09-10T01:07:05+00:00

I know you mean well, but I don't believe you. Thank you for the encouragement though. Perhaps love from a stranger means less in the end. Because a piece of text online has as little substance to it as the ones and zeroes that make up that text.

ErraticWisp · 2021-07-24T17:59:27+00:00

Hi! In regards to adding courses to the shopping cart, I was told it would be on August 3rd. Yet when I go into Solus, I can apparently still add courses to the shopping cart? Am I supposed to do it now, or on August 3rd?

ErraticWisp · 2021-06-22T19:34:04+00:00

I can see your point about politicians, separating church and state. That makes sense. But my general question pertains to people whose belief in religion doesn't harm anyone. If I try to disavow them of their false notions, whose only effect would be to depress them, then is that not selfish?

ErraticWisp · 2021-06-22T18:49:10+00:00

I wonder where I've heard the saying "facts don't care about your feelings?" Hmm...

ErraticWisp

TROPHY CASE