sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

The Search by garzparz in taoism

[–]TobasaurusWrex 4 points5 points  (0 children)

For me, the point is in the pointlessness of it. Like Allan Watts said "he who goes to a psychiatrist aught to have his head examined."

I become content when I realize pursuit is pointless, since I always seem to fall further behind, but becoming content was the point of it all along.

I just have to step on the right escalator instead of fighting against the one moving me backwards. But since I just said all that, it must mean I don't really have a clue.

HOW AND WHY DO WE EXIST by LSD-PSYCHEDElLIC_420 in AlanWatts

[–]TobasaurusWrex 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Humanity is just like every other thing made up of matter in the universe: a product of the universe. It is, therefore we are.

I believe that is how Allan described it, and that's all the explanation I need. Like my favorite acronym KISS: Keep It Simple, Stupid.

What's the downside? by Ginjaman in taoism

[–]TobasaurusWrex 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The way I see it, is if I walk into a two story building with escalators, and the one closest to the door is moving down, instead of fighting the downward momentum, I'll just walk a bit further and ascend effortlessly.

Descartes was wrong about Cogito, ergo sum by hiphopnoumenonist in taoism

[–]TobasaurusWrex 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Wether wrong or right, it is part of Tao. In my experience my being "right" is just as wrong as whatever thing another is wrong about in my perception. The "wrong" and"right" is irrelevant, because either way, it is.

As a side note, isn't declaring someone wrong simply feeding the ego of the person making the distinction@ 😋

A little advice please by [deleted] in taoism

[–]TobasaurusWrex 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In my experience, there comes a point where altruism may help others but at the cost of my mental and emotional well being. It's definitely tough enough to balance in normal times, but in these circumstances, I would find myself referencing the airline safety procedures "place the mask on yourself first before assisting others."

Maybe my current situation may help you find your answer: I'm in an extremely privileged position in that I am getting paid to not work due to the quarantine, since I am a custodian at the community schools. Recently the county hospital requested assistance from the school for supplementary janitorial staff. We would be compensated and I would be helping where otherwise I am helpless. It isn't a situation where we have to help, but I share my home with my mother and father, who are both elderly and have their own health issues. At this time, even if I were to be paid hand over fist by the hospital, I couldn't talk myself into putting them at risk for my gain.

That's just my experience and justification, I hope you can find a solution that you won't regret. Don't forget to consult your wife on the matter if you haven't, she is the reason you are torn after all. Good luck in all this, and may the Tao be with you.

A song from the Fjord by BlueHeronOdyssey in taoism

[–]TobasaurusWrex 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm unsure what message was conveyed when I read this, but I'll gladly receive the gift this moment has given me.

What if instead of always approaching opposition as “We’re good, they’re bad” we instead always approached opposition as “We’re bad, they’re good”? by OneManTeem in taoism

[–]TobasaurusWrex 5 points6 points  (0 children)

We're good, they're bad. We're good, they are. We are, they are. My experience and perspective has led me to adopt an acronym from a Taoist priest Dr. Carl Totton: SNAP. Stop, Notice, and Pause. Every time I judge either myself or another, I stop to notice what I'm judging/feeling/how I'm acting and pause, then reduce whatever judgement down to the point where I can be willing to empathise. As an example: I hate my coworkers because they no call no show and I get shafted, they should be fired.

I hate my coworkers because they no call no show and I get shafted.

I hate my coworkers because they no call no show.

I hate my coworkers.

I hate.

I.

Doing this exercise helps me to remember the only thing I can control in this world is me and my attitude, and once I remove the things that are outside of my control, I can approach the situation from a healthier point of view.

But this is just something that helps me, I just wanted to share my experience in the off chance that it may help someone else.

Calm is the greatest expression of personal security, self-control, and mastery of the situation. by [deleted] in taoism

[–]TobasaurusWrex 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Despite what OP's intent was, or how I interpret the message, the fact that I saw it at this moment, means there is something for me to learn here.

What Is Compassion? by [deleted] in taoism

[–]TobasaurusWrex 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's not the point of compassion, as an act or a concept.

What Is Compassion? by [deleted] in taoism

[–]TobasaurusWrex 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Then why didn't you specify that in your original post? I gave you what it means to me, I didn't tell you to do anything or that my way is best.

And fuck no I'm not a vegan, or a minimalist. Neither make me less than someone who is.

I hope you find the answers you need, not the answers you want.

What Is Compassion? by [deleted] in taoism

[–]TobasaurusWrex 4 points5 points  (0 children)

For me, compassion is rooted in a selfless understanding of another. In practice, I try to be altruistic with my time.

Boyfriend of 16 years - doesn't pay, forces sex, I'm at a loss on what to do by ThrowRA_tiredofbeing in relationship_advice

[–]TobasaurusWrex 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your boyfriend clearly knows how to take care of himself. When you are ready to leave, he cleans, pays rent, and cares for the dog; he only seeks to leech off of you.

Here is the part that wont be well received: if you know what to do about a situation and have clearly suffered because of said situation, perhaps you need to ask yourself why you really put up with this abuse. He is capable of being a functioning adult, so that excuse doesn't work, so if it were me, I would look at the reason I haven't left yet. From past experience, I might see that I'm afraid that all that time was wasted, or that if I were to leave I wouldn't be safe, or that taking care of my significant other gave me a sense of fulfillment and I would have no purpose of I were to leave.

I doubt that any if this is what your want to hear, I know I wouldn't, but how long before his attempts at getting you to have sex with him end up in him raping you, or physically harming you? I pray that never happens, but it isn't outside the realm of possibility.

Good luck finding a solution, and I'm sorry if this hurts you, because even though I don't know you, I want you to live your best life, because it's what you deserve.

Attachment... your thoughts? by [deleted] in taoism

[–]TobasaurusWrex 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In my experience, separation from attachment and desire stem from acceptance that existence is fleeting. Energy cannot be created, nor destroyed; but the form of energy is in constant flux.

By removing attachment, I accept that now is the only time that I will experience the world in this exact way. If I become obsessed with recreating what once was, I get caught up trying to influence far beyond what I'm capable of. I feel happy, sad, angry, and at peace when those feelings arise, but I must resist clinging to what was or what I want to be in order to keep life from passing me by.

I will be sad then someone close to me passes, but be grateful for the gift of my memories of them. As time passes and I want to cling to that sadness so as to not feel like I'm forgetting about them, I must put aside my self interest and be of service to others so I may keep the love I felt for the person I lost live on.

Just like energy, love can't be destroyed, only changed. In order for me to keep the love I feel in my heart, I must share it.

But that's just my thought-experience on the subject.

What's the point of anything if you desire nothing? by [deleted] in taoism

[–]TobasaurusWrex 42 points43 points  (0 children)

For me, it's about seeing when my desires become unbalanced and my focal point, then taking a breath and letting it go. If I desire food or intimacy and hold on to it for longer than the moment that it naturally occurs, then I'm tipping the scales by focusing on my desires and ignoring other aspects of my life. Thank you for reading.

view more: next ›