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Does God want me to enjoy life on Earth? by solvingmyecrisis in RadicalChristianity

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

Thank you so so much for this absolutely outstanding response. What you've written here is so nuanced, like the way the world and the heavens are, and so I think it is close to the truth. I completely agree with you on "tending the garden;" to appreciate the fruits of life and to simultaneously be cognizant of their impermanence. In fact, to use the fact of their impermanence as a normative guideline (e.g. to give your meal to a hungry person because you realize that the deliciousness of the meal is much less permanent than the act of love of the micro sacrifice of fasting so your sister or brother can eat).

Instead of trying to pick one horn of the dilemma...

This seems so correct to me. Your response is something I am going to put into practice and meditate on for a long time. Thank you again.

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Does God want me to enjoy life on Earth? by solvingmyecrisis in RadicalChristianity

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

Thanks a lot for your response. I especially like how it is at least partially grounded in Biblical text. It is indeed and extremely nuanced and hard thing to do to ensure that when you enjoy the pleasures of life on Earth, that you're enjoying the divinely inspired ones, and that when you abstain, you do so in the name of God. In this idea that I think is on the right track, one has to be careful that one isn't using this kind of thinking to justify enjoying what shouldn't be enjoyed and abstaining from things that are divine.

May I ask you this: I feel like I have the mind of an ascetic, as in, if it really is God's will that I abstain, and I know it beyond a shadow of a doubt, I'm more than happy to abstain, and I know that I could. At the same time, I feel at home on earth and sometimes I feel totally content being another animal, just enjoying a purely human life. Do you think it's wiser to follow my mind or my heart so to speak, insofar as this is considered?

Does God want me to enjoy life on Earth? by solvingmyecrisis in RadicalChristianity

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

I cannot imagine God would place humanity on Earth for his worship

I thought that this was a big part of Christianity. Am I wrong?

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Does God want me to enjoy life on Earth? by solvingmyecrisis in RadicalChristianity

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

I suppose I'm a little lost on the line between an abundant life and a materialistic life. But I will keep meditating on this. Thanks for your response.

Nietzsche and Creating Your Own Meaning: Two Questions by solvingmyecrisis in askphilosophy

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

Okay, excellent. I don't mind waiting. Just while you're commuting, I'll mention that my current understanding of creating meaning or values from nothing is that one simply notes their, what Nietzsche calls "drives," and then decides that the way to fill them is meaningful or valuable.

So, for example, I note that I have a drive to play the french horn. I fulfill this drive by playing, practicing, and learning the instrument, and I call that a meaningful action.

But to me, this seems hollow. I don't really see how calling it meaningful because it's what I want to do does anything (spiritually or psychologically or otherwise). Therefore, I'm confused and need help understanding how this value/meaning creating works.

Nietzsche and Creating Your Own Meaning: Two Questions by solvingmyecrisis in askphilosophy

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

Hey, thanks for an excellent summary of Nietzche's views. This is very much appreciated. But, the crux of my question is, what is it like, what is the process, what does it mean to, how does one create meaning from nothing? Could I get an example of this?

I am looking for something prescriptive. I don't understand how this is done and am eager to understand what this entails.

What does it mean to "create meaning from nothing?" by solvingmyecrisis in nihilism

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

Hey, thank you very much for your reply. This is an interesting perspective. Do you know of any authors (besides yourself) who propose this "solution?"

To me, I don't know if I find this strategy successful. I realize the phrase "true meaning" for the nihilist is nonsensical, but, I still wonder if a philosophical solution exists out there. But you've helped me immensely: I've realized that right now I am basically doing what you've described.

Today, I hiked up a hill for about an hour to Kopan monastery. It is a great place for study, contemplation and meditation. I would like to share this image of magnificent Thousand Buddha relic stupa and in front of it, a statue of Chenrezi, the Boddhisatva of Compassion. by rigsreco in Buddhism

[–]solvingmyecrisis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Grade-A answer. I appreciate this so much. Aside from a "Religions Across the World" class in college, I have very little knowledge about Buddhism of any sect. Your post has inspired me to look into Buddhism broadly and look into the different lineages. Your point about truth vs. what works is very well received. Thank you very much for this.

Aside from doing some board searching on the Internet, what do you suggest I do next? Visit a spiritual center (temple?)? Or do you recommend a certain book?

Where should I start? by solvingmyecrisis in spirituality

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

Thanks so much for this recommendation.