Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

heskey30 t1_jatqgpt wrote

On the contrary, it's only natural that impermanent beings would be attached to impermanent things and ideas. I think the most mentally healthy people I know don't consider eternity or the impermanence of everything very often.

60

TheRoadsMustRoll t1_jatszpy wrote

>...it's only natural that impermanent beings would be attached to impermanent things and ideas.

that's true but wasn't germane to what was being quoted.

​

>...the attachment to something impermanent and untrue must cause suffering. Jay Garfield

i.e. i love my car and i have no apologies to make about it. its a material object and it is decaying and it will eventually rust and dissolve and that will make me sad. recognizing in advance that the impermanence of materialism always leads to suffering is what allows me some enlightenment and foresight.

if i were ever interested in something less painful i might consider looking beyond my material world. for a christian that might mean delving into the lessons of the bible or a Buddhist might focus on some meditations. that's the point; to simply be aware of reality.

38

Doobledorf t1_jatz4vn wrote

Exactly this. It isn't saying "don't be sad that your car will someday not be here." Instead, it's that the sadness you experience will be easier to deal with rather than the sadness caused by the loss AND clinging to what you no longer have.

26

Bakemono30 t1_jaxex7d wrote

In other words, a shift in perspective. Both are not changing the fact that the car will die, but the fact that one’s perspective towards that event is key to finding oneself.

I may have to look further into this… I feel like my perspectives in my life need some serious retuning. Thank you!

3

Doobledorf t1_jaxg271 wrote

Of course! I found the idea of "dropping the second arrow" to be really helpful, if you're interested in some reading. I think it's a Buddhist concept?

3

Bakemono30 t1_jaxg724 wrote

Cool! I will definitely check it out! Thanks again!

1

CableTrash t1_jautyph wrote

Nah I think about that shit all the time and I’m perfectly menta…… oh wait

9

Eruptflail t1_javn001 wrote

Ignorance is bliss one might say. I do disagree with the anecdote, though. I think that the people who are the most mentally healthy are those who have done the mental work and have moved past it. They're not going to get hit with an existential crisis when they actually come to terms with their mortality when they hit 35.

People may seem mentally healthy until they suddenly aren't. It's not until you've danced in the void that you're truly healthy.

6

manjar t1_javzobe wrote

And also natural that this causes suffering. There's lots of suffering.

1