Wednesday, September 01, 2004
On this day:
About Contentment
Quote of the Day:
Today's quote was contributed by Chris sometime ago. It has recently directed my thoughts along these lines.
What does it mean to be content, to feel content? What does the word itself mean? Dictionary term: not desiring more than what one has; satisfied. Resigned to circumstances, assenting.
There seem to be an angst toward this word in our culture. Does fear of contentment actually create the very anxiety we have? The need to always reach for the moon? The need to always be ahead of every country or perish? Doesn't this breed paranoia?
The western civilization sees contentment as an undesirable thing. We see it as no progress, as being idle at one place, no growth, stagnant, emptiness. Onward and upward, right? We are not merely satisfied with the things we have. I'm not advocating that this is all bad. Many technological advances are possible because we are always pushing the envelope. Many theories are challenged because we are always searching and questioning. But we must also question what are the consequences. We are forever chasing a loftier goal, a greater, better objective. We don't seem to have the time and the luxury to pause and ponder.
Rollo May wrote in The Significance of the Pause: There seems to be no pause in technology. Or when there is, it is called a "depression" and is denied and feared. But pure science is a different matter. Albert Einstein remarks that "the intervals between the events are more significant than the events themselves." Pause is the prerequisite for wonder. When we don't pause, when we are perpetually hurrying from one appointment to another, from one "planned activity" to another, we sacrifice the richness of wonder. And we lose communication with our destiny.
The eastern civilization preaches the beauty of just be. It advocates unity in the community and the greater society. The teaching of Lao Tsu in his Tao Te Ching preaches simplicity. "Profit comes from what is there, Usefulness from what is not there.
Lao Tsu says,
During meditation, the nature within ourselves find unity with the nature of the earth. Their luxury to pause perhaps feeds their souls instead of their desires.
Yes, the western civilization is the modern civilization. We have better living standard. We have many technological advances that simplifies our lives. But does it really simplify? Or does it really limit us? Ever feel how useless everything is during a black-out? Or perhaps it just makes our lives easier? But does it enrich our lives? The eastern civilization lives in a harsher environment than we do, but they find the beauty in the simplicity. They find that the quality of life not the quantity of life is the difference. So, with all these achievements in the modern world, we are feeding our desires. But are we starving our souls at the same time?
The problem I see is that we tend to act self-centered instead of thinking we are part of this global community, so we take. We tend to live in the physical world rather than think of our beings along the spiritual world, so we want.
Contentment regarding clothes: "It is a mistake to think that it is really worthwhile to spend more on food, clothing, and adornments just because you have more money. Rather, spend more on health and education for poor people. This is not forced socialism but voluntary compassion."
Contentment regarding shelter: "Also it is essential for monastics to be satisfied with adequate shelter. An elaborate home is not allowed." "Lay people can adapt this practice by reducing the neverending quest for a better home and for the furniture and decorations in it."
How to Practice: The Way to a Meaningful Life, Dalai Lama
Today's quote was contributed by Chris sometime ago. It has recently directed my thoughts along these lines.
What does it mean to be content, to feel content? What does the word itself mean? Dictionary term: not desiring more than what one has; satisfied. Resigned to circumstances, assenting.
There seem to be an angst toward this word in our culture. Does fear of contentment actually create the very anxiety we have? The need to always reach for the moon? The need to always be ahead of every country or perish? Doesn't this breed paranoia?
The western civilization sees contentment as an undesirable thing. We see it as no progress, as being idle at one place, no growth, stagnant, emptiness. Onward and upward, right? We are not merely satisfied with the things we have. I'm not advocating that this is all bad. Many technological advances are possible because we are always pushing the envelope. Many theories are challenged because we are always searching and questioning. But we must also question what are the consequences. We are forever chasing a loftier goal, a greater, better objective. We don't seem to have the time and the luxury to pause and ponder.
Rollo May wrote in The Significance of the Pause: There seems to be no pause in technology. Or when there is, it is called a "depression" and is denied and feared. But pure science is a different matter. Albert Einstein remarks that "the intervals between the events are more significant than the events themselves." Pause is the prerequisite for wonder. When we don't pause, when we are perpetually hurrying from one appointment to another, from one "planned activity" to another, we sacrifice the richness of wonder. And we lose communication with our destiny.
The eastern civilization preaches the beauty of just be. It advocates unity in the community and the greater society. The teaching of Lao Tsu in his Tao Te Ching preaches simplicity. "Profit comes from what is there, Usefulness from what is not there.
Lao Tsu says,
We put thirty spokes to make a wheel;
But it is on the hole in the center that the use of the cart hinges.
We make a vessel from a lump of clay;
But it is the empty space within the vessel that makes it useful.
We make doors and windows for a room;
But it is the empty spaces that make a room livable.
Thus, while existence has advantages,
It is the emptiness that makes it useful.
During meditation, the nature within ourselves find unity with the nature of the earth. Their luxury to pause perhaps feeds their souls instead of their desires.
Yes, the western civilization is the modern civilization. We have better living standard. We have many technological advances that simplifies our lives. But does it really simplify? Or does it really limit us? Ever feel how useless everything is during a black-out? Or perhaps it just makes our lives easier? But does it enrich our lives? The eastern civilization lives in a harsher environment than we do, but they find the beauty in the simplicity. They find that the quality of life not the quantity of life is the difference. So, with all these achievements in the modern world, we are feeding our desires. But are we starving our souls at the same time?
The problem I see is that we tend to act self-centered instead of thinking we are part of this global community, so we take. We tend to live in the physical world rather than think of our beings along the spiritual world, so we want.
