tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post5560425602273810428..comments2024-03-07T14:43:21.888-08:00Comments on Whatever I want to write about: This too shall pass--this material life, that isSriram Khéhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06907731254833435446noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post-81380056973773135682015-01-25T21:36:03.515-08:002015-01-25T21:36:03.515-08:00"Perhaps things are mere tools, useful for ac..."Perhaps things are mere tools, useful for achieving appreciation of the here and now, but not to be valued in themselves."<br />Yes, that is no different from what I believe in, and what I have attempted to get across in the post as well.<br /><br />"Nothing really matters" as in at the end of it all, well, nothing really matters. Perhaps the strong statement easily appeals to this atheist, and might not convince believers of any faith. By writing that life is a fleeting illusion, I was consciously channeling the Hindu vedanta of "Maya," which too I have always found to be appealing--especially when I hear string theory folks spin those stories (without all the math) about the universe.Sriram Khéhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06724218458246880137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post-4351170909446587432015-01-25T20:21:55.927-08:002015-01-25T20:21:55.927-08:00"Nothing really matters." I do not enti..."Nothing really matters." I do not entirely agree. If we deconstruct to "No thing really matters," I would agree. You do not mention relationships. Things help to advance relationships - homes in which to host our friends, cars in which to take adventures, etc. Perhaps things are mere tools, useful for achieving appreciation of the here and now, but not to be valued in themselves.<br /><br />Ramesh, as one ignorant in Indian scripture, I am curious about the stages. Can they not overlap? Can't one be a student all one's life? I would hope so, as I learn more as I get older and meet new people and have more experiences - and particularly as I realize how little I actually know!<br />Anne in Salemnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post-73136699923818513312015-01-25T08:02:48.096-08:002015-01-25T08:02:48.096-08:00I don't believe that it is a one or the other,...I don't believe that it is a one or the other, as in enjoying materials versus complete detachment. In my interpretation, that is the very point that the Buddha made--he gave up the life of luxury as a prince and swung to the other extreme of extreme abnegation and detachment from everyday existence, and then concluded that the middle way of the here and the now is the path towards enlightenment. We live attached to people, yet realizing that people die. We cherish the phones and art and everything else, yet understanding that these are mere things ...<br /><br />That old stages of life concept is screwed up--any formula like that is bound to be screwed up. That is a mere guideline that says learning (studenthood) is how the process begins. To wait until sanyasa is like people working like crazy all the while saying that once they retire, they will then have all the time and money to travel--and then they find out that they are too old and frail to travel, and all the money they have doesn't do any damn thing.Sriram Khéhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06724218458246880137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post-26497622665743771782015-01-25T00:16:57.813-08:002015-01-25T00:16:57.813-08:00Well, the purpose of life is one of the great phil...Well, the purpose of life is one of the great philosophical quandaries. Who knows ?<br /><br />But I wouldn't dismiss something because its fleeting or momentary. Material possessions do have a place in life. Exclusive focus on it is of course inappropriate as would complete detachment, I believe. They are to be enjoyed when they ought to be. <br /><br />The Indian scriptures had a concept (which you wouldn't relate to, I know). The four phases of life - Brahmacharya (student), Grihastha (householder), Vanaprastha (retired) and Sanyasa (renunciation). Each ought to be done at the appropriate time. As I haven't reached the age of Sanyasa, I shall not dwell more on such existential questions :):)Rameshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11782192840421019943noreply@blogger.com