Epicurus and Genuine Happiness
December 2, 2021
Epicurus’ analysis of happiness is one my mind returns to periodically. … More Epicurus and Genuine Happiness
Author: SeekerFive
When you feel so tired
October 11, 2021
When you feel so tired … More When you feel so tired
Observations on pain and spiritual growth
September 17, 2021
Recently I’ve been hearing people talk about how spiritual growth is not painless. This, I think, is a very good thing to be pointed out, a very good thing to be reminded of, a very good thing to consider somewhat regularly. The topic puts me in mind of certain other observations. One, that to walk … More Observations on pain and spiritual growth
We become so accustomed
September 12, 2021
We become so accustomed to speeding ahead, … More We become so accustomed
Question of the Day: No. 538
August 8, 2021
What would you do this week, if you weren’t afraid?
Do a little less (or not)
July 5, 2021
There’s such a push to do more. Don’t you think? It seems like we’re always being advised, persuaded, pushed, to do something more, something further. The advice is: add this other thing on top of all the things you already do. The subtext seems to be: you won’t be happy unless you add this (whatever … More Do a little less (or not)
Question of the Day: No. 532
June 12, 2021
What is one thing you appreciate about these face masks we’ve all been wearing? There’s been a lot of complaining of course, and now that mask mandates are being lifted where I live, there are lots of comments about how terrible the wearing masks is/was. A sense of relief is understandable. At the same time, … More Question of the Day: No. 532
True Self-Esteem 2
May 13, 2021
True, intrinsic self-esteem is extremely conducive to happiness. But self-esteem that is merely contingent, on the other hand, is not. Following up on a previous post, I want to share a few contrasts between true and contingent self-esteem. Gabor Mate identifies these in Scattered (see chapter 25). Contingent self-esteem… True self-esteem… evaluates accepts “is fickle, … More True Self-Esteem 2
a note on trauma
April 16, 2021
trauma is a still-unhealed wound, still carried within oneself traumatic event, or traumatizing event, is the thing that caused the trauma often ‘trauma’ is used to mean traumatizing event. this seems fine to me, so long as the meaning is understood. However, The distinction between trauma and traumatizing event is perhaps not widely understood or … More a note on trauma
True Self-Esteem
March 15, 2021
Not long ago, I read something about self-esteem that seems important to share. It’s a distinction between contingent and true self-esteem. Or rather, a distinction between self-esteem, and something that looks like self-esteem, but isn’t. Gabor Mate puts it like this: “Self-esteem based on achievement has been called contingent self-esteem or acquired self-esteem. Unlike contingent … More True Self-Esteem
Seeking an outside-of-life meaning as a category mistake
February 20, 2021
By SeekerFive A very nice comment by @kjensenstudio pushed me to enlarge upon what I meant by suggesting, in a previous post, that “life is the condition for meaning and meaningfulness, rather than something that needs a single, permanent, or predetermined meaning.” Although I attempted to do so in a long-winded reply, I also want … More Seeking an outside-of-life meaning as a category mistake
A condition for meaningfulness?
January 21, 2021
Recently, my teammate AP2 published a touching post about life’s meaning. A major point he sought to make was this: “our lives hold as much meaning as we give them” which he connects with the danger of losing a sense of meaningfulness, the danger of getting swallowed up by a personal existential nihilism, of becoming … More A condition for meaningfulness?
An atheist praying?
January 14, 2021
Sometimes I remember a writer, I can’t recall who, describing a friend who though atheist, sometimes goes into a church and prays. The writer had noticed this about his friend and was perplexed: How, or why, is he praying, if he does not believe in a god to pray to? His friend explained that although … More An atheist praying?
What can you get out of all that fear?
November 20, 2020
Most of the world, it seems, has experienced a great deal of fear during this past year. I’m not thinking primarily of the recent U.S. election or the current U.S. presidential transition. There had already been enough fear to write this post after a month or two of pandemic-occasioned “lock down.” Timelines differ around the … More What can you get out of all that fear?
Your thoughts please: What’s an example of doing the right thing gladly?
February 6, 2020
How would you illustrate what it means to do a good thing gladly and with pleasure, as distinguished from doing the same thing with reluctance, pain, and a sense of loss? … More Your thoughts please: What’s an example of doing the right thing gladly?
Your thoughts please: What are the most important personal qualities?
January 30, 2020
Obviously technical skills are important in life. But it’s other qualities that make you a good person, a good human being. Someone, in other words, who leads a good life. Does the question seem random? In fact, it’s intrinsically connected with the pursuit of humane and skillful wisdom. I’ll follow up on this question in … More Your thoughts please: What are the most important personal qualities?
More thoughts on destiny…
December 20, 2019
A few days ago, Bogdan brought up destiny in one of his posts, which got me thinking more about this notion. It often seems, or at least is presented as, mysterious. But on reflection, the basic concept itself was fairly straightforward. One’s destin-y is one’s eventual destin-ation. It’s where you’ll arrive, the place you’ll end … More More thoughts on destiny…
Your thoughts please: Is there anything completely within your own power?
October 24, 2019
Anything fully up to you. Dependent only on you. Entirely within your own control? A little context: When walking the Stoic path (one form of philosophy as an art of living), people often seek to distinguish what’s within their own power and what isn’t. This sets the stage for acceptance of what is not, and … More Your thoughts please: Is there anything completely within your own power?
The Failing Master and Success
October 5, 2019
You may have noticed a certain internet meme featuring Yoda and this pithy saying: The difference between a master and a beginner is that the master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried. I think there’s a lot to this, and it’s had me thinking about failure and success. Of course there’s … More The Failing Master and Success