Attachments - The Oliver Lang theory

[oliverlang]

lol...oliver lang theory.

There is nothing wrong with appreciating what you have when you have it. The important thing is to understand the concept of impermanence. Everything is going to go away sooner or later, so when it's gone just accept that it was only a material possession and let it go. Whether it goes away now, or two months from now it doesn't matter. It's going to go away eventually. Besides, something will come along and replace it. Soon, your Blackberry will be fixed and everything will be back to "normal." In the meantime, there is no point in stressing it. Stressing it isn't going to magically make your Blackberry start working again. Just accept it and appreciate the freedom of being away from it until it's fixed. Find the positive in every situation. Besides, iphone > blackberry anyway. lol.

 

[Hyde Parke]

Imo,knowledge can be helpful and a hindrance at the same time. You will have no problem letting something go, when you realize it is not yours to begin with.

 

[oliverlang]

Imo,knowledge can be helpful and a hindrance at the same time. You will have no problem letting something go, when you realize it is not yours to begin with.

attachments to "knowledge," ideas, words, and concepts are equally devastating and creates just as much suffering as attachments to material possessions. I was reading the Tao of Pooh last night and what you are saying reminded me of something in the last chapter:

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

In the morning sunshine, in the evening twilight, a small Bear travels through a Forest. Why did we follow him when we were so much younger? He is, after all, only a Bear of Little Brain. But is Brain all that important? Is it really Brain that takes us where we need to go? Or is it all too often Brain that sends us off in the wrong direction, following the echo of the wind in the treetops, which we think is real, rather than listening to the voice within us that tells us which way to turn?

A Brain can do all kinds of things, but the things that it can do are not the most important things. Abstract cleverness of mind only separates the thinker from the world of reality, and that world, the Forest of Real Life, is in a desperate condition now because of too many who think too much and care too little. In spite of what many minds have thought themselves into believing, that mistake cannot continue for much longer if everything is going to survive. The one chance we have to avoid certain disaster is to change our approach, and to learn to value wisdom and contentment. These are the things that are being searched for anyway, through Knowledge and Cleverness, but they do not come from Knowledge and Cleverness. They never have, and they never will. We can no longer afford to look so desperately hard for something in the wrong way and in the wrong place. If Knowledge and Cleverness are allowed to go on wrecking things, they will before much longer destroy all life on earth as we know it, and what little may temporarily survive will not be worth looking at, even if it would somehow be possible for us to do so.

The masters of life know the Way, for they listen to the voice within them, the voice of wisdom and simplicity, the voice that reasons beyond Cleverness and knows beyond Knowledge. That voice is not just the power and property of a few, but has been given to everyone. Those who pay attention to it are too often treated as exceptions to a rule, rather than as examples of the rule of operation, a rule that can apply to anyone who makes use of it.

Within each of us there is an Owl, a Rabbit, an Eeyore, and a Pooh. For too long, we have chosen the way of Owl and Rabbit. Now, like Eeyore, we complain about the results. But that accomplishes nothing. If we are smart, we will choose the way of Pooh. As if from far away, it calls to us with the voice of a child's mind. It may be hard to hear at times, but it is important just the same, because without it, we will never find our way through the Forest.

To know the Way,

We go the way;

We do the way,

The way we do

The things we do.

It's all there in front of you,

But if you try too hard to see it,

You'll only become Confused.

I am me,

And you are you,

As you can see;

But when you do

The things that you can do,

You will find the Way,

And the Way will follow you.

- The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff

 

[Skeratch]

Hmm, very interesting ideas here.

 

[And Step]

attachments to "knowledge," ideas, words, and concepts are equally devastating and creates just as much suffering as attachments to material possessions. I was reading the Tao of Pooh last night and what you are saying reminded me of something in the last chapter:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

In the morning sunshine, in the evening twilight, a small Bear travels through a Forest. Why did we follow him when we were so much younger? He is, after all, only a Bear of Little Brain. But is Brain all that important? Is it really Brain that takes us where we need to go? Or is it all too often Brain that sends us off in the wrong direction, following the echo of the wind in the treetops, which we think is real, rather than listening to the voice within us that tells us which way to turn?

A Brain can do all kinds of things, but the things that it can do are not the most important things. Abstract cleverness of mind only separates the thinker from the world of reality, and that world, the Forest of Real Life, is in a desperate condition now because of too many who think too much and care too little. In spite of what many minds have thought themselves into believing, that mistake cannot continue for much longer if everything is going to survive. The one chance we have to avoid certain disaster is to change our approach, and to learn to value wisdom and contentment. These are the things that are being searched for anyway, through Knowledge and Cleverness, but they do not come from Knowledge and Cleverness. They never have, and they never will. We can no longer afford to look so desperately hard for something in the wrong way and in the wrong place. If Knowledge and Cleverness are allowed to go on wrecking things, they will before much longer destroy all life on earth as we know it, and what little may temporarily survive will not be worth looking at, even if it would somehow be possible for us to do so.

The masters of life know the Way, for they listen to the voice within them, the voice of wisdom and simplicity, the voice that reasons beyond Cleverness and knows beyond Knowledge. That voice is not just the power and property of a few, but has been given to everyone. Those who pay attention to it are too often treated as exceptions to a rule, rather than as examples of the rule of operation, a rule that can apply to anyone who makes use of it.

Within each of us there is an Owl, a Rabbit, an Eeyore, and a Pooh. For too long, we have chosen the way of Owl and Rabbit. Now, like Eeyore, we complain about the results. But that accomplishes nothing. If we are smart, we will choose the way of Pooh. As if from far away, it calls to us with the voice of a child's mind. It may be hard to hear at times, but it is important just the same, because without it, we will never find our way through the Forest.

To know the Way,
We go the way;
We do the way,
The way we do
The things we do.
It's all there in front of you,
But if you try too hard to see it,
You'll only become Confused.

I am me,
And you are you,
As you can see;
But when you do
The things that you can do,
You will find the Way,
And the Way will follow you.

- The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff

Not feeling all of that but, I will say that knowledge is not devastating in and of itself because, knowledge is infinite. But Old knowledge or What you held onto yesterday that may not be sufficient for today is, but knowledge itself is what advances human beings and civilization.

Interesting though, Olang why did you put knowledge in quotes?

And uh, eff a Iphone.

 

[And Step]

And I asked for personal testimonies my dudes.

Don't be stingy with the self. Let go of the ego and attachments of self.

I learned that from Olang......Not really but.....

 

[BiblicalAtheist]

What if people don't have extreme conditions they got through just minor ones?

 

[Hyde Parke]

attachments to "knowledge," ideas, words, and concepts are equally devastating and creates just as much suffering as attachments to material possessions. I was reading the Tao of Pooh last night and what you are saying reminded me of something in the last chapter:

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

In the morning sunshine, in the evening twilight, a small Bear travels through a Forest. Why did we follow him when we were so much younger? He is, after all, only a Bear of Little Brain. But is Brain all that important? Is it really Brain that takes us where we need to go? Or is it all too often Brain that sends us off in the wrong direction, following the echo of the wind in the treetops, which we think is real, rather than listening to the voice within us that tells us which way to turn?

A Brain can do all kinds of things, but the things that it can do are not the most important things. Abstract cleverness of mind only separates the thinker from the world of reality, and that world, the Forest of Real Life, is in a desperate condition now because of too many who think too much and care too little. In spite of what many minds have thought themselves into believing, that mistake cannot continue for much longer if everything is going to survive. The one chance we have to avoid certain disaster is to change our approach, and to learn to value wisdom and contentment. These are the things that are being searched for anyway, through Knowledge and Cleverness, but they do not come from Knowledge and Cleverness. They never have, and they never will. We can no longer afford to look so desperately hard for something in the wrong way and in the wrong place. If Knowledge and Cleverness are allowed to go on wrecking things, they will before much longer destroy all life on earth as we know it, and what little may temporarily survive will not be worth looking at, even if it would somehow be possible for us to do so.

The masters of life know the Way, for they listen to the voice within them, the voice of wisdom and simplicity, the voice that reasons beyond Cleverness and knows beyond Knowledge. That voice is not just the power and property of a few, but has been given to everyone. Those who pay attention to it are too often treated as exceptions to a rule, rather than as examples of the rule of operation, a rule that can apply to anyone who makes use of it.

Within each of us there is an Owl, a Rabbit, an Eeyore, and a Pooh. For too long, we have chosen the way of Owl and Rabbit. Now, like Eeyore, we complain about the results. But that accomplishes nothing. If we are smart, we will choose the way of Pooh. As if from far away, it calls to us with the voice of a child's mind. It may be hard to hear at times, but it is important just the same, because without it, we will never find our way through the Forest.

To know the Way,

We go the way;

We do the way,

The way we do

The things we do.

It's all there in front of you,

But if you try too hard to see it,

You'll only become Confused.

I am me,

And you are you,

As you can see;

But when you do

The things that you can do,

You will find the Way,

And the Way will follow you.

- The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff

^^^^yes, all truth in there.

It is very difficult question to answer, because that not only involves thought, which is of the past, and is limited. There is no method or system to follow. The closest we can come upon it, i think is by observation without analysis, or opinions. To observe without interference. Interference with observation, limits the perception, and the thing observed is no longer the thing, you have changed the dynamics of it because thought has been added to it. Thinking or thought cannot rid you of attachments, that IS attachment.

 

[oliverlang]

Interesting though, Olang why did you put knowledge in quotes?

Because it's subjective. People can claim something as knowledge and be completely wrong, or they can claim they are droppin' crazy knowledge and it's common sense. Anyway you look at it, it's subjective.

 

[And Step]

Imo,knowledge can be helpful and a hindrance at the same time. You will have no problem letting something go, when you realize it is not yours to begin with.

Yeah, we just have to maintain that attitude constantly, but it is so hard when you are use to the presence of things that help make your life more comfortable and productive, and joyful. I.E family, friends, children, and material comforts.

I look at my daughter and remind myself, that she does not belong to me. That shit is hard when they look in your face and smile.

 

[Skeratch]

The most extreme stress I went through is personal.

I dealt with it by having a close friend who was there for me, leaning on my family for support, and always having hope and optimism about the future.

 

[oliverlang]

^^^^yes, all truth in there.

It is very difficult question to answer, because that not only involves thought, which is of the past, and is limited. There is no method or system to follow. The closest we can come upon it, i think is by observation without analysis, or opinions. To observe without interference. Interference with observation, limits the perception, and the thing observed is no longer the thing, you have changed the dynamics of it because thought has been added to it. Thinking or thought cannot rid you of attachments, that IS attachment.

Word. Really to see things as they truly are without, as you said, analysis, opinions, and preconceived thoughts. There is a Zen monk named Seung Sahn who talks a lot about these attachments to thought, concepts, and words. He suggests the best way is to keep a "Don't Know Mind."

 

[And Step]

Because it's subjective. People can claim something as knowledge and be completely wrong, or they can claim they are droppin' crazy knowledge and it's common sense. Anyway you look at it, it's subjective.

It's subjective, It's subjective, It's subjective. Ok to you is there anything that is not subjective? Besides the need for air and vaginal tract.

LOL, at crazy knowledge, though. Oswald Bates, ha ha.

 

[Hyde Parke]

Yeah, we just have to maintain that attitude constantly, but it is so hard when you are use to the presence of things that help make your life more comfortable and productive, and joyful. I.E family, friends, children, and material comforts.

I look at my daughter and remind myself, that she does not belong to me. That shit is hard when they look in your face and smile.

And that is a difficult, very difficult thing to deal with on the inner,yet we know this life is temporary. We see death as something not near, but far in the future, and that is an illusion. The fact is we die everyday. We have to understand, really understand that. It was not an easy lesson for me to learn.

 

[oliverlang]

Yeah, we just have to maintain that attitude constantly, but it is so hard when you are use to the presence of things that help make your life more comfortable and productive, and joyful. I.E family, friends, children, and material comforts.

But, the comfort and joy that you think you are experiencing is an illusion IF you have an attachment to it because once it's gone, you are lost, distraught, and depressed. Real comfort and pleasure comes when you let go of your attachments, then you will be truly free.

 

[Hyde Parke]

Word. Really to see things as they truly are with out, as you said, analysis, opinions, and preconceived thoughts. There is a Zen monk named Seung Sahn who talks a lot about these attachments to thought, concepts, and words. He suggests the best way is to keep a "Don't Know Mind."

Gotta check him out, had not heard of Benjamin Hoff or this Zen monk. props.

 

[oliverlang]

It's subjective, It's subjective, It's subjective. Ok to you is there anything that is not subjective? Besides the need for air and vaginal tract.

LOL, at crazy knowledge, though. Oswald Bates, ha ha.

lol.......................

[video=youtube;O7dPprbzNSc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7dPprbzNSc[/video]

 

[And Step]

But, the comfort and joy that you think you are experiencing is an illusion IF you have an attachment to it because once it's gone, you are lost, distraught, and depressed. Real comfort and pleasure comes when you let go of your attachments, then you will be truly free.

Not really, the comfort and joy I get is appreciation for the human being that was made unique like I was. I didn't say I was lost, distraught, or depressed. I said it was hard. Grief and pain is a natural part of the healing process of a human being. Certain things unpleasant, you embrace so you can get through it. Those things if left unchecked and ignored can lead to apathy and walking death.

We are human beings with feeling for a reason. They are natural, to try to act like they don't exist stops the growth,development, and love for humanity. Some people take this non attachment thing too far and it leads to extreme disconnect of family and social structure. Sociopaths are this way.

Extreme attachment and Extreme detachment are no good and ultimately undermine the goal of what they both try to accomplish.

 

[oliverlang]

Not really, the comfort and joy I get is appreciation for the human being that was made unique like I was. I didn't say I was lost, distraught, or depressed. I said it was hard. Grief and pain is a natural part of the healing process of a human being. Certain things unpleasant, you embrace so you can get through it. Those things if left unchecked and ignored can lead to apathy and walking death.

We are human beings with feeling for a reason. They are natural, to try to act like they don't exist stops the growth,development, and love for humanity. Some people take this non attachment thing too far and it leads to extreme disconnect of family and social structure. Sociopaths are this way.

Extreme attachment and Extreme detachment are no good and ultimately undermine the goal of what they both try to accomplish.

i agree, extreme anything can be bad, and it's better to take the middle road. My position is that you can be compassionate and caring, and at the same time not have an attachment to something because you KNOW it will eventually go away. That is the difference. You can live in the moment, just know that the moment is ever changing. It's not so much about how you act WITH the item, but how you behave to keep it and when it's gone.

 

[Skeratch]

Not really, the comfort and joy I get is appreciation for the human being that was made unique like I was. I didn't say I was lost, distraught, or depressed. I said it was hard. Grief and pain is a natural part of the healing process of a human being. Certain things unpleasant, you embrace so you can get through it. Those things if left unchecked and ignored can lead to apathy and walking death.

We are human beings with feeling for a reason. They are natural, to try to act like they don't exist stops the growth,development, and love for humanity. Some people take this non attachment thing too far and it leads to extreme disconnect of family and social structure. Sociopaths are this way.

Extreme attachment and Extreme detachment are no good and ultimately undermine the goal of what they both try to accomplish.

Wise words.