"Just stop being sad!"
If only it was that easy...
this post was submitted on 14 Nov 2024
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It is
“Just stop being ~~sad~~!”
There, fixed
Buddhism teaches that wanting causes suffering. Happiness can be achieved when we stop wanting and start existing as we are.
The comic punchline is that by getting rid of "want" then all we are left with is happiness.
I ~~want to~~ eat
I ~~want to~~ have shelter
You know... I don't think it really works for all things.
Those things aren't emotional states.
No, but they do have an effect on emotional states.
Food and shelter are the basic need for survival, what Buddhism teaches about is the life after survival, which is far longer for humans than any other animal on earth, because of their high intelligence.
If it were so easy as the comic suggests to rid ourselves of desire, we'd all be in nirvana already.
Almost a direct quote from Siddhartha Gautama except he was making fun of the people who thought the whole ritual was shaving your head and wearing a robe.
Funny how someone will always be around to claim it's as easy as just doing it. While likely not even achieving it themselves. Humans really never change.
I mean, it is the central precept.
The precept is that stress stems from attachment to things. Thus, if you let go of attachment to a state, then you have less stress when it isn't there.
Suffering, which is what the idea gets translated to despite it being more along the lines of distress or stress or upset, is an internal thing in that concept. We can't control the world around us entirely, so there's no easy to go through life without some degree of "suffering".
When we cling to things that are transient, such as happiness or even sadness, we are certain to have additional stresses above and beyond the bad things life throws at us.
Since it is nearly impossible to actually hold a single state of being such as happiness, the way you avoid distress at its absence is by accepting that transience is the only truly permanent thing, and finding a way to let go of the "desire" to have that state. This extends to things other than emotions, since material or worldly things are most definitely something we cling to, that we have attachment to.
However, and this is very very important, there is no claim in any of that, that doing so is going to cure depression or anxiety. It can help in dealing with such things, but it would only be one tool to use. And nobody has ever said that using that tool doesn't take practice or that it's instantaneous.
You don't just think "hah, I will not cling to this" and magically enter remission of depression. It takes the same level of time and work as talk therapy. You have to practice with the tools that help gain the ability to let go of attachments.
That's why this comic isn't a literal thing, it's only a demonstration of the principle. And, it is important to notice that the person on the bench needs help to let go of the attachment to happiness. Just like we all need help to escape depression or other psychological distress. It isn't suggesting that it's simple, or easy, just that it can be done.
And, yes, I've dealt with depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Have for my entire life so far, and still do. But the tools in the concept presented here do help. They help a lot. When you combine the acceptance of that concept with good meditation practices, good therapy, and a willingness to explore other tools as they come around, it makes a huge difference over time.
You don't even have to be Buddhist, or practice Buddhism to make use of the tools. It isn't really important to follow the other precepts of Buddhism, the eightfold path stuff. You just need to recognize that nothing is permanent, and that letting go of attachment to things will help.
this is why I have more been thinking of it in terms of acceptance.
Yeah, I feel that. If we accept things as they come, and accept when they leave, even the bad things are less bad because we know they'll leave, and we can work on letting them go easier.
This, too, shall pass. It's been one of my mantras for the longest times. The things that make you happy will fade, so cherish them while they're there. The things that make you sad will fade, so keep going through, one day will be easier.
Thanks, I'm cured.
Looks like the monk confused happiness with being content.
Slick.
Wow it hasn't even been that long since the last repost of this in here.
Seems like blissful ignorance to me.
I'd love for people to explain to me how being happy despite the current state of the world is anything less than cognitive dissonance.
You're either miserable or living in a false reality.
They can't. If you're rational, empathic and honest, you're going to be upset at the state of the world. You can try distract yourself, or make small impacts, but you can't make a significant difference.
I still have people to love and things to appreciate. I know that civilization is pretty fucked right now, and I can't say for sure there's an other side to this tunnel we're barreling down, but that makes it all the more imperative that I don't take the good for granted. Despair and happiness are choices.