Monday, February 25, 2013
Loss of Self in Buddhism
I believe that there is something beneficial in the Buddhist teaching that in removing fear of death (or non-being) that humans can then be free to attain ultimate happiness. I also understand the idea of removing conventional, distracting perceptions that only hinder this path towards happiness. However to me it kind of seems like in believing one's self just another object in eternalism (or the wave-like cycle of birth and death or manifestation) one loses a sense of SELF. Why then act with any moral principles? In the deepest life of mediation why do people feel compelled to love others as beings if they are merely temporary manifestations of life?
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ReplyDeleteWell, this can be answered from an objective as well as subjective standpoint. Objectively, research has proven that long time meditators put under an EEG and asked to feel compassion for a fellow human being, show more than twice the brain activity than a non-meditator. Subjectively, when someone loses their sense of self, they literally feel they are One with the being across from them. Since everything is me, how can I not love you as I love myself. Oh, and third, meditation trains a line of awarness within the mind that allows an individual constant awareness of their thoughts and emotions. Thus, people who meditate regularly more often practice the type of virtue ethics that Aristotle purports. I, for example, practice imagining situations where I am giving love to others(I actually use abook written by the Dalai Lama, for example he asks you to imagine a small child crying, and then imagine you are comforting that child, or something along those lines), and through the practice, I am strengthening the neuronal pathways known for compassion and love, while weakening those pathways related to hate. I practice love; and practice makes perfect in anything. But, I know what you mean, to an extent. Everything is a temporary manifestation, but I don't see how it being temporary changes the love I practice for another, nor the fact that people suffer, regardless of life's transcience.
ReplyDeleteGood point Anshu !
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anshu. I think meditation has the ability to give a person perspective and clarity on daily activities. It allows them to regain their sense of self. I think meditation goes hand in hand with what I was talking about in my post earlier about introspection. I think it can help with giving that line of awareness that Anshu talks about.
ReplyDeleteBut if people lose their sense of self how do they love another like they love themselves? What is the driving force behind showing acts of compassion? I am not very familiar with Buddhist teachings so I am trying to understand why Buddha teaches the practice of love towards others if the more important way of life is ridding ourselves of fears and suffering.
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