Rara

I'm not sure if you followed it, but the UK's EU Referrendum farce is a perfect example of where humans stand when it comes to the whole "rowing together" idea.

Yes. And while we think we're killing the planet, we're actually saying this in fear that it will just wipe us out. Well, if that happens, we did it to ourselves. But the planet will be just fine in the long run. It's a lil bit greater than we are. Unless some scientist-evil-genius develops a fantastic weapon, sends it to outer space and fires it at the earth but that seems like a waste of energy to anyone.

I'm not convinced. Depending on your definition of nature, that is. But while I see a trend of capitalism and engineering as "unnatural", I must say, my car provides me with as much joy as it does suffering. So it's not all that bad XD

I think we need a "like" button back. "Thank you" still has it's own purpose but maybe there should be both.

Please post a playist. This thread is awesome

It's a bit of an over-simplication, but the OP has some grounds for the statement.

React how you wish Mourning is a valuable tool in reaching the realisation that the intensity of the hurt is a temporary thing. The degree on how you choose to recover is down to you. Yet there is absolutely nothing wrong with missing a passed love one.

Last year, my cousin unfortunately lost her life to cancer. But ever since hearing the news, the people I saw upset was everyone around her. I never saw her without a smile, joking away. That said, that by all means isn't to say I can talk about how she really felt inside and I have no idea what she was like behind closed doors. But she still made the choice to not let it eat her up as much as any other cancer sufferers I've known (and heard about)

Yes, this is all very difficult if one has not been exposed to (or accepts) a "better way"!

This is fundamentally true. I keep seeing someone very close to me just not getting this and unfortunately I have had to leave them to it. And that's the thing...it is merely perspective and it's taken me years and years to get to a place myself where I can treat life like this day in, day out (let's see if it lasts too...I tend to relapse haha) But also, in regards to the title, whenever I see the word "suffering", it now seems entirely unnecessary. Yet it is necessary, because the only way to "undo" it is to understand that the perspective of suffering is still there in everyone, just simply because of the way we are conditioned as the human race. So I can't blame anyone that doesn't handle themselves well when "suffering". But I guess my own cultivation and current happy self can lead by example at the very least. No lectures, just be!

I was going to start my own thread on this but here seems an appropriate place to put my opinion... I am constantly being asked by my landlord to get rid of the weeds at the front of my house. My Dad always used to pay me extra pocket money if I weeded my parent's garden too. I never truly understood it. Then the other day I was at my fiancèe's allotment and the only thing left for me to do was do the weeding. As I sat there doing it, I realised that the reason I never really prioritise this chore is because I genuinely see it as a pointless task. They will always come back, they're just plants and you're right - you do get some really beautiful ones! So why does everyone in the modern world insist they are pest plants and ugly? I don't see it. I think my landlord will be waiting a long long time for these weeds to go.

And if you can vouch for that, I may still end up quitting "professional" life haha.

Is this close to the Buddhist concept of "no I"?

Your profile pic, The Vinegar Tasters...has the moral that life and all in it can be appreciated, even if perceived as bitter by others. From Lao Tzu's perspective that is. As for Chuang Tzu here (me making yet another comparison) he seems sad with the state of life we have, the life we feel obliged to live as humans. For me, again, Chuang Tzu appears more "understanding" or realistic about humans and emotions, as I mentioned in the previous thread too. Do you agree?

But also interrupting his own ponderings? Snapping himself out of it all?

Interesting. Because I would read it as critical, but perhaps that's just me because I am critical of such things...like my anxieties and goal chasing etc. I always say, one's criticisms of others shows more about their own self. Also because that's how I see a lot of "Taoists"...critical of the "norm" and always working towards liberating themselves from this. Didn't Lao Tzu believe that such things in humans are pointless? Sorry, I'm missing a quote there, but if this is not a critical piece of philosophy here, can we suggest that Chuang Tzu was a lot more "understanding" or realistic about the ways that humans are programmed? This part is more like Tao Te Ching in its style, no parables or quirky characters. Makes me wonder if this is the same author as the others in the inner chapters.

Well this is more direct and conveys a different meaning, just because of how the language translates to English! In fact, I prefer it Sorry but I am a bit behind with your background in these texts. So this is a more accurate translation? And where can one find a copy?

That's it. I got the part with Sir Motley in a meditative state and explaining all these things to Yen with great metaphots and similies. The end just seems a little anti-climactic.

I'm struggling with this one. It all just seems to me like an elaborate way of describing how the great outdoors is. Judging by the way the last paragraph is delivered, there seems to be some significance to it, or perhaps a summary? I am failing to see the significance in what he's saying though...

So P'eng isn't human-like at all?

Yeah. I choose central heating and a shower over living on rocks.

Agreed! I also have the same opinion of self-defence martial arts. Emphasis on the word "art". After years of training, I don't feel that Kung Fu is all that effective in combat. It looks beautiful though, when choreographed well, and the forms are very close to Tai Chi.

I feel there's some details missing. What on earth did the Four Masters do to Yao to have that effect on him?!

Crikey! What a response haha.

Having a go before I read all other posts... Chieh Yi is on a different level. How can a man understand?