Taodeching on contenment

[taoteching99]

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Edited March 15, 2017 by taoteching99

[Marblehead]

There are actually lots of places where the TTC speaks to detachment in one form or another.  The concept is rather important with most Buddhist schools but isn't spoken to often in Taoist discussions but it is just as important.

[dawei]

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That's contentment if I've ever seen it

[cold]

Or content less?

[Marblehead]

Didn't stop me from talking, did it?

[cold]

Quick on the draw?

[Marblehead]

Quick on the draw?

 

I just happened to be online at the time.

[Brian]

Didn't stop me from talking, did it?

The opening post had a bit more substance when you responded...

 

[Mig]

What is contentment? How do you describe contentment? Happy? Gay? Peaceful?

[cold]

Satisfied (from sated ?) no need nor desire for any more or less than what is available or was eaten?

Not gluttony nor avarice.

Not hungry and not having a belly ache from overeating.

[Marblehead]

What is contentment? How do you describe contentment? Happy? Gay? Peaceful?

 

Yes, what Cold said is valid.  It speaks to only one aspect of our life though.  Now take what Cold said and apply it to the totality of your life. 

[Marblehead]

But this thread was about detachment.  That is, having things, relationships, etc and holding them with respect but yet if we were to lose any of them it would not change our life in any significant manner.

[taoteching99]

 

" That's contentment if I've ever seen it "

 

What a rush decision of mine - deleting posts :-)

 

I plan to actively engage again :-)

 

Ttc99

[taoteching99]

Marblehead - Holding things with respect - equanimity in the sense of not desiring but accept things as they are? Or more like acceptance without any desire/ grasping at all? The latter part seems to be an advanced path(effortless) while the former is still.in the efforful mode.

 

Try to reply with quote but unable to do in my mobile ...

Edited March 16, 2017 by taoteching99

[Marblehead]

Marblehead - Holding things with respect - equanimity in the sense of not desiring but accept things as they are? Or more like acceptance without any desire/ grasping at all? The latter part seems to be an advanced path(effortless) while the former is still.in the efforful mode.

 

Try to reply with quote but unable to do in my mobile ...

 

Yes, desire is an important concept in this discussion.  In Taoism, it's not that we are not supposed to have things.  In fact, it is stated that if we have "enough" this will lead to a contented life.

 

Chapter 80 is a beautiful example of the Taoist philosophy of having enough and contentment.

 

Remember, the Sage refuses nothing.  That means (s)he will accumulate things.  But then (s)he gives back what (s)he has in excess to those who are more needy than (s)he is.

 

Not desiring but yet not refusing what Tao has offered us.  We accept it with respect and offer it away with respect.

 

Yes, we should lessen our desires for anything beyond what is "enough".

 

Things at not ours, really.  We are only the care-takers of things that are presented to us and the things we earn through effort.  When we die all these things will find other resting places anyhow.

 

And yes, you phrased it nicely; "... acceptance without any desire/grasping ..."

 

The biggest problem here is determining what is "enough".  But this is based in our ego and our desires.