It's a well known fact that if we start depending on others for our comfort zone, then our comfort becomes short-lived. E.g. if I derive my joy from staying near a loved-one, then when that loved-one goes far or does not react in a desired way, I get sad. I lose my peace. So what we are invariably advised is "try to be self reliant", try not to depend heavily on other (persons or stuffs) too much.
I think I don't agree with the above old wisdom. If we do not depend on anyone, then what is the benefit of a human life? If we do not feel pain then how can we feel pleasure? If we are scared of being too much dependent on someone then we will never be able to enjoy life to its fullest extent.
The above logic reminds me of a line from Narada's Bhakti Sutra (Formulas of devotion). For the uninitiated, Sutras in Indian philosophy are sets of very concise adages (sutra = formula)! This particular sutra reads as "biraha-shakta". (As you can see it's just two words). It means "attracted to separation". One wise man explains this as the fact that the lover is attracted even to separation from the beloved one. Why? Because even if it's separation, separation from whom? From the beloved one! How can the lover not fall in love with anything related to the beloved one?
Philosophies aside, I think I will advise to continue being dependent! Separation makes you weak, but that also makes you feel the joy of reunion. Dependence makes your joy capricious; but then what is permanent in this nature? Embrace life to the full extent. Leave all inhibitions when you are in love. You have nothing to lose!
I think I don't agree with the above old wisdom. If we do not depend on anyone, then what is the benefit of a human life? If we do not feel pain then how can we feel pleasure? If we are scared of being too much dependent on someone then we will never be able to enjoy life to its fullest extent.
The above logic reminds me of a line from Narada's Bhakti Sutra (Formulas of devotion). For the uninitiated, Sutras in Indian philosophy are sets of very concise adages (sutra = formula)! This particular sutra reads as "biraha-shakta". (As you can see it's just two words). It means "attracted to separation". One wise man explains this as the fact that the lover is attracted even to separation from the beloved one. Why? Because even if it's separation, separation from whom? From the beloved one! How can the lover not fall in love with anything related to the beloved one?
Philosophies aside, I think I will advise to continue being dependent! Separation makes you weak, but that also makes you feel the joy of reunion. Dependence makes your joy capricious; but then what is permanent in this nature? Embrace life to the full extent. Leave all inhibitions when you are in love. You have nothing to lose!
2 comments:
This is one thing about Buddhism which I am constantly questioning. It speaks of having no likes and dislikes and in doing so achieving ultimate peace. I too believe that happpiness and joy stem from sadness and lack of joy. The only way I am able to make sense of it, is that we speak out of ignorance. If we have never achieved this snese of detachment, how can we really know if the peace it brings exceeds the vicissitudes of the human psyche.
Very apt point Mercury! However, if we go to the life of Siddhartha the Buddha, we will see that he himself has gone through all the ups and downs of life. He has enjoyed everything that life may have to offer. And then comes a natural desire in Him to go beyond and that's when he goes to the higher state beyond dualities.
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