While sharing your belief that we should reduce suffering however we can, with the caveat that it doesn’t hamper maximizing our other values, still I sense that it is wrong somehow.
The idea of a person ending, when considering all that has happened, the gratitude that arises for them having lived their lives at all… well it makes me feel as if it’s enough. As if they’ve exhausted some fundamental reserve of goodness, and so it’s fine to let them go.
I think we should appreciate the good in the lives of those lost, but never sever the old tie, to accept it as the natural order. It should motivate us to improve this world for all.
Im not sure we should do anything in particular. But I don’t personally desire to suffer. I don’t think it adds any beauty to things. Nor does it make me a kinder or more beautiful person. Many hamrful behaviors are downstream of clinging tightly. Thats my perspective anyway.
I am personally content with whenever my own story ends. I had an interesting life. There is a limit to my equanimity. I would pretty strongly prefer not to get tortured badly. But otherwise I am fairly happy with any ending.
How does this not lead to reinforcing the resigned attitude towards death? Why would someone do their best to take care of their life, if they truly fully embrace death as a normal part of said life?
I’m not sure if I understand your question. I am using the initial quotes from Stoic/Buddhist texts as examples of perverse thinking that I don’t endorse.
While sharing your belief that we should reduce suffering however we can, with the caveat that it doesn’t hamper maximizing our other values, still I sense that it is wrong somehow.
The idea of a person ending, when considering all that has happened, the gratitude that arises for them having lived their lives at all… well it makes me feel as if it’s enough. As if they’ve exhausted some fundamental reserve of goodness, and so it’s fine to let them go.
I think we should appreciate the good in the lives of those lost, but never sever the old tie, to accept it as the natural order. It should motivate us to improve this world for all.
Im not sure we should do anything in particular. But I don’t personally desire to suffer. I don’t think it adds any beauty to things. Nor does it make me a kinder or more beautiful person. Many hamrful behaviors are downstream of clinging tightly. Thats my perspective anyway.
I am personally content with whenever my own story ends. I had an interesting life. There is a limit to my equanimity. I would pretty strongly prefer not to get tortured badly. But otherwise I am fairly happy with any ending.
I wonder what you mean by the second paragraph.
How does this not lead to reinforcing the resigned attitude towards death? Why would someone do their best to take care of their life, if they truly fully embrace death as a normal part of said life?
I’m not sure if I understand your question. I am using the initial quotes from Stoic/Buddhist texts as examples of perverse thinking that I don’t endorse.
My comment was in reply to Sapphire’s, not your post Matt :)
Sorry, that’s what I get for replying from the Notification interface.