Monday, July 30, 2018

Bellicosity is not inscribed in our genetic code

If a boy is growing up under difficult conditions, maybe he is regularly abused; maybe the parents are violent criminals; maybe they live in a neighborhood where many people are violent criminals – then it would be strange if he didn't end up in jail, as a violent criminal.

You are born into a world filled to the brim with madness, war, and terror. History is the story of wars and madness. It's a wonder that you're not completely mad. Is it not strange that there are so many friendly people around after all?

Most politicians in the world are assistants to violent gangsters, but they hide their true allegiances behind trustworthy and smiling masks; they are wolves in sheep's clothing. Soldiers in all countries are fooled to believe that war and violence are in our nature and that we have to fight for our rights, that it's a matter of them or us.

But bellicosity is not inscribed in our genes. We are aggressive and violent because of conditioning and adaptation to a violent and criminal environment. The more violent and mad a society is, the more violent and mad people you will meet. The more peaceful and egalitarian a society is, the more friendly and laid back people you will encounter. 

You don't need a scientific degree to understand this.

Monday, July 23, 2018

Decisions


Which part of you is making the decision when you are making a decision?

One part of you decides to quit smoking and never to smoke again. The next morning another part of you lights a cigarette.

One part of you decides to never talk to her again; another part becomes excited when she suddenly calls and happily agrees to have dinner with her.

One part of you says yes; another part says no. One part is getting his way; another part gives in.

Friday, July 13, 2018

Meditation and the monkey mind

The monkey mind is not a big problem. The monkey mind is just stupid thoughts that are hopping around.

The big problem is the beliefs, ideas, and assumptions that motivate your meditation and your actions in daily life.

For example, you may believe that you have to silence your chattering mind.

You may believe that you have to be positive, relaxed and wonderful, that what you feel is wrong.

You may believe that you are stupid, ugly and lazy.

You may believe that life is utterly meaningless.

You may believe that you are an idiot or a jerk, that you are...

What if you're not the one you think you are. Maybe life is not about what you think it is about.

Maybe you have fooled yourself. Maybe you have been deceived.

You have to examine your beliefs, ideas, and assumptions if you want to improve your meditation. The monkey mind is uninteresting.