Jeff wrote:
> My views about ecology and life are constantly being tested and
> this can be uncomfortable. The discomfort increases as one
> approaches key beliefs, and this topic is one of those.
THIS IS A TEST. IF IT WERE A REAL PHILOSOPHICAL REVELATION YOU WOULD FEEL
EXTREME DISCOMFORT. THIS IS ONLY A TEST.
So, to summarize your post (and the book):
We do not know what happiness is.
We look in the wrong places.
There never was a time when people were happy.
There never will be a time when people are happy.
There never was a time when people understood happiness.
There never will be a time when people will understand happiness.
We shouldn't expect our lives to be very happy.
We can learn to be content.
We will be content if we learn to accept less.
There are a lot of wonderful things that we can choose to enjoy.
They are things our culture doesn't emphasize or value much.
I don't buy the "humans are/life is inherently flawed, so we just have to
accept things the way they are, and have always been, and will always be"
point of view. I don't think we have to look "outside" or "within"
ourselves for the answers. The answers are staring us in the face, two
inches from our proverbial nose. We need to learn to fan the smoke away
and remove the mirrors that prevent us from seeing what's right in front of
us. The list at the end of your post, Jeff, was a good start.
Just food for thought : )
Eric Storm
At 08:36 99/08/29 -0700, you wrote:
> My views about ecology and life are constantly being tested and
> this can be uncomfortable. The discomfort increases as one
> approaches key beliefs, and this topic is one of those.
> Most of my actions and those of others are at some
> deep level tied into beliefs about contentment and happiness.
>
> Mostly i talk with the dog about this topic because the arguments
> are shorter and the risk is low. I don't get pushed into a corner
> or jump on a soap box and start preaching. The dog ignores my
> strong arguments and tries to turn everything into a game.
> Probably a better approach than constant introspection and
> discussion of philosophy <grin>.
>
> What prompted me to ramble on about all this is a
> new book was published this year (1999) with the title:
> Contentment, A Way to True Happiness, by Robert A. Johnson
> and Jerry Ruhl. It is a small book of 115 pages and
> almost fits in my pocket. The discussions are brief
> and it follows a well ordered outline. In other words,
> the authors seem well organized and have given the topic
> some thought. I didn't find anything new in the book,
> but a review of the topic is always useful. Here is
> a complete outline of the book. Skip, the rest of
> this if in a hurry, it goes on for a few pages.
>
> The Tragedy of Modern (Industrial) Society.
>
> mistaking pleasure for happiness
>
> Our society has embraced advertising and the message
> that "having" is happiness. Marketing reaches into
> every phase of life, it learns what works, and controls
> how we think. Most of us think being content is having
> it all.
>
> the search for contentment
>
> The problem with consumption or "having" is that it
> can never be satisfied. You scratch the itch and
> that only lasts for a short period. Obviously, there
> is more to happiness than consumption, and it is a
> mistake to be distracted by the those marketing
> products.
>
> the fall from eden
>
> The belief that life was simpler at one time or
> that a eden exists somewhere is another trap. We
> carry most of our problems inside and that is what
> needs most of our attention. Thinking that a
> eco-village is the answer or a eco-community will
> be enough is a mistake. There is no eden.
>
> This is an old story known to Shakespere
>
> Understanding the nature of contentment isn't new and
> we won't find a new science to explain it. We have
> not progressed much beyond the writings of old authors
> such as Shakespere.
>
> the story of King Lear
>
> King Lear in Shakespere story gave his kingdom to
> two daughters who said they loved him the most. It
> was a disaster.
>
> There are many possible messages in this story, but
> one i found is that the kingdom (things) and promises
> (words) are secondary to beliefs and actions. In
> the end we have nothing except memories. The joy
> in life is in the present moment. We need to live
> today as if it is the last day of our life.
>
> The Psychology surrounding contentment
>
> Contentment isn't out there, it is inside.
>
> It is important to not strive for perfection
> and accept ourselves.
>
> It isn't getting what you want, it is more
> often, wanting what you get.
>
> The simple act of learning to enjoy what you have
> can lead to downsizing and a simpler life.
>
> Suffering
>
> The presence of suffering is everywhere and often
> we can not avoid it. If we accept it is part of
> life some peace is gained. It may even be possible
> to find contentment and accept suffering at the
> same time.
>
> The gifts we can accept or ignore.
>
> (What follows is a long list of attributes which
> we can view as gifts rather than "should" or
> "rules" which one follows)
>
> Personal energy
> Awareness of the present
> Ability to stop and slow down
> Compassion from the heart
> Nature
> Sense of place (home)
> Dreams
> Purpose
> Change and "letting go"
> Chaos and confusion
> Paradox
> Simplicity and importance of ordinary
> Myth
> Skills and talents
> Adventure, quest, and Pilgrimage
> Spontaneity
> Reparation
> Forgiveness
> Compassion
> Detachment
>
>
>
