From: "Rod Scholl" I'm not saying we embrace meanness, or that we don't try to avoid it -- >
I think it is a vicious cycle of narcissism. Dedicating your life to finding yourself and eliminating your Ego can be a big Ego Trip. Especially if you indulge your narcissism and are antagonistic to others and find yourself alone in a hillside shack engaged in your favorite pursuit of "finding yourself" or eliminating your Ego, etc. Life is more than just resolving your personal problems. Who cares if someone becomes enlightened after a lifetime of hurting others? What is the benefit? How totally self-indulgent was that person's quest? So yes. Being a positive functional person living an illusion while being productive is IMHO better than being a bitter person living in a shack helping nobody while finding the road to personal enlightenment. But then the best of both worlds would be to be an enlightened positive person who is productive and functional. Because we have only seen one kind of Zen Monk, we have not had the experiences of any other kind. There may be another side to the story. There may be a friendly, happy, productive, and constructive version of the Zen Monk. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> In low income neighborhoods, 84% do not own computers. At Network for Good, help bridge the Digital Divide! http://us.click.yahoo.com/hjtSRD/3MnJAA/i1hLAA/S27xlB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Noble Eightfold Path: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration, Right Livelihood Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZenForum/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
