Thursday, November 12, 2009
Question A
I think that the ability to sacrifice in times of need is important. however, I do not believe that self-sacrifice to the extent of many Eastern religions is healthy. They ask for people to give up everything they want and desire to only focus on the things they desperately need -- all in the long search for a "higher consciousness". I don't think this is wise or healthy because part of human nature is that we want things and desire things. Throughout history I do not believe that there has been a person to find truly find a higher consciousness through self-sacrifice. I also think that each person has their own higher consciousness, and should therefore be able to follow their own path to finding a higher being/consciousness. I also don't think that self sacrifice is physically healthy -- our bodies are not meant to run on the minimum of bare necessities. I also think that while mentally meditation is healthy, I don't think that being in a constant state of meditation of self-sacrifice is healthy for a persons mental health. While meditation can help clear a persons mind of cluttering material, I think that constant meditation makes a person unaware of their surroundings, and out of touch with reality. And although some argue that being out of touch with reality and unaware of surroundings is the only way to find a higher conscious, I feel the opposite -- I strongly believe that it's aboslutely necessary to have a complete understanding of your surroundings and awareness of who you are in the world and how you effect other peoples lives. I think in order to find a higher being or higher consciousness, one must have complete understanding of themselves, and I don't believe that is possible to acheive through self sacrifice.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I agree with you for the most part Rachel but do you really think no one has ever found a higher consciousness? Because I'm pretty sure this whole idea of higher consciousness is based around Buddha and the fact that he was able to achieve a higher consciousness solely through meditation and self-secrfice. I can't think of any examples though of people who have found a higher consciousness by becoming completely aware of their surroundings and selves. Your idea makes a lot of sense to me it just seems like history's examples lean towards meditation and self-sacrifice.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you in that total self-sacrifice is not healthy. I also agree that it is important for one to be aware of their surroundings in daily life, but i think it is important to sort of disconnect from those surroundings while looking for a higher consciousness. Isn't the whole point of the higher consciousness to be somewhat above the worries of daily life?
ReplyDeleteHi, Rachel. I’m glad to see you taking a clear position, but remember the one main content rule regarding blog posts: explore the possible answers first, then take a position. Show me you’re actively considering the options.
ReplyDeleteTake a look at how many times you said "I think" or "I don't think" in your post. It's fine to have a lot of opinions, but the point here is to question them...slowly...one at a time.
For instance, you write: "I strongly believe that it's aboslutely necessary to have a complete understanding of your surroundings and awareness of who you are in the world and how you effect other peoples lives." Isn't that what the Buddha did? He looked around the world around him and realized all of the suffering that he saw was the result of human desire. How is this not "complete understanding"? Do you believe suffering comes from something else? He then sought to minimize his negative impact on others by literally trying to stop desiring things. In other words, his self sacrifice came as a result of doing just what you said one should do.