Being outside ones' self.

[technolope]

[and other thoughts that were taking the place of slide-producing brainpower

Comments

[_earthshine_]

I don't know what to add here other than "thanks for writing this". There are a zillion thoughts in it that make me want to say something, but i'm half fried and other-half convinced i wouldn't contribute much of substance.

In short, yes. I personally concluded some time ago that the only thing that really matters in all of everything is compassion, and i see a lot of this here. Thanks again.

[technolope]

Thanks for reading. Writing is how I get this out of myself.

[_earthshine_]

Writing is how I get this out of myself.

I absolutely understand.

Perspective

[redmed]

"Reversing self and other," is one of two major sets of techniques for developing compassion in the sort of Buddhism that I've been studying. The other set of technique is "imagining everyone as related to you." You start by thinking of the un-earned kindness that your mother showed you when you were an infant, and work out from there.

The problem with the technique of reversing self and other - according to these same books - is that it requires a much more intellectual approach to the world. It's mighty powerful - and poorly suited to a lot of people.

Re: Perspective

[technolope]

I was hoping one or more of my Buddhist friends would comment on this. It seemed like such a universal concept that I was sure I was just re-inventing the wheel for myself.

I didn't mention the "everyone related to you" thing, but I consciously do that a lot when I'm on the T or downtown.

Re: Perspective

[captainblack]

As a Buddhist friend, I feel I owe you a comment, but I am not at my most brainy right now. Genitals *are* unattractive, though. You're right about that. Best we can do is keep 'em clean, I suppose, so at least we don't reek. I used to joke about my cat Fin always being clean because (/serious cat voice) "Having a smell is unprofessional" (when you're a predator).

Re: Perspective

[_earthshine_]

Genitals *are* unattractive, though. ...

I have no idea what you're saying to me right now.

Srsly.

"Having a smell is unprofessional"

... and being professional is inhuman.

[anonymous]

I can't think of anything Buddhist to day. All that occured to me is to make some sort of reality show. A few people are equipped with video cameras on their necks or heads or something and maybe they're thrown into some sort of contrived situation and then the shows editors splice together the footage in a way that reveals fun and interesting ways point-of-view affects our experience. Ooh! Ok so you get the footage recorded and then you take each person and have them watch their own footage and record commentary, like what they were thinking when it was happening.

Huh. I think I've got something here.

[rivercrossings]

that last comment was me, btw. wasn't logged in apparently.

changing genders

[captainblack]

Well, women *do* have much, much, MUCH better orgasms than we do...

Re: changing genders

[_earthshine_]

You could change "orgasms" to "everything" in that sentence, methinks.