The Fear and Desire Loop

[LHX]

Enlightenment brings an end to angst.

enlightened people also got a right uppercut that can knock jupiter out of orbit

[Hangero]

Took the words out of my mouth LMNO.
And also, more and more it serves to exacerbate the problems of the world.  Just the disparity between ones own enlightenment and that of others can, by itself, be depressing.

[LHX]

a lot of people don't wanna do the things they feel they might have to do

a lot of responsibility comes with being born lol

[P3nT4gR4m]

Angst is at its very core the reason any of us are here.  The word though, is sullied from its use in describing silly superficial teenagers and their silly superficial problems.

I think that angst describes what we have, but in a more primitive and base sense.  Angst is dissatisfaction without sufficient awareness or evidence.  Angst is like paranoia, imprecise and uninformed, and the angst filled are too often put easily to rest by trite sentiments and reminders of the dominance of the status quo.

The connotation of the word (at least as I have come to know it) belies the amount of thought put behind most philosophical endeavours.

It's sophomoric, but correct in denotation.


What brought me here recently has been disgust.  I recently moved into a new dorm, and my room mate has acted as a sort of catharsis to show me the depths of human depravity and superficiality.  In the past, I have spent almost all of my time alone, but now that I am in college I have been thrust into a world which I always knew existed, but could remain apart from.  It is becoming more and more apparent though, that a struggle is approaching, and I will either continue my resistance, but more actively; or I will be absorbed into it.

Greater measures must be taken now, for me, and that means something like this.

Enlightenment brings an end to angst.

Enlightenment doesn't last.

Doesn't have to - statement still stands.

[P3nT4gR4m]

Took the words out of my mouth LMNO.
And also, more and more it serves to exacerbate the problems of the world.  Just the disparity between ones own enlightenment and that of others can, by itself, be depressing.

If one is becoming depressed - seek enlightenment.

[Hangero]

Took the words out of my mouth LMNO.
And also, more and more it serves to exacerbate the problems of the world.  Just the disparity between ones own enlightenment and that of others can, by itself, be depressing.

If one is becoming depressed - seek enlightenment.

I did not intend to imply stagnation of the mind.  It is my single concern, seeking enlightenment, but it is a difficult exercise and along the way, the rewards can only be viewed inwardly. 

[P3nT4gR4m]

Took the words out of my mouth LMNO.
And also, more and more it serves to exacerbate the problems of the world.  Just the disparity between ones own enlightenment and that of others can, by itself, be depressing.

If one is becoming depressed - seek enlightenment.

I did not intend to imply stagnation of the mind.  It is my single concern, seeking enlightenment, but it is a difficult exercise and along the way, the rewards can only be viewed inwardly. 

I get you. My original point (yeah I actually had one for a change) was to counter your statement about everyone suffering angst. It IS something you can leave behind. Never said it was gonna be easy tho.

[AFK]

But just remember putting on blinders ! = leaving angst behind

[P3nT4gR4m]

But just remember putting on blinders ! = leaving angst behind

Troof!

Also - always remember you are wrong and focus rather on exploring/modifying a notion rather than settling on it.

[Jenne]

Or even accepting it.  That sometimes modifies it on its own.

[Hangero]

I'm saying angst is the sympton of trying to cure yourself of the afflictions brought upon you by the world.

The disease metaphor can be extended, that the physical pains brought on by your immune system fighting a flu or cold or whatever, are not the effects of the affliction, but rather the effect of the internal conflict occuring trying to rid the body of the impurity.

To say "Strive for enlightenment" might work as a piece of simple encouragement, to see the journey through to its end, but the journey itself brings on the peril.  The disgust, the angst, the dissatisfaction, is the result of conflict, which at least means there is some element which recognizes that there is something dreadfully and pervasively wrong with the state of affairs in ones own life.

I don't think everyone is suffering from angst.
I think there are a lot of people who are completely purposefully ignorant to it, and are slowly happily dieing.

And hopefully it can be left behind...just not until attainment, in whatever form that takes.

[P3nT4gR4m]

I'm saying angst is the sympton of trying to cure yourself of the afflictions brought upon you by the world.

The disease metaphor can be extended, that the physical pains brought on by your immune system fighting a flu or cold or whatever, are not the effects of the affliction, but rather the effect of the internal conflict occuring trying to rid the body of the impurity.

To say "Strive for enlightenment" might work as a piece of simple encouragement, to see the journey through to its end, but the journey itself brings on the peril.  The disgust, the angst, the dissatisfaction, is the result of conflict, which at least means there is some element which recognizes that there is something dreadfully and pervasively wrong with the state of affairs in ones own life.

I don't think everyone is suffering from angst.
I think there are a lot of people who are completely purposefully ignorant to it, and are slowly happily dieing.

And hopefully it can be left behind...just not until attainment, in whatever form that takes.

When you reach your destination you'll see the funny side of it.

[B_M_W]

Wait...there's a destination?

[P3nT4gR4m]

Wait...there's a destination?

From his point of view yes. From mine notions like destination sorta fly out the window. I'm just flying round in spirals.

[Jenne]

Eh.  The only destination I can see from HERE is 6' under.  Just saying.