My Bed of Nails

» wiredhalcyon - Buddhism Part II

After many years of exploring world religions, including those of Buddhism’s tenets, I’ve discovered Buddhism to be more than less of an efficient re-programming of thoughts conditioned by our societies to allow escapism as well as denial of our existing biology; denial of chemical imbalances that deprive so many of an existence that could otherwise be described as contented. It is a prime example of duality (transcendence of the self equals resolution and acceptance of our existence, which by it's nature won't make one happy, but allow one to "stuff it" to the side and deal with it). Why not just go play with a train set and a nice stack of anti-depressants to disconnect instead? Ah, because the problem is still there with either approach. The train set just won't teach you coping skills like Buddhism will. We're all alone on different levels, some more than others, but it's always nice to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. So what better? Eastern systems of belief which keep us occupied and focused at positively functioning in society. Rather than enlightenment, Buddhism more closely resembles the positive thinking of a simplified yet infinitely complex 12 step program. These beliefs are rooted in ancient grounds so there must be something to them, right? Not necessarily - again, a brilliant method for disconnecting and good living by attempting to shed the negative aspects of us. It is a work in progress, but at the same time it is problem.

This is all well and fine, but cannot change human nature at its core; we already know this but don't want to admit it. This is not to downplay the importance of spirituality, but what I propose here is diabolical negative, falling under one of the poisons addressed by Buddhism: Delusion (ignorance) of the unenlightened. We can refer to the "great" acid gurus of yore who have subscribed to the doctrines of Buddhism and note that the two thought processes and realizations are inextricably linked. Timothy Leary, to put it frankly, was a madman; loved and respected nonetheless, but still a madman. From an expert tripper (a girl in her late twenties) much in the same vein and belief as such, I was once provided the morbid caveat, “If I could ever tell anyone the most important thing in life I’ve ever learned, it would be to never touch acid…” She had identified with Eastern creeds after starting down this path many years ago and in not finding a truth, could not find the love, and destroyed many close personal and professional relationships in the process. Maybe Buddhism will never mesh well within highly consumer-driven Western society (what a better place to douse the fire with the water?) But, in short, in practical application it does not work past a certain point of human nature, now matter how intensely one hits the Dharma. Buddhism is by all means a positive force for those who escape into it, but is ultimately a stopgap measure; it is akin to taking the brain filters off through powerful “after the fact” chemicals or ideas addressed here. Eastern religions' focus on the self certainly serve to humanize the world more so than addressing an omniscient being but is still not where humanity needs to take itself.

We are still left with a false sense of security which assuages the loneliness and anger in some, but still leaves many who are at extreme points of depression or self-termination with unclear answers. Again, it is a stopgap for who and what we are. Why should it be so difficult to develop realistic ethics and admit that we are chemically driven and take measures to correct our biology? Evolution does not dictate happiness, it dictates survival. Now at the beginning of the third millennium of civilized society, current anti-depressants and Band-Aid philosophies such as Buddhism function to alter the ingredients once the cake is out of the oven, whereupon the batter needs to be re-made from scratch. This is, no doubt, several generations from even our grandchildren's' future and provides no practical solutions at this point, but the beginning of it needs to be realized now in order to pervade happiness into our existence that is definitely there. Until then, Buddhism will work for some, Yoga or music for others, Christianity and Islamic religions for even more; until we find a way to remold empathy and positive philosophies into the core of our being from a biological standpoint. This is called "the hedonistic imperative.” Until that time, the cycle of suffering, balance, redemption as well as the psychotic way we treat each other (except on Christmas) will continue for some time to come.

On the same token of this subject matter… isn’t it ironic that the pain that drives so many to seek out dogmas and happiness is where some of our best art comes from?

-- posted by wiredhalcyon

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