Unhappiness

Unhappiness in general is an evolved mechanism to tell us when a change is necessary. For more primitive societies this meant getting up and moving on from where you are, and expanding somewhere new. This is probably how humans were able to conquer the globe so completely in such a remarkably short period of time.

For modern humans, we cannot just pick up and make changes arbitrarily. There is no more space left, and social obligations keep us tied down. We can simulate some of this by changing jobs, getting more exercise, getting a divorce, etc.; but fundamentally yes unhappiness is a modern disease -- one there is no obvious cure for.

Word

Status and Navel-gazing

I never really knew what "self esteem" was supposed to mean. It always seemed to translate into "I think I'm better than others", and I regularly failed to see why that would be a good idea to be teaching that to kids. I guess this excellent discussion of status makes it clear that "better than others" is precisely what self esteem is.

I've often felt that modern society is somehow unhappier than a perceived simpler past, and this article helps explain why I feel so: If status is self-esteem, and status is relative, then how we feel about ourselves is relative to what we have. And modern humans have a lot.

We feel rewarded when we gain some relative improvement in our lives. In a simpler world, there is a more direct line to incremental status improvements. Being the best in your village means besting only dozens of challengers for esteem.

In a world where the simple achievements are common-place, we seek improving status in ever more circuitous, arduous routes. Even grand accomplishments seem hollow when you're comparing yourself to the global population. Even scaling the worlds highest mountain is blase -- a friend's brother is doing it right now!

This is what makes buddhist philosophy more relevant today than ever, because it teaches us to find "status" in the things that are already around us, and quit searching out "hollow" status in harmful pursuits. Given our current pace of exploitation, what was once the "high-status" of possessing a clean source of water may yet come back in fashion due to scarcity.

"Status" is a thing of our creation, and we can choose to find it where we will; if we can tame a relentless nature.

All truism

Karma has long been considered a truism, but there is scientific evidence it's in fact a fundamental operating procedure of human relations.

Ultimately it's why US's social welfare-poor political policies will only a continued drain on national potential; perhaps ultimately leading to it one day becoming a "failed state".

How could a rationalist, a humanist, and a scientist follow buddhist teaching?

Start with precept #1 and see how far you get.

Life's not about what's better

Brain pushups

A little spot about why I meditate, and why you should too.

[Teaser: because its exercise that molds your mind into a healthier form; and like physical exercise, though it takes effort, its never too late to start to improve your quality of life.]

In one who exaggerates self
there is always adherence to "I".
Through that adherence there is attachment to pleasure.

Through attachment disadvantages are obscured
and advantages seen, whereby there is strong attachment,
and objects that are "mine" are taken up as means of acheiveing pleasure.

Hence, as long as there is attraction to self,
so long do you revolve in cyclic existence.
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