Bigthink - Idea Comments Feed

Comment on: Re: What is your counsel?

Bigthink — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:07:27 +0100

"how do people in Darfur benefit from my happiness?"

I don't think the point was to be blissfully neglectful, but to be cheerfully proactive.

Comment on: Re: What is your counsel?

Bigthink — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 18:17:27 +0100

I think those commenters who are mistaking Thurman's words for NOT doing anything about human suffering are ignoring his words, "if you are happy, maybe you will DO something."

Miserable, sad, depressed people don't help others. They can't see past their own suffering.

Be happy.

Share it with the world.

Not such a bad way to aspire to be.

Comment on: Re: What is your counsel?

Bigthink — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 13:03:34 +0100

Thurman's Inner Revolution is an amazing resource :)

Comment on: Re: What is your counsel?

Bigthink — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:20:20 +0100

I so agree. I was SO glad to hear him mention that it is important to find happiness in non-addictive ways. Bravo for this shot in the arm! What a way to start my day.

Comment on: Re: What is your counsel?

Bigthink — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 08:18:36 +0100

I think it would be ideal if everyone could just be happy. The world would be a better place, obviously but people are dealing with many problems and aren't always able to just be happy. Just being happy isn't a solution to anything, it's just an attitude.

Comment on: Re: What is your counsel?

Bigthink — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 01:56:03 +0100

Happy is as happy does....enjoy each moment and experience the joy of life no matter how big or how small. Die happy!!! Don't marginalize yourself.

Comment on: Re: What is your counsel?

Bigthink — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:46:20 +0100

Yes, being happy is a conscious choice and not always easy, but mindfulness of both yourself and the world we live in makes for a more hopeful outlook for the future of humanity. Despite what some people say I do not believe that Buddhism teaches us to stand by and watch the atrocities of the world, but rather to approach them with a more constructive, useful solution that does not involve the taking of life.

Comment on: Re: What is your counsel?

Bigthink — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:23:09 +0100

Yes. Yes, yes, yes. Being happy in general is a decision.

Approach problems as if they can be solved, and try to find a solution. This process doesn't have to affect your emotions -- you don't have to let it.

You will still probably be brought down by certain things, and maybe that provides the contrast that gives more meaning and effect to the positive feelings you have at other times. But getting caught-up in emotions (allowing them to strongly influence your decisions) rather than simply experiencing them is dangerous.

Comment on: Re: What is your counsel?

Bigthink — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 03:24:15 +0100

Don't worry, be happy. Don't sorrow, be angry.

Do you think Gandhi and Jesus never got sad or angry? Of course they did, but they directed their anger in a positive way and were happy when appropriate.

Are we talking happy or positive, maybe I'm missing the point.

Comment on: Re: What is your counsel?

Bigthink — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 02:27:16 +0100

Thurman is saying we need to keep ourselves cheerful when dealing with problems, not that we shouldn't feel responsible. It's one thing to feel guilt, it's another to be consumed by it and do nothing.

Comment on: Re: What is your counsel?

Bigthink — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 05:01:41 +0100

i think at some point being passive, and neglecting the issues that our world faces is irresponsible. as responsible human beings we need to help the least advantaged. the isolationist health camp approach to well being that Thurman suggests is only a possibility for the wealthy. how do people in Darfur benefit from my happiness? when our children inherit environmental problems will they remember that we were happy? this just seems like a way to eradicate guilt from our lives.

Comment on: Re: What is your counsel?

Bigthink — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 17:10:13 +0100

Being happy will truly make us less sad.

Comment on: Re: What is your counsel?

Bigthink — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 06:28:23 +0100

GREAT!!!

Comment on: Re: What is your counsel?

Bigthink — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:37:57 +0100

Being happy is my duty! Really?