Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Manifestations of Reality: a Philosophy about Pain.

ForgottenKnight · 10-06-2003, 09:39 PM

I wrote this and posted it in my literature thread, but I believe it belongs in the Tilted Philosophy section as well. I'm therefore also posting it here to open it up for discussion. Please note that the pain here is not physical to the body, but emotional and mental.

Manifestations of Reality: a Philosophy about Pain.

Curious how manifestations of what could be and what are can be so intertwined with reality in one’s head that they cause pain. Dwell on that pain, and it only gets worse. But step back and look again. One will see that there is no real pain. There are just manifestations of failed expectations and hopes that shouldn’t have been released in the beginning, or anywhere along the way. Separate out these things that shouldn’t have been mixed into the melting pot, and only two pains remain: the pain of knowing what might happen in the future if one continues to travel the path clouded by manifestations, and the pain of wanting something that you know is out of reach.
But now one has recognized what will happen if one continues on that path, so one changes paths, and that pain is no longer existent. Therefore it is no longer a concern or a pain. That leaves only one pain left: the wanting of something that is out of one’s reach. This pain may always remain, but is much less painful if it is recognized as existing, and is not followed or set as the goal one must achieve in life. The exception to this is if the want is occupational. If it is an occupational goal, then it should never be discarded or set aside. Rather, work towards making it within your reach in the future. But back to the point at hand, if there is a desire for something that is out of one’s reach at the time, do not sit and dwell on the fact that it is out of reach. That will only cause pain. Rather, set it aside, and continue through life. Then check back in on it from time to time to see if it is within one’s reach, or no longer desired and can be discarded.
In matters relating to love, friendship is always within reach, so grab it. If the desire is there for something more that circumstances beyond one’s control place out of one’s reach, then start by recognizing that it is there. Be aware of it, but do not necessarily act on it. One will be surprised at the difference made by just recognizing and accepting its existence, rather than denying it and covering it up. Next, set the desire aside. Do not dwell on it with could be or what ifs, for that will just cause the manifestations one wishes to avoid. Set it aside, and view reality; view what is really there. When the proper time comes, the desire will either be cast aside as no longer desirable, or it may be within one’s reach. If it becomes within one’s reach, then by all means grab it and never let go. If it is cast aside, then it is a thing of the past, not of the present or future. In either case, the pain of wanting is no more, for it is no longer wanted, or is already had.
If the time never comes, or it is always desirable, yet out of reach, then don’t let out that desire. Do not let the desire run wild. Do not pull it out of your pocket and let it run one’s life, for that would be undesirable. Instead, continue to live life as life demands. Continue through life knowing it is there, with you always, but not letting it control one’s actions. To let the desire take control is to unleash the fury of manifestations about reality that serve only to cloud judgment and cause pain. Don’t live in the smoke, but rather in the fresh air of reality; a reality that is always ready to give one that much needed, swift kick in the ass.

10-06-2003, 09:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
ForgottenKnight Jesus Freak Location: Following the light...	Manifestations of Reality: a Philosophy about Pain. I wrote this and posted it in my literature thread, but I believe it belongs in the Tilted Philosophy section as well. I'm therefore also posting it here to open it up for discussion. Please note that the pain here is not physical to the body, but emotional and mental. Manifestations of Reality: a Philosophy about Pain. Curious how manifestations of what could be and what are can be so intertwined with reality in one’s head that they cause pain. Dwell on that pain, and it only gets worse. But step back and look again. One will see that there is no real pain. There are just manifestations of failed expectations and hopes that shouldn’t have been released in the beginning, or anywhere along the way. Separate out these things that shouldn’t have been mixed into the melting pot, and only two pains remain: the pain of knowing what might happen in the future if one continues to travel the path clouded by manifestations, and the pain of wanting something that you know is out of reach. But now one has recognized what will happen if one continues on that path, so one changes paths, and that pain is no longer existent. Therefore it is no longer a concern or a pain. That leaves only one pain left: the wanting of something that is out of one’s reach. This pain may always remain, but is much less painful if it is recognized as existing, and is not followed or set as the goal one must achieve in life. The exception to this is if the want is occupational. If it is an occupational goal, then it should never be discarded or set aside. Rather, work towards making it within your reach in the future. But back to the point at hand, if there is a desire for something that is out of one’s reach at the time, do not sit and dwell on the fact that it is out of reach. That will only cause pain. Rather, set it aside, and continue through life. Then check back in on it from time to time to see if it is within one’s reach, or no longer desired and can be discarded. In matters relating to love, friendship is always within reach, so grab it. If the desire is there for something more that circumstances beyond one’s control place out of one’s reach, then start by recognizing that it is there. Be aware of it, but do not necessarily act on it. One will be surprised at the difference made by just recognizing and accepting its existence, rather than denying it and covering it up. Next, set the desire aside. Do not dwell on it with could be or what ifs, for that will just cause the manifestations one wishes to avoid. Set it aside, and view reality; view what is really there. When the proper time comes, the desire will either be cast aside as no longer desirable, or it may be within one’s reach. If it becomes within one’s reach, then by all means grab it and never let go. If it is cast aside, then it is a thing of the past, not of the present or future. In either case, the pain of wanting is no more, for it is no longer wanted, or is already had. If the time never comes, or it is always desirable, yet out of reach, then don’t let out that desire. Do not let the desire run wild. Do not pull it out of your pocket and let it run one’s life, for that would be undesirable. Instead, continue to live life as life demands. Continue through life knowing it is there, with you always, but not letting it control one’s actions. To let the desire take control is to unleash the fury of manifestations about reality that serve only to cloud judgment and cause pain. Don’t live in the smoke, but rather in the fresh air of reality; a reality that is always ready to give one that much needed, swift kick in the ass. __________________ "People say I'm strange, does that make me a stranger?"