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

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.

fnaqzna · 10-08-2003, 06:26 PM

Hmmm... it's a nice sentiment... but people really aren't this rational...

ForgottenKnight · 10-08-2003, 08:19 PM

I will admit that of all the philophies I have come up with on how to live my life, this one is the hardest to follow, now more than ever. This is due to the nature of the desire.

mb99usa · 10-09-2003, 10:35 AM

I guess I'm a little confused. If we are to put aside our desires what compells us to strive for more. What are we reaching for if not desires, even if they are out of reach?

Isn't it better to try and fail then to not try at all?

Or are you saying we should look at our desires as gone but not forgotten until that time as they are attainable? The problem I see with this is that if the desire is set aside then work will not be done to make it attainable.

Or I could be totally off-base and simply rambling.

ForgottenKnight · 10-09-2003, 02:03 PM

Those are good points, mb99usa. What I'm saying is that your desires, when non occupational, and are out of reach, work towards them, but don't let them completely control your life. Don't give up everything to go after a desire if that desire is not attainable right now. Such as, you like girl. Girl has boyfriend. Therefore girl = unattainable desire. Don't throw away everything else to go after her if she's not attainable right now. But don't sweep it under the rug and ignore that you ever liked her. Instead reconize you like her. Reconize she's unattainable. Become friends with her, but put that desire to have her away. Don't let it control you, and then check back in on it every so often. Check up with her and see if she still has a boyfriend every so often, and check in on yourself to see if you still want to date her. You can apply this to other things as well. Such as you want to buy that new car, but can't afford it. Don't obsess about not being able to afford it. Go about life working towards getting it. Once you have the money, then by all means, buy it. But while you were sitting on that desire to have it, working towards it, you may learn that you don't want that car after all. I hope that clearifies some things for you.

fnaqzna · 10-09-2003, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NiceGuy
You can apply this to other things as well. Such as you want to buy that new car, but can't afford it. Don't obsess about not being able to afford it. Go about life working towards getting it. Once you have the money, then by all means, buy it.

I see what you're saying, but this is a bad analogy IMHO... If your goal in life is the acquisition of things, you'll find this to be an empty accomplishment devoid of happiness.

FaithlessShadow · 10-14-2003, 10:46 PM

I respect what you wrote, and can relate it to my own life. I was pursueing a love that was out of reach, and as much as a tried to set it aside, the thoughts and feelings festered and tormented my very being. When the love finally came into reach, like smoke it wavered and then was gone, and left me wounded behind.

anti fishstick · 10-15-2003, 12:40 PM

desire is a good motivator for things in life. so yes, it's good to recognize them but don't let it control you, or any thought for that matter. learning how to control my thoughts is one of the hardest things for me. i'm intellectually aware of what i should do, but it's hard not to let the mind get the better of me.

filtherton · 10-15-2003, 01:27 PM

I think i understand. Kind've like the serenity prayer.
Lord, grant me the courage to change the things i cannot accept
And accept the things i cannot change
And the wisdom to know the difference

Or something like that.
Maybe, Don't sweat the little things, and they're all little things.

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?"

10-08-2003, 08:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
ForgottenKnight Jesus Freak Location: Following the light...	I will admit that of all the philophies I have come up with on how to live my life, this one is the hardest to follow, now more than ever. This is due to the nature of the desire. __________________ "People say I'm strange, does that make me a stranger?"

10-09-2003, 10:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
mb99usa Keep on rolling. It only hurts for a little while. Location: wherever I am	I guess I'm a little confused. If we are to put aside our desires what compells us to strive for more. What are we reaching for if not desires, even if they are out of reach? Isn't it better to try and fail then to not try at all? Or are you saying we should look at our desires as gone but not forgotten until that time as they are attainable? The problem I see with this is that if the desire is set aside then work will not be done to make it attainable. Or I could be totally off-base and simply rambling. __________________ So, what's your point? It's not an attitude, it's a way of life.

10-09-2003, 02:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
ForgottenKnight Jesus Freak Location: Following the light...	Those are good points, mb99usa. What I'm saying is that your desires, when non occupational, and are out of reach, work towards them, but don't let them completely control your life. Don't give up everything to go after a desire if that desire is not attainable right now. Such as, you like girl. Girl has boyfriend. Therefore girl = unattainable desire. Don't throw away everything else to go after her if she's not attainable right now. But don't sweep it under the rug and ignore that you ever liked her. Instead reconize you like her. Reconize she's unattainable. Become friends with her, but put that desire to have her away. Don't let it control you, and then check back in on it every so often. Check up with her and see if she still has a boyfriend every so often, and check in on yourself to see if you still want to date her. You can apply this to other things as well. Such as you want to buy that new car, but can't afford it. Don't obsess about not being able to afford it. Go about life working towards getting it. Once you have the money, then by all means, buy it. But while you were sitting on that desire to have it, working towards it, you may learn that you don't want that car after all. I hope that clearifies some things for you. __________________ "People say I'm strange, does that make me a stranger?"

10-14-2003, 10:46 PM	#7 (permalink)
FaithlessShadow Upright Location: British Colombia, Canada	[SIZE=3]Interesting view[/SIZE] I respect what you wrote, and can relate it to my own life. I was pursueing a love that was out of reach, and as much as a tried to set it aside, the thoughts and feelings festered and tormented my very being. When the love finally came into reach, like smoke it wavered and then was gone, and left me wounded behind. __________________ I am terror in the night, I am bringer of light -Dimmu Borgir-

10-08-2003, 06:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
fnaqzna Meat Popsicle Location: Left Coast	Hmmm... it's a nice sentiment... but people really aren't this rational...

10-15-2003, 12:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
anti fishstick Post-modernism meets Individualism AKA the Clash Location: oregon	desire is a good motivator for things in life. so yes, it's good to recognize them but don't let it control you, or any thought for that matter. learning how to control my thoughts is one of the hardest things for me. i'm intellectually aware of what i should do, but it's hard not to let the mind get the better of me. __________________ And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. ~Anais Nin

10-15-2003, 01:27 PM	#9 (permalink)
filtherton Junkie Location: In the land of ice and snow.	I think i understand. Kind've like the serenity prayer. Lord, grant me the courage to change the things i cannot accept And accept the things i cannot change And the wisdom to know the difference Or something like that. Maybe, Don't sweat the little things, and they're all little things.