Something on the serious side, for a weekend…

 

I like the emails I get from BigThink.com, one of my favorite online sites.  They give you a lot to think about.  Here’s a good one:

Everyday Philosophy: Are Stoicism and Buddhism unhealthy philosophies?

• This week we look at the philosophy of non-attachment and ask how healthy it is.

• To answer our question, we look at the idea of “spiritual bypassing” and how detachment should not be done lightly.

Great questions, IMO.  

Have you ever gotten to the point where you think, “F it!”? That usually happens when we reach some “critical mass” moment, an inflection point, where we are exacerbated and no longer, well, give a “F”.  We’ve been “pushed that far.”  No longer giving a “F” also happens when people reach a point of “desperation.”  Things/situations no longer matter, and you lose all sense of morality, fairness, reason.  You’ve, at least temporarily, had it!

When does detachment cross the healthy border? People often say, “Don’t take things to heart.” “Accept without pride. “Let go.” But at some point, this becomes too much. But where? How do we know?

– Jiri, Czechia

Q1: What do you think?  When does detachment cross the healthy border?

*            *            *            *

NOW, LET'S WORK RELIGION INTO THE PICTURE

Welwood: Religion is not therapy

Religion is a great comfort to many people. In fact, Karl Marx, Sigmund Freud, Friedreich Nietzsche, and B.F. Skinner all argued that it’s a defining characteristic of religion to act as a defense mechanism. It’s a balm to soothe our pains and a crutch to keep us from falling.

Q2: Do you have any kind of “spiritual crutch?”  Is there some concept that provides you with a sense of spiritual understanding about your world that helps you cope?

Link to the full article here.

(by PrimalSoup)