And anyone who can achieve this is a person I never want to be around. No one can "not desire." Even those who say they "do not want desire" anything have to "desire to not want to desire" by default.
That is a very, very dangerous person. A nice number of people who get to this point are sociopaths.
Edit: To clarify, absolute happiness is not possible. "Absolute" seems to mean "infinite" or "non-changing." I'm just too lazy to explain fully and I just got a phone call. I will come back LOL
__________________ "Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise." - Thomas Gray
You misunderstand what I say. Bodhisattva is not freedom from desire, it is freedom from poisonous and mind comsuming passions, the realization that we are in control of our behavior, outlook, and mentality. We do not have to suffer if we do not want to.
1) When you have the power to decide what's worth suffering, and what's not, your joy increases.
2) When you learn to be happy with yourself, and realize that you do not NEED more, you only want more, those desires have less control over your mind. You realize that a feeling is just a feeling, a desire is just a desire, and does not need to be fulfilled.
3) You eventually begin to see the suffering in others, how needless that suffering is. You see men and women suffering through heartbreak. You seem men and women who have self esteem issues, or who are ruled by fears of loneliness, failure, etc. You see right through thier suffering, and know that they haven't acquired the personal power to overcome thier suffering.
4) You eventually find joy only in helping others strengthen themselves and achieve thier own happiness. It is a cycle of sorts. You do not desire for them to like you, because that is selfish and superficial. You only desire that they are happy....and realize the same power you have.
Ok I follow now. I can't argue against that at all.
How many can achieve that level of control is probably small though, but I do like the idea. Similar to something I noticed a while ago, although it was nowhere near as thorough
__________________ "Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise." - Thomas Gray
Gender: Male Location: Southern Oregon,
Looking at you.
Yes, he has, but why do you care what he thinks? How you feel is your responsibility, and if someone says something, it is up to you to decide how you feel. No one can make you mad.
You can only control your reactions to your emotions. You cannot control your life so that you can prevent yourself from getting angry. You can only choose how to respond to that anger.
__________________
I am not driven by people’ s praise and I am not slowed down by people’ s criticism.
You only live once. But if you live it right, once is enough. Wrong. We only die once, we live every day!
Make poverty history.
KMC Community Forums
Jun 14th, 2007 12:20 AM
No, you can't!! I will not let you. 
jk
