Much obliged, as usual, Erika. I think the kind of role model I would like to be is one who does not impose obligations upon others. Live and let live.
I've thought of how others are mirroring something in myself that I don't like, but I can't figure out what it is. I'm angry at them for not valuing Truth, not wanting to think deeper; for caring more about TV, fashion, or football more than they care about human rights; for imposing upon others through their apathy and fear by supporting criminal governments; and for seeking material accumulation and status as a means of appeasing their own insecurity, instead of working it out internally.
I share none of these qualities with them. I understand the mirroring may not be direct, but I can't figure out how my own flaws are alike to theirs. I'm not denying there's a connection, I just don't know what it is. If you have any ideas about it, I'd like to hear them.
If all my worries were gone, my immediate family would notice it first. I was trained to not burden others with my problems socially, so outside of this house, no one would likely notice, since I've not demonstrated much discomfort in their presence.
It's not my job to save anyone, but unfortunately, if they don't get saved, humanity will be living on a prison planet (which we largely are now). We can't afford to wait around until they decide to give a damn. I am indignant over the casual squandering of a grand opportunity for a beautiful life experience.
If you were to tell me we were definitively doomed, I would be just as relieved as if you told me we were saved. I would take either option gladly, as it would relieve me of the responsibility to engage in this tormenting effort to encourage enlightenment in those who couldn't care less about it (I'm not claiming I am enlightened myself, only that I care to strive in that direction).
There is no part of me that wants to be relieved of morality. I don't want revenge. I want them to start taking responsibility for learning and growing so I don't have to keep trying to convince them. All I want is for people to stop imposing. If they'd stop, all would be forgiven immediately (at least by me). The very worst among them - the war mongers, the ruthless capitalists, the relentless criminals, need not even apologize, if only they would stop.
Those who currently do no harm and care about Truth deserve no special thanks - this is their natural responsibility. I am grateful they exist, and tell them so, but they are not my focus because they are simply meeting the minimum requirement of being a mature human being. They are only heroes relative to the deplorable abominations which surround us on every side. My attention is required elsewhere.
My position is this: These people are not evil, and I certainly do love them. My anger and ridicule is that of a frustrated parent who sees a child living in error, but whose errors are not only harming themselves, but are destructive to all around them. They are fooled, not stupid. They generally mean well, but don't know what "well" means. I fault them only for not caring enough to figure out what's going on; for abdicating responsibility and following when they should be leading their own lives.
I have been including Eckhart Tolle in my daily studies to help balance me out. I do understand that I am creating my own discomfort by how I'm reacting to these circumstances. I'm working on it, and have noticed some slight improvement. In addition to these overarching social issues, I also have personal issues that are making this very challenging. I have no place of peace to retreat to and regroup; no person in whom I find comfort. If I am to find peace, I must do so internally, in the midst of a raging sandstorm. But I am committed to the task.
So thank you for offering your wisdom, and allowing me to vent to you. I apologize for sharing that which does not uplift. We may move on to other topics, as I'm not comfortable presenting an imposition upon you, which is what this feels like to me.
Enjoy the day, talk to you soon.
I'm not convinced you don't want to look like you've already found the truth.
You will have noticed how difficult your endeavor becomes as soon as you try to determine the time and manner of another person when he should do the same?
How exhausting is it to try to get someone to reach your level? How often does it lead to your heart becoming a murder pit, much more than you would like?
As long as you act as a teacher, you will not be one of those from whom one takes his teachings, because you know and the others know that you are not enlightened.
How many times have you admitted to yourself that it was embarrassing afterwards when you tried to bring someone to reason? How many times did you realize that you were wrong with the assessment of someone else?
I find an embarrassing amount of events I did this to myself and others. It's better from my point of view no to be too certain.
In times when you doubt yourself the most, you may bring out the best in you.
I don't know... I'm pretty sure violent coercion is wrong, and I don't think it's inappropriate to claim this knowledge as Truth. I am very rigid in what I speak of as Truth and what I acknowledge as opinion. Personal doubt and skepticism is what revealed these ideas to me, not arrogance. Logic, intuition and experience all lead me to certain conclusions, and these are the means by which man may attain his most certain knowledge. I'm not claiming absolute knowledge, but I am claiming the highest possible for human beings in this particular circumstance - no man has rightful authority over another.
My assessment of others is based upon their own words and behavior. If they condone violence against innocents, deem popularity and material wealth as their highest priorities, or are apathetic in their quest for greater knowledge, how is it inaccurate to say these actions do not serve mankind's greatest thriving?
Everything is not nebulous - we can know things, can't we?
We can know things, yes, but mostly we overestimate them and are too certain about judgements. "Certainty" is a dangerous thing if you ask me. For my taste, you stretch the truth term to an extend where it traps you.
It very well may be so. However, I would ask for some demonstration of how what I claim as Truth is not so. I claim that it is known with the maximum amount of certainty possible (absolute certainty is outside the scope of a wholly subjective being).
Coercion yields less-than-desirable outcomes for mankind, because it does not duly acknowledge his nature as a free-will, conscious being. Loving cooperation yields the best condition for mankind's thriving, because it honors who he is on the most fundamental level.
I claim this as Truth. I would happily review argumentation to the contrary, but so far I've not heard anything that can be better demonstrated than these ideas - that's why I hold them. Upon hearing something better, I will alter my view immediately, but this appears to describe reality with absolute accuracy.
... None of my questions were of rhetorical nature. As I said, it is not my right to demand answers, I wanted to be of service. But why must we circle around the same thing?
I am getting confused with this truth-talk and I don't want to continue.
Can't we have also another form of dialogue? Don't you know some anecdotes you can share with me? Maybe at some other time.