Random conversation
The subsequent conversation took place a minute ago. X is feverish and Y is sleepy. See if this bit of real life chattering strikes a chord your way.
X: What do you want from life?
Y: Peace of mind.
X: How will you achieve that?
Y: Oh, spiritual tranquility, decent cash, and a lover.
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November 29th, 2005 at 4:01 am
Are decent cash and a lover prerequisites for us as people to the third (but first-mentioned) item in Y’s list, which is spiritual tranquility?
I saw a movie this weekend called ‘Naked in Ashes’, and it relates the life of Yogis (followers of Yoga) in India who practice ancient traditions of Yoga and Hinduism. These people have neither cash (decent or otherwise), nor lovers (at least not physically, since they practice voluntary celibacy). Yet, they profess to having achieved the highest levels of spiritual tranquility and even beyone tranquility; spiritual joy and pure happiness. One such Yogi stated this as we got visuals of his arm, which he had decided to hold above his body for the duration of 12 years (without ever bringing it down) in order to prove his dedication to the inner happiness and joy attained by his devotion to his god(s). Others spent similar numbers of years standing on their feet and never lying down for every hour of every day, or other physically torturous feats.
It all made me wonder A LOT about the definition of happiness and spirituality…
November 29th, 2005 at 7:51 am
Not sure if it struck a chord, but it made me smile :)
November 29th, 2005 at 11:22 am
Lulu,
For privacy-related issues and since I am obliged not to reveal the identities of X and Y, I leave them anonymous. You, naturally, need not take my words as your bible, but that was a real conversation taking place in my presence and was exchanged between real people.
I am not sure what Y meant by the list she supplied. It was for this reason that I dedicated an entry for it. I personally found it quite straight forward, and seemingly not demanding.
I cannot answer your question that goes “Are decent cash and a lover prerequisites for us as people to the third (but first-mentioned) item in Y’s list, which is spiritual tranquility? “, on behalf of Y. But I think that spiritual tranquility does not have those two as conditions.
It is indeed absolutely amazing and mind-opening to see how other people in other cultures, or perhaps in one’s own, attain what levels of “spiritual elevation” they seek. I am glad you infromed me and my readership of that movie you saw, I would like to see it too. Many thanks.
Vincent,
I do not wish to force more weight unto the subject, but a smile is proof enough, for me at least :)
November 29th, 2005 at 11:56 am
we spend most -if not all- of our years seeking for a (spiritual tranquility, decent cash, and a lover)……
November 29th, 2005 at 2:28 pm
each has his/her own way of achieving peace of mind, each even has his/her own purpose of living this life… question is, can you tell what purpose do you serve of being a life? is peace of mind a purpose? the ultimate goal? or… am I thinking too loud? :/
November 29th, 2005 at 4:59 pm
??? ????? ??? ???..?? ??? ??? ??? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ????..???????
November 29th, 2005 at 5:56 pm
I am glad readers are reacting to this entry, I think it says a lot.
??? ????? Welcome to Tololy’s Box. I sincerely hope you enjoy our minds.
November 29th, 2005 at 7:31 pm
I think someone said once said that wealth is a somewhat necessary yet incomplete condition for happiness
I would agree with that
There’s a lot of idealism when people talk about not needing money. In this capitalist world one needs currnecy not only for material wealth but everything else as well. It’s not about having a large number of commodities, but the ability to travel fro example, to go to college (not in all cases but nontheless one needs money even if one was on a scholarship)
I also think having a partner and someone to share your life with is equally important.
What is happiness anyway, it could mean a great many different things, I still don’t understand why there’s been an outvry over what Y said. I think it very sensible.
Yogis are all well and good but contentmnet means different things to different people. Personally I am not that impressed with Budhism at all. It might be a little more philosophically inclined that say Islam. Teh art of Yoga, I don’t know, I mean I go to Yoga every week but it really isn’t as much of a spiritual thing, more of a workout, its fun though, highly reccommend it
spiritual tranqulity, I think that that would harder to achieve within the confines of an organized religion.
Then again, I don’t think the point of organized religion Islam, christianity, Judaism. I don’t spiritual tranqulity was ever really a goal.
Khaled
November 29th, 2005 at 8:39 pm
Just as a note, my question about prerequisites was more of an internal questioning and wondering, not really a question I was looking for an answer for. But as always, thank you for entertaining my questions/thoughts!
November 29th, 2005 at 9:54 pm
Anonymous, aka Khaled,
I agree with you that Y’s list is quite sensible. As a matter of fact, I think my list is very similar.
Lulu,
You are most welcome :)
November 29th, 2005 at 10:53 pm
I do not like to think of myself as a materilastic guy but these triangle seems to make perfect sense besides the saying sounds good and deep.
November 29th, 2005 at 11:22 pm
Glad you could join us, Issam. Welcome to Tololy’s Box. You would not believe how “silly” the situation was when those two, X and Y, were exchanging those words. I was amazed that this fruit was the outcome.