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Cakes
some guy
Registered: 08/26/05
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I can't picture a situation in which I would be content
#9130308 - 10/25/08 02:41 AM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
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Everyone I know seems to be able to picture a place in the future in which they would be content and happy. I just can't do that. No matter how hard I try (and I've been trying for years) I cannot come even close to imagining a situation that I would feel content being in. Everything just feels so out of place, and empty when it comes down to it.
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Lion
Decadent Flower Magnate
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Re: I can't picture a situation in which I would be content [Re: Cakes] 1
#9130892 - 10/25/08 08:40 AM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
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Dreaming of a future situation where you'll be content detracts greatly from absorption in the present. It is in the present moment that we learn contentment and acceptance - the heart of simplicity.
Most of the time I am running around, trying to get here or there, attain this or that. When I'm in future-oriented mode, there is always this empty feeling you mentioned, the feeling that whatever I can possibly get, it won't be good enough. Something iss missing. In this game of chase-the-dangling-carrot, life is shallow and meaningless. That's the predominant game must of us have going for us right now.
When you do get anything, you get it in the Now - you experience contentment in the Now, or not at all. Contentment is not in the future - for real.
And if you don't already know how to dwell in the Now, "to feel the Life underneath your life situation", as Eckhart Tolle puts it, you won't fully accept your circumstances whether they're favorable or otherwise, and life will be one meaningless, boring, lifeless situation after another.
-------------------- “Strengthened by contemplation and study, I will not fear my passions like a coward. My body I will give to pleasures, to diversions that I’ve dreamed of, to the most daring erotic desires, to the lustful impulses of my blood, without any fear at all, for whenever I will— and I will have the will, strengthened as I’ll be with contemplation and study— at the crucial moments I’ll recover my spirit as was before: ascetic.”
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WhiskeyClone
Not here
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Loc: Longitudinal Center of Canada ...
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Re: I can't picture a situation in which I would be content [Re: Lion]
#9130913 - 10/25/08 08:54 AM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
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Good post Lion.
-------------------- Welcome evermore to gods and men is the self-helping man. For him all doors are flung wide: him all tongues greet, all honors crown, all eyes follow with desire. Our love goes out to him and embraces him, because he did not need it. ~ R.W. Emerson, "Self-Reliance"
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AmericanPsycho
Abomination of Nature
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Re: I can't picture a situation in which I would be content [Re: Cakes]
#9131599 - 10/25/08 12:32 PM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
Cakes said: Everyone I know seems to be able to picture a place in the future in which they would be content and happy. I just can't do that. No matter how hard I try (and I've been trying for years) I cannot come even close to imagining a situation that I would feel content being in. Everything just feels so out of place, and empty when it comes down to it.
I feel exactly the same way. I'm 100% positive that I don't want kids and i'm not mature enough to even take care of them. And relationships are too complicated and stressful so I've given up on that too. So I can't picture how I can be content and happy in the future either.
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AmericanPsycho
Abomination of Nature
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Re: I can't picture a situation in which I would be content [Re: AmericanPsycho]
#9131660 - 10/25/08 12:42 PM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
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I'm thinking the only way I can be somewhat content is making enough money to live comfortably. Also have as much opiates as I want...but that might get old too, so I don't know.
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imagine
Psychic
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Re: I can't picture a situation in which I would be content [Re: AmericanPsycho]
#9131795 - 10/25/08 01:05 PM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
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How are relationships too complicated and stressful? Perhaps YOU are too complicated and stressful
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AmericanPsycho
Abomination of Nature
Registered: 12/18/06
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Re: I can't picture a situation in which I would be content [Re: imagine]
#9132010 - 10/25/08 01:57 PM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
imagine said: How are relationships too complicated and stressful? Perhaps YOU are too complicated and stressful
yeah you're probably right
Edited by AmericanPsycho (10/25/08 02:09 PM)
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freddurgan
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Re: I can't picture a situation in which I would be content [Re: AmericanPsycho]
#9134737 - 10/25/08 11:22 PM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
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I totally understand the OP too. When I feel/think like this I just end up watching TV all day. It's a rather disappointing scenario to be in.
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hoodbran
Dosser
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Re: I can't picture a situation in which I would be content [Re: freddurgan]
#9135818 - 10/26/08 07:46 AM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
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Don't worry about the future, you live right now, don't worry about the past wishing it to be better, it stops you living fully, now... You don't need to know what's coming your way or try to influence it either. Wishing for a perfect future is the same as putting a social mask on to cover any insecurities we *think* we have- I think I hear a silent message and it's toward the meaning of existence "comes down to it" - Are you searching for yourself? You are not what society taught you to be, but I think you know that... somehow...
This might help
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Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery
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Re: I can't picture a situation in which I would be content [Re: Cakes]
#9137326 - 10/26/08 03:52 PM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
Cakes said: Everyone I know seems to be able to picture a place in the future in which they would be content and happy. I just can't do that. No matter how hard I try (and I've been trying for years) I cannot come even close to imagining a situation that I would feel content being in. Everything just feels so out of place, and empty when it comes down to it.
Such is life. Endeavor to persevere.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
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jonathanseagull
Cool!
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Re: I can't picture a situation in which I would be content [Re: Cakes]
#9137930 - 10/26/08 05:39 PM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
Cakes said: Everyone I know seems to be able to picture a place in the future in which they would be content and happy. I just can't do that. No matter how hard I try (and I've been trying for years) I cannot come even close to imagining a situation that I would feel content being in. Everything just feels so out of place, and empty when it comes down to it.
You've just described two key Buddhist ideas: - That dukkha (unsatisfactoriness) is inherent in life - Anatman: "Not-self"... and Sunyata: "emptiness". Everything relies on something else for it's existence, and to exist in a sense is to experience unsatisfactoriness, because everything is impermanent and will come to an end.
You could look into those concepts and see if they speak to you.
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Loving in truth, and fain in verse my love to show, That the dear She might take some pleasure of my pain: Pleasure might cause her read, reading might make her know, Knowledge might pity win, and pity grace obtain.
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willo
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Re: I can't picture a situation in which I would be content [Re: jonathanseagull]
#9140660 - 10/27/08 06:04 AM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
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this topic struck my attention after not posting for a loong time can I just add... don't ever forget that the fact of being happy in the future is a direct effect of your present experience,so your actions and your sorroundings will determine your memories one day
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