Jhanon's Philosophical Writings

[Jhanon]

I'm really into finding ways to persuade others toward the N8P, even if it's very subtle. I love writing like this, but I'm tired of putting all up on my FB, where it doesn't always get much interaction. So, I'm going to start cranking them out here. For anyone who, like me, enjoys reasoning and writing.

If a solution to a conflict isn't unifying, then it isn't a solution.

When a hot piece of metal meets cool water, the water warms and the hot metal cools. Each side of a conflict always has its own part to play. They surrender to each other, and adapt together.

The same goes for human relations. Whether it's a conflict with another person or an idea. The unifying solution is to surrender to each other and adapt together.

Within the laws of nature, conflicts are always happening, and nature will always utilize the most efficient and noble solution. Whatever it does really will be for the greater good of the whole, like the hot metal and cool water. It can be no other way.

As humans, it's our duty to continue earning stewardship by resolving conflicts in the same way. If we don't, even once, then nature will take action FOR us.

Example: Let's say you're eating less and less. Eventually, you're down to about 700 calories a day of healthy food. As the days go on, your body will begin to manifest signals of conflict as it redirects nutrients to the crucial organs.Things hurt, you get dizzy, and weak.

Eventually, you become hardly able to function in your daily responsibilities. People worry. If you still don't take action, organs barely function, and you'll either die or end up in a hospital or medical care facility where they (nature) resolve the conflict for you. Hospitals and doctors are part of nature, too.

I remember seeing those "What Would Jesus Do" bracelets. More to the point, What Would Nature Do?

Does this seem accurate?

[adelo93]

Very interesting Jhanon. I've found that feedback also plays a crucial role in this. Following your organ logic, I'd propose that those with 'natural' knowledge of the specific bodily function always come to the aid of those who lack that knowledge. In this case, the physician (or hospital organization) was most capable in aiding that body of mass in a manner that would most efficiently return that body to a stable condition. The physician and patient, working as the hot and cold water, respectively, work together to: 1. provide feedback and 2. neutralize each other. Thus, the product of this is a stable body now composed of hot, cold, and luke-warm water. Now the patient learns to enjoy the hot-lukewarm state and the physician learns how to recognize the cold-lukewarm state. Without the two, however, the lukewarm state, as it is, would not have made itself manifest. It's like this: Imagine two children carrying fire in their right hand and ice in their left. Both know what they have in their hands but do not yet know that what they have can change. Now imagine that the two children go along walking next to each other for a finite amount of time, however they never make contact with their hands. When they meet, though, they decide to face each other and place their hands together. Now the children, both having realized that the other was required to change the current state of the fire or ice in their hands, learn how to produce warm water. Forgive me if this doesn't make sense, but this is what I got out of reading your post. Just adding a little thought to your thought.

[Jhanananda]

I think it might be better to offer a solution to their problem.  Say, unhappiness (dhukka), you then explain the 4 noble truth, which direct people then to the N8P.  Then you offer them the GWV's version of the N8P, so that they can see a logical sequence between following an N8P that actually gets to bliss, which replaces the depression; because without bliss there is no replacement for depression.

[Jhanon]

I intend to respond, everyone. However, I was doing schoolwork and this suddenly poured out of me. It's not as extensive as it could be, but that's because I realized I have to get back to work. This was originally intended for a broad audience, and so I don't specifically reference mystic terms. My goal is to both express my findings and help others to begin thinking about these things which should lead them toward samadhi and related.

"Pain makes you feel irritated, and makes it hard for you to concentrate on other things." In other words, pain or suffering causes inclination to think about it and its source. If I suddenly punch you in the face, the pain will cause you to wonder why I did it, and how to resolve the pain. There is mental pain as well.

Humans are almost always in varying degrees of pain, such as mild discomfort or even restlessness--even though they may not notice it, or label it as "boredom" and think nothing more of it. If we weren't always in discomfort, then we wouldn't have any reason to do anything. Some medical marijuana patients don't eat because it's generally more painful than not eating. Generally, the longer someone can be still, the less pain or discomfort they are in.

If one has severe existential pain, such as is represented mental "disabilities" such as ADHD, then the mind will be inclined toward resolving the pain of existence, and thus find itself interested in various related inquiries. It will be extremely difficult to concentrate on anything that doesn't seem likely to resolve or relieve the discomfort. Hence, the body and mind of someone with ADHD will be in almost constant movement until they begin to understand how to mediate that pain.

In this sense, such mental conditions are a natural byproduct of solution, like the cut which the body heals, but first it must scab over. Existential discomfort is the cut, and mental "disabilities" are scabs attempting to heal it.

Attempting to ignore that pain in order to do as the majority expects is like being stabbed in the vital organs, and simply going about your day.

NOTE: I've been "diagnosed with ADHD" ever since I can remember. Note how I was doing schoolwork and suddenly lost myself in contemplating pain or dukkha. Does this not represent what I've written?

I will address responses shortly. I'm sorry. I have a busy day.

[Jhanon]

Sorry, another one came out today. What it seems my interest is falling on is being as appealing, yet non-religious as possible in efforts to rouse the curiosity of others. I rarely actually use obviously religious terms, like noble eightfold path, on a public forum such as Facebook. In fact, I rarely use these terms anywhere else but here. I've found it more useful to avoid them, as they often come with strong bias, like the term "God" does.

Drinking Booze and Slapping Penguins
(I use silly and unusual titles like this to get the attention of what I've observed most people to be attracted to who are similar to me and could be interested in meditation)

It seems so obvious when you stop to think about it, and one can do this with absolutely anything. Say you have a headache. Okay, what was the primary cause? Alcohol. Great, why did you drink alcohol? Because you wanted to relax and have fun. Cool.

Why did you want to relax and have fun? Because you were dissatisfied in one way or another. Naturally. Why were you dissatisfied? Because of thoughts. Gotcha. What caused you to have the thoughts? The combination of past and present experiences. Yeah, that makes sense. Why do you experience? Awareness.

And that's where most individuals line of reasoning formed from direct observation will end. But one can do anything from slap a penguin to form a new religion, and the source will ultimately be the same; awareness (or whatever religious term you would prefer to call it.)

If suddenly one hears faint sound and wants to know its source, they will make effort to quiet all other stimulation while paying close attention to it and moving in the direction of it. They know they're getting closer when the vibration of sound waves progressively increase in frequency,  and therefor are more vivid, helping them to realize it's music, and eventually discern all the specific instruments.

The same goes for awareness. One quiets all other stimulation, and absorbs in the highest frequency vibration which is discernible, following it as it becomes more vivid and apparent. For beginners, that would usually be their breathing, which, in the music example, would be the stage of just beginning to discern sound. As all other stimulation quieten, the breath reveals subtler phenomena. At this point, you're beginning to hear music, but only one or two instruments are discernible. As you continue absorbing into it, eventually an entire symphony reveals itself and immerses you in profundity as you move closer to awareness.

[Jhanananda]

My teaching method has been more about being a living example of wise living habits.  A very small number of those who live foolish living habits see those who live wisely and are inspired to live wisely as well.

Leading a weekly, or daily, meditation sit is an excellent way to find those who seek to live wisely.  When I was a student at the University of Arizona I found there was no meditation club there, so I started one, and then I found a place that was conducive to meditation, then I led a daily meditate sit there every day at noon.  I announced my club and the sit, and people came.  You could do the same thing.

[Jhanon]

Very interesting Jhanon. I've found that feedback also plays a crucial role in this. Following your organ logic, I'd propose that those with 'natural' knowledge of the specific bodily function always come to the aid of those who lack that knowledge. In this case, the physician (or hospital organization) was most capable in aiding that body of mass in a manner that would most efficiently return that body to a stable condition. The physician and patient, working as the hot and cold water, respectively, work together to: 1. provide feedback and 2. neutralize each other. Thus, the product of this is a stable body now composed of hot, cold, and luke-warm water. Now the patient learns to enjoy the hot-lukewarm state and the physician learns how to recognize the cold-lukewarm state. Without the two, however, the lukewarm state, as it is, would not have made itself manifest. It's like this: Imagine two children carrying fire in their right hand and ice in their left. Both know what they have in their hands but do not yet know that what they have can change. Now imagine that the two children go along walking next to each other for a finite amount of time, however they never make contact with their hands. When they meet, though, they decide to face each other and place their hands together. Now the children, both having realized that the other was required to change the current state of the fire or ice in their hands, learn how to produce warm water. Forgive me if this doesn't make sense, but this is what I got out of reading your post. Just adding a little thought to your thought.

It's certainly an interesting example, Aldo, but yes, it seems to coincide with the main point. The trouble is that it seems most people don't stop to expand on such a concept and consider just how much it is interwoven into our life experience. That's the tricky part for me. Trying to find a way to hold their hand through it, without being too lengthy that they won't read, or too unfamiliar and under stimulating that they won't find it interesting to contemplate.

I think it might be better to offer a solution to their problem.  Say, unhappiness (dhukka), you then explain the 4 noble truth, which direct people then to the N8P.  Then you offer them the GWV's version of the N8P, so that they can see a logical sequence between following an N8P that actually gets to bliss, which replaces the depression; because without bliss there is no replacement for depression.

You don't mean to openly and directly discuss Buddhist theory, right? Even my friend on Facebook who shares Buddhist terminology and philosophy I find somewhat repelling. It's too preachy, and doesn't seem like it was processed through the writer--but rather regurgitated. And that just doesn't seem to work well.

I think it's most skillful to avoid any terminology more specific than "suffering" or "awareness" when discussing on a general forum like Facebook. Even those two words can appear like new age fluff to much of the more open population.

I've found it's best to simply get their gears turning, which, in itself can be challenging. If they're open, which is easy to then determine, I engage in messaging or a phone call.

It's like making the choice to endeavor in eating an all natural, animal-product-free diet. Sure, most everyone knows in the back of their head that for most humans it eliminates most common American diseases and likelihood of developing diseases. But most don't usually care.

They care about benefits, but what seems to captivate them is relating. So when I throw out Buddhist or contemplative terms, their minds turn off. Or, my Buddhist friend of Facebook needlessly comments in an effort to school me--even though he's aware of my general stage. Humans are silly.

What I mean is that the public seems to relate more to drinking and ridiculous humor than to logical and skillful means. That's just my skewed perception at present.

[Jhanon]

My teaching method has been more about being a living example of wise living habits.  A very small number of those who live foolish living habits see those who live wisely and are inspired to live wisely as well.

Leading a weekly, or daily, meditation sit is an excellent way to find those who seek to live wisely.  When I was a student at the University of Arizona I found there was no meditation club there, so I started one, and then I found a place that was conducive to meditation, then I led a daily meditate sit there every day at noon.  I announced my club and the sit, and people came.  You could do the same thing.

You're correct, Jhananda. I saw in one of the GWV teaching documents that a teacher is expected to run a meditation group. But it usually takes 2-3 suggestions of something for me to finally take action. I'm a fool like that.

I should. I should start one. But where? I can't do it at my home--there is too many people crammed in it as it is, and it's noisy.

[Jhanananda]

You're correct, Jhananda. I saw in one of the GWV teaching documents that a teacher is expected to run a meditation group. But it usually takes 2-3 suggestions of something for me to finally take action. I'm a fool like that.

I should. I should start one. But where? I can't do it at my home--there is too many people crammed in it as it is, and it's noisy.

Since you are a student, then look around the college or university that you are attending.  Perhaps there is already a meditation club.  If so join it.  If not start one.  Any religious organization that is near any college or university is often times willing to allow a space on their campus for the use of the public to engage in a meditation group.

[Jhanon]

It's a good idea. Unfortunately I got to school online.

But there are a couple universities here. I'll probe around.

[Jhanon]

Jhananda, I am making efforts to teach more. But I have committed to strictly teaching meditative absorption, it's related phenomena, and it's necessary pre-requisites. I find people trust me more and are more open to meditation because I don't push any religious or spiritual philosophy with it.

I center on meditation, and it seems to do all the work on it's own. Which I think is wisest. If one can show them te fruit, and how to grab the first branch of the tree, is it not natural for them to find their own path to the same fruits? Of course I offer additional teachings like the N8P if anyone expresses interest.

[Jhanon]

You ever heard of "oppositional defiant disorder?" Check this out:

"Oppositional defiant disorder is a pattern of disobedient, hostile, and defiant behavior toward authority figures."

In other words, a person that prefers to think for themselves, and will fight for their right to?

Someone could easily diagnose most of my friends and I with this. These diagnosis, like ADHD as well, appear to be attempting to exert control over the movers and shakers--do they not?

And consider since the Industrial Age narrowed and systemized the expected means of self-sustenance, we find many of these individuals on the streets.

Change is what prevents long-lasting corruption, and so by abandoning and marginalizing our homeless, are we not shooting our own foot?



Do you see how I'm trying to address issues we talk about in a different way? I wonder your thoughts on that general approach.

[Jhanananda]

Jhananda, I am making efforts to teach more. But I have committed to strictly teaching meditative absorption, it's related phenomena, and it's necessary pre-requisites. I find people trust me more and are more open to meditation because I don't push any religious or spiritual philosophy with it.

I center on meditation, and it seems to do all the work on it's own. Which I think is wisest. If one can show them te fruit, and how to grab the first branch of the tree, is it not natural for them to find their own path to the same fruits? Of course I offer additional teachings like the N8P if anyone expresses interest.

Follow what works.

You ever heard of "oppositional defiant disorder?" Check this out:

"Oppositional defiant disorder is a pattern of disobedient, hostile, and defiant behavior toward authority figures."

In other words, a person that prefers to think for themselves, and will fight for their right to?

Someone could easily diagnose most of my friends and I with this. These diagnosis, like ADHD as well, appear to be attempting to exert control over the movers and shakers--do they not?

And consider since the Industrial Age narrowed and systemized the expected means of self-sustenance, we find many of these individuals on the streets.

Change is what prevents long-lasting corruption, and so by abandoning and marginalizing our homeless, are we not shooting our own foot?



Do you see how I'm trying to address issues we talk about in a different way? I wonder your thoughts on that general approach.

I agree with you, same with the diagnoses of religious experience as "religious psychosis."  It is all a way of disempowerment.

[Michel]

Someone could easily diagnose most of my friends and I with this. These diagnosis, like ADHD as well, appear to be attempting to exert control over the movers and shakers--do they not?

And consider since the Industrial Age narrowed and systemized the expected means of self-sustenance, we find many of these individuals on the streets.

Change is what prevents long-lasting corruption, and so by abandoning and marginalizing our homeless, are we not shooting our own foot?

Just read this article on homelessness:

No Solutions: Laws to Make Everything About Homelessness Illegal Have Increased Dramatically
 
 
July 19, 2014     

While homelessness is worse than ever in many places across the country, more and more cities are addressing the crisis by making it illegal to sleep, sit or simply be in public.
 
This decades-old trend is spreading even as the social safety net keeps shrinking and housing is at its most expensive. People with nowhere else to go are cited, arrested and jailed for begging, lying on park benches or curling up on stoops—even though criminalizing activities that homeless people do to survive does nothing to end homelessness and costs more than it would to house them.
 
So finds a study of 187 cities by the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty (NLCHP), an advocacy group that has tracked the way cities address homelessness since 1991. The new report, the first in three years, found a 43 percent increase since 2011 in laws designed to curb the presence of homeless people on the streets (so-called sit-lie laws) and a 60 percent increase in city-wide bans as opposed to more narrow bans focused on downtowns or public parks.
 
Moreover, in three years, laws that ban sleeping in cars and other private vehicles, the last refuge for many families that have lost their homes, have jumped by 116 percent.
 
The increase and broadening of these laws means that more cities are handling their homelessness crisis by essentially pushing society’s most marginalized, reviled population out of sight. While the U.N. Committee on Human Rights has found that such laws violate international human rights treaties and the 9th Circuit Court has found that people who have lost their homes should not be penalized for sleeping in their cars, the bans and penalties for violating them keep growing.
 
The bleak findings, which come as income inequality, wage stagnation and outright poverty have become endemic, suggest a compassion fatigue with no sign of abating. The laws are being passed with wide voter approval, in cities that offer few or no alternatives for those living on the streets.
 
Palo Alto, Calif., for example, at the center of the high-tech boom, has only 15 shelter beds, serving 10 percent of its homeless population, but it has made sleeping in one’s own private vehicle a crime punishable by a $1,000 fine or six months in jail. Santa Cruz, Calif., where 83 percent of homeless people have no shelter options, has imposed bans on camping,  sitting, or lying down in public or sleeping in vehicles. Orlando, Fla., where 34 percent of homeless people are without shelter beds, prohibits camping, sleeping  and begging in public as well as “food sharing.”
 
Bans on “food sharing,” or feeding homeless people, are the latest trend in criminalization laws. Of the cities surveyed, 17 have made it illegal to feed people in public.
Homeless people surveyed reported warrants and outstanding tickets for sleeping outside or in their cars, constant harassment from police, and a hopelessness as to how to change their situation. Many surveyed have had their possessions confiscated for “storing them” in public and jailed for living outside. The Western Regional Advocacy Project (W.R.A.P.), an umbrella group for homeless advocacy organization in several Western states, conducted a national survey of 1,600 homeless people and found that 80 percent have been harassed for sleeping in public and 74 percent have no idea where to go to find safe shelter.
 
For those who are employed and homeless—44 percent of the nation’s homeless population, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless—these penalties endanger their best chance —their jobs—for mitigating their living situation.
 
Cities grappling with growing homeless populations and less affordable housing (more than 12 percent of the nation’s supply of low-income housing has been permanently lost since 2001) are stymied as to how to provide solutions, said Jeremy Rosen, a spokesman for the NLCHP, so they adopt criminalization ordinances.
 
“We are really trying to wave our hands at this point,” Rosen said, “And point out to communities that the approach is generally unsuccessful. They return to the streets again and it becomes more difficult to help them as they have a criminal record and fines and court costs they can’t pay.”
 
There are a few bright spots in the report. Cities that have adopted a “housing first” approach to homelessness—providing housing with supportive services—have reduced the costs associated with enforcing anti-homeless laws while providing safe shelter for their most vulnerable population. In Utah, a government study found that the annual cost of emergency room visits and jail stays for an average homeless person was $16,670, while providing an apartment and a social worker cost $11,000. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, by providing housing, the city reduced spending on homelessness-related jail costs by 64 percent.

Source - alternet.org :  http://www.alternet.org/print/civil-liberties/no-solutions-laws-make-everything-about-homelessness-illegal-have-increased

[Jhanananda]

Thank-you, Michel and Jhanon for your recent posts.  It is clear to me that natural human behavior, and survival skills, are rapidly becoming illegal, or diagnosed as an illness, and treated with depressive medications.