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Chapter of the Week: #74 [Archive]
The Free Will / Self / Compassion Link
The notion of a free will, either explicit or implied, is a manifestation of our sense of self. It is the 'self' which chooses to do or not do this or that. It is the 'self' which chooses to live right or otherwise, and to feel compassion or otherwise, yes?
Now, most world-views hold that the 'self' is real, and so none of this would seem ironic in their eyes. However, Buddhist hold that the 'self' is an illusion which can be 'extinguished'. Mmmmm? If 'self is an illusion, then there is no 'self'. If there is actually no 'self', then who chooses to live right or feel compassion? Who chooses to extinguish self, for that matter? Who has free will? Who follows the Dharma? Such an oxymoron as this imparts great irony, does it not? :?
The notion of a free will, either explicit or implied, is a manifestation of our sense of self. It is the 'self' which chooses to do or not do this or that. It is the 'self' which chooses to live right or otherwise, and to feel compassion or otherwise, yes?
Now, most world-views hold that the 'self' is real, and so none of this would seem ironic in their eyes. However, Buddhist hold that the 'self' is an illusion which can be 'extinguished'. Mmmmm? If 'self is an illusion, then there is no 'self'. If there is actually no 'self', then who chooses to live right or feel compassion? Who chooses to extinguish self, for that matter? Who has free will? Who follows the Dharma? Such an oxymoron as this imparts great irony, does it not? :?
Comments
Note: The Tao Te Ching can be obscure, especially if you think you're supposed to understand what it's saying! We find it easier and more instructive to simply contemplate how the chapter resonates with your personal experience. Becoming more aware at this fundamental level simplifies life. This approach conforms to the view that true knowing lies within ourselves. Thus, when a passage in the scripture resonates, you've found your inner truth. The same applies for when it evokes a question; questions are the grist for self realization.
Chapter 74
When the people are not afraid of death, wherefore frighten them with death?
Were the people always afraid of death, and were I able to arrest and put to
death those who innovate, then who would dare? There is a regular executioner
whose charge it is to kill. To kill on behalf of the executioner is what is
described as chopping wood on behalf of the master carpenter. In chopping wood
on behalf of the master carpenter, there are few who escape hurting their own
hands instead.
I see two parts to this chapter. The chapter first observes how if the people always afraid of death you could, presumably, control people completely. In principle, the fear of losing what we hold dear has the power to control us, with death being the most extreme aspect of loss - generally. But, as the suicide bombers and martyrs show, the threat of death is not the worst loss imaginable to all of us.
Looking deeper, this chapter reflects for me the fact that we like to have 'things' (life) go our way, and if given the choice would have it so. We vie constantly to get our way, to win. We argue, vote, go to war, bribe, threaten, honk our horn... whatever we can do to [chref=48]meddle[/chref] in how things are. Then, when we don't succeed, we often fume.
Personally, I notice that when I'm [chref=63]meddlesome[/chref], life comes back to bite me. I rarely escape hurting my own hands instead. If nothing else, I end up barking up the wrong tree, wasting life-time in a futile attempt to have life meet my expectations. What a waste! Lordy Lordy! :roll: :!:
In our family life, I see so much how we don?t have nature?s consequences keeping us attentive, making sure we take care of basics. I try to set basic standards for us to live by, like eating fairly healthy food, and not just stocking up on soda and chips at the supermarket, because our taste buds pull us that way. But lately I find myself more and more nagging my wife and daughter, about taking care of basics. Instead of letting ?logical consequences? happen. Like, if my daughter doesn?t come home from play at the time she?s supposed to, then she doesn?t get to play with her friends the next day.
When I?m nagging, instead of letting them suffer through their consequences, I feel like I?m hurting my own emotional hands, so to speak. I guess I have a hard time emotionally seeing them experience whatever suffering would be associated with them not doing the things that need doing. (I operate on the basic premise that our life together is saner, and more content, when we focus on taking care of basics. Picking up after ourselves, eating well, spending quality time together.)
But I guess, there?s probably less suffering to be had, if I let go of my desires to protect them, (and me, when I have to experience my own consequences for things I don?t do). As Carl points out, I end up barking up the wrong tree.