So I Like This Woman At Work...

[springrite]

I see the Zen place on Dave's avatar. No words needed indeed. 

[Rinaldo]

You can't eat if you don't have money.

Not true.

[Corey]

Although I don't subscribe to the essentially contemplative and passive Eastern weltanschauung, I do agree that the West has gone way too far in the opposite direction.

I don't entirely either because I am not wholly a contemplative myself (though perennially attracted by the monastic life), but yes I agree it is important to mediate the opposite tendency. A "middle-way" if you will.

[DavidW]

Not true.

With food stamps and soup kitchens it's not that hard.  I know someone who was impoverished and ate better than me on food stamps.

[Rinaldo]

With food stamps and soup kitchens it's not that hard.  I know someone who was impoverished and ate better than me on food stamps.

With your own garden, it's even easier.

(well, not really, as you have to take care of it but oh, the delicious rewards!)

[Ataraxia]

I don't entirely either because I am not wholly a contemplative myself (though perennially attracted by the monastic life), but yes I agree it is important to mediate the opposite tendency. A "middle-way" if you will.

This.

[Ataraxia]

I see the Zen place on Dave's avatar. No words needed indeed. 

I knew you'd notice.

[Corey]

Maybe we need a new thread?

[Ataraxia]

The Contemplative Renunciation Thread.

[Mirror Image]

If you look in the wrong direction, sure you won't.

The smile of a beautiful woman passing by.
A sunset clothed in gold, scarlet and dark grey.
An old tree full of chirping birds.
The look in the eyes of a dog begging for food or play.
A cat taking a nap in an open window of an old house.
A lonely organist playing some unknown choral in an empty church.
The myriad twinkling stars on a summer night.
A cuckoo singing somewhere in the woods right after a refreshing rain.

All these and many more are things that money can't buy.

Oh and one more thing: it's not the economy that makes you unhappy but yourself.

Amen. Preach it brother!

[Florestan]

I don't entirely either because I am not wholly a contemplative myself (though perennially attracted by the monastic life), but yes I agree it is important to mediate the opposite tendency. A "middle-way" if you will.

Exactly.

[Florestan]

Maybe we need a new thread?

The Eastern-Western Divan, or Henry Ford vs Siddharta Gautama 

[Corey]

or Mitt Romney versus Thomas Merton

[Florestan]

or Mitt Romney versus Thomas Merton

That's even better.

[Sammy]

I've heard this before, but I think it's a pretty small fraction. Also, music composition is more of a focus in technique than that type of expression.

I think more of the music I like is inspired by existential themes. In fact, right now I'm listening to an example- BTBAM's Telos, the middle part has a type of explosive passion, but it's an existential, ecstatic mystery-type. Simply out of this world.


It's probably best to give up on happiness, since the economy doesn't allow it any more.

Money has nothing to do with happiness; great sex is the key.  That's why I'm usually a happy camper.

However, it's good to have money.  Since some of you characters seem to think otherwise, just mail me those checks that deplete your checking accounts or are hidden under your beds.  I'll use those checks for the future nursing home.  Well, of course you won't give up your financial resources.  You're talking nonsense. 

[Mirror Image]

You're talking nonsense.

Yes...you really are.

[CriticalI]

Buddhist monks and other acetic types do pretty well without money.

Sure, if you discount the constant begging for donations. Do you know anything about Buddhist monks?

[North Star]

Buddhist monks and other acetic types do pretty well without money. The difference is mainly that they don't buy in to the collected fantasy (and hence attaining a level of absolute truth for a lot of people) that you must have money to survive (and to be "happy").

You mean acetic alcohol, right? 

[Mirror Image]

Hmmm...so I like this other woman at work now.

[springrite]

Hmmm...so I like this other woman at work now.

Per some opinions, you can make her happy by offering loads of money. Make her a whore.

Wait...

Let's get back on topic, should we?