To answer the title question, I don't believe Buddha was a nihilist. I see nihilism as the ultimate end game, when one is ready to stop being. The Four Noble Truths deal with suffering during life, a guide on how to detach from life and have a few moments of inner peace. That's great, but what if deep down I feel that my main mission in this life is to LIVE, to experience this world and afterwards enrich the Universe with my experiences? To me, trying to get away from life almost seems like cheating.
The way I personally gauge the quality of a writer is how often I have to re-read sentences. You have come a long way and have made great improvements, Tom! I did not have to re-read any sentence in your last couple of posts. Keep it up!
This was very enlightening Tom! I’ve thought about trying meditation many times, but equate it to doing yoga, which I can’t seem to really wrap my head around either. I feel like I want and need stimulation, so being quiet by myself and not thinking about anything just goes against my nature, but your insight and story made me rethink that belief. Twenty minutes a day?? Hmmm, I could probably do that! Well, maybe I’ll start with ten or fifteen and see how it goes. I can see how the journal is going to be key!
I found your ideas on non attachment quite interesting as well and couldn’t help but feel a bit shallow about the idea of wanting another Hellcat, as we’ve spoken about. I mean talk about attachment, it’s my life’s mission right now to find one, kind of ridiculous actually. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still most likely getting one, but it sure made me think about the “why” behind that need for stimulation. I could also totally relate to the non attachment idea in the sense that I’ve always taught my daughters to set clearly defined goals for themselves, but beyond just setting and achieving them, it’s equally as important to enjoy the journey and process it takes to achieve them. I guess it worked. My daughter Nikki actually has a tattoo in honor of me teaching her that principle, which reads, “Stop and smell the roses.” I’m much better at that now myself too… I could go on, but just wanted to share a couple of thoughts and mostly encouragement to keep writing, you’re doing a great job!
So glad you found the piece interesting Rob. From my perspective there is nothing wrong with wanting and obtaining new things as long as it brings you joy and isn’t harming others. From our talks, my guess is half (or more) of the fun is the “chase” the looking for, desiring, and anticipating the new thing. I think sometimes the challenge can be mistaking the obtaining of the new thing as finding fulfilllment, when in reality it may ring hollow. As you said, it’s more about the journey than the destination!
If you are interested in meditating I can recommend a couple apps. I started with 3 minutes a day. What you might find interesting is the challenge to yourself to sit with your mind - the discipline and focus it requires, like many of the martial arts you have practiced, just a different kind of discipline. Super interesting what you find lurking in there and what you can learn from it. Thanks for reading and the positive words of encouragement. It means a lot.
Wow, Tom! I really love this piece! Your voice here is honest and vulnerable. I feel like I can trust you as a reader because as a writer, you are not trying to show off or be flashy. Word choice and sentence structure are well-crafted. I feel like your writing is getting crisper, more refined in this piece. You know exactly why you’re writing and you get us to the point you want to make in a beautifully crafted and circular way-referencing the book you get when your first in the psychiatric ward, using that reference as the starting point to your journey with Buddhism and meditation, and then the last sentence referencing the book again. Basically, you sound smart without being pompous, authentic and honest without needing anything in return other than telling us the truth. I REALLY love this piece. Keep writing! This piece is really great!
Wow! Thank you for such positive feedback Janet. This means a lot coming from a published author. I do feel like my writing is getting crisper and a little more refined, and I can see a future of many circular revisions as I continue to improve :)
So many great moments in this piece. I'll share two:
The first for me was this: "In my case, since I am not famous nor a historical figure, I truly believe that my story may help ease the suffering of others and possibly provide a few helpful insights into pragmatic ways people can find a little more joy and gratitude in their lives."
I applaud your "why" behind writing.
Next, I would speak to how you shared the Four Truths and then exemplifying them with a story. Which was linked to a nice reminder of the benefits we can gain from meditation. You teach as you write about each topic.
This is great, I really enjoyed this. I was first given Siddhartha by my older brother when I was 17 and it had a similar effect on me. I've been meditating for 42 years now and your description of its effects is eloquent. I definitely related to how you felt about the concept of non attachment. It's taken me nearly five decades to grasp the deeper nuances in my life. I also really like the image of your journal. For a high tech guy I thought for sure your record wouldn't be old school. That made me smile .
Thank you Renee. I also made reference to sitting with my uncomfortable feelings as Jaime commented on below. I had a wonderful teacher pass along this phrase which I repeat often to myself (and my children.). “The work is tolerating the discomfort without pushing it away ..”. It has been a game changer!
Hi Tom. I enjoyed reading this passage and it had a nice flow. I felt I could relate to the idea that non-attachment, living in the present, and sitting with your feelings can bring more peace into your life. That is something that constant travel has taught me and I have started to come to realize much more in the last two years. Of course, it is hard to always stay present, isn't it? Thanks for the early morning read. It is a nice reminder to start the day.
Thank you Jaime. Yes, staying present and being in the moment does not seem to come naturally. I have to imagine with all of your travel around the world and all the new experiences you have that you have more opportunity than most to stay in the moment. I appreciate you following along on my Substack!
To answer the title question, I don't believe Buddha was a nihilist. I see nihilism as the ultimate end game, when one is ready to stop being. The Four Noble Truths deal with suffering during life, a guide on how to detach from life and have a few moments of inner peace. That's great, but what if deep down I feel that my main mission in this life is to LIVE, to experience this world and afterwards enrich the Universe with my experiences? To me, trying to get away from life almost seems like cheating.
The way I personally gauge the quality of a writer is how often I have to re-read sentences. You have come a long way and have made great improvements, Tom! I did not have to re-read any sentence in your last couple of posts. Keep it up!
This was very enlightening Tom! I’ve thought about trying meditation many times, but equate it to doing yoga, which I can’t seem to really wrap my head around either. I feel like I want and need stimulation, so being quiet by myself and not thinking about anything just goes against my nature, but your insight and story made me rethink that belief. Twenty minutes a day?? Hmmm, I could probably do that! Well, maybe I’ll start with ten or fifteen and see how it goes. I can see how the journal is going to be key!
I found your ideas on non attachment quite interesting as well and couldn’t help but feel a bit shallow about the idea of wanting another Hellcat, as we’ve spoken about. I mean talk about attachment, it’s my life’s mission right now to find one, kind of ridiculous actually. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still most likely getting one, but it sure made me think about the “why” behind that need for stimulation. I could also totally relate to the non attachment idea in the sense that I’ve always taught my daughters to set clearly defined goals for themselves, but beyond just setting and achieving them, it’s equally as important to enjoy the journey and process it takes to achieve them. I guess it worked. My daughter Nikki actually has a tattoo in honor of me teaching her that principle, which reads, “Stop and smell the roses.” I’m much better at that now myself too… I could go on, but just wanted to share a couple of thoughts and mostly encouragement to keep writing, you’re doing a great job!
So glad you found the piece interesting Rob. From my perspective there is nothing wrong with wanting and obtaining new things as long as it brings you joy and isn’t harming others. From our talks, my guess is half (or more) of the fun is the “chase” the looking for, desiring, and anticipating the new thing. I think sometimes the challenge can be mistaking the obtaining of the new thing as finding fulfilllment, when in reality it may ring hollow. As you said, it’s more about the journey than the destination!
If you are interested in meditating I can recommend a couple apps. I started with 3 minutes a day. What you might find interesting is the challenge to yourself to sit with your mind - the discipline and focus it requires, like many of the martial arts you have practiced, just a different kind of discipline. Super interesting what you find lurking in there and what you can learn from it. Thanks for reading and the positive words of encouragement. It means a lot.
Wow, Tom! I really love this piece! Your voice here is honest and vulnerable. I feel like I can trust you as a reader because as a writer, you are not trying to show off or be flashy. Word choice and sentence structure are well-crafted. I feel like your writing is getting crisper, more refined in this piece. You know exactly why you’re writing and you get us to the point you want to make in a beautifully crafted and circular way-referencing the book you get when your first in the psychiatric ward, using that reference as the starting point to your journey with Buddhism and meditation, and then the last sentence referencing the book again. Basically, you sound smart without being pompous, authentic and honest without needing anything in return other than telling us the truth. I REALLY love this piece. Keep writing! This piece is really great!
Wow! Thank you for such positive feedback Janet. This means a lot coming from a published author. I do feel like my writing is getting crisper and a little more refined, and I can see a future of many circular revisions as I continue to improve :)
So many great moments in this piece. I'll share two:
The first for me was this: "In my case, since I am not famous nor a historical figure, I truly believe that my story may help ease the suffering of others and possibly provide a few helpful insights into pragmatic ways people can find a little more joy and gratitude in their lives."
I applaud your "why" behind writing.
Next, I would speak to how you shared the Four Truths and then exemplifying them with a story. Which was linked to a nice reminder of the benefits we can gain from meditation. You teach as you write about each topic.
XO
This is great, I really enjoyed this. I was first given Siddhartha by my older brother when I was 17 and it had a similar effect on me. I've been meditating for 42 years now and your description of its effects is eloquent. I definitely related to how you felt about the concept of non attachment. It's taken me nearly five decades to grasp the deeper nuances in my life. I also really like the image of your journal. For a high tech guy I thought for sure your record wouldn't be old school. That made me smile .
Thank you Renee. I also made reference to sitting with my uncomfortable feelings as Jaime commented on below. I had a wonderful teacher pass along this phrase which I repeat often to myself (and my children.). “The work is tolerating the discomfort without pushing it away ..”. It has been a game changer!
Hi Tom. I enjoyed reading this passage and it had a nice flow. I felt I could relate to the idea that non-attachment, living in the present, and sitting with your feelings can bring more peace into your life. That is something that constant travel has taught me and I have started to come to realize much more in the last two years. Of course, it is hard to always stay present, isn't it? Thanks for the early morning read. It is a nice reminder to start the day.
Thank you Jaime. Yes, staying present and being in the moment does not seem to come naturally. I have to imagine with all of your travel around the world and all the new experiences you have that you have more opportunity than most to stay in the moment. I appreciate you following along on my Substack!