#buddhist psychology

[dharmatea]

"I see you Mara. Come, Let's Have Tea" -The Buddha

Believing that something shouldn’t be happening is a type of avoidance. Avoidance of potential suffering creates suffering. Accepting that in life, there is suffering may seem very cathartic, but it helps us to practice let go of our deep aversion to suffering. So may I ask, so the difference between pain and suffering. Adversion to discomfort… I shouldn’t be going through this, I shouldn’t be dealing with this. Creates suffering. Aversion to discomfort according to a lesson I’m taking in a Buddhist studies course. 

Always grasping for what makes us comfortable. peace, feelings of joy or happiness will lead to impermanence. The temporary fixes to a deeper problem. The non-acceptance that suffering exists and is a part of life. It’s looking for a short term fix, we become self-centered and less kind to others to avoid our own suffering. 

Not striving for these wants, looking for the well-being of those around us, can be used to reduce our own suffering, we have more compassion and quit looking for quick fixes. 

In this quote, the Buddha is speaking to a demon named Mara, who is a part of the Buddha himself and is the part that's stirring up trouble on his path to enlightenment. I have heard it said that Mara can be a representation of our own emotions that we may feel an aversion to. By learning to sit with them, and have tea with them, we are able to befriend our emotions.

https://youtu.be/dHIOtjiGiy8?si=d4ZzsYs3-9vGpTw_

[usunezukoinezu]

''The notion of ignorance or delusion is used in a precise manner by the Buddhists. It is not a lack of intelligence or lack of capability, but rather the effect of the distortions of mind referred to earlier. Delusion is seeing what is impermanent as stable, seeing what is without self as possessing a self, seeing what is unsatisfactory as satisfying, and so forth. Desire is only present in the mind because of our lack of understanding around these fundamental aspects of experience. If we truly accepted that all things change, we would not expect pleasure to continue or pain to be effectively avoided; if we truly understood nonself, we would not become attached to people and things as if they were entities on which our happiness depends; if we could see clearly that there is something unsatisfactory, even in situations where we can cover its trail by pleasure, we might be able to open to what is painful and avoid the double injury of resisting or denying the inevitable. Desire and ignorance are interdependent, and each reinforces the other.''

-Andrew Olendzki, Buddhist Psychology

[thecalminside]

People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.

-Thich Nhat Hanh

[teledyn]

Unsurprisingly, David K. Reynolds has a very simple website

"If your beliefs don't show in your behavior the beliefs are for show alone. If your beliefs are confined to a holy place they are excuses for indifference elsewhere."

Pools of Lodging for the Moon

[ultrakill-confessions]

I kinda wonder what it is about ultrakill that uh (how do I say this without being an asshole) that attracts so many systems (?)

I like statistics so I wanna like, study what it is about certain games or series that seems to collect folks like that. Is it how the fandom treats a piece of media? Is it the demographic? I donno!

Like if we all just decided to treat doom 2016 the same way we treat ultrakill would introjects n stuff start popping up over there too? (I picked doom cause it's a bloody shoot em up with religious undertones and insano angst potential, but feel free to insert any other game here too) I'm just genuinely curious about it all

-

[mysticaltora8276]

Look pal you can’t even argue the point without doing it in the tags. And yes they’re Buddhist. Lucas said so and he created them so that is that.

Not getting married is a choice that people make and it’s fine because they’re focusing on enlightenment. What the hell is your people’s obsession with getting married? Some people don’t wanna get married because they wanna focus on the religious life. There is absolutely positively nothing wrong with that. I’m really sick of people penalizing other people because they dare to prioritize something other than a romantic relationship.

And also psychological? Wow I explained it in spiritual terms and you still ignore it. How clueless are you? And there absolutely no evidence in canon that they stop Anakin from visiting his mother. And in legends, there’s no indication that they stopped him on the wise. Quit making up crap that does not exist. Also if you wanted to debate me actually post something to debate me instead of using tags because that tells me you have no arguments and you just wanna make remarks. You talk about me being nice, but you can’t even confront me with your arguments.

[omegaphilosophia]

The Philosophy of Happiness

The philosophy of happiness explores the nature, sources, and significance of happiness in human life. It examines what constitutes true happiness, how it can be achieved, and its role in ethical and meaningful living. Philosophers have approached happiness from various perspectives, including ethical, psychological, and existential viewpoints, leading to diverse understandings of what it means to live a happy life.

Key Themes in the Philosophy of Happiness:

Definitions and Concepts of Happiness:

Eudaimonia (Flourishing): In ancient Greek philosophy, particularly in the works of Aristotle, happiness is often equated with "eudaimonia," which is best translated as flourishing or well-being. Eudaimonia is achieved through living virtuously and fulfilling one's potential, rather than through the pursuit of pleasure alone.

Hedonism: Hedonism defines happiness as the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain. This view, associated with philosophers like Epicurus, suggests that a happy life is one in which pleasure is maximized and suffering minimized. However, Epicurus emphasized simple pleasures and the avoidance of excess.

Ethical Theories and Happiness:

Utilitarianism: Utilitarian philosophers like Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill argue that the right action is the one that maximizes happiness for the greatest number of people. In this context, happiness is often understood as the presence of pleasure and the absence of pain.

Virtue Ethics: Aristotle’s virtue ethics posits that happiness is achieved by living a life of virtue. Virtuous actions, in accordance with reason, lead to a state of eudaimonia, where individuals live in harmony with their true nature and purpose.

Deontological Ethics: While not focused solely on happiness, deontological ethics, as developed by Immanuel Kant, suggests that true happiness comes from fulfilling one’s moral duties. Kant argues that happiness is not the primary goal of moral action, but living morally can lead to a form of happiness tied to a sense of duty and integrity.

Happiness and the Good Life:

The Role of Reason: In many philosophical traditions, particularly in the works of Plato and Aristotle, happiness is linked to the exercise of reason. A life guided by rational thought and the pursuit of wisdom is seen as the highest form of happiness.

The Balance of Pleasure and Virtue: Philosophers like Aristotle and the Stoics argue that happiness is not merely about pleasure but involves a balance of pleasure with virtue. Happiness is seen as a byproduct of living a virtuous life, rather than an end in itself.

Subjective and Objective Views of Happiness:

Subjective Well-Being: Modern discussions of happiness often focus on subjective well-being, which is the individual's self-assessment of their life satisfaction and emotional state. This perspective emphasizes personal experience and the psychological aspects of happiness.

Objective Well-Being: In contrast, some philosophers argue that happiness should be understood in objective terms, based on factors like health, relationships, and personal achievements. From this view, happiness is not just about how one feels but also about living a life that meets certain standards of well-being.

Happiness in Different Philosophical Traditions:

Stoicism: Stoic philosophers like Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius argue that happiness comes from accepting the things we cannot change and living in accordance with nature. Happiness, in this view, is achieved through self-discipline, rationality, and emotional resilience.

Epicureanism: Epicurus taught that happiness is found in simple pleasures, friendship, and the absence of pain (ataraxia). He distinguished between necessary and unnecessary desires, advocating for a minimalist lifestyle that avoids unnecessary suffering.

Buddhism: In Buddhist philosophy, happiness is understood as a state of inner peace and enlightenment, achieved by overcoming desire and attachment. The Four Noble Truths outline the path to end suffering, which is seen as the key to true happiness.

Existential Perspectives on Happiness:

Sartre and Existential Freedom: Existentialist philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre argue that happiness is not a predefined state but something that individuals must create for themselves through their choices. Happiness is linked to the authentic exercise of freedom and the responsibility to define one’s own existence.

Camus and the Absurd: Albert Camus, another existentialist, explores the idea that life is inherently absurd and that the search for meaning or happiness can seem futile. However, he argues that one can still find happiness in embracing the absurd and living fully in the face of it.

The Pursuit of Happiness in Modern Thought:

Positive Psychology: In contemporary philosophy and psychology, the study of happiness has expanded with the development of positive psychology. This field focuses on understanding and fostering the factors that contribute to human flourishing, such as positive emotions, relationships, meaning, and accomplishments.

Happiness and Society: Modern philosophers and social theorists explore the relationship between happiness and social conditions, including wealth, inequality, and political systems. Debates continue on how society can be organized to promote the well-being and happiness of its members.

Critiques and Challenges:

Hedonic Treadmill: One critique of the pursuit of happiness is the "hedonic treadmill" effect, where people quickly return to a baseline level of happiness despite changes in their circumstances. This challenges the idea that lasting happiness can be achieved through external factors alone.

The Paradox of Happiness: Some philosophers and psychologists argue that the direct pursuit of happiness can be self-defeating. Focusing too much on becoming happy may lead to anxiety or disappointment, while happiness often arises as a byproduct of other activities, such as meaningful work or relationships.

The philosophy of happiness offers a rich and varied exploration of what it means to live well. It challenges individuals to consider the sources of true happiness, the role of virtue and reason in the good life, and the balance between personal pleasure and ethical living. Whether seen as a subjective state, an objective condition, or a byproduct of living authentically, happiness remains a central concern in philosophical inquiry, reflecting the enduring human quest for fulfillment and well-being.

[sophieinwonderland]

Huh. Apparently, this isn't recent.

I managed to find a post translating an English wikihow article on creating a tulpa to Chinese from 2018.

It's wild to think that while people on here were arguing tulpas were cultural appropriation, Western tulpamancy articles were being translated into Chinese and the contemporary practice was spreading over there.

[tou-dai]

yamabushi : an intro

this is about me. a disabled trans man of color living in america 2025.

i'm audhd, have cptsd, and anxiety.

i'm into spirituality, the paranormal, philosophy, and psychology.

these are my special interests. special emphasis on spirituality and spooky shit. i've compiled enough wisdom about these areas that it is unlikely you will win a debate against me. or find much I'm not somewhat familiar with.. by dint of being interested in 99% of things.

hobbies***

physical activities: weightlifting. archery. longboarding.

non physical: anime, ff xiv, writing/drawing, meditation

i am anemic. i have accumulated physical and psychic damage that makes it a miracle i can function the way i do. i am pretty sure i am intersex, based on what i know of myself and intersex conditions. i have other weird metabolic shit going on that affects my daily life.

i am masculine and queer. i am demisexual -- not attracted to most. and even then i have to be physically, emotionally, and spiritually intune with them for it to work.

i have not found that peer/partner/lover yet. i do not expect such a person to be "everything".. just enough. for me and vice versa. a fetch, even. a complimentary opposite. etc

my main concerns are the spiritual/psychological state humanity is in, the environment, and what the fuck has been happening for all of human history.

i have enough knowledge to be mad about it. also enough to know that i am very ignorant.

i don't engage with people who are .. for lack of a better term, not on the same wavelength. if you're a nazi, sexist, etc? I don't care what demographic you are, I'm blocking liberally.

aside from that solarpunk/hopepunk, mutual aid, self sustainability, and compassion are the names of the game. to me, anyway.

last but not least: i read the quran seriously. i read it as a buddhist who has experienced paranormal shit does. as someone who is a part of many minorities does. as someone who believes in witchcraft does. in it, I see reflected most world religions.

i call myself a muslim because it's easiest to summarize it as such. but my understanding is more syncretic. bc humanity evolved faculities to think critically and we should use them. to consider what is truth, what is good, and what we should do.

I need mutual aid/financial assistance. I will be producing more works of art, now that my spoons are replenished for such things. but it will be slow going. i am doing this for myself but to also "prove my worthiness" (despite the fact it is my belief that no one should have to do such a thing and we are all worthy/god's children etc)

I know humanity is capable of better than this. I know we should be further along than this.

I know we can have something like a utopia, because in peoples' heart of hearts, most people want safety, health, freedom, and happiness. And that perhaps if they had enough of such things, they would not be so ignorant, fearful, and/or hateful.

venmo: @torchport

cashapp: $onepeaceman

[hole34]

abusive people are exempt from your forgiveness.

[mini bojack analysis under cut and general life advice]

you can have all the love in the world and still be justified in not forgiving, not loving the people who have abused you. you can understand those people, maybe even THEIR abuse or trauma, but that does not mean you have to forgive theirs. you can even empathise with them and for that reason stay away for them. regardless of how you go about it, how you view humanity, do not forgive your abusers.

bojack horseman is a great example of this. bojack was abusive towards so many people, and yet bojack is our protagonist. we see him through the whole thing and build our understanding of every reason he does what he does and why he is what he is.

we watch this and we do not forgive it. we do not forgive the grooming, the indirect death, the emotional abuse of diane and sarah lynn (intentional or not), the assault of gina, and so much more. yet we still follow bojack and by the very end we understand him, maybe even empathise, maybe even care for, but we do not forgive the abuse. this is fantastically portrayed with Beatrice, and even further the shame bojack feels for not feeling bad for her (see my Dear Evan Hansen rant for further explanation)

i think the empathy aspect is especially well portrayed with gina's later abuse of her coworkers - we never see gina have a negative trait until bojack is long gone from her life unlike his impact. for me at least, this was very hard to take in, to know that other people have become victim of gina's careless and hurtful behaviours. no one knows gina's trauma, but we do, so seeing her as the abuser is shocking. but does that mean people victimised by her should be obliged to forgive her? to dedicate THEIR life to HER wellbeing? no.

you can have absolute understanding without forgiveness. you can believe in the fundamental good of all people and still be best off taking care of yourself and staying away from those people that hurt you.

i come from a dysfunctional, abusive family. they have abused people i'm close to tremendously, they have hurt me and abandoned me for what they drove me to do. the last psychiatrist i saw told me to cut complete contact with them. it was then for the very first time that i realised she was right. not that the family values i'd seen everywhere in media and culture and hated for their nature were wrong, but that not forgiving MY family was right. but there is a line between temporary wounds and abuse. and i understand that people i've been abused by are the way they are because they've been abused, which is why it was so hard for me to accept not forgiving them, not loving them.

i know someone out there has to hear it, i know there are so many other people experiencing what i did out there that i won't even admit to, so i want you to know that it's okay to not forgive them. it's okay to not love them. it's okay to resent them, it doesn't make your kindness ANY less comprehensive. thank you.

[cadmar]

What causes a Change

What causes something to change? What makes it to change? What determines a change? What are the underneath factors to make something change? We have the ability to notice changes happening all the time around us. We have the ability to notice the changes occurring within ourselves. But, what really is change? Is it merely a difference between a memory and another event? Or is there something much more deeper? What is really going on?

The only way I look at it is using the example of scratching a lottery ticket. There are choices, but these choices are all concealed by being covered up. You can only make a few guesses and each guess is made by scratching out the covering surface. If you scratched the correct choice, you won. Our ability to notice changes is similar to scratching a lottery guess. Except we are not physically scratching, but another action is used.

To scratch a lottery ticket, certain conditions must be met. The ability to physically scratch the ticket. The ability to understand the rules. The desire to win. All these conditions and there are more others are all formed by the person's history and experiences in life. This is the same for us to having the ability to notice changes.

For us to notice a change, certain conditions are essential for us to have this ability. This comes from growth and development from past experiences. Our past is one long mathematical equation, or one long wave length. When we scratched the lottery ticket, we are adding another ability to this process. We are making the mathematical equation stronger, healthier, and more precise by removing uncertainties and the unknowns.

Basically, when we are scratching the lottery ticket, we are scratching away the concealments caused by our ignorance, our hatred, our fears, and our desires! One by one, little by little. We are then noticing that we are changing as we can see and sense more. We are interacting more with both the outside and inside, together! We can experience more because the world around us is allowing us to scratch deeper to what is truly amazing and wonderful! We are growing, developing, and sensing what is out there and inside of us, both at the same time!

The world outside and the universe inside of us unveils together, reveals together, grows together, and are bound together. This is a dance of participation! An interplay and never a dance of spectators, but an active dance of participating in an amazing universe of wonders and excitement of pure happiness!

This is change. This is us discovering by scratching out the concealments and revealing the change within ourselves and outside of ourselves! The dance of active living! This is an active life! This is a growing life! This is meaning in itself, by itself, and to itself! All within itself! Our interplay with the entire universe!

[usunezukoinezu]

''On the cognitive level, we develop a number of learned ideas that interact with one another in various sorts of processing activities. The idea itself becomes a sort of symbol that can be manipulated in the language of mental processing, but as a symbol it is taking its meaning not from careful attention to subtly changing circumstances each moment, but from a fixed or stabilized notion that has been constructed and then relegated to memory. And the same is true on…the level of our attitudes or beliefs. We get in the habit of thinking of ourselves as a particular person with particular views, and we become accustomed to regarding the world in certain ways that have been learned and remembered. All our subsequent experience then unfolds within an often very narrow habitual range that has been defined by these views or beliefs.''

-Andrew Olendzki, Buddhist Psychology

[thecalminside]

To be beautiful means to be yourself.You don't need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.

-Thich Nhat Hanh

[compassionmattersmost]

Exploring the Origins of Thought: A Synthesis of Jung, Ramana Maharshi, Kabbalah, and Tibetan Buddhism

In our journey to understand the nature of thoughts and the Self, we find ourselves drawing from the wisdom of various traditions—Jungian psychology, Vedanta as taught by Ramana Maharshi, the mystical insights of Kabbalah, and the profound teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. These perspectives, though rooted in different cultural and philosophical backgrounds, converge in fascinating ways, offering a…

[raffaellopalandri]

Transforming Thought into Action: A Path to a Worthy and Purposeful Life

When properly used, the human mind is an extraordinary engine of ideas, reflections, and possibilities. Photo by KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels.com Yet, the translation of thought into meaningful action remains one of the most challenging endeavours. Many individuals struggle with hesitation, fear, or procrastination, which hinders their ability to transform insights into concrete reality.…

[solacetree]