Conversation

My BJJ coach told me a story about a taoist master, who asked his student to go on a walk with him. They got to the edge of the woods, and stood there looking at the sunset. "Wow. That's beautiful...." said the student, wistfully. The teacher turned around and walked home.

Mi’sen

@misen__

Jan 30, 2019

The teacher never asked that student to join him on a walk ever again. I would do well to remember this story, before spouting off nonsense about aesthetic analogy and contemplative traditions.

Mi’sen

@misen__

Jan 30, 2019

Maybe it's that beauty shines through between the lines, and if you make beauty the line, you miss it.

Replying to

But enlightened people don't act like assholes. :)

Replying to

So I’ve been told 😂

Replying to

*screams in Mahayana*

Replying to

What tradition do you reckon is most sold on the 'enlightened people don't act like assholes' story? For better or for worse, kagyu/nyingma folk seem pretty happy to allow for enlightened assholes (eg: mahasiddhas, wrathful activity, etc). My guess would be a therevada tradition

Cinder

@Triquetrea

Replying to

@misen__

All the subcategories of Mahayana give me this vibe, TBH, and some Theravada. Stoicism, to an extent - but it's more of a guideline w/the understanding being that people are sort of trash as often as not, no matter their accomplishment.

12:58 PM · Jan 30, 2019Twitter Web Client

Replying to

and

Personally, and I guess this says more about me than about the traditions, I lean towards some version of the Stoic interpretation. Life is harsh. People are harsh. It's good to act with kindness, wisdom and equanimity. All the same, see the first 2 steps. You are no different.

Replying to

and

The key reason the Stoics keep giving for why you should treat others well, is that they are just as divine as you, and you just as base as them. To me, that lack of pretentiousness about "enlightenment" is more of a key value than compassion. Reflects a lack of distortions.

Show replies