Questions about opinions and negitivity...

[akutaq]

With many different opinions out there, some that you agree with, some that you don't... How do you avoid feeling negitive about opposing opinions? How do you "accept" what other's say and not let it affect you in a negitive manner????

Comments

[murgen]

I think the key is not having an emotional attachment to things - by that I mean, don't be attached to the outcome of things, to what people say, or to what people think. Of course this is harder to say than to do... Have you read Castaneda? He talks in one of the books about detachment. At the time I read it it sounded so sad and desolate and depressing... but now I think I get it. I have students, and I *can't* be attached emotionally to whether they progress or not. If they work on their stuff, and progress, cool - but if not, hey, it's their trip, and it doesn't affect my self-esteem or self-image. This is NOT the same thing as not caring. I *do* care, but I'm not going to be hung up on the outcome. Does this make sense? It may just be one of those "mysteries" that you have to stumble upon yourself. I live my life, do my stuff, try to help others IF they want it, but don't let what others do affect me overly much. To do so is to react. To react means to RE-act - to act again, not to act with originality, not to act from and through yourself. Also, read Women's Mysteries and Way of All Women - learn what she means by "virgin." A woman unto herself. Read the article on Authority in one of the Hazel Nut issues - I know it's a Birch issue, a fairly early one. Read the lessons on Birch on my web page. Whew - okay, lots of spouting! :) When you've read the easily-available stuff, let me know, and we can break it down some more.

[akutaq]

Yes, I did read the Castaneda books. What you mention about detachment is in the 3rd book and I recently read that one. I did seem very depressing to do that, but I fully understood it as well. I am going to go back and re-read that section. As far as the rest of your comment, I'll be looking into the readings you suggested on your site. I have the Women's Mysteries and Way of All Women book at home, I just have not gotten to that yet. I will soon. Thanks. I'll let you know when I've read that information. Thank you.