They cause their own pain, just like everybody else. (Forever Young 118)
This is a solid argument for just letting go of all the bullshit, shedding the layers of anger, resentment, and fear. Purging demands of expectation and perfectionisms, and just saying WTF; I'm going to live for me, right here, right now!!
My head can be a dangerous place, approach with caution.
My head can be a dangerous place, approach with caution.
Although while Brian may KNOW this in a theoretical way, but he causes his own pain, too. And keeps on doing it.
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Shhh- dont tell.
I'm multitasking. Very female skill
Good point though. Ben is not the only Buddhist.
I never thought of it that way.
And I agree, he is not immune from causiong his own pain. None of us are.
Also what inspired me to write this entry, I read my horoscope which said:
Do a preliminary burn (like forestry control) to prevent a total meltdown in the future.
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It freaks me out a little how much QaF has turned my life inside out.
I mean not only am I a total and complete perv for B/J, but the themes and characters inform the way I see the world.
Should I be worried?
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Seriously, I have loved this quote from Xena for years, it's from the woman who was her martial arts instructor and mentor (and probably her first woman lover, given the soul sucking kiss they had, but that's an argument I don't intend to get into ever again):
Free from desire, you realize the mystery. Caught in desire, you see only the manifestations.
Which of course is from the Tao Te Ching. XWP was nothing if not plagiaristic. So I think finding philisophical elements from a much-loved show is perfectly normal. In fact, if those things weren't there, would we love them so much? Joking aside, Justin and Brian are hot, Xena and Gab are hot, but if that's all it was, why not watch porn ( ... )
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I find it really hard to believe that there are people who don't think she was Xena's lover. I am not sure she was her first woman lover, though :)
But the forever young scene, and even his "It's your decision where you want to be," and "never go after anyone," and a lot of his other credos, have a potentially very positive aspect to them. That's just not where they were coming from FOR HIM.I often wonder whether he would say exactly the same things, in the same exact terms after S5 (or after S3 and S4 for that matter). I am sure that most of his core beliefs remain the same - you are responsible for your own destiny, take care of yourself first, rely on yourself and don't expect anything from others, etc. In theory. In practice he has experienced that other people's choices do in fact effect us and our own destiny (although we can ( ... )
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I often wonder whether he would say exactly the same things, in the same exact terms after S5 (or after S3 and S4 for that matter).
That is so interesting. I have never thought that. But I tend to agree with you. I think he was in way too deep to be able to pull that off.
that expecting things from others and ourselves is part of what loving and being loved means.
Is it the expecting things from self and others, or the forgiveness of self and others that defines love?
Thanks for dropping by. ;)
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I don't see the two things as separate, to be honest. In terms of Brian and Justin I think that Justin's initial approach to love is one of extreme expectation (from Brian and from himself)and of subsequent disappointment for not getting what he desires from love. On the contrary, Brian's stance is to expect nothing and want nothing, which in turn makes him very wary of Justin expecting things from him and leads him to repress his own desires.
By the end of S5, however, they have learnt to accept that love comes with a wide range of desires and expectations, and that is ok. But that not all of these expectations can/need to be fulfilled, in order for love to be valid. Brian can finally admit he loves and wants Justin and he is hurt by the idea of losing him, while Justin realizes that his own needs/desires (house, family, maybe monogamy?) might not be completely fulfilled, but this does not mean they love each other any less.
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I think thats right.
I love how you see Brian and Justin.
xo
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Oh man, see what I mean? (QaF informs my whole world view)
Free from desire, you realize the mystery. Caught in desire, you see only the manifestations.
I just need to digest this. Just need to let this wash over me.
Obviously, I need to watch more XWP, or read the Tao te Ching I suppose.
Also, if Brian's famed "rules for living" had come from a place of genuine detachment and spiritual practice, they would have been much more functional for him. They didn't, and so they weren't.
What? Brian is not perfect? (La la la *holding ears* I can't hear you)
I'm conflicted about this statement. I think his 'rules' came from a pretty solid place, one I identify with. Sure he was wounded, and he carried the baggage with him like a weight.
I dont think Brian would ever consider himself spiritual, not ever. But many of his actions had pretty selfless underpinings. Odd isnt it?
The dude's a mixed bag, for sure.
xo
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