I think I agree with you that there are different ways to seize the day. My contention, I suppose, is that one of those ways is ultimately more fulfilling.
I'm not completely sure that it's necessary, but I think that what I've written begs some clarification. The accomplishments and goals of which I speak aren't necessarily the conventional and quantifiable sort, although I suppose that they could wind up being so. I'm speaking more in terms of mental and spiritual accomplishment; being able to let go and just be, as in your description of the second path, is an accomplishment.
Watching the day and smiling at it is not removed from the search for truth. In fact, I think it's an important recognition of a facet of it. When I speak of the dangers of resting on one's laurels, I am not speaking of peaceful mindfulness; that, to me, is still within the realm of contemplation, though it is a freer and more organic sort. I am speaking more of shutting down the mind, of seeing the day but being disconnected from it. The idea I'm getting at, I suppose, is that of empty action, which provides a momentary glimpse of what appears to be happiness but ultimately results in a loss of meaning.
I am inclined, also, to think that peace is happiness, but that may just be me. :)
I must say that I am finding that my conceptualizations and my modes of thinking are changing. I have said before that I "dabbled" in Buddhism when I was younger, but I never had any instruction, or any sort of structure to my study. I think that was the problem. Now, I'm slowly starting to actually live the philosophy, and it's nice.
I'm not completely sure that it's necessary, but I think that what I've written begs some clarification. The accomplishments and goals of which I speak aren't necessarily the conventional and quantifiable sort, although I suppose that they could wind up being so. I'm speaking more in terms of mental and spiritual accomplishment; being able to let go and just be, as in your description of the second path, is an accomplishment.
Watching the day and smiling at it is not removed from the search for truth. In fact, I think it's an important recognition of a facet of it. When I speak of the dangers of resting on one's laurels, I am not speaking of peaceful mindfulness; that, to me, is still within the realm of contemplation, though it is a freer and more organic sort. I am speaking more of shutting down the mind, of seeing the day but being disconnected from it. The idea I'm getting at, I suppose, is that of empty action, which provides a momentary glimpse of what appears to be happiness but ultimately results in a loss of meaning.
I am inclined, also, to think that peace is happiness, but that may just be me. :)
I must say that I am finding that my conceptualizations and my modes of thinking are changing. I have said before that I "dabbled" in Buddhism when I was younger, but I never had any instruction, or any sort of structure to my study. I think that was the problem. Now, I'm slowly starting to actually live the philosophy, and it's nice.
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