Pleasure and feelings

General discussion, particularly exploring the Dharma in the modern world.
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mrbambocha
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2012 3:58 pm

Pleasure and feelings

Post by mrbambocha »

Im trying to understand the viewpoint of pleasure and feelings. Ive read that everything is impermanent, because everything is made up by atoms that are in constant flow of becoming and disapering. But still I dont understand how to think about it. Why is it bad to like pleasure and want to stay away from suffering? Isnt it in our nature to want to make things better for ourself? What do you tell yourself when you feel desire or aversion?

How about feelings. We shouldn't react and put labels on events. What does that mean? Does it mean that we should go around like robots and never express our feelings? Should we be indifferent to everything that happens? What do you tell yourself when you feel a feeling?
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underthetree
Posts: 220
Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2012 12:44 pm
Location: UK

Re: Pleasure and feelings

Post by underthetree »

Tilopa said: "The problem is not enjoyment. The problem is attachment."
mrbambocha
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2012 3:58 pm

Re: Pleasure and feelings

Post by mrbambocha »

So we can enjoy everything and feel everything aslong as we dont get attached to it? Can we desire certain things and feelings as long as we arent getting attached to them or the result?
CoreyNiles92
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2012 7:08 am

Re: Pleasure and feelings

Post by CoreyNiles92 »

mrbambocha wrote:So we can enjoy everything and feel everything aslong as we dont get attached to it? Can we desire certain things and feelings as long as we arent getting attached to them or the result?
I think the problem with this would be that there is no desire (for happiness or pleasure) that a person can feel, in which they will not become attached to. When you allow positive things to come to you, you should appreciate them and enjoy them, but accept they will fade away, possibly to return again possibly not. If you become attached to a feeling, or pleasurable activity, you will grasp to it, and it will cause suffering when it fades.
deepbluehum
Posts: 1302
Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2011 2:05 am
Location: San Francisco, CA

Re: Pleasure and feelings

Post by deepbluehum »

mrbambocha wrote:Im trying to understand the viewpoint of pleasure and feelings. Ive read that everything is impermanent, because everything is made up by atoms that are in constant flow of becoming and disapering. But still I dont understand how to think about it. Why is it bad to like pleasure and want to stay away from suffering? Isnt it in our nature to want to make things better for ourself? What do you tell yourself when you feel desire or aversion?

How about feelings. We shouldn't react and put labels on events. What does that mean? Does it mean that we should go around like robots and never express our feelings? Should we be indifferent to everything that happens? What do you tell yourself when you feel a feeling?
The instructions of the lineage point out the space-like nature of feelings. When feelings are recognized as the Dharmakaya, it is enlightenment beyond suppression or expression.
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