My wife ibecame a Buddhist in the Theravada tradition back in the 1980s when iit was first gaining popularity in the U.S. Like you, I don't identify as a Buddhist, mainly because I'm not particularly interested in the ritualistic aspects. But the philosophy speaks to me deeply and has influenced my writing. And the accompanying meditation is intensely valuable.
From what I see, the underlying cause for this is greed driven unfettered capitalism that places money on top of everything. If it cannot be monetized then it has no value. So things like the common good, our natural environment, community, peace, being there for others, picking up the fallen, etc are only important if someone can cash in on it. I wish there was light on the horizon but I am losing hope.
I am a used-to-be Catholic, now fallen into some non-specific, non-spiritual category. I am married to a quasi-Hindu who was raised by a Hindu priest, but who's only real spiritual practice is a family shrine and ringing a bell on Sunday. Your writing really resonates with me. However, I can't help but still feel that we are all just cosmic accidents. But, as both my children are also "accidents" I don't think accidents are all bad.
My wife ibecame a Buddhist in the Theravada tradition back in the 1980s when iit was first gaining popularity in the U.S. Like you, I don't identify as a Buddhist, mainly because I'm not particularly interested in the ritualistic aspects. But the philosophy speaks to me deeply and has influenced my writing. And the accompanying meditation is intensely valuable.
From what I see, the underlying cause for this is greed driven unfettered capitalism that places money on top of everything. If it cannot be monetized then it has no value. So things like the common good, our natural environment, community, peace, being there for others, picking up the fallen, etc are only important if someone can cash in on it. I wish there was light on the horizon but I am losing hope.
I am a used-to-be Catholic, now fallen into some non-specific, non-spiritual category. I am married to a quasi-Hindu who was raised by a Hindu priest, but who's only real spiritual practice is a family shrine and ringing a bell on Sunday. Your writing really resonates with me. However, I can't help but still feel that we are all just cosmic accidents. But, as both my children are also "accidents" I don't think accidents are all bad.
This is the part people miss: Buddhist emptiness isn’t “nothing matters,” it’s “nothing is fixed enough to trap you.”
Nihilism gives up. Emptiness gives you room to move.
Same word, wildly different exits.
Thank you for this helpful article. Do you have any thoughts about which segments of US society are most affected by nihilism?
Anyone who thinks Nothing is not nothing.
This Article is increadable! It encompses everything I learned in my psychology studies. I have always been enamored by Nietzsche.