Why aren't we satisfied?

Shawn November 16, 2018 at 18:23 2800 views 9 comments

There's a constant striving in our lives over such trifle matters as 'things'. We want more and more and are rarely satisfied with prolonged periods of time. Even in relationships, we sometimes aren't satisfied with our current partner and want another man or woman. We feel at odds with the world and this causes suffering. As the great Buddha described, the cessation of suffering is achieved when we stop all wanting and desiring (dukkah). So, how does one become more appreciative, or satisfied with what we already have?

These are first world problems. We have most of our needs met at a whim; but, the wanting continues.

Thoughts?

Comments (9)

Tzeentch November 16, 2018 at 18:40 #228456 0 likes

Worship of the material from a very early age, and never meeting the other side of the coin until one starts seeking for it themselves, often only after people start feeling depressed and hopeless. By that time, the mind has been thoroughly poisoned and it is not so obvious that one will ever climb out of the hole they have long been digging for themselves. Its induced and perpetuated by a society that thrives on consumption. A society which seems to be digging a hole for itself in a similar fashion, poisoning itself psychologically (erosion of societal values) and physically (pollution of the environment).

Shawn November 16, 2018 at 18:44 #228457 0 likes

Quoting Tzeentch

By that time, the mind has been thoroughly poisoned and it is not so obvious that one will ever climb out of the hole they have long been digging for themselves.

I am depressed and recognize the problem. Is it too late for me?

Tzeentch November 16, 2018 at 18:59 #228463 0 likes

Reply to Posty McPostface By virtue of recognizing that one has a problem one arguably takes the most important step towards treading a different path. It is never too late, but in order to change one has to take action.

Shawn November 16, 2018 at 19:04 #228467 0 likes

Quoting Tzeentch

It is never too late, but in order to change one has to take action.

What kind of action are you describing?

Tzeentch November 16, 2018 at 20:33 #228504 0 likes

Reply to Posty McPostface Wisdom-seeking. True wisdom leads to happiness.

“Watch your thoughts, they become words;
watch your words, they become actions;
watch your actions, they become habits;
watch your habits, they become character;
watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”
- Chinese proverb

A Seagull November 19, 2018 at 02:03 #229124 0 likes

Satisfaction leads to complacency
Complacency leads to decay
Decay leads to squalor
People are scared of squalor, so they avoid satisfaction.

Solution: Lose your fear of squalor.

Ying November 21, 2018 at 06:19 #229859 0 likes

Quoting Posty McPostface

There's a constant striving in our lives over such trifle matters as 'things'. We want more and more and are rarely satisfied with prolonged periods of time. Even in relationships, we sometimes aren't satisfied with our current partner and want another man or woman. We feel at odds with the world and this causes suffering. As the great Buddha described, the cessation of suffering is achieved when we stop all wanting and desiring (dukkah). So, how does one become more appreciative, or satisfied with what we already have?

These are first world problems. We have most of our needs met at a whim; but, the wanting continues.

Thoughts?

"Our next subject will be the end of the Sceptic system. Now an "end" is "that for which all actions or reasonings are undertaken, while it exists for the sake of none"; or, otherwise, "the ultimate object of appentency." We assert still that the Sceptic's End is quietude in respect of matters of opinion and moderate feeling in respect of things unavoidable. For the skeptic, having set out to philosophize with the object of passing judgment on the sense impressions and ascertaining which of them are true and which false, so as to attain quietude thereby, found himself involved in contradictions of equal weight, and being unable to decide between them suspended judgment; and as he was thus in suspense there followed, as it happened, the state of quietude in respect of matters of opinion. For the man who opines that anything is by nature good or bad is for ever being disquieted: when he is without the things which he deems good he believes himself to be tormented by things naturally bad and he pursues after the things which are, as he thinks, good; which when he has obtained he keeps falling into still more perturbations because of his irrational and immoderate elation, and in his dread of a change of fortune he uses every endeavor to avoid losing the things which he deems good. On the other hand, the man who determines nothing as to what is naturally good or bad neither shuns nor pursues anything eagerly; and, in consequence, he is unperturbed."
-Sextus Empiricus, "Outlines of Pyrrhonism" book 1, ch. 12.

Shawn November 21, 2018 at 07:16 #229889 0 likes

Reply to Ying

Kudos for the great quote there.

Tim3003 November 21, 2018 at 22:21 #230114 0 likes

Those of us who are slaves to consumerism are constantly in a state of wanting because like any addiction, it offers no long-term satisfaction, only a temporary high. The same is true for wealth, status, fame - indeed any quality by which we attempt to 'improve' our future and thus our view of (and others' views of) our selves. Read some Zen: you may see that the key to contentent is in realising that you are perfect as you are - here and now - and have nothing to gain by chasing these empty thrills.