this post was submitted on 17 Dec 2024
20 points (95.5% liked)

Philosophy

1813 readers
47 users here now

All about Philosophy.

founded 4 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Throughout my life I've struggled to find meaning. I've wondered, am I alone in this? I'd like to hear what others have to say. Particularly others that are more knowledgeable in philosophy.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] floofloof@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 days ago (3 children)

What is it you seek? What is it you lack? It can be helpful to look into these questions carefully. It can also be helpful to take time to look at the exact moment-by-moment experience of this life that appears lacking. After years of philosophical study and years of trying to convince myself I wasn't dissatisfied, I stumbled upon Zen and found these kinds of investigations helpful.

[–] OneOverZero@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

After thinking about it, a life with comforts is all I need. Ac, heat when it's cold, some fresh veggies and that's pretty much it

[–] floofloof@lemmy.ca 1 points 8 hours ago

That sounds about right!

[–] OneOverZero@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Zen, I'll have to look in to this. Moment by moment experience as well.

[–] floofloof@lemmy.ca 1 points 8 hours ago* (last edited 8 hours ago)

It's not really Zen to advertise Zen at people, and it can take a while to find your way into it, but I have found it helpful for showing me how life can be at once confusing and challenging and also deeply unproblematic. It doesn't hand you any doctrine or answers, so it can be very baffling at first, but if you stick with it, your world can start to open up. For me it brought back some of that simple immediacy I remembered from childhood and assumed was lost for good. Not some cheesy born-again religious thing but still, an end to the subtle but painful sense of alienation that had only worsened through years of chasing philosophy, relationships, jobs, a sense of security, etc. Be warned that there's a lot of sitting silently involved. If you're interested I'd recommend looking for a local center where you can meditate and talk to a teacher. It's not something you can do from books or practice alone, at least until you're somewhat secure in the practice.

[–] OneOverZero@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

"What is it you seek?"

I suppose this may be the problem because to be honest, I'm not sure.

[–] floofloof@lemmy.ca 1 points 8 hours ago* (last edited 8 hours ago)

I'm not sure anyone is, and that's worth seeing in itself. It's one of those questions where neither you nor anyone else can just hand over a satisfactory answer, but that doesn't mean there's no answer, or that it's not worth looking for one.