Why is it that most spiritual types think that you have to dress down, not look good or not fit into society to be spiritual? When the truth is that to be conscious, compassionate, understanding or appreciative has nothing to do with how you look, who you hang out with, or what stuff you own.
Personally, I find it very exciting to fit into society without any attachment. I like to look great, have stuff, participate fully, and then bring that appreciation, kindness, compassion, and understanding into my life in such a way that all those around me, who are playing the looking good game are positively affected by my presence.
Try being a Buddha Pimp today 🙂
Author
Matthew Ferry
4 Comments
Being Zorba the Buddha… Being a Buddha in the marketplace is the real test!
And being able to “play the game” without attachments. I think that’s great Matthew!
When I was a teenager, I loved to shock people, because I had the strong urge to see
how caught up they really were in their own game… Now I describe it as “being I-dentified.
So, I totally dressed myself to not fit in, either like a punk, an emo type, or on other occasions like a yuppee, or someone very elegant. (I’m stereotyping here, just because of the lack of better words)
I always got the same reaction from people, regardless of the groups, I deliberately opposed with the way I dressed. The reaction was a wall of prejudice and/or arrogance in some form or another. “You are not welcomed here!”
That really was amazing to see for me at that time. I actually enjoyed the experience immensely, because it taught me that the mind judges and evaluates in a very confined way. Today, I’m doing whatever, and whenever and however I please.
Being yourself is all that counts ultimately!
I still like to provoke and shock people though;) Especially when they think they have “securely”placed me in one of their categories.
I think for a lot of people it is a safe place to be. A place where they have it all figured out, categorized, cataloged, named etc.
Living openly in the unknown and dropping any judgment is a process which starts
from within.
I believe it was Ram Das (spelling???) who said… you must BEcome someone… in order to BEcoming a knowing no one (egoless).
Cool post my brotha!
great post as usual!
I respect and appreciate the teachings of Buddha. Although after considerable meditation and reflecting on the life of Buddha it makes me ask the same question over and over again… couldn’t he have gained enlightenment and still lived a normal life? I believe it to be sort of cowardly to leave your earthly responsibilities and a bit selfish as well. It’s easy to move to a monastery wear robes and sit around all day meditating and begging for today’s meal. Gain enlightenment while working a 9 to 5, loving and caring for your family. What if we all just stopped being productive citizens and every last one of us became monks? Wouldn’t we still need to eat? That means work. We’d need clothes right?. That means work. A place to lay our tired bodies where the beast of the fields wouldn’t eat us. Work. So desire and wanting lead to suffering. They also lead to food, clothing and shelter. Where as most of these monasteries rely on people donating to keep them existing. I believe in time I’ll gain nirvana the good ole fashion way…I’ll earn it. Without abandoning my responsibilities. Bless those who comprehend and those that don’t. Own your life good or bad. Be content with your lot in life. Find the middle way in your world. E