This group discusses the practical applications of the theosophical philosophy and the therapeutics of the wisdom of the ages.
Resources: http://www.universaltheosophy.com/art-of-living/
The art of living study group intends to discuss the relevance and connection of theosophical ideas to the challenges and hurdles of daily life. This group will focus on the ethical issues, psychological challenges and artistic applications of theosophy to the daily round and the common task. While the other three groups freely move back and forth between the universal and the particular, the theoretical and the practical, this group will make an attempt to stay focused on the practical side of the art of living equation.
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Weekly Theme for Contemplation: Head-Learning and Heart-Wisdom
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Art of Living Study Group
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A tough dilemma.
To assist another with empathy and effectiveness requires feeling the right amount of woe and grief. Too little leads to apathetic inaction and too much incapacitates both parties all the same. A balance is necessary, and the barometer for balance can only be felt.
Bearing personal sorrow without drowning is a requisite. This is where soul wisdom is essential in understanding the hollow nature, transience, and silver lining of sorrow as one of many human experiences. This gives way for the detachment that enables people to respond appropriately for themselves and others.
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Interestingly, in Buddhism, as far as I understand it, the compassion (karuna), empathetic joy (mudita) and loving-kindness (metta) have to be balanced with equanimity (upekkha). These four comprise the brahmaviharas (“the four immeasurables”), while the latter two (metta and upekkha) are also included in the paramitas (“perfections”).
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This is a good point, Pavel.
Detachment without indifference is a delicate skill, but an essential one in being engaged and responsive. With upekkha, one is not swayed by the daily current of stimuli.
Upekkha demands some of the qualities of nekkhamma (renunciation), as one of the perfections. Arguably, equanimity lies on this foundation.
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Shen, you said: “To assist another with empathy and effectiveness requires feeling the right amount of woe and grief”.
How would you relate that “right amount of woe and grief” in turn to the idea of non-attachment as – for instance – explained in the Bhagavad Gita?
In the Voice of the Silence, the Viraga Paramita speaks of “indifference to pleasure and to pain, illusion conquered, truth alone perceived”.
Of course, as few have reached that exalted state of “indifference” or equanimity, do you see this “feeling the right amount of woe and grief” as an intermediate state?
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The response to feeling woe and grief is one of either non-attachment or clinging. Clinging is a result of identifying with the many reactions to feelings. And this obscures truth.
Being touched by pain is not a sign of attachment. The deterrent to non-attachment is the spiral of thoughts, emotions, fruitless meaning, reactive actions, etc. that proceeds feelings. Identifying with them is immobilizing and illusory. In regards to the Viraga Paramita, I believe that indifference to our reactions to pleasure and pain is a great necessity to dissolve their impact.
Upekkha is subtle and delicate; it is neutrality and a non-reactivity without being emotionally shut off. Because equanimity is not indifference, I don’t see “feeling the right amount of woe and grief” as an intermediate state. Great question, Pierre, and I hope this helps.
We don’t need to feel pain over and over just to serve others. Figuratively, we touch a hot skillet on a stove, and must let go quickly! The burning sensation is understood and there is no need to hold on. We leave this experience with a core understanding to assist those who have similar or greater “burns.”
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July 17, 2017 Theme for Contemplation: Head-Learning and Soul-Wisdom
Believe to the end, even if all men went astray and you were left the only one
faithful; bring your offering even then and praise God in your loneliness.
— FYODOR DOSTOYEVSKYWhere my heart lies, let my brain lie also. — ROBERT BROWNING
First photograph of a star 1850
Where there is ‘I’ there is bondage, where there is
no ‘I’ there is release. — ASHTAVAKRA GITA
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