Root of the problem

The world is full of suffering, caused by the constant need to satiate our desires. Desire itself, is nothing more than an attempt to maintain balance in the universe.

Our body is equipped with different senses which detect and maintain the level of balance. The greater the imbalance, the harder these senses have to work. The harder something has to work; the greater the stress and strain upon the individual. Maintained periods of stress and strain lead to fatigue, malfunction and continued suffering.

We can rationally appreciate the need for balance but despite our best efforts, we always contradict the flow of nature and over indulge in sensory pleasures because we find balance boring.


I'm looking at the man in the mirror

The personality is a reflection of our senses. The more work our senses have to do; the more pronounced and extreme our personalities become. We all have varying degrees of balance and therefore have unique personalities.

We resonate with those that share our imbalances and find it difficult to relate with those that don't. As a result we construct ourselves a world of people, beliefs and activities which agree with our personalities and maintain our self-image.

Our self-image, therefore is nothing other than a reflection of our imbalances and like the image in a mirror, this reflection is not the real self.

Points to consider:

• History is nothing more than a record of the fluctuations in society as it seeks to maintain a balance.
  

• What type of people do we find interesting? Is it a coincidence that the lives of celebrities are often tainted with problems and extreme behaviour?
  

• What does it mean to 'get-on' with someone? To what extent are our preferences in life reflections of our strong and weak points?

• Consider the following: Religion in America is pronounced, but somewhat superficial. Religion in Japan is subtle, but profound.
  

• The "West" traditionally seeks and actively encourages diversity. What effect does this have on the stability of society. What role does it play in the generation of new ideas?

• What is required to develop expertise in any particular area? What does it mean to have refined tastes? How does quality relate to the efficient use of energy?