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Part Two
Pleasure leads to preferences and these pre-references influence the process of relating to life.
a) The different forms of wanting
b) The Process of Feeling and Preferences
c) Summary and the Truth of Repetition
2a) The Different Forms of Wanting
Buddha discovered the truth about all forms of desire, not just the truth about craving.
Every small personal preference influences our direct experience and relationship with the world.
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The text talks of craving or greed. This extreme form of want i.e. craving is complementary to the extreme discomfort of suffering.
However, Buddhism normally addresses all forms of desire, and even the slightest personal wish will prevent a fully spontaneous reaction, or the most creative or fulfilling experience ... most buddhists would surely agree that even the slightest personal wish will influence mindfulness during meditation, ... or not?
The point is buddha discovered the truth about all forms of desire, not only the truth about craving.
One of the repercussions of the development of the word dukkha as suffering, seems to be this complementary idea of craving or greed, indicating only the extreme forms of desire or wanting. Only
The text limits Buddhas thinking to very extreme and dramatic aspects of life. A little reflection shows us that this theory applies not only to extreme conditions but to everything. Any small personal preference hinders our spontaneous experience of life and this inhibits it from running smoothly.
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In addition the 2nd and 3rd noble truths understand desire
in 3 forms ... "craving for sensuality, craving for becoming, craving
for non-becoming"(3) seems the best translation.
Again, it seems that not just craving, but even the slightest preference or inclination is going to
influence us in some way ... and im open to suggestion, but i believe this is
particularly relevant in the sense of becoming : wanting to be someone, wanting to
confirm or change our self image and image for others. The continual
adjustments we make with our everyday thoughts and dreams to find how we
fit with the world, not just the special daydreams, the everyday
chatter which runs in the background, redifining ourselves - i believe
this influences practically all my thoughts.
It is important to realise Buddha was talking not only about all forms of wanting in the material world (as in Hinduism), but also all forms of wanting for our own self-image.
Craving has a large effect on us - but every small personal preference hinders our direct experience and relationship with the world.
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The Noble Truths |
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