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"Understanding Emptiness and Interdependence" and "The…
"Understanding Emptiness and Interdependence" and "The Insight of Interbeing"
Understanding Emptiness and Interdependence
Two questions: How do you relate to this infinite ground of possibility that your life is built on? How can you create a meaningful life within whatever shifting circumstances you find yourself?
These questions are explored and investigated through interdependence and emptiness
Emptiness does not mean nothingness, it means that things do not have individual independence
Some things exist only in the context or circumstance of other things
Everything and everyone has some form of emptiness → continually adapting
WE CAN BECOME ANYTHING
Emptiness inspired optimism → range of possibilities within how we live
No fixed starting point because, we can start from anywhere and become whoever we want to be
We can start from zero → we do not have to be rich or powerful to accomplish our dreams
We can accomplish our dreams but only by creating the necessary and appropriate conditions → need emptiness and interdependence
Interdependence: everything is dependent upon everything else in order to exist
Humans exist because we live in the right conditions for survival
For example, we have the sun, rain, food, and other people to help the creation of human and animals to survive
Buddha created the term “interdependence” to show how everything is interconnected
Everyone and everything is linked, which affects the conditions and survival of other things and beings
Our actions greatly affects our conditions and what is the result from those actions
Destructive actions → destruction, harm, pain, and anger
Constructive → positive and purposeful results
How we act is extremely important because it affect everyone and everything else
WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ONE ANOTHER
Living this Reality
Emptiness and interdependence are not abstract principles → relevant in creating a meaningful and purposeful life
Interdependence is seen through our own lives → we do not create everything for ourselves because we are constantly using and taking advantage of things that are people created
Examples: Clothes, food, books, cars, movies, and tools
None of us solely make these things, they were created by an entire group of people working together
Our existence is determined by outside conditions, other humans, and other beings
Example: Interbeing of a plant - can not exist without proper sunlight, soil, seed, rain, carbon dioxide, or minerals
Interdependence causes us to interact with the universe and everything that is encompassed within it constantly
Interaction is mutually beneficial
Receiving and giving
Our presence affects everything else like communities and the entire planet
Humans are very destructive due to are technological advances
Example: We could cut down every tree, but then we would not be able to survive → shows us interdependence
Important in creating a happy and joyful life -- must be able to recognize what makes us happy and the conditions that causes this happiness
Environment + Humans = main source of well being
Happiness can only occur when we care about the happiness of others
Example: Be nice to the people who serve and prepare your food, and they will ensure that your food is prepared well and tastes good
When we care about other people and their flourishment, then we can also have the ability to flourish
Example: People have more money → they will spend more money → businesses will perform better and make more money
In order to flourish, we have to be aware of the implications of interdependence and how they affect our well bing (both positively and negatively)
MLK Jr. stated that injustice anywhere can effect justice everywhere (interconnectedness) - whatever affects someone directly can effect everyone indirectly
Also said that all states are interconnected and one must be concerned about what is happening in all of them because it will effect everyone
Relating to Reality
Gaining new perspective on emptiness and interdependence may change the way you view the world and your actions → changes your conditions
Can result in more positive outcomes within your life
Some people fear change but it is just a part of our lives → needs to be accepted in order to live a more meaningful life
Accepting change can lead to a more constructive way of realizing reality and necessary conditions for our survival and happiness
May lead to becoming comfortable within our lives even when we face change and adversity
The realization of interdependence frightens some people, but it can lead to a more constructive and joyful life
We should not feel pressured by interconnectedness because it will prevent us from content and forming positive relationships among all things and beings
INTERDEPENDENCE IS OUR REALITY
We must show love to others and the universe in order to embrace interdependence and the relationships created by it
Love, relationships, and friendships reveal the happiness and joy that interdependence brings us
The more love we can give to all people and things, the more happier and content we will feel
The Insight of Interbeing
Emptiness does not equal nothingness
We may be "empty" but we still exist
We are all connected to each other - "togetherness" and "interbeing"
"to be" should be "inter be" because we are never just one and alone
We exist with other beings and other living things
Lewis Thomas - our bodies are "shared, rented, and occupied" with other organisms
We can not do anything without other things. WE WOULD NOT EXIST
Everything relies on everything else whether that is humans, plants, animals or anything else within the universe
Cause and Effect: our actions affect other beings and the universe
Three Marks of Phenomena
Impermanence: Anyita
Duhkha: inability to provide complete happiness
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Anatman: lack a totally separate unchanging self
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All are empty of separate unchanging self (FLAMES)
Each phenomena occurs due to a set of causes and conditions which means that all things are interconnected and interdependent
No solitary beings exist
The entire world is one big functioning cell with interconnected functioning of beings
Seen in humans
We can see parents/ancestors in children, and we can see children in their parents/ancestors
WE ARE A CONTINUATION
We are our mothers, if we are mad at them then we are mad at ourselves
Whether we like it or not, our parents/ancestors are within in us, and we are within them
We still have the ability to transform our lives.
Our thoughts and actions are determined by our family members thoughts and actions
Mindfulness allows us to perform all of our actions with thought of "us" and interconnectedness
We are all a part of a circle and we all play a part in creating and affecting the circle
Mediation of any form allows us to practice our ability to see our ancestors and teachers in our actions
We can see their presence when we perform skills that they have taught us
See their hands as we prepare meals
We can free our minds and souls when we realize everything is interconnected