Eastern Philosophies
soulran1
Registered User new member
Registered User new member
I have been trying for the past several years to gain more mental and emotional control over myself. While I have had some success, I need more. Does anyone know of any for lack of better word religion or philosophy that I could study to better myself? I am looking more for an "Eastern" approach, sort of like martial arts mind and body discipline, but as a way of life.
soulran1 on
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The thing is, if you're looking for specific guidance, eastern philosophy is not going to give it to you. Eastern philosophy, at least the parts of it I've read, is more about accepting things as they are and not fighting the flow around you.
Though I'd say if you can pull that off you've got mental and emotional control covered.
I'm just reading into what he said with my own motivations when I got into eastern philosophy. I thought that developing that kind of control would put me above my petty problems and allow me to start succeeding more in life with them out of the picture.
Turns out that no, life is still full of problems. They're just put into perspective a little better.
if it's personal ambition then go for it, and consider actual classes in meditation or martial art
if you think you got problems and you want a way to control them and put your emotional reactions to them on hold you might want to think about other avenues.
As far as mentally, I'll never be strong physically, so that's all I have to hope for.
I have bad news: people who think logically probably caused the stock market crashes.
To be serious... that's not a terrible goal. The ability to control your emotions can save you a lot of pain, help you be a better arguer, and, it's true, keep you thinking rationally when others are panicking.
But don't mistake lack of emotion for mental strength. Emotions are part of who you are. They are almost assuredly an evolutionary strength that helped make humanity what it is. Vulcans do not exist.
I'm a pretty emotionally controlled and stoic person, so don't think I'm denigrating the Other.
Try looking for a traditional martial arts teacher near you then. One that is not simply a self defense course or a "how to win fights/competitions" school. Traditional martial arts are an entire lifestyle philosophy in themselves, not just something to get in shape/kick ass.
It may do nothing for you as far as emotional control, that sort of depends on you... maybe you would need more specific help with that if it's a real problem for you (medical condition, etc).
Similarly, if you find a place that teaches yoga as more than just a workout routine, it's roots are much like many traditional martial arts. The biggest problem with both for a situation like yours is that they have become packaged for the masses, and in doing so most classes in them are stripped of most/all of their philosophical/spiritual components.
There's a lot that encompasses "Eastern thought", and the term can be pretty pejorative. Just as "Western thought" includes both Marxism and Nazism, "Eastern thought" encompasses everything from the Hindu Caste System to Shinto ancestor worship to Zen.
It sounds like meditation is for you. There are tons of meditation centers around everywhere, these days. The trick is finding a good one and not just some schmuck with an extra room to run "meditation classes" and fleece you out of your cash.
I'd start, perhaps, with Meditation on Metta (kindness and compassion) and take a look at some Zen writings. Dogen is the undisputed master and founder of the Soto Zen ("just sitting") school in Japan. Google should help you out there.
Raiden is correct, as well. The majority of "popular" Eastern philosophy is geared toward acceptance of "life as it is", at least within a Taoist or Buddhist framework. meditation, though, would probably benifit you if you're looking for increased mental focus and calmness.
Of course, any dojo worth it's salt will have a large mental component. Aikido tends to be greatly favored by Japanese Buddhists as a practical means of practice.