Self-absorption or self-sacrifice? 

Another way of putting it – serving self only, versus serving others?

If we are self-absorbed, do we recognize it?

Self-absorption is only concerned with self, and the importance of self.

If we are self-sacrificing, do we recognize it?

Self-sacrificing probably is other person-centred, and doesn’t ‘blow its own trumpet’.

Most people chose ‘Both’. That seems realistic. A bit like in a plane. The cabin crew advise us to first put the oxygen mask on ourselves, then on our accompanying child.

Jesus was amazingly different. His actions  showed no self-absorption, but rather self-sacrificing. Ultimately, at great personal cost, he willingly gave his life for us. Three days later, showing the truth of his predictions, he came back to life again.

“… I have not come to be served, but to serve, and to give my life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 6:33 (NIV)(http://www.laridian.com)

Buddha’s main thesis? 

“We can eliminate suffering when we cease to desire.”   

From my reading over the years, that seems to encapsulate it. 

Certainly there are other major themes for all Buddhists, be they eastern or western/eclectic Buddhists.

However, does that theme seem to be a self-defeating argument – the desire to put down all one’s desires?

The eclectic western Buddhists in the market last Saturday disagreed with the original statement. 

I think that many of our desires are good God-given desires. If we run with those desires in the right context, then we can be quite happy. 

If my desires conflict with that, then it would be better to put them down…

That is especially if we want to please God, and do the right thing by our neighbor. 

Your thoughts? 

There are some things we really want – like tattoos!

Then we research them, chase and nail them. It’s all a bit of fun. However, to get a tattoo takes time, a certain amount of pain, and money. It is also fairly permanent!

Those who choose tattoos, have their own good reasons for getting them.

That’s what I thought, anyway!

The day in the market with that question was enlightening. 

Some loved their tattoos; others just hated theirs…

One thing in common was that they all had a story to tell about them.

It’s a bit like the way we all have a story to tell about each of our individual lives…

Some parts are happy, some are sad, and others are just confusing or embarrassing.

It’s extremely sad…

Mental illness, whether called Depression, Bipolar, Schizophrenia, or whatever, or just plain deep sadness through recent unhappy circumstances, anything that leads to a lack of hope in life, and then suicide is so sad.

The loss of a precious life. Not by an accident, or quirk of nature, but by the choice of the one who is no longer with us.

Those left, of course, have their own pain, regrets and sadness to deal with.

The Sexolution

The sexual revolution has been going for many years now. Over the years, that has included free sex, multiple sexual partners, freedom to do whatever, but also increased chance of STIs, less marriage, less commitment to long-term faithfulness.

What are the results overall? Victory or defeat? That’s how you usually measure a revolution’s effect.

Are people more sexually fulfilled? 

What do you think? How do you measure those results? Happy lives or the opposite? Contented, fulfilled, satisfied lives, happy to live faithfully with their partner/spouse?  Less cheating and more faithfulness? What do we call the opposite of that – frustrated, unfulfilled, dissatisfied…?

Results

In my opinion, those last words could be applied to many today as far as their perceptions of the end results of their sex lives are concerned. Many would say they are shattered – their dreams, their being disillusioned with the opposite sex, as well as their loss of self-respect and inner peace. This could be combined with having no long-term companionship, living alone, no lasting happy marriage to their best friend, as well as no children to celebrate life and achievements with.