What we have is not who we are

Does what we have represent who we are? As I stare at these pictures Mr. Burke had us look at of families with all of their food out, I wonder, what would this look like for my family? What would it be like for your family?

Personally, I don't believe that what we have represents who we are. I am fortunate enough to have lots of luxuries in my life, like this computer I am typing on, for example. As I stare around my room I see a lot of random wall hangings, clothes, and decorations. I wonder, what would it be like without all of these things. As Grace Goodman mentioned in her blog, she wasn't sure what possession she would save if her house was burning down because everything is pretty much replaceable. Sure lots of people have sentimental possessions that they would not like to lose, for example I have some of my Nana's jewelery that I would definitely not want to lose, but most of the things we have are material items that can easily be replaced.

Take Siddartha for example. When he leaves his home to go out into the world on his own....he has nothing with him. When he lives with the Samanas, he has absolutely no possessions with him, but the size of his heart and the size of his intelligence were not measured by what he had with him, for he had nothing at all. His experience, intelligence, heart, love, desire, friendship, etc. is what made him who he is.

You cannot base your opinions on someone by what they have. It is what they do, how they act, and who they are on the inside that makes up that person.

Suffering Through Chocolate

What is desirable? What attracts people to certain things? Can getting what you desire or not getting what you desire cause suffering? Is suffering desirable? These are the questions that we discussed in class this week. The topic: desire.

Everyone has different desires depending upon who they are and what they like. Desire can come in many forms. It can be something we want, need, are attracted to, or even something we love. Getting or not getting what you desire, though can cause suffering. For example, if a woman were to desire chocolate, if she got her desire, then she may feel suffering afterwards because of the weight she gained from eating all the chocolate. Not getting what you desire can also lead to suffering. For example, if someone desires someones else because they are in love, not getting that loved one can cause suffering. On the other hand, not getting or getting what you desire can also lead to happiness. If the woman doesn't eat the chocolate she desires, then she'll be happy because she won't gain weight. And if someone gets the person they love and desire, they will experience absolute happiness. Every experience with desire is different and therefore whether or not getting your desire will cause suffering or happiness will vary. It's hard to decide which desires are good and bad, though, because desire is a strong emotion. Wanting something differs from desire in that it isn't as strong of an emotion. Desire is wanting something, but wanting something badly enough that sometimes it will hurt if you don't get it.

In Siddartha, Siddartha is not sure of what he desires, he's just sure of what he doesn't desire. He is looking for something, but he can't figure out what it is yet. On his journey, Siddartha suffers greatly because he chooses to. He feels that by suffering, he can finally figure out what it is he truly desires. In a sense, Siddartha desires to suffer in order to find what he truly desires.

In life, we all experience suffering, happiness, want, desire, love, lust, friendship, etc. But when you experience these emotions, can you truly see what effects your decisions will have? If you truly desire something, chances are you won't be able to truly comprehend the consequences of getting or not getting what you desire because your want for that object is so strong. So it just depends, what do you desire?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvKWUsJ9qoE -- Desire by U2