173-Captivity - Buddhism in daily life

Captivity


The mind follows the body into captivity, the disparate
comrades-in-arms are usually in harmony.


Have you ever been "captive"? Sure, maybe only seconds or
minutes, but trapped you have been.


But also the opposite case occurs, the body follows the spirit
into captivity, it just needs both sides of the personality.


There are many people who resign, who voluntarily put themselves
in a kind of prison. Then, when life becomes difficult, the mood
remains depressed, then anxious characters take refuge in the
abandonment of their self-determination, from then on they become
externally controlled.


Imprisonment is a burden for body and mind, but the mental
component of self-imprisonment, that is clearly more violent.


Whoever is now so insecure that he/she relinquishes sovereignty
over his/her own mind and body in order to then, as a herd
animal, put the voices in the head to rest, is on a difficult
path; perhaps easier at first glance, but in reality incredibly
demanding, because "common sense" is no longer allowed to
participate here, otherwise voluntary captivity would end
immediately.


Sure, "one" can make everything easy for oneself, run after the
masses, become and remain a sheep, but such behavior is not in
the spirit of Buddhist philosophy, which always encourages
reflection on all events that occur, does not give a place to
stubborn humility.


What is captivity for you? Can you imagine what it must be like
to be imprisoned in a small room? And what it must be like when
you place yourself in mental captivity? Try to put yourself in
these "cases", what would your life be like if you tried to
cushion things differently, if you didn't think, but resigned
yourself to imposed decisions?


There are very many kinds of imprisonment, most of the
possibilities are self-chosen. But according to the teaching of
the great teacher, all this does not have to be so, because at
the beginning of all reflection is the question: Who am I?


This is followed by an answer which, in its consequence, will
destroy, indeed must destroy, every captivity. No matter what has
drawn you into a dependency or attachment, everything falls away
when the answer has turned out honestly. If you lie to yourself,
you remain in the awkward situation.


Yes, there are constraints in life, no man is an island, some
things we have to do, but others we just don't. Which things do
you do because you want to? Which ones because you have to? Where
is the limit for you?


The way is the goal!


Difficult to fathom, great in arts, the mind revels in thoughts.


Happiness is only for the wise, who keeps him mindfully in
bounds.


- Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480 before
the year zero


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