082-Toxic Positivity Part 1 - Buddhism in daily life

Toxic Positivity Part 1


Toxic Positivity is called the vicious circle of expectation. And
as we know, not all expectations can come true, and then, when it
doesn't, we are so disappointed. Life is so bad to us, everything
always goes against us, it is like bewitched. So, or something
like that, we complain when things don't go our way again.


And what we do not expect everything, money, health, love,
success, just the best is good enough, so just acceptable.
Impudently we demand from the fate, we trouble God and gods,
horoscopes and prophecies deliver the confirmations. And woe is
it not according to the personal demands, not the best of the
best. Then we just change the god, the old one was obviously no
good.


The trend to more and more expectations has reached its temporary
peak in the English word "Toxic Positivity", has also arrived in
psychology, is a reason for the manifold disorders and diseases
of the psyche.


Toxic is poisonous, and as with all things, only the dose makes
the poison, especially the normal "feel-good Buddhist" always
expects more, has not yet given up wanting and desiring. And we
live in a normal environment, not isolated in a monastery, we
have obligations, have to earn a living, are caught in the
hamster wheel of modern society.


When I lived in the Shaolin Temple in China at the time, life was
simple. Ceremonies, meditation, training, food and body care,
then sleep, those were the cornerstones of life. Today I live in
Stuttgart, I'm working all day, doing things, running after
money, so mindfulness and Buddhist equanimity can be put to the
test. I used to be a monk, now I live a normal life, it's a big
difference.


And it's not only my expectations (I have more or less ended
them, turned them off, I live as my body suggests, not
"rationally"), but those of my environment. The family, the
circle of friends, the work, and more and more the state need
time, the expectations to me become more and more. And there
comes a moment when I react indignantly, although I don't want
to.


Imagine taking the kids to school, getting soaking wet from the
rain, getting a parking ticket in the process, getting stuck in
traffic and being late for work, getting "whistled at" there
because of it, the computer crashing, things "going sour" in
turn, and then Someone approaches you with an otherwise
completely harmless request, and you completely freak out.


Expectations become toxic for you.


But: the journey is the destination!


Hear part 2 of "Toxic Positivity" here in the next few days.





The toxic juice of ignorance is spread through greed, desire and
ill will


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





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