>> It always seemed to me that in 'the west', there is a far greater "sense of
>'The west' is not a place but a state of mind. Yes, of course. And hence my use of quotes. In fact a lot of the geographical east would today be part of 'the west' as far as ways of approaching and engaging with the world are concerned. And a lot of Indians, as well, would be part of 'the west', in this context. >> the line of instruction seems to be - life is suffering - but one has to >> deal >> with this reality through various mechanisms such as detachment, committment >> to certain kinds of action, compassion, etc etc ... and the multifold paths >> taught in various schools of life-practice ... > It strikes me as a somewhat passive attitude, which cements the status quo, > and is self-fullfilling statism. But then, I'm not an Indian, so what do I > know. It would be passive if one did nothing about it. However most of these 'prescriptions for living' do not perhaps suggest rolling over and letting the world pass over you. There are 'courses of right action', and various nuances of 'right action' and even 'right inaction' that I have heard described- - but I'm no expert on this kind of thing; nor do I necessarily subscribe to this view of the world. Just stating what I think may influence pronouncements such as 'life is suffering'. There is undeniably suffering 'out there in the world' - and even where we have ways in isolation/smaller contexts to 'fix the situation' - it persists. (hunger, destitution, exploitation, discrimination ...) I guess the question is how to best deal with this 'reality' (a transient condition if you are utopian & believe in human kind marching linearly towards a perfect world, permanent fact of life & existence, if you don't) without depressing yourself. So mental/internal techniques to deal with suffering and for self-empowerment in the situation are probably just fine ... Vijay
