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The World Through Zen Eyes Podcast
What we do?
Once a week we take a look at the going-ons of the world and say something about ‘em.
The goal?
None, really. Just trying to make heads and tails of the great world roar of Ooommmmmm.
Why?
To try ‘n keep a modicum of personal sanity. And stay off both the meds and the cool aid.
The point?
Points are sharp and therefore violent. We just go around, and round….and round.
Disclaimer:
The views, perspectives, and humor of the speakers and guests of this podcast do not necessarily represent the those of any associated organizations, businesses, or groups, social, religious,cultural or otherwise. The entirety of the podcast is for entertainment purposes only. Topics discussed and views expressed do not constitute medical advice. As the saying goes “Opinions are like bellybuttons, everybody’s got one”.
The World Through Zen Eyes Podcast
Bonus Track #2: Depraved Happiness
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Have you ever wondered if spiritual teachings about avoiding greed mean you're supposed to live an unfulfilling life? Our latest exploration of "Depraved Happiness" tackles this common misconception head-on.
When Zen philosophy identifies greed as one of the three poisons (alongside anger and ignorance), many practitioners mistakenly conclude they must embrace material lack or deprivation. This episode unravels this misunderstanding, revealing that Zen doesn't aim to deprive you of joy or fulfillment—rather, it seeks to free you from the gullibility that makes us chase after temporary satisfactions that never truly satisfy.
We examine the stark difference between forced contentment—those half-hearted "I'm okay, I guess" responses—and genuine contentment that celebrates life without comparison. True contentment isn't settling for less because "things could be worse" or because you don't deserve better. Instead, it's recognizing what is as the foundation for what can become. We challenge toxic positivity phrases like "beggars can't be choosers," affirming that human dignity doesn't diminish with circumstance.
By the end, we arrive at a powerful realization: contentment isn't the end goal but the bedrock upon which fulfillment is built. When we stop comparing our reality to imagined alternatives, we discover a deeper satisfaction that transcends our usual metrics of happiness. Join us in exploring how accepting what is becomes the solid platform from which authentic joy emerges.
Subscribe to World Preservatist for more philosophical explorations that transform how you view everyday concepts and challenge conventional wisdom about happiness and fulfillment.
Dr. Ruben Lambert can be found at wisdomspring.com
Ven. MyongAhn Sunim can be found at soshimsa.org
Welcome to Sugar Plains, hollywood, where you'll always have a win, where you love me, come and meet. Welcome back to the World Preservatist Bonus Track. We'll call this one Depraved Happiness. Happiness when thinking of the emphasis on greed within Zen, greed being one of the three poisons, the other two being anger and ignorance.
Speaker 1:Greed, when viewed as poison, we are encouraged to keep the distance from Seems simple enough an idea. We must, however, be cautious not to confuse simplicity with ease. Nor are we to assume that such simplicity is to be taken at face value. That is not the case. Where it's simple, therefore, no need to think about it. I say this because I have seen within my own mind, and at times in the minds of others, the following conclusion If Zen wants me to stay away from greed, zen wants me to live in depravity, in deficit, in policy state, in abject poverty.
Speaker 1:Zen wants me to live an unfulfilled life. Zen wants to deprive you this is true, zen does want to deprive you, but of what Zen understands, the mechanism of things. We call it the Dharma, and in that it understands the gears and levers and springs that power the machine, and in that Zen understands suffering, its causes, its remedies and the path to enact such remedies in one's life. Zen, therefore, does want to deprive you, but not of joy, satisfaction, fulfillment, but of the gullibility by which we think genuine, lasting fulfillment is brought about. Deprived of said go-ability, one might ask what then, are we left with Contentment? Let's define the terms.
Speaker 1:Contentment can be understood, and it's laying incarnation, as a forced okay, how are you doing? Oh okay. Sometimes followed by I guess, how are you doing? Oh okay, I guess. How are you doing, oh okay. I guess how are you doing? Not too bad. Or, my least favorite, still alive, or worse. Yet any day above ground is better than the day below ground. I don't know Really, is it? Do we make it better by just existing or by existing how? That's another thing.
Speaker 1:Contentment, then, is not just a settled, accustomed norm. No, it's not not too bad. All things considered, contentment is rejoicing. It's celebrated life as it is, not because what is is the best I could get, but because Contentment has no alternatives to be compared to. It's not a result of a mathematical equation. Well, given all the circumstances and the possibility that things could be worse, it's not too bad. So be content with what you got. It's got that same energy as beggars can be choosers. Yuck, it's true. Beggars can't be choosers because beggars are people. Beggars can't be choosers because beggars are people. Anyway, be content, not because it could be worse, not because you aren't deserving of better or more, but because what is is the foundation of what can or what will be. Contentment is the bedrock of fulfillment. Thanks for watching.
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