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Dear Sohail;
I like your mischievous question. My attraction to the Buddhist/mindful
point of view is simple. One of the reasons I was attracted to Psychiatry
(besides the, at the time, unconscious need to better my father which is a
topic for another day) is that Psychiatry seemed to me the best fit for my
introspective, philosophically oriented personality. However, that same
personality type pushes me towards undue worries, fears etc. One needs a
balance between being 'inward looking' and 'outward seeking'. Any excessive
leaning towards either can be detrimental to the fullest development of our
creative energies.
In addition, I had always been somewhat distressed at my
tendency (pointed out early in life by my father, perceptive psychologist
that he is) to be too 'accepting/understanding' meaning too eager to agree
with others' views and opinions including those they had about me. However,
a very dear friend a couple of years ago phrased it in a way that made it
seem like a compliment. He called it 'fitrat-e-saleem'
(another dear friend once laughingly called me a 'sophist' i.e. someone who
can argue any point of view thus implying that I have none of my own). I
prefer the connotation of 'tabula rasa or blank slate'. As you know, this is the
way children are, no preconceptions or prejudices, simply approaching
life and all in it in a fresh, open way. Thus, I am now actively embracing
this side of my personality. Being the father of three young children has
helped, I'm sure.
Being in the moment, or mindful helps me appreciate what
I have right now instead of worrying about 'umr-e-raftaa'
or 'fikr-e-fardaa' and this, I believe is a
wonderful gift. It seems to me that a lot of suffering is caused by just
those two things and it seems so simple and yet so radical to drop them and
be 'happy in the moment'.
How is that different from a young child or a demented
person? I think the difference is the conscious intention which leads to a
deep and lasting satisfaction and joy.
Re;attachment,
I think this is where Sufi thought and Buddhist ideas converge. If we
accept that change is constant and ongoing, then it makes no sense to be
attached (too much) to anything since it will soon change. If one makes a
conscious decision not to attach oneself to anything too deeply, this does
not imply lack of feeling of commitment, infact,
it is an appreciation of a deeper level of understanding of the world and ourselves. Of course, as with all things, these ideas
are socially conditioned. In other words, I would be very interested to see
if I felt the same way once my social conditions changed i.e. suppose I was
a poor peasant in Pakistan
instead of a comfortably middle class doctor in America.
Would I still be reflecting on attachment and mindfulness or scrambling to
find the next meal for myself and my children?
Anyway, these are fertile themes for discussion and
debate.
More later.
Wassallaam,
Ali
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