The older you get and the more wisdom you require, does it ever bring you more joy and fullfilment? I know people back home who never left home whilst I travelled the world and tried to open my horizons. They all seem happy as pigs in **** whilst I am always distanced and level(ed). What do you think?
2006-08-07 11:08:46 · 16 answers · asked by kurt r 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Yeah, I'm kind of in the same boat? I was never motivated towards the same goals as most people.
I think that knowledge does bring happiness, but it's not as easy to share as the other kind of happiness.
A book that works for me is the "Tao Te Ching". It's a simple book written by a guy centuries ago. He seemed to find himself in the same situation....
"...Conventional people are jolly and reckless,
feasting on worldly things and carrying
on as though every day were
the first day of spring.
I alone remain uncommitted, like as
infant who has not yet smiled:
lost, quietly drifting, unattached
to ideas and places and things...
Lao Tzu, translated by Brian Browne Walker.
2006-08-07 13:14:50 · answer #1 · answered by Teaim 6 · 8⤊ 1⤋
yes, the right knowledge leads to happiness
not just any old bits of info picked up wandering around
knowledge by chewing the cud of life, digesting all the info, getting to the heart of the matter, seeing the essential points
you might like my free book again, about james joyce's finnegans wake, which is about the essence or heart or centre of life
it has been called a great read and very very useful, very interesting and wellwritten, and remarkable
may not be your cup of tea, may be
nigel.orcon.net.nz
and then there is initiation into the direct immediate experience of the lifeforce or energy or creativity behind it all - facetoface and up personal with the formless stuff that turned out the universe and lifeforms - energy that cannot be created or destroyed - that constantly creates and destroys everything - the engine room of life
somehow it is always satisfying when going on board ship to go and see the engine room - then you can go away and do your thing on board with a little feeling inside of being in the know, of having been there where it is all happening
2006-08-07 20:06:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that the more you know, the less you need.
You travelled, Kurt and learned to rely on yourself most likely much more than the pigs in poo you speak of. They seem happy is key here. Seeming and being are two very different things. They are lacking advanced knowledge of themselves, most likely, and the world. You have given yourself great gifts.
You can teach people about the things you have experienced. Perhaps even inspire with one of your stories. You can close your eyes and pull yourself back to one of those favorite places, smell the air, hear the sounds, feel the rhythym of an exotic land and be there, if just for a moment.
Things like that are all we need to be happy, we don't need stuff.
Keep breathing Kurt, you're way ahead of the rest of us.
2006-08-07 19:54:31 · answer #3 · answered by Brooke 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fulfilment - most definitely; joy - least likely. There's so much evil in the world, the more you know the more you're horrified with humanity. Still, I find fulfilment in KNOWING about the universe, call it knowledge for knowledge's sake perhaps, but it does make me feel like I have more right to pass judgement and express my opinion because I'm better informed than somebody who has never ventured outside their own bubble. I can make connections, look at one event from different angles, empathise more fully.. Call it the joy of intellect, if not the heart.
2006-08-07 19:05:54 · answer #4 · answered by marix 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Knowledge will lead to contentment in the long run but not happiness.
Infact the more knowledge one knows the more depressed one can be at times of emotional drought.
We are here to serve the mystery not to solve the theory.
Saying that though, I am always trying to solve the theory!
2006-08-07 18:16:50 · answer #5 · answered by Jason 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Happiness is a state of being where you are satisfied and fulfilled mentally and physically, feeling high on life and nothing can go wrong.
Nothing to do with knowledge unless you know something that gives you the above definition.
-Hytegia
2006-08-07 18:21:21 · answer #6 · answered by Hytegia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is knowledge of good things that can in fact lead to happiness but there is bad in the world as well. Knowledge of that will certainly not lead to happiness. If you want to be happy, search for the Truth.
2006-08-07 18:13:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You've got it a little backwards. IGNORANCE is bliss. But knowledge is power. What you do with that power is up to you.
MAYBE you can make yourself happy with it... but with so many choices, I can't help but think there will always be the whiff of the paradise that is just a little sweeter over the hill...
2006-08-07 18:25:30 · answer #8 · answered by Doctor Why 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have no idea how you would feel or believe if you had actually stayed home and not traveled. You did what you needed to do for your own self. The others did what they needed to do (or chose to do).
We can never compare ourselves with others - there'll always be a lack.
2006-08-07 18:14:37 · answer #9 · answered by lrad1952 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
an accumulation of knowledge is no substitute for wisdom age is not a factor
you traveled the world looking for something you have within
yet you still haven't found it
do you know what you seek?
2006-08-07 18:30:50 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋