This is it, my one shot at life, if not at life, at least at this life, so why shouldn't I do whatever I want?

Question

Why should I be content? Why should I not strive for greatness? Why shouldn’t I become a Conqueror? Why shouldn’t I take what I want? What difference does it make in the end? I can die in obscurity a man who obeyed the rules and took to his grave an immeasurable potential or I can take control of my environment instead of just adjusting to it. Why are you so docile? Do you not want more? Do you not want power? You will die anyway, why live as a sheep instead of the lion you are?

No offense to those who have answered but the absolute submission of some of you is so apparent it is painful. You have accepted as your fate mere existence. You sound defeated.

I am nothing without God. Any power I acquire must be bestowed upon me by Providence.

Answer 1

If you want to take your one shot in life, go ahead. Just realize that there CAN BE consequences to your shot. Certainly you should strive for greatness. You should be a conqueror. You should not be content. But if you only live a year or you spend the rest of your life in prison, don't complain. You had your shot.

Answer 2

Except for Pretty Momma, Kel and Phil8656, I've never read such nonsense.

They've been programmed to be docile sheep, fearing doing something wrong, or being trampled, or wanting to be good, because contentment is enough. You are obviously not at that level, so CHOOSE the life you want.

Reality mirrors the contents of consciousness - whatever you believe is true - your experience will guide you each step of the way and help you give up any internal conflictedness. To 'wholly' desire an experience is to create it in reality.

Enlightenment is about waking up to this inherent power to create - 'direct causality' - and becoming unconflicted about what you love and want to experience. It is what everyone is here for. If you don't consciously choose the life you want, you'll never be able to give your gifts/talents to the world-at-large. Follow your bliss the and reality will respond.

Answer 3

Look at history. Those with burning desire and attached to such wants are the reason there is suffering in the world. The real reason you want these things IS to prevent what you think is suffering. However in truth, craving for such things and leaving you desire unchecked and rule you is not the way to end suffering but to more suffering. I knew this before I picked up and began reading the Pali canon and it is something I have observed in others and noticed in the history books of the human race.

We all want money so we think we do not have to worry about the rent, food or the bills.

We all want power to keep everyone we perceive as a threat and bullies at bay.

We all want respect and status for attention feeds our ego and the attention of the ladies for we think such things will bring us peace and lessen our suffering.

The best thing to do is work smart and hard enough so we can take care of our selves and learn not to want any more. If the situation means you need to be rich in order to take well care of your self and others, then go out and earn such wealth and desire no more then what is needed for such goals. Detachment is key.

Answer 4

You seem to believe that being free is doing whatever you want, but is not. The thirst for power is nothing more than being enslaved by your own obsessions. Will power make you happy in the long term? I am not saying that you should obey everything you're told. I am just saying that before you dive into this quest for immeasurable power, you should really think about if that is what you really want. Do it with a clear head, consider all the options. And whatever you decide to do, be aware that you must take full responsability for your actions and, ultimately, for whatever happens to you in the future.

Answer 5

Well how would you feel if someone else insisted on taking power over you? You do not live in a vacuum. You are indeed free to live your life as you see fit--but only up to the point where your actions negatively impact others. It's the Golden Rule, treat others as you would have them treat you. If you want to maximize happiness in your life, then you must allow others to do the same. If you think it's OK to harm others, or oppress them, or steal from them, then you can not logically argue that it's not OK for them to do the same to you.

Even though heaven & hell may be human inventions, there are still very good reasons for being a good person. The fact that our lives are so finite makes our time here all the more valuable. Why make your life miserable by advocating a system of misery toward others?

Answer 6

Yes......take power, money, all that you want. Just do good with it. I could be reading this all wrong but I hear a bit of evil in your tone. You could take all the power you want and still die as obscurely as any other man. But way not take the power, do good, give people around you meaning. This way you will live on forever. Your views and beliefs will be cherished my all. Obvious examples being Martin Luther, and Ghandi. Power is great and all but it doesnt mean sh*t in the end. Its compassion and love for others that gives you real power.

Answer 7

If all people thought that way, there would be chaos everywhere. We are not perfect beings, therefore we need rules so as to achieve a relative order. We should all strive for greatness: greatness of spirit and mind. We should all become conquerors: conquerors of our self. What would be the point if you had everything, but "inside" you were empty? What you wish leads not to self-mastery and self-forgetfulness, but to self-exaltation...

Answer 8

I really don't think anyone can beat October's answer but:

Whether I die in obscurity or not, either way I'll be just as dead. I would rather just be content with what I have instead of fighting for more stuff.

Answer 9

Guess again about power being bestowed by Providence. That is the type of repression that perpetuates kings and popes. And it is this type of governance that led to the American Revolution.

Answer 10

Isn't it interesting how many people here think you mean to trample over them? But you didn't say that, did you? Being one's best is intimidating to the timid. The herd mentality tells them to "help" you to stay back in the herd, and be the "best" sheep you can be. You will face resistance by them all the way. Good luck on your journey to Humanity.