Are you Eastern or Western in your approach?

Question

In Western culture, we approach insults, criticisms, put downs and such as issues to be addressed. These are situations that can provoke anger, embarrassment, humiliation, etc.

In Easter philosophies, such as Buddhism, the criticism is to be appreciated and welcomed. The Eastern philosophies view this behaviour as something that helps to destroy the ego.

Are you decidedly Eastern or Western on the issue?

Answer 1

i am mixed. i'm open to possibilities that promote the betterment of humanity and its civilization.

to limit yourself to either side of philosophies is just that: limiting your options, your views, your choices, your thinking. it's childish to pick a side and say yours is better. it's shallow.

how about you? sounds like you want to be on eastern side and you feel like you're better than the western but you can't run away from western philosophies. do you take criticisms well? do you appreciate and welcome criticisms? or only like to give it and expect others to just take it? sounds like someone needs to get off his moral high horse.


people aren't perfect. some take, or as you put it, approach insults and criticisms well, others don't. doesn't mean western culture or any culture is only about insults, criticisms, put downs, and such generalizations that you list.

personally, i've known and lived with some buddhists. they're anything but calm. they definitely don't appreciate criticisms, but rather they get defensive. people aren't perfect. you're over-generalizing. philosophies may be perfect but people definitely are not. but then again, are you talking about western vs eastern cultures or their philosophies? one is physical/substantial, the other is ideological/abstract. you can't argue what's not tangible.


and why would you want to destroy the ego? are you referring to freudian term ego or what people loosely commonly coin the term ego? where would achievements and civilization advancements be without the driving force that is the human ego? do you want to be back in the stone ages with your fire, rocks and cave? or are you only focusing on the negative outcomes from the ego? sounds like you're a defeatist; and only way for you to look like you're the winner or make yourself believe that you're the winner is by dismissing/running away from it, saying you're above all of that.

now, are you taking this perception/criticism well?

Answer 2

I think this is a false dichotomy. Buddhism and other Eastern approaches would not even recognize such a split. As for me, I combine both Eastern and Western approaches, being fascinated with and comforted by their underlying similarities. You may want to have a look at the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Buddhist teacher and activist. He has done a lot of work on the connections between Buddhism and Christianity, and he has also written a lot ab. peaceful ways of dealing with conflict.

Answer 3

An excellent question. Ego is what drives our initial reaction of outrage and our subsequent response of retaliation.

What we miss by this approach is learning and growing.

On the other hand, the Eastern approach is open and takes everyone input into account, so it's more in tune with seeking truths. I guess the Eastern approach requires more self assurance and confidence to be able not only to brush criticism aside, but to truly listen to it and try to learn from it.

Unfortunately, I'm not there yet and have to say that by your definition, I'm decidedly Western.

Answer 4

The western procedures have been all approximately sneaking up into the fjords and arranged for the convoys to steam by way of, then taking the main important prize and sulking away quietly mutually as the destroyers pounded the waters with their cursed ASDIC and wasserbomben! The eastern procedures ... there are eastern procedures?

Answer 5

To me it depends on if the criticism is valid or if it is just a personal attack. I don't respond to personal attacks as they don't add anything to a conversation. True criticisms I take into consideration. So I guess I am more Eastern in my approach with a hint of Westernism.

Answer 6

I am a bit more eastern, though I still hold onto bits and pieces of western stuff. I like the concept of destroying the ego. If everyone could go through something like that, there might be more hope for mankind's future. Right now there isn't much hope in redeeming ourselves of our own short-sightedness.

Answer 7

A bit of both.....From my friends i can handle criticism, but not from people who do not know me.Like all other things, I am a mix of Eastern and Western Philosophies.

Answer 8

I don't tolerate abuse. I don't believe that I can afford to destroy my ego. I need it for my chosen profession. I love feedback and criticisms. I listen, consider, and either accept or reject the feedback that I'm given; after considering the source. No one can make me feel or do anything. I'm curious, would that make me Western or Eastern?

Answer 9

By Eastern approach, there is no east or west. The world is one.

The western approach is ignorance and prejudice. All information should be welcomed and thought upon freely.

Answer 10

Ahhhhh..... how freeing to be eastern where this is concerned.

It is so freeing.... to not care....but to embrace! Because what is criticism, but a means to self examination.

Thanks! I needed a reminder on this. To answer you, I'm not Eastern enough but from here on in....I will.