UG2

I continue to be intrigued by UG's ideas. I guess it shows that I'm still interested in permanent happiness. There is in fact no state of sadness or happiness. Pain and pleasure are both momentary. They come and go in reaction to stimulus. It is pointless to try to achieve or avoid either state.

In fact sorrow is caused by the very effort of wanting to be happy. This pursuit can only lead to fraustration and disappointment. The body does not even know it is alive. Pain and pleasure are felt and then gone. There is no memory or trace. It is thought that suffer and cries. The body is only interested in survival and has no knowledge of thought.

Why this quest for permanence? Why can't I just relax and enjoy myself? Why do I feel compelled to work myself into the ground in search for meaning and continuity? I am trying to escape from thought while using thought as my vehicle.

This will not work. Only by becoming completely selfish, completely engaged by thought, which I already am, will I ever be free from it. The very act of trying to be less selfish results in more thoughts. I can try to emphasize the body and be more aware of my senses, but if this becomes part of seeking permanence it will only increase thought.

There is no escape and the brain is not an instrument than can be used to gain an exit.

This reminds me of Schopenhauer's negative dialectics. Life is years of sorrow with moments of joy. All attempts at happiness is futile. Can thought accept this? Will thought ever agree to end itself?