Is the west too self obsessed?

[sheik-al-Tort]

The Dalai Lama is a very compassionate man, and a buddhist. he believes much of the sorrow and discontent in people's lives in the west is that they are too obsessed with themselves. I suppose you could call it the effects of consumerism and a relatively prolonged period of peace or not being directly threatened with invasion. Interestingly he also said that the rise of fundamentalism was caused by envy for what the west has materially.

What do you think? Are we a bunch of navel gazers and thumb suckers?

[Arabian Princess]

not really. I think the issue here is the culture in the went comes from iniviualisim. It has its advantages where everyone is responsible for his own career and advancment. It also has its drawbacks that when you fail, you are generally alone and reponsible of it (which leads to depression).

While in our part of the world (east) its surronded around family ties and community unions. When I head towards something, I shouldnt think of its outcome to me only but to whatever affect it will bring to my whole community. It has its disadvantages as it limits self advancment and you have to really give alot of things for the sake of the community but it also have its advantages as you always have someone to depend on whenever you fail.

However, those exterems dont exist anymore. You would find each side of the world (west and east) coming closer to each other even if its slow.

[amo_l_oman]

What do you think? Are we a bunch of navel gazers and thumb suckers?
Yes
and is proved by the fact that you [in general] need to worship the Lama and his cheap philosophy.

[sheik-al-Tort]

Amo you are showing signs of intolerance and meanness - grow up.



Arabian Princess I think you are right and very wise.

[Pineapple Thief]

I like AP's reply. Theres a real sense of community that is missing. I think you need to be attached to your immediate community, and have concerns for them. Its good to be attached to a wider community, but its less easy to feel for their issues and that. And I think theres a big problem that comes with individual freedom: your freedoms and the freedoms of the people around you tend to clash, and that makes problems.

[amo_l_oman]

Amo grow up.
As soon as I can.

I meant that if one needs to look at the Lama as example of religious figure, then there's some problem cause true that more or less all religions are philosophies applied to personal lives but Buddhism is just a collection of wise thoughts on life.
The failure of the West is the need to pay a shrink to solve problems and to go to Lama conferences to feel better.

[mimosa]

I think you need to read more about Buddhism before you condemn someone else's religion as "just a collection of thoughts". A lot of other religious leaders could learn a few things about humility and decency from the Dalai Lama.

But anyway, I would have to agree: The breakdown of family and community values in the "West" is well-documented. But as Mrs Princess said, different cultures are growing closer in their habits. The only thing is, it seems to me that it is only moving closer in one direction. There are many things for the "East" to learn from the "West", like accountable government, rule of law and individual rights (all of which are totally compatible with Islam in my opinion). But the "West" has a lot to learn in return, and is currently failing to do so.

[Dark Project]

As soon as I can.

I meant that if one needs to look at the Lama as example of religious figure, then there's some problem cause true that more or less all religions are philosophies applied to personal lives but Buddhism is just a collection of wise thoughts on life.
The failure of the West is the need to pay a shrink to solve problems and to go to Lama conferences to feel better.

LOL LOL Amo sorry this is a funny answer :).
Anyway looking at it from our prospective since I lived in Europe many Many years I think its ignorance of other cultures and religion and people .You see we were taught the History of the world in Arabia and we were taught who is for example the Queen of England ! we are interested to learn more about your civilization and culture ( the limited one now) when you go back to the history when Arabia had its golden time and age the West used to send their student to learn and observe and to get all information .
Now its the other way round .. I guess when you think you have it all you dont need to look around !!! Like my good friend Steve from UK told me once " What the Heck why should I learn other language while the whole world speaks English "....

[amo_l_oman]

I think you need to read more about Buddhism before you condemn someone else's religion as "just a collection of thoughts". A lot of other religious leaders could learn a few things about humility and decency from the Dalai Lama.


I judge from what i read, yes not much probably.
I never pretended to be a guru as others do.

[sheik-al-Tort]

Mimosa, as usual you make very good points. There is a lot to be learned in the World from other cultures and experiences. I think travel (not airport to hotel and back) is a useful eye opener. I sense that there is a small movement towards simpler lives in the West, as quite a few are pulling out of the 'rat race'.

[wudjab]

Yes
and is proved by the fact that you [in general] need to worship the Lama and his cheap philosophy.

An interesting and rather racist comment from someone who converted to a religion that supposedly says 'to you your religion and to me mine'.

[amo_l_oman]

I already explained my position, now if you want to jump on me like all the others, feel free.
I probably sounded harsh but am not the only to think like that.
I doubt anyway that you [and others here] can give me lessons on how to be compassionate and not racist.

[sheik-al-Tort]

I think the word ''compassion'' needs to be examined far more rigorously - then 'judgement' will disappear from our vocabulary

[Kara]

I think the word ''compassion'' needs to be examined far more rigorously - then 'judgement' will disappear from our vocabulary

Well until such times, judgement is needed on the non-compassionate.

[sheik-al-Tort]

But who should wield that judgement Kara?

[Kara]

We shall, although the judging does not have to be harsh and you can also show compassion in your judgement.

[sheik-al-Tort]

Good answer Kara!