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| quote: | Originally posted by Omega_M
That would not be self control at all, but rather social inhibition as you just said. Social inhibitions are compulsions and in these cases, the abstinence is not willing. Willing abstinence is something that would require "self control". It is where your long term goals and your character will prevent you from indulging in impulse (or any other) activities that give short term joy, but cost you in the long run. This requires a lot more efforts and is different from social inhibition. In that case, you face social consequences for indulging in the activity. In this case, you have to face no one but yourself. |
Yes, but I am questioning whether or not intentional abstinence, a practice of self-control, completely independent of social influence, is even possible. I am well aware that many people draw a distinction between the two, but I very much doubt the genuineness in some people, especially when there is, in fact, motive (deterrence or encouragement) on a social sense to be something - even if it is merely a projection of overdeveloped spiritual productivity. I am not saying it is impossible. I am merely saying that it is extremely rare, at most.
| quote: | | Whether productivity is a social projection or not would depend on the individual's goals and desires. Monks who meditate in the high Himalayas, disconnected from the society will also have a sense of productivity if they move towards their spiritual goals. Their innate desires transcend your so called innate desires. These concepts are pretty much subjective. I don't see any generalization in this. |
Monks are not disconnected from society. Perhaps society outside of their own order, but they still uphold traditions as a result of social programming. The movement towards spiritual goals within their society IS encouraged on a social level - are monks really who you think of when you imagine ideal individual goals? I assure you, they are very much a social organism: dressing alike, chanting alike, working alike and praying alike, they are quite possibly the quintessential like-mind and say very little about self-control and intentional abstinence for the sake of higher intelligence or enlightenment. I am well aware of Buddha's tenets of self-deprivation; it's an institution that is the unfortunate antithesis towards overindulgent western aims, admittedly, but an opposition nevertheless.
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There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
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