A Primary Source Of Human Suffering? (faith, Atheism)

[Sunstone]

"[O]ur habitual identification with discursive thought, our failure moment to moment to recognize thoughts as thoughts, is a primary source of human suffering."

- Sam Harris

Is Harris right that our habitual identification with our thoughts is a primary source of human suffering?

[Willamena]

What else would we identify with? (I dare ya )

[Sunstone]

Originally Posted by Willamena

What else would we identify with? (I dare ya )

How about identifying with our whole selves -- rather than just our thoughts. After all, thoughts are like the monkey riding on the back of an elephant: The monkey makes a commotion and thinks it's directing the elephant, but the elephant largely ignores the monkey and goes where it must and will. There is so much more to us than just our thoughts.

[Willamena]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

How about identifying with our whole selves -- rather than just our thoughts. After all, thoughts are like the monkey riding on the back of an elephant: The monkey makes a commotion and thinks it's directing the elephant, but the elephant largely ignores the monkey and goes where it must and will. There is so much more to us than just our thoughts.

What more?

Edit: I have to get to bed, but the next question will be: Is it those things other than "thoughts" you identify with, or the idea of them?

[lunamoth]

Well, my whole self gets hungry, and sometimes gets ill, and those things can cause suffering. Addictions are a huge source of suffering, and I don't think these are seated in our habitual identification with discusive thought.

But yeah, a lot of self-centeredness does also lead to suffering, or angst anyway. I think the cure for that kind of suffering is to go work in a soup kitchen.