Is Nothingness Valuable?

[tomspug]

We all need to relax sometime. We all need to clear our head sometimes, but is there really any value to focusing on nothingness?

As a Christian, I am encouraged to "think on the things that are good". I think there is a difference between pretending to be something that you are not and striving to be something that you are not. This is what I think this verse means. You might be angry, but instead of ignoring the anger or pushing it away or escaping into nothingness (while the anger remains, hidden), you fight the anger by focusing on the value of peace. Or if you are grief stricken, you focus on happy and beloved memories, you seek out the value of life in order to combat what one might consider pain.

So, as opposed to this, which seems like an excellent motive to me, what is the value of, instead, focusing on nothingness. Is it really a good idea, or is it simply a philosophically dressed form of conflict-avoidance?

[Willamena]

Originally Posted by tomspug

...or escaping into nothingness (while the anger remains, hidden)

*psst* Then it's not really nothingness, or an escape, is it?

[methylatedghosts]

Originally Posted by tomspug

As a Christian, I am encouraged to "think on the things that are good". I think there is a difference between pretending to be something that you are not and striving to be something that you are not. This is what I think this verse means. You might be angry, but instead of ignoring the anger or pushing it away or escaping into nothingness (while the anger remains, hidden), you fight the anger by focusing on the value of peace. Or if you are grief stricken, you focus on happy and beloved memories, you seek out the value of life in order to combat what one might consider pain.

To be perfectly honest, focusing on something ELSE rather than the anger is still ignoring the anger, regardless of what the other is that you are focusing on. A really good "mantra", that I like is

"What you resist, persists. What you look at, disappears"

So my tact, would be to actually look at the anger for what it is, and look at why it is I'm feeling it. Rather than focusing on something else, thus resisting the anger, bottling it up.

You talk of fighting anger, and battling pain, but I'm not entirely convinced that's the way to go about it.

[Charity]

Lots of times I joke around a lot, make silly threads and tease around with people, but basically I spend most of my time thinking about God and His purpose for me, so I usually have something valuable to focus on...........Eventually the anger or hurt leaves when I keep my mind occupied by good thoughts.

[Wandered Off]

My interpretation - which may be disastrously wrong - of "focusing on nothingness" is simply forcing yourself back into the moment. Since all of life happens in the eternal moment, doing so can help us gain a greater appreciation for life.

Sometimes it does pay to set aside tough problems and return later with a fresh perspective. As in everything, it's a balance.

[ChristineES]

Once in a while, I find it relaxing to lean back, empty my mind of thought. I realize now that God can't talk to me if I am thinking all the time so I like to just lean back and not think of anything. Not only is it very relaxing, it also gives God a chance to talk to me if He has something to say. I come up with a lot of solutions to my problems that way.

[Yid613]

Originally Posted by methylatedghosts

To be perfectly honest, focusing on something ELSE rather than the anger is still ignoring the anger, regardless of what the other is that you are focusing on. A really good "mantra", that I like is

"What you resist, persists. What you look at, disappears"

So my tact, would be to actually look at the anger for what it is, and look at why it is I'm feeling it. Rather than focusing on something else, thus resisting the anger, bottling it up.

You talk of fighting anger, and battling pain, but I'm not entirely convinced that's the way to go about it.

Rather than look at the anger itself look at what caused it, why it made you angry.

Actually it is very difficult to focus on nothing for any length of time. Random thoughts always creep in.

[methylatedghosts]

Originally Posted by Yid613

Actually it is very difficult to focus on nothing for any length of time. Random thoughts always creep in.

The trick is to simply observe them and move on.