The root causes of cheerfulness?

Stephen wrote:

"Thanks for the article. It has triggered some thoughts.
The questions we've been asked are real: how do we control our emotions and desires? how do we maintain our cheerfulness?
While the article was well written, except for two little problems: the author didn't explain to us how to control our desires; and how to maintain cheerfulness?
The devil, I believe, is always in the details.

While we all live in the real world, we need desires and emotions in many of our endeavours, without which we won't be able to survive. As much as we want to eliminate the 'bad' emotions, to a large extent our behaviors are pretty much driven by 'emotional shortcuts' which have been developed in the last tens of thousands of years during which our ancestors gone thru the evolution process(it's been ongoing, even as we speak).

To wit, Dutch Philosopher Benedictus Spinoza once said: "It is necessary to know the power and the infirmity of our nature, before we can determine what reason can do in restraining the emotions, and what is beyond her power."

As we learn from many psychologists, the human brain is run by both the reflexive(driven by intuition) and reflective(driven by logical analysis) systems. Think of the former as 'on auto-pilot' in order to steer us away from immediate threats or troubles; it must be rapid-fire. The latter being a slow, analytical process where our check-and-balance system kicks in. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, most humans make judgments and decisions primarily by the reflexive system. (If not, we are all dead by now!)

That leaves us with the big question: theories aside, how do we practically, consistently control our desires & emotions?

The next key question - how to 'maintain cheerfulness' as opined by the author seems to be alot easier to put into practice, at least in theory. If I understand correctly from my philosophy classes (don't blame me, since I took my PHL101 class during lunch time when I was in the engineering school), the first lesson about cheerfulness or happiness is that the surest way to be un-cheerful or unhappy is to think that they can be directly sought of. (repeat after me please)

The fact of the matter is, things like cheerfulness or happiness is an epiphenomenom(you see, that's all I know to impress you?) - that is, something that arises as a by-product of other things. It comes unconsciously and from the side; it isn't and can never be a direct outcome that it can be mechanically attained by pushing a few buttons. Neither can we 'try to maintain cheerfulness' with a snap of fingers.

So what are the 'things' or activities of which its by-products will make us cheerful or happy? Activities that are worthwhile in themselves, that bring senses of satisfaction and achievement in the doing, that give a sense of well-doing and well-being. Examples like enjoyment with family, good friendship, arts/music, scenic places or beautiful things, of success(in achievement sense, not just material rewards), charity etc. are invariable sources of satisfaction and happiness.

Last but not least, the fact that 'the pursuit of happiness' is written in the American constitution has no guarantee that we can all be happy. The key is how do we put those 'things' or activities mentioned above into actions. That is something we can really control.


Be cheerful,

Stephen"

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The Root Cause of All Emotions is DESIRE

My friend A.K. sent me the following email:

Some thoughts to share on a cheerful Friday morning. May your life be blessed by cheerfulness.

"The Root Cause of All Emotions is DESIRE"

by Swami Rama

Life in the external world is important, but life within is even more important because your actions are actually your thoughts. Your thoughts are based on your emotions, and your emotions are virtually your desires. When you desire something, that desires become the motivation that moves your whole being. You should understand this principle. The root cause of all emotions is desire. Millions of desires are there in the mind and those desires are creating thought patterns. You have a desire to fulfill, and if your desire is not fulfilled, you become angry. Anger comes about because your desire is not being fulfilled. If it is fulfilled, you become greedy and egotistical. Ego is the I-ness or my-ness that separates you from the whole. You become proud because you have something. Your desire has been fulfilled and somebody else’s desire has not been fulfilled, so you become proud. Attachment is the cause of misery. You are always afraid that you might not get what you want or that you might lose what you have, so you cling to it. If someone has something you want, you become uselessly jealous. These are the seven main sources of emotions. These seven streams are the products of the four fountains (i.e. four primitive urges: food, sleep, sex and self-preservation). By properly analyzing your emotions and the origin from which the emotions come, you can help yourself.

If you understand the sources of emotions, you can easily understand any emotional problem, no matter how hidden the emotions are, and you will not be disturbed. A disturbed person is one who is weak. If some one disturbs you, you are weaker than that person. It is not good for you to be disturbed when somebody else is disturbed because you will be affected by their disease. You can easily be controlled by somebody who is disturbed. When the conscious mind is ruled by undesirable emotions, fantasies, and problems are constantly coming and going, then you lose control of the conscious mind. Always tell yourself that no matters what happens, you will not allow your mind to be disturbed. Samkalpa-shakti is built through this. If a hypnotist uses suggestion, it is called hypnosis. If autosuggestion is used by a yogi, it is called samkalpa-shakti.

If mind is disturbed, if mind is depressed, or if mind is agitated by emotions, that mind cannot taste cheerfulness. The greatest physician in your life is cheerfulness. If you want to enjoy good health, you should have a friend with you called cheerfulness. Do not allow yourself to be depressed by thought patterns because you are not your though patterns. Do not allow your thoughts to influence your internal states. Try to maintain cheerfulness.

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One Day Chan Meditation Retreat- Dec 5, 2009

In case you are interested:

Event: One Day Chan Meditation Retreat 一天禪坐共修
Date: Saturday, December 5th, 2009
Time: 9:30am to 4:30pm
Location: DDMBA Ontario, 154 Poyntz Avenue, Toronto M2N 1J4

Dear Dharma Friends,

DDMBA Ontario invites you to December One Day Meditation Retreat. This form of practice is very beneficial for people with some meditation experience.

The environment of the retreat is designed to promote mindfulness in everything we do.
Sitting meditation periods are followed by walking meditation, moving meditation, mindful work periods, prostration and practitioners sharing period.

For the full benefits from this form of group practice, it is the best to attend the entire event. And, be sure to wear loose, comfortable clothing. DDM provides cushions, sitting mats, towels and light vegetarian lunch.

Kindly RSVP should you plan to attend for meal preparation. We thank all DDM donors and volunteers for their generous offerings. The event is offered free of charge.

With Palms Joined,
DDMBA Ontario
http://www.ddmba-ontario.ca

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Cavalcade of Lights starts this weekend!‏

CAVALCADE OF LIGHTS
presented by Scotiabank
November 28 – December 31, 2009

Toronto's 43rd annual Cavalcade of Lights returns to Nathan Phillips Square with dazzling lights, skating, fireworks and fantastic free concerts.

http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/cavalcade_lights/2009/

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Cavalcade of Lights Opening Celebration
Saturday, November 28, 2009
7 pm
Nathan Phillips Square
FREE!

A glittering evening of entertainment in honour of the premiere illumination of the Cavalcade of Lights display. Enjoy performances by Steven Page, Matt Dusk, Keshia Chante, Fritz Helder and the Phantoms, and a Choral Christmas Medley led by Adrian Eccleston.

This year, the City of Toronto celebrates its 175th anniversary. Drop by the 175 Tent to pick up your limited edition picture postage stamp and holiday postcard. Limit: 1 per person, while quantities last.

Plus check out the Fair Trade Holiday Market from 2 to 10pm on November 28.

http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/cavalcade_lights/2009/firstlighting.htm

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Toronto's Official Christmas Tree
sponsored by The Bay

Standing 60-feet proud, this glittering giant evergreen is the focus of the biggest tree trimming effort in Toronto. This year's tree was designed and decorated by renowned Canadian designer Brian Gluckstein in partnership with the Bay. The Theme for the tree is "All That Glitters" featuring decorations in warm red, icy white and sparkling silver. Take advantage of the 30% off The Bay Queen Street E-coupon!

Print your e-coupon now! The Bay Queen Street – Save 30% on Christmas Street and Gluckstein Christmas trim and decor. One day only – November 28, 2009

http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/cavalcade_lights/2009/tree.htm

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Saturday Night Concerts & Fireworks 2009
December 5 / December 12 / December 19
7 – 10 pm
Nathan Phillips Square
FREE!

Each Saturday night enjoy a free outdoor concert and fireworks production. Don't miss concerts by Jully Black, State of Shock and Faber Drive. Bring your skates and take a spin around Nathan Phillips Square's famous ice rink to music by popular Toronto DJs.

For dates and more details visit: http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/cavalcade_lights/2009/festivefireworks.htm#1

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Shop by Day and Explore the Lights by Night
Neighbourhood Spotlight

In addition to all of the lights and shows at Nathan Phillips Square, throughout the holiday season brilliant creations of light will beautify the city as neighbourhoods and tourist attractions participate in the Cavalcade of Lights Festival.

In the spirit of the season, Toronto Hydro-Electric System is offering Toronto residents one (1) free set of energy efficient seasonal LED lights in exchange for two (2) sets of old, incandescent seasonal lights. LED lighting exchanges will take place during the neighbourhood lighting events at numerous locations across the city including:

Albion-Islington Square, Bloor West Village, Bloorcourt Village, Chinatown, Corso Italia, Downsview Park, Emery Village, GreekTown on the Danforth, The Kingsway, Little Italy, Rosedale Main Street, St. Gardens and St. Lawrence Market.

For exchange details visit: www.torontohydro.com/flex

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Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
Cavalcade of Lights Fireworks Package

The Holiday season is a magical time to visit Toronto. The city is aglow with lights and celebration and, with some of the best retail offerings in North America, Toronto is the perfect holiday shopping destination.

Take advantage of the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel package starting at $195.
http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/cavalcade_lights/2009/hotelpackages.htm


Cavalcade of Lights is a signature event produced by the City of Toronto.

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A Buddhist anthropology of Newar religion- Nov 30, 09

In case you are interested:

University of Toronto/McMaster University Numata Buddhist Studies Program Presents:

Will Tuladhar-Douglas

(University of Aberdeen)

Lecture, Co-hosted by the Centre for South Asian Studies at the Asian Institute:

A Buddhist anthropology of Newar religion: Gaṇeśa, his mount, and their landscape

Monday, Nov 30, 2009

6-8 pm

Munk Centre, North House, 108 N

1 Devonshire Place

Register online at: http://webapp.mcis.utoronto.ca/EventDetails.aspx?eventid=8427

A recurring problem in trying to understand Newar Buddhism is the nature, more generally, of Newar religion: how do Hinduism and Buddhism interact? If we approach the problem through Newar Buddhist philosophy, or through Newar narratives, practices and iconography it becomes clear that the very notion of religious tradition, embedded in Western theories of syncretism, is itself the stumbling block. The Newar Gaṇeśa (or Ināya) — necessary to Newar daily rituals, life cycle rituals, and the organization of urban space — holds the key to an anti-essentialist, relational understanding of ‘religion’. In this talk I will show not just how the study of Gaṇeśa frees us from the chains of syncretism, but also that a small but significant difference—between a shrew and a rat—in the iconography of the regional ‘Hindu’ Gaṇeśa and the Newar Ināya allows us to trace Newar awareness of their distinctive inclusive ritual praxis back at least to the 15th century. --

For more on Buddhist Studies at the University of Toronto, see http://chass.utoronto.ca/buddhiststudies/

Follow-up on The Mom Song is Dadsense

The Mom song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXgoJ0f5EsQ


Dadsense
http://www.youtube.com/user/kane0986#p/a/u/0/e0DVnPBOm_s

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Nov 27: The Moral Power of Buddhist Monks in the Case of Myanmar

The Charisma of an
Arahant and Moral Power
of Buddhist Monks in the
Case of Myanmar

Hiroko Kawanami
Department of Religious Studies, Lancaster University

November 27, 2009, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
108N - Seminar Room, North House
Munk Centre for International Studies
1 Devonshire Place

Register online at: http://webapp.mcis.utoronto.ca/EventDetails.aspx?eventid=7717

"I explore the notion of moral power and focus on the qualities of some monks who have become the object of public worship in contemporary Myanmar. In order to understand the social implications of 'power' deeply engrained in its religious and political culture, I explore vernacular terms that pertain to notions of authority, power, and influence that are relevant in people's social life. I also examine the ideal of an arahant that continues to be the focus for people's devotional worship despite efforts made by the government to normalize the powers of monks."

Hiroko Kawanami is lecturer in Buddhist Studies in the Department of Religious Studies, Lancaster University, UK. She is fluent in Myanmar (Burmese) language and has conducted research in Myanmar for more than two decades. In 1986‐87, she lived as a Buddhist nun for 16 months, and has done extensive research on the position of Buddhist nuns, Buddhist monastic education and dissemination of knowledge, and the relationship between politics and religion in Southeast Asia. Presently she is conducting research on how international relief organizations have affected the Buddhist community in disaster affected areas.

Sponsored by Numata Program in Buddhist Studies
Co-Sponsored by the Asian Institute

For more on Buddhist Studies at the University of Toronto, see http://chass.utoronto.ca/buddhiststudies/

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Why Can't Americans Be Like Canadians?" - Mon 23 Nov 2009, 7:00pm - Wiegand Foundation Lecture

In case you are interested:

A thought-provoking and engaging Faculty of Arts and Science event
7:00pm, Monday 23 November 2009, Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles Street West. Free admission.

This lecture contrasts American and Canadian attitudes to religion in the public sphere, and will be given by the eminent philosopher Michael Ruse, Professor of Philosophy and Director, History and Philosophy of Science Program, Florida State University.

According to Ruse, America is consumed with battles between the secular and the religious, between those who want no part of Christianity or any other religion in public life, and those who think that only a nation ruled by God’s Law can hope to survive and flourish. Although in some respects Canada seems more inclined to allow religion into the public sphere – state-supported Catholic schools in Ontario for instance – overall, the science-religion controversy is not really one that bothers people north of the border. Focusing generally on the history of the science-religion debate and specifically on the peculiarities of American history, Ruse will attempt to explain this paradox.

View the flyer here: http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/rps/2009-11-23-Why-Cant-Amercans.pdf

More information: http://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/main/2009-wiegand-foundation-lecture

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Homecoming

I just came home from a 3 weeks on the road trip. I was up 40 hours ago and do not have the need or urge to go to sleep. Maybe there are too many loose ends for me to tie after being away for so long...

It was a wonderful 3 weeks- meeting so many people from all aspects of life, doing things that I have never done before, going to places that I have never dreamed of...

My heart was deeply touched by the hospitality of Joanne and Lee of Kelowna: they opened their cosy home to a total stranger (me) with such warmth, affection and consideration. Their house is always full of laughter and joy.

The generosity of Dennis and his lovely wife is so remarkable, I wish I can repay them some day. They showed me the gentle, kind, and lighthearted side of human nature. Their passions and devotion to LIFE mission earn my utmost respect.

Then there is Swami Satyanand, what a delightful, humble and witty divine creature, what a pleasure to be around such a practitioner, how fortunate I am to meet him in person.

It was very enchanting that our paths thus crossed in the past few days.

May we all be blessed with inner wisdom and eternal bliss...

With deep gratitude,
Lung Zhi

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Two RPS Events This Week: Thursday 19 and Friday 20 November at U of T

In case you are interested:

RPS Lunchtime Reading Group: Thursday 19 November, 12:00-1:30pm
Room JHB318, Jackman Humanities Building, 170 St. George Street
Free pizza lunch will be provided

This Thursday’s book for discussion is Why I Am Not a Secularist, by William E. Connolly. Religion's influence in American politics is obvious in recent debates about school prayer, abortion, and homosexuality. Many liberal secularists decry this trend, rejecting any interaction between politics and religion. But distinguished political theorist William E. Connolly argues that secularism, although admirable in its pursuit of freedom and diversity, too often undercuts these goals through its narrow and intolerant understandings of public reason. In response, he crafts a new model of public life that more accurately reflects the needs of contemporary politics.

Discussion facilitator: Prof. Melissa Williams, Political Science/Director, Centre for Ethics
Reading available at: http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/rps/news.html#readgroup



RPS Interchange event: Friday 20 November, 10:00-11:30am
Room JHB318, Jackman Humanities Building, 170 St. George Street

"Do We Need Religion?" With Prof. Hans Joas, Director of the Max Weber Center for Advanced Cultural and Social Studies at the University of Erfurt and Professor of Sociology and a Member of the Committee on Social Thought at the University of Chicago. Join us for a conversation with Prof. Joas about his research, which includes the book Do We Need Religion?: On the Experience of Self-Transcendence.

Reading available at http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/rps/news.html#readgroup

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U of T New from Religion in the Public Sphere - 6 November 2009

RPS LUNCHTIME READING GROUP
Thursday 19 November (note date change): "Why I Am Not a Secularist", by William E. Connolly.
Discussion facilitator: Prof. Melissa Williams (Political Science/Director, Centre for Ethics)
Noon-1.30pm, Room 318, Jackman Humanities Building, 170 St. George Street – Pizza lunch provided
Many liberal secularists reject any interaction between politics and religion. Connolly argues that secularism’s pursuit of freedom and diversity too often undercuts these goals through its narrow and intolerant understandings of public reason. [More details…] [Download poster]

RPS SERVICE-LEARNING INTERNSHIP COURSE (RLG492H, WINTER 2010) – PLACEMENT SUGGESTIONS SOUGHT
We currently have ten students enrolled for this innovative course for upper-year undergraduates that combines a 40-hour community service placement with theory and critical thought to analyse the experience. We are following up on a number of placement opportunities, but are always open to new suggestions that will benefit diverse organizations and expand students’ experiences. Feel free to get in touch with suggestions or contacts whom we could approach. [See the RPS potential placements info sheet…] [Download course poster]

RPS ADVISORY BOARD
The Advisory Board met on 22 October to discuss the development of the RPS. We are delighted to welcome new members Senator Vivienne Poy, Professors Andrea Most (Religion/English, U of T), Ruth Marshall (Religion/Political Science, U of T), and Kevin O’Neill (Religion, U of T), and Nicholas Dion (Religion PhD candidate, representing the RPS Student Steering Committee). [Full list of Advisory Board members…]

SAVE THE DATE! Friday 26 March 2010 – THE RPS PUBLIC FORUM, “Art and the Public Contestation of Religion”
This extremely popular forum will take place from 3:00-5:00pm at the Munk Centre, and focuses on how the arts, both ancient and modern, have made a space for the public contestation of religious aesthetics, heretical expressions, and secular critique. Guest speakers are being finalized – more information to follow soon…

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