peace of mind

[pianistimo]

i think peace of mind is a state of mind where you do not allow others to manipulate how you feel and what you do.  it is a state where YOU take responsibility for YOU and noone else.  what they do should not matter as to how you live your own life.

does anyone agree?

[le_poete_mourant]

peace of mind is not attainable without complete understanding of everything and everyone around you. 

[pianistimo]

why then do seemingly some poverty stricken people have a better state of mind than some very rich people?  i think it's contentment.  not looking to better others.  and, basically giving up what you want sometimes for someone else.  then, it eliminates the competition.  you accept a lower position - and you don't worry that someone else might get the better deal.

[jpianoflorida]

why then do seemingly some poverty stricken people have a better state of mind than some very rich people?  i think it's contentment.  not looking to better others.  and, basically giving up what you want sometimes for someone else.  then, it eliminates the competition.  you accept a lower position - and you don't worry that someone else might get the better deal.

very good observation.  I agree.      One of the reasons our schools now have a uniform policy is so the rich kids who wear designer clothes can't be distinguished from the very poor kids.  all are equal in dress and get more respect that way.

[ramseytheii]

why then do seemingly some poverty stricken people have a better state of mind than some very rich people?  i think it's contentment.  not looking to better others.  and, basically giving up what you want sometimes for someone else.  then, it eliminates the competition.  you accept a lower position - and you don't worry that someone else might get the better deal.

Your post is interesting to me.  What is a "better state of mind?"  And when you have you seen this evidenced in the poverty-stricken?  If you mean positive attitude, sometimes when you don't give a homeless (or seemingly homeless) person a dime, they say "God Bless you.." other times they cuss you out.  Sometimes, when you hold the door or do a favor for an obviously well-to-do professional, they also say "God Bless you."  I can't help but think that the idea that one is better off mentally in poverty is romantic, and not based in reality.

In any case, those who are poverty stricken are those in the most competitive field of all.  Those are the ones who are competing to survive, and this is more competitive, deadly, and dangerous than any competition in piano, or in any other field.  If you give one homeless person cash, you necessarily neglect the next.  This is the natural birth of competition!

Walter Ramsey

[emmdoubleew]

Hey Pianistimo, I mostly agree with you accept the parts where you self-contradict. For example:

i think peace of mind is a state of mind where you do not allow others to manipulate how you feel and what you do.

Yet later you say:

and, basically giving up what you want sometimes for someone else.

Giving up something for someone else implies that they manipulate you.

In my opinion, and as you have said, piece of mind is self-contentment. I believe complete selfishness is the only path to emotional independence. What you said about poorer people generally having a better state of mind is because the richer people believe that "with great power comes great responsibility," hence they worry about others instead of themselves.

[le_poete_mourant]

very good observation.  I agree.      One of the reasons our schools now have a uniform policy is so the rich kids who wear designer clothes can't be distinguished from the very poor kids.  all are equal in dress and get more respect that way.

What you describe is communism.  Does that ever lead to peace?  Contentment?   A dress code is just an excuse to cover up a lack of a solution.  Clothes are not the only indicator of wealth.  I don't know what school you refer to; however, I have noticed that in the city school I go to and others I have been at, clothes are not reflective of wealth at all.  In fact, sometimes those people who get free lunches because of their need have the most expensive clothes, boots, and bling. 

[jpianoflorida]

What you describe is communism.  Does that ever lead to peace?  Contentment?   A dress code is just an excuse to cover up a lack of a solution.  Clothes are not the only indicator of wealth.  I don't know what school you refer to; however, I have noticed that in the city school I go to and others I have been at, clothes are not reflective of wealth at all.  In fact, sometimes those people who get free lunches because of their need have the most expensive clothes, boots, and bling. 

it's not communism.   the parents had a say, voted and decided on uniforms for many of the public schools.  I totally disagree that a dress code is to cover up a solution-it is a solution to some of our problems.  Maybe things are just different in your area. 

[le_poete_mourant]

it's not communism.   the parents had a say, voted and decided on uniforms for many of the public schools.  I totally disagree that a dress code is to cover up a solution-it is a solution to some of our problems.  Maybe things are just different in your area. 

The communism statement was my sarcasm.  pardon my lack of smiley.   

It may be safe to say that things are indeed different in my area.  Are you talking about a suburban or private school? 

I find that in my school, dress has nothing to do with how students interact or see each other.  This may be a unique case.  I don't know.  However, I do believe that a dress code cannot solve the raging drug problems.  It also cannot solve the 60 homicides a year in my city (I believe about a dozen children have been killed this year) and the fact that, dress 'em up however you like 'em, they still may go home to a house where there isn't enough food on the table because in this one parent household, the supporter is spending part of the income to feed a drug addiction.  But I fall back to drugs again.  The fact is that clothes do not erase the fact that, when you go home at night, your parents don't make enough money, no matter how they spend it, to buy your school supplies, food without stamps, out-of-school activities like music lessons or even, in the future, a college education. 

[prometheus]

I think that peace of mind comes when you can reconcile yourself with the world you live in. When you can accept that some things are pleasant and some are not.

[pianowolfi]

I love piece of mind. I mean peace of mind  It is the state of being in agreement with oneself and the world. I love the piece of music in my mind that gives me peace of mind. 

[counterpoint]

i think peace of mind is a state of mind where you do not allow others to manipulate how you feel and what you do.  it is a state where YOU take responsibility for YOU and noone else.  what they do should not matter as to how you live your own life.

does anyone agree?

There is a saying "You can't live in peace, if it doesn't please your neighbour"

So, if you want to live in peace, you have to respect the rights of your neighbour as well. Even if he is an atheist. 

...or if he's married with a man 

[nicco]

So if I am in love i cant be in a peace of mind?

[asyncopated]

So if I am in love i cant be in a peace of mind?

No, you can't that is forbidden.

[nicco]

No, you can't that is forbidden.

I see.

[pianistimo]

some will give you a 'piece of their mind.'  it's good to discuss.  i appreciate what prometheus, ramseytheii, le poete morante, and counterpoint say to argue the case.  it's not cut and dried for everyone - i see - so i understand that it might be different to different people and perspectives.

from a biblical one- we are told to 'turn the other cheek'  and 'walk the extra mile.'  agreed that we don't always do it and sometimes get angry or vindictive - but the idea of being willing to suffer for someone else is the antithesis of selfish genes or selfish natures that must always be 'me first.'

what about 'you first?'  this is the way previous generations thought - and their families weren't so splintered - and not as many people were fragmented all over the world from their roots.  also, it made for stronger communities.  if everyone is only for themselves- then nothing gets accomplished in the way that it could.  it's like you're trying to run the world instead of running the local location.  the mom and pop stores are being run over by giant conglomerations of non feeling automatons.

[jpianoflorida]

take a look at all these reality shows. what is the one common thread?

Look out for yourself. Don't worry about others feelings.   All that matters is that you win! win! win!     what are we teaching people?      we are teaching    "i'm your friend, but i will stab you in the back to get what I want".   "do whatever it takes to win".      I can't stand that philosophy.

[pianistimo]

me too!  it's in our natures to want to win -but really it's God's Holy Spirit that finally allows one to realize that OUR reason is selfish. and God's reason is outward and encompassing as many people as possible - in a peaceful way.

i am probably very flawed compared to jpianoflorida, pianowelsh, etc.  but - i do not worry that i might be a lesser christian and they might be a greater.  do you know why?  because i think that to God he is not concerned about 'levels' as we are as humans.  everyone works together in a family and noone is considered unimportant.  the bible says the 'body' works together and the different parts (even the foot - or feet) help you.  so no matter how flawed you are - or your logic - God can give you more power of His.  the Holy Spirit.  it helps us walk together in a peaceful way.

[thalbergmad]

God can give you more power of His.  the Holy Spirit.  it helps us walk together in a peaceful way.

Err number 496.

[cmg]

it's in our natures to want to win -but really it's God's Holy Spirit that finally allows one to realize that OUR reason is selfish. and God's reason is outward and encompassing as many people as possible - in a peaceful way.

Except when God starts "smiting" this group of peoples and THAT group of peoples, and stuffing poor John in that dreary cave on Naxos when he was clearly suffering from a psychotic episode -- vividly recorded in that book known as Revelations, i.e. Hallucinations.   

[lichristine]

peace of mind is 3 AM on a stormy night with Rock Stars and gummi bears.

[prometheus]

Err number 496.

I am sure the number is 42.

[mad_max2024]

Except when God starts "smiting" this group of peoples and THAT group of peoples, and stuffing poor John in that dreary cave on Naxos when he was clearly suffering from a psychotic episode -- vividly recorded in that book known as Revelations, i.e. Hallucinations.   

"I think gods don't smite people anymore because people of many different religions now live in the same town. No god wants to accidentally smite the wrong person and get sued by another god." --David James

[lichristine]

I am sure the number is 42.

^_^ Hitchhiker's Guide?

[ted]

Peace of mind is a very fine thing and , to a certain extent, probably essential to health and happiness of the individual. However, cultivated as an end in itself, as a means of shutting out the distress of other people and ignoring moral imperatives to act, then it takes on a selfish quality which I find peculiarly unattractive.

Then again, you really have to have peace of mind at a reasonably deep level if you are going to be any use to anyone so, like many qualities, it is all a matter of proportion and balance.

[thalbergmad]

Peace of mind is a phrase often used by insurance salesman.

Thal

[pianistimo]

dear cmg,

it wasn't on naxos.  i thought it was patmos (rev 1:9).  or is that what you meant.

where did you hear that?  i thought it was an isle near southwestern turkey.  in sakla or someplace like that.  basically a hole in the ground.  that's what they used back then for dungeons/caves. 

insurance salesmen.  yes.  i suppose.  but the gospel is free, thal.

[term]

so, like many qualities, it is all a matter of proportion and balance.

true.

[thalbergmad]

but the gospel is free, thal.

Not the Gospel of Judas.

You gotta pay for that, my little "silly from philly".

Thal