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I don't think what Pascal is trying to get through is that we should numb ourself to inner thoughts. On the contrary, to acknowldege them and if anything, spend

I don't think what Pascal is trying to get through is that we should numb ourself to inner thoughts. On the contrary, to acknowldege them and if anything, spend more time contemplating. That is when we can learn about ourself, others, and the universe, if I may say. Working from home this entire year, I have tried to practice taking at least 15 minutes everyday, couple of times a day, laying down and just listening to my thoughts, understanding my anxieties. Trying to understand why I feel the way I do, instead of running away from them by distracting myself by various means. This new habit of mine truly has been a life saver in this year.

guytv 6y ago
Sounds a lot like mindfulness mediation.
tectonicfury 6y ago
Pascal is throwing light and expounding upon a weakness found in (most) people, that of depending on distractions to prevent themselves from dwelling on thoughts which remind them of their mortal nature. I didn't read his works enough, none apart from the above quote in fact, to comment on whether or not he recommends acknowledging our inner thoughts and contemplating on them. As for me, I feel real and lasting relief from worshipping Allaah. It's something very tangible and enlightening. It might seem counterintuitive, but it does boost my productivity a lot, even though I ignore thinking about work during prayer. Now, having belief in Allaah has its manifest benefits. I am happy as I write this. I am able to keep afloat a bit in trying times. I was able to come out of depression (and quite a few other mental illnesses). None of it I could achieve except by Allaah's help. When I used to go to hospital for psychiatric treatment, the doctor used to advise me that whenever I feel anxious, I lie down on a bed, relax and think of some beautiful place, in order to ward off the bad feelings. So, even the best advice the doctor could give me was this. And what better place to think of than Paradise? What Pascal was explicit in saying is that there is no inherent happiness in material possessions. But if you know that there is a life after death, that there is a Paradise and a Hell, that there is a Merciful God who, if you believe in Him and obey Him, will reward you for you good deeds and forgive your bad deeds, you will be humble, you will be hopeful, and you will be happy.
- state_less 6y ago
  I feel I’m already in paradise, and I didn’t have die to get here.
  - tectonicfury 6y ago
    You have to die one day in your paradise, and the Paradise I am talking about, you don't die after entering it.
    - state_less 6y ago
      I think it’s okay to die. As Stevenson once put it: Under the wide and starry sky, Dig the grave and let me lie. Glad did I live and gladly die, And I laid me down with a will. This be the verse you grave for me: Here he lies where he longed to be; Home is the sailor, home from sea, And the hunter home from the hill. - Robert Louis Stevenson
      - tectonicfury 6y ago
        But there’s Judgment Day after it.
        tasuki 6y ago
        How do you know?
        tectonicfury 6y ago
        “it came to me”
        tasuki 6y ago
        From your parents or upbringing? People have an unfortunate tendency to stick to the most illogical things they learn as children.

guytv 6y ago

Sounds a lot like mindfulness mediation.

tectonicfury 6y ago

Pascal is throwing light and expounding upon a weakness found in (most) people, that of depending on distractions to prevent themselves from dwelling on thoughts which remind them of their mortal nature. I didn't read his works enough, none apart from the above quote in fact, to comment on whether or not he recommends acknowledging our inner thoughts and contemplating on them. As for me, I feel real and lasting relief from worshipping Allaah. It's something very tangible and enlightening. It might seem counterintuitive, but it does boost my productivity a lot, even though I ignore thinking about work during prayer. Now, having belief in Allaah has its manifest benefits. I am happy as I write this. I am able to keep afloat a bit in trying times. I was able to come out of depression (and quite a few other mental illnesses). None of it I could achieve except by Allaah's help. When I used to go to hospital for psychiatric treatment, the doctor used to advise me that whenever I feel anxious, I lie down on a bed, relax and think of some beautiful place, in order to ward off the bad feelings. So, even the best advice the doctor could give me was this. And what better place to think of than Paradise? What Pascal was explicit in saying is that there is no inherent happiness in material possessions. But if you know that there is a life after death, that there is a Paradise and a Hell, that there is a Merciful God who, if you believe in Him and obey Him, will reward you for you good deeds and forgive your bad deeds, you will be humble, you will be hopeful, and you will be happy.

state_less 6y ago
I feel I’m already in paradise, and I didn’t have die to get here.
- tectonicfury 6y ago
  You have to die one day in your paradise, and the Paradise I am talking about, you don't die after entering it.
  - state_less 6y ago
    I think it’s okay to die. As Stevenson once put it: Under the wide and starry sky, Dig the grave and let me lie. Glad did I live and gladly die, And I laid me down with a will. This be the verse you grave for me: Here he lies where he longed to be; Home is the sailor, home from sea, And the hunter home from the hill. - Robert Louis Stevenson
    - tectonicfury 6y ago
      But there’s Judgment Day after it.
      - tasuki 6y ago
        How do you know?
        tectonicfury 6y ago
        “it came to me”
        tasuki 6y ago
        From your parents or upbringing? People have an unfortunate tendency to stick to the most illogical things they learn as children.