Humour, Teasing, Acceptance and the Middle Path...

[Warrigal]

Then there is the option of starting a group. I have done this a couple of times.

The first was to allow serious discussions without the thread derailing frivolities.
People who didn't enjoy serious discussion simply did not join the group.

The second was an opportunity to discuss matters relating to spirituality free from condemnation from people who are ideologically opposed to the very idea.

Both groups flowered briefly then died.

Perhaps someone needs to start a group for wanton and ribald conversations? I reckon it would be a goer.

 

[Cookie]

Wanton and ribald group? So funny! But a good idea DW, for those here that are so inclined.

 

[Underock1]

.
I just felt I needed to say something about the humour and teasing that goes on here at times. I know this cropped up in AZ Jim's lovely thread welcoming all newcomers. I didn't want to spoil that thread so thought I would start this one to open up a discussion on it.

I am as guilty as anyone (possibly more) on here, of trivialising or in my opinion introducing some humour and lightness into some otherwise more serious threads. Personally I don't feel many areas of life that can't be tempered or helped by injecting some humour into them.
Laughter is an excellent healer, and even in times of tragedy it can help balance the emotions.

I never intend to trivialise anyone's point of view, and in the main only play/tease/fantasise with members who are willing to join in, they know who they are. I guess if you don't like this style of humour, you could simply ignore it and move on?

Though not a Buddhist I do support their philosophy of taking the middle path, life is only as serious, sad, and upsetting as we allow it to be, or again to paraphrase Buddhism "All human suffering is caused by our resistance to the way things are in the world/our life"..........Acceptance is the first step to peace.....

http://is.gd/0zj0kh a link to more on acceptance in life.

Nameste

I'm with you 100%, Merlin. Although I am not a Buddhist, I to have found much wisdom in many of the sayings attributed to him. "Everything that has a beginning, has an ending. Make your peace with that, and all will be well." Acceptance is the key.

You can find something to laugh at in almost everything we do on a daily basis. I live alone now, and I think about how much laughter people are missing by not seeing me struggle through the day. I kind of think of life as a cosmic joke, with a wopper of a punch line.

 

[merlin]

I'm with you 100%, Merlin. Although I am not a Buddhist, I to have found much wisdom in many of the sayings attributed to him. "Everything that has a beginning, has an ending. Make your peace with that, and all will be well." Acceptance is the key.

You can find something to laugh at in almost everything we do on a daily basis. I live alone now, and I think about how much laughter people are missing by not seeing me struggle through the day. I kind of think of life as a cosmic joke, with a wopper of a punch line.

Thank you Underock, I always used the acceptance concept as a therapist, sadly humanity will never take that route. I said earlier in this thread, that this forum is a microcosm of life in the real world, wars and conflict will occur.

To be honest, I feel this phase of human evolution is approaching and probably already in the end game, I don't think we can survive the escalation of greed and conflict that we see everywhere.

Yes I agree with you it is at one level its all a cosmic joke and I am too old to continue to take it that seriously, hopefully the next phase of humanity if enough of us survive this destructive one, will be at a higher level of consciousness. In the meantime I am living in the moment and life is pretty wonderful I experience loving people everywhere, and this is my best decade so far.

Who knows where the middle path will take me, perhaps to another planet with a more highly evolved population

Just my thoughts as they roll out this morning...

 

[chic]

When someone starts a thread here, the first 4 or 5 responses will be interesting and then the thread gets "hijacked" so by the time you reach page three, you've forgotten the topic being discussed. Having been here for 11 months now, I'm used to this, and able to just let it go but, it must be harder for newbies who just want to be included by expressing their thoughts on the topic of a posted thread which they cannot do when said thread is always being diverted.

It's a fine dance to figure what's best for everyone.

 

[merlin]

Oh, no! Provocation! Conflict! Interpersonal warfare!!!

:hypnotysed::glee:

I agree Phil your posts are always good to read, there are no ultimate answers really are there, live in the moment, bury your head in the sand and make out everything will be ok if the other person agrees with my viewpoint, or choose your particular addiction to take your mind off the reality of a world that is simply not working.

 

[Underock1]

I know where the middle path takes me. Its the one that goes from the bedroom to the bathroom. It serves me well.

 

[Shalimar]

Does writing poetry count as an addiction? It is a sanity saver for me.

 

[oakapple]

Oh, no! Provocation! Conflict! Interpersonal warfare!!!

:hypnotysed::glee:

Now Phil, you know as well as I do what was meant here.It IS a site with it's own rules, true, but democratic in that what the greater number of people on here like and want will happen, so the few can't overrule the many.:awman:

 

[oakapple]

Probably time we got back to normality now?

 

[Ralphy1]

A good limerick makes my day...:love_heart:

 

[Shalimar]

Ralphy, why don't you share one with us?

 

[Ralphy1]

There once was a man who wore manties,
all the men thought that he was a dandy,
but with the women he was handy,
though some thought him to be too randy.

 

[Warrigal]

There's a line missing in that limerick.
And it doesn't scan.

 

[Ralphy1]

Well, it was just off the top of my head at an early hour here...��

 

[Warrigal]

This is a limerick

There once was a man wearing manties,
reputed to be a great dandy.
The women he met
were taking a bet,
on whether he ever got randy​

 

[Josiah]

I'm frequently disappointed when a thread in which consequential ideas are being exchanged is suddenly sidetracked by a cluster of kidding comments and a posed on-topic question goes completely ignored. I'm totally in agreement with the Dame on this matter. I don't mind a clever or witty comment that is relevant to the OP. In general, I have been disappointed in the overall quality of the threads recently.

 

[Warrigal]

Josiah, I have been thinking that there comes a time when it is time to leave a forum.
Sometimes it is because they just die and no-one bothers posting any more, sometimes because nothing new is ever posted.
Sometimes we have been here too long and the novelty value just wears off.

I have noticed that a lot of members that I used to recognise are now silent. I don't think that this is anyone's fault. I think it is a natural progression and perhaps I'm coming to the same end point.

The same thing is happening on other forums. Two are dying and another is becoming so predictable that it's hardly worth posting.
Perhaps the common denominator is me. Perhaps I should get my life back and write my book. :dunno:

 

[QuickSilver]

Thanks all..... I'm glad to see I was not alone... I tried dropping some casual hints, but those were ignored and laughed. Since I have never been the type to just not say anything when something bothers me... and apparently many others... I spoke up.... If that makes me the...

So be it. But that was not my intention.

 

[Ralphy1]

Please don't go all anal on us...nthego:

 

[SifuPhil]

I agree Phil your posts are always good to read, there are no ultimate answers really are there, live in the moment, bury your head in the sand and make out everything will be ok if the other person agrees with my viewpoint, or choose your particular addiction to take your mind off the reality of a world that is simply not working.

Those DO seem to be our two choices, don't they?

As I believe was discussed many moons ago in another thread here, acceptance is the next big step beyond tolerance, and as a race we don't seem to have finished learning our lessons on that topic yet. Little wonder we aren't yet as accepting as we could be.

Actually Taoism doesn't advocate head-burying - they advocate learning from the past and planning for the future but living in the moment - not dwelling in either extreme. In fact, they're all about balance and following the middle way, so at least in that regard they're similar to Buddhism.

Addictions ... *sigh* ... they're what makes the world go 'round!

 

[applecruncher]

Thanks all..... I'm glad to see I was not alone... I tried dropping some casual hints, but those were ignored and laughed. Since I have never been the type to just not say anything when something bothers me... and apparently many others... I spoke up.... If that makes me the...

So be it. But that was not my intention.

I must say that's a damn fine-lookin' badge, QS. I'm kinda jealous.

 

[QuickSilver]

Those DO seem to be our two choices, don't they?

As I believe was discussed many moons ago in another thread here, acceptance is the next big step beyond tolerance, and as a race we don't seem to have finished learning our lessons on that topic yet. Little wonder we aren't yet as accepting as we could be.

Actually Taoism doesn't advocate head-burying - they advocate learning from the past and planning for the future but living in the moment - not dwelling in either extreme. In fact, they're all about balance and following the middle way, so at least in that regard they're similar to Buddhism.

Addictions ... *sigh* ... they're what makes the world go 'round!

SifuPhil..... acceptance is a much weightier topic than just putting up with nonsense on a social forum. I am accepting of things that I cannot change, which I think is the main point. Things that can be changed? A much different matter.

 

[QuickSilver]

I must say that's a damn fine-lookin' badge, QS. I'm kinda jealous.

Don't be jealous.. I have one for you too... Consider yourself deputized.

Oh... and anyone else wanting one? I have a whole box in the back. lol!!

 

[applecruncher]

I'm frequently disappointed when a thread in which consequential ideas are being exchanged is suddenly sidetracked by a cluster of kidding comments and a posed on-topic question goes completely ignored. I'm totally in agreement with the Dame on this matter. I don't mind a clever or witty comment that is relevant to the OP. In general, I have been disappointed in the overall quality of the threads recently.

hmmm. Yeah, I know what you mean. Guess that's where we're supposed to apply Buddism, or look at the menu and choose from colum A or B, or some such thing.

Seriously though, it's usually desperation for attention. Like when a few adults are talking and a toddler screams "Look at ME! Pay attention to ME!" Then another toddler gets the same idea, etc. etc.