Re: Good feelings

[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Oxidized) wrote:

>What gives pantheists feelings of "contentment"?  I mean
>those situations where the cares of the regular-world are
>erased, to be replaced by a feeling of ... contentment.
>
I think every pantheist will have his/her particular ways of finding
contentment.

I gain contentment to some degree from any of the following

- A walk in the park,
- Reading a good book
- Doing a worthwhile task which I can comfortably do
- Reading a newspaper in a cafe
- Talking to freinds about something relaxing
- Making love
- Relaxing unclad on a beach where its allowed
- Listening to music
- Creative daydreaming

>
>How long do those feelings last?
>

It depends. They can be interrupted by something that needs attention,
or by a negative train of thought.

Something that needs attention could include such things as getting
hungry, getting bored, or feeling lonely.

The cures for the above would be to get something to eat, find
something stimulating to do, or go out and meet people.

I think that as beings with biological and social needs, its only
possible to maintain feelings of contentment until a need asserts
itself. Then we have to satisfy the need or experience a lack of
contentment.

There is a book called "You can't afford the luxury of a negative
thought" by Peter McWilliams ISBN 0-931580-24-2

This explains some very good ways to avoid negative thoughts and also
have some positive ones.


Regards,
Peter