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plssirnomore t1_jav9k21 wrote

Reply to comment by Spagoodler in Glorifying the "self" is detrimental to both the individual and the larger world. It neither helps you find your true nature, nor your role in the larger world. by waytogoal

Assumption that mental stability is understood. Who says what is mentally stable? Is it mentally stable to do the same thing everyday, destroying the mind body and soul, to be able to purchase consumer goods, which are only desired due to advanced manipulation by cooperate entities, whose only desire is to gain material wealth on a mass scale. Is that really mental stability?

Is it mentally stable to pass the homeless man on the street without as much as considering that anyone of us could be that man within mere months upon losing your job? Is it mentally stable to ignore that, when you are able to understand how you would feel if another ignored you in that same situation?

One day, you think one thing. The next day, you think the next thing. One day you 'love' the girl, the next day you cant remember her face. You are not the personality, the narrative, the perceived reflection of yourself in others treatment of you. You are not the result of the conditioning you received. You are not the theory of evolution, your thoughts, or even your ability to think. You are not the pathways in your brain, or a 'concept' you believe originated in the brain.

I don't know what I am, but I can rule out what Im not. If I can demolish the 'self', and still exist, then I was never that 'self'. I merely assumed I was out of ignorance.

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Spagoodler t1_jaw4uh1 wrote

Hm, you bring up an interesting point. I think a brain has an essence and having a defunct concept of self would hinder that essence of functioning properly. There is a physical aspect here in which you could measure mental instability through neural pathways, etc… I agree with what you are saying though; is mental stability simply conforming to reality/society or is there more to it? I’ve personally though as mental instability as anything that hinders you from fulfilling biological needs.

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plssirnomore t1_jax35wn wrote

I could do a better test of mental stability than any machine. I could sit in a dark room with my eyes closed and watch what happens internally. You, me and everyone else on earth can do it for free, everyday. After doing it for a bit you will find that the self you identify with may not be as concrete to your functioning as you may of been led to believe!

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VitriolicViolet t1_jaymyfn wrote

>Assumption that mental stability is understood. Who says what is mentally stable? Is it mentally stable to do the same thing everyday, destroying the mind body and soul, to be able to purchase consumer goods, which are only desired due to advanced manipulation by cooperate entities, whose only desire is to gain material wealth on a mass scale. Is that really mental stability?
>
>Is it mentally stable to pass the homeless man on the street without as much as considering that anyone of us could be that man within mere months upon losing your job? Is it mentally stable to ignore that, when you are able to understand how you would feel if another ignored you in that same situation?

yes, those things are all mentally stable, since mental stability is only measured by differing and changing mental states.

whether or not they are mentally healthy is another thing (i am mentally stable, to an extreme point, but i'm not mentally healthy)

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plssirnomore t1_jazv7bs wrote

Sorry to hear that. I agree with you though, and see that a sense of self for sure makes you mentally stable. But as I understand it nothing in nature is static, and as part of nature we don't want to be too stable, especially if its in conformity to corrupt societies or systems.

Wishing you mental health and fluidity from afar.

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