hmmm, maybe. I think it's more accurate to say opinions are the root of suffering, not preferences. If I prefer Japanese food over Italian food, or cotton clothing over polyester, does that really lead to suffering? Feels more accurate to say is that opinions about things being good or bad, right or wrong, are the root of suffering. They are the creation of the mind, where preferences feel different. I have liked pickled herring since I was a little kid while many other kids/people find it disgusting - did I really learn that preference as a kid? How did I learn to like the taste of something, and who taught others to dislike it? If you don't have preferences, how do you choose a career, or a spouse? I have no preferences, I'll marry the next person I meet and take the first job listed in the job ads because preferences are wrong... really? Opinions are judgements of the mind about reality, and are not real or accurate because they are an overlay of reality. I think you can prefer one thing rather than another as long as it does cross the like to a judgement about one or the other.
Whilst I resonate with this perspective, it leaves no compassionate room for human experiences such as grief, sadness, existential anxiety that are often biological responses to painful events. I can imagine Singer cajoling someone for being silly enough to be sad that their spouse died. If people are not careful, this can lead to a disconnected way of relating to life and others. Listen with caution
compassion for they who suffer because OF preferences is equal to the compassion a loving parent feels for the suffering of young children who suffer their ignorance ("only" they who live without preferences, KNOW it).
If you experience grief or pain that is ok. The impact of pain or sadness will be reduced if you are fully aware of them, and if you can witness the reactions or sensations of your body as a result of this experience. Michael Singer however talks about preferences or desires in this video which are the causes of all human suffering.
It seems you receive a 50 minute teaching or philosophy and attempt to apply it to all of life’s experiences. Michael Singer has dozens of teachings that address compassion for emotions arising. However, this video-and just about all of his teachings-revert back to taking a breath, relaxing the body, and witnessing the ongoings & phenomena which naturally occur…instead of identifying (which begets preference; craving or aversion) with them and causing further suffering. It’s a practice to release attachments to the personal self and our old wounds or traumas or ego etc etc. It’s actually not all “natural” to follow emotions and allow them to influence our behavior and actions. These are conditions and learned behaviors from not just our immediate environment, but generationally & collectively. Good luck to anyone actually walking the path of these teachings, and remembering your feelings aren’t important, you aren’t special. You just are✨
Perhaps read The Untethered Soul, Beyond the Human Predicament and listen to more of his talks. You have an opinion that lacks a depth of experience listening and comprehending his teachings. I have listened to most of all his talks, Michael has never said anything that is not true. He is not expressing opinions. He is teaching what has been taught for 1,000’s of years by all the Masters.
Great teachings from Michael Singer as ever
hmmm, maybe. I think it's more accurate to say opinions are the root of suffering, not preferences. If I prefer Japanese food over Italian food, or cotton clothing over polyester, does that really lead to suffering?
Feels more accurate to say is that opinions about things being good or bad, right or wrong, are the root of suffering. They are the creation of the mind, where preferences feel different. I have liked pickled herring since I was a little kid while many other kids/people find it disgusting - did I really learn that preference as a kid? How did I learn to like the taste of something, and who taught others to dislike it?
If you don't have preferences, how do you choose a career, or a spouse? I have no preferences, I'll marry the next person I meet and take the first job listed in the job ads because preferences are wrong... really?
Opinions are judgements of the mind about reality, and are not real or accurate because they are an overlay of reality. I think you can prefer one thing rather than another as long as it does cross the like to a judgement about one or the other.
Whilst I resonate with this perspective, it leaves no compassionate room for human experiences such as grief, sadness, existential anxiety that are often biological responses to painful events. I can imagine Singer cajoling someone for being silly enough to be sad that their spouse died. If people are not careful, this can lead to a disconnected way of relating to life and others. Listen with caution
compassion for they who suffer because OF preferences is equal to the compassion a loving parent feels for the suffering of young children who suffer their ignorance ("only" they who live without preferences, KNOW it).
If you experience grief or pain that is ok. The impact of pain or sadness will be reduced if you are fully aware of them, and if you can witness the reactions or sensations of your body as a result of this experience. Michael Singer however talks about preferences or desires in this video which are the causes of all human suffering.
It seems you receive a 50 minute teaching or philosophy and attempt to apply it to all of life’s experiences. Michael Singer has dozens of teachings that address compassion for emotions arising. However, this video-and just about all of his teachings-revert back to taking a breath, relaxing the body, and witnessing the ongoings & phenomena which naturally occur…instead of identifying (which begets preference; craving or aversion) with them and causing further suffering. It’s a practice to release attachments to the personal self and our old wounds or traumas or ego etc etc. It’s actually not all “natural” to follow emotions and allow them to influence our behavior and actions. These are conditions and learned behaviors from not just our immediate environment, but generationally & collectively. Good luck to anyone actually walking the path of these teachings, and remembering your feelings aren’t important, you aren’t special. You just are✨
Someone completely missed the point
You missed the point, if you follow the teachings you would understand. No point does he tell people to ignore emotional pain
Maybe Mr. Singer could read up on Nagarjuna's emptiness teachings or Kitaro Nashida's Nothingness...
??
Perhaps read The Untethered Soul, Beyond the Human Predicament and listen to more of his talks.
You have an opinion that lacks a depth of experience listening and comprehending his teachings.
I have listened to most of all his talks, Michael has never said anything that is not true.
He is not expressing opinions.
He is teaching what has been taught for 1,000’s of years by all the Masters.