082-Toxic Positivity Part 1 - Buddhism in daily life

Toxic Positivity Part 1

Toxic Positivity is called the vicious circle of expectation. And as we know, not all expectations can come true, and then, when it doesn't, we are so disappointed. Life is so bad to us, everything always goes against us, it is like bewitched. So, or something like that, we complain when things don't go our way again.

And what we do not expect everything, money, health, love, success, just the best is good enough, so just acceptable. Impudently we demand from the fate, we trouble God and gods, horoscopes and prophecies deliver the confirmations. And woe is it not according to the personal demands, not the best of the best. Then we just change the god, the old one was obviously no good.

The trend to more and more expectations has reached its temporary peak in the English word "Toxic Positivity", has also arrived in psychology, is a reason for the manifold disorders and diseases of the psyche.

Toxic is poisonous, and as with all things, only the dose makes the poison, especially the normal "feel-good Buddhist" always expects more, has not yet given up wanting and desiring. And we live in a normal environment, not isolated in a monastery, we have obligations, have to earn a living, are caught in the hamster wheel of modern society.

When I lived in the Shaolin Temple in China at the time, life was simple. Ceremonies, meditation, training, food and body care, then sleep, those were the cornerstones of life. Today I live in Stuttgart, I'm working all day, doing things, running after money, so mindfulness and Buddhist equanimity can be put to the test. I used to be a monk, now I live a normal life, it's a big difference.

And it's not only my expectations (I have more or less ended them, turned them off, I live as my body suggests, not "rationally"), but those of my environment. The family, the circle of friends, the work, and more and more the state need time, the expectations to me become more and more. And there comes a moment when I react indignantly, although I don't want to.

Imagine taking the kids to school, getting soaking wet from the rain, getting a parking ticket in the process, getting stuck in traffic and being late for work, getting "whistled at" there because of it, the computer crashing, things "going sour" in turn, and then Someone approaches you with an otherwise completely harmless request, and you completely freak out.

Expectations become toxic for you.

But: the journey is the destination!

Hear part 2 of "Toxic Positivity" here in the next few days.

The toxic juice of ignorance is spread through greed, desire and ill will

- Buddha - honorific name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480 before the year zero

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