Essential Zen

On the business of defense

Refer to the challenger as a troll, an energy vampire, one possessed by a flyer or some other foreign "power", not themselves, whose only purpose is to disrupt and thereby to entertain.

Problem is, when the one being challenged is logically placed in a corner and asked to defend the basis of their beliefs, and they claim the challenger is an Agent Smith, they are defending something indefensible.

Why do they not deal with the points of the discussion? Perhaps what they hold near and dear is not defensible after all. Seems to me if it is a valid belief (whatever that is) and if they have given it some thought, they will be comfortable in its defense, rather than rabid in denigrating the challenger.

I have found that when people start with the name calling,temper tantrums, and shutting you down, it is very revealing what their true motive is. That true motive is disrespect for anyone except their own beliefs and feelings. And as I said in chat...make the best guru's.

Hi G,

Seems to me, defensiveness, is usually, a dead giveaway.

When people hold certain beliefs, for emotional reasons, they will find it very difficult to defend those beliefs, in a logical manner, and hence, will react emotionally, to any challenge, - seeing it as, a personal threat, and becoming "rabid" in response.

We also face the problem that, having "personalised" thier beliefs, they have made them an attachment to, thier ego, and thus, are incapable of viewing them objectively

If, they had thought thier beliefs through, before pinning them to thier ego, and made sure that, they were, what Socrates would describe as, "a sound vessel", they would be happy to face any challenge, and equally happy to drop the belief, if, it seemed unsound, in light of the challenge.

Unfortunately, the "rabidity" you describe, is accepted as, "normal" behaviour, by the average person. Strange creatures, we are.

The ironic thing is, such "rabidity", invariably invalidates, both, the person, and, thier beliefs.

"Oh, wad some gift,
the Geity, gie us,
to see oorsells,
as ithers, see us."

Robert Burns.

"Oh, wad some gift,
the Geity, gie us,
to see oorsells,
as ithers, see us."

Robert Burns.

I really really like this...thanks

~

Post removed.

Message received.

Yes, I see value in these exchanges. Perhaps, eventually, each participant will stand up, be purified, naked, and perfectly at ease. In the meantime, egos will defend what ego feels is worth defending.