s+g= -(m)

Schadenfreude + glaukenstucken = negative mudita.
S+g=-(m)

My blog is usually reserved for inconsequential thoughts, random delusional literary outbursts (I use the term "literary" very loosely, here), and an array of sporadic non sequiturs, possessing monumental irreverence for the sacred and profane.

Occasionally, however, I am trapped in a philosophical arena where a seemingly mundane event or an unobtrusive scenario challenges me to...well...think. I might observe the kindness of another human being, who shows immense love and the capacity for forgiveness toward an offspring or dying family member, and wonder why everyone else at his or her work place (social circle, belly dancing club or whatevers) thinks this person is truly horrible and hopelessly incorrigible; the proverbial asshole. Then I realize that we (collectively and individually) all want happiness and, therefore, seek, masquerade, and project different personalities to the "outside." And, furthermore, we are all suffering, struggling, and dealing with karmic baggage. Thus, no one is above the (universal) law. The concept of original sin seems mythical and unfairly infused with a profound sense of inherited guilt-tripping.

There is only Great Perfection, I believe. We lose our way in the daily struggle, foibles, and complexities of simplistic living. Where less should be more and simple is best, we have allowed our egos, insecurities, and fears to plant weeds of jealousy, ignorance, and anger. These infertile fields of hate are the real sins and tragedies. Why else do so many in Western culture seek comfort in materialism, money, and the corruptive effects of power (status)? We want more, more, and more. Gluttony and avarice have been replaced by more politically correct terms such as SuperSize, morbid obesity, and aggressive consumerism or mass consumption. We don't really eat to live, anymore. Instead, we are living to eat as we feed our egos, ignoring our rational hunger and starving our spirituality. We compound our problems when we feed our children with the same worthless values of gluttony, avarice, and the "gotta have it all" mentality. Parents project unto children their consumerism and reliance on materialism for personal happiness. How many toys does a child need to be happy? Why is too much not enough? What happen to creativity, self exploration, and being a kid? Consumerism, greed, and acquisition of things reinforced with silent approval, apathy, and emotional activity dull the senses and blind the spirit.

For every flaw or humanistic shortcoming which can be identified, catergorized, and extracted for ridicule and condemnation in the delapidated social theatres (i.e. workplace, school, income bracket, community) often poorly constructed for public humiliation, I contend that you (we) can find a similar flaw or equivalent handicap in yourself (ourselves). It's the "don't cast stones in a glass house" analogy or Jesus Christ's "who will cast the first stone" speech or the Buddhist "look at others and correct yourself" p.o.v. We are not any better or worse then our fellow human beings. We are, furthermore, ill-equipped and unnecessarily vying for the right to judge others. In actuality, we are only giving our egos and insecurities the right to keep our theatres packed with onlookers and gawkers and negative assumption. It all adds up to an unending soap opera of misery, human drama, and wasted emotions in which we are producer, director, and STAR of our own ridiculously repetitive episodic lives.

The problem is exacerbated beyond reason and sometimes comprehension when we lose awareness. Awareness is vital to understanding ourselves and the world we live in, finding ultimate resolution in understanding our fellow human beings. I think it's tragically unpoetically unjustified when people begin to take joy or comfort in the suffering of others. The German word for this is Schadenfreude. Schaden, meaning damage or harm and freude meaning joy. We see examples of this all the time in current events and society. New York Governor Elliot Spitz was embroiled in a prostitute, call-girl scandal in 2008 and public vultures, political wolves, and gossip marching bands burst onto the scene. Put it this way? Everybody had a stone. I am not condoning the former governor's actions. Afterall, he played and so he paid. I'm sure there was a minority who were the only ones asking, "What about his poor family, his children, his wife, etc?" A man's family, reputation, and potential for effective public service were destroyed, perhaps, by egotistical wants, selfish motives, and quite possibly sexual addiction. Whatever the psychology of it all, the point is the majority rode in on the Schadenfreude Express. It happens too often and it has become the norm in big cities, small towns, east and west coasts.

Schadenfreude exists in reality television, in daily news, entertainment, sports, and even on our block around the corner. People want to know who is having sex with who, who is getting a divorce, who is drug addicted, who is marrying which town whore, who is gay, who is seeing a therapist, who is this and who is that. It goes on and on. And the bottomline is always the same...people want to know so much about others and very little about themselves.

After all the gossip, the backstabbing, politicizing, kickin-em-when-they're-down, and negative karma generated for foolish treasure chests of nothing, the inevitable sense of guilt surfaces for a moment before it is repressed and ignored too. There is no real German word for it...but I've heard it's been called glaukenstucken. It's the guilt for having Schadenfreude, for participating in the meaningless, for feeding our egos, and taking pleasure in watching others suffer. In watching others suffer and taking joy in it, we have become lower creatures by depreciating our self-esteem and humanity. While the Schadenfreuders are delusional in thinking that they look better against the backdrop of others who suffer, fail, and lose personal struggles, the reality of it all is that we too are suffering, failing, and definitely losing.

It is so sad. I cannot even hate the Schadenfreuders, myself, for fear of turning into one of them, blinding out a life in the darkness of others. What we really need are awareness, compassion, and understanding for/toward/with everyone, including ourselves. Mudita is the Buddhist concept of "sympathetic joy." Being happy for others and taking joy in everyone's success would make the world a better place, giving hope and positive energy to all. What about when people fail, face tragedy and defeat, and suffer? Then even moreso we should have compassion and understanding for others. There is no joy in watching our fellow human beings suffer. And in taking such pleasure, it is more of a delusional mistake then a sickness.


The Dalai Lama at the Indian Border.

During an arduous journey, throughout which they are pursued by the Chinese, the Dalai Lama becomes very ill and experiences several visions of the past and future. Finally, the party makes it to a small mountain pass on the border with India. As the Dalai Lama walks to the guard post, an Indian guard approaches him, salutes, and inquires: "May I ask, are you the Lord Buddha?" The Dalai Lama replies with:

"I think that I am a reflection, like the moon on water. When you see me, and I am trying to be a good man, you see yourself."