On proof, God, and gods

[-misanthroptimist]

5. I have Buddhistic tendencies myself

I own nothing, technically. Everything is in my wife's name. There is very little I want, and nothing I want badly.

A while back I bought the entire Kung Fu series from the '70s on DVD. I'm not sure whether it influenced me or whether it reinforced the way I was already thinking. I don't really remember. (Hey, it was the '70s!) Ass-kicking aside, there was some really good stuff in that show. One thing that I know affected me was just two words. When the Emperor sent a former Shaolin priest as hit man to apprehend or kill Caine, Caine looked at him and said with utter contempt: "For money." Those two words became a guide to me. There is a vast array of things that I wouldn't do in my life, despite good money to be had. What I have done for money, I'm either proud of or at least neutral on.

I entirely get what you mean about "self" not really existing. It's one of the things that is useful for attaining some distance and perspective when the going gets rough.

Lastly, I was going to credit you, but I'm not sure of the protocol and didn't want a long post to get deleted for a violation.