Not your problem?
Description
With so much flux right now, the world can feel like it's getting on top of us. How many of these problems are actually truly ours? Are we defined by our problems?
Concepts:
Ego (See season 1 episode Big Ego)
Inner and outer problems (See parable)
Acceptance
If you can solve the problem,
Then what is the need of worrying?
If you cannot solve it,
Then what is the use of worrying?
-Shantideva
In Modern Buddhism, Geshe Kelsang says there are two types of problem, an inner and an outer problem:
We should understand that our problems do not exist outside of our self, but are part of our mind that experiences unpleasant feelings. When our car, for example, has a problem we usually say “I have a problem”, but in reality it is the car’s problem and not our problem.
The car’s problem is an outer problem, and our problem, which is our own unpleasant feeling, is an inner problem. These two problems are completely different. We need to solve the car’s problem by repairing it, and we need to solve our own problem by controlling our attachment to the car.
Links
https://bit.ly/3stJGdF Tiny Buddha: 3 steps to practice acceptance & have a peaceful life
Simple, practical steps you can take to accept the world around you as it is and find peace when things aren't how you wish they were
https://bit.ly/3iU5hZN Kadampa Life: How to stop worrying about anything, everything and nothing
The source of the above car problem quote and a deeper dive on understanding which problems you can change and which you have to accept