Today, in my religion class, I learned about the approach which we should take when treating others. My teacher, Rabbi Moti, told me a famous saying that advised you to “treat your fellow as yourself” (Jewish proverb). We analyzed this meaningful teaching for the entire class’s duration. I learned that you should give what you like to be given, be treated as you would like to be treated, speak as you would like to be spoken to, etc…
Epictetus, in his handbook of free will and freedom to be free, has a much more stoic approach towards unfortunate events in comparison to the Jewish religion. Epictetus recommends an indifferent reaction towards losses. He gives a sample which he uses to describe the target psychological effect: We must think that “it’s one of those things that just happen” (18.26), as we do when somebody else has experienced a loss. We should be equally passive in regards to our losses instead of thinking “Alas! Poor me” (18.26)! The Bhagavad-Gita has a similar modus operandi: “He does not rejoice or hate,/ grieve or feel desire;/ relinquishing fortune and misfortune,/ the man of devotion is dear to me./ Impartial to foe and friend,/ honor and contempt,/ cold and heat, joy and suffering,/ he is free from attachment” (111.17-18). (Losses are known, when not accepted by the mourner, to enslave the griever.)
Jewish teachings contradict advice from the Bhagavad-Gita: According to Jewish religion, we must treat other's grievances as if they were our own. If we are to live contently, is it better to heed the Bhagavad-Gita and be unconditionally indifferent, or be an emotional being of society, appropriately mourning others’ losses as if they were our own? Which would make us happier?
This is fascinating.
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On the contrary, Jewish teachings demonstrate quite the opposite: We must treat other’s grievances as if they were our own. Which is better for living contently: Being indifferent to all losses and gains (both others’ and our own), as the Bhagavad-Gita and
Jewish teachings oppose advice from the Bhagavad-Gita: According to Jewish religion, we must treat other's grievances as if they were our own. If we are to live contently, is it better to heed the Bhagavad-Gita and be unconditionally indifferent, or...
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