(02-21-2017, 09:57 PM)robstar Wrote: Regarding the zen masters, some people have actively chosen to go directly for peace and happiness before external success, and that's a valid choice, after all the reason we chase success is we want the feelings it brings anyway. Although I agree that some on the forum take it too far with spouting to others who don't care about that.
Here's the thing with me -- regardless of whatever reputation I may have here, I don't really judge others for how they choose to live. If you wanna seek internal peace and happiness, go for it. I'll even support you along the way.
When I'm referring to "zen masters," I'm using the term in a mocking manner toward a particular subset of guys that keep trying to convince me that there's something wrong with my way of life because I am aggressively pursuing my goals and developing my OWN sense of masculinity. For example, a week or two ago, someone that I've NEVER even interacted with on this forum took some random pot shot at me and Sarge about how we have distorted views on masculinity.
What makes this individual believe that he is the arbiter of "true masculinity" and can suddenly advise others in these matters? And then, my favorite thing to ask the zen masters -- what about your life is so amazing that makes you think other people would want to emulate you?
I actually got into a HUGE argument with the boxing coach (I went to my old state to get the rest of my stuff and decided to workout with him) over this. He suddenly decided that he was going to AMOG me and criticize my way of life. He took a comment I said out of context. I mentioned that I had met a really cool woman at the martial arts gym, but I wouldn't date her because I don't date where I train. He said that was chauvinistic and tried to make it seem like I'm "afraid" of dating a female martial artist because it would "hurt my fragile masculinity" being with a woman that could potentially beat me.
Honestly, I'm not interested in dating any woman or even being friends with a person (male or female) that would threaten me with their martial arts skill. Not interested in someone trying to invoke fear in me.
Second, that's not what I said AT ALL. I just don't want to deal with relationship drama while training. When that argument didn't work, he tried to use all these other ad hominem bullshit arguments, including telling me that I should look into medication for being "high stress." You know, concern trolling. Trying to shame me for being ambitious and motivated.
I ended up telling him that he's a 55 year old man with no money, no woman, and out of shape with no career prospects. I'm 31 making in the top 25% of Americans, a steady flow of romantic prospects (he tried to say that I had "no game" for doing online dating -- even though he has NO women period) and I'm still getting e-mails from recruiters wanting me to interview with their companies.
So why, zen master boxing coach, would I listen to anything you have to say?
I am simply not interested in what these "inner peace" types are saying because I think they're full of crap. It's easy to seek inner peace. It's hard to obtain external results. Therefore, they're claiming not to care about riches and women because they're afraid of failure, and trying to tear down others who ARE ambitious because we're a constant reminder of what they lack. And that's not my problem.
