I think this is an example of a fundamental misunderstanding of people's positions when they say 'now'.
Without an actual particular philosophy this is targeted at, it's a bit difficult but it seems really common these days to simplify and take out of
context people's philosophy and beliefs.
Originally posted by arpgme
I wonder, is "being in the now" being used as escapism from the suffering that comes from nature and life in general? Is "oneness" being used as a
panacea just a view, another perspective to try to ease the suffering?
Being in the now is about removing unnecessary suffering, and accepting the suffering that life brings on a day to day basis and deal with it.
It's about not defining yourself by your past or future, but to stay in line with your current status as a being. You are not your past, and may not
be your future. Wanting for the future is often unnecessary pain, because the path you're on now is the important thing. You say ... I'll feel
better when I get this car or that job ... No you won't, if you're not happy with the path you're on currently, change your path not your future
because your future doesn't exist. Consider your action and its possibilities but don't assume the future defines you.
If you're constantly talking about how you used to be to justify who you are now then you're probably not all that happy. In most 'now'
philosophies there are reasons to refer to the future or the past, you are not forbidden from doing so, but it's about trying to accept your current
moment and focus on the doing of an activity.
In Buddhist terms, wanting / desire are on the same line as suffering and pain. Yes, you could apply these philosophies in destructive ways or, in the
case presented in this thread, misunderstand or misrepresent them, but the general idea of most 'now' philosophies is to accept reality, organize
your decision making, and not refer to the future or past in self indulgent ways.
So in one way, yes these things are about escapism in the identifying of what is truly important. That identification taken to an extreme can become
monk like apathy, the complete lack of desire to own physical things or make a mark on the world ... but, even if that offends you, in moderation the
philosophy of the present moment or now is deeply relevant and useful.