The reason I might disagree with the statement of the Dalai Lama is that to my mind its logical conclusion could be nihilism. I'm going to get a bit ridiculous here but, for instance, you could smile at me and say "Would you like some ice cream?" and I could choose to spit on the floor and mutter "Wallpaper. Zebra. Electricity." and my behavior/response would be in alignment with the statement. If I have a knee-jerk reaction then I am limited to only one possible response but if nothing in your action determines my response then the possibilities for my response are infinite and many of the possible responses will be nonsense.
OK, you could do that, but it would not be very likely to serve your purpose. So you probably won't.
Of course assuming that you're being tested with that question and then coming up with what you think will be taken by them as the right answer probably won't serve your purpose either. But if your knee-jerk reaction leads you to that assumption, it's leading you astray and needs to be "re-trained". While you may not have time for reflection to give you the right answer on the spot, there will be other opportunities where a better knee-jerk response will serve your purpose. Always stay awake and pay attention, and look for ways to have better knee-jerk reactions.
Last edited by Crazy Eddie; 09/18/0702:53 AM.
a fine and enviable madness, this delusion that all questions have answers, and nothing is beyond the reach of a strong left arm.
