Most important?

The end of suffering or understanding why suffering exists?

You were shot with an arrow. Your life is ebbing away. A doctor appears and is preparing to remove the arrow and begin healing you.
Which would you prefer?

• Would you like the doctor to leave the arrow embedded in your flesh and seek out who shot the arrow (the reason for your suffering)?
• To find and describe the person who shot the arrow (a description of the source of your suffering)?

Or would you rather the good doctor remove the arrow (so the suffering will end)?

Do not concern yourself with the source, depth, or picture of your suffering.

Only concern yourself with ending it.

-nn

so many ideas, so few words

I read a lot of eastern philosophy. Taoism primarily, with a good mix of Buddhism, Confucianism, and a smattering of Zen. In all the readings there are similar thoughts that seem to appear no matter which path you choose.

• The words you are reading are only sign posts to the truth.
• To take any single source of information, and use it as a path to enlightenment will only lead you farther from the peace you seek.
• Keep a novice approach.
  
• Do not strive, just be.

These guidelines deeply affect my writing style. While the point of most writing is the antithesis of these points: Be precise, write in an expert style (with authority), have a definite purpose.

Is it any wonder I have so much trouble?

-nn