Pride and Shame...the Yin Yang weapon of this place

I continue to reflect on what this place is all about and review strategies to minimize pain and suffering.  I am very much convinced that the more you interact with the civilization, the more you open yourself up to pain and suffering.

My model is the acts of tattooing, methamphetamine use, transgendering, and exposure to media open one up to potential for demonic possession.  Similar to that, the more one interfaces with the civilization, the more potential there is for pain and suffering.  

The civilization encourages GOOD behaviour and conformity when one is a child.  The child may be bribed with food, toys, etc.  The child can then be PROUD of being a well-behaved child.  In this unnatural state, the child is sure to act out and MISBEHAVE, this then leads to a state of SHAME. 

It is the same with academic or athletic achievement.  The civilization encourages hard work, testing, and reward.  This leads to PRIDE.  The unnatural state of continually training and achieving cannot be sustained as it is unnatural.  This leads to a failure.  This might be so minor as being GIVEN a 3.7 A as opposed to a 4.0 A grade...this then leads to SHAME.  

Then you get to relationships.  The man and woman wear a mask to conform to the societal standards.  This leads to PRIDE.  The unnatural state cannot be maintained.   This leads to extra-marital activity, leading to SHAME.  

The civilization is the vehicle by which the weapon of the eternal PRIDE/SHAME pendulum is inflicted on the individual. I maintain that the only way to win the game is not to play.  

For most, the best strategy is to limit interaction with the chainsaw.