A nice example of paradoxical thinking comes from Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching who wrote:
In order to lead, the leader learns to follow. In order to prosper, the leader learns to live simply. In both cases, it is the interaction that is creative. All behaviour consists of opposites. . .Learn to see things backwards, inside out, and upside down.
As odd as it seems, contemplating our mortality on a daily basis is not a bad idea. In 2007, a study by DeWall, C.N. & Baumeister, R.F. showed that the contemplation of death had the opposite effect as compared with what is commonly believed. It is as if by contemplating death our body immediately tries to counter it, searching for happy thoughts!
In the teachings of Buddhism such paradoxical thinking is not pushed aside. Nor are Buddhists taught to supress or ignore the finitude of the natural world; that sooner or later we die. Buddhist culture is more mature than typical Western culture with its emphasis on youth and feeling good. In Buddhist culture one is immersed in being aware of, and observing the vicissitudes of life; that in such a conditioned existence no composite thing survives. It is only in the unconditioned world of nirvana that man is taught to find his security. From the Upajjhatthana Sutta (S. iii. 71) the Buddha speaks about five themes that should be reflected upon by a woman, a man, a householder or one gone forth.
I am subject to aging, I am not exempt from aging.
I am subject to illness, I am not exempt from illness.
I am subject to death, I am not exempt from death.
I will grow different, separate from all that is dear and appealing to me.
I am the owner of my karma, the heir to my karma, I have karma as my origin, karma as my relative, karma as my resort. Whatever good or evil karma I do, to that will I fall heir.
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