/lit/ - Literature

>>4502775
If its not that hard to define, then please do so. Because I dont know how many times someone has said to me what you just said, and before they can even finish someone is already scoffing and beginning.

Can this be a ghost story thread now /lit/? I didnt see any coming up to and during halloween

Male
22 years old

The Turn of the Screw, James - Just finished, I want to like it but cant.
Introduction to Set Theory, Hrbacek
Bleak House, Dickens - Just started

Read The Gorgias, or The Meno.

>>3946812
Also on the panic attack bit, I was setting up the panic attack. I wanted to end this bit with the panic attack itself taking place

However I am thinking over what youve said, I just, I dont know, the first line seems pretty decent to me, it seems like it would hook some people in, and it does set up the introduction and later themes that will come up.

So many options...

>>3896350
I know this is my choice, while at the same time my upbringing has led me to this. Whatever the case I take responsibility for it like I said here
>>3896355

You know you get so angry over a buzzword that it becomes impossible not to see your ego in this. I say this with the best intentions. Why are you angry at me? Just take a second to breath, to not speak (I know this might infuriate you more but please just listen), and then just let the anger go. Your points will still stand and affect me, I assure you. As of right now though, you havent really said anything to me. You can forget the catch phrase nihilism, my problem is still here.

If you liked Catcher, id recommend Franny and Zooey, Nine short stories, and Raise high the roof beams, all by Salinger. Theyre all pretty short, you can knock those three out in a day or two

I currently dont believe, I think, but its very strange.

I used to be a pissed off atheist because of the shit that was pulled on me by Christians in my youth. Since then though Ive been really empathizing with the religious.

Right now if you ask me if I believed in God, I wouldnt really know how to answer because the question seems to be misleading. I mean, yes, everything is divine and sacred, how could it not be, but no, how could say I knew anything about God, especially getting behind some prophet or book?

As of right now, im just sticking with Zen. If I die and God is there, ill thank him for everything while he sends me to hell.

/lit/ im currently reading Zen Mind, Beginners Mind. Ive barely started but am wondering something.

Frequently Suzuki talks about this negative what is. For example, someone says "I must do something this afternoon", and he replies that there is no "this afternoon", that there cannot be this something without this "this afternoon", and you cannot separate them.

Is he essentially saying that by defining things, we are confusing ourselves about real phenomenon? That words only confuse us? Is this common throughout Zen, Dao, or Buddhist thought?

ITT: the 21st century literary life

> be 33
> live at home
> convinced my parents i have aspergers
> both younger siblings in the process of establishing normal, middle-class lives
> fuck that
> read all day, write, take long bike rides
> no desire to marry, have kids
> siblings talk endlessly about their jobs, what they've bought, money, anxiety over money, etc.
> i excuse myself, retire to my room
> listen to them through the heating grate
> hear them talking about me
> "anon's turned weird. kind of pathetic. what happened? i feel sorry for him."
> sigh, settle into comfy bed, open book
> re-reading The Glass Bead Game
> cry when Joseph Knecht dies
> tfw live is indescribably beautiful