Book of Questions #4

[Amy Z]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at y..., "Sister Mary Lunatic" <klaatu at p...> 
wrote:
> 
> My instinctual reaction to this is... I'd rather have the 
memories.  What's
> the point of having a happy year if you can't remember it?  Even if 
I have a
> terrible year, it's good to have as a memory.  Yeah, if somebody 
offered me
> this, I'd probably say "no thanks" !
> For all I know, I may already have had this happy year, but if I 
don't
> remember having it, then it's just the same as NOT having it.

Is it?  What does it mean, not remember?  You've still been affected 
by it . . . like Harry (if I may drift onto our mutual favorite 
topic) is affected by his parents' love for him even though he can't 
remember them at all.  You will be a different, no doubt happier and 
better, person for having had that year.

I still think I'd say no thanks, but it's making me think.  The 
Buddhist ideal, after all, is to live in the present moment, not 
dwelling on plans or memories but being fully aware of what is 
happening now. . . I do believe, with the Buddhists (well, I'm a 
Buddhist, but a weak, lazy one), that this would be a very joyful 
life.  The thought-experiment sounds like a version of this.  Just 
happiness, no memories.  Maybe you could make it last your entire 
life...that's what the Buddhists say, anyway.

Amy Z