Dr. Dukkha wrote:I'm a Jewish Buddhist who used to be a huge conspiracy theorist and did not favor Jews for them being a large percentage of people ruining the world. I understand Hitler's intentions and I know there was a hint of correctness to what he did, although it was absolutely dreadful. But today, I decided to leave conspiracy theories to find joy in the Buddhist practice. I reviewed the eightfold path and everything. Then I accidentally came across Brian's videos and now I'm all disturbed again.
Now I don't know whether to steadily aim towards a peaceful, but selfish enlightenment (which may now be very difficult) or educate people about these banker criminals and start a revolution filled with the negative karma of wrong view.
I would much rather let it all go and stick the Buddhist path but this is something that's very hard to detach from. I've been a conspiracy theorist and anarchist for about five years now.
I could use some good advice on how to detach or if there's a particular path that is recommended.
I think the best thing to do to break the habit is not to give conspiracy theories your attention. Any websites or books you read, people you may listen to, people you talk to about conspiracies, or anything related to conspiracies at all should be avoided and you shouldn't bring the topic up.
For conspiracy theories to have a strong effect on you, they must be believed in. For them to be believed in, they must be fed with information. For them to be fed with information, information must be sought out by your own choice. Stop feeding yourself this sort of information by not seeking it out and eventually their coercive power will fade.
MN 19 wrote:Bhikkhus, whatever a bhikkhu frequently thinks and ponders upon, that will become the inclination of his mind.