New Translation: Suttas from the Suttanipāta

[binocular]

There's a new movement of non-buddhists who are finding the sort of principles contained there very helpful in living in the world, but its all male. They're living this way to avoid getting MeToo'd and to avoid being used as nothing but a disposable tool by society.

Exactly. It's all male.

Secondly, how do you deal with the possibility that those espousing those principles could abandon them anytime?

Even what seemed dedicated monks sometimes disrobe and take up a lifestyle they criticized severely when they were monks. People change. Some go from vegan to meat-eating supporters. In fact, it seems quite common that people with high ideals eventually resort to lifestyles they previously disapproved of.
Such things happening does not fill me with hope and with trust in what those idealistic people are saying.

[binocular]

Is it the world doing the 'squishing' or our worldly mind? To quote Buddha:

Whatever one frequently thinks and ponders upon, that will become the inclination of his mind. -- MN 19

The mind is the determining factor, so as long as one thinks the world will squish helpless lay folk, then that is the way one will live.

So it's all in my head?
My concern is that the idea that it's all in my head is just all in my head, and isn't how things actually are. And that the crucial things in life are independent of how one thinks about them.

[Sam Vara]

So it's all in my head?

No, it's in your fathom-long body.

https://suttacentral.net/an4.45/en/sujato

My concern is that the idea that it's all in my head is just all in my head

But the concern is all in your head, isn't it?

and isn't how things actually are. And that the crucial things in life are independent of how one thinks about them.

You don't know how things actually are. And things being "crucial" is only our judgement about them. There is no objective crux.

[binocular]

There is no objective crux.

And this is supposed to be an objective statement?

This is both funny, and so not.

[Sam Vara]

There is no objective crux.

And this is supposed to be an objective statement?

No, a working hypothesis.

[binocular]

No, a working hypothesis.

It's not clear how at this level of importance and urgency, one could allow for working hypotheses.

[Sam Vara]

No, a working hypothesis.

It's not clear how at this level of importance and urgency, one could allow for working hypotheses.

It's all you've got. Dogmatism can lead one in the wrong direction. Lack of commitment will go nowhere. So make your best-informed hypothesis, and test it through action.

[Will]

Is it the world doing the 'squishing' or our worldly mind? To quote Buddha:

Whatever one frequently thinks and ponders upon, that will become the inclination of his mind. -- MN 19

The mind is the determining factor, so as long as one thinks the world will squish helpless lay folk, then that is the way one will live.

So it's all in my head?
My concern is that the idea that it's all in my head is just all in my head, and isn't how things actually are. And that the crucial things in life are independent of how one thinks about them.

Not 'all in your head' (nor all 'out there') but no avoiding the head or mind filter. As verse 768? says:

3. Whoever avoids sensual pleasures
as if the head of a snake with his foot,
the sticky nature of the world
he mindfully passes over.

[aflatun]

I've already read a few of these and they are very well done. Bravo to all those involved

Ditto and ditto. I'm really enjoying reading this, and its fitting in with my collection of sutta nipata translations quite well

and to Path Press for offering yet another great title free of charge.

For real