> >Alcohol attacks only the symptom, not the underlying cause, and
> >brings problems of its own. I say Buddhism, or more precisely
> >Buddhist techniques, attack the cause,
>
> How? (I'm not an expert on Buddhism)
>
I must admit I missed this, last time around. A straightforward
question! Very well: neurotics are addicted to mental clinging
and avoidance. They live in thrall to their emotions and are
always running towards things they want, and away from things
they fear, and clinging tightly to what they think they have --
which are either illusions, or else the notion that they can be
clung to is an illusion. Buddhism teaches people to let go,
stop running, and face life as it is. Which, when you really
get into it, turns out to be good in very surprising ways! There
is a common saying: nothing to fear but fear itself. Buddhism
goes further, I think, saying not even fear is to be feared.
Robin