More Questions

"The real existential question is, 'what's for dinner?'"
As a Buddha, The Chemical Buddha was often asked about the meaning of life, what came after this life, what death was like, etc. But to TCB, none of these questions were all that important. That's because, for most of us, we didn't really need to know the answer right now. And even if we did, we'd all get to find out what the answer was soon enough. No. To The Chemical Buddha, the question that needed answering the most was about what he was going to eat next and who he was going to fuck next. Those covered his more immediate needs. Why worry about death when you might not eat or get laid again?
What big, esoteric questions do you try to answer?
Do you think getting the answer will help, or are you just distracting yourself from your more immediate needs?
What in your life feeds you and your soul?

What was the Question?

"Drugs are rarely the answer, but they'll help you forget the question."
Later in The Chemical Buddha's life, he thought that maybe, just maybe drugs weren't the answer to all his problems and questions about life. But to seriously consider that thought may have required him to undo the years of work he had invested into his path and teachings. So he figured there must be a way out of this setback. After thinking about it for at least several seconds, he realized that he couldn't remember his questions, or better yet, his problems. (Truth be told, he couldn't even remember his own name and address). So maybe drugs were actually a help after all? After this profound insight, The Chemical Buddha taught (and smoked, injected, fucked, and drank) with a new verve.
What are you using to distract yourself from the big issues in your life?
What reality are you avoiding?
If you are avoiding something, why?
Do you think avoiding it will make it go away?

And the Answer is …?

"Just confirm what I already believe."
Throughout history, mankind has had questions about life and formed beliefs around the answer to those questions. Like everyone else, The Chemical Buddha had his own questions. And as he sought answers, he discovered he got angry when people disagreed with what he already thought or told him something he didn't want to hear/know. And the same could be said when he answered other people's questions. TCB found the truth had very little to do with perception and if you ever wanted to see that person again, one had to be able to read the situation very well before answering. So today's insight applies to those questions that have no 'right' answer. Questions like, "Do theses jeans make my butt look big?" "What are you thinking about?" and "Was it good for you?"
How do you react when talking to people you disagree with? Do you get angry or try to see things from their perspective?
What questions do you have that you really don't want to 'know' the answer to?
What questions do you just want people to agree with you?

Zen Master Yoda

“What was the point again?”
The Chemical Buddha would sometimes lose track of his stories and they would wonder all over the place. Until he would eventually become aware that he didn’t know what he was talking about and would then ask the question above. On occasion, this would also serve as his answer when people asked him the meaning of life. And, believe it or not, people seemed to get a lot out of his answering their question with a question. (It was a little trick TCB picked up from the little known character of Yoda from the art film The Empire Strikes Back.) Although his ‘question answers’ would leave people scratching their heads, they would always keep thinking about it until they came to a conclusion that satisfied them. TCB thought it was brilliant, we thought it meant people only wanted answers they were ready to hear.
How often do you wander through life looking for ‘the’ answer?
Do you really seek ‘the’ answers or just an answer that justifies what you want to do?

Multiple Choice or Essay?

“Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answer to.”
The Chemical Buddha assumed when people asked him questions they wanted answers. So he was surprised people would get upset when he answered honestly. For instance, if someone asked, ‘do you love me?’ and he said, ‘no,’ he couldn’t understand why they would cry or get mad. Of course, if TCB asked someone if they wanted to fuck and they said ‘no’ he would cry or get mad and pout. Neither of which seemed to work at all. But from this hard won knowledge, The Chemical Buddha would encourage people to make statements instead of ask questions. As an example, instead of asking, ‘do you love me?’ say ‘you love me.’ Instead of asking ‘do you want to fuck?’ say ‘let’s fuck.’
What questions do you really not want to have answered?
Can anyone but you answer the questions you most want answered? If not you, who can answer them?