The Buddha is my DBA

[ornoth]

If a database contains data, then database design is the process of optimally organizing that data. In order to organize it, you need the concepts and vocabulary to describe and discuss that data. Unless you can identify a dataset’s attributes, operations, and relationships, you cannot create an optimal data model. The ability to think and operate on that “meta-level” is a rare skill which separates Joe Coder from a highly skilled database administrator (DBA).

The Buddha knew all that, of course. He knew that data is just data unless you have insightful data about that data. Similarly, he realized that everyday, unreflective thinking is just thinking, unless you actually think about how you think. Buddhism provides the concepts and vocabulary to describe and discuss your thoughts, then begin to analyze and improve your previously uncontrolled thought patterns.

Buddhism’s central tenet is to wake yourself up from your semiconscious daily routine and continually reflect upon what you are thinking, why you’re thinking that way, and whether it is the wisest and most beneficial use of that energy (usually it isn’t).

Since the Buddha knew the value of metadata, or “data about data”, he also realized the importance of “thinking about thinking”, and that’s all Buddhism is. The central tenet of Buddhism—and the great revelation he realized at the foot of the bodhi tree—is the transformational value of training your mind to operate on that self-reflective “meta-level”.

Which a Buddhist, if he were of a mildly jocular inclination, might call the “metta” level (sic), which gives a whole new meaning to the term “metta-data”.

Comments

[awfief.livejournal.com]

Can I link to this on sheeri.com?

[ornoth.livejournal.com]

If you think it’s worth sharing, feel free. It’s just monkey acrobatics…

Well whudya know..

[rubyred660.livejournal.com]

You captured pretty much the core principle of my life which (put less gracefully) if you aren't thinking about the why behind what you're thinking then you're really not thinking at all.

Guess I'm a buddhist. Perhaps I should look into this.

Re: Well whudya know..

[ornoth.livejournal.com]

Ha! Either that, or you have some things to teach Buddhists. It’s easy to conceptualize the idea of living in the moment and observing your own thoughts and reactions, but it’s awfully hard to remember to be there, especially when things get challenging. If you’ve done your best to live that way, I’m sure you have insights and experience that others would find very valuable.

I don’t like pushing anyone, but for you or anyone who reads my journal, if you’re interested in talking about philosophy and/or Buddhism, I’d be more than willing, and if you’re interested in attending an intro sitting or a dharma talk, I’d love to have people along. Or I can point people at some really great podcast dharma talks by some really cool teachers. But maybe I should make that a top-level posting, so that people will see it, where they might miss it buried here in a response to a comment on a posting.

[jtroutman.livejournal.com]

Very nice. Thanks for this.

[ornoth.livejournal.com]

Hey, thanks. It was one of those serendipity things. The “thinking about thinking” thing came to me in the middle of a dharma talk, and it’s sat on my “LJ topics” list for a while, waiting for attention. The “metta-data” pun came as I was organizing my thoughts, and it struck my funny bone. I hope people get it, ’cos I think it’s a funny.