Monday, March 24, 2008
2day
i believe that all feelings, states of emotion and perceptions etc. are choices that are made independent of others. ie in any given situation each of us has the ability to choose how we respond (freewill). i also acknowledge and respect that we are creatures of habit, biology and imperfection and therefore have an experience of an initial reaction/feeling relating to people, places or things. i am not referring to this initial reaction, i am rather referring to the instant that follows that initial moment. the next moment where one either continues on the path of the initial reaction (passive choice) or an alternative path (active choice). if one accepts this viewpoint then one can also realize/accept/acknowledge one's responsibility for one's choices/actions independent of others. when responsibility for one's choices is understood in these terms the door to introspection opens and one can experience a level of freedom and/or detachment that comes from experiencing the only control any of us ever really has, control over ourselves. the need to seek validation, approval and satisfaction of our needs from others dissipates and we start to see others as they are, people like us who are struggling with their humanness.
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3 comments:
How could I apply this in day to day life? For example if I am running late to a meeting because I am stuck on the FDR with a cab driver who can't drive, I am definately getting really irritated and I think this is a normal response. What can I do?
In my opinion, you have managed to express a complex if not also profound concept or belief with extraordinary clarity. As your first blog it seems ripe for expansion. For example, there might also be a detecting of an overall pattern when stepping back from the "reaction/passive choice" or "first reflection." Personally, in abstracting myself from the immediacy of an experience, in finding an alternative path/active choice, i tend to feel a familiar though conspicuous sense of my self. A feeling of being centered that is at the same time vulnerable. So according to your belief, would it not be possible for someone to avoid the "active choice" or "second reflection" simply because experiencing that vulnerability would feel like too much of a sacrifice? the Initial reaction, while perhaps negative, may fit a habitual way of dealing with the world that i may find comfort in. Also, i think that vulnerability is included in your description of the active choice in so far as it finally entails recognizing the "humaness" qualities of others and thus also the "humaness" qualities of one's finite self.
Wonderful Blog!
well SR - perhaps u cud first notice that you are "irritated" & ponder how this "feeling of irritatiion" serves you - & use that bundle of time to A) look out the window & admire the skyline B) remember where that lost laundry ticket is c) determine next time to take public transportation - faster cheaper D) next time make sure to leave with "more than enuf time" rather than time enuf E) examine why you put yrself in the position of "latenss" E) etc
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