Playing with Perspectives

[UnbornTao]

Taking up an invention and being familiar with it is not the same as understanding how it comes to exist and work and being able to reproduce it in your own experience.

Discoveries and inventions are made by individuals. Ways of thinking are created based on those discoveries and then gradually adopted by the rest of us over time. Yet, the initial creative component of such inventions often goes unnoticed. We live as if familiarity implies understanding. Looking closely, however, we see that there are many things we don’t truly comprehend, yet adopt as givens.

For instance, we overlook the fact that it took a genius like Newton to make a breakthrough into the principle of gravity. We now say that gravity is obvious since “everyone knows that objects fall down.” But we’re missing something fundamental here. What Newton understood was that objects don’t float, go sideways, or rise! He grasped a principle experientially.

More examples of this point:

• Confusing an expression or the form something takes with the potential insight underlying it.
• Picasso’s art died with him; the ability to create that art was unique to him.
• As a culture, we are somewhat familiar with Ancient Skepticism, yet very few of us can generate that kind of rigorous, deep, intelligent, and multi-faceted thinking.
• We take on the invention of language and presume to know what it is since it is a prevalent construct paramount to our survival, yet we remain unaware of its real nature.
• An insight might precipitate the invention of new “isms,” which are forms of shared conjecture that miss the original discovery.

Edited 1 hour ago by UnbornTao

[UnbornTao]

Two approaches to facilitating others:

1. Moving them into a new experience: This approach often meets resistance because it involves "taking away" their current experience in favor of introducing a new one.
2. Pushing them into their current experience: This requires guiding them through the process of personal discovery, helping them generate an experience that more closely aligns with the one you're pointing to.

Edited 1 hour ago by UnbornTao

[UnbornTao]

Quote

Wanting to reform the world without discovering one’s true self is like trying to cover the world with leather to avoid the pain of walking on stones and thorns. It is much simpler to wear shoes.

- Ramana Maharshi

 

Edited 14 hours ago by UnbornTao

[UnbornTao]

 

[UnbornTao]

Made this chocolate cake recipe!

 

Edited 59 minutes ago by UnbornTao

[UnbornTao]

A look into the principle of willingness, by ChatGPT:

Quote

user: What is willingness as a principle about?

GPT: Willingness, as a principle, refers to an individual's openness, readiness, and acceptance to engage in a particular activity, task, or change. This principle can be applied in various contexts, including personal development, psychological practices, relationships, and professional settings. Here are some key aspects of willingness as a principle:

1. Openness to Experience: Being receptive to new experiences, ideas, and perspectives without immediate judgment or resistance.
2. Readiness for Change: Showing a readiness to adapt or change behaviors, attitudes, and mindsets when necessary. This involves a proactive stance towards growth and improvement.
3. Acceptance: Accepting situations, emotions, and thoughts as they are, rather than fighting against them. This is often highlighted in mindfulness and acceptance-based therapies.
4. Commitment to Action: Demonstrating a commitment to take action towards goals or values, even when faced with challenges or discomfort. Willingness involves moving forward despite fears or uncertainties.
5. Flexibility: Being flexible in one’s approach and not rigidly clinging to preconceived notions or plans. This adaptability allows for better handling of unexpected changes and obstacles.
6. Engagement and Participation: Actively participating in life’s events and processes, rather than passively observing. This means being fully engaged in activities, relationships, and responsibilities.
7. Responsibility: Taking responsibility for one’s own actions and decisions, and understanding the impact they have on oneself and others.

In psychological contexts, particularly in therapies like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), willingness is crucial for accepting unpleasant thoughts and feelings and committing to behavior change that aligns with one’s values.

Overall, willingness as a principle emphasizes an active, open, and accepting approach to life’s experiences, promoting personal growth, resilience, and effective action.

 

Edited 53 minutes ago by UnbornTao

[UnbornTao]

Quote

Oh brother, you are nothing but your thoughts
The rest of you is merely skin and bones
If your thought is a rose, you are a rose garden
If your thought is a thorn, you are fuel for the fire

- Rumi

 

Edited 14 hours ago by UnbornTao

[UnbornTao]

 

Edited 14 hours ago by UnbornTao

[UnbornTao]

Consider: everything you think, feel, and do is something you want on some level. Since these are serving a purpose for you, you are generating them, whether consciously or not. Who else would be responsible for your experience? How does this dynamic unfold?

Note that responsibility here doesn't mean blame, or that you are responsible for everything that happens to you.

Edited 52 minutes ago by UnbornTao

[UnbornTao]

Made this first one:

 

 

 

Edited July 29, 2024 by UnbornTao

[UnbornTao]

Wo ist hier?

[UnbornTao]

 

 

Edited July 29, 2024 by UnbornTao

[UnbornTao]

 

 

Edited Tuesday at 07:44 PM by UnbornTao

[UnbornTao]

 

[UnbornTao]

Distinguish between intention—which co-arises with action and contains an element of want—and desire, which is a complementary conceptual activity: the wishing for an imagined experience to occur in the future. The latter does not require action, while the former arises alongside it.

Edited 1 hour ago by UnbornTao

[UnbornTao]

 

[UnbornTao]

Made flan!

 

Edited January 26 by UnbornTao

[UnbornTao]

Made this today. The sweetness of the onion was fantastic. Not the best-looking—understatement—Spanish omelette, but it was surprisingly tasty for a first try.

Edited 1 hour ago by UnbornTao

[UnbornTao]

What is prior to interpretation?

[UnbornTao]

Notice your state when listening to the video below. 

 

Edited Tuesday at 06:42 PM by UnbornTao