RE: Self- Control is a Ridiculous Concept
Thanks for this snack of thought:)
It depends how to translate the "control" term. One controls a machine but not the mind. A machine just follows my commands and does not build up willful resistance to them.
It's more like riding a horse and not being able to direct the horse. If I have a tight mind (and body) the horse will fight me and if I am careless, it will do what it wants, either.
I must let the horse do what it can best, leave it free and release tension and, at the same time, give myself totally to the horse, its strength and power in sync with my own power to create a space of orientation without ill determination.
I guess our will can be compared with this... it's not about "controlling" but "letting directing take place" from the participants to their best abilities.
Or another analogy. Being a director at a movie set. If the director is too rigid he will produce tension in the actors. If he lets the scenes happen without passion, the play also becomes weak. But if he engages with a high spirit and wants the actors to show their very best abilities it will become a much better scene.
Can I name myself as a victim of my own mind? ... It often happens that I am and that I blame others to have control over "me" while I fell for this construction of my own mind.
This is great! Love it! Expanding on the thought kernel of my post and refining. It’s something that I’ve been addressing for years. I’m into reading about breaking and creating habits now, about creating scenarios and daily routines that make it easier to stay in line with my best self, to act with purpose. This month I’ve started making my bed and I’m experimenting with an extended morning routine that can become habit. There’s a guy Jon Kwik (Kwik Learning) who teaches being in charge of your brain. He preaches that you must win the first hour of your day because you gain momentum with each purposeful success.
Your comment is one of the most thoughtful that’s been left on my page in the year and a half I’ve been on this site.
Thanks for letting me shine. We should treat each other like horses, so you can tickle those commenters to become responders more in the fashion of this theme:) Admiration of wise ones and the following inspiration can be a gem. Though Kwik hopefully sheds light on his sources? Never heard of him but that sounds like Zen or Buddhist stuff and I am hoping that he is not this type of guy who steals it from asian philosophy and attributes it all on his own vest. I beg your pardon. ... And now that I said that, I also must remind myself of that what I so far learned I got from some hilarious and wholehearted monks and nuns. They never fail to either soothe me, give me refuge or make me laugh.
A lot I like your morning routine change. That is indeed a good practice!
I think I should try a similar thing. Cannot take my bed though, because it is also my couch.
"See you"