Flow Chapter 2
“ The simple truth . ‘ Control over consciousness determines the quality of life’. This has been known for a long time.
(page 20 )
The last great attempt to free consciousness from the control of impulses and social mores, was – psycho-analysis. As Freud pointed out, 2 tyrants that fought for control over the mind were, the ID and the SUPER EGO, the first, a servant of the genes, and the second, a lackey of society – both representing ‘ the Other’. < page 20 >
The Yogic approach of India, the Taoist approach to life developed in China, and Zen varieties of Buddhism of Japan, all seek to free consciousness from the deterministic influence of outside forces- be they biological or social in nature.
Why are we not happier than our ancestors, with all this progress ? There are 2 explanations here.
One. The kind of knowledge, or wisdom , that one needs for emancipating consciousness is not cumulative. It cannot be condensed into a formula ; it cannot be memorized and then routinely applied. It must be earned through trial and error by each individual , generation after generation. Control over consciousness is simply not a cognitive skill.
Second. The knowledge of how to control consciousness must be reformulated every time the cultural context changes ! The wisdom of the mystics, of the Sufi, of the great Yogis, or of the Zen masters might have been excellent in their own time – and might still be the best, if we lived in those times and in those cultures.
But when transplanted to contemporary California, those systems lose quite a bit of their original power. They contain elements that are specific to their original contexts, and when these accidental components ar not distinguished from what is essential, the path to freedom gets over grown by brambles of meaningless mubo jumbo. Ritual forms win over substance, and the seeker is back where he started.
Control over consciousness cannot be institutionalised. As soon as it becomes a part of a set of social rules and norms, it ceased to be effective in the way it was originally intended to be. Routinization, unfortunately, tends to take place very rapidly.
( page 21)
Consciousness has developed the ability to override genetic instruction and to set its own independent course of action. ( page 24)
We all know individuals who can transform hopeless situations into challenges to be overcome, just through the sheer force of their personalities. The ability to persevere, despite obstacles and setbacks , is the quality that people most admire in others and justly so ! It is probably the most important trait not only for succeeding in life, but for enjoying it as well. ( page 24)
The information we allow into our consciousness becomes extremely important. It is, in fact, what determines the content and quality of life. ( page 24)
My ‘ Self’ exists solely in my consciousness ; and in that of others who know me, there will be a version of it. Most of them probably unrecognisable likeliness of the ‘ original’ – myself as I see me. ( pae 34)
Every piece of information we process, gets evaluated for its bearing on the self. Does it threaten our goals, does it support them, or is it neutral ? ( page 39)
Differentiation and integration : Complexity often has negative connotations. But, a complex engine, for instance, not only has many separate components, each performing a different function, but also demonstrates a high sensitivity because each of the components is in touch with all the others. Without integration, a differentiated system would be a confusing mess. ( page 41)
A self that is only differentiated – not integrated – may attain great individual accomplishments, but risks being mired in self-centered egotism. But, by the same token, a person whose self is based exclusively on integration will be connected and secure, but lack autonomous individuality. Only when a person invests equal amounts of psychic energy in these two processes and avoids both selfishness and conformity is the self likely to reflect complexity.
Paradoxically, it is when we act freely, for the sake of action itself rather than for any ulterior motives, that we learn to become more than what we were ! ( page 42)
(page 20 )
The last great attempt to free consciousness from the control of impulses and social mores, was – psycho-analysis. As Freud pointed out, 2 tyrants that fought for control over the mind were, the ID and the SUPER EGO, the first, a servant of the genes, and the second, a lackey of society – both representing ‘ the Other’. < page 20 >
The Yogic approach of India, the Taoist approach to life developed in China, and Zen varieties of Buddhism of Japan, all seek to free consciousness from the deterministic influence of outside forces- be they biological or social in nature.
Why are we not happier than our ancestors, with all this progress ? There are 2 explanations here.
One. The kind of knowledge, or wisdom , that one needs for emancipating consciousness is not cumulative. It cannot be condensed into a formula ; it cannot be memorized and then routinely applied. It must be earned through trial and error by each individual , generation after generation. Control over consciousness is simply not a cognitive skill.
Second. The knowledge of how to control consciousness must be reformulated every time the cultural context changes ! The wisdom of the mystics, of the Sufi, of the great Yogis, or of the Zen masters might have been excellent in their own time – and might still be the best, if we lived in those times and in those cultures.
But when transplanted to contemporary California, those systems lose quite a bit of their original power. They contain elements that are specific to their original contexts, and when these accidental components ar not distinguished from what is essential, the path to freedom gets over grown by brambles of meaningless mubo jumbo. Ritual forms win over substance, and the seeker is back where he started.
Control over consciousness cannot be institutionalised. As soon as it becomes a part of a set of social rules and norms, it ceased to be effective in the way it was originally intended to be. Routinization, unfortunately, tends to take place very rapidly.
( page 21)
Consciousness has developed the ability to override genetic instruction and to set its own independent course of action. ( page 24)
We all know individuals who can transform hopeless situations into challenges to be overcome, just through the sheer force of their personalities. The ability to persevere, despite obstacles and setbacks , is the quality that people most admire in others and justly so ! It is probably the most important trait not only for succeeding in life, but for enjoying it as well. ( page 24)
The information we allow into our consciousness becomes extremely important. It is, in fact, what determines the content and quality of life. ( page 24)
My ‘ Self’ exists solely in my consciousness ; and in that of others who know me, there will be a version of it. Most of them probably unrecognisable likeliness of the ‘ original’ – myself as I see me. ( pae 34)
Every piece of information we process, gets evaluated for its bearing on the self. Does it threaten our goals, does it support them, or is it neutral ? ( page 39)
Differentiation and integration : Complexity often has negative connotations. But, a complex engine, for instance, not only has many separate components, each performing a different function, but also demonstrates a high sensitivity because each of the components is in touch with all the others. Without integration, a differentiated system would be a confusing mess. ( page 41)
A self that is only differentiated – not integrated – may attain great individual accomplishments, but risks being mired in self-centered egotism. But, by the same token, a person whose self is based exclusively on integration will be connected and secure, but lack autonomous individuality. Only when a person invests equal amounts of psychic energy in these two processes and avoids both selfishness and conformity is the self likely to reflect complexity.
Paradoxically, it is when we act freely, for the sake of action itself rather than for any ulterior motives, that we learn to become more than what we were ! ( page 42)
posted by Borrowed Wisdom | 2:00 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home