Clarity of the Mind
So this pretty much just piggie backs off some of the things we talked about on the phone yesterday. Not sure where I want to go with it, but I think it is something that both you and I struggle with. Well, I don't think it is, I KNOW it is. My mind is always going like I know yours is. One concept I think is interesting to address about a go go go mind is the idea of displacement vs distance. In case you don't recall from your physics classes, distance is your total amount traveled. It can be up, down, left, right; but the more you move, the greater distance you have greater, no matter the direction. Displacement is how far you've traveled from a specific point. Let's consider that mental point to be point zero; the point you start at when you first wake up before you've had any thoughts for the day. What I think I struggle with from time to time is that my mind is constantly moving, but on occasion, at the end of the day, I have traveled a great distance but my displacement is zero. I have thought about a million things but I have not reached any specific objective.
So what are these objectives? I think that is something we must address at the beginning of the day or at the beginning of a thought session. If we are deliberate in where we let our minds travel, we can optimize our distance traveled. An optimized distance is when the distance and the displacement are equal. But once again, that displacement traveled is only useful if we identify where we are going. In this manner, I think it is effective to ask ourselves questions about where we are mentally traveling. For example, as I began this ramble, I set the mental objective of "a better understanding of mind clarity." I didn't necessarily know the path to reach this objective but just by setting it, I believe I have effectively traveled closer to it. The main point I think I am reaching is that mental clarity is possible only with objectives. Mind clarity is the optimization of distance traveled in accordance with displacement from point zero.
So what are these objectives? I think that is something we must address at the beginning of the day or at the beginning of a thought session. If we are deliberate in where we let our minds travel, we can optimize our distance traveled. An optimized distance is when the distance and the displacement are equal. But once again, that displacement traveled is only useful if we identify where we are going. In this manner, I think it is effective to ask ourselves questions about where we are mentally traveling. For example, as I began this ramble, I set the mental objective of "a better understanding of mind clarity." I didn't necessarily know the path to reach this objective but just by setting it, I believe I have effectively traveled closer to it. The main point I think I am reaching is that mental clarity is possible only with objectives. Mind clarity is the optimization of distance traveled in accordance with displacement from point zero.
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ReplyDeleteI think that makes sense. I think that is the diffrence between thought and stress/anxiety in large part. In my experience I believe I learned a great deal about myself and you and life during the time we were "growing". I miss you and value time spent in any manner, but I spent so much time thinking about "how to fix it" I was rarely off kilter in any noticeable way to others. It did occupied most of my down time. I think my wife misses you in whatever way she does moment to moment and displacement is reduced. That is not to say one is better, but I know it seems like having a goal, even if that goal is not one you have actively "chosen" or is unrealistic(fixing it through thought) leads to a more productive outcome. All that is to say, I have tried recently to take the time, even if it is a few min to think about some big stuff. What I find is that picking a topic makes it so in the "down times" when my mind wanders, it often wanders to my topic as opposed to the typical nonsense. It kinda looks like a big picture displacement in my head, even when I can't "optimize" all thought every day.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that the distinction between thought and stress is a good way to put it. I think the difficult thing to master is building the habit of focusing thought on those big ticket items when we let our minds wander. In other words, instead of unconsciously allowing your mind to wonder aimlessly, somehow conditioning yourself to unconsciously divert to those big ticket items. I would assume the correct answer is building a habit though repetition.
DeleteThat is probably true. I am pretty sure I have an edge. You probably do too. My obsession with certain things makes it so it is almost harder not to focus on them. Not understanding them fully seems to draw them back in when there is space. It is the questions not easily answered that do this well for me. God, forgiveness, liberty, you are probably familiar with my list. One of the things I have always done but just recently understood is. When I have a different perspective or actively disagree with someone. I ask why do I feel this way and they do not? And kinda talk it through with the "voices in my head". Why dont they get it the same way? At what point is the divergence? Words and definitions are often an obstacle. Who's meaning is more supported. By way of example: love is kind. People tell me I am not kind, I know I love them. What gives? So I looked up the greek word translated as kind. After a little reading I came across a Greek academic that said we really dont have a great word for the meaning of the greek word. It more closely could be translated "something useful that is good" Is that kind? Well sure. But when people use the word kind they often mean courteous or polite. Is that kind? Sure. Are those two concepts the same? Nope. The way I talk to my family is not always polite. It (almost) ALWAYS is intended to be useful in a good way. Many of those things seem stupid and unimportant to most everyone else, but that "wasted" time gives me a feeling kinda like a big sigh. And I never waste another min in a state where I have that internal tension over that. And that has plenty of value for my crazy. Dont know if you have heard this one, it is pretty new in my repitior. Things are black and white. If you see grey, it is because you have not put in the effort to find out wether they are black or white
DeleteI think the version of kind that we often aline with is more along the lines of tough love. They tell us that we do not have to always ensure that our Marines like us. We do, however, need to ensure that they know we care. Doing the right things when its not the easiest is a fine example. Telling a Marine that he is doing it wrong is likely not going to make him like you more. However, it should make the Marine realize eventually that you are correcting their action because you care about their future/well being/ etc. I think this comes a lot from General Lejeune's ideology that the relationship between officer and enlisted is likened to father and son or mentor and student. I believe the only reason I understand this so well is due to the experiences I have had growing up. You were sometimes the pain in the ass officer and I the stubborn enlisted. Funny how things go full circle.
DeleteThe black and white aspect is harder for me to wrap my head around. I have an understanding for it. If you are aligned with your morals, there is no grey area. In the same breath, it is easy to identify examples where it does not seem so. Maybe that is because people have different morals. Maybe it is because we sometimes are not actually holding true to ours. Definitely something that requires more thought on my part.
Ok...so hang with me on this one. Probably should keep this one Close to us until it is fully understood, but I may have an example if the black and white thing.
DeleteSlavery(no pun)
All my life and I assume all of yours, the commonly held belief has been that slavery of any sort is simply, morally, wrong. I have always been taught this, and have "felt" like that makes sense. So there exists a tension when I read scripture, and there is instruction on who can be slaves and who can't. There is instruction on how to treat slaves. How can this be? If we "know slavery is wrong, how can we believe in a bible that says it is ok. It is a point often brought up by many.(uncle Dan for one in my experience)
The black and white of it makes it seem grey, right? So I am here, now. The concept of Slavery is what? Ownership. Possessions. Is it miss my acceptable to own another human? Well...are you not "owned" by the marine corps? Does that remove your humanity? Is it absolute? Are the not questions that should be reasonably asked before stating unequivocally that "slavery" is just plain wrong?
I am not arguing here that slavery is good or better or best, but if the bible clearly states that masters are to live there servants and servants are to love their masters, then is that any different than loving your neighbors or loving your enemy? I don't think people ask the questions. I think when we ask those questions it is easier to see that what makes people say it is wrong is a picture and a feeling that "slavery" is abuse, beatings, treating another human as sub human, pride, arrogance, all things that are clearly wrong! Is it possible to legal "own" another human and be legally entitled to direct their being in a certain sphere, within the law? I would argue, Sir, that it is. But some Will say, I choose this life. True. Is the draft "immoral?" I say no. Am I glad this is not a question we need to ask anymore? YES. does it bother me that I cannot ask that question without seeming like a deutchbag. I think the people who see things as grey have not asked enough questions. We all see grey. I would suggest when you see grey, you ask enough questions until you can see it as black or white. I am positive if you do that, YOU, will always see its true color. I say you, because I have full confidence that because of the person you are, there is little doubt that you will come to the wrong conclusion. And if that could happen you would not stop until you were convinced. The reason i "feel" like I have all the answers(as some have accused) is because I dont think "they" have asked all the questions I have. Does that mean I am right? NO WAY! But it is going to be hard to convince me that I am when you have not thought it through. I feel comfortable saying These things to you in great part because you KNOW I do not think I have all the answers and in no way think I am anywhere close to perfect. I hope you realize today, or one day, just how valuable the ability to be 100% transparent with someone, with little to no risk, is, and I believe you have afforded me that and thank you for that! It will always be available to you, should you require it.
Also, on a side note, we should not let these go 3 or 4 days in between, cause my crazy takes over and the shit gets all jumbled and family and I probably loose you half way through when you say "what the FUCK. Is he even talking about?!?"
HAHA Yeah, we should probably stay more on top of them to keep our thoughts present. I do appreciate that break down on black and white. It does make a whole lot more sense. I think my biggest take away is that we can ask enough questions to make it black or white for ourselves, but when others view an already grey situation and see that we identify it as black or white, it can become grey-er for them. I think my understanding of the concept is improved by realizing that in our minds, things can and likely should be black and white. In society, they like should be as well, but they are not.
ReplyDeleteMy point of confusion was in the question "How can things be black and white if so many others have arguments for one side, the other, or the middle?" I realize now, that does not matter. Others understanding of a concept should not limit our ability to address it in our minds. 2+2=x should not be harder to figure out when everyone is yelling 3,3,3,3!!! But, sure as shit, it often can be.