Epictetus breaks down three areas of training for our spirit and character. (Discourses, 3.2.1-3a)
First, we examine our desires and our aversions. In seeking to live the virtuous life, we have to be clear that the things which we desire need to be “good” and the things that we repel need to be “bad”. Why? Because our powerful egos have the uncanny ability to get us to desire that which isn’t good for us, and cast aside that which is good for us.
Essentially, fine tune our attractions, because they can lead us astray.
Next, we focus our contemplations on what motivates us to act. Are the things we are doing being done for the right reasons? Are we acting without mindfulness? Are we doing things out of habit (we’ve discussed this in an earlier post)? Do we believe we HAVE to do something (the gods told me to do it, or the clue-by-four)?
Why we do what we do is as important as actually doing it.
Finally, our judgement. We have to invest in the greatest gift nature has blessed humans with: our REASON. Without a strong “reason engine” the above two are virtually impossible, or at the very least, exposed to being infected by self-delusion.
Without a well-honed mind, we can easily convince ourselves that right is wrong, wrong is right, and that other core elements of reality are not what they are.
Sounds like madness, no?
Remember, January’s practice is to awaken the need, and to acquire the skills for clarity in our perceptions.
Ego is insidious. It is NOT helping us, ever. It serves itself…
… and so does the undisciplined, untrained spirit.
(See y’all tomorrow)
First, we examine our desires and our aversions. In seeking to live the virtuous life, we have to be clear that the things which we desire need to be “good” and the things that we repel need to be “bad”. Why? Because our powerful egos have the uncanny ability to get us to desire that which isn’t good for us, and cast aside that which is good for us.
Essentially, fine tune our attractions, because they can lead us astray.
Next, we focus our contemplations on what motivates us to act. Are the things we are doing being done for the right reasons? Are we acting without mindfulness? Are we doing things out of habit (we’ve discussed this in an earlier post)? Do we believe we HAVE to do something (the gods told me to do it, or the clue-by-four)?
Why we do what we do is as important as actually doing it.
Finally, our judgement. We have to invest in the greatest gift nature has blessed humans with: our REASON. Without a strong “reason engine” the above two are virtually impossible, or at the very least, exposed to being infected by self-delusion.
Without a well-honed mind, we can easily convince ourselves that right is wrong, wrong is right, and that other core elements of reality are not what they are.
Sounds like madness, no?
Remember, January’s practice is to awaken the need, and to acquire the skills for clarity in our perceptions.
Ego is insidious. It is NOT helping us, ever. It serves itself…
… and so does the undisciplined, untrained spirit.
(See y’all tomorrow)
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