" SEEING" The hidden inner world of talking

The key to building a good map is to be aware of all the information that’s available and organizing it in a meaningful way. In the case of our current need – building the initial foundation of a map for successful living – sensory information is the category of knowledge we need to focus on. To state the obvious, we are all aware of our external world – the sights, sounds, smells, etc. – that constitutes our reality. When we cross a street we keep track of sights and sounds or find ourselves in serious trouble. Hence, being aware of ongoing external sensory input is essential to survival. Yet, external information only constitutes half of our sensory world. The other half we create in our minds, and its importance cannot be overstated. Moreover, it is the interplay between these two streams of sensory data - what’s going on around us and what’s going on in our heads – that makes things so confusing. Take for example the experience of driving a car while talking on a cell phone. This is the classic conflict of inner vs. outer. You see (no pun intended), the issue is not whether or not you have both hands free that causes the problem. It’s the inner screen vs. the outer world, two streams of sensory information competing for awareness. While we’re talking on the phone we create in our heads the reality we’re conversing about. In other words, as we tell our friend what we did last Friday night, we’re seeing in our minds what we’re describing, literally watching it on the screen in our heads. Consequently our ability to focus on the road gets compromised as we simultaneously talk, have a movie running in our heads and try to focus on driving. I’m sure many of us have experienced a “YIKES, THAT WAS CLOSE”. So the whole idea of headsets vs. holding the phone is actually a moot point – neither works. So lesson number one is begin to notice how you create images in your mind as you talk with anyone under any circumstances. It’s like air, it’s always there but we’re oblivious to it.

So keep your cell phone usage to a minimum while driving. Better yet, just use the phone for emergencies and listen to some good music instead.

UP NEXT – PRACTICAL WISDOM PART II:

Building an internal map of experience

Trying to sort out and label the contents of one’s consciousness can be extremely confusing. Equally difficult is trying to assess one’s mood. Am I depressed, angry, anxious, sad or a combination of these feelings? Do I feel good today, or just not bad? What events in my life currently are effecting my feelings, if any? These are questions that everyone asks himself or herself periodically. This issue – trying to get a clear picture of one’s experience- begs the question: is there a way to build a map to help find one’s way, to get the contents of our mind clearly into focus so as to make one’s experience understandable. The answer is yes but, to state the obvious, this isn’t easy. And the reason for its difficulty is that we need the map most when things are most intense and confusing, when we’re “red lining” emotionally. So, the idea is to build a cognitive map, a strategy for understanding how internal and external events effect our experience, at the only moment in time that actually exists: NOW. And we will begin this mapping process by focusing on some practical areas, since keeping ourselves alive is a useful place to begin. Later on we will focus on the more complex interplay between feelings and thoughts as well as conscious and unconscious processes. There’s a lot of territory to cover, but we have a lot of time. If my reading of astronomy is correct, it will be 5 billion years before our galaxy, the Milky Way, crashes into Andromeda, our neighboring galaxy. That should be enough time.

But before.......you drift off......to another task.......or... experience changes...in a pattern..it might be worthwhile......to think.......slowly... and comfortably......about what your developing map.......your internal thoughts...and images....becoming more focused.....on the screen.......inside your mind......an awareness.......that wasn't there before........will begin......without your having to do anything at all......the part of yourself......that is reading this..........outside of your conscious awareness will........use your power........in a constructive way......to get the map building.......the internal organization that you need......into the flow of your experince.....sooner than later.

Some thoughts about the wisdom of George Carlin

Every so often an event reminds us of something that is vitally important in our lives. The death of George Carlin is one of those occurrences that lift the importance of humor and laughter to the forefront of consciousness where it belongs. We all have a tendency to take ourselves and beliefs too seriously. And George Carlin – more than any other comedian – punctured our model of reality in a way that allowed us to laugh at ourselves. And in doing so, we not only gained some much needed perspective on the silliness/rigidity of our beliefs, but also experienced a beneficial change, albeit temporary, to our brain chemistry. Wisdom can be found in many different places and, as George Carlin taught us, humor is one of them.

WISDOM: Learning how to live smart

When we think about knowledge, we imagine a large number of facts, discoveries or understandings that increases in size with the passage of time.  For instance, over the past century medicine has developed antibiotics, vaccinations and a host of other therapies and technologies that keep us alive and well.  Physics now includes black holes, dark matter, quarks and a variety of other unimaginable realities that have expanded our understanding of the the universe.  Every category of knowledge continues to systematically increase in size except for one: wisdom.  For unlike other categories that comprise the components of ourselves and our world, wisdom reflects our ability to live intelligently, make good decisions and find meaning and purpose.  It's about seeing patterns and understanding consequences.  And since the issues which we have to deal with don't change - growing, relating, emoting, working, parenting, etc. - how to successfully deal with all of these facets of our lives also remains constant.  Wisdom is learning how to "live smart",  and it will always be just that! 

So feel free.....to slow down.......take a moment........an internal pause....... and begin to reflect........for every so often .....from time to time.....it's useful to step outside the flow of time.....like stepping out of a river and onto the bank...... and watch the flow.......rather than being in it.......and look.......and think......and wonder...what's really important in your life right now........perhaps it's that decision you've been contemplating........or a relationship which needs improvement.......or trying something new ..........only you know when you will make that change and use your intuitive wisdom to set the process into motion.

Next up: Building an internal map

FINDING WISDOM IN AN OTHERWISE CONFUSING WORLD

There's a lot of information out there telling us how to live our lives.  In fact, there's too much, way too much.  I love simplicity; it has a certain unappreciated elegance.  Simplicity, like modesty and subtlety are words this culture tends to ignore; yet, they are wonderful concepts.  And this blog is my vehicle for using simplicity as the foundation for practical learning.  It is the "less is more" approach, and my role is that of a guide.  If you're trying to go from point A to point B, my job is to point you in the right direction.  The learnings that are acquired along the way fall into that category of knowledge we call wisdom.  This blog represents my own library of bits and pieces of wisdom that I have acquired over the years.  I believe that if you......slow down....read these posts......... from time...... to time.....you might find yourself learning........something of value....and then......perhaps.....when you are ready....making a change......at the right time......in the right place.....or with the right person.   Enjoy the journey.  

NEXT UP:  SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT WISDOM