Attempt number 2
I had a wonderful thought yesterday and I tried to write a blog already. This is my second try, because the initial try was very unorganized and pretty bad honestly. I am very much hoping to recover my ability to have interesting observations again after this brain injury, so this will be my practice.
I spoke to my instructor for chinese the other day, and I told him I am searching for the most functional approach to handle my comprehension of consciousness still. This was what started this process of me trying to generate some modest principles upon which I feel confident in saying moderate my mode of awareness. I used to have a firm grasp upon some philosophical theories which guided my senses in which I rationalized my thoughts. Here I am reattempting to do so all over again.
So the thought that previously provided me with the motivation to attempt to articulate this idea quite well (for reassurance I would have a moderately good idea of my new rational compass) was the first law of thermodynamics: conservation of energy. It states: the total energy of an isolated system in a given frame of reference remains constant. I somewhat used this concept and applied it to human human emotional energy. I know of course that this law is specifically regarding how matter itself functions. Thinking of human consciousness in term of a relation to physics is very much just an analogy and no more.
Now for another analogy, Issac Newton's third law of motion which is quite well known as: for ever action there is an equal but opposite reaction. I often find drawing such analogies fairly useful, for they are facts in the science of physics. So in a way, our very existence is governed by these very same fundamental principles. Since we do know that what provides our consciousness is the human brain, on some level the very matter that it consists of, also is governed by such principles.
Since the transition from being inanimate to aware is still quite a mystery I do firmly believe that with all the progress we have made in comprehending how matter functions in the universe I do believe it wise to make sure analogies to functions in how nature has demonstrated its predictable pattern of execution with our intangible consciousness. Now to the main topic of my interest, the management of negative emotion energy. First I want you to imagine a ball of a string tied to a pole. Have you ever played that game where you hit the ball in which it spins around the pole and back to you? This analogy will serve as my model for what I believe to be how I think negative actions travel. Another relationship I want to use is the concept of how energy is neither created nor destroyed. I believe emotional energy can be redirected in some type of direction but never completely dissolved.
After stating all of this I want to talk a little about the concept of wu wei. It is a important concept in Taoism. Being the following: Non-action. The concept of non-action is best summarized as this I believe: that beings that are wholly in harmony with the correct mode of existing behave in a completely natural, uncontrived way. This claims that there does exist a mode of exists that will provide the optimal existence for whomever is involved in doing so.
Now I want to use a little calculus to try and express my next point. There is a tool in mathematics similar to how addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division are tool one can find within the toolbox of mathematics. This tool I am going to refer to is called limits. This tool is used to tell any object in math to do something towards a point but it is never allowed to reach that point completely. For example, if I were to ask you to cut the distance between you and a wall in half, but you're never allowed to touch said wall ultimately, how close could you get? Depends upon how small of a measuring device and patience you had correct? Would you not agree you could infinitely find some space between you and the object?
Just as the tool called limits works, would it be wrong to assume there may exist such a mode of operating in regards to human consciousness that could provide a perfect lifetime?
This causes the first true difficulty in answering such questions. In order to be able to answer, one would have to know what the definition of a perfect human lifetime would consist of. But back to my analogy of limits in mathematics. Sometimes when this tool is used, there is no definite numerical representative that serves infinity. Yet even though there are many times the tool of limits in mathematics is quite useful when it has no definite numerical representative to set its sights upon. Now that I have made this claim I can now also attempt to wonder if such an endeavor for mankind may also be very useful?
My initial thought that I caused me to try to accomplish this writing task was that of this question: is there a mode of existing that one can strive toward in which to minimize the quantity of negativity? I started with the analogy that I believe negativity functions quite like that ball on a string. If the instance in which one has to deal with it, use as little as force as possible. In the situation one is face with the option of conjuring it up due to some type of emotion response, I believe it is always best to leave the the ball at rest. Any type of instance one feels as if there is useful value in placing some force upon the ball, I also suggest that it is quite unwise. Such a person seems like one who holds the demeanor of non-action. Isn't it quite hard to imagine human existence in quite a way? A person who never takes any type of risks, nor pursues any ambitions that contain the possibility of failure?
This is why I brought of the analogy of limits in mathematics. This particular tool operates whatever set of instructions it is given towards some type of ultimate destination it will never reach. I believe the same to be true in the case of human beings. The incredibly difficulty for human beings is that of choose a point in which to pursue in this endeavor for happiness. Just for myself to solidify my current position, the mental mode of love has been by far the greatest provider of my satisfaction in life. So the best way in which for me personally to direct my energies is that of doing all things that will allow for such relationships in my life to remain dependable and reliable as possible. This type of mentality as shown me the tremendously negative quality of codependency as well. So another observation to make another reference to equal but opposite reactions.
Another insight that comes to mind suddenly is the nature of even really positive qualities in life have severe counter qualities that often one stay oblivious to. Just another indication that existence is far more complex than isolate things into a simple binary structure in which one can easily identify the direction of their aspirations.
To end this post I want to provide one of my favorite stories: It’s a story of a farmer and his horse. One day his horse runs away, and his neighbor comes over and says: to commiserate, “I’m so sorry about your horse.” The farmer then responds: “Who Knows What’s Good or Bad?” The neighbor is then confused because this is clearly terrible. The horse was the most valuable thing he had owned. The horse then returns the next day and with it, 12 feral horses. The neighbor comes back over to celebrate, “Congratulations on your great fortune!” The farmer replies again: “Who Knows What’s Good or Bad?” The next day the farmer’s son is taming one of the wild horses and he’s thrown and breaks his leg. The neighbor comes back over, “I’m so sorry about your son.” The farmer repeats: “Who Knows What’s Good or Bad?” Sure enough, the next day the army comes through their village and is conscripting able-bodied young men to go and fight in war, but the son is spared because of his broken leg.