This website uses cookies to help us give you the best experience when you visit our website. By continuing to use this website, you consent to our use of these cookies. For full details visit https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/legal-information
There's a lot of wisdom in this. Underneath, what it is says to me is that I can only truly find peace of mind in the present moment, and that I cannot depend on circumstances for it. It sounds cliche, but it's true.
I remember a story from Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh about a period in his life where he was evidently in serious danger due to trying to mediate between two factions in the midst of the Vietnam war. He recounts that he finally realized that if he could not find any peace of mind in these circumstances, the chances were he could never really find it anywhere.
Put differently: Can we live out our values in life without knowing whether the land over will ever be there? An interesting question for sure.
Underneath, what it is says to me is that I can only truly find peace of mind in the present moment, and that I cannot depend on circumstances for it. It sounds cliche, but it's true.
One thing this pandemic has given me is a renewed interest in the writings of the stoic philosophers. There’s a lot of applicable wisdom in there that really applies to situations like this where so much is out of our control. We do what we can with the things we can control, and we try to not let the things we can’t control impact on our mood and outlook. We see parallels in lots of philosophies, religions and worldviews; but I find the stoic writings to be the most accessible. When this thing is finally over, there is lots of things circumstances have driven me toward that I’ll find useful going forward. Flat seas do not good sailors make and all that.
One thing this pandemic has given me is a renewed interest in the writings of the stoic philosophers. There’s a lot of applicable wisdom in there that really applies to situations like this where so much is out of our control. We do what we can with the things we can control, and we try to not let the things we can’t control impact on our mood and outlook. We see parallels in lots of philosophies, religions and worldviews; but I find the stoic writings to be the most accessible. When this thing is finally over, there is lots of things circumstances have driven me toward that I’ll find useful going forward. Flat seas do not good sailors make and all that.
Yeah, I think where people get lost with this kind of thing is assuming it's a choice between bland positivity to "make the best of it", and simply giving into despair; that's not the choice. The stoic approach is good at cutting through that kind of polarized by focusing on how we can live in our own sphere, rather than getting emotionally attached with things outside of it.
I've always been partial to the notion that actual contentment in life comes from how we deal with circumstances, rather than the circumstances themselves.
When you really analyze this situation, the only way to deal with this problem is through it, there is no getting around. So it is actually just pragmatism to do our best within the circumstances, rather than idealism. It means the best outcome; As long as it doesn't become a way of shutting down.
So it is actually just pragmatism to do our best within the circumstances, rather than idealism.
Love that line. That’s martial arts right there too! We accept the chaos of conflict and seek to impose sufficient order to get the desired result. Impractical martial arts deny the chaos (lack of live practice, an expectation that everything works, only scripted practise, etc) and hence they don’t work when reality arrives. Practical martial arts accept the chaos and know they need to adapt to circumstance. We have a clear goal, but we are not wedded to the method by which we active the goal.
Great story Iain.
There's a lot of wisdom in this. Underneath, what it is says to me is that I can only truly find peace of mind in the present moment, and that I cannot depend on circumstances for it. It sounds cliche, but it's true.
I remember a story from Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh about a period in his life where he was evidently in serious danger due to trying to mediate between two factions in the midst of the Vietnam war. He recounts that he finally realized that if he could not find any peace of mind in these circumstances, the chances were he could never really find it anywhere.
Put differently: Can we live out our values in life without knowing whether the land over will ever be there? An interesting question for sure.
One thing this pandemic has given me is a renewed interest in the writings of the stoic philosophers. There’s a lot of applicable wisdom in there that really applies to situations like this where so much is out of our control. We do what we can with the things we can control, and we try to not let the things we can’t control impact on our mood and outlook. We see parallels in lots of philosophies, religions and worldviews; but I find the stoic writings to be the most accessible. When this thing is finally over, there is lots of things circumstances have driven me toward that I’ll find useful going forward. Flat seas do not good sailors make and all that.
All the best,
Iain
Yeah, I think where people get lost with this kind of thing is assuming it's a choice between bland positivity to "make the best of it", and simply giving into despair; that's not the choice. The stoic approach is good at cutting through that kind of polarized by focusing on how we can live in our own sphere, rather than getting emotionally attached with things outside of it.
I've always been partial to the notion that actual contentment in life comes from how we deal with circumstances, rather than the circumstances themselves.
When you really analyze this situation, the only way to deal with this problem is through it, there is no getting around. So it is actually just pragmatism to do our best within the circumstances, rather than idealism. It means the best outcome; As long as it doesn't become a way of shutting down.
Love that line. That’s martial arts right there too! We accept the chaos of conflict and seek to impose sufficient order to get the desired result. Impractical martial arts deny the chaos (lack of live practice, an expectation that everything works, only scripted practise, etc) and hence they don’t work when reality arrives. Practical martial arts accept the chaos and know they need to adapt to circumstance. We have a clear goal, but we are not wedded to the method by which we active the goal.
All the best,
Iain