Bodhisattva, would you take me by the hand? (Steely Dan)

Photo by Victoriano Izquierdo on Unsplash

Wie geht's?

Today's word is 'Prohairesis'. Roughly, it means - our capacity for reasoned choice.

For example: if a person says something critical to us, that is not bad; or, if something complimentary is said, that is not good, because such things are externals and not in our power to control. 

By exerting the power of choice, it is possible to maintain equanimity in the face of either criticism and praise, which is a moral good. On the other hand, when people become troubled by criticism, or elated by praise, that is a moral evil because they have misjudged impressions by thinking that things not in their power (such as criticism or praise) have value, and by doing that they place a measure of control of their own life in the hands of others.

This makes a lot of sense to me and helps explain my aversion to flattery.

I'm a bit like Karl Pilkington when confronted by the Great Wall of China - I'll decide if it's great or not thanks.

Similarly, this helps with taking negative feedback from others. Maybe you don't agree with something I've written. All good. Being troubled by the feedback is unnecessary and wasteful, because it places a measure of control in the hands of others.

Love and peace - Wozza

Yes, we have no bonanza (The Three Stooges)

 

L to R - Seymour, Luxon, Peters

Wie geht's?

In case you missed the big news - in their wisdom NZ voters recently went for a historic triple act coalition for their next government. Sigh.

The leaders (Larry, Curly and Moe - pictured below) ironed out an agreement recently called 'Plane Nuts', and have now retreated to the Beehive to enjoy 'Beer and Pretzels' while leaving us all 'Punch Drunks'.

Nu Zild is likely to spend many future 'Restless Knights' wondering how these 'Three Dumb Clucks' came to power.

What a farce.

Love and peace - Wozza

As I'm fated for the material world, get frustrated in the material world (George Harrison)

KW's records are pictured in the middle.

Wie geht's?

A recent discussion with Keegan got me thinking again about the lure of material possessions.

Keegan doesn't live an ascetic life but he does aim to limit the amount of material items he accumulates. He's a bit like Jack Reacher in that regard, although he has a bit more than a credit card and a toothbrush.

We all make decisions, justifications, rationalised choices about such matters. His attitude to his records especially interests me.

While he's living offshore, his record collection remains in my possession and although he tells me he is happy to donate them to Adam, he can also tell me where and when he bought each album. So, he's invested, to a point.

This hankering after, and continued possession of items that have a sentimental value is complicated.

I can see what he's after, but I'm much more wedded to my precious possessions because they bring me joy on a daily basis. I'm thinking about items like my father's spoon (which I've written about before) and my records. 

Plus, I've had longer to accumulate them. Therefore, I've lived with them longer. He may feel different when he's older. Part of me hopes so. 

If he does, they are here, waiting for him.

Love and peace - Abu Keegan

No man steps in the same river twice (Heraclitus)

Photo by Darya Ivanchuk on Unsplash

Wie geht's?

Life is a constant state of change. That river just keeps on flowing. From second to second my mind is in a constant state of change.

I realise that I don't need to embrace a change necessarily, or fight a change, because another change is coming.

To get upset at a change in my life, is to wrongly assume that the change will last.

Jacky and I were talking about this last night. She correctly pointed out that being upset at a change, or agitating for a change is the wrong perspective.

This was interesting coming from her, as she's usually of the opinion that only dead fish go with the flow. But in this instance she was encouraging me to think about taking time for the universe to realign a change. 

Because, who knows what's next. And who knows what's good or bad.

Love and peace - Jacky's husband

I feel like letting go (Paul McCartney)

Wie geht's?

James Clear was on fire this week and this quote summed up my feeling exactly at the end of a difficult week.

"At some point, you will have to learn to let go.

There is an endless list of obligations and expectations, desires and ambitions, and worries and fears that will always be ready to insert themselves between you and the feeling of peace.

If you never learn to let them go, there will never be enough."

Love and peace - Wozza

It's nice to be nice, as my mother once said (Pugwash)

Wie geht's?

As you know, I start each day with a couple of readings. One is from 266 Days With Wisdom by Venerable master Hsing Yun, and the other is from The Daily Stoic (subtitled 366 meditations on wisdom, perseverance, and the art of living).

Increasingly, I have come to realise that my parents taped into mindfulness and stoic philosophies for their messages to me and my brother. 

Whether they did so consciously I'm not sure. But I like to think they did, as they had wisdom beyond their years.

One of my mother's favourite sayings was 'two wrongs don't make a right'. As I listened to Pugwash's Two Wrongs song on my commute this week, I realised how deeply that saying has affected me and my approach to others. 

I still use it when the need arises - and it's interesting how often it arises.

I'm picking my mother had heard this phrase from her own mother and passed it on to me, as I have maybe passed it on to my own children.

It's a good one. Within it is the idea of treating others as you'd like to be treated, reflecting on your actions, thinking of the consequences of your actions. Those ripples create your own karma and affect the karma of others.

One of my father's favourites was 'if a thing is worth doing, it's worth doing right'. Mindfulness, right there.

Concentrate on the moment. Be present. Take pride in your work. 

It's all there.

Love and peace - Wozza