Decisive choice reflects lived experiences within the psyche, independent of surrounding conditions. The animation of a phenomenon pertains to its movements, as when something is inanimate, it does not animate or perform a display of life in the form of its movements.
However, these movements should not be viewed as mere mobility on its own accord, since one who is attached to robotic systems will not be entertained as alive. The life force is in the apparent choice behind those movements, which ultimately demonstrate an animate state, so that choice is a demonstration of life.
Choice is inherent to the cognitive realm, encompassing mental faculties, sensory perception, and physical expressions such as speech and action. Within the context of our discussion, 'choice' aligns closely with the concept of 'attention' as it relates to the utilization of one's senses.
Despite that thought moves at a subtler dimension, different from activity, does not negate that real choices are still made in that realm. Suffering remain as such and will haunt the perception as being problematic. Therefore, mental work within the condition of a specific form of suffering, whatever that may be, is a prerequisite, which is handed to us by nature. These circumstances of mental and physical pain, constitute little in their troubling intrusion to the potentiality that is available within them.
One may think of the baby’s bassinet as a place of homeness, all the while it is a reality of closed-in space to control the movements of children. Acceptance will create ample energy within those parameters set by circumstance, to explore all that is possible. Beyond these parameters it would be off-limits; limits accepted as such.
In a similar vein, if we choose to build a certain city, we must dictate its limits in order to focus our attention within its midst without being disturbed by the entirety of the world. We necessitate to work within those limits for the benefit of the ultimate objective. Seeking beyond the city limits would be detrimental to the progress henceforth, as there is unlimited attentive availability if we consider everything. In other words, avoiding conflict allows us to maintain perspective and gain insight into the subtle dynamics of the situation.
Similar to war, which necessitates the reduction of the human condition to ‘kill or be killed’. The soldier is unable to partake in the full array of human experiences. Hence, the power of choice can be truly activated within the backdrop of an accepted environment. When the troubling nature of existence and its environment become the focal aspect of life, choice will only be allotted to the dealings of the troubling nature in each new circumstance.
Accepting the present environment, regardless of its origin, creates space for greater cognition.This ironic notion is based on the limited availability of our energy. Importantly, if an external force caused that limitation upon one’s environment, the natural inclination would be to place blame and harbor bitterness with due reasoning. The question arises, how much deviation would one allow with the inevitable regression from subtlety of mind for this ‘problem’? The ‘event of limitation’ would become solely one’s focus and distract all else from attentiveness.
When energy is used to dismantle circumstantial settings that are causing suffering, this focus will take center-stage in contrast to the more subtle and interesting drama of deep experience. There is an overestimation of energy and its possibility since the moment one departs from attending in its present state, it is lost. This focus, however long it may be, will denigrate all others from purview, so that the father in his new task removes the child from perception as if the child did not exist.
Alternatively, in vital moments, a father may shift his current attention to the task of the family. This primacy of attention only pertains to the value one attributes to the various aspects of life. Values will indeed directly influence our attention, which is not the same as assuming that within each attentive moment lies a backdrop of all underlying values. In the task of focus, the child does not exist in the deepest part of that attention, even if it can be reignited at a moment’s notice. These changes are the tangible outcomes of a well-considered discussion, originating from that initial subtle place of contemplation.
We can envision a confined space of an accepted realm in how infinite is the possibility of perception within those confines. The perspective that can be developed and the choice of view of that experience is varying. Any secondary notions that may develop will be dismissed as an ordeal takes shape. This choice within an accepted tract of land, within an accepted body of matter will be the catalyst that shapes the experience.
Contrary to its appearance, a great set of circumstances, especially those which were diligently sought after will usually be led by a diminishing experience. As choices become further detached from their intrinsic significance, their importance diminishes accordingly. For instance, when beauty is chosen as a defining criterion for intimacy, its shallowness becomes apparent within the context of an intimate encounter. Beauty is not defined standalone but demands a reason for why it is being sought, which usually will remain unexplored since that is secondary.
We have stated a philosophy of submission to the certain priorities, which may erroneously advocate for the complete subjugation of selfhood. Yet, one should defend themselves against oppression especially when it accounts for reputable damage to individual expression. The difference between a subjugated mind and a philosophy of ‘acceptance’, is accepting notions which narrow the individualistic mind. This form of 'acceptance’ pertains to the external realm; the circumstances and environments. When such acceptance causes the degrading process of ridding oneself of autonomy where one cannot navigate themselves within that environment, it becomes problematic.
Some may postulate that in alleviating the physical necessity of life, it removes the pressure of being bound to an environment. Thus, one will become independent to pursue all their passions and interests. Yet instead of such occurring, the requirement of energy to alleviate all necessities of life is quite costly. The choice of acceptance does not require much energy and grants one freedom within its parameters. For instance, in some low-income societies there remains a prevalent philosophy that one must defend one’s honor. Since the defense of such perceived “honor” will take much of one’s energy, there remains little to perform with that title. The perceived freedom attained by defending one's honor often limits one's ability to engage in anything beyond that pursuit.
Therefore, the choice of movement from one environment to the next requires vast amounts of mental and physical energy, and should be acted upon in few cases. Generally, the circumstance changes in a more natural form, where there is no need to abruptly transition from one to another. Any attempt at proactively moving the process faster than its natural state will be expending energy for an inferior version of freedom. In reality, change in the physical realm naturally occurs through conscious decision-making.
In experiential terms, if an environment is deterring from focus and there is adequate accounting within its parameters, then one should entertain the notion of change. Instead of finding and seeking that material change in realistic terms, one should begin by placing their energy on the philosophical implications through introspection and study. This can be done by way of choice and perception, building value and definition to the new environment which will come to play.
We are preparing a departure and arrival with dialogue and dynamic arguments, more importantly, asking for the value sentiment in the choice we are making. Gaining freedom from limiting circumstances often creates a void that necessitates to be filled with new values. This means building a repertoire of assessments in the newfound change, and maintaining the material change to be secondary to that conversation. These changes are representatives of the previously thought-out discussion, originating from that initial place of contemplation.
We can see a clear demonstration of this from the physical world, where the flourishing arenas in the economic front are usually those which were infused with introspection and deliberation. Chairs and tables, being inanimate objects, do not define themselves, at least not in an easily observable manner. However, when we infuse them with conscious sentiment through ongoing exploration of their inner significance, they transcend mere objects and take on a special meaning that can be experienced by anyone.
For instance in architecture, it is crucial to acknowledge that architecture alone does not possess the capacity to captivate one's attention and leave a lasting impression. Rather, it is the meticulous selection and execution of architectural elements that contribute to a sense of greatness. This achievement can be attributed to individuals who have diligently manifested their inner sanctity of thought onto physical spaces, imbuing them with their personal values and meaningful intentions. As a result, these architectural endeavors take shape as transformative projects of human expression which unfold before our eyes. The perceptive faculty of the eye, attuned to subtle nuances, holds a profound affinity for and cherishes that which emanates from the innermost sanctum of the heart. We could entertain a consensus on which architecture is set apart as a meaningful realm of deliberate and explored thought since the substructure of humanity is quite similar.
When a circumstance is of highly negative proportions, or when a relationship exerts a deteriorating influence, change becomes the necessary modality. We have already established that taking the offensive is metabolically costly and requires excessive energy to alter circumstances. A more daring proposition, when facing such a dilemma, is to ask what submission to turbulent conditions would cause within oneself. How damaging is the current environment to peaceful inner dialogue?
Mind and Itself
Architecture of Mind and the Hidden Mechanisms of Human Perception
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