đď¸ Monday Muse
The Monday Muse is a weekly collection of reminders, insights, and maxims on the art of living. The term âmuseâ has two meanings: (1) a state of deep thought; and (2) a source of inspiration. May the following (in a small way) be a source of contemplation, insight, and wisdom to live your highest good.
đ Perennial Reminder(s)
The Franciscan priest and writer Richard Rohr on observing yourself:
The Zen Buddhist masters tell us we need to âwipe the mirrorâ of our minds and hearts in order to see whatâs there without distortions, or even explanationsânot what weâre afraid of is there, nor what we wish were there, but what is actually there. That is what a true mirror does and thus offers âperfect freedomâ.
Mirror-wiping is the inner discipline of calmly observing our own patternsâwhat we see and what we donâtâin order to get our demanding and over-defended egos away from the full control they always want. It requires us to stand from a distance from ourselves and listen and look with calm, nonjudgmental objectivity. Otherwise, we do not have thoughts and feelings; the thoughts and feelings have us! [âŚ]
Source: Just This: Prompts and Practices for Contemplation
đ Perennial Maxim(s)
The American writer and Nobel Prize recipient John Steinbeck (1902â1968) on expectations:
Modern research describes the mind as a prediction machine. (Consider reading cognitive scientist and philosopher Andy Clarkâs book The Experience Machine.) Most of us imagine our minds making sense of reality in real-time. But the truth is, as Steinbeck noted, we often fail to âsee what isâ based on what we expect to see (our predictions).
As you navigate this week, consider noticing the expectations (e.g., labels, assumptions, judgments, predictions, etc.) that naturally arise. Predicting how a particular situation may unfold is natural and sometimes helpful; itâs also essential to let go of our expectations and remember to be where we are.
***Consider reading âLook Again at Lifeâ for more.
đĄ Perennial Insight(s)
The Stoic philosopher Epictetus (50â135 AD) on making progress:
The signs of a person making progress are these: criticizing nobody, praising nobody, blaming nobody, accusing nobody, and saying nothing about oneself to indicate being someone or knowing something. Whenever such a person is frustrated or impeded, he accuses himself. If heâs complimented, he laughs to himself at the one paying the compliment, and if heâs criticized, he doesnât defend himself. He goes around like a patient, taking care not to injure any of his recovering limbs before they are fully firm. ⌠In a word, he keeps watch on himself as though he were his own enemy plotting an attack. [âŚ]
Source: How to Be Free (via The Encheiridion)
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Thank you for reading; I hope you found something useful.
Until next time, be wise and be well,
J.W. Bertolotti
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