Concentration Permits Wisdom to Arise
I think in this world it is difficult to be free from blame or criticism. People will always talk behind one another’s backs. Some criticisms are merely gossip, and others are deserved, pointing to some real flaw or lack in a person. For some of us, after receiving criticism, we become angry, instead of seeing the flaw that we have, and try to improve our situation, we blame others for attacking us. We continue to do what we did, fall into that same old routine because we don’t see anything wrong as to how we do things; we see that criticism as a mere gossip, as an attack…this we have many friends that validated our train of thought.
As for some of us, I feel sad to see that we become angry because of association to that person being criticized, our mind is so clouded that we can’t see that the criticism is deserved, and it’s pointing to some real flaw or lack in that person. Instead of telling that person the truth, we console him/her, that s/he didn’t do anything wrong and that the criticism has no merits and uncalled for.
It takes a mature adult to admit that s/he is wrong, it takes a real friend to point out that you’re wrong, it takes concentration to see if criticism is merely gossip, or is deserved, pointing to some real flaw or lack in a person.
Concentration is the proximate cause for the unfolding of wisdom, this fact is very important. Once the mind is quiet and still, there is space for wisdom to arise. There can be comprehension of the true nature of mind and matter, and perhaps there will be an intuitive insight into how mind and matter can be differentiated, and how they are related by cause and effect. If we were able to concentrate, step by step, wisdom will penetrate into more and more profound levels of truth, instead of letting our anger in guiding what we thought is the truth.
A person with clear mind and clear concions can make a better decision, if the mind is shrunken and withered by pain, the mind is clouded and cluttered with angry thoughts, it might be time for the mind to be uplifted and cleared so that it becomes bright and sharp again…for some talking helps.
- Mai Phen Rai
Ginger, where do you come up with these thoughts girl? I dig your style, and thought provoking idealism.
From Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen. Quote:
When the Buddha was asked to sum up his teaching in a single word, he said "awareness."
"…ay, there’s the rub," Hamlet—Shakespeare
Hi Billy, I take this as a compliment, thanks. I got the ‘concentration and wisdom’ from my meditation book, I was learning how to meditate, sadly I got the knowledge but not the know how.
Hi, it’s me the party pooper
I am sure concentration is a very important element of wisdom but the ability to causally relate information to your environment (adapt, optimize) is much more important IMHO.
I could concentrate very hard on the relationship between illegal aliens and the physical illness of others, concentrate very hard, but does that provide me with any wisdom?
Not really because I have concentrated on a causal relationship that is not useful to my environment, perhaps even damaging. I became dumber, actually.
So concentration is just one tiny moderator of wisdom, necessary, but only a small part I think.
Padek wrote: “I am sure concentration is a very important element of wisdom but the ability to causally relate information to your environment (adapt, optimize) is much more important IMHO.”
So where do you think this ability comes from, I’m just curious. Sometimes I feel that those that live in a diverse environment (melting pot) will see things differently than those that live in small towns. They are more open to change.
I was sleeping peacefully in my nice, white-marble French coffin, six feet under, but you have to resurrect me! Padek (or should I call you by your fictional name, Meursault), I thought I only created you to exist in my book as an example of what humanity is not suppose to be like. Your cynical view on things bothers me. You need to take a firm stand son—stop flip-flopping around. You criticize about the 66% Off Discount, but you fail to see what was said ‘specifically and truthfully’ by Ginger. She’s trying to teach you something here, as you are trying to tell Paul about ‘how best to run his business.’ Be careful about what you say or how you say them; remember that behind each of these digital images or letters, there’s a person—a human being who deserves to be heard, regardless of their actions or intentions. Be willing to accept it both ways if you are apt to criticize.
Ehr, it might sound great to quote something from Ophrah’s book club but be more specific in telling me how I rejected anything Ginger said. To my standard, I was making a footnote.
Do I bother you? Aw no.. Sorry mate. Time for me to crawl back in a fetal position? Meh.
I like to put things into perspective. Don’t like it? Then move on to a place you’d rather be. Life is so simple at times, bor?
You are too easily bothered, sir Camelot
Moreover, you clearly have not understood the discussion I had with Paul. I asked him to deliver what he promised. His rebuttal was a truckload of excuses how hard it is to run a business. That was the order of the discussion, not me starting out telling people how to run a business. Capice?
Your attempt to twist my words with rhetoric and pretentious BoBle, ehr, babble, my anonymous friend, was hardly a success
Ginger said: "So where do you think this ability comes from, I’m just curious. Sometimes I feel that those that live in a diverse environment (melting pot) will see things differently than those that live in small towns. They are more open to change."
I am not sure but to a large extent I think your (cultural) environment determines what relation is "smart" or not. Belching is not a very proper response in a US restaurant but could be a very smart move and great compliment to a Chinese host who just made you dinner.
“…Not really because I have concentrated on a causal relationship that is not useful to my environment, perhaps even damaging. I became dumber, actually.” I like the second sentence. Maybe because you simply came into existence not too long ago. You have yet ready to, let’s say “…(adapt, optimize).”
“…Time for me to crawl back in a fetal position?” What a baby! Forgot…exist not too long ago.
Remember Mersault (this is how I shall refer to you as from now on, Padek)! Remember the fate you suffered at the end of the book. I have the power to change that ending, to make a different kind of hero out of you—but that would defeat the message in which I created you for. So now that you are real, I hope you remember it and use it to better understand the world & help out with the situation at hand.
Also, there’s nothing rhetorical about my comments—just your lack of understanding. Like Ginger had said, “Concentration is the proximate cause for the unfolding of wisdom.” You simply jump the gun on everything that has been stated by who or what so ever! If you have nothing better to say, think about something else that could be said—something that’s more concrete. Criticism should come with a solution in mind, or it’s hardly anything at all. You are indeed the most curious of all my characters. Let me get back to my coffin, it’s simply more peaceful down there—a martini is waiting for me and travel is at the speed of thought.
Speaking of Martini’s, you really need to leave those alone. You speak with the double tongue and making quite the fool of yourself
Ginger, I finally too have a my personal hater, and he will now be known as the Laovoices jester. I like your style, pretentiousness combined with lack of insight and inability to grab the concept of humor.
However, since you only resort to insults I see little added value in your contributions, Billy, Bob or whatever your name is in your book club. Here we must say goodbye.
I don’t know why you guys don’t listen to Darly,
Vow Dee Dee, Yar Sou Thie
[...] my last post of Concentration Permits Wisdom to Arise, some good point was made by Padek that, “I am sure concentration is a very important element of [...]