This is something any wise person could tell me if I'd the inclination to listen. I've read this idea in multiple places. It never sank in until recently.
Wisdom is found only when one loses one's sense of pride. This is not to say one should not or can not have pride and also be wise. However, when one loses pride and is "cowed" by awe into humility one has taken a step towards sophia (AKA wisdom). There are many other steps on the path, some I've taken, some I've yet to choose. I feel a new sense of pride, one that comes from having found my humility and then rebuilt myself as a new "man."
When one loses pride one is forced to find it again from a different route. One finds pride and, in turn, wisdom only after having lost one's vain pride. This, as I've (re)discovered, is a different sort of "pride" and comes from a different source than vanity (or self-pride). This pride feels as if it comes from simply being oneself and not from being "prideful" of oneself. In this way, I can say I am humble and bow before God but still say I am proud.
Humility (and, in order, pride) can often be found in:
a) realizing one's flaws
b) accepting and owning one's flaws
c) seeking a way to overcome one's flaws
d) overcoming one's flaws (or turning flaws into positive characteristics)
All philosophers (seekers or lovers of wisdom) must, and usually do, come to this realization at some point in their growth. A wise woman is humble, a hubristic man is not wise. Hubris has been defined fairly specifically and in different ways over the decades. For me, it is a simple concept. To commit hubris is to feel excessive pride in oneself or in humanity in general. To have true pride, and not hubris, is to feel a humble satisfaction that comes from simply being.
One may find "true pride" in other ways, but for me, it was found through having my existing prideful vanity torn down and cast away in spite of myself. When that happened I felt bare but empowered. I had lost the restrictions of my own vainglory and was free to feel both humility AND pride.
This, is one step of many in my search for Sophia. May you find these words helpful in your own seeking.
-Lykeios - AKA Adam -
Showing posts with label personally impersonal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label personally impersonal. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012
On Being Moderate (In All Things)
This isn't anything new. It has just taken me a long time to figure out for myself.
This "epiphany," if you will, came to me after a couple of beers, so I wouldn't be surprised if there is some flawed logic behind it. However, upon re-examining it while more sober, I don't think there is.
"Moderation in all things" - One recommendation from the maxims/proverbs inscribed on the pillars of ancient Delphi (AKA "the Delphic Maxims")
I've read this recommendation countless times. For some reason I've only just now realized how important it truly is. It has little to do with "limiting" ones self, as I originally thought, and more to do with cultivating all-around health.
Lately, I have espoused some fairly radical political views and have tried to argue in their favor. Upon coming to this particular "personally impersonal realization" I came to the thunderous conclusion that my radicalism will persuade or convince no one, no matter how fervent and intense I am about it. In fact, the more polarized and passionate I reveal myself to be on ANY topic, the more I turn people off.
To some, this might be an obvious "realization." As I am, however, inclined to be a very passionate person, it took me years to realize its truth. I've even vainly considered myself a "stoic" and a "taoist" when I have, quite obviously on looking back, never actually expressed any of the ideals present in those philosophies.
As a part of my continual self-revival and self-redefinition, I shall strive to attain concordance with the following ideas.
A more moderate expressed perspective is:
a. more persuasive AND
b. more threatening AND
c. more EFFECTIVE in general
If you could not tell, "c." is the most important.
So concludes this "personally impersonal realization." May it help you come to your own realizations and assist me in gaining "moderation" in my own life.
This "epiphany," if you will, came to me after a couple of beers, so I wouldn't be surprised if there is some flawed logic behind it. However, upon re-examining it while more sober, I don't think there is.
"Moderation in all things" - One recommendation from the maxims/proverbs inscribed on the pillars of ancient Delphi (AKA "the Delphic Maxims")
I've read this recommendation countless times. For some reason I've only just now realized how important it truly is. It has little to do with "limiting" ones self, as I originally thought, and more to do with cultivating all-around health.
Lately, I have espoused some fairly radical political views and have tried to argue in their favor. Upon coming to this particular "personally impersonal realization" I came to the thunderous conclusion that my radicalism will persuade or convince no one, no matter how fervent and intense I am about it. In fact, the more polarized and passionate I reveal myself to be on ANY topic, the more I turn people off.
To some, this might be an obvious "realization." As I am, however, inclined to be a very passionate person, it took me years to realize its truth. I've even vainly considered myself a "stoic" and a "taoist" when I have, quite obviously on looking back, never actually expressed any of the ideals present in those philosophies.
As a part of my continual self-revival and self-redefinition, I shall strive to attain concordance with the following ideas.
A more moderate expressed perspective is:
a. more persuasive AND
b. more threatening AND
c. more EFFECTIVE in general
If you could not tell, "c." is the most important.
So concludes this "personally impersonal realization." May it help you come to your own realizations and assist me in gaining "moderation" in my own life.
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