🖼️ The Philosophy of Attention, Taking Risks, and the Wisdom of Polarities
Monday Muse (Vol. 108)
🖼️ Monday Muse
The “Monday Muse” is a weekly collection of reminders, insights, and maxims on the art of living. The term “muse” 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 and wisdom to live your highest good.
📌 Perennial Reminder(s)
The French philosopher and historian Pierre Hadot (1922—2010) on the philosophy of attention:
Attention (prosoche) is the fundamental Stoic spiritual attitude. It is a continuous vigilance and presence of mind, self-consciousness that never sleeps, and a constant tension of the spirit. Thanks to this attitude, the philosopher is fully aware of what he does at each instant, and he wills his actions fully. Thanks to his spiritual vigilance, the Stoic always has ‘at hand’ (procheiron) the fundamental rule of life: that is, the distinction between what depends on us and what does not. …
Attention to the present moment is, in a sense, the key to spiritual exercises. It frees us from the passions, which are always caused by the past or the future—two areas that do not depend on us. […]
Source: Philosophy as a Way of Life
📜 Perennial Maxim(s)
The Greek tragedian Euripides (c. 480—c. 406 BCE) on taking risks:
Follow: Instagram | Youtube | Notes
💡 Perennial Insight(s)
The British writer and spiritual teacher Alan Watts (1915—1973) on the wisdom of polarities:
At the very roots of Chinese thinking and feeling, there lies the principle of polarity, which is not to be confused with ideas of opposition or conflict. In the metaphors of other cultures, light is at war with darkness, life with death, good with evil, and the positive with negative, and thus, an idealism to cultivate the former and be rid of the latter flourishes throughout much of the world. …
The Chinese two poles of cosmic energy are yang (positive) and yin (negative), … The ideograms indicate the sunny and shady sides of a hill. They are associated with masculine and feminine, the firm and the yielding, the strong and the weak, the light and the dark, … Thus the art of life is not seen as holding to yang and banishing yin, but as keeping the two in balance, because there cannot be one without the other. […]
Source: Tao: The Watercourse Way
—
Thank you for reading; I hope you found something useful.
Until next time, be wise and be well.
J.W. Bertolotti
P.S. If you would like to become a member, I’ve created a few options: (1) Become a member at $5 a month or $39 for the year; (2) If you need assistance, you can use this 50% discount link; and (3) If you can’t afford it — please accept a complimentary membership.