The Third Choice
A modern philosophical concept I want to familiarize yourself with is the third choice. I deem this a necessary precept in light of the compulsive choice that modern society presents itself to its inhabitants, citizens and classes. What is often represented as a choice is disguised as a compulsion , this is often the case when one option is repulsive ,objectionable or disagreeable as it may be.
Hence, the third choice in cases of compulsion requires hesitation, reflection , abstinence or simply put DOING NOTHING.
I would like to in this regard reflect on the upcoming and past elections in Russia and the United States. Are real choices being presented to the populace. Let’s reflect on the upcoming US elections. Is the Biden Trump upcoming debacle something that most people are really interesting in partaking in ? The third choice would be an independent candidate. Then, many of the best independent candidates are perhaps excluded by the financial and electoral system in place that makes it virtually impossible for a candidate of limited means to seek the Presidency. While there is one independent candidate RFK running, I question whether he is necessarily the choice for most as an independent candidate.
The third choice has much much wider application and practice in life down to your simple decisions and something you can reflect upon more often.
I will later expand on modern philosophical precepts on this page.
Just a reminder , that it is your support in terms of reflection, contribution and dissemination and where possible who can make a donation, that helps me run this website and my other social media profiles.
Over Consumption An Enemy for the Rich and Poor alike.
In the material world that surrounds us, success is incorrectly correlated with the need to consume. The dangers for the wealthy is being consumed by their own consumption. The answers to wealth and consumption in many ways originated in their biblical format. One who buys more property , autos ,food ,women, etc is less likely to live as satisfying a life, free from worry,disease, emotional distress as the conscientious consumer. In many ways, those who fail to adhere to this law, those who gravitate towards excess rather than moderation will need to bear the burdens of over-consumption ; needless to say it is also highly wasteful of finite planetary and human resources.Best be livid in quiet moderation than to drown in the depths of over-consumption.
Principal 3
Taking the easy option is often the wrong option. Humans like other species require certain stresses ,hardships and challenges to function best. If you find that you took the easy option always throughout your day, your bodily and mental functions will slowly deteriorate. Your need to sleep will diminish and the punishment for those who overeat is that for each pound of weight that is put on,.quite easily, one will.need to endure a proportionately greater hardship to lose that pound, on an approximately 5:1 basis.
Doing nothing is in fact doing Something
Here the modern philosopher Eric Fromm and the Great Buddha teachings come to light. The later involves a huge amount of self discipline and meditation.Will you tell.me.sitting in a dark room for hours and meditating is doing nothing or is it a great act of doing something ?
Eric Fromm elaborates on the idea of ‘Das nights tun ‘ the idea of doing nothing in the eyes of the common man..
Lets agree here the deed of doing nothing is often the best thing man can do and is in fact the best choice in many situations in life.
The Utilitarian Society ( Your problem is my problem)
We feel many of the shortcomings of modern society despite the political differences from left winged to right winged societies lies within this principle. Most societies and people are misaligned and have the wrong basis in living believing someone else’s problem is not theirs and unique to that person and they will live unaffected in their bubble of existence. This is a fundamental flaw in many societies. By solving others people’problems we in fact create the society and world we would in fact prefer.
What do I mean here ?
So societal intervention to tackle personal problems : whether they be drug addictions, alcoholism, any addiction , anti-social.behavior or encouraging acts of moral inturpitude. Unfortunately most people cannot be left to their own devices where we wish to create a Utilitarian society and it will be the collective actions of society that can hold everyone to a higher standard.
Empty your Mind, Overthinking , Meditation,Avoid coming to a Conclusion
I encourage people to practice emptying their minds and perhaps meditation if necessary. In your hectic and random life, you are currently faced with nuisances and nuances and stress. Analyzing and overthinking each situation isn’t beneficial. You must not come to a conclusion in each circumstance , by not coming to as conclusion , you give yourself time to forget when the event warranted not your time or perhaps better,coming to the wrong conclusion. This is more important than you might realize initially.
Let me explain, when you come.to a conclusion you do so also in your brain and wiring in your brain that later is very hard to reverse, even when you are Wrong !!! The philosophical lesson is avoid where necessary coming to a conclusion so as to avoid the brain wiring that will then effect.
Some events will warrant attention , concentration and analysis. But 90 percent of your thoughts should be blocked out in calm sense of clearing the mind
How to achieve to State of mental Clarity , calm and clearness.
With proper practice of not meditating on unnecessary thoughts ,you will find that this will eventually come naturally,where as initially you needed to make some effort !
If you are finding it hard to achieve this State, there are a number of ways to achieve it that I can share with you.
If you have access to a sauna, sitting in the sauna for a safe period of time will clear your mind..just try it.
If you don’t have access to a sauna, a cold plunge or cold.shower will have the same effect.
Exercising at an uncomfortable intensity. By exercising at an uncomfortable intensity, your body and mind will.have no choice to become completely absorbed in that event.
A.mental activity that requires 100 percent of your attention. This could be a computer game or traditional board game.
Rewiring your Brain
The process of living involves the creation of countless unnecessary brain wirings that sets you up for a pre-determined life-style, way of thinking and life. It is possible rewire your brain. This would allow you to change language, countries, move from a bad relationship or start a new career or hobby.
This may take some time but a important pre-condition is to first practice mind clearing techniques I described above.