Ash, you asked, "In terms of consequence, how should we view the effects of our biases in the wide field of impressions? That is, to include the future generations."
I believe that it is possible to change oneself with regard to one's biases. That is, having recognized and accepted that one has a bias, one can evaluate the bias in terms of its viability, harm or benefit to one's self and others. One will likely wish to be free of the influence of a bias such as racism, which one may have developed at a very early age, while one likely will wish to nurture a bias "towards doing good". If one wishes to be free of the bias, an alternative attitude needs to be affirmed. Having accepted that one is influenced by a bias and evaluated whether one wishes to nurture it or be free of it, one can then become aware of the influence of the bias at those moments when it comes into play. At the point where one realize that one is being influenced by the bias, it is important to be mindful of one's actions, and to choose to manifest the alternative attitude in ones thoughts, words, and deeds. After a time, the old biases (which were based on old decisions) fade away and are replaced by the new attitudes and tendencies of thought and action that one has chosen and nurtured. Many people have no idea that they are capable of making such choices. "That's just who I am," is one refrain that is often heard. So, with regard to future generations, if we can learn the art of detachment from bias, and nurture our ability to evaluate and choose our own attitudes, our biases will not deter us from acting as rational beings. Likewise, if we pass these skills on to future generations, they, too will develop to a higher level of functioning. On Feb 4, 11:45 pm, Ash <[email protected]> wrote: > In terms of consequence, how should we view the effects of our biases in > the wide field of impressions? That is, to include the future > generations. By this I mean, not just how others view us operating on > our biases but how they internalize them and shapes their worldviews. > > I like to view these matters as of potential, such as 'embracing > affirmation=promoting potential' or comparing long and short roads. That > itself is a bias, one I have not been satisfied in with the tools of > science, philosophy, metaphysics or religion but at the crossroads which > usually takes a little off-roading. But is it arbitrary, what qualifiers > exist? > > Thank you for the prayer Vam. My words are vague symbols attempting to > lend material existence to a deeply felt personal experience. When I > have thoughts like them in the moment (not always) they are subdued as a > defensive mechanism. The dissonance becomes too apparent. ;-) > > On 2/4/2010 2:00 PM, Vamadevananda wrote: > > > Ash, allow me to share the poignance from which your expressions > > issued. I find it extraordinary that you could look at it, in its eye, > > in those moments ! > > > One Peace Prayer that is sung by both the teacher and the pupil > > ( since millennia ago ): > > > "Om, saha nav avatu. saha nau bhunaktu. saharyam karavavahai. tejasvi > > nav. adhitam astu madvishavahai ! Om shantih, shantih, shantih !!!" > > > Paraphrased>>> > > > Let us apply together and help each other. Let us manage our food and > > partake together. > > Let us support each other and together grow in strength and vitality. > > Let us together represent and express the truth. > > Let us together participate in truth, in this effulgent light of being > > in life. > > Let us never denounce and belittle anyone, never allow negative > > feelings and thoughts towards anyone or thing." > > > Taittiriya Upanishad, shanthi patha. > > > On Feb 4, 11:08 pm, Ash<[email protected]> wrote: > > >> The point when someone makes it painfully obvious that ones assumptions > >> are obsolete, resulting in the proverbial foot-in-mouth. In this, my > >> lady love has persevered and we mutually regard my curmudgeonny with > >> some compassion and humor. That honesty is invaluable and promotes > >> sharing and growth, resentment seems to be its enemy. > > >> I think bias in general is unavoidable for us quasi im-scient mortals, > >> and a powerful survival technique, often blindingly so. Your proposed > >> 'bias in favour of good' seems just the vision we need in aspiring to > >> greatness. When we've lifted up the world, we can get to work on the > >> next stages of development, and perhaps with maturity and experience > >> revisit that bias from greater universals. > > >> In my own conflict I see that as a call to arms and our gentler nature, > >> and would agree with that figment of OM as I have been a master unto > >> myself in cruelty alone. Cast into the destitute and impoverished > >> carrying guilt most of all (for doing nothing). Perhaps that is the > >> feeling of standing at the precipice of the greatest holy war where > >> passion meets against compassion, I strain against the current and > >> understand that it is myself I am resisting, paralyzed in fear. > > >> What a run-on! Sorry for the poetic waxing/noetic waning, if you can't > >> relate just call it the raving of a madman! But where the story leads > >> might lend differentiation to inspiration and insanity... :p > > >> On 2/3/2010 1:33 PM, Vamadevananda wrote: > > >>> I tend to see Molly's point, that a personal bias in itself may not be > >>> the problem. And Lee's too, that personal bias may be the problem. > >>> There's no conflict. > > >>> And, perhaps OM's ( yet unsaid ), that all bias is the problem > >>> ( ignorance ). > > >>> That's how ideas and beliefs are. Life and living however is a > >>> different ball game, with unpredictables, irrational, warlike. I would > >>> suggest we all keep a bias in favour of the good ( we'll ideate > >>> later ...), of competencies, of understanding, of freedom, of positive > >>> value, of opportunities to improve, of compassion, of fearlessness, of > >>> non - violence, of freedom from subjectivity and objectivity, even > >>> while using either as necessary ... > > >>> On Feb 3, 9:23 pm, Lee<[email protected]> wrote: > > >>>> Ohh I'm not so sure Molly. > > >>>> What if such bias was demonstratedly wrong? If a man holds a bias due > >>>> to the colour of another mans skin, then that will cause problems in > >>>> his assoctitions with others would it not? > > >>>> On 3 Feb, 16:19, Molly<[email protected]> wrote: > > >>>>> I am not sure that personal bias in itself presents problems for us, > >>>>> but judging someone else based on that bias certainly does, and > >>>>> creates the tone for conflict. In addition, if our bias is based on > >>>>> fear - fear that there will not be enough for everyone, fear that what > >>>>> I have will be taken from me, fear of anything, the fear immediately > >>>>> puts us into an oppositional state and again sets the tone for > >>>>> conflict. > > >>>>> On Feb 3, 9:12 am, Lee<[email protected]> wrote: > > >>>>>> We all have it, how does it effect us, can it be a hinderance to some > >>>>>> things? > > >>>>>> Yesterday our office manager at work (a close personal friend) was > >>>>>> walking around with one of those high visibilty patch jackets on, you > >>>>>> know the ones that bikers wear over their leathers. (she was on her > >>>>>> way home and yes she is indeed a biker) It was bareing an ad for a > >>>>>> rally > >>>>>> agianst the proposed 1 parking fee for bikes in London. > > >>>>>> Traditionaly parking for bikes in London has always been free, but now > >>>>>> of course we find that there are too many motor viechiles on the roads > >>>>>> of our little island nation for traffic to move fast going anywhere. > > >>>>>> The major of London has implmented a congestion charge scheme for all > >>>>>> those who wish to drive into the city and inner London, both to grab > >>>>>> some cash and to ease congestion in inner London. > > >>>>>> When I saw this, the first thought I had was one which originated out > >>>>>> of one of my own personal biases. I thought cheeky cow don't want to > >>>>>> pay a mimimal charge for parking her bike in the city. > > >>>>>> I belive that there are too many motor veichels in our country and > >>>>>> that this number will only increase and so we must do what we can to > >>>>>> limit the spread, make getting a licence harder, or even tax people > >>>>>> out of owning cars. > > >>>>>> Let me add a little to this. I am all for freedom of movment, and > >>>>>> don't have anything against car ownership, or car owners apart from > >>>>>> there are already too many of them and the situation can only get > >>>>>> worse. > > >>>>>> Yet I do try to live a life that is not hypocritical and so I do not > >>>>>> own nor intend to own a car myself. > > >>>>>> We can see what my bias in this matter is and why I hold it. I'll > >>>>>> admit that my thought certianly arose because of this bias, yet I > >>>>>> think that my belife is a valid concern. A 1 per day for parking > >>>>>> your bike seems very little money to me, and I can't understand the > >>>>>> concern that our bikers have for this scheme. I certianly don't mind > >>>>>> paying the taxes and extra chrges that I have to pay, yes even if I > >>>>>> don't agree with something, yet can still see the need fot it. > > >>>>>> So what I want to know is how far can personal bias push your mind > >>>>>> into not excepting something that if it wasn't for such bias you would > >>>>>> actulay agree with?- Hide quoted text - > > >>>>> - Show quoted text - -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups ""Minds Eye"" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/minds-eye?hl=en.
