Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Significance.

Metaphysics seems like a silly game that philosophers play.  A lot of words and argument without much substance.  It is tainted by the stain of intellectuality in an era where we are all entitled to our own opinions and ideas about what is right.

Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that examines the fundamental nature of phenomena, self and other, you and your reality.  It is an intellectual game and there are parameters that might aid in how you play it.

First, choose the object of analysis.  It could be a physical object, an action, your self, your perception, your mind.

Second, set the extremes.  Existence or non-existence.  Right or wrong.  Virtuous or non-virtuous.

Third, determine the middle way free from extremes.  Could something exist, but not truly exist?  Could you do something right, but it turn out to be wrong?  Is your virtue truly virtuous?

Meditate on the significance of this middle way beyond extremes.

Does this significance effect your perceptual bias?  Your cognitive bias?  Your emotional bias?  Does this significance effect your view of yourself, your reality?  What is your reality?  

The ultimate significance of metaphysical analysis is that we no longer need to maintain fixed reference points.  Fixed reference points make us suffer.  They are the root of dissatisfaction and discomfort.  Maintaining a fixed position gives rise to all kinds of problems and obstacles.  But what are we trying to maintain?

This silly game has the potential to uproot our own crazy mind.  We might realize that we are our own troublemakers.  We might realize our stubbornness is the root of our problems.  We might see the significance that our ignorance and bias is the root of our own suffering.

And then we might be able to leave it all behind.

But it is not enough to believe this.  You need to see it in your own life, in your own experience.  You need to examine your own perception and view.  You need to examine your own mind.  You need to actually play the game. 

Most of us aren't brave enough to do that, it's easier just to be right.  

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