on wisdom
"The art of wisdom is the art of knowing what to overlook."
-William James, The Principles of Psychology
This past week went by like a long, strenuous cramp. Luckily, a friend gave me an opportunity to watch a band/orchestral performance last night that sort of served as a shot of anesthetic that abruptly ended the aforementioned cramp. And since it's a long weekend, I decided to catch up on my reading.
I recently read Stephen Hall's essay entitled The Older-and-Wiser Hypothesis, which is featured in The Best American Science Writing 2008. Many psychologists and scientists have conducted research related to wisdom and how it is associated with aging or with life perceptions. It really is another abstract concept like love. But what I've learned from Hall's article is that wisdom involves a general positive outlook, emotional balance or control, and resilience when facing adversity. A Gandhi/Yoda-like sense of calmness or serenity, which one acquires after going through different life experiences mostly involving tragedy or sadness. Like being repeatedly hit on the arm with a stick until pain receptors no longer feel pain.
Young people, such as adolescents, tend to highlight the negative which has been associated with an overactive amydgala. Wise people present low activity in their amygdalas, but a highly active prefrontal cortex. So, based on my self-assessment, I need to tone down my amygdala. On a positive note, I believe that I have stepped on the road to wisdom when I say that I have been practicing emotional balance.
How the heck do I mean by emotional balance?
The advantage of thinking constantly is that you also feel a mixture of emotions. Mixed emotions are better than an extreme of a single emotion, you know what I mean? As a useful tip, dear reader, while thinking and feeling make sure that you savor the experience. The first stage is always an inexplicable yearning for something that could only be supplied externally. Let it pass. After a while, you realize that the whole process is already fulfilling. It's further proof (proof is becoming a favorite word) of your existence and how alive you are. And that your neurons are working properly.
I call it cognitive shopping. Think and feel what you want. Cheap (in terms of ATP) and environmentally friendly. And you can do it right under everyone's noses. Of course, the 'poker face' needs training.
-William James, The Principles of Psychology
This past week went by like a long, strenuous cramp. Luckily, a friend gave me an opportunity to watch a band/orchestral performance last night that sort of served as a shot of anesthetic that abruptly ended the aforementioned cramp. And since it's a long weekend, I decided to catch up on my reading.
I recently read Stephen Hall's essay entitled The Older-and-Wiser Hypothesis, which is featured in The Best American Science Writing 2008. Many psychologists and scientists have conducted research related to wisdom and how it is associated with aging or with life perceptions. It really is another abstract concept like love. But what I've learned from Hall's article is that wisdom involves a general positive outlook, emotional balance or control, and resilience when facing adversity. A Gandhi/Yoda-like sense of calmness or serenity, which one acquires after going through different life experiences mostly involving tragedy or sadness. Like being repeatedly hit on the arm with a stick until pain receptors no longer feel pain.
Young people, such as adolescents, tend to highlight the negative which has been associated with an overactive amydgala. Wise people present low activity in their amygdalas, but a highly active prefrontal cortex. So, based on my self-assessment, I need to tone down my amygdala. On a positive note, I believe that I have stepped on the road to wisdom when I say that I have been practicing emotional balance.
How the heck do I mean by emotional balance?
The advantage of thinking constantly is that you also feel a mixture of emotions. Mixed emotions are better than an extreme of a single emotion, you know what I mean? As a useful tip, dear reader, while thinking and feeling make sure that you savor the experience. The first stage is always an inexplicable yearning for something that could only be supplied externally. Let it pass. After a while, you realize that the whole process is already fulfilling. It's further proof (proof is becoming a favorite word) of your existence and how alive you are. And that your neurons are working properly.
I call it cognitive shopping. Think and feel what you want. Cheap (in terms of ATP) and environmentally friendly. And you can do it right under everyone's noses. Of course, the 'poker face' needs training.
5:35 AM
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