The second step on the working of the mind is the application of rules to situations.
A rule is a simple statement of cause and affect. We all have a repertoire of rules in our minds and we pick rules from this repertoire to suit the surroundings and our emotions. These rules by necessity are generic in nature because we never know what situation we will be in a future moment.
Because these rules are generic and are usually derived based on information outside of us,
I call them "Universal Principles". Most of these rules are formed from our own individual experiences and learning from others. Sometimes, we come up with a new rule and check it out if it works.
Very few people that have the luxury of time and intellect are able to contemplate on the rules they use in their daily lives.
Awareness of these universal principles is necessary to make sure we are picking the right one for the circumstance. Wise people over time, have made statements ( proverbs, words of wisdom, rules of conduct ) that people have followed as rules for long periods of time. These statements are general true and hold true in most circumstances.
Most of the time application of these universal principles to situations happens automatically like any other habit and the intent is always for gratification of life.
Understanding the universal principles is critical to ensure appropriateness of the application.
There are always more than one principle that could be used. The number of rules that come into play is directly related to the complexity of the situation.
We also have another set of rules about the rules themselves to help us in more complex situations. We call these rules. VALUES.
Values help us sort through the myriad of rules we can apply in a complex situation. Sometimes, talking to others, help us decide which rule to pick in a trying situation.
So to be good at step two, we need to be aware of all our rules, have a consistent set of values to resolve any confusion in the choices we make about the rules to apply.
1 comment:
I like these steps--very clear and easy to apply.
Catalina, by the way, might be crowded in July but still worth the visit. With gas prices the way they are, it's a good place to go if you live anywhere near the coast and can take a ferry across.
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