Guest guest Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 Great workOn this issue of focus ... here is a metaphor that occurred to me as I readyour message. It is about how to create clarity by shifting focus.See if you like it (I rather do ... it feels like a keeper. I think I'll stick it in a book or something!)The problem with the normal problem-solving mode of mind is that it tricks you into spending one more moment of yourlife on what is not working, in the unfulfilled promise that even more moments there will " solve the problem. " It won't. Second by second you are giving more of your lifeenergy to what you don't want: pain, suffering, entanglement, judgment.In the effort to get clear to focus on the wrong thing and you get less clear. It beocmes like trying to look through a dirty windshield.The ACT model: Accept, Choose, Take actionThink of using that in terms of the ACT hexagon model. It's like a windshield wiper Now Accept \ Values \Defuse \ Action \ Noticing selfConnect with that conscious place called " you " in a whole, conscious sense. You are the foundation -- the base of the hinge for the windshield wiper. Then sweep to the right.Feel, think, remember, sense, as they are not as what they say they areThen come into the moment. Take your attention there. Then move over to what you choose to care about and see what actions you can take linked to it.That way the next moment is no longer yet another momentinside the pattern you are struggling with. You build new moments that are about your aspirations. You begin to build a history that makes iteasier not harder.Shifting life energy like that isa choice. Your mind can't do it. You can. The base of that hingeis this noticing, observing, spiritual sense of self. That is the pivot point. There is more to you than your programming.The caveat is that the shift is a shift toward, not a shift away.If you suppressively shift attention you have to keep track what your are trying to get rid ofin order to see if it went away. So you don't sweep to the right to get rid of what your mind says the issue is ... take takes you right back to the left in a fused,struggling way.If you practice and practice this big sweep it really is like a windshield wiper -- life gets clearer.You can see. So this is the choiceWhat will the next moment of your life be about?What would you want it to be about?Focus there. And to do that with clarity,wipe the windshield.- S C. Foundation ProfessorDepartment of Psychology /298University of NevadaReno, NV 89557-0062hayes@... or stevenchayes@... Fax: Context Press (you can use for messages): (www.contextpress.com)If you want my vita, publications, PowerPoint slides, go to http://www.contextualpsychology.org/blog/steven_hayes If you are a professional or student and want to be part of the world wide ACT discussion or RFT discussions go to http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/acceptanceandcommitmenttherapy/join orhttp://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/relationalframetheory/joinIf you are a member of the public reading ACT self-help books (e.g., " Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life " etc) go to: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ACT_for_the_Public/join > > I want to start learning to focus on something other than my anxiety > and my past problems. I realize that this is how my mind wants to > help me, by going over my past over and over. Like if I had not done > ______, then I would not being going through this. It seems to say if > if this had not happened then this would not have happened and I would > not be having all these problems. The problem is that doesn't work. > You cannot go back and change things. My mind thinks that is the best > way to fix the problem and that is not going to work. So, I keep > plugging along and thanking my mind and keep trying to move in the > direction I really want to go. > > I am doing better so guess what, that is causing anxiety. Oh > brother. I hope I can learn to be okay with feeling good. I think this is a great step forward and I think from what I know about you it also shows great courage! Louise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 Hi Steve, Hope you and yours are well and thriving. I haven't posted to the ACT forum in a couple of years, but, as a former "science chauvinist" with an extensive education in both the physical and social sciences, I wanted to share my experience with you. The introduction of ACT into my life (circa early 2005) was transformative. Even after years of struggling to overcome emotional difficulties by sheer will (" consulting about "), it never entered my mind to step away from my difficulties and adopt an observer mode. The chessboard metaphor, to this day, has a very special significance for me. During the past several years, I've become intrigued with the "Committment" component of the ACT paradigm. I know you've heard many references to the Buddhist-like flavor of many ACT teachings, so I won't belabor those. However, about a year ago, I had another "mini-epiphany". It became clear to me that the very notion of free will and personal volition was profoundly flawed. I'm not going to go into a lenghty discourse on a topic well-covered in Philosophy 101, but the realization of "predetermined behavior", as it were, was a "light-bulb or Eureka" experience every bit as profound as my ACT experience of "dropping the rope". I still utilize acceptance to a degree I nerer imagined, but I rather see my (apparent) self as a player in life's various manifestations. I do what requires doing, but with a clarity, lack of expectation, and equanimity that is truly joyful. I've been reluctant to write the above, but I'm truly curious to hear your "take" on the issue of so-called "choice" and, yeah, I've attached a (very) unsolicited writing which addresses the issue, at least preliminarily, from yhe outset. I don't know if you'll have either the time or inclination to read it, but, as I said, I'd really like to know what you think. ACT has profoundly altered my life for the better, but I now live the concepts of ACT with, basically, a feeling of non-attachnent---that is, with the understanding that, ultimately, nothing is "at stake" here in terms of personal growth and happiness. The effect has been so dramatic that I'm truly able to paraphrase a great thinker (who will remain anonymous) and state honestly, at this point, that (almost) nothing worries me any longer. As a parting note, I'd like to assure you that I'm not involved with religious crackpot-ism, mysticism, enlightenment, or anything of that ilk---I'm merely trying, probably with little success, to apprise you of where I'm "at"---a position of clarity. I'd truly appreciate any comments you might have. Best Regards, Don Wolfe, R.Ph. Wiping the windsheild Great workOn this issue of focus ... here is a metaphor that occurred to me as I readyour message. It is about how to create clarity by shifting focus.See if you like it (I rather do ... it feels like a keeper. I thinkI'll stick it in a book or something!)The problem with the normal problem-solving mode of mind is that it tricks you into spending one more moment of yourlife on what is not working, in the unfulfilled promise that even more momentsthere will "solve the problem." It won't. Second by second you are giving more of your lifeenergy to what you don't want: pain, suffering, entanglement, judgment.In the effort to get clear to focus on the wrong thing and you get less clear.It beocmes like trying to look through a dirty windshield.The ACT model: Accept, Choose, Take actionThink of using that in terms of the ACT hexagon model. It's like a windshield wiper NowAccept \ Values \Defuse \ Action \ Noticing selfConnect with that conscious place called "you" in a whole, conscious sense.You are the foundation -- the base of the hinge for the windshield wiper. Then sweep to the right.Feel, think, remember, sense, as they are not as what they say they areThen come into the moment. Take your attention there.Then move over to what you choose to care about and see what actions you can take linked to it.That way the next moment is no longer yet another momentinside the pattern you are struggling with. You build new momentsthat are about your aspirations. You begin to build a history that makes iteasier not harder.Shifting life energy like that isa choice. Your mind can't do it. You can. The base of that hingeis this noticing, observing, spiritual sense of self. That is the pivot point. There is more to you than your programming.The caveat is that the shift is a shift toward, not a shift away.If you suppressively shift attention you have to keep track what your are trying to get rid ofin order to see if it went away. So you don't sweep to the right to get rid ofwhat your mind says the issue is ... take takes you right back to the left in a fused,struggling way.If you practice and practice this big sweep it really is like a windshield wiper -- life gets clearer.You can see.So this is the choiceWhat will the next moment of your life be about?What would you want it to be about?Focus there. And to do that with clarity,wipe the windshield.- S C. Foundation ProfessorDepartment of Psychology /298University of NevadaReno, NV 89557-0062hayes@... or stevenchayesgmailFax: Context Press (you can use for messages): (www.contextpress.com)If you want my vita, publications, PowerPoint slides, go to http://www.contextualpsychology.org/blog/steven_hayes If you are a professional or student and want to be part of the world wide ACT discussion or RFT discussions go to http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/acceptanceandcommitmenttherapy/joinorhttp://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/relationalframetheory/joinIf you are a member of the public reading ACT self-help books (e.g., "Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life" etc) go to: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ACT_for_the_Public/join On Wed, Nov 19, 2008 at 2:09 AM, Louise <knitlou> wrote: >> I want to start learning to focus on something other than my anxiety > and my past problems. I realize that this is how my mind wants to > help me, by going over my past over and over. Like if I had not done > ______, then I would not being going through this. It seems to say if > if this had not happened then this would not have happened and I would > not be having all these problems. The problem is that doesn't work. > You cannot go back and change things. My mind thinks that is the best > way to fix the problem and that is not going to work. So, I keep > plugging along and thanking my mind and keep trying to move in the > direction I really want to go. > > I am doing better so guess what, that is causing anxiety. Oh > brother. I hope I can learn to be okay with feeling good. I think this is a great step forward and I think from what I know about you it also shows great courage!Louise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 Hi :This is a very good post.I'm wondering if you or perhaps Russ had considered recording some audio instruction suitable for listening in the car. I listened to Russ'  audio clips and I think they're great. I've gotten a lot from them. But they're more meditative in nature and so don't seem like a good idea for driving. Since I have a one hour commute, this would really be useful for me.Thanks,BruceGreat workOn this issue of focus ... here is a metaphor that occurred to me as I readyour message. It is about how to create clarity by shifting focus.See if you like it (I rather do ... it feels like a keeper. I thinkI'll stick it in a book or something!)The problem with the normal problem-solving mode of mind is that it tricks you into spending one more moment of yourlife on what is not working, in the unfulfilled promise that even more momentsthere will "solve the problem." It won't. Second by second you are giving more of your lifeenergy to what you don't want: pain, suffering, entanglement, judgment.In the effort to get clear to focus on the wrong thing and you get less clear.It beocmes like trying to look through a dirty windshield.The ACT model: Accept, Choose, Take actionThink of using that in terms of the ACT hexagon model. It's like a windshield wiper              NowAccept \              Values            \Defuse    \           Action              \          Noticing selfConnect with that conscious place called "you" in a whole, conscious sense.You are the foundation -- the base of the hinge for the windshield wiper. Then sweep to the right.Feel, think, remember, sense, as they are not as what they say they areThen come into the moment. Take your attention there.Then move over to what you choose to care about and see what actions you can take linked to it.That way the next moment is no longer yet another momentinside the pattern you are struggling with. You build new momentsthat are about your aspirations. You begin to build a history that makes iteasier not harder.Shifting life energy like that isa choice. Your mind can't do it. You can. The base of that hingeis this noticing, observing, spiritual sense of self. That is the pivot point. There is more to you than your programming.The caveat is that the shift is a shift toward, not a shift away.If you suppressively shift attention you have to keep track what your are trying to get rid ofin order to see if it went away. So you don't sweep to the right to get rid ofwhat your mind says the issue is ... take takes you right back to the left in a fused,struggling way.If you practice and practice this big sweep it really is like a windshield wiper -- life gets clearer.You can see.So this is the choiceWhat will the next moment of your life be about?What would you want it to be about?Focus there. And to do that with clarity,wipe the windshield.- S C. Foundation ProfessorDepartment of Psychology /298University of NevadaReno, NV 89557-0062hayes@... or stevenchayesgmailFax:  Context Press (you can use for messages): (www.contextpress.com)If you want my vita, publications, PowerPoint slides, go to http://www.contextualpsychology.org/blog/steven_hayes If you are a professional or student and want to be part of the world wide ACT discussion or RFT discussions go to http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/acceptanceandcommitmenttherapy/joinorhttp://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/relationalframetheory/joinIf you are a member of the public reading ACT self-help books (e.g., "Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life" etc) go to: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ACT_for_the_Public/joinOn Wed, Nov 19, 2008 at 2:09 AM, Louise <knitlou> wrote:>> I want to start learning to focus on something other than my anxiety > and my past problems. I realize that this is how my mind wants to > help me, by going over my past over and over. Like if I had not done > ______, then I would not being going through this. It seems to say if > if this had not happened then this would not have happened and I would > not be having all these problems. The problem is that doesn't work. > You cannot go back and change things. My mind thinks that is the best > way to fix the problem and that is not going to work. So, I keep > plugging along and thanking my mind and keep trying to move in the > direction I really want to go. > > I am doing better so guess what, that is causing anxiety. Oh > brother. I hope I can learn to be okay with feeling good. I think this is a great step forward and I think from what I know about you it also shows great courage!Louise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 Hi, Thank you for this post. My first thought on this was maybe negative. (Thanks mind) My thought is- he saying the wiping the windshield over and over but really that is not such a bad thing. I do like this metaphor quite a bit. I do wonder where the wiper starts and ends? I don't quite see the hexagon and where it starts. I do like the thought of the windshield wiper and in my mind I see heavy snow and fog and the windshield wipers can't keep up. (Thanks mind) But then other times it wipes it away and then things stay pretty clear for a while but I have to understand that I can't always have the clearer windshield. It is just the way it is. Sometimes, I have a difficulty when things get better I think, yay it is all going to go away and everything will be great. Then what happens? I am disappointed because things happen. Acceptance of the ups and downs of life is a goal of mine and the window wipers are a great way to look at it but I don't get the hexagon. I totally get the rest of this. It is fantastic. Thanks so much for your post. So helpful, as are everyone's here. Thanks to you all. Robyn -------------- Original message ---------------------- > Great work > > On this issue of focus ... here is a metaphor that occurred to me as I read > your message. It is about how to create clarity by shifting focus. > See if you like it (I rather do ... it feels like a keeper. I think > I'll stick it in a book or something!) > > The problem with the normal problem-solving mode of mind is > that it tricks you into spending one more moment of your > life on what is not working, in the unfulfilled promise that even more > moments > there will " solve the problem. " > > It won't. Second by second you are giving more of your life > energy to what you don't want: pain, suffering, entanglement, judgment. > In the effort to get clear to focus on the wrong thing and you get less > clear. > It beocmes like trying to look through a dirty windshield. > > The ACT model: Accept, Choose, Take action > > Think of using that in terms of the ACT hexagon model. It's like a > windshield wiper > > Now > Accept \ Values > \ > Defuse \ Action > \ > Noticing self > > Connect with that conscious place called " you " in a whole, conscious sense. > You are the foundation -- the base of the hinge for the windshield wiper. > Then sweep to the right. > > Feel, think, remember, sense, as they are not as what they say they are > > Then come into the moment. Take your attention there. > > Then move over to what you choose to care about and see what actions you can > take linked to it. > > That way the *next *moment is no longer yet another moment > inside the pattern you are struggling with. You build new moments > that are about your aspirations. You begin to build a history that makes it > easier not harder. > > Shifting life energy like that is > a choice. Your mind can't do it. You can. The base of that hinge > is this noticing, observing, spiritual sense of self. That is the pivot > point. > There is more to you than your programming. > > The caveat is that the shift is a shift toward, not a shift away. > If you suppressively shift attention you have to keep track what your are > trying to get rid of > in order to see if it went away. So you don't sweep to the right to get rid > of > what your mind says the issue is ... take takes you right back to the left > in a fused, > struggling way. > > If you practice and practice this big sweep it really is like a windshield > wiper -- life gets clearer. > You can see. > > So this is the choice > > What will the next moment of your life be about? > What would you want it to be about? > Focus there. And to do that with clarity, > wipe the windshield. > > - S > > C. > Foundation Professor > Department of Psychology /298 > University of Nevada > Reno, NV 89557-0062 > > hayes@... or stevenchayes@... > Fax: > > > Context Press (you can use for messages): ( > www.contextpress.com) > > If you want my vita, publications, PowerPoint slides, go to > http://www.contextualpsychology.org/blog/steven_hayes > > If you are a professional or student and want to be part of the world wide > ACT discussion or RFT discussions go to > http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/acceptanceandcommitmenttherapy/join > or > http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/relationalframetheory/join > > If you are a member of the public reading ACT self-help books (e.g., " Get > Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life " etc) go to: > http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ACT_for_the_Public/join > > > > > > > > I want to start learning to focus on something other than my anxiety > and my past problems. I realize that this is how my mind wants to > help me, by going over my past over and over. Like if I had not done > ______, then I would not being going through this. It seems to say if > if this had not happened then this would not have happened and I would > not be having all these problems. The problem is that doesn't work. > You cannot go back and change things. My mind thinks that is the best > way to fix the problem and that is not going to work. So, I keep > plugging along and thanking my mind and keep trying to move in the > direction I really want to go. > > I am doing better so guess what, that is causing anxiety. Oh > brother. I hope I can learn to be okay with feeling good. I think this is a great step forward and I think from what I know about you it also shows great courage! Louise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 There are multiple language systems we need to keeptrack of in discussing choice, self, free will, etc ... which makes communication difficult. The ACT / RFT wing is trying to do science about these issues and that requires another language game. Your language, Don, in the paper is personal / spiritual. So if we start there ...This will be soooo easily misunderstood, but I'velong thought it is very useful to see what happens when we stand inside " life is empty and meaningless " and " I am just watching the machinery of mind. " I've sometimes used that in workshops etc and I've found it personally helpfulIf folk connect with it, it's extremely liberating ... on theother side of it there is an experience of calm and liberation and (oddly) meaning and choice in another and deeper sense. But if folks do not connect with it,it just seems nuts -- which is why I rarely use it... tho creative hopelessness piece is a soft echo of that line. Speaking personally and clinically:The sense of self in the hexagon model is not an entity.It is no-thing / every-thing. Even to use a word for " it " is a violation.It's just consciousness, Speaking scientifically:Consciousness in that sense is social, and based on deictic relational frames.It's not I. It's I-you. It's not here. It's here-there. More scientific stuff: Check out Dan Wegner's work on the illusion of free will. Bottom lineAs a basis for transformation I think the core you are drilling into is profound.As a health intervention (etc) and as a beginning of a conversation with the culture (etc) may be too far beyond where folks are, but if can find a way aroundthe confusion of multiple language systems, maybe not- S C. Foundation ProfessorDepartment of Psychology /298 University of NevadaReno, NV 89557-0062hayes@... or stevenchayes@...Fax: Context Press (you can use for messages): (www.contextpress.com) If you want my vita, publications, PowerPoint slides, go to http://www.contextualpsychology.org/blog/steven_hayes If you are a professional or student and want to be part of the world wide ACT discussion or RFT discussions go to http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/acceptanceandcommitmenttherapy/join orhttp://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/relationalframetheory/joinIf you are a member of the public reading ACT self-help books (e.g., " Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life " etc) go to: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ACT_for_the_Public/join Hi Steve, Hope you and yours are well and thriving. I haven't posted to the ACT forum in a couple of years, but, as a former " science chauvinist " with an extensive education in both the physical and social sciences, I wanted to share my experience with you. The introduction of ACT into my life (circa early 2005) was transformative. Even after years of struggling to overcome emotional difficulties by sheer will ( " consulting about " ), it never entered my mind to step away from my difficulties and adopt an observer mode. The chessboard metaphor, to this day, has a very special significance for me. During the past several years, I've become intrigued with the " Committment " component of the ACT paradigm. I know you've heard many references to the Buddhist-like flavor of many ACT teachings, so I won't belabor those. However, about a year ago, I had another " mini-epiphany " . It became clear to me that the very notion of free will and personal volition was profoundly flawed. I'm not going to go into a lenghty discourse on a topic well-covered in Philosophy 101, but the realization of " predetermined behavior " , as it were, was a " light-bulb or Eureka " experience every bit as profound as my ACT experience of " dropping the rope " . I still utilize acceptance to a degree I nerer imagined, but I rather see my (apparent) self as a player in life's various manifestations. I do what requires doing, but with a clarity, lack of expectation, and equanimity that is truly joyful. I've been reluctant to write the above, but I'm truly curious to hear your " take " on the issue of so-called " choice " and, yeah, I've attached a (very) unsolicited writing which addresses the issue, at least preliminarily, from yhe outset. I don't know if you'll have either the time or inclination to read it, but, as I said, I'd really like to know what you think. ACT has profoundly altered my life for the better, but I now live the concepts of ACT with, basically, a feeling of non-attachnent---that is, with the understanding that, ultimately, nothing is " at stake " here in terms of personal growth and happiness. The effect has been so dramatic that I'm truly able to paraphrase a great thinker (who will remain anonymous) and state honestly, at this point, that (almost) nothing worries me any longer. As a parting note, I'd like to assure you that I'm not involved with religious crackpot-ism, mysticism, enlightenment, or anything of that ilk---I'm merely trying, probably with little success, to apprise you of where I'm " at " ---a position of clarity. I'd truly appreciate any comments you might have. Best Regards, Don Wolfe, R.Ph. Wiping the windsheild Great workOn this issue of focus ... here is a metaphor that occurred to me as I readyour message. It is about how to create clarity by shifting focus.See if you like it (I rather do ... it feels like a keeper. I thinkI'll stick it in a book or something!)The problem with the normal problem-solving mode of mind is that it tricks you into spending one more moment of yourlife on what is not working, in the unfulfilled promise that even more momentsthere will " solve the problem. " It won't. Second by second you are giving more of your lifeenergy to what you don't want: pain, suffering, entanglement, judgment.In the effort to get clear to focus on the wrong thing and you get less clear.It beocmes like trying to look through a dirty windshield.The ACT model: Accept, Choose, Take actionThink of using that in terms of the ACT hexagon model. It's like a windshield wiper NowAccept \ Values \Defuse \ Action \ Noticing selfConnect with that conscious place called " you " in a whole, conscious sense.You are the foundation -- the base of the hinge for the windshield wiper. Then sweep to the right.Feel, think, remember, sense, as they are not as what they say they areThen come into the moment. Take your attention there.Then move over to what you choose to care about and see what actions you can take linked to it.That way the next moment is no longer yet another momentinside the pattern you are struggling with. You build new momentsthat are about your aspirations. You begin to build a history that makes iteasier not harder.Shifting life energy like that isa choice. Your mind can't do it. You can. The base of that hingeis this noticing, observing, spiritual sense of self. That is the pivot point. There is more to you than your programming.The caveat is that the shift is a shift toward, not a shift away.If you suppressively shift attention you have to keep track what your are trying to get rid ofin order to see if it went away. So you don't sweep to the right to get rid ofwhat your mind says the issue is ... take takes you right back to the left in a fused,struggling way.If you practice and practice this big sweep it really is like a windshield wiper -- life gets clearer.You can see.So this is the choiceWhat will the next moment of your life be about?What would you want it to be about?Focus there. And to do that with clarity,wipe the windshield.- S C. Foundation ProfessorDepartment of Psychology /298University of NevadaReno, NV 89557-0062hayes@... or stevenchayes@...Fax: Context Press (you can use for messages): (www.contextpress.com)If you want my vita, publications, PowerPoint slides, go to http://www.contextualpsychology.org/blog/steven_hayes If you are a professional or student and want to be part of the world wide ACT discussion or RFT discussions go to http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/acceptanceandcommitmenttherapy/join orhttp://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/relationalframetheory/joinIf you are a member of the public reading ACT self-help books (e.g., " Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life " etc) go to: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ACT_for_the_Public/join >> I want to start learning to focus on something other than my anxiety > and my past problems. I realize that this is how my mind wants to > help me, by going over my past over and over. Like if I had not done > ______, then I would not being going through this. It seems to say if > if this had not happened then this would not have happened and I would > not be having all these problems. The problem is that doesn't work. > You cannot go back and change things. My mind thinks that is the best > way to fix the problem and that is not going to work. So, I keep > plugging along and thanking my mind and keep trying to move in the > direction I really want to go. > > I am doing better so guess what, that is causing anxiety. Oh > brother. I hope I can learn to be okay with feeling good. I think this is a great step forward and I think from what I know about you it also shows great courage!Louise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 Don, I completely agree with you about free will. But you don't even have to go into neuroscience or physics to see the problem. The British philosopher Galen Strawson has a simple and extremely persuasive argument to show that free will is impossible regardless of what the sciences have to say. Here is a link to one of his short articles: http://www.naturalism.org/strawson.htm And here is an interview of Strawson: http://www.naturalism.org/strawson_interview.htm If you're interested, here is an essay I wrote (for fun) about free will and Strawson's argument: http://people.consolidated.net/gptravel/umr_no_possible_bdp.pdf > > > > I want to start learning to focus on something other than my > anxiety > > and my past problems. I realize that this is how my mind wants to > > help me, by going over my past over and over. Like if I had not > done > > ______, then I would not being going through this. It seems to say > if > > if this had not happened then this would not have happened and I > would > > not be having all these problems. The problem is that doesn't > work. > > You cannot go back and change things. My mind thinks that is the > best > > way to fix the problem and that is not going to work. So, I keep > > plugging along and thanking my mind and keep trying to move in the > > direction I really want to go. > > > > I am doing better so guess what, that is causing anxiety. Oh > > brother. I hope I can learn to be okay with feeling good. > > I think this is a great step forward and I think from what I know > about you it also shows great courage! > > Louise > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 Steve, What you wrote below is remarkably well put. Thanks. Don, To continue on the previous post, the Theravadan Buddhists figured out that life was objectively meaningless a long time ago. Instead of going in the wrong direction with that realization, they went in the right direction. I recommend anything by Ajahn Chah, if you're interested. At the same time, I think Steve makes a valid point. ACT is not a philosophy. It's a technology designed to alleviate unnecessary suffering. As a technology, it needs to work without requiring the suffering person to embrace controversial statements such as " Meaning and purpose are just transient creations of the mind " or " you do not have free will in the sense that you think " or " chill out, you're just a carbon replicator that will soon die and be eternally forgotten. " Normal, non-philosophical people who are suffering from anxiety or depression do not usually react well to those kinds of statements. However, once people have thoroughly familiarized themselves with ACT- -specifically, once they've learned that they should take their thoughts, feelings and automatic reactions with a healthy grain of salt--then I think it would be quite helpful to introduce some of the ideas you mention. I would caution, however, that the ideas need to be coupled with a healthy sense of pragmatism. As in, no you're not free in the realist sense, but you're free in the pragmatist sense, i.e., in the sense that it works (and is functionally necessary) in most circumstances for you to go ahead and embrace the illusion of your own freedom. Or as in, yes, your values are just transient creations of your mind that will one day be forgotten, but things will work out better for you if you go ahead and get behind them anyways. The only testing I am aware of on how disbelief in free will affects cognition occurred last year when psychologists had volunteers read an essay by Francis Crick (discoverer of DNA) about how people are just a pre-determined product of their genetic and environmental circumstances. The psychologists then had the volunteers play a profit game in which they could cheat when no one was watching. They found that the individuals who read the Crick article beforehanded cheated more on the test than those who didn't. The results suggest that disbelief in free will reduces anxiety and guilt about one's behavior--obviously a bad consequence socially (because anxiety and guilt are important from a behavioral perspective--they steer us in individually and socially responsible directions), but a good consequence for those of us who have minds that tend to naturally overshoot in the anxiety/guilt department. > >> > > >> > I want to start learning to focus on something other than my > >> anxiety > >> > and my past problems. I realize that this is how my mind wants to > >> > help me, by going over my past over and over. Like if I had not > >> done > >> > ______, then I would not being going through this. It seems to say > >> if > >> > if this had not happened then this would not have happened and I > >> would > >> > not be having all these problems. The problem is that doesn't > >> work. > >> > You cannot go back and change things. My mind thinks that is the > >> best > >> > way to fix the problem and that is not going to work. So, I keep > >> > plugging along and thanking my mind and keep trying to move in the > >> > direction I really want to go. > >> > > >> > I am doing better so guess what, that is causing anxiety. Oh > >> > brother. I hope I can learn to be okay with feeling good. > >> > >> I think this is a great step forward and I think from what I know > >> about you it also shows great courage! > >> > >> Louise > >> > >> > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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