Awake: Chapter 13 Notes

someone might believe they have a high self-esteem and act outwardly confident based on that superficial belief

Rump

…and many other Republicans. Not that it's only them, just they're currently a great example. They're all terrified and pretending they're not, mostly to fool themselves but if they can fool others that makes it easier to believe the lie.

A belief will always carry with it a certain amount of baggage. This baggage comes in the form of assumptions we may not realize we’re making when we hold the belief.

Highlighted without note. Probably because it's true.

A day can be ruined
Is a day such a thing that can actually be ruined? Can you find the object called “day” to assess it’s ruined-ness in the way you can pick up a piece of moldy fruit and assess that it’s past its ripe period?

Highlighted for truth.

The quality of my interactions with others dictates how I feel throughout the day

Highlighted for truth.

It’s important to reflect on the conversation I had this morning (or any previous moment)

Is it? What would happen if you simply let go of that thought/memory/conversation? What would happen if you let go of the past altogether?

Highlighted for truth.

Letting go of the past doesn't mean ignoring it. It means knowing that it's not the present.

A man should look for what is, and not for what he thinks should be.
— Albert Einstein

I love Al, that guy was a genius.

We never actually chose to believe most of what we believe.

Highlighted for truth.

Although we never specifically chose to adopt most of the beliefs that define our experience, we have been actively adopting and incorporating beliefs into our views of ourselves and the world.

Truth, and we often mistake the belief for our self. “I'm a Christian.” “I'm a Democrat.” “America is the greatest country in the world” and it just a coincidence that the folks saying this are mostly Americans basking in the reflected greatness. Same thing for “the Green Bay Packers are the best”. They never add “and I'm a fan so that makes me the best too”.

This sentinel belief I’m referring to is our fundamental stance regarding beliefs themselves. That means it is a belief about the value of recognizing, examining, and questioning our own beliefs.

Highlighted without note.

This is very true and what he never calls it is open mindedness.

Empowering

This is open mindedness. If you're open minded you're willing to question things, even beliefs you hold dear. You know that YOU and your beliefs are separate things so a challenge to your beliefs is an opportunity for growth.

Disempowering

Closed mindedness. If you're closed minded you mistake your beliefs for YOU so a challenge to your beliefs is a challenge to YOU.

I am not going to question your opinion. I am not going to meddle with your beliefs. I am not going to dictate to you mine. All that I say is, examine; enquire. Look into the nature of things. Search out the ground of your opinions, the for and the against. Know why you believe, understand what you believe.

— Francis Wright

Good quote

When men are most sure and arrogant they are commonly most mistaken, giving views to passion without that proper deliberation which alone can secure them from the grossest absurdities.
— David Hume

truth.

Belief Is Tied to Doubt

…and doubt is tied to fear. Fear that we might be wrong. And if we're wrong we'll lose face. If we lose face we'll get kicked out of the tribe and have to survive outside the safety of the cave, alone.

Bonus: Fear that if we're wrong about that belief then we might be wrong about others and then who are we?

we wouldn’t perpetrate maladaptive behaviors

Skeptical. I've watched myself eat the 8pm chips too many nights even though I knew I'd be unhappy when I weighed in. Just because you know a thing doesn't mean you can act on it.

But knowing does make it easier to act, more likely.

You will be taken care of.

Antho wooshit. There is no one to take care of you.

You have a strong sense of ambivalence about certain situations, or in general.

Why would this be a problem? Wouldn't ambivalence just indicate a lack of strong preference? Is he saying that enlightened people always have strong opinions? Seems like they would be more ambivalent but they could see through the stories that support strong opinions.