Instinct...

[fajrdrako]

A quote from Oprah Winfrey:

Follow your instincts. That's where true wisdom manifests itself.

Now, honed by yoga training, I believe that, I really do. The trick is to recognize the difference between an instinct, a whim, a desire, a hope, and an impulse. Someone tell me how to do that and I'd be grateful.

Comments

[kikibug13.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I can pretty well distinguish between whims, desires, and hopes on one side, and instincts and impulses (which I also consider important).

The trouble for me is to stand firm in the face of the first group. And I usually fail.

One of the things that's impressed me about _some_ Eastern disciplines is that the search of spirituality should be pursued in earnest after one's obligations to family and society have been met (even Sidhartha left for the path of enlightenment _after_ he had a son). So I'm sort of... not being too hard on myself when I succumb to temptations.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes, impluses can be the direct way instincts speak. And it's not difficult to tell a strong instinct from a whim, or a deeply-held need from something transitory. But there are still cases where I can't distinguish - or perhaps the distinction I am trying to make is illusory anyway?

Standing firm when you really want something can be difficult, especially when you think you shouldn't want that thing. Sometimes it turns out to be the right thing after all. Sometimes... not.

I suppose if it was all easy to figure out, none of us would ever make mistakes, right?

[kikibug13.livejournal.com]

Well, of course, from a certain perspective I think the distinction cannot be but illusory. But unless we can go out in the woods (well, go South and then into the woods, I guess), we must make the distinction. It's sort of required in order to get along with society, one way or another.

I think I'm still a little too interested in Mara to be able to genuinely let go. I mean, both experiencing it, and learning about it, are absolutely enchanting for me still; breaking my attention away from it while I still don't feel discontent does mean, I think, that I won't be able to be content without it. So for now I just try to pare up my whims and desires to somewhat moderate and just... live. Doing, not withholding action. I know that gathers up karma and all that, but still stepping away from it feels wrong. In the here and now.

I also think that if we could not ever make mistakes, we wouldn't be around here, really. Perhaps mistakes are what makes us human? (Well. and trying to avoid and fix them, too. And silly apes that we are... failing and forgiving?)

Gah. Trying to figure out the world on Monday afternoon. LOL how... 'practical' ;)

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

I disagree strongly. 'Instincts' can be wrong, and I strongly distrust anything that claims to bypass the intellect.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I think that if instinct gives the right answer, the intellect recognizes it. And in cases where instinct doesn't give the right answer, the intellect can override it. The problem that I'm trying to articulate is when the instinct is unclear and the intellect is wrong. I suppose though that if the intellect is wrong it is because it has incomplete information - and the instinct would be equally wrong.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

Intellect is right, 'instinct' dubious, in my book. I don't go for all this touchy-feely stuff.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

You think instinct is touchy-feely? I suspect we are defining 'instinct' differently, then!

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

I was referring more to some of the other bits and pieces in this thread.

[firko.livejournal.com]

I think instinct, and trusting your instincts is one of those things that develops over time. If my head isn't sure what to do after considering the options then I try and follow my instincts. When my instincts are wrong, it's another part of that learning curve of life.

My instincts about people are pretty good. I'm still working on the rest of it!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Instincts about people seem to be the easiest. Or maybe it's just easy for me, and wouldn't be easy for others - certainly I've seen some people make incredible misjudgements with other people! (Just look at some people's dating choices....)