Praxis

Wiki defines praxis as the process by which a theory, lesson, or skill is enacted or practiced, embodied and/or realized. And so it seems that if knowledge and realization are the ying, then praxis has got to be the yang. It also seems that while the ying in this case is more of an organic, implicit unfolding, driven largely by circumstance, curiosity, and intellectual integrity (read: traits that are largely outside of our control), the yang of praxis is where the real action lies. If there is any substantive free will, I suspect it is right here, in my capacity to align my actions with my highest aspirations.

Alas, it is also amazingly difficult. Ha! Could it be any other way? No. Such is the price of free will. If there is any..

I have over the years become more able to observe and identify the various narrative flavors of my auto pilot existence. And a recent realization, one that has taken many months to fully come into focus, led me to observe the ever-present narrative of maximizing and advancing my own standing in this world. The continuous drive to be better off. It shapes and propels much of my drive, whether it is to get somewhere faster, save more money on car insurance, or so organize my afternoon as to derive as much enjoyment from it as possible. I am simply often hyper-aware of how this or that affects me, and what I can do to possibly make it better. FOR ME.

Now, this isn't all that out of place (I suspect most folks have this software running too), and, after all, it is great to save money on car insurance. Yet I have now come to realize the price I pay for running this narrative on an ONGOING basis. Put simply, it's suffering. Given the limited resources, time, and control over what actually happens, it seems the drive itself sets me up for continuous, unsatisfied yearning. One that keeps me in a perpetual state of stress, and even more importantly, one that's not aligned with one of the highest of aspirations - peace of mind.

Darting from one section of a department store to another the other day, I suddenly became aware of how miserable I felt. The drive to get my shopping done as quickly as possible, along with continuous deliberations on all things value and utility, were simply stressing me out. And then suddenly I heard myself say out loud... "Relax dude." I not only thought and said this, I also followed up with some deep breathing, slower walking, and a bit of a grin. Just like that. The result, however tenuous and short-lived, was less stress and a little more peace. I had to utter that "relax dude" a few more times, and in general the whole shopping experience was a lot more tolerable. What I specifically noticed was that it took not only awareness, but also a bit of work - a conscious intervention into the auto pilot.

Here is to praxis then. And to peace of mind. And to 50% off sales!