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Shary
147 Posts |
 Posted - 05/01/2007 : 10:05:05
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This is just an observation based on some of the things I'm learning.
Opinions are just that; they are only thoughts, not necessarily facts. To state an example: A number of years ago I attended a workshop for parents of handicapped children. In my group was a tiny older man of oriental extraction. He was very shy with what seemed to be a poor grasp of English. I subconsciously wrote him off as having little to offer. I later found out he was a design engineer on the F-14 fighter plane at Martin-Marietta. In addition to a heavy technical workload, he was caring for a handicapped grandchild. So much for my opinions and initial impressions!
This line of reasoning can be applied to TMS. It pays to thoroughly study our own opinions/attitudes, as well as the opinions of our healthcare providers. Frequently, on closer inspection, we find there are many opinions but few absolutes. Someone said TMS is a work in progress. This is so true, mainly because WE are a work in progress. We can either adjust our attitudes and work toward mental flexibility...or we can spend a lifetime chasing a physical cause and cure for something that originates in our heads. |
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sensei adam rostocki
USA
167 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2007 : 10:10:54
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I think this is worth thinking about, but I just wanted to comment on the usage of the word "Oriental". Oriental describes an object such as a rug or vase, not a person. The proper term is Asian. Thanks, Sensei
CURE-BACK-PAIN(dot)ORG |
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Shary
147 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2007 : 18:23:25
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Hi Adam,
I agree that the term Asian is probably more politically correct, and thanks for reminding me of that. However, my Webster's still defines oriental as a native or inhabitant of the orient, especially one beglonging to a native race. Interesting that you would point this out regarding a commentary on opinions versus absolutes.
Here's wishing you peace and good health, sensei. |
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sensei adam rostocki
USA
167 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2007 : 10:36:22
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I doubt Webster was Asian... lol. Peace in return
CURE-BACK-PAIN(dot)ORG |
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Woodchuck
USA
111 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2007 : 11:32:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Shary
This is just an observation based on some of the things I'm learning.
Opinions are just that; they are only thoughts, not necessarily facts........
.......We can either adjust our attitudes and work toward mental flexibility...or we can spend a lifetime chasing a physical cause and cure for something that originates in our heads.
This is so true! Many times I form an initial opinion about someone that gnaws on me, only later to find out I was totally wrong and what a waste of time and energy I spent harboring a resentment! Great contribution Shary!
Woodchuck |
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shawnsmith
Czech Republic
2048 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2007 : 16:17:37
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Byron Katie said that every thought she ever had turned out to be untrue upon investigation. This is a constant internal dialogue taking place within all of us and we - for the most part- listen to it and respond emotionally. It can be a roller coaster ride and fill us with a lot of anger and fear. The sad thing is, almost all these thoughts are not even true at all.
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Sarno-ize it!
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art
1903 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2007 : 17:16:28
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quote:
Originally posted by shawnsmith
Byron Katie said that every thought she ever had turned out to be untrue upon investigation. This is a constant internal dialogue taking place within all of us and we - for the most part- listen to it and respond emotionally. It can be a roller coaster ride and fill us with a lot of anger and fear. The sad thing is, almost all these thoughts are not even true at all.
*************
Sarno-ize it!
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Ever since 9/11 I've thought a lot about the damage intransigent belief systems can do. I find the whole thing quite depressing, that so much violence and mayhem is committed in service of ideas that are simply wrong. More depressing still that these ideas and beliefs are utterly unassailable. If for example, someone believes that the Jews who worked in the WTC all got phone calls warning them not to go to work that day( don't laugh, this is believed by many people in the world), there is no way to convince that person otherwise.
I would make a distinction however between this kind of unyielding faith (yes, at the risk of starting another war I include fumdamentalist religious beliefs here), and mere opinion. Opinions are, or should be, malleable in the face of new information.
I consider political beliefs to be generally faith-based, which explains their often divisive nature. People hold onto these beliefs as if their very identity and self-worth were dependent on them. People are unable to change their minds because they are afraid.
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Edited by - art on 05/02/2007 17:20:44 |
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skizzik
USA
783 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2007 : 17:24:13
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quote:
Originally posted by Shary
oriental extraction.
is this some type of asian dentistry?  |
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carbar
USA
227 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2007 : 19:46:57
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quote:
Originally posted by shawnsmith
The sad thing is, almost all these thoughts are not even true at all.
Thanks for the quote, Shawn. Buddhist folks wouldn't say it's sad though -- it's just how it is. Everything is impermanent. It's not that things are true or not (that's our judgement on them after the fact) What was thought in that moment was what was real at that moment. We are impermanent, our thoughts are impermanent.
In mindfullness meditation class, the instructor often referred to "inccurate" thoughts, though, so if we notice a thought that is inaccurate, such as "I'm really bad at solving problems," you can identify it as incorrect and let it go. And incorrect here is meaning a habitual thought that is not grounded in a true observation of the situation.
An exerpt from my class workbook:
"We can easily develop bad habits in the way that we think. In psychology, these bad habis are known as cognitive distortions" and like any other bad habit, we usually don't notice them when they are happening. Cognitive distortions are "bad" habits because the thoughts are inaccurate. If we don't notice that our thoughts are inaccurate as they occur, we believe them and act as if those thoughts were true. Often these inaccurate thoughts create trouble. When we act on those inaccurate thoughts, everyone is in for a more difficult time."
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Opinions and the harm they cause
