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All problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone (2014)

theguardian.com

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Re: All problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone (2014)

#91

Post by op03 »

pmoriarty wrote: post #54
codechicago277 wrote: post #50

This quote comes from Blaise Pascal's Pensées, accessible here. "That is why we like noise and activity so much. That is why imprisonment is such a horrific punishment. That is why the pleasure of being alone is incomprehensible. That is, in fact, the main joy of the condition of kingship, because people are constantly trying to amuse kings and provide them with all sorts of distraction.—The king is surrounded by peo…

Just a bit more on why Pascal thought even a king is unhappy when he thinks about himself: Whatever condition we picture to ourselves, if we muster all the good things which it is possible to possess, royalty is the finest position in the world. Yet, when we imagine a king attended with every pleasure he can feel, if he be without diversion, and be left to consider and reflect on what he is, this feeble happiness wil…

Does this apply to Ants and Amoebas? They don't seem to enjoy sitting quite either.

Re: All problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone (2014)

#92

Post by animal_spirits »

occamschainsaw wrote: post #85

This quote has fascinated me for a long time. It seems that this is a skill that can be sharpened with deliberate practice. I went to a 10 day silent meditation retreat (Vipasana) abs felt I got much more comfortable sitting by myself just observing my thoughts. The practice part was difficult, probably one of the hardest things I have ever done. 10 days of no talking/reading/writing, sitting in a room, observing you…

This is why I think it is important to understand and practice meditation and prayer. Maybe most don't understand the psychology behind it but dedicating some time during your day to sit and think can be surprisingly beneficial.

Re: All problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone (2014)

#93

Post by austincheney »

Talanes wrote: post #66
austincheney wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> the first thing we usually notice when we look honestly at ourselves Most people cannot achieve that level of objectivity or self-awareness. That is measurable.

I'm not convinced anyone is. Full objectivity is hindered by our minds ability to guess and rationalize. Personally I find all attempts at self-knowledge are just a constant game of trying to sieve truth from rationalization, and I go back and forth on which is which constantly. Ultimately I cannot tell the difference within myself, and I cannot trust that anyone else can either.

I wasn’t speaking to a philosophical maxim, but rather practical application. Self-awareness is a real thing that can be objectively measured comparative between different people.

Re: All problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone (2014)

#94

Post by mensetmanusman »

claudiawerner wrote: post #87
codechicago277 wrote: post #50

This quote comes from Blaise Pascal's Pensées, accessible here. "That is why we like noise and activity so much. That is why imprisonment is such a horrific punishment. That is why the pleasure of being alone is incomprehensible. That is, in fact, the main joy of the condition of kingship, because people are constantly trying to amuse kings and provide them with all sorts of distraction.—The king is surrounded by peo…

>The king is surrounded by people whose only thought is to entertain him and prevent him from thinking about himself. This is really interesting from a modern perspective. I'm an audiophile - I've spent countless hours just sitting in a chair in front of a stereo system I've spent a couple thousand on. If I ever lapse into non-attention to the music, I try and get back to the music. It's like mindfulness meditation,…

I just read Ecclesiastes, it’s amazing what universal perspective can do for the spirit.

Re: All problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone (2014)

#95

Post by mensetmanusman »

perchard wrote: post #72

Just my interpretation (of the Pascal quote), beginning with the full quote. > When I have occasionally set myself to consider the different distractions of men, the pains and perils to which they expose themselves at court or in war, whence arise so many quarrels, passions, bold and often bad ventures, etc., I have discovered that all the unhappiness of men arises from one single fact, that they cannot stay quietly…

With all the sociological data we have now, it’s almost certain that Pascal’s wager has never been more true for those looking to lead a meaningful life.

Re: All problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone (2014)

#96

Post by joe_the_user »

occamschainsaw wrote: post #85

This quote has fascinated me for a long time. It seems that this is a skill that can be sharpened with deliberate practice. I went to a 10 day silent meditation retreat (Vipasana) abs felt I got much more comfortable sitting by myself just observing my thoughts. The practice part was difficult, probably one of the hardest things I have ever done. 10 days of no talking/reading/writing, sitting in a room, observing you…

I've done a variety of meditation techniques and certainly appreciate the benefits they may offer.

One thing I'd say is that it's not always the techniques that feel the hardest that actually offer the most benefits. I believe Buddha's term "middle way" referred to a way that was in the middle between extreme privation/altered consciousness and the ordinary world. I think those interested in meditation techniques should consider this.

And in terms of long term silent retreats, I had an old friend who's schizophrenic symptoms were intensified by retreats of that sort and meditation in general isn't a thing that's riskless - I recall the possibility of serious reactions to meditation and intensive meditation in particular has been documented in a number of articles.

Which relates to claims about "All problems"

Re: All problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone (2014)

#97

Post by sriku »

occamschainsaw wrote: post #85

This quote has fascinated me for a long time. It seems that this is a skill that can be sharpened with deliberate practice. I went to a 10 day silent meditation retreat (Vipasana) abs felt I got much more comfortable sitting by myself just observing my thoughts. The practice part was difficult, probably one of the hardest things I have ever done. 10 days of no talking/reading/writing, sitting in a room, observing you…

> I feel I can separate the sense of my being from my thoughts some times.

This is key. Too much importance to thinking and thoughts otherwise all around. See even during "meditation" we tend to talk about "watching thoughts" like they are something special worth that attention.

Re: All problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone (2014)

#100

Post by psyc »

I used to have a close friend who was constantly getting into trouble (and calling me to bail her out, sometimes literally). Minor run ins with the police, car accidents, making shady deals or getting into debt to random lowlifes she just met. I always used to say that I wished she would just stay in her room and sit on the bed. Save both of us so much trouble!

This was in the days before social media, otherwise I'm sure she would have done plenty of damage from her room.

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