The Unanswerable Questions

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2319

Abstract

on the inside.”¹ I think this is because many value the opinions of others before their very own opinion. Some also want the recognition from others externally and perhaps receiving that is enough to create a distraction from the actual internal challenges they might be dealing with.</p><p id="2079">I find it interesting that “many people are texting while driving, even as they know it is very dangerous, not just for themselves, but for other innocent people on the road.”¹ Even though many are aware they might be doing something that isn’t necessarily morally accepted like texting and driving, they do it anyways. What exactly drives these actions? Why do we do things we know we shouldn’t be doing? I wonder if it’s because many have yet to face the disturbing consequences to fully understand that we really shouldn’t be texting and driving.</p><p id="0e07">With that said, I think we have to accept the fact that everybody has their own opinions and philosophy, which makes life interesting and it’s how we are able to come up with interesting questions that are sometimes unanswerable.</p><figure id="bd26"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*jCIM4vphpD1SAKXJpfZUMA.jpeg"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@simonmigaj?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Simon Migaj</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/meditation?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure><h1 id="0e2b">The mind is powerful.</h1><p id="1ebf" type="7">“‘We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world. Speak or act with an impure mind and trouble will follow you as the wheel follows the ox that draws the cart. We are what we think. With our thoughts, we make the world. Speak or act with a pure mind and happiness will follow you as your shadow, unshakable’” (Buddha 1976, 21).¹</p><p id="b0ec">In the video <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcpQr9ohaww">“Why Can’t We Be Good?”</a>² featuring Jacob Needleman talking at Google about his book, brings to light the concept of figuring out how to bridge together our thoughts with our actions. At times we have really great ideas and opinions, but we don’t act on th

Options

em. Taking action in general can be challenging. I find myself saying I want to do certain things like sleeping earlier and having a stricter bedtime routine, but do I follow through with what I say I want to do? <b>No</b>. Another example could be wanting to learn a new language. Have I made the efforts to try? <b>No</b>. I tell myself it’s because I don’t have enough time, which is true, but could also be seen as an excuse.</p><p id="2641">Needleman points out the idea that the mind is capable of asking questions, but alone the mind can not answer those questions. I thought this was very intriguing because what are we supposed to do when we don’t know the answer? This brings me to think, how are we able to formulate these unique questions, but we can’t seem to figure out the answers to them?</p><p id="3692">Is it because many individuals aren’t able to separate their personal philosophy and what they were conditioned to believe as a child in order to develop the “right” perspective? With this in mind, I can see that mindset plays a big role in the development of these questions.</p><h2 id="a247">Our mindset has the ability to carry us through life’s biggest challenges.</h2><p id="91ca">There was a time when I had a fixed mindset. I was pessimistic about a lot of things. Looking back during those times, I didn’t gain anything by maintaining that type of mindset except for making things harder for myself. I realized I was also not fully present in things I participated in like extracurricular activities, my relationships, and myself. I found myself to be easily distracted and I allowed this behavior to essentially determine how I was living my life.</p><p id="b30a"><b>Now to be more present,</b> I’m choosing to be aware of my thoughts, emotions, and circumstances. I’m choosing where and what I want to put my energy and time towards. I’m not letting my environment or situation define me. I want to be more intentional with my thoughts, which will help me become a better communicator and listener.</p><h2 id="12f8">To be conscious, compassionate, and accepting is all a part of the growth process.</h2><p id="6bf1">[1] Provost, J Glorian. “Study Part 1: Jacob Needleman.” Lecture.</p><p id="a820">[2]Provost, J Glorian. “Study Part 2: Why Can’t We Be Good?” Lecture.</p></article></body>

Trying to understand what I don’t understand

How do I determine what is essential? What do I value? What should I value? I find questions like this to be intriguing because it requires time and discipline to be able to tap deep into self-knowledge. Why would it take time and discipline? Time is an important factor because thoughts shouldn’t be rushed. I think to be able to thoroughly understand and reflect effectively, I have to give myself time to do so.

Rushing a journaling session by trying to fit it in between tasks with only ten minutes to spare isn’t going to produce useful results. I have to be intentional. In doing so, I find that it requires discipline.

To me, journaling is more than just writing out my thoughts in the present moment, but I look at it as a way to keep track of progress and to revisit my experiences in order to reflect and improve.

When days are introspective, I contemplate whether or not my actions were right. What does it mean to be right? What determines if something is right or wrong? Good or bad?

I think it’s challenging to be able to define something to be so specific when everybody has their own opinions. Some opinions might be influenced by other people, books, experiences, etc. When we share our perspective with other people they have the opportunity of adopting that experience or thought by either agreeing or disagreeing with it. Or they could both agree and disagree. What I’m trying to reach here is the ambiguity involved with sharing ideas.

In Jacob Needleman’s book Why Can’t We Be Good? He brings up the concept of inner and outer goodness. “[Needleman] is more concerned with why people struggle to be good on the outside, while not changing on the inside.”¹ I think this is because many value the opinions of others before their very own opinion. Some also want the recognition from others externally and perhaps receiving that is enough to create a distraction from the actual internal challenges they might be dealing with.

I find it interesting that “many people are texting while driving, even as they know it is very dangerous, not just for themselves, but for other innocent people on the road.”¹ Even though many are aware they might be doing something that isn’t necessarily morally accepted like texting and driving, they do it anyways. What exactly drives these actions? Why do we do things we know we shouldn’t be doing? I wonder if it’s because many have yet to face the disturbing consequences to fully understand that we really shouldn’t be texting and driving.

With that said, I think we have to accept the fact that everybody has their own opinions and philosophy, which makes life interesting and it’s how we are able to come up with interesting questions that are sometimes unanswerable.

The mind is powerful.

“‘We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world. Speak or act with an impure mind and trouble will follow you as the wheel follows the ox that draws the cart. We are what we think. With our thoughts, we make the world. Speak or act with a pure mind and happiness will follow you as your shadow, unshakable’” (Buddha 1976, 21).¹

In the video “Why Can’t We Be Good?”² featuring Jacob Needleman talking at Google about his book, brings to light the concept of figuring out how to bridge together our thoughts with our actions. At times we have really great ideas and opinions, but we don’t act on them. Taking action in general can be challenging. I find myself saying I want to do certain things like sleeping earlier and having a stricter bedtime routine, but do I follow through with what I say I want to do? No. Another example could be wanting to learn a new language. Have I made the efforts to try? No. I tell myself it’s because I don’t have enough time, which is true, but could also be seen as an excuse.

Needleman points out the idea that the mind is capable of asking questions, but alone the mind can not answer those questions. I thought this was very intriguing because what are we supposed to do when we don’t know the answer? This brings me to think, how are we able to formulate these unique questions, but we can’t seem to figure out the answers to them?

Is it because many individuals aren’t able to separate their personal philosophy and what they were conditioned to believe as a child in order to develop the “right” perspective? With this in mind, I can see that mindset plays a big role in the development of these questions.

Our mindset has the ability to carry us through life’s biggest challenges.

There was a time when I had a fixed mindset. I was pessimistic about a lot of things. Looking back during those times, I didn’t gain anything by maintaining that type of mindset except for making things harder for myself. I realized I was also not fully present in things I participated in like extracurricular activities, my relationships, and myself. I found myself to be easily distracted and I allowed this behavior to essentially determine how I was living my life.

Now to be more present, I’m choosing to be aware of my thoughts, emotions, and circumstances. I’m choosing where and what I want to put my energy and time towards. I’m not letting my environment or situation define me. I want to be more intentional with my thoughts, which will help me become a better communicator and listener.