Up@dawn 2.0

Monday, August 29, 2016

Movement vs. Stillness H01

The readings the past few days have been heavily based on the idea that walking can be beneficial to the philosophical thought process, but within the act of walking you are moving, constantly surveying your surroundings and multitasking to an extreme level as you try to delve deep into the realm of ideas. This in itself is not for me, maybe for you,  but I find my most thoughtful moments are not while moving, but sitting still. Not walking, not running or flying but in a secluded place where I can just be still. IThe Gymnasiums of the Mind Christopher Orlet seems adamite about the benefits of walking saying it is beneficial to the "generation of creative contemplation and thought" which is a valid point seeing that exploring beautiful surroundings can lead to inspiration. But inspiration can be found in anything at any time. There's no need to walk to have creative ideas and contemplate on life. The practice of Jing zuo which literally translates into "sitting quietly"  is an art of meditation used in Confucian Meditation and Buddhist Meditation practices. This practice is a way of achieving deep intellectual though by just sitting quietly. William Johnston said that those who practice Jing zuo can "perceive the pristine ethical basis of human nature" and also be able to "grasp the essential emptiness of everything." Practicing the ways of the peripatetics can be beneficial to some, but if walking and thinking isn't working out for you, then using the teachings of Confucius by just simply sitting quietly will lead you to profound ideas. 

2 comments:

  1. Whatever works for you. Sitting quietly has its place, but too many of us in this culture are all too eager to embrace the sedentary life for reasons less than transcendental or meditative.

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  2. In a way, both can invoke philosophy. Through the use of meditation, we also succeed in slowing our lives down and clearing our minds, allowing time to think and ponder on philosophy. Personally for me though, i prefer to be moving in nature because it gives me the most peace of mind and the movement gets my mind moving as well.

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