240320 What I learned in my studies this morning 4

Today's Meditation(s):

Mistakes in judgment cause disquiet and turmoil in my mind and in my life.

In every situation, I will, ideally, take time to examine stimuli as they appear to me, being careful to see them as clearly as possible, without unnecessary additions such as emotions and snap judgments. When I have a clear and neutrally described understanding of the stimulus, then and only then will I (do my best to) judge it on its merits, rather than according to the primordial passions which arise in me, unbidden, but 'according to ancient custom'.*

Unfortunately, that's not how we live. In fact, it's one of the things I truly dislike about our culture: the need for responses to be instant. Fast fast fast fast fast. If you hesitate or take time to think about your answer, it is perceived as lack of intelligence or knowledge.

This societal expectation has too often driven considered opinions and actions out of our schooling. Students are rewarded for fast answers and punished for slow thoughts. Smart kids, we are taught, already know the answer and can spout it out without hesitation.

From there, this disease has infected many of our lives with a positive drive toward uncritical acceptance of the first thing that comes to mind. 

Our passions, naturally, are thrilled with this. Whatever pops into our head is bolstered by that early training and, because that's what was rewarded in school, we tend to think it must be the right answer.

Stoicism is the purposeful opposite of this. It's learning to deliberately pause, to take time to make sure we know what the hell we're doing before we assent to the first impulse.

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* Meditations 7.17 (Waterfield)

So why, impression, are you acting like this? Go away, for heaven's sake, back to where you came from. I have no need of you. It's only ingrained habit that has made it possible for you to come. I'm not angry with you, but just go away.