An elaboration on The Dichotomy of Control + The serenity and god-like power in accepting what you cannot control

Discuss the November 2022 Philosophy Book of the Month, In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes.

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An elaboration on The Dichotomy of Control + The serenity and god-like power in accepting what you cannot control

Post by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes »

This is a discussion forum topic for the November 2022 Philosophy Book of the Month, In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All.


Those who read the book know that a key premise in its logic is respecting The Dichotomy of Control, meaning paying attention to the difference between what is in your control (i.e. your choices in your unique present), and what is not in your control (i.e. what are unchangeable aspects of eternal reality) the epitomizing example of which is what's in your past.

To elaborate on what is not in your control, this seems to include almost everything, with at most a very very very tiny sliver of exceptions cut out for you in your teeny tiny unique spatiotemporal present (meaning your little tiny here-and-now in the vast seemingly infinite reaches of 4D spacetime). From your reference frame in your relative point-like place in 4D spacetime, what you don't control and cannot change includes (1) anything and everything that has already happened (i.e. what many would call "the past"), (2) almost everything in your present since even a split-second after it happens it is already written into your relativistic past and thus eternal reality (even before the soundwaves reach your ears or lightwaves reach your eyes), and (3) everything that is fated to happen in the future no matter what you do or choose from your present point forward, which includes almost all of the future. For an example of this 'fated' future, let's assume as is typically the case that you have no way at all of even slightly affecting what lottery numbers are drawn in a given multi-million or multi-billion jackpot drawing happening tomorrow. And let's assume for whatever reason you already bought one ticket but cannot possibly buy any more tickets. Then, whether or not you win the lottery tomorrow is, from your perspective in your unique present, already a matter of fate, meaning it is already as unchangeable by you as the distant past is. As a single human being, when you accept how little influence you actually have over what's happening on the planet in the short-term, let alone in the vast universe as a whole, you realize how much of the future, especially the near-future, is already fated for you from your little tiny relative spot and reference frame in 4D spacetime.

Of course, when you deeply explore and meditate on what I have referred to above as your little tiny here-and-now (i.e. your unique present), and by extension explore or mediate on presence itself, you find that there is mystical depth to that presence itself that is at least interlinked with if not identical to consciousness itself. It's analogous to there being a 5th dimension that transcends the 4 dimensions of 4D spacetime, such that even a teeny tiny little circle in 4D spacetime is thereby extended in this proverbial 5th dimension into a cylinder of great if not infinite depth, length, and area. That is what presence/consciousness is like, the way a single teeny tiny little 4D blob (i.e. your human brain over a few milliseconds) in vast 4D spacetime can in a way correspond to something of great seemingly infinite depth (i.e. the real you, meaning consciousness or presence itself).

In other words, there's a whole universe inside your human skull, and in that universe you have god-like power to say the least.



Please do reply with your comments and questions. :)


---
The book is available for purchase from all major book retailers in both ebook and hardcover format.
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My entire political philosophy summed up in one tweet.

"The mind is a wonderful servant but a terrible master."

I believe spiritual freedom (a.k.a. self-discipline) manifests as bravery, confidence, grace, honesty, love, and inner peace.
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Re: An elaboration on The Dichotomy of Control + The serenity and god-like power in accepting what you cannot control

Post by Ct-95 »

Truth. Your G-d like 5D control is my "ruach" (G-d's breath) of ""btzelim elohim" (in his image) creating my "nefesh" (soul).
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Re: An elaboration on The Dichotomy of Control + The serenity and god-like power in accepting what you cannot control

Post by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes »

Ct-95 wrote: January 10th, 2023, 3:44 pm Truth. Your G-d like 5D control is my "ruach" (G-d's breath) of ""btzelim elohim" (in his image) creating my "nefesh" (soul).
Hi, Ct-95, thank you for your reply. :)

I'm not sure what you mean when you write that my god-like 5D control is your G-d's breath of in his image creating your soul. Can you explain what you mean by that a bit more?
My entire political philosophy summed up in one tweet.

"The mind is a wonderful servant but a terrible master."

I believe spiritual freedom (a.k.a. self-discipline) manifests as bravery, confidence, grace, honesty, love, and inner peace.
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Re: An elaboration on The Dichotomy of Control + The serenity and god-like power in accepting what you cannot control

Post by Surabhi Rani »

A well-researched thought! I like the words ' there is a mystical depth to our present that is linked to our consciousness and want to learn elaborately about it'. I love the concluding words of this discussion!
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Re: An elaboration on The Dichotomy of Control + The serenity and god-like power in accepting what you cannot control

Post by ilze herholdt »

It is impossible to control absolutely everything in your life. You can try to plan ahead but just know that not everything will work out exactly the way you want it to. You need to be prepared for when it doesn't go your way and accept things as they are. You will always have choices to make but you can never control everything.
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Re: An elaboration on The Dichotomy of Control + The serenity and god-like power in accepting what you cannot control

Post by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes »

Surabhi Rani wrote: January 10th, 2023, 8:18 pm A well-researched thought! I like the words ' there is a mystical depth to our present that is linked to our consciousness and want to learn elaborately about it'. I love the concluding words of this discussion!
ilze herholdt wrote: February 1st, 2023, 10:14 am It is impossible to control absolutely everything in your life. You can try to plan ahead but just know that not everything will work out exactly the way you want it to. You need to be prepared for when it doesn't go your way and accept things as they are. You will always have choices to make but you can never control everything.
Thank you Surabhi and ilze for your thoughtful replies! :D
My entire political philosophy summed up in one tweet.

"The mind is a wonderful servant but a terrible master."

I believe spiritual freedom (a.k.a. self-discipline) manifests as bravery, confidence, grace, honesty, love, and inner peace.
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Re: An elaboration on The Dichotomy of Control + The serenity and god-like power in accepting what you cannot control

Post by ahassan_96 »

To me, the subject of The Dichotomy of Control is interesting in very many aspects. At some point, it can be agreed upon that 'control’ has to limit factors. While it is true that we’re only limited to controlling particular outcomes, unfortunately, some things are beyond our control. And the fact that we may relate to the god-like power type of experience, proves that at least we are capable of having some form of influence soon. Therefore, having some kind of impact, be it positive or negative.
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Re: An elaboration on The Dichotomy of Control + The serenity and god-like power in accepting what you cannot control

Post by Onyango Victor »

Eckhart Aurelius Hughes wrote: January 10th, 2023, 2:51 pm This is a discussion forum topic for the November 2022 Philosophy Book of the Month, In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All.


Those who read the book know that a key premise in its logic is respecting The Dichotomy of Control, meaning paying attention to the difference between what is in your control (i.e. your choices in your unique present), and what is not in your control (i.e. what are unchangeable aspects of eternal reality) the epitomizing example of which is what's in your past.

To elaborate on what is not in your control, this seems to include almost everything, with at most a very very very tiny sliver of exceptions cut out for you in your teeny tiny unique spatiotemporal present (meaning your little tiny here-and-now in the vast seemingly infinite reaches of 4D spacetime). From your reference frame in your relative point-like place in 4D spacetime, what you don't control and cannot change includes (1) anything and everything that has already happened (i.e. what many would call "the past"), (2) almost everything in your present since even a split-second after it happens it is already written into your relativistic past and thus eternal reality (even before the soundwaves reach your ears or lightwaves reach your eyes), and (3) everything that is fated to happen in the future no matter what you do or choose from your present point forward, which includes almost all of the future. For an example of this 'fated' future, let's assume as is typically the case that you have no way at all of even slightly affecting what lottery numbers are drawn in a given multi-million or multi-billion jackpot drawing happening tomorrow. And let's assume for whatever reason you already bought one ticket but cannot possibly buy any more tickets. Then, whether or not you win the lottery tomorrow is, from your perspective in your unique present, already a matter of fate, meaning it is already as unchangeable by you as the distant past is. As a single human being, when you accept how little influence you actually have over what's happening on the planet in the short-term, let alone in the vast universe as a whole, you realize how much of the future, especially the near-future, is already fated for you from your little tiny relative spot and reference frame in 4D spacetime.

Of course, when you deeply explore and meditate on what I have referred to above as your little tiny here-and-now (i.e. your unique present), and by extension explore or mediate on presence itself, you find that there is mystical depth to that presence itself that is at least interlinked with if not identical to consciousness itself. It's analogous to there being a 5th dimension that transcends the 4 dimensions of 4D spacetime, such that even a teeny tiny little circle in 4D spacetime is thereby extended in this proverbial 5th dimension into a cylinder of great if not infinite depth, length, and area. That is what presence/consciousness is like, the way a single teeny tiny little 4D blob (i.e. your human brain over a few milliseconds) in vast 4D spacetime can in a way correspond to something of great seemingly infinite depth (i.e. the real you, meaning consciousness or presence itself).

In other words, there's a whole universe inside your human skull, and in that universe you have god-like power to say the least.



Please do reply with your comments and questions. :)


---
The book is available for purchase from all major book retailers in both ebook and hardcover format.
Image
The Dichotomy of Control, rooted in Stoic philosophy, emphasizes distinguishing between what you can and cannot control. Accepting the uncontrollable aspects of life grants a serene mindset, akin to a god-like power, as you transcend futile resistance and focus on mastering your reactions to external events. Embracing this dichotomy fosters resilience and inner peace, enabling a more profound sense of control over one's emotional and mental well-being.
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Re: An elaboration on The Dichotomy of Control + The serenity and god-like power in accepting what you cannot control

Post by Devis Ombeto »

In this cerebral universe, introspection becomes a journey into self-awareness, granting individuals the capacity to understand their motives, fears, and aspirations. The mind's god-like power extends to shaping perspectives, influencing perceptions, and even altering the course of personal narratives. Through the lens of cognition, humans wield the ability to construct and deconstruct ideas, bridging the gap between the abstract and the tangible.
Kemunto Nyatundo
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Re: An elaboration on The Dichotomy of Control + The serenity and god-like power in accepting what you cannot control

Post by Kemunto Nyatundo »

The enigma lies in deciphering the subtle threads that connect our awareness to the cosmic intricacies surrounding us. As we navigate this intellectual odyssey, questions arise about the nature of reality, the interplay between perception and truth, and the profound influence of our thoughts on the fabric of our experience.
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