Enjoyed the unique take on it. What I struggle to understand is that can we ever TRULY understand the motivations? For example, on one extreme end you become a monk and essentially don't respond to desires/motivations. On the other end, you can be blindly driven my desires.
Is the "equilibrium" to be aware of them so we can live intentionally?
Yes exactly. My personal belief is that there shouldn't be this extreme, for an average person. Not everyone could and should become a monk. To most that won't be a fulfilling life. On the other hand, if you never pause and ask yourself why you do what you do, you run the risk of responding to desires and motivations that are not yours.
So I see it as building a habit...weekly...monthly..
1. "I really want to start this program as a side-hustle"
2. Ask yourself- "Ok, why?"
3. "Oh because I see everyone starting programs, making money from them online and it's a sure way for me to quit my job" is VERY different from "I love teaching, it's one of my gifts, I can do it for hours, while making a difference in peoples lives AND also having additional income as a safety net if I get let go."
4. The second type of response will keep you way more motivated, and way more full filled.
It's the same as people saying "I only became a doctor because my parents wanted me to." or "I only stayed in corporate because my wife didn't want me to venture out on my own."
It's a way to look inwards and see if your dreams are truly yourself.
Interesting take. On your #3's first response (oh everyone else is doing it), what was a revealing "truth" to me was realizing that humans by design are mnemonic creatures (monkey see monkey do doesn't only apply to monkeys .... applies to humans too). I do believe that overall its good but it does burn out when you are pursuing truly creative endeavours or doing things that are "not average".
What practice (i.e meditation, conversations and self-reflections etc) have you found the most effective to stay grounded or remind yourself of what are your dreams vs. mostly externally influenced?
Enjoyed the unique take on it. What I struggle to understand is that can we ever TRULY understand the motivations? For example, on one extreme end you become a monk and essentially don't respond to desires/motivations. On the other end, you can be blindly driven my desires.
Is the "equilibrium" to be aware of them so we can live intentionally?
Yes exactly. My personal belief is that there shouldn't be this extreme, for an average person. Not everyone could and should become a monk. To most that won't be a fulfilling life. On the other hand, if you never pause and ask yourself why you do what you do, you run the risk of responding to desires and motivations that are not yours.
So I see it as building a habit...weekly...monthly..
1. "I really want to start this program as a side-hustle"
2. Ask yourself- "Ok, why?"
3. "Oh because I see everyone starting programs, making money from them online and it's a sure way for me to quit my job" is VERY different from "I love teaching, it's one of my gifts, I can do it for hours, while making a difference in peoples lives AND also having additional income as a safety net if I get let go."
4. The second type of response will keep you way more motivated, and way more full filled.
It's the same as people saying "I only became a doctor because my parents wanted me to." or "I only stayed in corporate because my wife didn't want me to venture out on my own."
It's a way to look inwards and see if your dreams are truly yourself.
Interesting take. On your #3's first response (oh everyone else is doing it), what was a revealing "truth" to me was realizing that humans by design are mnemonic creatures (monkey see monkey do doesn't only apply to monkeys .... applies to humans too). I do believe that overall its good but it does burn out when you are pursuing truly creative endeavours or doing things that are "not average".
What practice (i.e meditation, conversations and self-reflections etc) have you found the most effective to stay grounded or remind yourself of what are your dreams vs. mostly externally influenced?