February 13, 2025
Principle 2. The Principle of Action and Reaction. Second Week.
“When you force something towards an end you produce the contrary.”
Last time: Tales and Find It!
This time: Unintended Consequences and Ask About It!
This Week:
Last week we focused on the general structure and implications of the principle. This week we’ll investigate two different paths to expand our vision and understanding. The first is to examine the principle in from a certain perspective in time. The second by playing the game of Ask About It!.
The Past
This exercise only takes a few minutes. Can I find the time? Can I at least ask myself what stops me — even when I have previously experienced the benefit of these simple works?
Can I see how this principle played out (or didn't) in my past. Can I discover at least one situation where I applied this principle? One where I violated it? Can I see why I went down that road? What particular consequences resulted? How would I characterize these results?
The Game
You might expect this to be the easiest of all the games. After all most of this “inning” requires you to do nothing! Why is it often so hard? Try not to avoid giving yourself a real answer to this question.
It’s simple turn to someone and ask them what these words might mean. Listen to what they say. This is not the occasion to teach or have a dialogue (both wonderful things) it is a moment to listen and try to hear what the other is saying.
Try it out. Simply say to a friend, your neighbour, family member, or some stranger on the street: “I’ve been discussing this saying with some friends and everyone had a different take on it. What’s yours?” Obviously, you don’t need to use those words the point is to solicit their opinion, and then the hard part. You need to listen — even when they say “I think that’s stupid”.
Remember, there’s four parts to the game. Each is important:
Ask. Shut up. Listen. Say Thanks.
Personal Reflections:
Here’s some raw material that I hope you will find useful in your own reflections.
It has often been pointed out that this principle doesn’t say that forcing produces the opposite! If I pressure someone to do what I want it doesn’t mean that they won’t do it, or that they’ll pressure me in return, it’s not quite that simple.
Consider these examples that Laozi gives in the Dao de Jing
Chapter 9
Fill a cup to the brim and it’s likely to spill.
Over sharpen a blade and it only loses its edge more quickly.
The more you accumulate, the more you have to lose.
Celebrity and fame bring scandal and disgrace.
Do your work and let it go. This is the way of heaven.
Chapter 24
Standing on tiptoe you lose your balance.
Running full out you are quickly exhausted.
People see through boastfulness.
The braggart appears weak.
Like crumbs from a meal, or empty promises.
They bring no satisfaction.
Those who follow the way leave all that aside.
Coming up:
Over the next weeks we’ll look at how the principle of action and reaction might apply to our present and future situations. All of this is not just in order to deepen our understanding this particular principle, but also to begin to reflect more rigorously about our daily behaviour.
Powerful Medicine:
Every morning (perhaps even before getting out of bed or opening your eyes), consider for a brief moment how applying this principle could change your day. Imagine the specific events and encounters you think will arise and how you want to face them. Before going to sleep briefly review the day. Try to remember (without self-praise or criticism) when you felt “in agreement with yourself” (i.e., your feelings, thoughts, and actions were all aligned in the same direction). Notice when you felt angry, violent or in disagreement with yourself. Consider the principle briefly. In a surprisingly short time you will notice positive and important results.
There’s a money back guarantee on that!
Worth Repeating:
“Only rarely do I perceive reality in a new way, and it is then that I realize that what I normally see resembles sleep or semi-sleep.”
Silo, Inner Look 6:2
Remember
If you are not indifferent to the pain and suffering of others, in order to help them you must bring your thoughts, feelings, and actions into agreement.
Silo, The Path
Note:
Michael Cameron has offered to be our host next week.
These notes have been posted on Facebook and sent to our email list. You will also find them along with other comments, and reflections on my website: dzuckerbrot.com
Existential Mysticism
—Silo’s Way
