11/19/08

precedents

so often our mind rationalizes prejudices we form based on precedents. precedents are really the attachments the mind has formed and refuses to let go of. why? i wonder. when more often than not, they bring us only fear - the fear that things will not change. but they do, and they will - for change is the only constant. it only takes one chance to break the jinx, no? more the reason to do something than to not do it, so as to step out of a precedent and into the new, beautiful and changed world.

5 comments:

Adu said...

maybe it's okay in some situations though, because change comes about slowly, and you don't always have control over it. for example, if you find yourself alone in a dark seedy alley, i would call it prudent to hurry your step, not prejudiced.

8&20 said...

true. i am always on the side of balance.

i do believe that one always does have control over change, though. that is, whatever involves our internal self, we do have control over. if we firmly believe that following a certain train of thought is unhealthy, and that train of thought is within us, it can be changed.

and if you're in a dark seedy alley, what is the precedent here? :) give a complete analogy yaar :).

Adu said...

aiyyah...the precedent is that many people have been mugged when walking alone in dark alleys. so one may be prejudiced about the kind of people one would encounter in dark alleys and therefore hurry out of there. it's not an analogy. it's an example of a situation where prejudices may possibly serve a purpose.

8&20 said...

:)

by precedents, i should explain that i was referring to the precedents *we* tend to form in our lives. when we fall and hurt ourselves biking, and then refuse to bike again, or when we get into a car accident, and are ever afraid to drive, or when a certain meeting brings us pain and we shudder to meet the person again...

in these cases, one is holding on to certain notions that it is best to let go of.

in the case of dark alleys, it is not necessary to be afraid. one may be prudent, and be cautious while walking through the alley. but that would not be out of fear, that would be out of wisdom/cognizance. one should be cautious while driving, for instance, but not allow oneself to be afraid because one was in an accident earlier, or because other people have been in accidents earlier.

do i make more sense?

Adu said...

ah i see...ur referring to mental blocks because of unsubstantiated fears.