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Enlightned Individualism: an empowered approach to life
Hello guys.
"Enlightened Individualism" is finally out.
I consider it a central mindset and life approach for this website, and it's a new/different approach in self-development
QUESTIONS
Do you find it helpful?
do let me know if it's not as helpful to you.
I'm happy to be shown wrong, and that would mean that it shouldn't be in Ultimate Power (which I was planning to add a paragraph for).
What I've been thinking:
- It might be too long
- We might spin off the "dangers of groups" into its own article
On the other hand, this website is not necessarily to make articles "easy to read", but to add value.
And I see some value in everyone the topic fully fleshed out in one place.
I will be doing some proofreading and commentary on it on the next days.
For long articles I think it is more important to consider if they are properly organized/structured, and coherent (not only in the logical sense of lack of contradictions but also that the topics are closely related and we are not going around the bushes with tangential stuff), than how long they are.
In some cases they may be divided into "chapters" or something similar, with big titles or separations, just to make it easy to remember were you left it if you are unable to read it all in one sitting and the window needs to be closed.
Thank you, Lucio, arrivederci.
It is one long article!
Organisation of Long Articles
As the content of this website expands, it is becoming more challenging to find specific articles without links.
I use the search function a lot on the top right-hand corner.
And Google. For example, "thepowermoves enlightened individualism"
The great thing about one long article, especially for key topics, is that it stands for itself.
People know it's important and where to visit this concept again.
I see what Stef means when it comes to long articles.
Breaking the article up may help in reading and learning.
Because it is difficult to learn in a linear fashion.
Having the high-level concepts on the main article and spinning out sub-articles on the details may help with understanding.
Then again, maybe the approach is to let people organise their own thoughts based on a long article.
Because people may have their own preferences as to how to structure concepts in their head.
Transcending the Self
I resonated with commandment 8. I Choose Myself Before Any Values.
Especially the part on self-written rules and values.
It made me think of transcending the self.
One can transcend the self meaning that one is free to entertain or disregard what constitutes "oneself".
For example, I can acknowledge my sexual desire but choose not to entertain it.
For self-image, I view myself in this way, but I can choose not to when I don't think it serves me well.
My self-image, thoughts, emotions, desires, interests are me but, at the same time, not me.
I am a higher being free to construct myself at any point in time.
I read the words of the author of an article that made me resonate with this concept.
It was something along these lines:
I don't consider myself a chef. Though I cook. And I enjoy cooking. (profession & sense of self)
I don't consider myself an entrepreneur. I start, build & run businesses. I enjoy the process of entrepreneurship. (entrepreneurship & sense of self)
I don't think of myself as a man but I enjoy being a man. (gender & sense of self)
He doesn't lock his sense of self.
It's fluid, and he's free to enjoy the pleasures of the world.
He wears hats instead.
Using the Term "Commandments"
Initially, using the term "commandments" on enlightened individualism felt weird to me.
It conveys a vibe opposite to that of enlightened individualism.
But the irony sparked me to think for myself outside the article.
Which made the intention of the article even more effective.
Thank you guys, much appreciated!
Did anyone check out this thread by Peter?
Aristotle Rand and Enlightened Self-Interest
It seems relevant to the article.
Quote from Matthew Whitewood on May 12, 2021, 4:42 pmDid anyone check out this thread by Peter?
Aristotle Rand and Enlightened Self-InterestIt seems relevant to the article.
Thank you for that, Matthew!
That thread was awesome, covering the win-win nature of (some, of course) self-interest and it's a great complement to the article.
Quote from Lucio Buffalmano on May 7, 2021, 10:36 pm
QUESTIONS
Do you find it helpful?
do let me know if it's not as helpful to you.
I'm happy to be shown wrong, and that would mean that it shouldn't be in Ultimate Power (which I was planning to add a paragraph for).
Hi Lucio, yes I find it helpful and have been reading it in pieces, because of the density - which is in no way a problem, better deep than shallow. I set out now to practice/reinforce some of the principles. Here just for my own note, I made an excerpt to reflect upon the topics that impacted me the most.
- Expect little from politicians (focus on the individual level, what can I do?)
- Transcend family and background (great one! I have some issues here, meeting those people that once I served. At 14-years old I started working as a babysitter for a powerful family. Nine years later I got a very high position in a multinational company, in which the directors had ties with the family I once worked for. I always felt somehow awkward and hoped never ever meet both past and present bosses together, because I had no behavioral repertoire to act - I still do not, but it is always a good point.)
- Becoming a hardened target (protection against emotional manipulation, a good one for me, since I am very sensitive and so unfortunately empathetic.)
- Groups Generate False Values (That Likely Harm You As An Individual) - (trying to convince others aaargh, I always run to the hills (figuratively) when people try to seduce me to their cults - political views - anything that ends with ism, etc. In reality, I just get a better picture from the person and know that I cannot trust her perception of people or situations.)
- There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women - I would answer to that lady: nice try! A pity that I don't believe in hell :P
- Collectivist Failure Example: Winning Through The Group (Rather Than The Self) - Great note! Being an activist in a group may hide the fact that the person is frustrated and has given up fighting for her/his own goals. Example: "My soccer team has won, therefore I am happy."
- Group Success Removes Personal Agency: No Drive to Personal Improvement
- Almost all fascist leaders went for the “great man” leadership. Better watch out with those who display their virtues and call it out on others too strongly. Our dark side is as proportional as the good side we insist on showing off around.
- Assess Characters: Leaders & Members - You made a very good point here. I had it somehow as an intuitive thing and now it is clearer.
Thank you for the lessons Lucio!
This is awesome, thank you so much Serena!!
Quote from Serena Irina on May 14, 2021, 7:00 p
- Becoming a hardened target (protection against emotional manipulation, a good one for me, since I am very sensitive and so unfortunately empathetic.)
Just as a note, I wouldn't necessarily see that as a negative.
Being an unemotional, cold-blooded, calculative Machiavelli obviously has some advantages in life. But it also comes at a price. Namely, less pleasure in life, fewer or no quality relationships, and the "danger" that people catch on.
A very real danger, since some studies show that people rate highly Machiavellian folks as less ideal partners for close friends, confidants, etc.
So probably the ideal state would be to be very empathetic, even sensitive... But being able to turn on the more detached side when needed, either depending on who you're dealing with, or the environment/situation you're in.
Quote from Lucio Buffalmano on May 14, 2021, 11:10 pmSo probably the ideal state would be to be very empathetic, even sensitive... But being able to turn on the more detached side when needed, either depending on who you're dealing with, or the environment/situation you're in.
I think it's possible to be strongly attuned to emotions and be detached at the same time.
Maybe this is what we call cognitive empathy similar to the concept in Lucio's analysis of executives and CEOs.
You view the strong emotions of oneself and others from a neutral observer perspective.
Personally, meditation feels like this. Though I cannot speak for everyone.
You feel more intuitive and at the same time detached.
With heightened sensitivity, I find emotional manipulation easier to detect as well.
I may not logically understand how the manipulation is taking place.
But I will have this uncomfortable feeling that this person is being sneaky.
Though detachment is essential, else you end up feeling bad.
I think this is why artistic or creative people can be very emotional.
Emotions and intuition can be quite intertwined.
Chess As An Example
Chess is often seen as a logical game where rationality prevails.
Yet chess grandmasters have a great feel of any chess position due to hours of countless deliberate practice.
(Playing chess leisurely does not count as deliberate practice.)
Grandmasters with 30 seconds on the clock can beat amateurs with their superior intuition.
I think power/social dynamics is much more complex.
Incomplete information, confounding variables, etc.
This is why developing the feel becomes more important to prevent over-analysing the simpler situations.
Yet one must be cognizant of possible blind spots and biases.
Being Sensitive Vs Being Able to Handle Strong Emotions
As such, I have come to think that being sensitive and being able to handle strong emotions are separate skills.
Though being sensitive means more events will trigger strong emotions within you.
Arguably, this means more practice with handling strong emotions.
Quote from Lucio Buffalmano on May 14, 2021, 11:10 pmSo probably the ideal state would be to be very empathetic, even sensitive... But being able to turn on the more detached side when needed, either depending on who you're dealing with, or the environment/situation you're in.
Thank you for your reply Lucio. I just literally took note of it. This is a skill to practice since indeed blocking the emotional side comes with a cost - lower vitality, fewer interactions, I learn less because then I have less contact with people and people probably feel that I come across less genuine... And most important, I still do not know how to do it properly anyway...
Quote from Matthew Whitewood on May 16, 2021, 6:19 amI think it's possible to be strongly attuned to emotions and be detached at the same time.
Maybe this is what we call cognitive empathy similar to the concept in Lucio's analysis of executives and CEOs.
You view the strong emotions of oneself and others from a neutral observer perspective.
Hello Matthew, thank you for your insight here. This is a new thing for me, for actually, I have always thought differently. As Lucio said, the unemotional, cold-blooded, calculative Machiavelli style has advantages and, as I see now, I have always wanted to chase them. But it was not normal for me to see the other style being cherished or minimally appreciated. It can, of course, be that I simply had a bias on it and never really paid attention to who would say otherwise, what I did here because I see the high quality of the forum and respect it very much.
Personally, meditation feels like this. Though I cannot speak for everyone.
You feel more intuitive and at the same time detached.
While I am meditating I also feel this way, the problem I have is that I sort of still go back to the dormancy state, it is, I forget the focus I had on meditation and come to remember it only on the breaks or at the end of the day. Regardless of the duration of the effect, I totally agree with the gains of meditation.
With heightened sensitivity, I find emotional manipulation easier to detect as well.
I may not logically understand how the manipulation is taking place.
But I will have this uncomfortable feeling that this person is being sneaky.
Though detachment is essential, else you end up feeling bad.
Yes and here I understood another point. The fact that I still do not keep the effects of the awareness during the day avoids this function/resource that meditation (or simply awareness) brings forth. Here is an important key, on how to use my sensitivity for my growth, but I have to be aware and full-hearted at the moment.
Emotions and intuition can be quite intertwined.
Such a gold here! I see I was being short-sighted with my aspiration of denying the emotions. Interesting your use of a Chess player as an example. I am setting out to practice it today with a new perspective. Thank you kindly, guys!
