Oh, leap, that is just my favorite Taoist story; I know it well! Thanks for the reminder here. (I’ll tell you my second favorite sometime!) Well, perhaps we can agree that those things known as “mistakes” could be defined as “learning experiences” if one wants?

A farmer (in some instances a Zen Master) has but one horse, and one day it ran away. Everyone in the village says, “Oh, how awful!” The farmer just smiles slightly and says, “We’ll see.”

One day, the horse returns, bringing two other beautiful horses with it. The villagers say, “How wonderful!” The farmer just smiles slightly and says, “We’ll see.”

A week later, the farmer’s son was thrown off of one of the new horses and ended up breaking his leg. The villagers say, “How dreadful!” And the farmer smiles slightly and says, “We’ll see.”

The next week, a war broke out, and every man of ability was drafted into the army. But, due to his broken leg, the farmer’s son wasn’t able to go. The villagers say, “How wonderful!” But the farmer still smiles and says, “We’ll see.”

Regardless of the farmer/zen master’s wisdom, I still try to prevent people from making mistakes. But, then again, personal experience happens to be the best guide, and only after they make the mistake will people learn the lesson the best, I suppose.

CuriousC:

Hey, B0bby, thanks for taking a crack at it. Perhaps you might also change a belief upon contemplation, and coming to a new conclusion? Anyway, your choice of the words “true or right” for you seem somewhat akin to my “fun”, in a way, as both sets of criteria are affirming. I’m glad you’re up to date. I’ve missed you!

joan, I believe you have caused me to laugh out loud! Not quite as late as 2am, but still! That app Google has for GMail, where you have to take a little test before you can send emails late at night might be just the thing for late-night posters. Although it’s intended for people who have been imbibing, so they don’t inadvertently embarrass themselves…

Leap, thanks for your thoughtful analysis! Wow. Your paragraph about how you choose your beliefs sounds like a quite workable system. I like your changing lenses simile; very clear and helpful. I much appreciate your introspection about evangelizing. It’s of course, your choice, but the part of me that has a preference is glad that you recognize this as a tendency you don’t prefer. My only philosophical difference, perhaps, is that I don’t view others actions or choice as mistakes, as I really cannot know all the ramifications for them is spite of how things may look. Now, that’s my lofty, philosophical idealism speaking—in reality I’ll often think: “If only they would…or wouldn’t…their life would be so much easier!

And now I am up to date with your blog! ^_^

One thing I DON’T do, is evaluate a belief based on the amount of “truth” it contains. There are two reasons for this. The first is obvious, in that in calling something a “belief” to start with, we are recognizing that the thought-content has not been “proven”. If it were, it would be something called a “fact”, not a belief. Beyond that, however, I also tend to believe that both “facts” and “truths” are subjective; attempts of our incarnate selves to “get a grip” on on perceived reality.

Interesting. I “choose” beliefs based on how accurately they describe what I perceive to be my objective reality – though, of course, it is never truly objective. If some theory is truthful (again, in my perceived reality, trying to avoid the filter of optimism or cynicism as much as possible) nearly every time it is applied, then I’d say that it’s worth adopting, as my reality supports that belief. Of course, the only way to get as close to objectivity as possible (avoiding the placebo effect) is to formulate your beliefs on your own.

Now, this never applies to things like mental states, and philosophies of cynicism or optimism. Why? Because they are self-fulfilling prophecies; as you think, you shall become.

Or, to use simile – you cannot use outlooks like optimism or cynicism or even nihilism to judge objective reality because they are like changing the lenses used to view your life: they change your perception of reality. Whereas other beliefs are merely tools to be used within your reality, and don’t color your lens at all.

And I myself have had some trouble with evangelizing. I see people going toward misfortune, and I try to steer them in the right direction, but they never listened. I should only answer those who ask for help, I guess – and let people control their own lives. But it’s tough when they make so many of the mistakes that I’ve already made, and I can’t do a thing to stop them.