Writers Ramble

Genuine wisdom is only revealed to us in solitude, stillness and silence. A meditation practised by those who have mastered wisdom, as in the philosophies of Buddhism. A way of life based upon training of the mind, the understanding of reality to achieve freedom from dissatisfaction, anguish and suffering. A freedom which is gained from being unconditioned, by following the seven steps from the right understanding of things as they actually are; recognition of the three characteristics of the relative universe, time, form and matter. Through to the final of practical psychology and right mindfulness; the greatest development of attention, awareness, continually improving the mental state beyond the normal untrained mind to assist in the daily dealings of stresses and problems, eventually becoming able to discern things as they really are.

Great thinkers gain their knowledge and wisdom from many hours spent in spiritual and physical solitude, this time alone allows for the discovery of answers to all problems. By familiarising themselves with introspection (to understand and be consciously aware of ones own desires, thoughts and sensation) and with consideration of the opposite extrospection (all those things external to ones self), great thinkers have an inner knowledge of themselves. It is when a person has a true knowledge of oneself; thus the clear mind that such knowledge allows offers way to a flow of fresh, new and invigorating information. The clear mind being enabled with the ability to take fresh information and thought processes categorise, reorganise and process giving the thinker an opportunity to resolve problems and find solutions.

Jung observed there were two main 'types' of people; the attitude type and the functional type. The attitude type lead by general interest and libido, consisting of both the extroverted and the introverted, the extroverted being open and serene, propagating themselves in every way. While in contrast the shy and impenetrable introvert defends against the external in order to conserve himself. He noted that not only were these characteristics not restricted to breading, sex or local, but also that they were somehow natural in their occurrence (observing that two children of the same parents can result in one of each of the attitude type) suggesting that these attitude types came about due to 'unconscious instinctive cause' bought about by 'biological precursor'. Jung realised that nature offers only 2 real ways of survival/adaptation in that on the one hand there is increased fertility combined with a low defence/survival (rabbits being a prime example of over breeding to avoid extinction) and conversely, self protection with low fertility (man). The extrovert with his propagating lead us to the thought of the first survival/adaptation and multiplicity, while the defence against the external conserving from expedition and monopoly leads us to the second. The functional type being people who feel, are intuitive, sense or think, a special kind who visualise their surrounding world with emotion rather than attitude.

Those who feel make decisions upon whether things are good or bad and use their feelings to act appropriately. The intuitive act upon instinct and unconscious visions of the world often without any factual knowledge of a given situation. Those who live by sense depend on their 5 natural senses to relate to the world. While the thinkers are the intellectual ones who rely on logic, knowledge and reason.