Weekly Advice for Day-To-Day Life #7 - Deconstruct! (08/25/2017)

As was articulated by Aristotle and Lao Tzu, in order to truly understand something, one must analyze it at it's source.  Truer words have never been spoken, especially in light of recent history, where people have let themselves become mired in semantics, strawman arguments, and engaging in ad hominem attacks that look like they took a page out of the "Church of Scientology's playbook". If we were to believe the Mainstream Media's assessment of people and their reaction to current events, one would think that the human race mainly consisted of backwords, reactionary, bigoted people who are obsessed with creating Hell on Earth.

Of course, the reality is that, while a vocal minority of people are raising hell and giving governments worldwide justification in enacting Draconian legislation, most of us are civil, sane, and rational people. We may not all agree with each other and some of us don't care to go public with our views, even if presented with the chance to be heard. However, as much as the State-backed media would love to convince you that your neighbor is the devil and the only way to salvation is through placing your lives in the hands of the government, most people know better and understand that this is a bunch of bluster.

What we, as free-thinking individuals, must do to combat the perversion of concepts, words, and actions is to master the art of deconstruction. We have to learn how to look past the layers of projection, implied sentiments, and things misconstrued by ignorance to see something as it truly exists in reality. Through this deconstruction, we can learn the true meanings and consequences of concepts and actions, as well as understand how they've become misconstrued or completely altered to mean something else.

This doesn't just apply to analyzing the State and the Mainstream Media, but in understanding ourselves, others around us, and the very nature behind why we all behave the way we do. In breaking down the reasons why one is an alcoholic or a sex addict, one can find that they have been emotionally-deprived as a child and their troubled homelife led them down a path where, to cope with their poor upbringing and emotional starvation, they became who they are. It can reveal the true reason why you may be adverse to eating a certain food or why you are comforted by certain actions when in distress.

As simple as it may sound, it can be very difficult to master, especially when applying this method onto yourself. Many people don't want to understand who they are and why they are that way, so they choose to remain ignorant of it, even if it brings them more harm in doing so. They would rather stay in a state of absolute denial and remain oblivious, so as to use that denial and ignorance to excuse themselves. But, if humanity is to move forward, we have to learn to face the truth about ourselves and have the courage to do something about it. 

We can't be like spooked horses, bucking around and whinnying without knowing why and being unable to do anything to retain control ourselves. To progress in our evolution, we have to see ourselves, other people, and other things for what they are. We cannot allow ourselves to be further controlled by ignorance and visceral reactions, but become aware of our flaws and find ways to better ourselves through that awareness. As Lao Tzu once said:

Best to be like water,

Which benefits the ten thousand things

And does not contend.

It pools where humans disdain to dwell,

Close to the Tao...