Even if you have to pen a few lines down...it becomes very difficult when your heart is not in it. The task I had set out to do was just to give a suitable introduction to what I will be placing below. Yes placing and not writing...its actually an assignment that we had to do called the "directed daydreaming technique" where you get to know your hidden or rather suppressed feelings , emotions , motives,beliefs et al . I do realize that whenever one hears about knowing oneself better a certain amount of "been there done that " attitude begins to creep into our thinking. Well I must as a disclaimer say that what will follow is very much my takeaway and should not in any way seen as representative of the technique I mentioned above. The reason I say this is because I do not want anyone getting the wrong impression about the technique from what I write.
I just realized that my assignment would not make much sense unless a description of the daydream technique is given. However at the risk of sounding arrogant I must say that I really don't have the energy to do that. ( Lot of material on google..won't take more that 2 minutes to find out ) . So without any further ado...
Before I begin I take the liberty to include two quotes which I found very apt to what we experienced in the class and seek to accomplish through this write up.
"Affectus, qui passio est, desinit esse passio simulatque eius claram et distinctam formamus ideam." Emotion, which is suffering, ceases to be suffering as soon as we form a clear and precise picture of it.--- 'Ethics'. Spinoza
"Infected minds to their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets; more needs she the divine than the physician."--- 'Macbeth'. Shakespeare
House
Exterior:
The house which we were all required to draw was a symbol which depicts our own self. In my picture I had drawn the house as a farm with a fence and children playing, a horse tied to a pole and a man drawing water from a well. The farm was one with plenty of open space and it could be likened to how I’m very receptive to new ideas. It also shows how I am not affected by past prejudices while considering something new. The house also had a lot empty spaces and that might mean that my life is not yet as rich with experiences as it could have been.
The two children playing could imply that I still look upon myself as a child. This could be a way of mine to avoid facing the fact that I have matured and have my own life with its associated responsibilities separate from my that of my parents. It could also mean a moderation of the above statement in which the children would denote I like to linger on in my childhood as a way of sometimes cutting of or becoming unconscious to the feeling and emotions of the present.
The wooden fence that I have would mean that I like to keep my personal space to myself and don’t open up too easily in front of everyone. It would also imply that I would like to clearly demarcate things which come under my sphere of influence or things which I am interested in from things which I cannot control or influence in anyway or repose any interest in.
The horse tied to the fence depicts a kind of struggle to break free from the constraints imposed by life. It would reflect on my carefree attitude and a need for often giving a lot of latitude to myself and to my thoughts. It also means that what I am chiefly involved in presently is something that does not appeal totally to me.
The person drawing water from the well shows that I am in search of something. It would mean that I am trying to find out my true calling , what would satisfy and fulfill me the most beyond any other occupation.
Now the last two scenarios clubbed together could mean that although I am not particularly happy with what I am doing now , I am yet to find out what I really desire to do.
Interior:
The interior of the house shows a lobby with an old couple sitting on wicker chairs near the fireplace. There is also a table there which can seat 8 people and there is also another children’s bedroom shown with toys on the bed. The fireplace clearly shows that I come across as a warm person with people that I like and am close to. It could also signify my need for warmth from the people that are dear to me. The old couple (who in this case were meant to be the grand parents of the children playing ) portray my affection for some of the traits that they embody. The old people are the ones who are generally not rushed , who are able to live life every moment instead of madly rushing towards one goal after another. They are also the people who derive joys from the little things in life and are much more easily pleased than the young are now. Thus the wish I have to be able to imbibe similar values and feelings in my life is shown by the depiction of the couple.
The table which can seat eight people show how important my family is to me. Thus the entire setting of the lobby shows I hold whatever time I get to spend with my family with very high value.
The children’s room again reaffirms a longing for the simple and uncomplicated life I had in my youth. Specially the toys strewn across the bed is a symbol for the freedom and lack of constraints that the children enjoy and my desire for the above.
Inhabitants
The creatures which had inhabited the house were a horse, a cow, a dog and three chickens. The inhabitants are supposed to reflect the needs, emotions, desires and feelings and any conflicts that arise from the same.
The horse represents the need of freedom to go out and follow your inner voice , to do what makes me feel happy and to be at one with what I do. It would also portray dependability wherein it brings to light my need to be seen as a dependable person who can handle responsibilities. The horse is also associated with speed , physical and mental, and in my case it highlights how I feel about myself ,not only as a swift sprinter but also as a quick thinker. It is also a well admired creature and it could be mapped to my desire as well as feeling of being admired by people.
The cow is a very stable and well respected creature. Thus the need of respect is shown in this instance. Also the cow holds a certain importance in any establishment and the need for importance is reflected in this. Cows are also normally seen grazing in a field by itself and the desire to have more time for oneself to thing about things can be also traced to this animal.
The dog is a very good companion and thus we see that I have a very high regard and feeling for a companion who will be beside me through trying times. A dog is also universally well loved and approved of and my need for the approval of people and society in general of the things that I do is brought out here. Dogs are also supposed to be attached to few people and my need of being close to a select few people can be seen here. Dogs are normally seen as being dutiful which would mean my sincerity towards
The chickens would essentially point to the fun loving nature of me and my desire to have a good laugh and try and enjoy things. The number three is one that has a lot of personnel significance in my life being at once associated with events of a highly tragic nature as well as events of a relatively lesser joyous nature. Thus we can say that it points to some kind of fear or insecurity that exists within me that the times which I enjoy myself will always be ephemeral.
Conflicts
The conflict between the creatures was essentially between the dog and the chickens. We see that this is actually the classical conflict between the duty we feel we have towards our occupation and our desire to follow our heart and do what pleases us and makes us happy. The advice which I had proffered to resolve the conflict between the creatures was that the dog should allow the chickens to play around whenever they like. This shows that I feel that I should be ,giving myself or rather making more time in the face of pressures arising from mundane matters, more time to follow my heart and instinct.
Advice of the “wise” man
The wise man which I had characterized not by an old person but as a young man full of life was as follows :
Whatever you do in life try and do it with a lot of “care”. Only then will you do it “good” and this “good” you will realize yourself , you won’t need the opinion of some other person. Try always to be at one with whatever you do and you will lead a happy and contented life.
From the above it follows that I want to become a person who not only enjoys and is fully conscious of the present , but who tries to immerse himself in whatever is that he had involved himself in . Thus although the occupation may not be to his liking there is a lot of pleasure to be derived from doing things well , and this well would essentially imply doing them in such a manner that I am satisfied. Thus if we follow this approach to life , we will be living every moment –getting something out of every moment—and thus achieve the state of happiness.
If you have been able to reach till here...I promise that future posts will be less haphazard...and keep watching this space :)
I just realized that my assignment would not make much sense unless a description of the daydream technique is given. However at the risk of sounding arrogant I must say that I really don't have the energy to do that. ( Lot of material on google..won't take more that 2 minutes to find out ) . So without any further ado...
Before I begin I take the liberty to include two quotes which I found very apt to what we experienced in the class and seek to accomplish through this write up.
"Affectus, qui passio est, desinit esse passio simulatque eius claram et distinctam formamus ideam." Emotion, which is suffering, ceases to be suffering as soon as we form a clear and precise picture of it.--- 'Ethics'. Spinoza
"Infected minds to their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets; more needs she the divine than the physician."--- 'Macbeth'. Shakespeare
House
Exterior:
The house which we were all required to draw was a symbol which depicts our own self. In my picture I had drawn the house as a farm with a fence and children playing, a horse tied to a pole and a man drawing water from a well. The farm was one with plenty of open space and it could be likened to how I’m very receptive to new ideas. It also shows how I am not affected by past prejudices while considering something new. The house also had a lot empty spaces and that might mean that my life is not yet as rich with experiences as it could have been.
The two children playing could imply that I still look upon myself as a child. This could be a way of mine to avoid facing the fact that I have matured and have my own life with its associated responsibilities separate from my that of my parents. It could also mean a moderation of the above statement in which the children would denote I like to linger on in my childhood as a way of sometimes cutting of or becoming unconscious to the feeling and emotions of the present.
The wooden fence that I have would mean that I like to keep my personal space to myself and don’t open up too easily in front of everyone. It would also imply that I would like to clearly demarcate things which come under my sphere of influence or things which I am interested in from things which I cannot control or influence in anyway or repose any interest in.
The horse tied to the fence depicts a kind of struggle to break free from the constraints imposed by life. It would reflect on my carefree attitude and a need for often giving a lot of latitude to myself and to my thoughts. It also means that what I am chiefly involved in presently is something that does not appeal totally to me.
The person drawing water from the well shows that I am in search of something. It would mean that I am trying to find out my true calling , what would satisfy and fulfill me the most beyond any other occupation.
Now the last two scenarios clubbed together could mean that although I am not particularly happy with what I am doing now , I am yet to find out what I really desire to do.
Interior:
The interior of the house shows a lobby with an old couple sitting on wicker chairs near the fireplace. There is also a table there which can seat 8 people and there is also another children’s bedroom shown with toys on the bed. The fireplace clearly shows that I come across as a warm person with people that I like and am close to. It could also signify my need for warmth from the people that are dear to me. The old couple (who in this case were meant to be the grand parents of the children playing ) portray my affection for some of the traits that they embody. The old people are the ones who are generally not rushed , who are able to live life every moment instead of madly rushing towards one goal after another. They are also the people who derive joys from the little things in life and are much more easily pleased than the young are now. Thus the wish I have to be able to imbibe similar values and feelings in my life is shown by the depiction of the couple.
The table which can seat eight people show how important my family is to me. Thus the entire setting of the lobby shows I hold whatever time I get to spend with my family with very high value.
The children’s room again reaffirms a longing for the simple and uncomplicated life I had in my youth. Specially the toys strewn across the bed is a symbol for the freedom and lack of constraints that the children enjoy and my desire for the above.
Inhabitants
The creatures which had inhabited the house were a horse, a cow, a dog and three chickens. The inhabitants are supposed to reflect the needs, emotions, desires and feelings and any conflicts that arise from the same.
The horse represents the need of freedom to go out and follow your inner voice , to do what makes me feel happy and to be at one with what I do. It would also portray dependability wherein it brings to light my need to be seen as a dependable person who can handle responsibilities. The horse is also associated with speed , physical and mental, and in my case it highlights how I feel about myself ,not only as a swift sprinter but also as a quick thinker. It is also a well admired creature and it could be mapped to my desire as well as feeling of being admired by people.
The cow is a very stable and well respected creature. Thus the need of respect is shown in this instance. Also the cow holds a certain importance in any establishment and the need for importance is reflected in this. Cows are also normally seen grazing in a field by itself and the desire to have more time for oneself to thing about things can be also traced to this animal.
The dog is a very good companion and thus we see that I have a very high regard and feeling for a companion who will be beside me through trying times. A dog is also universally well loved and approved of and my need for the approval of people and society in general of the things that I do is brought out here. Dogs are also supposed to be attached to few people and my need of being close to a select few people can be seen here. Dogs are normally seen as being dutiful which would mean my sincerity towards
The chickens would essentially point to the fun loving nature of me and my desire to have a good laugh and try and enjoy things. The number three is one that has a lot of personnel significance in my life being at once associated with events of a highly tragic nature as well as events of a relatively lesser joyous nature. Thus we can say that it points to some kind of fear or insecurity that exists within me that the times which I enjoy myself will always be ephemeral.
Conflicts
The conflict between the creatures was essentially between the dog and the chickens. We see that this is actually the classical conflict between the duty we feel we have towards our occupation and our desire to follow our heart and do what pleases us and makes us happy. The advice which I had proffered to resolve the conflict between the creatures was that the dog should allow the chickens to play around whenever they like. This shows that I feel that I should be ,giving myself or rather making more time in the face of pressures arising from mundane matters, more time to follow my heart and instinct.
Advice of the “wise” man
The wise man which I had characterized not by an old person but as a young man full of life was as follows :
Whatever you do in life try and do it with a lot of “care”. Only then will you do it “good” and this “good” you will realize yourself , you won’t need the opinion of some other person. Try always to be at one with whatever you do and you will lead a happy and contented life.
From the above it follows that I want to become a person who not only enjoys and is fully conscious of the present , but who tries to immerse himself in whatever is that he had involved himself in . Thus although the occupation may not be to his liking there is a lot of pleasure to be derived from doing things well , and this well would essentially imply doing them in such a manner that I am satisfied. Thus if we follow this approach to life , we will be living every moment –getting something out of every moment—and thus achieve the state of happiness.
If you have been able to reach till here...I promise that future posts will be less haphazard...and keep watching this space :)
posted by shantanu | 11:11 PM
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2 comments
