Here’s another light to shine on the previous post, In Praise of Doubt. The conversation unfolding in the comments is lively, varied, and well worth eavesdropping on. Maybe you’d even like to to join in? Meanwhile, Roshi Kennedy’s perspective on the subject:
Don’t seek for enlightenment; only give up cherishing opinions.
Robert Kennedy, S.J., Roshi, Morning Star Zendo
Touch2Touch 
Beautiful photo and a very lively discussion! Great post on doubt and certainty.
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Thanks so much for coming by and reading —
It’s a subject I really feel passionate about —
Have a great day!
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Yes! I’ve been thinking similar…many of my opinions are what drag me down, especially in the political arena, or technology…don’t get me going on technology. “Pick your battles,” they say, right? And “If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Besides, I’d rather spend my days talking about traveling or good food or writing or art or…enlightenment?
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Hmmm, you suggest a super duper strategy, Jen.
Instead of that old negative saying (I grew up with it, too) — turn it around. What good/nice/interesting things would you LIKE to say? And say ’em!
I like to talk about travel and food and art, too — Oh, and enlightenment. 😉
(One thing I love about your blog: how often your posts upend my thinking, and give me a new perspective. Thanks!)
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It’s the cherishing of opinions that disallows them to be rethought – and once you let go your death grip on them, aha! enlightenment. Sounds easy but recent research shows that once your mind defends a belief, evidence to the contrary can often serve to deepen the entrenchment rather than change it. The trick, apparently, is to eschew the cherishing at the very beginning and like anything else that borders on open-mindedness, paying constant attention to what one is thinking and why is a prerequisite. Our minds are not impossible to change, but I think it takes self-inquiry and a genuine willingness to consider other options to make it happen.
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And in my opinion, opinions are fine… it’s preferences that get us into trouble…
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A fine line, perhaps? Too fine?
Maybe not. I’ll think about that one.
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In my view, preferences are opinions that are given weight; opinions are simply personal observations…a fine line, perhaps; but practical when it is skillfully employed…
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A nice distinction —
Clearly it is for you a very practical tool and guide —
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