described what he called the higher (wisdom, reason), lower (appetite) and middle (emotive) notes of the scale. Whether for a society or an individual, he said that these needed to be in the proper order for us to be harmonious, healthy, happy and just. The higher or wiser part of the psyche should rule and regulate the others if we are to make sound decisions and not be ruled by greed, excess or destructive emotions. Botticelli, the Renaissance painter, was profoundly influenced by Platonic philosophy, and this theme is illustrated in his painting, Pallas and the Centaur, where Pallas is the Goddess of Wisdom and she is taming the Centaur who represents the two lower parts of the psyche. Plato must have been an astute
observer of the human condition because modern neuroscience and psychology have come to a similar conclusion. We just give these aspects of the psyche different names like higher executive functioning operating through the prefrontal cortex, emotions operating through the limbic system, and appetites operating through the mesolimbic reward system. The happy, healthy and civilised person needs to learn to regulate (not suppress) the lower emotive and appetitive centres as well as regulating attention. This is what we call emotion regulation, appetite regulation and attention regulation. These are vital parts of emotional intelligence – leading a healthy lifestyle and being mindful.
WHICH PART RULES YOU AND YOUR LIFE? For example, a person may have already had enough to eat after a three-course meal but wants to keep eating for the sake of the pleasure associated with another serve of dessert. One part of the psyche noisily protests that it wants the taste of more sweets, and almost compels us to do it. Meanwhile another part of us quietly recognises the need to stop eating. One part of us wants to ruminate on anger and vengeance and another part of us recognises this is destructive. One part of us may feel tempted to put a needle in the arm in order to numb emotional pain or a fill a deep sense of emptiness in our life while another part of us recognises that course of action as being both dangerous and a superficial solution to deeper problems. One part of us may prefer to procrastinate and endlessly surf the net rather than get on with an assignment whereas another part of ourselves recognises that now is time to get on with the work. In every case, an inability to regulate ourselves well leaves us vulnerable to poor emotional and physical health, dysfunctional relationships, addiction, wasted time and resources, and short attention span. So, which part of the ‘self’ should
we be ruled by, and how do we strengthen that better, more discerning part of ourselves? Wisdom traditions recommend things like discipline, mindfulness, moderation and being free of desire. This is otherwise known as
self-mastery, but, in this predominantly materialistic world, our modern popular ideas of happiness are far more hedonic (happiness as pleasure) than they are eudaemonic (happiness as meaning). Despite the modern penchant for excess, materialism and pleasure-seeking, and an aversion to discipline, discretion and limits, all the world’s great wisdom traditions have warned against giving too much latitude to the pleasure-seeking part of ourselves. It’s not that that part of ourselves is wrong or bad – it’s vital for survival and enjoying life – it’s just that it’s not meant to govern our life and decisions at the expense of wisdom and natural laws. Seeking pleasure as if it were the same as happiness winds up about as satisfying and healthy as drinking seawater. It may give temporary relief but it merely leaves us thirstier than we were before. ■
Connect with other readers & comment on this article at
www.livingnow.com.au
Associate Professor Craig Hassed works at the Department of General Practice and is coordinator of mindfulness programs at
Monash University. His teaching, research and clinical interests include mindfulness-based stress management, mind–body medicine, meditation, health promotion, integrative medicine and medical ethics. Craig has a long-term interest in philosophy and the world’s great wisdom traditions.
We Transform Lives
Train with the Best to be Your Best Looking for dynamic counsellor training that really transforms lives?
Train in an array of modalities; empower people to change their lives, relationships & workplaces.
Join us for short courses or a Diploma & discover a satisfying career.
• Certificate & Diploma in Holistic Counselling • The Work of Byron Katie: Part I & II • Family/Systemic Constellation Training • Effective Communication Training • Family Constellation weekends
Learn more at
www.awakening.com.au Call us on 0411 516 185 (VIC) or 07 5471 1205 (QLD)
The Awakening Group Holistic Counselling, Training & Consultancy JULY | AUGUST 2017 55
Melbourne Brisbane
Sunshine Coast
120687
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
