Course 3: PL 102 - Problems (Discussion 4)

@GlenM

Questions/Activities

What are 3 key points from Chapter 4 that stand out to you?

1. The only way to truly overcome a problem and stop the denail process is to face them. The bigger the problem the harder it is to do so, but the most advatangeous it is as well.

2. Distraction systems reinforce denail by keeping us from facing problems directly (point 1), and by blocking us from feeling truly and deeply satisfied.

3. People (not distraction systems or escapes, like drugs, alcohol, smoking) are our best helpers, and they can do so in a variety of ways, such as: decreasing our denial, breaking us out of distraction systems, teaching us how to ask for help and how to get it, and empowering us to better care for others.

In your own words, please identify and describe the 3 key components Ryan Holiday outlined in the video.

1. Perception = How you see the problem (influces and has a great impact on how big or small the problem will be).

2. Action = To do something about the problem, to take action with persistance, as long as we can, meaning, as long as it is in our sphere of control, to the best of our ability.

3. Will = What do we do about the parts of the things we don't control and that will happen and are bigger than us (example: mortality).

1. What are 3 key points from Chapter 4 that stand out to you? ---> a) our problems need to be addressed; we cannot ignore them. c) we're able to grow as individuals when we've looked at these problems in detail and truly *felt* them, I suppose. d) "problems teach you to open up and care [...] for other people"; this really spoke to me. When we deal with our own issues, no matter how big or small, it teaches us how to empathise and to really understand others.

2. In your own words, please identify and describe the 3 key components he outlined in the video ---> a) perception; we choose how we react and see a situation. c) action; what we could do in a situation to perhaps better/solve it. d) will; understanding what we can and cannot alter (not dissimilar to the cirlces of control and influence).

1.) 3 key points:

- The only way to break free is to face your problems and learn to truly care for other people.

- We struggle to see problems as valuable because we are too busy trying to avoid or ignore them.

- Problems teach you compassion like nothing else does.

2.) Perception - how you see the problem → the story you tell yourself about a thing greatly affects how you actually see in that thing

Action - respond to our problem with creativity, persistence, and ingenuity

Will - things we can't control

@GlenM

1. What are 3 key points from Chapter 4 that stand out to you. Please post them in this thread.

1) Problems break down denial: When things stop working for me and everything disintegrates, I effortlessly receive the motivation I need to take actions to change things in a way where I otherwise would not feel energized to do so.

2) Problems help us level up: When things stop working, I feel like gaps are revealed in my plans and I'm forced to come up with creative solutions that have the effect of making my actions and ideas more subtle, complex, complete, and advanced.

3) Problems teach us how to care: When I feel certain kinds of suffering, I recoil at the idea of someone else experiencing the same thing and become really careful to try not to make someone else feel bad in a similar way. I also sometimes have a deeper understanding of what things I might say or do that would create that suffering, which helps me make my own actions a bit more harmless or non-violent.

2. Watch this overview video by Ryan Holiday on his book the Obstacle is the way.. In your own words, please identify and describe the 3 key components he outlined in the video.

1) Perception:

Certain negative things are necessary, unavoidable, or destined/fated parts of a chain of events that is moving toward something constructive or evolutionary that may ultimately inspire improvements, enhancements, or helpful changes.

For every system that is set up, there is a certain set of circumstances that will break or destroy that system. With this understanding, all systems are temporary. Metaphorically, everything is in a constant process of death and rebirth. But this continuous reincarnation has a spiraling quality to it where each iteration of existence is a bit more complex.

This understanding is something I feel it's necessary to apply without negating or minimizing my own experience of suffering and discomfort. I want to allow myself freedom to ardently dislike things and feel whatever I sincerely feel. (Otherwise, the thing I would be clinging to would be a sort of passionlessness that is also unsustainable and prone to disintegration.)

I feel like systems are wonderful when they do work, so I'm not in the business of attempting to hasten the destruction of things that are still working. I don't have to be reckless. Without even trying to change things, or even if I desperately try to preserve things, things are going to disintegrate on their own.

If I somehow do fight against my fate, that is fine and I don't have to reject or judge my own urge to resist. What just generally seems to happen is that I succumb eventually to whatever is more powerful than me when my own actions are revealed as being unnatural or sub-optimal. Once I've surrendered to that, changes sometimes happen easily and rapidly.

I don't have to force myself to accept things. If non-acceptance really is sub-optimal or something that makes me unhappy, then eventually the reality of natural psychological causality will carve its teachings into me like water polishing a stone. I don't have to impose anything extraordinary. Without trying, I am going to become unhappy, and that dissatisfaction will gradually drive me toward whatever is productive of happiness--and the thing that feels most perfect or well-adapted for me will fluctuate over time.

This model of "the obstacle is the way" is also prone to destruction (as is the destruction of it, etc.). There is no creed I can cling to that will permanently be a magic bullet for all situations. At some point, it may come to feel insincere or inapplicable or like I find more benefit from using different words or no words. Or maybe identifying with a completely opposite system will be what preserves my freedom or redresses some imbalance.

2) Action:

When circumstances are such that I feel forced or compelled to do a certain thing, all I have to do is yield to what is there that is already pushing and motivating me. I don't have to do anything special. The world will coerce me into doing what is needed.

3) Will:

Things are doing what they need to do and will change when they are ready to. I am part of the network of things that are outside of my control. My control is outside of my control. I don't belong to myself.

***

My own personal entry points for this type of thinking:

• Buddhism (impermanence, emptiness)
• Taoism (effortless action, oscillation between opposites)
• Christianity (surrendering, noticing guidance, being gentle/reverent with suffering)

@GlenM

1) 3 key points
a) Lessons are disguised as problems.
b) The only way to solve a problem is to face it.
c) Beyond every problem there is growth.

2) Video Summary
I have been a follower of Stoic Philosophy myself. And I am glad too that the philosophy is resurfacing. There are many ways to describe the philosophy. But related to the topic of the video, 'Obstacle is the path', I would say
-Obstacles make us think creatively
-The outcome (good or bad) is a lesson
-Acceptance of the outcome makes us stronger

@GlenM

1. What are 3 key points from Chapter 4 that stand out to you. Please post them in this thread.

Problems help us face reality and ask for help when needed.

Problems can be the solution depending on how we view them.

Ultimately, problems are the pathway to growth in the long run.

2. Watch this overview video by Ryan Holiday on his book the Obstacle is the way.. In your own words, please identify and describe the 3 key components he outlined in the video.

Perception: How do we view the problem?

Action: What are you going to do with the problem?

Will is what we don’t have control over and what we do have control over, how do we deal with it?

@GlenM

What are 3 key points from Chapter 4 that stand out to you?

-Facing our problems allows us to break free
-Problems can be disguised and are really great learning opportunities
-When we face problems, we grow and expand our skills and confidence


In your own words, please identify and describe the 3 key components Ryan Holiday outlined in the video.

-Perception = how we see the problem
-Action = understanding that you can control some things, but not everything
-Will = learning to accept the things you can't influence, but still doing what you can

1. What are 3 key points from Chapter 4 that stand out to you. Please post them in this thread.

Problems are negatively framed, what problems are trying to tell you, we grow when things are hard

2. Watch this overview video by Ryan Holiday on his book the Obstacle is the way.. In your own words, please identify and describe the 3 key components he outlined in the video.

Perception, act, will.

1. What are 3 key points from Chapter 4 that stand out to you.

1, Problems teach you to ask for help. They teach you humility. Most significant problems cannot be solved on your own. They require you to talk to someone. They require you to be vulnerable.

2, Problems help you level up. You’ll need to solve it in order to move forward. Solving problems changes you. It helps you realize that you are stronger than you realized.

3, problems teach you to open up and care, from your heart, for other people

Having experienced the same problem and overcome it we'll be more empathised with others. It is deeply meaningful to be part of the solution in someone else’s life. Problems teach you compassion like nothing else does.

2. In your own words, please identify and describe the 3 key components he outlined in the video.

1. Perception: by using the framing technique, we look at the problem as an opportunity. It is what it is the important thing is what can we do about it

2 action: Using our best ability to solve the problem.

3 will: Accepting, embracing and loving what happened to us every day even if it's bad. There are things that happen for no reason and we have to look at it as a part of our life.

@GlenM

1. 3 key points from Chapter 4 that stand out to you :

- Problems are not to be run away from

- Problems are a way to grow

- Facing one's problems cultivates in us compassion for those who are going through the same difficulties.

2. Watch this overview video by Ryan Holiday on his book the Obstacle is the way.. In your own words, please identify and describe the 3 key components he outlined in the video.

- Perception : Problems are what we think they are. Depending on how we perceive them, they can be obstacles or ways to move further down our path.

- Action : take charge and find solutions in a genuine way

- Will : accept that you can't control everything especially external factors