This is http://www.essayz.com/a9105042.htm Previous-Essay <== This-Essay ==> Following-Essay Click HERE on this line to find essays via Your-Key-Words. {Most frequent wordstarts of each essay will be put here.} ========================================================== %MEANING SELF CONTROL UNDERSTAND ANALYSIS REFLECT 910504 Meaningful self control depends upon meaningful self analysis and self understanding. When we do not know much about our own motivations, desires, likes, dislikes, fears, anxieties, and apprehens- ions we cannot meaningfully deal with them in a coherent way. We need to be aware of what is to be controlled before we can control it. We need to know and understand the ways in which what we are to control functions if we are to control it. If we are not aware of that which is most essentially our own and if we do not understand the ways in which the parts of our selves function we are in no position to control our selves. We need a paradigm within which to function in controlling our self. Without a frame of reference we cannot tell where we are and cannot tell how we are changing where we are. A paradigm gives us a frame of reference in terms of which to make decisions. How are we to select a paradigm in terms of which to meaningfully control ourselves? In terms of what frame of reference can we wisely choose a paradigm whose primary function is to provide us with a reliable frame of reference? This is a strange loop of a though process! Where are we to begin our thoughts reliably? How can we know reliably what is reliable? In order to reflect meaningfully on this dilemma we need to select reliable facts upon which to focus our attention. Are objective facts the most reliable facts upon which we should focus our attention? Even if they are the most reliable, are they the most important? Are the most objective facts the most important facts for us to reflect upon? In this situation might facts about our reflexive lives be more important, than facts about objective realities? Is understanding to come to us through objective research and analysis, or is understanding to come to us through us through non-objective reflexive meditation, prayer and reflection on what is essential to our personal and communal integrity? How are to know which understanding which comes to us, we should accept as being meaningful and reliable understanding? Is it helpful to try to control ourselves? Will being preoccupied with self control lead us towards personal and communal integrity; or towards personal and communal disintegration? Was our first question the right question to ask first? What questions should we ask first? Is this the first question? Are there other questions which we should ask first? If we have found the first question; how do we then then know we have found the first question and follow that with finding the answer to the first question? If we have found the answer to the first question, how do we know it is the right answer? Of what can we be sure? How can we know we are reliably sure? Can other people help us to be sure when we are not sure of our selves? How can we be sure that we can rely on other people to help us to be sure? Which other people shall we rely on? Are they trustworthy? Can we rely on them to always tell us the truth? Do they always know the truth? Can we tell when they are telling us the truth; when they are not telling us the truth? Can we accept the truth if it is offered to us? Can we tell when and if others (and/or our selves) are victims of systemic patterns of dishonest addictions, codependencies, and collusions? If we are so victimized how are we to gain control of our dysfunctional patterns of thought, feeling and behavior? Meaningful self control depends upon meaningful self analysis and self understanding. When we do not know much about our own motivations, desires, likes, dislikes, fears, anxieties, apprehensions --- we cannot meaningfully deal with them in a coherent way. We need to be aware of what is to be controlled before we can control it. We need to know and understand the ways in which what we are to control functions if we are to control it. If we are not aware of that which is most essentially our own; and if we do not understand the ways in which the parts of our selves function we are in no position to control our selves. We need a paradigm within which to function in controlling our self. Without a frame of reference we cannot tell where we are and cannot tell how we are changing where we are. A paradigm gives us a frame of reference in terms of which to make decisions. (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy) ==========================================================