Introduction
“An idea.” “Resilient, highly contagious. Once an idea has taken hold of the brain, it’s almost impossible to eradicate. An idea that is fully formed. Fully understood, that sticks. Right in there somewhere.”
The Inception
In the opening scene of the movie “Inception”, Mr. Cobb describes the parasitic nature of ideas, emphasizing their resilience and ability to manipulate the mind. Insidious ideas, akin to Trojan horses, possess the power to exert control and lead individuals astray. Through the world of psychological espionage depicted in the film, we witness the importance of recognizing and defending against insidious and illusive ideas through observations and discernment.
Similarly, our mental health may be severely affected by unhealthy and anxiety-inducing thoughts that arise in the mind which can push us deeper into the abyss when not properly dealt with.
In this article, we will explore the practical applications of wisdom of philosophy to fortify the mind, and guard it against parasitic infestation.
Disclaimer
What Is Wisdom?
Wisdom can be defined as the quality of having deep understanding, insight, and good judgment, through critical thinking, reflection and the pursuit of truth. The wisdom of philosophy teaches us to deconstruct the chain of such ideas and thoughts, equips us with the knowledge necessary to detect internal inconsistencies and flaws, and brings us to question assumptions—breaking them down to their fundamental constituents. Through this, one is able to rely on reasoning and virtue to discern thoughts that are wholesome or unwholesome, desirable or undesirable and experience greater mental clarity during times of uncertainty, ambiguity, anxiety and stress.
The wisdom of various schools of philosophy play a vital role in the journey of self-development and mental wellbeing, guiding individuals towards a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them, as well as attaining personal growth and enlightenment.
Applications of Wisdom of Philosophy for Mental Wellbeing
1. Wisdom of Buddhist Philosophy
In Buddhist philosophy, meditation is an essential practice in achieving greater insight and mental clarity—bringing one closer to a state of “Yoniso manasikāra” or “wise attention.” As Dr. Abi Ubeysekara put it, “Yoniso manasikāra” refers to directing attention to the essence of a matter to understand its true nature. It involves actively pursuing the “right view” by evaluating thoughts objectively, distancing oneself from emotions, and discerning their fundamental nature—whether wholesome or unwholesome. This process of deconstruction guides us in relying more on the exercise of reason and introspection as it strips thoughts and ideas of their intimidating and obstructing appearance, allowing us to see them as they really are.
According to Yuttadhammo Bhikkhu, renowned Buddhist monk, in a Youtube video titled “Monk Radio: How Meditation Works”, meditation and introspection in Buddhism help cultivate wisdom and mental wellbeing by replacing impulsive reactions with mindful awareness. By noting and acknowledging each passing thought without judgment, individuals can distill distracting mental activities, gain control over their minds, and avoid hasty conclusions. This process of “noting”—that is the process of replacing the mind’s mental chatter, commentary and instinctual analysis with a more analytical attitude that objectively and non-judgmentally acknowledges each thought passing by—brings objectivity and clarity, allowing individuals to navigate their thoughts and beliefs more consciously.
2. Wisdom of Christian Philosophy
Thomas Aquinas, an important historical figure venerated by the Catholic Church as a saint, was a prominent Christian philosopher in the medieval Christian period. In his work “Summa Theologiae,” he highlights the importance of wisdom in leading a good life. Aquinas argues that to perform good deeds, one must choose them with reason and virtuous intention, rather than acting on impulse or passion. He emphasises the need for prudence, an intellectual virtue that aligns reason with actions directed towards the proper end. Prudence, according to Aquinas, is essential for a virtuous and fulfilling life.
Aquinas underscores the significance of wisdom in making sound decisions and cultivating virtue. By reflecting on our actions and practicing discernment, we can develop the discipline to consistently pursue wisdom. This practice of exposure trains the mind to recognize what is wise and enhances our reasoning abilities, enabling us to make informed decisions and resist harmful impulses.
Aquinas’ idea of synthesizing reason and virtuous intention so as to lead a more prosperous life demonstrates that wisdom, in this regard, is significant as it better fortifies the mind from impropriety and poor judgement.
This commitment to self-improvement through wisdom allows us to avoid poor decision-making and be clouded by the machinations of the mind or the negative influences of the external world around us, as well as have the clarity necessary in discerning between the good and the bad.
3. Wisdom of Islamic Philosophy
In the Islamic world, Al-Ghazali stands out among ancient Islamic philosophers for his significant contributions. In his book “The Revival of the Religious Sciences,” he emphasizes the importance of vigilance in one’s life.
Al-Ghazali urges individuals to be vigilant in their actions, thoughts, and choices, likening this vigilance to the careful scrutiny of measures and weights in mundane matters. By guarding against the deceit and cunning of the soul, one can avoid falling prey to harmful thoughts and behaviors.
Al-Ghazali emphasizes the importance of raising one’s guard so as to maintain a ready awareness as to when our thoughts run amok, that we are always ready to scrutinize our actions. This conditioning of the mind and body prepares us for the tendencies of the mind to beguile us, ensuring that we avoid falling prey to predatory thoughts. Conditioning ourselves so as to garner an understanding of the patterns of negative thought processes by actively recording them liberates us from self-deception and allows us to have a wider archive of our behavioural patterns; of the various ways in which our mind is susceptible to undesirable thoughts.
4. Wisdom of Greek Philosophy
In Greek philosophy, there are many examples of the indispensability of wisdom. Aristotle, in his book the “Nicomachean Ethics”, describes the utility of friendship in discerning such wisdom in one’s life so as to achieve a greater avoidance from error.
An important lesson of wisdom from Greek philosophical thought is that we ought to take refuge in friendship when we are experiencing weathering mental turbulence. They are able to offer us third-party, neutral perspectives–affording us greater objectivity.
There may be times that dangerous thoughts that afflict the mind are best dealt with through the guidance of a loving friend who can aid us to see through the misty fog these ideas cause us to be ensnared with. They can provide us with emotional stability and support when we are under considerable duress which is crucial in dealing with psychological disturbances. The wisdom that valuable friendship can afford us is indispensable to growth and self-development.
5. Wisdom of Hindu Philosophy
The Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Hindu text, similarly highlights the significance of virtue in living a good and mindful life.
Hindu philosophy teaches us to develop a heightened awareness of our inner thoughts, as well as patience, steady detachment and unwavering dedication. By cultivating wisdom with perseverance, we can make progress, mitigate the impact of dangerous thoughts, insulating the mind from parasites that seep deep into the subconscious mind, and achieve a state of mental awareness and wellbeing.
Similarly, in Jungian psychology, the concept of the “shadow” is understood to be an active force hidden in our subconscious, having the capacity to direct our behaviours. The shadow is a psychological complex comprising our suppressed emotions, bitter resentments and toxifying thoughts; the darkest aspects of human nature. If left unaddressed, the shadow–from the darkest recesses of the mind–can bleed into our conscious state and influence us dramatically; potentially altering our entire state of being for the worse. What Jung advocated as a solution to confront the influences of the shadow was awareness; by maintaining a heightened state of understanding of the forces that operate in our mind. By directly confronting dangerous ideas and developing acute awareness, we drain them of their influence and gain greater control over our minds.
Wisdom is Liberation
The practice of wisdom is an opportunity for psychological reorientation when we are led astray by dangerous thoughts; redirecting us to a space of objectivity when we are pushed into the tight spaces that these thoughts push us in; suffocating us.
Wisdom therefore is liberation; a path to independence from the parasitical colonizers that conspire to impose their reign on our mental thought processes which empowers us and gives us the strength necessary to reinstate our psychological sovereignty.
In an age where dangerous ideas have the capacity to inspire radical extremism, mental anguish and great suffering, we ought to make wisdom our refuge; shielding us from the wrath of psychological parasites that vie to encroach upon the mind. Through wisdom, the psychology of parasitism can be remedied and mental wellbeing can be achieved.
“Wisdom is an instrument, which protects a person from destruction; it is also an inner fortress, which could not be destroyed even by an enemy.”
Thirukkural (421)