Discernment

The theme for today is Discernment.

I notice this word sounds rather abstract
with an air of Latin and legal to it

which is good
because makes it possible to use the word
and to mean something by it
while staying at arms length

from the cluster of ideas surrounding it
which are harder to handle
and even a bit unmanageable
too hot, too cold, sticky in one way or another

because the way we come to know things
is complicated indeed -
we see-feel-think-remember-decide-react-judge-guess-revise
it takes many "passes" by many eyes to converge on knowledge:
one looking at the world
one looking at myself
one looking around at the way others
are looking at the world, at themselves, and at me.

Discernment emphasizes the part of this that is "perception"
but not just raw seeing -
it implies refinement and depth
the ability to see quality and value
to see the good in things and situations.

The ideas of virtue and vice are now "old fashioned".
They have lost the respect of the post-modern mind
and gained a sense of mistrust and oppressive moralism.

A lot has been gained, for the individual, in freedom and choice
but a lot has been lost
(could there be gain without loss, or loss without gain?)

Perhaps there is some wisdom
that we'd overall lose if we threw those words away.
Can they be brought forward into the world
as it is now?

As a concept, Discernment is a happy medium
locating the awareness of quality
as a perception available to an individual
but supporting the idea of depth and subtlety
and a kind of power:
the power to make choices
that are known by good results.

The ideas of vice and virtue
can be rescued from categorical thinking
and moral "givens"
and re-grounded in discernment
and a "world aware", wholistic sensibility

Vice - that which creates a "vicious circle":
a sequence of events and causes
leading to greater suffering and bondage.

Virtue - that which creates a "virtuous circle"
a sequence of events and causes
leading to greater health and freedom.

This definition of vice
is the pattern for addiction as well:
something that seems like it might be good
but has a damaging side effect
that also makes it more likely to repeat the behavior
leading to a downward spiral
of dullness and insensitivity.

Is there an "opposite" of addiction?

We can think of many examples
though they may have no well-known names:
practices that lead to increasing health and freedom
and greater sensitivity
and discernment:  
the increased capacity of awareness and perception.

Of course, just because we have these two matched words
starting with the letter V
does not mean that they are completely separate
and easily distinguished opposites
like black and white.

There's something to be said for habits and rules,
following guidance, and common sense
but there are times when it's necessary
to make choices based on discernment.

But how, exactly?
It's realy quite a challenge for any individual
to live up to.

The idea of discernment
isn't looking for formulas to follow.
There's no theory for life other than life itself.
No ideal, fixed things called "good" and "whole":
In the larger scheme of things
sometimes things come together
and sometimes fall apart.

Discernment is complex
and can't be formulized
with generic, one-size-fits all answers.

Some things about it are universal
and some unique to a person's individual way
of being in the world.

This brings up some basic questions
in everyday life, representative
of "larger" themes.

Eat, sleep, or exercise?
Work or play?
Enjoy the moment, or focus on the longer term view?

Usually habits work to balance the very different needs
that make a full life.

The habit and experience of a lifetime
is wrapped in the sensibility of a moment

but sometimes a moment of awareness is needed
or things get further out of balance and more reflection is needed.

How do you know what's good for you (and others)?
How do you know (discern) "up" from "down"?

Part of an answer is:
sensitivity
observation over time
and the ability to sense and care for "the whole"
as one knows it
remembers it to be
and imagines could be.

How can the "whole" be known?
Strategies and thinking only go so far.
We "discern" with all parts of ourselves working together.
But what can aid and hold this together?
Perhaps an alert openness and compassion.

That being said,
in what ways does discernment show up
in your experience?