The simile of a turtle is so very apt in relation to choices. Although we have evolved so far from the amphibian stage of the turtle according to the Darwinian theory, we still maintain the gift of choice which the turtle has, the choice, to do or not to do!
The key word in the quote, however, is ‘when’. The turtle chooses the time for sticking the neck out as part of its basic instincts, i.e. of protection and preservation. We, on the other hand, have the option of mindful thinking before taking the risks and jumping into the fray.
The question of ‘when’ for us is decided by our assessment of the necessity and appropriateness of our action. The wise use this privilege, the unwise keep sticking their necks out always or never dare to do so. Perhaps turtle is the blessed one who is spared the torture of this mindful thinking and therefore happy to stay with its basic instincts. We, on the other hand, must pay the price of being mindful. But then who knows turtle’s mind!
Three things that favor the wise are, confidence, courage, and concerns.
Confidence comes from the knowledge of the subject or the occasion. Courage comes from the preparedness to face the consequences, and the concerns come from the values of compassion and being fair.
Wisdom also says, look before you leap, think before you speak! These two proverbs define the appropriateness and the timing for our actions, to act, react or to hold on to our horses and stay put.
While we say that sticking our neck out required courage, let us not forget that restraining ourselves from not sticking our neck out also requires courage.
Calculated inaction or masterly inactivity is a sign of strength and wisdom. It is like willful silence that can answer many questions or can avoid arguments, conflicts, and confrontations.
It is unlike inertia which is a sign of weakness and immaturity.
It is thus our choice as to when to mind our own business or to stick our neck out. As for the timing of this ‘when’, we have to depend on our knowledge and experiences, and on our awareness of the context, surroundings and expected repercussions.
The same principle applies for the pace of our actions and reactions. One has to tailor these individually according to one’s own capabilities, opportunities and needs. Physiologically and scientifically, taking a break by either slowing down or by taking a pause or break is refreshing and rejuvenating. It is like recharging your batteries, after all, the body is only a humanized machine. These breaks also provide space to increase the dimensions of our critical thinking and rationalizing our thoughts. This makes it even more logical to vary the pace of our actions, to slow down and to take breaks occasionally in order to create a balance between the magnitude of tasks and the paucity of time
Lastly, what decides this ‘when’ for the timing and the pace of our actions and reactions is our threshold of tolerance. This is subjective depending on our personality and perceptions as well the prevailing context. There is no single common yardstick that can be applied across the board.
Mukta quoted the story of turtle and hare. This too is very significant since the pace of the two is not contradictory but complimentary as it relates to our lives.
It is necessary to run like the hare to win the hundred-meter sprint race, but to win a marathon, we must follow the turtle.
The simile of a turtle is so very apt in relation to choices. Although we have evolved so far from the amphibian stage of the turtle according to the Darwinian theory, we still maintain the gift of choice which the turtle has, the choice, to do or not to do!
The key word in the quote, however, is ‘when’. The turtle chooses the time for sticking the neck out as part of its basic instincts, i.e. of protection and preservation. We, on the other hand, have the option of mindful thinking before taking the risks and jumping into the fray.
The question of ‘when’ for us is decided by our assessment of the necessity and appropriateness of our action. The wise use this privilege, the unwise keep sticking their necks out always or never dare to do so. Perhaps turtle is the blessed one who is spared the torture of this mindful thinking and therefore happy to stay with its basic instincts. We, on the other hand, must pay the price of being mindful. But then who knows turtle’s mind!
Three things that favor the wise are, confidence, courage, and concerns.
Confidence comes from the knowledge of the subject or the occasion. Courage comes from the preparedness to face the consequences, and the concerns come from the values of compassion and being fair.
Wisdom also says, look before you leap, think before you speak! These two proverbs define the appropriateness and the timing for our actions, to act, react or to hold on to our horses and stay put.
While we say that sticking our neck out required courage, let us not forget that restraining ourselves from not sticking our neck out also requires courage.
Calculated inaction or masterly inactivity is a sign of strength and wisdom. It is like willful silence that can answer many questions or can avoid arguments, conflicts, and confrontations.
It is unlike inertia which is a sign of weakness and immaturity.
It is thus our choice as to when to mind our own business or to stick our neck out. As for the timing of this ‘when’, we have to depend on our knowledge and experiences, and on our awareness of the context, surroundings and expected repercussions.
The same principle applies for the pace of our actions and reactions. One has to tailor these individually according to one’s own capabilities, opportunities and needs. Physiologically and scientifically, taking a break by either slowing down or by taking a pause or break is refreshing and rejuvenating. It is like recharging your batteries, after all, the body is only a humanized machine. These breaks also provide space to increase the dimensions of our critical thinking and rationalizing our thoughts. This makes it even more logical to vary the pace of our actions, to slow down and to take breaks occasionally in order to create a balance between the magnitude of tasks and the paucity of time
Lastly, what decides this ‘when’ for the timing and the pace of our actions and reactions is our threshold of tolerance. This is subjective depending on our personality and perceptions as well the prevailing context. There is no single common yardstick that can be applied across the board.
Mukta quoted the story of turtle and hare. This too is very significant since the pace of the two is not contradictory but complimentary as it relates to our lives.
It is necessary to run like the hare to win the hundred-meter sprint race, but to win a marathon, we must follow the turtle.