Let’s do a deeper dive into the mind of the Chess prodigy. But first, let me direct your attention to a couple of other observations…
1. To the other players crowding to see the game, the solution was obvious — but the Chess Prodigy was hopelessly lost to the noise in his mind. So how do we resolve this phenomenon? Would developing the “observer’s mind” or the Zen mind under those conditions help? I hope we can see that there is a distinct difference between thinking (which is the search for solutions in pursuit of a goal) and the noise in the mind. In fact, it is that noise that cripples thinking.
2. There are only 64 squares on a Chess Board. And so in any one position, there is the understanding of a Beginner, an Intermediate and the Master player. They all see different things in that same position. The point is there are different levels of understanding walking down the rabbit warren of any one microcosm. A ‘position’ doesn’t give up its secrets easily.
OK. Now let us walk alongside the journey of the player as he tries to develop from beginner towards mastery…
In the beginning, he sets goals and measures them by milestones. And he begins to pour his energy into this journey. As I said in Part 1, the journey is iterative… game by game, tournament by tournament. He measures his understanding by the results he achieves. And if his understanding is improving, he journeys on. But if he draws wrong conclusions, he stays stuck until there is another breakthrough in his understanding. Technical. But something else is also happening in the hidden realm. And it is this: With every milestone achieved, thus showing his understanding is improving, he has a replenishment of energy. This is important because without this replenishment of energy, his confidence steadily erodes and he soon reaches ‘empty’. And then he begins to explore other avenues to win. Some resort to cheating. And this is Spiritual damage.
The Chess Prodigy’s journey is not unlike one’s Business journey.
Our Spiritual journey is inextricably linked to the Mind. And thinking & understanding are not easily developed until we can differentiate it from the noise & chatter in our minds, the wheat from the chaff. If we cannot make that distinction, we will be hopelessly lost ( see Part 1 ). The walk along the road less traveled only begins when we begin to see the forest for the trees, and we trust the pathway ahead will lead us out of the maze. And until that pathway begins to appear, we are actually running on the spot.
Let’s now use this template to explore how other elements also impacts our Spiritual journey.
Till my next post…
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If you stay in your mind to resolve anything your in survival mode.
Instincts are learned and hardwired innate behaviors like survival, procreation, revenge, or loyalty. Intuition is a feeling or knowing without physical evidence at the time.
Your brain can play tricks on you. Your mind is limited. Your heart can be blinded at times. However, your intuition is the only true guide you will ever have that tells you the truth.
Here I disagree. Go back to the part where the Chess prodigy was trying to win against the Grandmaster. “instincts”, from past traumas/damage ( ie body consciousness) are where the noise comes from. Thinking is entirely different. Many confuse the two. Thinking, understanding and the Spirit together with intuition are inextricably linked. For true thinking we need to acquire or reacquire the the “gifts of the spirit” ie patience, compassion etc etc. And that is difficult and that’s why many can’t stay on the road less travelled and veer away to either “judgement” or “fantasy”. Please reflect on this. Namaste.