Well, here we are in 2009, with all those negative and horrible predictions about human future lingering around. Does it make us even happier? Does it help us achieving happiness, to think in an alternative way? Or, rather, does it matter at all in our pursuit of happiness?
I feel obliged to choose the last scenario. And I don't feel alone in making that choice.
Recently, I have come across a forwarded e-mail message originally posted by a guy named Franz. He had a similar viewpoint and had it well put as follows:
From Franz:
Last Sunday we discussed the contributing factors of success, drawing
ideas from two new books.
[1] Geoff Colvin's "Talent is Overrated"
Here's what most readers got from his book: (I have not read the book yet)
· Talent is overrated if it is perceived to be the most important factor. It isn't. Talent does not exist unless and until it is developed...and the only way to develop it is Deliberate Practice.
· Deliberate Practice contains the following components:
q It is designed specifically to improve performance
q Requires building up abilities through countless repetitions regardless of how you feel about doing it at any given time.
q It is highly demanding mentally - requires the ability to focus on the practice and practice correctly.
q Requires tenacity. Keep it up for extremely long periods of time.
q Ten years of consistent deliberate effort is required to be outstanding in your field. Researchers have refined their estimate with a figure of 10,000 hours.
q Deliberate Practice is hard and not particularly enjoyable because it means you are focusing on improving areas that are not satisfactory. Examine your weakness. Face your own demons.
q The necessity of constructive feedback and support system, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation/validation, and the multiplier effect (small success encourages you to work for still more success, makes the work of digging deeper enjoyable).
· "Where does the passion for such practice come from?"
· What do you really want? And what do you really believe?
· What you really really want is fundamental because Deliberate
Practice is a heavy investment. Great achievement has a high price, a price most people are not willing to pay.
· The effect of Deliberate Practice is cumulative.
· Starting at an early age will lead to an advantage over someone who started later.
· There are lots of people who practice all the time. And they never get very good. Why? Because they are not practicing properly.
Try to figure out what it would take to excel at it. Get expert advice.
[2] Malcolm Gladwell's "Outliers"
Malcolm Gladwell covered many ideas in his book, but here are some key
points: (Again I have only read excerpts.)
10,000 hour rule - It takes a lot of time to become really proficient in anything. Studies have shown that there is a 10 year and/or 10,000 hour rule to reach this stage.
IQ is just a threshold - High IQs are not necessarily a good predictor of success. You only need to be 'smart enough' to be able to succeed.
Meaningful work (as defined by having some autonomous control, challenges and a clear idea of effort-reward) is critical to success.
"Luck" matter - external circumstances, people, time & place, plays a key role
Social heritance - Cultural legacies and traditions are powerful forces
Two recent examples of successful people illustrate different aspects of success:
[A] Michael Phelps is the best Olympic Swimmer in history.
Numerous articles and TV interviews have discussed Michael Phelps'
grueling training regime. For example:
http://munfitnessblog.com/how-michael-phelps-managed-to-break-so-many-swimming-world-records-one-after-another/
http://ezinearticles.com/?So-How-Long-Has-Michael-Phelps-Been-Training-to-Be-a-Champion?&id=1460157
His success is much more than just the gold medals. Here is where I
think he truly shines:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18725-2004Aug20.html
[B] The second example is how a 15-year old boy was able to shut down the communication systems of technology giants such as Yahoo, eBay, Amazon, CNN and other major corporations.
http://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/news/2001/09/46791
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=854375
Mafiaboy illustrates that passion-driven excellence can be destructive if it is not based on strong ethics!
To Buddhists, here are my reflections:
Success to Buddhists means Perfect Happiness - "total cessation of suffering". This means Nirvana. Don't forget it. This is the motivator.
Happiness for Buddhists comes from within, not from outside. Pleasure of sensory experiences come and go, always carries potential downside risks such as addictions, withdrawals, loss and grief. Unfortunately this is human being's normal perception of happiness. Our life-energy is restless, pushing and pulling, vacillating, always out of balance and out of control. These are the source of unhappiness.
Aim for stillness in mind and body, true happiness resides in serenity. Meditation is the only training that can get you there. Start early means don't wait for retirement or getting wealthy to start practice.
No such thing as a bad meditation session since the effect of practice is cumulative, learn and improve from each session. Important to get superior teachers and learn to practice correctly - improper practices get you nowhere fast.
Always pay attention to the Golden Rule: do not cause harm or hurt to yourself or other people. Dedicated practice without strong ethics will make you the Mafiaboy! Therefore no pain no gain is nonsense. The practice might need effort, but unlike what Colvin said, it need not be painful. In fact, correct Buddhist meditation must be accompanied by increasing joy, rapture and happiness.
To put in 10,000 hours means CUT OUT unimportant time-wasters. At first it can be unpleasant - watch out for withdrawal symptoms. Do the math; how many hours of meditation can you put in? Some meditation teacher advise one hour in the morning, another hour in the evening, plus a long intensive retreat once a year. Let say we take no vacation at all: (355 x 2) + (10 x 9 ) hours per year = (710 + 90)
hours per year = 800 hours per year; 10,000 / 800 = 12.5 years. Count on putting in 13 years of serious steady practice to reach proficiency.
Start early: take Dalai Lama for example - he started as a child. Each day he gets up at 3:30 am, meditate for 4-5 hours. Let's say 4 hours per day. (10000 / (4 x 365)) = 6.85 years. This means the diligent monks could master the skill in 7 years.
No wonder the Buddha made this proclamation in the Satipatthana Sutta - (isn't it interesting!):
§ At the conclusion of the sutta, the Buddha proclaimed:
"Now, if anyone would develop these four frames of reference in this way for seven years, one of two fruits can be expected for him: either gnosis right here & now, or - if there be any remnant of clinging/sustenance - non-return "Let alone seven years. If anyone would develop these four frames of reference in this way for six years... five... four... three... two years... one year... seven months... six months... five... four...three... two months... one month... half a month, one of two fruits can be expected for him: either gnosis right here & now, or - if there
be any remnant of clinging/sustenance - non-return.
"Let alone half a month. If anyone would develop these four frames of reference in this way for seven days, one of two fruits can be expected for him: either gnosis right here & now, or - if there be any remnant of clinging/sustenance - non-return.
"'This is the direct path for the purification of beings, for the overcoming of sorrow & lamentation, for the disappearance of pain & distress, for the attainment of the right method, & for the realization of Unbinding - in other words, the four frames of reference.' Thus was it said, and in reference to this was it said."
That is what the Blessed One said. Gratified, the monks delighted in the Blessed One's words.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.010.than.html
Our talent is from our past karma. We all have a beginning-less history to answer to. The cumulative effect from past lives are considerable, so don't discount the effect of born talent. If you have practiced diligently in many past lives, you might be able to have "faster" results. Remember the practices are cumulative (if done properly). If you had bad practice habits, you might need more time to correct them! However, the past is done and nothing can change it.
More important is to practice NOW. ~~ end of quotation...
I would like to share that with you practitioners. Thank you, Franz!
With Metta, Franz
