Monday, January 14, 2013

Philosophy of Passing Over the Double Yellow

Considering the concept that one's perception of reality is based on one's perception of him/herself, it makes me wonder if I can change my reality by changing my view of myself.

What the #$*! Do We Know!? is an interesting documentary I watched the other night on Netflix. It's largely based on the teachings of Ramtha (JZ Knight). I don't know much about Ramtha, but I always find it entertaining to exercise concepts.

When you consider that emotions are just hormones released by the brain into our blood system, and subsequently absorbed into our cells, our cells become conditioned to receiving these hormones. That is, it's a chemical addiction that our body learns to crave. As cells divide, newer cells are more adapted to capturing these hormones.

The more time you spend feeling guilty, the more your body craves the feeling of guilt. Hence, that becomes your perception of reality. Everything you see, hear, touch, is all filtered by your body's need to feel guilty.

As I'm riding my motorcycle along a twisty road through hillsides and canyons, my eyes pick up a million pieces of information. But I may only perceive 20 pieces at any given second. For one, moving at an average of 50mph limits my ability to perceive, but two, how I see myself as an individual filters what I perceive.

I think about passing a slower-moving car in front of me. But I take notice of the double-yellow line and think twice about doing so. I look in my rear view mirror and see no cops. I look ahead and I see no on-coming cars. I take notice of upcoming curves and try to assess the safety of passing this guy.

Finally, I pull the trigger, twist the throttle and make my pass. All the while, I'm looking ahead down the road for any oncoming vehicles, until I move back into my lane.

Then I ease off on the throttle, and look in my rear view mirror at the guy I just passed, just in case he's pissed at me.

For me, being a law-abiding citizen is important, though not always the highest priority. Intellectually, I don't want trouble with the law. But emotionally, I find it alluring.  In the earlier part of my childhood, I went through a lot of physical abuse at the hands of my mother.  I didn't want my mother to beat me, but I grew up in a pattern of guilt and punishment.  My body became conditioned towards wanting this fix.

Hence, it all explains why I took notice of that double-yellow line.  I see it as an opportunity.

passing over the double yellow line

Someone else who sees himself as more important, who doesn't care about confrontation, and who may not even recognize boundaries, probably won't even know there is a double-yellow line there. All he may see is that there is someone in his way, and that someone is an "idiot" who needs to be laid to waste.

Had I not passed over the double yellow, I would have gotten to my destination a little bit more late, but I would've felt on edge, and more than likely would seek to get my fix some other way.

And if you ask Sash about this, she'll tell you that feelings of guilt can only accumulate for so long until the need for punishment takes over. At that point, what my eyes and ears perceive become filtered, yet again, looking to push her over the edge, just as I used to do with my mother.

So what about the motorcycle rider who decides to remain behind the slow-moving car? What's their hangup? Maybe he or she wants to feel meager, wants to feel like a sheep? Maybe these people seek out other slow-moving vehicles just so that they can remain stuck behind them?

Anyway, it's an interesting documentary with interesting ideas.

3 comments:

  1. Steve:

    I am not sure which is better; having an abusive mother, or in my case no parents at all. All was fine in my world until I was around 9 or 10 when my parents divorced. I had to change schools and live with my Uncle. It was downhill from there.

    Back then I would be so envious of those who had real families and a loving home. I suppose I am still not over it. I have been more or less alone all this time thus my reason for craving friends

    You stepped over the yellow line and took a chance. Perhaps this time you have found someone else who shares your passion for life and will enjoy doing what you like to do, whether it be riding or . . .

    Often times we like to take the safe way and follow. Just like long distance riding. When I am tired I like to let the car in front be my pathfinder. It's not always about "taking a chance", often times it's about resting for your second breath

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast
    My Flickr // My YouTube


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  2. Set an arbitrary boundary for me... and I'm automatically challenging it.

    I accept no "Natural Right" of anyone or any group of nobody's to dictate to me, where I go and how I get there.

    If you say I can't ~ I say I can.

    The only measure I truly acknowledge is; Does what I do, endanger the life or property of anyone else? No? Then stand back baby cuz it's time to rock and roll! ;)

    I don't accept that I am "Ruled" by what somebody did to me as a kid either. Does it have an impact? sure. Of course. you live and you learn. But, I am unwilling to allow it to rule me. I burned my hand when I was young. That don't make me want to run out and burn it again. I took a lot of crap. But I saw through it then... and I see through it now. I didn't deserve it then. I don't deserve it now.

    No kid deserves such abuse. Dump on a kid and all you do is teach distrust. THAT is a hard thing to overcome. It's tough to lay a lifetime of distrust aside and invest some in anyone. Know that and you realize the punk was the abuser and not the abused.

    That's what I see in folks behavior. They distrust. So, the safer thing to do is just run the person off so you don't have to take the hurt of your trust being betrayed... one more time. Refuse to be run off... and eventually, chip by chip... you dig your way through the wall of distrust... to the real person inside.

    I'm sure some will say I'm just a callous billy bad ass. I say I'm a guy paying attention and using that thing the boss gave us all for more than keeping my ears apart.

    That... and it pads my neck when I high side! :)

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  3. Steve, I'm going to watch the documentary as soon as I have a chance. I'm with you on this, done it many times, it's a challenge as I see it, my only concern is "is it safe". I'm with Brian too, I guide myself, I don't accept guidelines set by someone else.

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About Steve

A vagabond who hauls a motorcycle around the country in a toy hauler, earning a living as a website developer. Can often be found where there's free Wi-Fi, craft beer, and/or public nudity. (Read more...)