About Pavel Somov
Waking Up the Zombie

Ensō (円相) is a Japanese word meaning "circle" and a concept strongly associated with Zen. Ensō is one of the most common subjects of Japanese calligraphy even though it is a symbol and not a character. It symbolizes the Absolute, enlightenment, strength, elegance, the Universe, and the void; it can also symbolize the Japanese aesthetic itself. As an "expression of the moment" it is often considered a form of minimalist expressionist art.  (source: wiki)

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Saturday
Sep182010

Make a Choice When It Doesn't Matter

DateSaturday, September 18, 2010

Choice Awareness Exercise: Make a Choice When It Doesn't Matter

If I offer you a $20 bill or a $100 bill and ask you to choose, the choice is more or less predetermined by the pragmatics:  as such, it’s not really a choice.  Now, what would you rather have: a red or a blue, one or one point three, a glass or a cup?  This offer seems meaningless.  And it is.  Meaningless offers, however, represent the opportunity for a pure choice.

So, when someone asks “What do you want to do?” and you have no preference, instead of copping out and saying “I don’t care, you decide,” I recommend that you decide.  Make a choice when the actual choice doesn’t matter to you.  Practice making a choice when it doesn’t matter so that you can make a choice when it does.

References:

Recovery Equation: Motivational Enhancement, Choice Awareness & Use Prevention, an Innovative Clinical Curriculum for Substance Use Treatment (P. Somov, M. Somova, 2004)

Choice Awareness Training: Logotherapy & Mindfulness Training for Addictions Treatment (P. Somov, 2010

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