@everyone

[restingstitchface]

Aurelius once wrote, "If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment."

My fundamental concern about this wisdom is that it fails to spot the physical root of trauma. People who cannot snap out of their distress also deserve compassion and treatment.

My apologies for the intrusion. Locals informed me about the recent chaos and I found myself concerned and a little hesitant about reaching out. Back home I treat those who approach me for support with their mental health. I had excellent resources there but here I can offer nothing but a listening ear.

I understand some of you might be feeling exposed, stressed and intimidated. To you I offer my own wisdom. If you worry about what lies ahead, you will be the only one who suffers in the end.

To all else, kind regards for listening.

Oh. Reading, isn’t it? This system is entirely new to me. What a brave new world this place is.

Comments

[aquilus]

I'd question whether one who hasn't attempted to explain it can even call themselves a philosopher. I enjoyed the writings of Aurelius and his fellows on the nature and importance of reason. Less so many of their thoughts on the passions.

[restingstitchface]

You disagree with their overall assessment that passion, being weaker than reason, is something to do away with entirely?

[aquilus]

I disagree with the idea that the passions are not natural, and that it is even possible to live a life of pure reason. Yet that doesn't make reason itself any less important or powerful. It's an apparent contradiction, but isn't much of our lived reality?

[restingstitchface]

Perhaps. But how much of reality is truly a contradition when it might not even be dictated by our choices? Now there's an interesting question for you.

[aquilus]

I would say that reality, the world around us, in an illusion — but one we can submit to or transcend. We are all what we choose to be, and it is our choices that collectively shape what lies beyond the illusion.

[restingstitchface]

Interesting theory. But illusions are false and ephemeral; and holding a false belief about reality is called a delusion.

[aquilus]

I wouldn't truly disagree. But many cling to their illusions, and that may be what gives their delusions even more strength.

[restingstitchface]

Of course but there is more than one symptom. Human anatomy can also lend delusions an irresistable kind of strength.

[aquilus]

Oh? How is that so?

[restingstitchface]

Neuroscience. The nervous system is how we process our interactions with the world; it informs us of please and pain, light and sound, heat and cold. Fool the body and you fool the mind.

[aquilus]

Fascinating. It sounds as though you come from a world or a time with more knowledge of such things than my own.

[restingstitchface]

That could be a possibility. One gentleman is several years ahead of myself. But does the year truly matter? We are all together in the present.

[aquilus]

Only in that it provides context. How important that context is varies from person to person, I've found.

[restingstitchface]

I suppose some depend on the era of their birth more than most. Dare I count you amongst them? Or are you the enlightened individual your words make you seem?

[aquilus]

I'm not arrogant enough to consider myself enlightened.

[Not anymore, anyway.]

But I make my best effort.

[restingstitchface]

[One can imagine Crane smiling to himself.]

Effort is the best reward. Names are another.

[aquilus]

I've known some names that were more like a punishment. But mine is Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad.

[restingstitchface]

Thank you.

A fair trade, then. Jonathan Crane.

[aquilus]

A name for a name.

Remarkably selfless of you to find yourself an entirely new world and think only of others.

[restingstitchface]

Thank you. Helping people to the best of my ability and judgement is all part of the Hippocratic Oath, after all.

[Philosophical bait on a hook? Nomnoms.]

[aquilus]

[We have already established his Philosophy Nerd bona fides.]

Not all doctors are is proactive. Or concerned about the body as much as the mind.

[restingstitchface]

Yes and I find that a shame. The mind is perhaps the last frontier one can explore. The most fascinating too, I find.

[aquilus]

And was it the desire to explore or the urge to help that sent you down this path?

[He's not suspicious per se, but curious.]

[restingstitchface]

The desire for exploration was a factor, yes. But when I found myself helping more than the individuals themselves, I found that kept me on the path. If that makes sense?

[The people helped being me, myself and I.]

[aquilus]

It does, as much as it can to a layman. The healers in my time are focused on physical injury; to be expected in a time of war.