INTRODUCTION

Pillar 2: The External

The 3 External Levels. Describes the 2 levels of human interaction beyond the self. Level 1, is the self. Level 2, direct regular interaction, such as with family, friends, partner, or coworkers; Level 3, indirect occasional (or abstract) interaction, such as with strangers, workers, community, country, or the world.

What is the External?

The external is anything outside of "You" that affects you. There are 2 levels of external, and they affect all three levels simultaneously.

Level 2 - Direct, Regular Interaction
Refers to the people and relationships that you interact with on a regular basis. The people you know personally, and who affect your day-to-day - and even your longer-term plans - personally.

Level 3 - Indirect, Occasional (or Abstract) Interaction
Refers to the communities that are affected by your presence. It could be your company, or your city, or your government, or your country. It involves things like news, politics, traveling, nature. It's the things in the real world that you don't directly interact with, but which you have a concept for and that still affects you personally. For example, a sense of loyalty for your sports team makes you feel proud when they win, or global warming makes you feel fear and grief, or knowing about countries experiencing catastrophes makes you feel altruistic and want to help.

Social Media is kind of a combination of all 3 levels simultaneously. It influences your moods and even your sense of identity as you interact with it, even though it's not always Direct External, or always Indirect External.

Issues with the External

  1. We are easily deceived by External illusions.
    • Social media is curated; it is not an accurate representation of someone's actual world. But we feel envy and resentment, and try to copy them.
    • The news doesn't report honestly - it sensationalizes for a variety of reasons, mostly profit, so we need to be discerning.
    • Sellers make us believe that the answers to our deepest, most important problems can be found in a product or service, and not in ourselves.

  2. We attempt to control the External, then feel anger, grief, and disappointment if we are unable to.
    • What does "letting go" mean exactly? How can we do it? This framework will attempt to answer some of these questions.

  3. We can influence the External a lot more than we dare think.
    • We push the needle when we assert ourselves, when we commit to doing something. You would be shocked by the amount of change possible in as little as a day.

Exercise

SELF-DISCOVERY

  1. What are some truths you believe about the world? Like, is it cruel, kind, or neutral?

  2. Is there anything you feel you need to let go of? Like, certain expectations and desires?

  3. Are you comfortable asserting yourself, or do you think disappointment, anger, or potential pushback holds you back?