I formed a stable picture of what it was…

Page 140. I formed a stable picture of what it was supposed to be like. This table picture was a stereotype. It turned out that this stereotype coudnt accommodate, or help me negotiate, the actual experience. I know I could’ve acted differently. I could’ve tried to force experience to conform to my preconceptions, but at a certain point this pushing the river is obviously futile. I could’ve read more books or thought about the situation any more rigorous fashion. That probably would amount to rearranging the preconceive notion‘s that I already possessed. Sometimes it is best to let experience I have it say, and reform one theories on the basis of what is actually said.

— from The Instruments (Awareness/Perception/Expectations) · Sick Souls, Healthy Minds- How William James Can Save Your Life by John Kaag

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