Comments for Mike Lehr's Blog http://blog.omegazadvisors.com Promoting the practical understanding and application of intuition: influencing and problem solving. Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:34:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 Comment on Decisions: Practical Implications of Intuition and Emotions by Mike Lehr http://blog.omegazadvisors.com/2010/05/decisions-practical-implications-of-intuition-and-emotions/comment-page-1/#comment-528 Mike Lehr Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:34:33 +0000 http://blog.omegazadvisors.com/?p=62#comment-528 Thank you, Lynne, I got a chuckle out of your comment that "in North Africa, people don’t even make a pretense of looking at anything logically." I appreciate you stopping by for a visit. We'll have to get caught up here real soon. Thank you, Lynne, I got a chuckle out of your comment that “in North Africa, people don’t even make a pretense of looking at anything logically.” I appreciate you stopping by for a visit. We’ll have to get caught up here real soon.

]]> Comment on Relationship Building Technique #2: Closed Questions by Mike Lehr http://blog.omegazadvisors.com/2012/01/relationship-building-technique-2-close-ended-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-527 Mike Lehr Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:32:42 +0000 http://blog.omegazadvisors.com/?p=2733#comment-527 Thank you, Tammy, you are too kind. Others have suggested that for me; it's one of the reasons I ventured out on my own. However, I will admit that I prefer to view myself as a demolition expert. I like to believe people are already motivated; they just need a little help in solving problems to get around (or through) obstacles. Better yet, I like to help them solve them on their own so they learn how to solve problems better. Nevertheless, I greatly appreciate the compliment and look forward to seeing you around again. Please feel welcomed to stop by here anytime. Thank you, Tammy, you are too kind. Others have suggested that for me; it’s one of the reasons I ventured out on my own. However, I will admit that I prefer to view myself as a demolition expert. I like to believe people are already motivated; they just need a little help in solving problems to get around (or through) obstacles. Better yet, I like to help them solve them on their own so they learn how to solve problems better. Nevertheless, I greatly appreciate the compliment and look forward to seeing you around again. Please feel welcomed to stop by here anytime.

]]> Comment on Decisions: Practical Implications of Intuition and Emotions by Lynne Diligent http://blog.omegazadvisors.com/2010/05/decisions-practical-implications-of-intuition-and-emotions/comment-page-1/#comment-526 Lynne Diligent Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:37:53 +0000 http://blog.omegazadvisors.com/?p=62#comment-526 I think you are right. People look at all the logic, and in the end, make an emotional decision. Interestingly, here in North Africa, people don't even make a pretense of looking at anything logically, or even think of the consequences. They base all decisions upon their emotional feelings of the moment (which are usually things like revenge, greed, love, jealousy, etc.) I think you are right. People look at all the logic, and in the end, make an emotional decision. Interestingly, here in North Africa, people don’t even make a pretense of looking at anything logically, or even think of the consequences. They base all decisions upon their emotional feelings of the moment (which are usually things like revenge, greed, love, jealousy, etc.)

]]> Comment on Relationship Building Technique #2: Closed Questions by Tammy Wilson http://blog.omegazadvisors.com/2012/01/relationship-building-technique-2-close-ended-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-525 Tammy Wilson Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:55:25 +0000 http://blog.omegazadvisors.com/?p=2733#comment-525 Mike, Your comments truly encourage a deep thought process when I read them. Although I know that you work for an amazing and growing company, I believe that you haven't yet tapped into your true calling. Reading your Blogs inspires me to suggest that you become a Motivational speaker and travel the world. You also have an appealing presence which is extremely beneficial in capturing an audience. Look out Zig Zigler... there's a new man in town :) Mike,
Your comments truly encourage a deep thought process when I read them. Although I know that you work for an amazing and growing company, I believe that you haven’t yet tapped into your true calling.
Reading your Blogs inspires me to suggest that you become a Motivational speaker and travel the world. You also have an appealing presence which is extremely beneficial in capturing an audience.
Look out Zig Zigler… there’s a new man in town :)

]]> Comment on The Illusion of Free Will by Mike Lehr http://blog.omegazadvisors.com/2011/02/the-illusion-of-free-will/comment-page-1/#comment-524 Mike Lehr Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:42:54 +0000 http://blog.omegazadvisors.com/?p=1209#comment-524 Thank you very much, Shayna, for your thorough response. Rather than replying here, I replied on your blog since you had been so kind to visit mine: <a href="http://peacefulcontroversy.com/2012/01/30/some-questions-are-hard-to-answer/#comment-537" rel="nofollow">Peaceful Controversy</a> Thank you very much, Shayna, for your thorough response. Rather than replying here, I replied on your blog since you had been so kind to visit mine: Peaceful Controversy

]]> Comment on The Illusion of Free Will by Some Questions are Hard to Answer…. « peaceful controversy http://blog.omegazadvisors.com/2011/02/the-illusion-of-free-will/comment-page-1/#comment-523 Some Questions are Hard to Answer…. « peaceful controversy Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:01:10 +0000 http://blog.omegazadvisors.com/?p=1209#comment-523 [...] [...] [...] [...]

]]> Comment on Processes Reduce Labor Costs by Reducing the Need for Talent by Process vs. Flexibility: The Tradeoff | Mike Lehr's Blog http://blog.omegazadvisors.com/2010/06/processes-reduce-labor-costs-by-reducing-the-need-for-talent/comment-page-1/#comment-522 Process vs. Flexibility: The Tradeoff | Mike Lehr's Blog Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:10:40 +0000 http://blog.omegazadvisors.com/?p=222#comment-522 [...] the downside of processes in our businesses because we enjoy how they allow us to scale and reduce labor costs. However, they often become the infrastructure that retards flexibility and adaptability as [...] [...] the downside of processes in our businesses because we enjoy how they allow us to scale and reduce labor costs. However, they often become the infrastructure that retards flexibility and adaptability as [...]

]]> Comment on The Illusion of Free Will by Shayna Abrams http://blog.omegazadvisors.com/2011/02/the-illusion-of-free-will/comment-page-1/#comment-521 Shayna Abrams Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:02:09 +0000 http://blog.omegazadvisors.com/?p=1209#comment-521 Wow - I love this. You have a brain and you use it!!! Now let me try to use my own and answer these questions in order to defend my definition of free will....and, I do understand that I have redefined free will as opposed to disagreeing with what you are saying. Please be advised that I will answer the questions from the perspective of understanding that we are both ego and spirit, but we spend our lives trying (whether we know it or not) to overcome our egoic needs and connect with our higher selves - our spirit. If you do not agree with this understanding, it will be very hard for me to present an answer that you will be able to accept as reasonable. First of all, I believe that our spirit exists initially on a subconscious (or unconscious) level, but I believe that every time we take a moment and simply think about our collective existence, our spirit comes to a conscious level and is able to fill our minds with higher thinking making us more self aware, or self conscious. In other words, if we go through life mindlessly, our ego will be in control of us. By mindlessly I mean focusing our thought on our own physical needs and how to fulfill them. Which brings me to the next question....our spirit, accordingly, does not want what our ego wants and yes, our spirit wants what we can have - an understanding of what our purpose is, individual and collective. The problem comes when we are not aware that this is what we really want because our ego tell us we want something else - our physical needs to be satisfied. When we choose a path (within your's and everyone else's definition of free will) that is not in agreement with our spirit, our ego is choosing that path and we will inevitably follow, despite the fact that it may not be our most ideal choice, but because we have not connected with our spirit by understanding that it is not beneficial to allow our ego to rule our thoughts, our spirit remains unconscious. The last question is tricky because though I have already mentioned that by simply thinking about our collective existence we connect with our spirit, we must also understand that just as we put effort or work into the needs of our ego to fulfill them (i.e. gym to lose weight, job to make money etc...) we must put work into our spirit to get what we need from it - how to fulfill our purpose individually (which, in my opinion, is always a purpose that contributes to the entire human race collectively by optimally utilizing some specific unique feature of our spirit or our true self) Whew......now back to the definition of free will..... Based on this, I would like to end with saying that if we define free will according to the mind of our ego - free will does consist of choices that we think we are making and I would agree this is an illusion because the choices we are making are leading us no where and ultimately don't even matter - and are predictable. But...If we are connected spiritually, then free will is not defined as choices anymore. It is defined as the opportunity to do what ever you want to do because you will know (after much spiritual work) how you must go about fulfilling your purpose as an individual and there is no choice involved. You just do what you have to do, by being who you really are (your spirit and not your ego) and doing what you really love (your unique gift that is held within the spirit) - and you are doing for a purpose that has meaning and does make a difference (for the benefit of the collective evolution of humanity) I am so sorry about the length of this answer, but you asked some pretty hefty questions - and I love the challenge (call it my spirit giving me some work to do :) !) Wow – I love this. You have a brain and you use it!!! Now let me try to use my own and answer these questions in order to defend my definition of free will….and, I do understand that I have redefined free will as opposed to disagreeing with what you are saying.
Please be advised that I will answer the questions from the perspective of understanding that we are both ego and spirit, but we spend our lives trying (whether we know it or not) to overcome our egoic needs and connect with our higher selves – our spirit.
If you do not agree with this understanding, it will be very hard for me to present an answer that you will be able to accept as reasonable.
First of all, I believe that our spirit exists initially on a subconscious (or unconscious) level, but I believe that every time we take a moment and simply think about our collective existence, our spirit comes to a conscious level and is able to fill our minds with higher thinking making us more self aware, or self conscious.
In other words, if we go through life mindlessly, our ego will be in control of us. By mindlessly I mean focusing our thought on our own physical needs and how to fulfill them.
Which brings me to the next question….our spirit, accordingly, does not want what our ego wants and yes, our spirit wants what we can have – an understanding of what our purpose is, individual and collective. The problem comes when we are not aware that this is what we really want because our ego tell us we want something else – our physical needs to be satisfied.
When we choose a path (within your’s and everyone else’s definition of free will) that is not in agreement with our spirit, our ego is choosing that path and we will inevitably follow, despite the fact that it may not be our most ideal choice, but because we have not connected with our spirit by understanding that it is not beneficial to allow our ego to rule our thoughts, our spirit remains unconscious.
The last question is tricky because though I have already mentioned that by simply thinking about our collective existence we connect with our spirit, we must also understand that just as we put effort or work into the needs of our ego to fulfill them (i.e. gym to lose weight, job to make money etc…) we must put work into our spirit to get what we need from it – how to fulfill our purpose individually (which, in my opinion, is always a purpose that contributes to the entire human race collectively by optimally utilizing some specific unique feature of our spirit or our true self)
Whew……now back to the definition of free will…..
Based on this, I would like to end with saying that if we define free will according to the mind of our ego – free will does consist of choices that we think we are making and I would agree this is an illusion because the choices we are making are leading us no where and ultimately don’t even matter – and are predictable.
But…If we are connected spiritually, then free will is not defined as choices anymore. It is defined as the opportunity to do what ever you want to do because you will know (after much spiritual work) how you must go about fulfilling your purpose as an individual and there is no choice involved. You just do what you have to do, by being who you really are (your spirit and not your ego) and doing what you really love (your unique gift that is held within the spirit) – and you are doing for a purpose that has meaning and does make a difference (for the benefit of the collective evolution of humanity)
I am so sorry about the length of this answer, but you asked some pretty hefty questions – and I love the challenge (call it my spirit giving me some work to do :) !)

]]> Comment on The Illusion of Free Will by Mike Lehr http://blog.omegazadvisors.com/2011/02/the-illusion-of-free-will/comment-page-1/#comment-520 Mike Lehr Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:20:26 +0000 http://blog.omegazadvisors.com/?p=1209#comment-520 You are absolutely correct, Shayna. That is why I view people through two lenses: "How they think they are" and "How they are." (http://blog.omegazadvisors.com/?p=1141). I do believe you can gain insight into their spirit and eventually their will. Not all our behaviors are consciously driven. Everything we think, do and say says something about us. Yes, some are in accordance with the behavior of others but many others are not. That's why learning and listening to others is so important; you will be able to tell which is which and where the conflicts between the two will appear down the road. Still, with all this, people remain surprises and able to think, do and say in unpredictable ways. In many ways, it's like poker: play the odds. Again, thank you for your comments, Shayna. I appreciated and enjoyed them. Mike You are absolutely correct, Shayna. That is why I view people through two lenses: “How they think they are” and “How they are.” (http://blog.omegazadvisors.com/?p=1141). I do believe you can gain insight into their spirit and eventually their will. Not all our behaviors are consciously driven. Everything we think, do and say says something about us. Yes, some are in accordance with the behavior of others but many others are not. That’s why learning and listening to others is so important; you will be able to tell which is which and where the conflicts between the two will appear down the road. Still, with all this, people remain surprises and able to think, do and say in unpredictable ways. In many ways, it’s like poker: play the odds.

Again, thank you for your comments, Shayna. I appreciated and enjoyed them.
Mike

]]> Comment on The Illusion of Free Will by Mike Lehr http://blog.omegazadvisors.com/2011/02/the-illusion-of-free-will/comment-page-1/#comment-519 Mike Lehr Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:12:46 +0000 http://blog.omegazadvisors.com/?p=1209#comment-519 Thank you, Shayna, for your deep comment. I appreciate it. I will differ with you though on your refutation of the argument. You did not refute the argument; you refuted the definition. Analogously, that's similar to you saying that you prefer to carry on this discussion in Russian as opposed to English. Since definitions are arbitrary, that's why societies, governments and cultures try to create generally accepted definitions. For instance, I can define the word "blue" to mean the color red, and the word "red" to mean the color blue. So, if I convince my friends that red is blue, all I've done was encourage them to accept a different definition - I haven't convinced them that RED is BLUE. Thus, the argument you refuted was just the definition of free will, not the argument of whether free will is an illusion. You tried to refute the argument by changing the definition of "free will" Still, in most ways I would suggest you agree that free will is an illusion and agree with the way I describe it. For example, the issue of choice is an integral part to the historical debate of free will (search "free will" on Wikipedia for example: "Free will is the ability of agents to make choices free from certain kinds of constraints." Here, the issue of choice is in the first sentence. I would also challenge you to find ANY discussion of free will that does not involve choices). Also, keep in mind that I did state free will was a byproduct of our conscious, primarily our ego (but not only our ego). So, the questions I have for you are these: Does our spirit exist on a conscious or unconscious level? *What happens when our spirit wants something we cannot have? Or, does it only want things we can have? *What happens when we take a path that is not in agreement with our spirit? *Our spirit may know what we want, but does it also know how to get it? How does it tell us? The choices we make aren't only about what we want but also how do we get it. Nevertheless, you have the freedom to choose how you want to define "free will." While I believe I agree with you (I won't know for sure until you answer some questions), I am doing so because I've accepted your definition of blue as being red. However, if you agreed to accept my definitions, I'm fairly certain you would agree with me: that free will is an illusion. Again, thank you for your comment. It encouraged me to ponder on a deeper level. I appreciate that. Thank you, Shayna, for your deep comment. I appreciate it. I will differ with you though on your refutation of the argument. You did not refute the argument; you refuted the definition. Analogously, that’s similar to you saying that you prefer to carry on this discussion in Russian as opposed to English. Since definitions are arbitrary, that’s why societies, governments and cultures try to create generally accepted definitions.

For instance, I can define the word “blue” to mean the color red, and the word “red” to mean the color blue. So, if I convince my friends that red is blue, all I’ve done was encourage them to accept a different definition – I haven’t convinced them that RED is BLUE. Thus, the argument you refuted was just the definition of free will, not the argument of whether free will is an illusion. You tried to refute the argument by changing the definition of “free will”

Still, in most ways I would suggest you agree that free will is an illusion and agree with the way I describe it. For example, the issue of choice is an integral part to the historical debate of free will (search “free will” on Wikipedia for example: “Free will is the ability of agents to make choices free from certain kinds of constraints.” Here, the issue of choice is in the first sentence. I would also challenge you to find ANY discussion of free will that does not involve choices). Also, keep in mind that I did state free will was a byproduct of our conscious, primarily our ego (but not only our ego). So, the questions I have for you are these:

Does our spirit exist on a conscious or unconscious level?
*What happens when our spirit wants something we cannot have? Or, does it only want things we can have?
*What happens when we take a path that is not in agreement with our spirit?
*Our spirit may know what we want, but does it also know how to get it? How does it tell us? The choices we make aren’t only about what we want but also how do we get it.

Nevertheless, you have the freedom to choose how you want to define “free will.” While I believe I agree with you (I won’t know for sure until you answer some questions), I am doing so because I’ve accepted your definition of blue as being red. However, if you agreed to accept my definitions, I’m fairly certain you would agree with me: that free will is an illusion.

Again, thank you for your comment. It encouraged me to ponder on a deeper level. I appreciate that.

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