SubscribeCompetence
What is it about being competent about something that makes us feel good? Part of it may be that it is an immediate and visible example of mind over matter or put another way an example of creating our own reality. This gives us a feeling of power and control in a life where as part of the human condition we can often feel powerless due to the finite nature of our existence in this form and the seemingly random events that happen to us all. To be competent in an area sets us apart and allows us to demonstrate our skills. Skills are valued as a means to getting things done. They are often in demand and provided in exchange for monetary reward. Extreme competence is often very much admired as many others aspire to it. This admiration can boost our self esteem providing another feel good factor associated with competence. Likeminded people will have rapport around an area of competence that they enjoy such as hang gliding or playing music, often forming clubs or associations providing them with a sense of insider belonging and camaraderie.
Through these outlets learning takes place and a shared understanding develops. In depth understanding in the area of competence can lead to more general insights as no one area of knowledge and understanding has a monopoly on wisdom. Universal truths become evident in diverse areas of study. In Robert M. Pirsig’s book Zen and the art of Motorcycle Maintenance the limits of mechanical logic and the relationship between it and intangible experience is explored among many other things. A motorcycle engine is a mechanical construct that converts the chemical energy contained in gasoline and air into the kinetic energy of motion based on the laws of physics. However the experience of travelling through sweeping bends in the Rockies on a summer’s day propelled by a v twin engine motorcycle may display some nuances about that engine that seem to transcend the limitations of a mechanical construct? The experience of it is a combination of conscious observation and abstract mechanics that combine to form something new as with Schrödinger's cat experiment where consciousness changes reality itself. In the zone of competence the engine blends with the rider and the motorcycle becomes a celebration of roads.
By really looking at and glimpsing the nature of the smallest and simplest of things we can begin to appreciate the nature of larger and more complex things as well. One of the reasons that we are here must be to experience the nature of this reality by being a living part of it testing it and ourselves to create something new that enhances our understanding and development. Humanity is differentiated from the rest of the animal world primarily by the complexity and pervasiveness of its constructs. All things that can thus be imagined become possible. Through competence we come to know ourselves and our environment and to experience and develop them in the fullest possible ways.