“Let my heart be wise. It is the gods’ best gift.”
Euripides
In Section 3, we learned much about the virtues. We saw what a typical day was like for an individual who did not practice when-which-how. Then we repeated that typical day and saw that there was a dramatic difference when the practice of when-which-how was applied to the same situations and encounters.
It was obvious when our practitioner applied the practice and which virtues he applied, but maybe it was not so obvious how he applied them. In this section, we will examine the how stage more closely. This phase of the practice is more open-ended than the other two.
It is clear that we need to maintain our attention and stay aware from moment-to-moment during our daily encounters. With our awareness focused in the present, we increase our sensitivity to our internal thoughts and feelings as well as to the external attitudes and behaviors of those we encounter. At the same time, because we are aware and sensitive, we can observe our internal state and the external situation we happen to be experiencing. As we get into the habit of maintaining this state of being, life becomes much more immediate, rich, and full. This developed state of being is a potent platform from which to practice when-which-how.
At this point we are ready to choose one or more virtues to apply to the situation we are experiencing. Taking an instance from the example of the typical day, after lunch our practitioner goes to his manager’s office with the intention of apologizing for his negative attitude and behavior earlier in the day. He also finds the courage to tell her that he really needs to leave on time because his son is playing soccer after school. He recognized when to apply the virtues and he chose which virtues to apply to the situation, namely, valor and humility. But how did he apply them?
