First position and zero position

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​​​​​​​ To say that all people always think of themselves and look after their own interests is to think of people too well. Many people, when they live and act, do not think about anything at all, being too lazy to turn on their heads, obeying the requirements of others or the situation. When this happens, one speaks of the absence of one’s own position, or, in other words, of the zero position of perception.

Zero position of perception — ignoring one’s own perception of the current situation and what is happening, acting in oblivion of one’s desires and interests.

The first position of perception is a person’s perception of the situation and everything that happens from the point of view of his personal position, his picture of the world, acting on the basis of his personal interests.

How to determine when a person is in what position?

To distinguish when a person is in the first, and when in the zero position — from the side is not always easy.

Smokers do not smoke because smoking gives them pleasure, they do not even notice when the hand itself reaches for a cigarette. Here the zero position is obvious.

But the situation is more difficult. Elena starts every day with a cup of coffee. Since in her picture of the world coffee is joy and she wants coffee, this is a manifestation of the first position. On the other hand, it is not true that every time she drinks coffee with heartfelt pleasure: it is more a habit, it is not controlled by herself, but by the habit of her body. The more it becomes a thoughtless habit, the more Elena will turn from a beautiful flower into a faded plant.

The difference between the first and zero positions is not that in the first position there is no automatism, there is no moment of pattern and habit — all this is or can be in the first position. In the first and zero positions, there is a different place for patterns and habits, different directions for patterns and habits. Everything is given by WHO is the source of zero, and WHO is the source of the first position, what is our environment and what is the one who I am.

Life path based on zero or first position

You can live with your own mind, making your own choices, or you can live like everyone else, live with someone else’s mind, obeying the way of life that those around you exist. Which is better, which is better?

It all depends on who the particular person is and who the others are. What are the values ​​and what is the level of the individual, in what society does he live?

If this is the personality of Munchausen from Mark Zakharov’s film «The Same Munchausen», then for all the absurdity of the character of the baron, he is above his surroundings, and for him to give up himself is a personal tragedy and death.

If this is an alcoholic or a maniac who has lost his human appearance, then it is better and more correct for him to start with someone else’s mind, if his own mind is not enough.

Personal development through zero or first position

Unfortunately, the usual situation is that the source of the zero position is the popular notions of popular culture and tired, confused, short-sighted and frightened parents. In comparison with this, with such sources of external influence, a spontaneous child, an eyeing teenager and a young man who believes in himself, coming from himself, being in the first position, are the sources of freedom and development.

In smart societies and good parents, the situation is different. If the content of the attitudes of the environment, family or social, is positive, constructive, freedom and development, wisdom and personal responsibility, then in this case a child, teenager or young person with a well-learned zero position has at least the possibility of a good start. In such a situation, the zero position in comparison with the first one is a source of positive and development. See →