An Exchange on Expectation, Variance, and Separation

Thanks Bob and well said 

 

My views have certainly been impacted by Hindu and Buddhist perspectives, but also aspects of many other faiths.  I do tend to lean more in the direction of the mystic aspects of these faiths, such as Gnostic Christianity and the Hebrew Kabbalah.  Buddhism is by far the most unifying philosophy IMO.  When someone asks me what religion are you? I usually answer:  "Unity and Love are my religion." Science is also a major influence, specifically theoretical quantum physics, cosmology and the more defined sciences of Newton and other mathematicians like Euclid.  In today's world, the amount of information and the ease of access are awesome.

 

I have found that a smidgen of doubt sprinkled onto diligent logic and reason is the best approach to discovery.  We all need to follow our own paths, but I am confident all roads lead to "______" the same place.  And it is not an ending or some mystical destination, just another road to travel, an unbroken path into infinity.  I cannot prove this, but it feels right.

 

So when I think about poker and other activities or experiences I consider that everything that is going on is a part of me and that I am not trying to manage something that is separated.  While I don't seem to have as much influence over what cards will come, as compared to my legs, arms, feet and hands, I can't help but consider that there is a unifying connection to everything we perceive and experience in this existence. 

 

In a game of golf or poker I literally feel as if I am "at play" with all the other manifestations that surround me. I do not feel as if I am at odds with the deck. A bad beat is just another manifestation struggling to survive, as we are.  A crooked golf shot or chronic illness is the same.  It is possible that many of our health issues and sickness arise out of the sense of struggle or stress; a fear of illness, vs. acceptance of its co-existence.  Often when people experience miraculous turnarounds it is just after they reach a point of acceptance.  Taking a non-expectant approach where you genuinely feel a unifying connection can do amazing things in your results column, whether golf, good health, business dealings, personal relationships or bowling.

 

I know much of this may seem outside the topic of poker, but for me it is not.  A great part of learning about winning poker is the same as learning about winning at life.  In my opinion winning at anything is not about how well you do comparatively, but how well you are able to synchronize your relational connections to what is presented.

 

Simply said: "Winning at poker or life is not about the cards you get dealt, it is how you play them."

 

For me the key word in this phrase is "play." We can choose to be in struggle with what surrounds us, or be at play. I know this is not how most people interpret this quote. Most people take it to mean, "do the best you can with what you got."  This is one way to look at it, but I can tell you that to "be at play with what you got" is the most satisfying and joyful way to live. 

 

When you feel a unifying connection it is easier to be at play. It is easier to create. When we are at odds with others or the hand we are dealt it is almost never a creative or fun experience.  For me the key to happy living is to playfully suggest an idea or goal, but never subjugate another person or thing to your expectation or desires.  Recognize that your greatest moments will be a surprise. 

 

Smile, offer love and be at play!  That is the way.

 

Gene

From: wissai <wissai@yahoo.com>
To:  
Sent: Monday, July 15, 2013 4:27 PM
Subject: Re:  Expectation, Variance and the Fallacy of Separation

 

What Gene said was profound and may be  impacted by a view, not necessarily an exclusive Hindu and Buddhist perspective (since everything that rises will converge), that everything in the universe is interrelated and there is, in the absolute and macro sense, no separation between self and others. However, there is not one reality and humans don't function in the macro sense. Thus, where we are in the developmental sense affects how and what we see. It follows that for most humans, there is separation between self and others and there is indeed differentiation in this world. And for them, time is outside of them and not part of them, and therefore it is logical for them to seize the moment. Indeed for them, seizing the moment or embracing the moment means the same thing. 

Somebody said that space by itself has no east, west, north, or south. It is humans who think of those categories in order to aid them in navigation. 

Roberto Wissai/NKBa'

Sent from my iPad

On Jul 15, 2013, at 10:43 AM, Gene Hull > wrote:

 

Expectation, Variance and the Fallacy of Separation

 

By

 Gene Hull

   

Two words often used in poker are expectation and variance.  The first is used to describe long term accumulated results and the second to describe what happens between now and the measurement we make later.  The usage of the word expectation can have more than one perspective.  There are expected mathematical outcomes based on probability and there are the expectations we place on outcomes via our perceptions, our ego and desires.  Experiencing variance can easily deceive us into thinking there is separation, whether in a game of cards or the whole of existence.

By understanding variance from a mathematical perspective, we can be less emotional about results.  We know that probability is not a guaranteed outcome, particularly in the short term.  It is merely a prediction.  As we approach an infinite number of trials the math says the actual outcome should get closer and closer to the predicted outcome.  However, we can never escape the fact that it is only a prediction and not a 100% reliable forecast of what is to occur.  It does not take into account other factors that we cannot foresee or measure.

There is a lot more going on than we can ever fully measure or know.  A great deal of existence is simply beyond our ability to use logic and reason to make a measurement.  Statistical analysis and logic are important, but it is through intuition that we first arrive at something new.  Logic and reason are more of a harmonizing tool to test and confirm intuition.   It is mainly via graceful and compassionate doubt of common knowledge that we can allow the reception of a higher wisdom.

Can we influence outcomes, or are we all subject to the randomness of statistical probability?  Is there a relational quality that we cannot measure, but can still affect outcomes?  How does our understanding of un-measurable relational qualities improve our ability to influence events and outcomes?

These questions are fairly indiscernible, but we can think about them and intuitively build a framework of possibilities, even if we cannot prove them.  Perhaps we are not subjugated to the randomness of math, variance and the laws of numbers, or even physics.  There may be a macro perspective that limits the total of outcomes to falling within specific parameters, maybe not.  The first law of thermodynamics, better known as the law of conservation of energy states that the total energy of an isolated system cannot change.  This concept essentially says our existence is subjugated to the math.  When we use words like infinity or a repeating decimal place, the whole concept of isolated systems gets fuzzy.  It offers the possibility that there are things we cannot define or measure.  It says that we really cannot even define the borders of this isolated system, or that it is even isolated.  Can we influence outcomes outside of the perceived isolated mathematical system?  Attempting to answer this is purely intuitive and in the realm of mysticism.  Some would call it hyperbole or mumbo jumbo and that is fine, but the only way to expand what we define as measurable is to break free from the chains of expectation, whether it is mathematical or psychological.

The division we perceive in this existence is not real.  Separate things like beginnings and endings, people and things, good and bad are fictitious.  All that exists is an unbroken string of moments.  Everything is connected and there has never been separation of any kind.  All things are torn from the same cloth, but have been stretched out so far over infinite time and space that they do not recognize each other.  The relational qualities at the core of all existence are unbroken.  In this sense, we are only trying to influence something that has been connected to the  whole of existence. It is not a separate deck of cards, or a separate person.  At its core, it is us. When you walk you do not need to ask your legs to do it.  They trust you, since they are a part of you. Literally, everything in this existence falls into the same category, but for some reason we perceive a separate existence from this or that. 

A great philosopher once said “love your enemies” and “treat others as you would want to be treated.”  The underlying wisdom in these statements is that our enemies or others we perceive as outside of the individual self are simply us.

Moments are like friendships.  They are freely offered. Carpe diem is a famous saying.  It means to seize the day or to seize the moment.  Perhaps we should consider not seizing the moment, but rather embracing the moment.  Seizing the moment relates a sense of ownership.  Embracing does not.  There is also the paradox of being able to seize something that at its core is you.

So next time you are playing poker, golf or shooting baskets, allow everything to be free of your expectations and just embrace what is offered, like a good friend would do.  These manifestations that we often perceive as outside of us are more connected than we know.  They can receive the energies we transmit.  They are just like us.  They are us.  Convey to people and objects to do what pleases them.  If they truly feel connected, what pleases them will also be pleasing to you, since you are essentially the same.  Tell the golf ball to go where it pleases, but impart your suggestion of what might please you.  Accept or embrace what happens, even if it is not what you wanted. Perhaps there is something to learn or a new experience will be presented.  Perhaps something new will be created.  When something happens different than the results forecast in expectation, we call it variance.  Variance is at the core of new creation.  Without variance we would not have the wonderful diversity that surrounds us.  Poker would also be very different.  You would not be presented with opportunities to use creative approaches to the game.  It would be quit boring. Without variance in poker or life, we would not be able to learn and create. 

When you hit a golf ball in the water don’t get irritated and think it’s just more strokes on the score card.  Consider that the ball just wanted a break.  Perhaps it wanted to cool off, just as you would after a long day of getting bashed around in the heat.  When one of your opponents wins a hand against you in poker are you annoyed that you did not win, especially when they suck out, when you are a 9 to 1 favorite to win?  If you can truly appreciate the joy that they experience then you are harmonized with the connection that exists between you and them.  You are them in many respects.  Last year’s 2012 WSOP main event champion said it perfectly, explaining that he genuinely enjoys seeing others win, even when it is as his own perceived expense.  Personally, I can’t help but think it was a great part of what propelled him to his win.  In recognizing the deserving nature of those around him, he was offered a great reward.  In this sense he did not win the main event, but rather its stewardship was offered to him.

Offer the moment a suggestion in the mutual benefit of co-creation and enjoyment.  Do not place expectation at the leading edge of how you relate to people or things.  Extend this approach to everything in the whole of existence and you will be amazed!