I've said it before, and I'm going to say it again, because it cannot be overemphasized: the most important change in my trading career occurred when I learned to DIVORCE MY EGO FROM THE TRADE. Trading is a psychological game. Most people think that they're playing against the market, but the market doesn't care. You're really playing against yourself. You have to stop trying to will things to happen in order to prove that you're right. Listen only to what the market is telling you now. Forget what you thought it was telling you five minutes ago. The sole objective of trading is not to prove you're right, but to hear the cash register ring. --Marty Schwartz
I can see your point here by not using the word "I" but again, you can call this suppression of the "I" which really is an intent to remove/omit from the equation. Those who truly "know" don't do this. The word "I" is only a word and a way to communicate. Simply by not using it doesn't mean that person can be detached from the "I-am". Not a wise thing dealing with intoxicants, so are you saying you have that experience beyond the "I"?
I can agree with you here. The problem is "IF".....which goes back to the person. Cannot DO what he/she set out to do. Do you know why? The initially problem here is most, in fact, the great majority of people believe in the "I-am" so for them, there is no requirement to "abandon". If the "I-am" doesn't exist then why would one need to "abandon" it?.....there is no need to "try" to abandon.....BUT If one who "knows", there is no trying as that person is aware of it.....there is no trying here.....hence they can DO. You do SEE the difference here? Its not about abandoning the perception because that would mean no perception. (unless you have used the wrong words to describe something) The main difference is the way they REACT because they "know" what they are SEEING.....hence they don't react like the great majority. Again, I can agree with this but when there is money at stake, its a complete different story for the great majority. So it goes back to the plan/method and the person itself.
It's not a matter of suppression nor of bringing it to fruition simply by talking about it. If just talking about something were enough, alcoholism, for example, would cease to exist. But this point is made by the author later in the article. In any case, this is not about becoming immersed in Eastern religion; it's about applying the lessons of "self"lessness to trading, in a similar manner to the Zen thread several years ago that applied Zen and the Art of Poker to trading. The last paragraph in what I quoted -- and, again, it's a long article which trolls are unlikely to actually read -- states that But if we practice mindfulness long and often enough, this conventional sense of self can start to unravel. By repeatedly bringing our attention to sensory experience in the present moment, we see that what arises in consciousness is a kaleidoscope of sensations and images, regularly narrated by subvocal words, which themselves arise and pass. Attention goes from the sensations of breathing, to a sound, to an itch on the scalp, to an image of a client, to remembering an upsetting email. We never actually find the little homunculus, the heroic man or woman inside, the stable and coherent “I” so regularly mentioned in our passing thoughts. Rather, there’s just a continual flux of changing mental contents. It isn't about "my" trade or "my" entry or "my" exit or where price is in relation to any of that or how much profit "I" have made or what losses "I" have incurred. It's about what is happening outside the "self". The market doesn't know you. Couldn't care less about you. The market is there simply to facilitate trade. If one is to be successful with regard to this auction process, he must focus on what traders are doing and act -- or not -- accordingly. If he instead focuses on I, me, my, all the information that the market provides him with regard to trader behavior and trader intent whizzes right by, which is a chief reason why sound trading opportunities are so often missed. And this applies to any construct that is a derivative of price, such as indicators (which do nothing more than repackage the information; if one doesn't understand the information, the repackaging will be pointless). "Rather, there’s just a continual flux of changing mental contents." Most traders will panic when faced with this "continual flux of changing mental contents". This is why it is essential for anyone who wants to become a successful trader to understand the structure of the market and how it operates, then the behaviors of those who participate in it. Only then can he take advantage of all this. If his attention is instead on I, me, my, he sees everything outside his self through smoked, wavy glass. As Douglas wrote, price movement is fluid, always in motion, quite unlike the highly structured events that most of us are accustomed to. In the market environment, the decisions that confront you are as endless as the price movements you intend to take advantage of. You don't just have to decide to participate, you also have to decide when to enter, how long to stay in, and under what conditions to get out. If one is focused instead on his own wants, needs, desires, hopes, fears, anxieties, and so forth, he is in no position to correctly assess what is happening in front of him, much less take advantage of it.
Because he thinks he's better/smarter than his own plan. When price begins to actually move, all bets are off All of your quotes imply that you mean something other than what you're saying, so I don't know what to reply to. What is the pertinence to trading? Again, what is there to get emotional about?
What is so funny is when i first became involved in the markets, i was also very much psychologically/eastern philosoply bent. It seemed to make sense when dealng with a chaotic system. I read "zen and the art ofmotorcycle maintenance" -- the book that these other hip zenbooks are based on. I read the book "the tao of physics" and saw all kinds of market correlations. Then i realzed that this was simply feel good material that served no real purpose other thsn dovorcing your mind from the true reality of the markets. Just like comparing the markets to an auction like they have at sothebys or even ebay, while there is some truth in the comparision, there is simply not enough information to use this idea to make profits in the market-- but it sure feels good to think this way. What i learned over the years is : There is no longer need to use witchcraft, ancient religion, or psychogical mind tricks to approach the market. The ego is a must for success, surpressing it is not only moronic, it will ruin you-- cnbc shutins and street people have no ego. With this said.. On my way to the keys for the weekend-- ill explain exactly what i learned directly from the top real traders in the business. You may not like it but it is verified truth---- unlike the dangerous and seductive psychobabble posted here.
Actually, it isn't a religion. Religion is just a word, a label that we attach so much to based on believe/perception. The teaching can be experienced so therefore it is "known".....not based on blind believe. Furthermore, the teaching is about the MIND. Few truly understands: Leaves in my hand compared to those in the forest! Not read that thread so will take a look.
Religion or philosophy or theory. The point is to focus on the market rather than the Self. The question regarding emotions remains unanswered, but it always is, so I'll just let it go again.
I'll get back to you on that, I'm going to shut down early today after NFP, and go out back and plant some tomato plants. Good weather forecast here for planting (cloudy and showers sat and sun) even though a little out of the moon phase.