In turbulent times its a worthy endeavor to revisit some of the quintessential questions of life.
What is the meaning of life? What is its purpose? Why are you here? And where are you going?
There is no exact answer of course. Just speculations that are derived from scientific inquiry, political philosophies, religious traditions and personal experiences.
"Life is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be experienced" -- Soren Kierkegaard Danish Philosopher
Science cannot provide an answer to "meaning." What it can do is exam the evidence of life, the observable "effects" including "what's so" and "what was." The Big Bang theory is the scientific orthodoxy for how it all began and in some sense a scientific analog to the story of Genesis.
Science attempts to explain things by documenting physical phenomena in the form of principles and theories. The method is systemic, repeatable and probabilistic.
Science is an extraordinary tool for understanding the nature of physical reality. But it is no substitute for your own 360 degree participation in the "reality of experience." It does provides a context to create "knowledge" and discover "cause and effect" relationships. It can inform us regarding the physical. Yet, it does not derive meaning.
Instead, it gives "context" for meaning.
To ask what "something" means is in essence asking what consequence it has now and into the future. Ultimate meaning is elusive. Contextual meaning is not. Every thing has its essence, and a predisposition to behave in a particular way depending on the stimulus.
I believe meaning is discovered in the act of living a fully conscious life. We know the meaning when we commit to living in full awareness even if we cannot articulate what it is exactly.
We know it by living it.
The quest for meaning is found in the act of living.
Inquiry is useful, profoundly useful at times. The quest of living a fully conscious life is the space and place to experience meaning in the most delightful way.
It is not found in a Petri dish, or the halls of congress or in our personal philosophies.
We find meaning in context. We create meaning in living a fully conscious life.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
What does 2009 and 1934 Have in common?
Life is curious indeed. Just one look and it will be apparent. God help us all.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Adversity - Friend or Foe?
"All Growth is Forged in the Crucible of Conflict" - Robert Louis Stevenson
What does every story require to keep our attention?
Two things; A protagonists we can relate to and actively cheer on and an antagonists we can project our fear and anger on to and deeply want to see vanquished by our hero. In short, the story requires conflict. Not just any conflict, but conflict that casts doubts on the ability of the protagonist to win the day.
To keep our attention the story needs tension, moments of sublime doubt, adversity.
It is the tension created by this conflict that compels us to read further. We want to know how our hero overcomes the challenge set forth by his rival. The conclusion to this struggle is always resolved in the climax when hero and anti-hero battle it out in one final clash.
The key element is how the protagonists handles ADVERSITY.
Within the framework of our own journey, many battles are fought. More often than not, we find ourselves in over our heads. Ill prepared for the demands of the challenge.
The options are alliterated in the classic "Flight, Fight or Fright" pattern.
Challenges created through adversity are with us as part of the warp and woof of daily life. How we respond to these assaults on our psyches determine the quality of our life.
Every adverse circumstance, condition or challenge is a clarion call to live our own heroic journey, and a choice point to follow our bliss and live the life we have endeavored to imagine.
Now here is the sticky part.
We all have a closet full of fears poised to crush our will and a few gators hiding under our beds (aka our subconscious minds). Within this house of fears we all have strategies albeit mostly unconscious to handle "adversity" They consists of the standard pattern of "Fight or Flight" behaviors and its myriad derivatives.
At worst, we avoid the challenge all together hoping to live another day. At best, we manage the challenge by reducing the risk of lost. With either approach we somehow stay alive.
Is this really living?
Is there another way? Can we transcend our risk adverse tendencies which are centered on a combination of coping behaviors?
I say we can.
What is required is a new way of harnessing the power contained in the struggle. Within every challenge is the seed of an opportunity. To find this opportunity we must choose a path that supports our deepest aspirations.
How?
Rather than seeking ways to avoid, cope with, survive or manage the adversity we can choose to find the benefit hidden within, the golden nugget of transformation and personal power reclamation. Seek the benefits that will accrue to you as a direct result of your choosing to take it on.
Turn your fear into power by turning your adversity into a challenge.
The crucible of conflict need not be shied away from when you take it on as a challenge. The benefit to you is the reclamation of your authentic personal power and the realization of your real self.
What does every story require to keep our attention?
Two things; A protagonists we can relate to and actively cheer on and an antagonists we can project our fear and anger on to and deeply want to see vanquished by our hero. In short, the story requires conflict. Not just any conflict, but conflict that casts doubts on the ability of the protagonist to win the day.
To keep our attention the story needs tension, moments of sublime doubt, adversity.
It is the tension created by this conflict that compels us to read further. We want to know how our hero overcomes the challenge set forth by his rival. The conclusion to this struggle is always resolved in the climax when hero and anti-hero battle it out in one final clash.
The key element is how the protagonists handles ADVERSITY.
Within the framework of our own journey, many battles are fought. More often than not, we find ourselves in over our heads. Ill prepared for the demands of the challenge.
The options are alliterated in the classic "Flight, Fight or Fright" pattern.
Challenges created through adversity are with us as part of the warp and woof of daily life. How we respond to these assaults on our psyches determine the quality of our life.
Every adverse circumstance, condition or challenge is a clarion call to live our own heroic journey, and a choice point to follow our bliss and live the life we have endeavored to imagine.
Now here is the sticky part.
We all have a closet full of fears poised to crush our will and a few gators hiding under our beds (aka our subconscious minds). Within this house of fears we all have strategies albeit mostly unconscious to handle "adversity" They consists of the standard pattern of "Fight or Flight" behaviors and its myriad derivatives.
At worst, we avoid the challenge all together hoping to live another day. At best, we manage the challenge by reducing the risk of lost. With either approach we somehow stay alive.
Is this really living?
Is there another way? Can we transcend our risk adverse tendencies which are centered on a combination of coping behaviors?
I say we can.
What is required is a new way of harnessing the power contained in the struggle. Within every challenge is the seed of an opportunity. To find this opportunity we must choose a path that supports our deepest aspirations.
How?
Rather than seeking ways to avoid, cope with, survive or manage the adversity we can choose to find the benefit hidden within, the golden nugget of transformation and personal power reclamation. Seek the benefits that will accrue to you as a direct result of your choosing to take it on.
Turn your fear into power by turning your adversity into a challenge.
The crucible of conflict need not be shied away from when you take it on as a challenge. The benefit to you is the reclamation of your authentic personal power and the realization of your real self.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Mothers Day
Mom died a little over three years ago. Still hard to fully embrace. Always that lingering temptation to pick up the phone and call.
When I was a small boy she would say "Kenny, a shinny face is like a shinny new penny. Be clean, well groomed, make your mother proud!"
Now, every time I find a shinny penny I think of her. Whenever I need to be reminded of her strength and her love a shiny penny seems to show up out of nowhere, strategically placed in those soft pillow moments. And I remember. I remember her love, the sacrifices she made, the stand she took for me and my siblings in the most difficult of circumstances.
She was a beautiful woman filled with angst, yet determined to love her children with every fiber of her being. She did.
She always said to me, "Kenny, you think too much." Never understood what she meant. I suppose being a genius isn't as glamorous as it seems. I thought and was taught that thinking was "all that." The "Sin qua Non' of a highly educated man. Could never even entertain the idea that one could "think too much."
Well mom I "think" I finally understand what you meant. Its yet another paradox. Thinking is no substitute for knowing, and it clearly is no replacement for action. And thinking I could "think" my way through life was an error in, well my thinking.
Now I have a "higher education." I know "there are things in heaven and earth not dreamed of in my philosophies." That there are places in the heart not yet touched. I know now that "the heart has reasons that reason knows nothing of." The conflict I felt between the need to act and live in a completely rational way and the irrationality of my heart is now resolved. It took a while, a lifetime of whiles. But I got it. Wish I could have got it sooner.
Maybe it was my lack of courage, or just ignorance. I know it now. I know its true. Thank you for being patient. I know it wasn't easy for either of us.
I miss you mom.
I hope and pray that you are surrounded by light and love where ever it is your spirit sailed off to.
I love you. I miss you. You will always be in my heart.
Thank you for being my mom.
Happy Mothers Day
When I was a small boy she would say "Kenny, a shinny face is like a shinny new penny. Be clean, well groomed, make your mother proud!"
Now, every time I find a shinny penny I think of her. Whenever I need to be reminded of her strength and her love a shiny penny seems to show up out of nowhere, strategically placed in those soft pillow moments. And I remember. I remember her love, the sacrifices she made, the stand she took for me and my siblings in the most difficult of circumstances.
She was a beautiful woman filled with angst, yet determined to love her children with every fiber of her being. She did.
She always said to me, "Kenny, you think too much." Never understood what she meant. I suppose being a genius isn't as glamorous as it seems. I thought and was taught that thinking was "all that." The "Sin qua Non' of a highly educated man. Could never even entertain the idea that one could "think too much."
Well mom I "think" I finally understand what you meant. Its yet another paradox. Thinking is no substitute for knowing, and it clearly is no replacement for action. And thinking I could "think" my way through life was an error in, well my thinking.
Now I have a "higher education." I know "there are things in heaven and earth not dreamed of in my philosophies." That there are places in the heart not yet touched. I know now that "the heart has reasons that reason knows nothing of." The conflict I felt between the need to act and live in a completely rational way and the irrationality of my heart is now resolved. It took a while, a lifetime of whiles. But I got it. Wish I could have got it sooner.
Maybe it was my lack of courage, or just ignorance. I know it now. I know its true. Thank you for being patient. I know it wasn't easy for either of us.
I miss you mom.
I hope and pray that you are surrounded by light and love where ever it is your spirit sailed off to.
I love you. I miss you. You will always be in my heart.
Thank you for being my mom.
Happy Mothers Day
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Mandates or Nudges? Which will serve the Greater Good?
With all the "Change" in Washington and the hysterical demands for "more government regulations, more burdens on the private sector and more government interference in our private lives" its time to reconsider the direction we are headed in.
Whether you believe it is a "Marxist" form or "European" style of socialism, clearly the US government has moved toward more direct control and interference in both the private sector and in our private lives.
You don't believe it? Can't believe it? Think it is propaganda? Consider this recent commentary published in Pravda of all places:
"It must be said, that like the breaking of a great dam, the American decent into Marxism is happening with breath taking speed, against the back drop of a passive, hapless sheeple, excuse me dear reader, I meant people."
Here is the link for the entire article: http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columnists/107459-0/
What's at stake?
Our freedom and our liberty.
Those that argue that only government has the ability and resources to fix the current problems and stabilize the economy are at best only partially right. Legitimate arguments have clearly been made demonstrating the role of politics, politicians and government interference in the recent economic calamity.
Of course there's plenty of blame to go around and depending on your political affiliation and personal philosophy (and family of origin issues I might add:) you'll assign this blame accordingly.
What we have here is a failure to communicate!
Someone has screwed up big time.
Whether you believe its the Republicans fault, the Democrats, the Federal Reserve, Greedy corporations, DC, Wall Street...all of the above, aliens, or whom ever else you choose to assign blame to, it is human nature to blame someone or something when the proverbial "poop" hits the fan.
Clearly there was a systemic breakdown as the risk grew. Financial instruments involving repackaged mortgages became increasingly more risky.
Complex risk assessments gave a false sense of control. Greed was steering the ship. The Emperor had new clothes and no one thought to take a closer look. Well, actually there were plenty of warnings from some very bright people, but alas it was to no avail. This ship of greed was destined to sail on until the inevitable "rock bottom" was hit.
Did the unexpected happened?
Yes it did. Few, if any risk assessment models considered the possibility of catastrophic failures in the continually repackaged mortgage markets. They were derived and re-derived, continually pushing the "risk" just over the event horizon. Then the "housing bubble" burst and we were in for the worst.
The "Poop" hit the fan and the blame game took off and is now in full gallop.
What ever comes of this current hunt for the "bad guys", however they are held "accountable" one thing seems clear; We are right on the hairy edge of fascism. From a superficial view point its easy and convenient to assign the cause of the troubles to unregulated greed on Wall Street. And its even easier to blame Bush and the Republicans. Easy. Convenient.
Especially so when you now have all the power concentrated in one party and "that" my fellow truth seekers is the "rub" as Shakespeare would say.
The cabal of power in Washington now believes it has a "Mandate" to change the fundamental architecture of liberty and freedom, our US Constitution.
Not change by amendment as is actually prescribed in the Constitution, Article 5 but change by informal methods that are as powerful and pervasive as the formal amendment process itself without all the hurdles to doing so.
Article 5 of the US Constitution states:
"The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate."
Amending the Constitution is an arduous process.
There are less onerous methods to achieve the same result. Better to take the path of least resistance. Amend by changing its meaning, by reinterpreting it.
Judicial reinterpretation.
This now seems to be the preferred means to circumvent Article 5. This judicial slight of hand and the self-proclaimed mandate to reengineer the USA will be used to remake America into something deemed more "equitable" by redistributing its wealth and power.
The question of the day is:
"To whom shall this wealth and power be redistributed too?"
Judicial activism has become a means to circumvent the vote and the will of the people to promote social change and "equality." No need to enact a law when you can conveniently reinvent it by reinterpretation of the "meaning" of existing laws. The balance of governmental powers is now doubtful. It can only mean more "forced changes" for "our own good and the good of the country."
Another means of "informal constitutional change" is through the process of cultural change and circumstance. One example is the evolution of voting rights. The original language reserved the right to vote to only male monied land holders. Of course voting rights have now been extended to all citizens 18+. The Constitution was never formally amended to reflect this change. Yet it is now part of the status quo and considered a fundamental right. Not a bad thing of course. The danger lies in the erosion of the two party system and the loss of the one party to limit the power of the other.
The changes in our culture and the presumed "mandate for change" will push this informal process of "constitutional" change even further. Though this informal process of constitutional change has become part and parcel to the "warp and woof" of the American political system it can become a tool for reducing our liberty as well.
Mix together politics, politicians, politically appointed judges and a filibuster proof congress and voila, you have a recipe for fascism. I am shaken and stirred by the possible consequences of one political party holding all the cards. Now the change game has no oversight, no brakes to slow down the runaway power grab. The possibility of a new kind of fascism is disturbing to say the least.
Regardless of your political affiliation everyone should be deeply concerned.
This supposed "mandate for change" is on the path to becoming deterministic. The attitude is parochial. The unspoken voice of a determined invisible parent "who "knows what best for you." "Be a good citizen!" "Do what we tell you do, ITS FOR YOUR OWN GOOD -- or else!!!"
Or else what? Reeducation camps? Prison? Be called a hater, a racist, a xenophobe? Be marginalized for voicing your opinion?
I am not opposed to "change." It is essential for growth, for renewal and for the health of our society.
What I am opposed to is having "change" force fed to me.
What I am opposed to is being told that "they" know what's better for me.
Well guess what? "They" don't know better than me what's best for me. Shocking Y'all?:)
Good. I'm a free thinker not a puppet of the State or a hack for a political party. I can think, choose and decide for myself. Thank you very much.
So I have a few "changes" myself I would like to propose:
1. People should be free to do what they want. All things considered:)
2. People should be able to opt out of any undesirable arrangement if they so choose to do so.
3. Our liberty should be preserved by the actions of our government. Mandates, regulations and other forms of forced behavioral changes should be kept to the bare minimum.
4. Government should always seek to preserve our liberty yet enact legislation that encourages our choice in such ways will improve our lives.
If there is a mandate, let it be this; the government as protector of freedom and architects of choice should do everything they can to preserve freedom of choice while "nudging" us in directions that will improve our lives.
Let us help those who need help but let us do it as a matter of choice not force or mandate.
Whether you believe it is a "Marxist" form or "European" style of socialism, clearly the US government has moved toward more direct control and interference in both the private sector and in our private lives.
You don't believe it? Can't believe it? Think it is propaganda? Consider this recent commentary published in Pravda of all places:
"It must be said, that like the breaking of a great dam, the American decent into Marxism is happening with breath taking speed, against the back drop of a passive, hapless sheeple, excuse me dear reader, I meant people."
Here is the link for the entire article: http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columnists/107459-0/
What's at stake?
Our freedom and our liberty.
Those that argue that only government has the ability and resources to fix the current problems and stabilize the economy are at best only partially right. Legitimate arguments have clearly been made demonstrating the role of politics, politicians and government interference in the recent economic calamity.
Of course there's plenty of blame to go around and depending on your political affiliation and personal philosophy (and family of origin issues I might add:) you'll assign this blame accordingly.
What we have here is a failure to communicate!
Someone has screwed up big time.
Whether you believe its the Republicans fault, the Democrats, the Federal Reserve, Greedy corporations, DC, Wall Street...all of the above, aliens, or whom ever else you choose to assign blame to, it is human nature to blame someone or something when the proverbial "poop" hits the fan.
Clearly there was a systemic breakdown as the risk grew. Financial instruments involving repackaged mortgages became increasingly more risky.
Complex risk assessments gave a false sense of control. Greed was steering the ship. The Emperor had new clothes and no one thought to take a closer look. Well, actually there were plenty of warnings from some very bright people, but alas it was to no avail. This ship of greed was destined to sail on until the inevitable "rock bottom" was hit.
Did the unexpected happened?
Yes it did. Few, if any risk assessment models considered the possibility of catastrophic failures in the continually repackaged mortgage markets. They were derived and re-derived, continually pushing the "risk" just over the event horizon. Then the "housing bubble" burst and we were in for the worst.
The "Poop" hit the fan and the blame game took off and is now in full gallop.
What ever comes of this current hunt for the "bad guys", however they are held "accountable" one thing seems clear; We are right on the hairy edge of fascism. From a superficial view point its easy and convenient to assign the cause of the troubles to unregulated greed on Wall Street. And its even easier to blame Bush and the Republicans. Easy. Convenient.
Especially so when you now have all the power concentrated in one party and "that" my fellow truth seekers is the "rub" as Shakespeare would say.
The cabal of power in Washington now believes it has a "Mandate" to change the fundamental architecture of liberty and freedom, our US Constitution.
Not change by amendment as is actually prescribed in the Constitution, Article 5 but change by informal methods that are as powerful and pervasive as the formal amendment process itself without all the hurdles to doing so.
Article 5 of the US Constitution states:
"The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate."
Amending the Constitution is an arduous process.
There are less onerous methods to achieve the same result. Better to take the path of least resistance. Amend by changing its meaning, by reinterpreting it.
Judicial reinterpretation.
This now seems to be the preferred means to circumvent Article 5. This judicial slight of hand and the self-proclaimed mandate to reengineer the USA will be used to remake America into something deemed more "equitable" by redistributing its wealth and power.
The question of the day is:
"To whom shall this wealth and power be redistributed too?"
Judicial activism has become a means to circumvent the vote and the will of the people to promote social change and "equality." No need to enact a law when you can conveniently reinvent it by reinterpretation of the "meaning" of existing laws. The balance of governmental powers is now doubtful. It can only mean more "forced changes" for "our own good and the good of the country."
Another means of "informal constitutional change" is through the process of cultural change and circumstance. One example is the evolution of voting rights. The original language reserved the right to vote to only male monied land holders. Of course voting rights have now been extended to all citizens 18+. The Constitution was never formally amended to reflect this change. Yet it is now part of the status quo and considered a fundamental right. Not a bad thing of course. The danger lies in the erosion of the two party system and the loss of the one party to limit the power of the other.
The changes in our culture and the presumed "mandate for change" will push this informal process of "constitutional" change even further. Though this informal process of constitutional change has become part and parcel to the "warp and woof" of the American political system it can become a tool for reducing our liberty as well.
Mix together politics, politicians, politically appointed judges and a filibuster proof congress and voila, you have a recipe for fascism. I am shaken and stirred by the possible consequences of one political party holding all the cards. Now the change game has no oversight, no brakes to slow down the runaway power grab. The possibility of a new kind of fascism is disturbing to say the least.
Regardless of your political affiliation everyone should be deeply concerned.
This supposed "mandate for change" is on the path to becoming deterministic. The attitude is parochial. The unspoken voice of a determined invisible parent "who "knows what best for you." "Be a good citizen!" "Do what we tell you do, ITS FOR YOUR OWN GOOD -- or else!!!"
Or else what? Reeducation camps? Prison? Be called a hater, a racist, a xenophobe? Be marginalized for voicing your opinion?
I am not opposed to "change." It is essential for growth, for renewal and for the health of our society.
What I am opposed to is having "change" force fed to me.
What I am opposed to is being told that "they" know what's better for me.
Well guess what? "They" don't know better than me what's best for me. Shocking Y'all?:)
Good. I'm a free thinker not a puppet of the State or a hack for a political party. I can think, choose and decide for myself. Thank you very much.
So I have a few "changes" myself I would like to propose:
1. People should be free to do what they want. All things considered:)
2. People should be able to opt out of any undesirable arrangement if they so choose to do so.
3. Our liberty should be preserved by the actions of our government. Mandates, regulations and other forms of forced behavioral changes should be kept to the bare minimum.
4. Government should always seek to preserve our liberty yet enact legislation that encourages our choice in such ways will improve our lives.
If there is a mandate, let it be this; the government as protector of freedom and architects of choice should do everything they can to preserve freedom of choice while "nudging" us in directions that will improve our lives.
Let us help those who need help but let us do it as a matter of choice not force or mandate.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
A Season For Change
Spring begins the cycle of new life. Trees bud, flowers bloom, babies are born, and spirits are stirred from their long winter's slumber.
Melting snows, warm sun, quickened hearts.
Spring is the time for renewal. Time for the proverbial spring cleaning. Time to wipe away the dust and clutter of the old ways. Time to be born anew.
How?
Fresh ideas, new ways of doing and being, releasing the past, listening to your heart, and being transformed by the renewing of your mind.
The spiritual prescription for renewal:
1. Stop what you are thinking and doing. Be still. Listen.
2. Repent. Turn away from the old ways of being and doing. Turn away from being reactive, routine, and conditioned based on fear.
3. Have a change of mind. A new mind. A mind based on love, trust, faith, courage. A mind based on authentic knowing.
4. Release and let go of old ideas, old habits of thinking and doing. Challenge your beliefs. Challenge their validity. Test new ideas. Go ahead. Its okay. You are the creator of your life. Choose new beliefs simply for the purpose of knowing who you are with this new belief. Beliefs require no proof. Of course you could offer proof, but there no need to.
A belief is an assertion you make about the world and your place in it. An assertion that you act as if it were true. Experiment. New beliefs bring new perspectives and new experiences. You can change them at will. Its the spiritual seekers tool for shifting perspective and opening to new possibilities.
5. Forgive yourself, forgive everyone else. Let go of your bitterness and resentment.
6. Break the pattern of living that has kept you trapped. Transform yourself through the renewing of your mind.
7. Ask for Divine help. No need to undertake this transformation alone.
Melting snows, warm sun, quickened hearts.
Spring is the time for renewal. Time for the proverbial spring cleaning. Time to wipe away the dust and clutter of the old ways. Time to be born anew.
How?
Fresh ideas, new ways of doing and being, releasing the past, listening to your heart, and being transformed by the renewing of your mind.
The spiritual prescription for renewal:
1. Stop what you are thinking and doing. Be still. Listen.
2. Repent. Turn away from the old ways of being and doing. Turn away from being reactive, routine, and conditioned based on fear.
3. Have a change of mind. A new mind. A mind based on love, trust, faith, courage. A mind based on authentic knowing.
4. Release and let go of old ideas, old habits of thinking and doing. Challenge your beliefs. Challenge their validity. Test new ideas. Go ahead. Its okay. You are the creator of your life. Choose new beliefs simply for the purpose of knowing who you are with this new belief. Beliefs require no proof. Of course you could offer proof, but there no need to.
A belief is an assertion you make about the world and your place in it. An assertion that you act as if it were true. Experiment. New beliefs bring new perspectives and new experiences. You can change them at will. Its the spiritual seekers tool for shifting perspective and opening to new possibilities.
5. Forgive yourself, forgive everyone else. Let go of your bitterness and resentment.
6. Break the pattern of living that has kept you trapped. Transform yourself through the renewing of your mind.
7. Ask for Divine help. No need to undertake this transformation alone.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Can Technology Save Us?
I love technology.
Ever since that day I was handed a Heathkit catalog by Bill Buckley, I was hooked.
All those gadgets and widgets and flashing lights. It was as if science fiction had become science fact, at least in the mind of a 12 year old.
In my adolescent fantasy I imagined that I could become very powerful with it, even control the organization of the material universe.
Well, well, well. My childhood fantasy actually was more true than I could ever have imagined. Technology can and in fact does give us the power to alter the material world, rearrange the very nature of physical reality and ultimately dismantle it to a degree that would render human existence a historical footnote in the vast march of time, that is if there was anyone to record then.
Technology and technologies are gifts from the fertile minds of geeks and scientific freaks. We all benefit from it in one way or another. From the iPhone to the Kinzu knife, it was some technology that made it happen.
But what is technology?
In the simplest terms it is applied science for industrial or commercial applications. Science moved from lab to tabletop.
It is the engine that has delivered the modern world as we now know it.
But it comes with a price. Pollution, and the capacity to do us all in. Not a good thing.
Still, I love technology. It is a godsend to us all. Can it save us?
Time will tell of course. With wisdom it will make the world a better place. Without it anything can happen.
Ever since that day I was handed a Heathkit catalog by Bill Buckley, I was hooked.
All those gadgets and widgets and flashing lights. It was as if science fiction had become science fact, at least in the mind of a 12 year old.
In my adolescent fantasy I imagined that I could become very powerful with it, even control the organization of the material universe.
Well, well, well. My childhood fantasy actually was more true than I could ever have imagined. Technology can and in fact does give us the power to alter the material world, rearrange the very nature of physical reality and ultimately dismantle it to a degree that would render human existence a historical footnote in the vast march of time, that is if there was anyone to record then.
Technology and technologies are gifts from the fertile minds of geeks and scientific freaks. We all benefit from it in one way or another. From the iPhone to the Kinzu knife, it was some technology that made it happen.
But what is technology?
In the simplest terms it is applied science for industrial or commercial applications. Science moved from lab to tabletop.
It is the engine that has delivered the modern world as we now know it.
But it comes with a price. Pollution, and the capacity to do us all in. Not a good thing.
Still, I love technology. It is a godsend to us all. Can it save us?
Time will tell of course. With wisdom it will make the world a better place. Without it anything can happen.
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