“Nothing is exactly as it seems, nor is it otherwise.” Alan Watts
Here is a reality that many of us forget: Everyone is partially correct. Every theory, belief, and philosophy…partially correct. There is a Zen saying I think describes this: “As soon as you speak of something, you have missed the mark.” I think this applies to our perception of reality as well. When it comes to our understanding of reality, Continue reading
“Breathing in, I calm body and mind. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment I know this is the only moment.”
–Thich Nhat Hahn: Being Peace
When you know what the focus of your in breath is you can simply Continue reading
“Be for the most part silent, or speak merely what is necessary, and in few words.” Epictetus Enchiridion
I want to help. I want to give advice. After all, I have a lot of knowledge if people would just listen to me. Also, I am full of helpful advice if people would just listen to me. The long and short of it all is I do a lot of talking. I have the gift of gab, and I have a lot of helpful things to say. Except when I don’t. Continue reading
All men’s difficulties and perplexities are concerned with external things. ‘What am I to do?’ ‘How is it to be done?’ ‘How is it to turn out?’ ‘I fear this or that may befall me.’ All these phrases are used by persons occupied with matters outside their will.” Epictetus Discourses Book 4 Chapter 10.
There is a never-ending urge for us to focus on things external and things in the future. Don’t get me wrong, we all take care of business by managing things external, Continue reading
In general, I think we are still a people who value individual liberty, responsibility and independence. There is still a sub-culture of people who think that they should be left alone, while trying to individually live a life of virtue. At the same time, there is still a large contingent of people who trust that their fellow man is doing the same. The old adage of “Trust your neighbor, lock your doors” still holds. I guess I have faith that Continue reading
