Category: Our Present Culture
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Cognitive Dissonance
At present, I am experiencing cognitive dissonance as I survey various internet sources after the weekend. As I have previously mentioned I am enrolled in a two-year program of contemplative practice, attempting to access a deeper wisdom on the nature of the universe — you could call it seeking God, but for me, it is…
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Are We F–ked?
As I have noted previously, I am engaged in a two-year study program in contemplative practice, the ultimate aim for me being to find a satisfying balance between my hermit nature and my desire to contribute, especially regarding my sadness at how our species functions. Given the ineffective political responses to the multiple cultural traumas…
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The Uphill Battle
I am constantly amazes by the uphill battle that our species must take in order to manifest our greatness. I believe most people are good-hearted, yet we are constantly engaged in activist work, usually as a result of the power dynamics that drive our civilization. I’ve previously written on the nature of power, and how…
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So Much Pain
In my readings this week, I have not found anything that I can really focus on as important and worth recommending, yet I am also aware of how much pain is being expressed, ranging from apparent police violations of the right of individuals to the incredible destruction of Hurricane Harvey (and its significance to climate…
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The Healing Of Wounds
For about 25 years, my career was that of a physician, principally as a specialist anesthetist. As such, I was frequently exposed to the consequences of trauma, and the healing of wounds. The ideal example, for me, of healing would be that of elective surgery in a healthy patient, say someone coming for knee surgery.…
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More Insanity
What a week in attempting to sort out what is important and what is fluff! Charlottesville and the terrorist attack in Spain are certainly not fluff, but they distract from deeper issues. One of the major difficulties of current politics is that there is so much rancor and uproar that it obscures the very real…
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The Insanity Continues
Last week I thought the world was fairly stable; immature, yes; moving in the direction of catastrophe, yes; but in immediate danger, no. This week I am not so certain — truly the insanity continues. Especially with: the threat of nuclear war markedly increasing, in theatrical fashion the slowly tightening net on the legal entanglement…
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A Few Interesting Links
Not a lot to report this week. I am still gearing up for my course on contemplative practice. A few interesting links this week— commentary included. Politics Why Russia Revelations Never Seem To Change Anything (20170725) A fairly good article on the complexity surrounding the lack of effective responsiveness within American politics. Tomgram: Michael Klare,…
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Time Will Tell
A quiet week as I continue to explore the world of contemplative practice. The Living School is part of the Center for Action and Contemplation; Richard Rohr, the Franciscan monk who initiated the center in 1986, maintains that the most important word in the title is the and. To quote from their website, illustrative of…
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An Ongoing Exploration
Not a lot to discuss this week. I’m deep within my cave of exploring. I have been busy with an orientation package for the Living School of the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC). As part of my ongoing spiritual journey and attempt to be a resource, I am engaged in a two year study…
Awakening From Your Anger 