11 Dec The Way Of The Way 361
Life is a play; at times a drama, at times a comedy. Upon realizing it's a play, dramas and are funnier than comedies....
10 Dec Koan 26
I am here and now. Any more specific description is an illusion....
09 Dec Maze Puzzle
A maze puzzle is a metaphor of our approach to life; focusing on achieving specific goals or a journey of exploration and self-discovery The conventional approach to solving a maze puzzle is starting from the edge until we find our way to the middle. This is a goal-oriented approach, like seeking a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow and upon temporarily realizing our goal we still find ourselves surrounded by the puzzle. Alternatively, we can start from the middle to find our way out of the maze. Once out, we are "free;" we find ourselves beyond the puzzle, though where we are cannot be described. Going into the maze puzzle is descending into a rabbit hole. Coming out is arising to the light. Google Bard describes mindset of those who start at the edge vs those who start at the middle: Starting from the edge: Methodical thinkers: Those who prefer a step-by-step approach and logically navigate through challenges might start from the edge to follow a systematic path. Safety-conscious individuals: People who prefer to avoid dead ends and deadlocks might start at the edge to ensure a clear path forward. Traditionalists: Those who follow established norms and conventional methods might start from the edge as it's the most common approach. Pragmatists: Individuals who focus on the most efficient solution might start from the edge as it offers a clear path to reach the destination. Starting from the middle: Independent thinkers: People who prefer to forge their own path and explore the unknown might start in the middle to avoid any preconceived notions of direction. Risk-takers: Those who enjoy a challenge and are comfortable with uncertainty might find the middle a more exciting starting point. Holistic thinkers: People who prefer to see the big picture and analyze all options at once might start in the center to get a sense of the maze's overall layout. Creative problem solvers: Individuals who enjoy unconventional approaches might find the middle a unique way to tackle the puzzle. ...
08 Dec The Way Of The Way 360
While God is benevolent, when we don't recognize God's presence in every thing, we are severely punished. When we recognize the presence of God in every thing, we treat every thing, including ourselves, with love and respect. When we are selfish, we are blind to the presence of God and in turn are punished to live under the rules of organized religions that view the world as us vs not us; the foundation that gives rise to punishing conflicts....
07 Dec The Way Of The Way 359
While the mind can be a very dark place, when we our refusal to open our eyes and see the light....
06 Dec The Way Of The Way 358
From nothing comes the now and to nothing becomes the now. The now that is now is the ancestor of the now that will be later. When we respect the now that is now, accepting it as it is, love and are grateful for it, as we are for an ancestor, the now that will be later is poised to bring us happiness; for when we are filled with love and gratitude, we are happy....
05 Dec Tiki ivi po’o
This Marquesas Islands personal adornment is made of human bone and often worn as a necklace, hair braid or used as a fan handle. It represents a generic ancestor deity. While the deity is in human form, the head is disproportionally large; implying the deity embodies far greater wisdom than humans. Likewise, its eyes are disproportionally large, implying the deity sees far more than mortals. Perhaps the presence of such an ancestor deity in physical form as a personal adornment humbles its owner, reminding them there is more to this world than they are capable of knowing and seeing. Humbled, the owner will not suffer the consequences of hubris....
03 Dec The Way Of The Way 357
Some things are less perfect than other things which themselves are not quite perfect. Only the now is perfect, as there is nothing else....
02 Dec Self-Realization And Self-Actualization
The etymology of "realization" is the Latin verb "realizare," meaning "to bring back to reality, to make real." The etymology of "actualization" is the Latin verb "actuare," meaning "to make something happen" or "to bring something into effect." In the context of their etymologies, self-realization is a noun and self-actualization is a verb. When a tree knows it's a tree, it is self-realized. When it bears fruit, it is self-actualized. The self-realized are enlightened. The self-actualized are enlightening....
01 Dec The Way Of The Way 356
No thing can bring us eternal joy, but nothing can. As every thing is forever changing, no thing can bring us joy; but temporarily. Every thing is nothing before it is what it is whatever it is in the now. In the meditative state of nothingness, in the space between exhale and inhale, we are in oneness with everything; a perennial joyous state....