Buddha’s Truths apply to all Earth’s creatures, although only humans need to have truth stipulated. For me, this suggests that our desire for truth is a symptom of something we feel missing. For that reason, considering the widest possible scope of these truths gives helpful context for their application – profound sameness, as chapter 56 […]
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The Good Old Days
Some profoundly pivotal points in human existence go back at least 3+ million years. First, let’s review major pivotal points in the order they occurred to provide context for genetic research covered later in this post. 1) The beginning of the Stone Age (3,400,000+ years ago). Technological innovation began here with the development of stone […]
Continue reading…Siren’s Song of Politics
Politics’ noblest purpose, without doubt, is finding the “perfect” compromise that bitterly opposing factions can live with, if not heartily support. This is vital for keeping the peace in civilization. Put simply, the intimate social connection and mutual understanding common among our hunter-gather ancestors is not possible given civilizations’ hierarchical social system. Civilization requires referees, […]
Continue reading…Tao and Democracy
The Science News’ report, Uncommitted newbies can foil forceful few, explains why both democracy and Taoist views have never played a large role in human culture. (Also, Google Uninformed individuals promote democratic consensus in animal groups) We are ostensibly a democratic culture, along with many others in the world today. Alas, I’m afraid that is […]
Continue reading…Imagining a Better Way
Human imagination is both a precious survival asset and the source of lingering anxieties. Ironically, imagination also promises us ways to quell these anxieties. I say promises because fulfillment can’t truly be possible. This peculiar dynamic reminds me of the Möbius like geometry of Escher’s Waterfall. We can imagine a better something so we tend […]
Continue reading…Don’t trust anyone under 60
The Science News’ article, Don’t trust any elephant under 60, is about factors elephants consider when choosing a leader. (Google: Leadership in elephants: the adaptive value of age.) I find their criterion applies to all animals including people. Our choices for what to look for in a leader runs the gamut, as this excerpt from […]
Continue reading…Thinking clouds consciousness
I sat looking out over the ocean this crisp morning. I had finished my morning routine of yoga, calligraphy in the sand and tai chi, so I could just sit in the sand and let my mind think on itself. What stood out today was how profoundly consciousness is separate from thinking. This may be […]
Continue reading…The Future Takes Care Of Itself
My mind often wanders and wonders about ‘tomorrow’, whether that is five minutes, five weeks, or five millennia from now. I reckon a hunter-gatherer instinct drives this because I see it occurring in everyone I know. We are always jumping out ahead of the moment. Why? Because we can. The mind’s space is larger than […]
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