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Amazon mother

Google [CBS News From Amazon to Garden State] for a story that perfectly exemplifies observations I’ve made on civilization over the last few decades. To be clear, I’m not pro or anti civilization; I simply wish to comprehend its full impact on humanity. Despite the obvious downsides of civilization, we’re never going to turn back […]

The Proof is in the Pudding

Buddha felt that we needed to rely on our personal experience to verify his Four Noble Truths, and presumably any other alleged truth. No ‘take my word for it’ hoodwinking here. Now, the advanced capabilities of modern science really help us separate fact from myth. Still, personal experience must always be the final arbiter. Keep […]

Natural Happiness

My simple motto for the secret to happiness is to like what I do rather than do what I like. Recalling this motto daily helps prevent my expectations from dictating my life willy-nilly. No doubt, scripture (Buddhist, Hindu, Taoist, Biblical, etc.) first got me seeing life along this line, and life experience has since verified […]

Is Gen Y Unhappy?

A friend sent me an interesting article. It points out much of the same causes for unhappiness that I see, so at first I accepted it without much question. Soon, however, it began to nag at me. Something didn’t exactly mesh; there was more too it. If you’re interested, google [Why Generation Y Yuppies Are […]

Can we pull the plug?

A short video essay on cell phones gave me more food for thought. Of course, I need that like I need another hole in my head, but I can’t pull the plug on thinking. The essay is ostensibly about the wide use of cell phones. However, scratch the surface and it offers insight into the […]

Who or What Do You Trust?

The ‘small “t” taoist’ (p.154) within us can find it difficult to decide who to trust, especially if both the advocates and critics feel convincing. Conversely, the partisan within us seldom bats an eyelash before favoring one side or the other. Sincere advocacy for anything is a projection of one’s own beliefs. That sounds obvious […]

The Only Safe Escape

The only way I’ve found to escape life without unintended consequences is to give myself to life. This is an example of chapter 78’s Straight and honest words seem inside out, or as D.C. Lau put it, straightforward words seem paradoxical. I can essentially lose myself in-the-moment by utter devotion to that moment and the […]

So, I’d like to ask…

A Centertao member asked me if I had any life advice for a man approaching 30. Immediately, too much came to my mind for that question! All I could do was turn the question over to my subconscious. Oddly, I find not thinking about a tricky issue is the best way to resolve it. Not […]

Why God?

Why God? I have not heard this question asked much… if at all. Debate focuses mostly on whose God is true, the nature of God, or does God even exist. I suppose asking “Why do we believe in God” is a zoological inquiry of sorts. That is the place to begin… After all, we are […]

Wandering Mind Is Unhappy Mind

Google [Many unhappy returns for wandering minds] for research that supports watchfulness, as I call it. Left-brain science and right-brain Taoist thought are my two best resources for avoiding the Dunning–Kruger effect (p.144). Together they offer points of view from opposite ends of the awareness spectrum. Each balances the other. Alone, either one can mislead. […]

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