Real magic is knowledge. It is the culmination of understanding, realization, attunement, and wisdom learned over time.
It's funny how people mystify that which is unknown to them.
And, the power of magic truly is amazing.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
My Points To Ponder
Stuff in common is the glue that bonds people together.
Relish every moment, every feeling, and everything, from bad to good. It's what makes us human, after all. Just feel something.
True brilliance is uncommon. Not entirely rare, though certainly not common.
Are ghosts/spirits just echoes of energy from their former human self? A person's energy or spirit stays with them while they're alive. What traps or binds this energy here after they die? And can only some people see/observe it?
I think that brilliant individuals emanate more energy. Maybe they are more receptive to it.
I think that the emanation of emotions ties us to the spiritual.
Maybe people and spirit aren't as far separated as we might sometimes begin to think.
Just because you don't see something fantastical, over-the-top magical, or astounding, doesn't mean it's not there. "Magic" is a very simple and powerful thing. It's not like what you see in the movies. We do have some fantastic imaginations. Gotta love it, though.
Relish every moment, every feeling, and everything, from bad to good. It's what makes us human, after all. Just feel something.
True brilliance is uncommon. Not entirely rare, though certainly not common.
Are ghosts/spirits just echoes of energy from their former human self? A person's energy or spirit stays with them while they're alive. What traps or binds this energy here after they die? And can only some people see/observe it?
I think that brilliant individuals emanate more energy. Maybe they are more receptive to it.
I think that the emanation of emotions ties us to the spiritual.
Maybe people and spirit aren't as far separated as we might sometimes begin to think.
Just because you don't see something fantastical, over-the-top magical, or astounding, doesn't mean it's not there. "Magic" is a very simple and powerful thing. It's not like what you see in the movies. We do have some fantastic imaginations. Gotta love it, though.
Monday, November 17, 2008
The Moon & Beyond
I've been meaning to start a note about the moon for at least a week now, but finally had the thought re-fueled after watching some episodes of Expedition Week on NatGeo about the Moon and Mars (Opportunity and Spirit rovers, and Direct from the Moon). Wow!
I had been pondering upon how some people seem to adore the moon, yet think little of its origin/source, or the reality of it. It's a planet. In outer space. You can't help but think about it in a new way when you really take that into consideration, can you? You should. Does the moon hold the secrets to life on earth? Scientists seem to think so.
"The prevailing hypothesis today" on the moon's origin/formation:
So basically, a rogue (rock? planet? "Theia") came crashing into the Earth's atmosphere long, long ago and they collided and ignited. The Giant Impact collision ignited the earth and released firey debris into the atmosphere. Some of it became the moon. The earth's gravitational pull kept the mass in orbit.
The two planets affect each other, and neither would be able to exist the same without the other. The earth's gravity keeps the moon in orbit. The moon keeps our planet's atmosphere stable. "Most of the tidal effects seen on the Earth are caused by the Moon's gravitational pull. [2] Earth's ocean tides are initiated by the tidal force of Moon's gravity." The gravitational tidal force comes from the attraction and rotation of the planets, and causes ocean water to continuously rush towars the pull. This gravitational pull between the Moon and the oceans affects its orbit. And, this pull is what caused the moon to look so different on the one side that always faces the earth. The very gravitational pull itself caused certain metals to surface.
So, you can see how the two require each other to co-exist as we know them, both in the past, present, and future.
------------
the Late Heavy Bombardment was also fascinating....
I had been pondering upon how some people seem to adore the moon, yet think little of its origin/source, or the reality of it. It's a planet. In outer space. You can't help but think about it in a new way when you really take that into consideration, can you? You should. Does the moon hold the secrets to life on earth? Scientists seem to think so.
"The prevailing hypothesis today" on the moon's origin/formation:
So basically, a rogue (rock? planet? "Theia") came crashing into the Earth's atmosphere long, long ago and they collided and ignited. The Giant Impact collision ignited the earth and released firey debris into the atmosphere. Some of it became the moon. The earth's gravitational pull kept the mass in orbit.
The two planets affect each other, and neither would be able to exist the same without the other. The earth's gravity keeps the moon in orbit. The moon keeps our planet's atmosphere stable. "Most of the tidal effects seen on the Earth are caused by the Moon's gravitational pull. [2] Earth's ocean tides are initiated by the tidal force of Moon's gravity." The gravitational tidal force comes from the attraction and rotation of the planets, and causes ocean water to continuously rush towars the pull. This gravitational pull between the Moon and the oceans affects its orbit. And, this pull is what caused the moon to look so different on the one side that always faces the earth. The very gravitational pull itself caused certain metals to surface.
So, you can see how the two require each other to co-exist as we know them, both in the past, present, and future.
------------
the Late Heavy Bombardment was also fascinating....
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Dreams
Why do we dream....
Sometimes it's because our brain is trying to wrap itself around a new idea, and/or something it doesn't totally understand yet.
Sometimes a dream just seems like a continuation on something that maybe we were doing during the day. Something cool and new, and/or different. (I have often had dreams where I was still playing a game in my sleep, or where I was writing a novel.)
Sometimes the dream might be a warped version of a thought we were having, either consciously or subconsciously; I think this is because the brain doesn't totally have a grasp on something yet.
Sometimes symbolism is used... or representation of people. Have you ever dreamed about a person but realized after waking up that it wasn't really a dream about them? Maybe your mind just placed them in a slot because they were on your mind. (maybe you dreamed about an ex, or a co-worker)
I love to have dreams where I'm flying. But the dreams where you're trying to run but don't have control over your feet/legs are never fun; feels like running in molasses. or water; very frustrating.
There are a lot of ways to apply dream "analysis." I think you really just have to be in touch with your inner thoughts. Sometimes the dream helps us figure out what those are. Usually I can figure out what the main components of my dream mean, and how I'm feeling about those. That is, when I can remember my dreams.... lol.
Sometimes it's because our brain is trying to wrap itself around a new idea, and/or something it doesn't totally understand yet.
Sometimes a dream just seems like a continuation on something that maybe we were doing during the day. Something cool and new, and/or different. (I have often had dreams where I was still playing a game in my sleep, or where I was writing a novel.)
Sometimes the dream might be a warped version of a thought we were having, either consciously or subconsciously; I think this is because the brain doesn't totally have a grasp on something yet.
Sometimes symbolism is used... or representation of people. Have you ever dreamed about a person but realized after waking up that it wasn't really a dream about them? Maybe your mind just placed them in a slot because they were on your mind. (maybe you dreamed about an ex, or a co-worker)
I love to have dreams where I'm flying. But the dreams where you're trying to run but don't have control over your feet/legs are never fun; feels like running in molasses. or water; very frustrating.
There are a lot of ways to apply dream "analysis." I think you really just have to be in touch with your inner thoughts. Sometimes the dream helps us figure out what those are. Usually I can figure out what the main components of my dream mean, and how I'm feeling about those. That is, when I can remember my dreams.... lol.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
My umm, words of wisdom for the day.
Everything makes more sense in retrospect. But try to develop more of a sense of foresight.
How? Hindsight is 20/20. No one can predict what other people might do or say, but you can develop enough of a sense of understanding to often be prepared for what is yet to come. How? It requires you to listen more than you speak, and to observe. Sometimes understanding comes with time, and may not happen right away. But typical people really aren't too hard to understand, at the basic level. All people have needs, wants, and desires. These things play into their motives, actions, and words.
Need an example? Sometimes what someone says or does to you may be a reflection on them, and is not really directed at you as personally as you might take it. So if someone says something that hurts your feelings, put aside your personal feelings for a moment and see if you can figure out why they've said or done what they have. You might find a different underlying cause than your own folly. (That's not to say we are never in the wrong; haha, after all, we're all human here.)
Be a black sheep. Don't just follow the crowd. Think for yourself. Think outside the box. Don't just take what people give you.
Okay, this post may have meandered from the opening line, but then, that's the point of this blog. I just write stuff down that occurs to me to need to be written. No other particular purpose.
How? Hindsight is 20/20. No one can predict what other people might do or say, but you can develop enough of a sense of understanding to often be prepared for what is yet to come. How? It requires you to listen more than you speak, and to observe. Sometimes understanding comes with time, and may not happen right away. But typical people really aren't too hard to understand, at the basic level. All people have needs, wants, and desires. These things play into their motives, actions, and words.
Need an example? Sometimes what someone says or does to you may be a reflection on them, and is not really directed at you as personally as you might take it. So if someone says something that hurts your feelings, put aside your personal feelings for a moment and see if you can figure out why they've said or done what they have. You might find a different underlying cause than your own folly. (That's not to say we are never in the wrong; haha, after all, we're all human here.)
Be a black sheep. Don't just follow the crowd. Think for yourself. Think outside the box. Don't just take what people give you.
Okay, this post may have meandered from the opening line, but then, that's the point of this blog. I just write stuff down that occurs to me to need to be written. No other particular purpose.
Friday, September 12, 2008
People.
I used to relish solitude. I think I understand why now. I was still seeking to understand, and learn myself, and about the world around me. I had a lot to take in. I'm not saying I still don't (we always will), but now I feel that I've learned a lot more than I used to know, at least. I no longer love solitude as much as I used to.
I have learned that this world is in large part, in the human aspect of it anyway, composed of networking with each other. Learning about each other, sharing with others, and branching out is important. Without it, we'd live in our own little dismal cave without much new exposure to content or ideas.
People need people, whether we like it or not. The desirable part is finding the people who we want to spend our time with, to learn about, to share with, and to hear from. Some of us may have a big family who automatically fills this role. Some of us may not, and we seek out friends. Either way, we all have our own "family."
Even if you don't t branch out, you are affected by other people on a constant basis. Just think about tv, the internet, the radio, and other mediums through which you may receive new content. How do you think it got there? That's right: through people. People are what make the world go 'round. Well, not all of it, but the layer of it that most of us pay the most attention to, most of the time. God and Mother nature still have their much grander roles. ;)
The experiences of our own and of other people are carried with us throughout our lives. I used to think this was just a mushy BS idea for people who had big families and kids and lots of relatives, or huge social networks, or who were just really outgoing. But, I no longer find this to be the case.
What you do with what you have is one of the most important things. It doesn't even have to be huge, but if you don't put yourself out there, how ever will anyone know what you have to offer? Maybe you don't even know yet, and that's fine. But you won't find it under a rock, or buried in your room. Not that there's anything wrong with burying yourself in your thoughts sometimes, but remember not to get so wrapped up in day-to-day life that you lose your identity to it. Find it, share it, and expand it through others! People perpetuate off of other people.
I hope this message is more than just blather to at least somebody.
I have learned that this world is in large part, in the human aspect of it anyway, composed of networking with each other. Learning about each other, sharing with others, and branching out is important. Without it, we'd live in our own little dismal cave without much new exposure to content or ideas.
People need people, whether we like it or not. The desirable part is finding the people who we want to spend our time with, to learn about, to share with, and to hear from. Some of us may have a big family who automatically fills this role. Some of us may not, and we seek out friends. Either way, we all have our own "family."
Even if you don't t branch out, you are affected by other people on a constant basis. Just think about tv, the internet, the radio, and other mediums through which you may receive new content. How do you think it got there? That's right: through people. People are what make the world go 'round. Well, not all of it, but the layer of it that most of us pay the most attention to, most of the time. God and Mother nature still have their much grander roles. ;)
The experiences of our own and of other people are carried with us throughout our lives. I used to think this was just a mushy BS idea for people who had big families and kids and lots of relatives, or huge social networks, or who were just really outgoing. But, I no longer find this to be the case.
What you do with what you have is one of the most important things. It doesn't even have to be huge, but if you don't put yourself out there, how ever will anyone know what you have to offer? Maybe you don't even know yet, and that's fine. But you won't find it under a rock, or buried in your room. Not that there's anything wrong with burying yourself in your thoughts sometimes, but remember not to get so wrapped up in day-to-day life that you lose your identity to it. Find it, share it, and expand it through others! People perpetuate off of other people.
I hope this message is more than just blather to at least somebody.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Be Careful What You Wish For
Here's a new thought for ya.
Wishing with all your might and prayers are the same thing. Rituals, too. Let me explain...
Everyone and everything alive is infused with the Spirit of life, yes? It's the spirit that returns back from whence it came when we die (it's the collective knowledge of each of our lifetimes that gets returned back to some greater whole). If you - who are are infused with the very spirit of life as your creator is - pray (call it what you may), you are essentially channelling your inner will towards the purpose for which you are asking.
If you will it strongly enough, have you ever noticed that it actually happens?
Some people may call it positive thinking, hoping for the best, or just dumb luck. I don't know, though.
Rituals are a focused practice of energy and events for various purposes: to seek something out, to meditate or ponder over something, or perhaps to try and encourage something to happen. This is no different to me from what some people hope to accomplish from praying, in effect. The route may be a bit different, but the end means has the same result. Isn't that really what matters?
At any rate, my thought for the day is:
Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it!
Wishing with all your might and prayers are the same thing. Rituals, too. Let me explain...
Everyone and everything alive is infused with the Spirit of life, yes? It's the spirit that returns back from whence it came when we die (it's the collective knowledge of each of our lifetimes that gets returned back to some greater whole). If you - who are are infused with the very spirit of life as your creator is - pray (call it what you may), you are essentially channelling your inner will towards the purpose for which you are asking.
If you will it strongly enough, have you ever noticed that it actually happens?
Some people may call it positive thinking, hoping for the best, or just dumb luck. I don't know, though.
Rituals are a focused practice of energy and events for various purposes: to seek something out, to meditate or ponder over something, or perhaps to try and encourage something to happen. This is no different to me from what some people hope to accomplish from praying, in effect. The route may be a bit different, but the end means has the same result. Isn't that really what matters?
At any rate, my thought for the day is:
Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Daily Thought
Whether or not you realize it, people shape and mold themselves around the people they're around. Observe this in yourself and others around you. It's (usually) a two-way action. It may simply be ways of talking, or thinking, or maybe something bigger in ways of acting. Sometimes people seek out certain types of people to associate themselves with (and sometimes subconsciously), because they know what type of interactions to anticipate.
Don't be afraid to break out of your mold. There's probably nothing wrong with your old crowd, but be open to new experiences and people you may previously not have thought you had anything in common with. You may be surprised at the kinds of things you could pick up from each other.
Don't be afraid to break out of your mold. There's probably nothing wrong with your old crowd, but be open to new experiences and people you may previously not have thought you had anything in common with. You may be surprised at the kinds of things you could pick up from each other.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Life's Purpose
::sigh:: It really pained me when I heard someone recently say that this life didn't matter so much because "we're all just waiting for the next better life." It's such a waste of what we have here, now. I DO believe that how you live your life, and what you do with it, is what really matters. I DO believe that it has a greater purpose and outcome, and that we don't just bide our time away here, trying not to do something wrong, so we can go on to some place better. I happen to like here quite well, and life is what you make it. So make the most of the gifts YOU have been given, too.
Friday, November 30, 2007
The Mysteries of the Unknown
I have to steal a quote from a user over at Ravelry.
"I don't like to use the name 'God' because the very act of personifying the mysteries of the universe strikes me as an act of hubris. It suits me to let the mysteries remain mysteries and to just concentrate on remembering in my day-to-day life that the world is much, much bigger than me."
When I read this in a post I just happened to be skimming through, it reminded me of something out of The Mist (that new Steven King movie; saw it last weekend with friends). The crazy lady they ended up killing said something to the effect of how we are not intended to unravel certain mysteries. (Doing so is what lead to the ultimate, and for a few untimely, death of many in the story. The mililary had found a way to connect with another dimension, and all sorts of horrible things that didn't belong here crossed through to our world. They were just big bugs and creatures doing what they do, eating and hunting. We were no match against them. They were not out to conquer us deliberately. They were just doin' their thing.) It just reminds me that sometimes we might think something is OK but makes me wonder if it really is. The heretic went off on a tangent at one point about the kinds of things we're doing in the world today that God had spoken to her and told her that we shouldn't be doing. Stem cell research was one of the things on the list. I bet she wouldda added artificial meat production to the list too. It really freaked me out because what if she's right? I've learned to listen to my inherant instincts more often than not (6th sense, after all, imho, is partially subconscious at play, along with being observant and paying attenion (having some friggin' common sense)). And I was having a conversation with Shon recently about artificial meat. He was promoting to me the pro's of it. I at first said I just felt it wasn't right. He doesn't like the idea of killing animals to eat. I couldn't put my finger on why I felt it wasn't right and eventually allowed his reasoning to pursuade my opinion in the direction that it really wouldn't be a bad plan, after all, if the US or the world or whoever sells the meat would start selling lab-raised meat instead. But now I'm not so sure. Maybe that's one of those mysteries we're not intended to meddle with.
Whenever I look up at the night sky and think about the universe and what lies beyond it, how it got there, etc., I always used to get that same feeling: the one that told me that some things we're just not meant to know. And when I watch those shows on Discovery that explain it all, they really make it all seem so logical, but I still feel that I can't totally wrap my head around it all. Maybe we won't ever be able to find out all the mysteries. But sometimes we just might get dangerously close. Not that I think advancements are a bad idea. We need to continue to advance and explore. It's how we grow and adapt and built. There's just a fine line there somewhere that crosses over into the mysterious side of the unknown that needs to stay there, I'm thinking.
Now don't get me wrong - I'm not saying it's like we need to stay young and not grow up by finding out about Santa Clause, or anything like that. I don't really know what I'm trying to say. I'm not trying to convince a point, just getting this idea out of my head because it has been in there for a while now.
Are there mysteries that we're not meant to unravel? Are they going to keep evolving and changing away from us the closer we get to figuring them out, just so we won't ever really be able to?
"I don't like to use the name 'God' because the very act of personifying the mysteries of the universe strikes me as an act of hubris. It suits me to let the mysteries remain mysteries and to just concentrate on remembering in my day-to-day life that the world is much, much bigger than me."
When I read this in a post I just happened to be skimming through, it reminded me of something out of The Mist (that new Steven King movie; saw it last weekend with friends). The crazy lady they ended up killing said something to the effect of how we are not intended to unravel certain mysteries. (Doing so is what lead to the ultimate, and for a few untimely, death of many in the story. The mililary had found a way to connect with another dimension, and all sorts of horrible things that didn't belong here crossed through to our world. They were just big bugs and creatures doing what they do, eating and hunting. We were no match against them. They were not out to conquer us deliberately. They were just doin' their thing.) It just reminds me that sometimes we might think something is OK but makes me wonder if it really is. The heretic went off on a tangent at one point about the kinds of things we're doing in the world today that God had spoken to her and told her that we shouldn't be doing. Stem cell research was one of the things on the list. I bet she wouldda added artificial meat production to the list too. It really freaked me out because what if she's right? I've learned to listen to my inherant instincts more often than not (6th sense, after all, imho, is partially subconscious at play, along with being observant and paying attenion (having some friggin' common sense)). And I was having a conversation with Shon recently about artificial meat. He was promoting to me the pro's of it. I at first said I just felt it wasn't right. He doesn't like the idea of killing animals to eat. I couldn't put my finger on why I felt it wasn't right and eventually allowed his reasoning to pursuade my opinion in the direction that it really wouldn't be a bad plan, after all, if the US or the world or whoever sells the meat would start selling lab-raised meat instead. But now I'm not so sure. Maybe that's one of those mysteries we're not intended to meddle with.
Whenever I look up at the night sky and think about the universe and what lies beyond it, how it got there, etc., I always used to get that same feeling: the one that told me that some things we're just not meant to know. And when I watch those shows on Discovery that explain it all, they really make it all seem so logical, but I still feel that I can't totally wrap my head around it all. Maybe we won't ever be able to find out all the mysteries. But sometimes we just might get dangerously close. Not that I think advancements are a bad idea. We need to continue to advance and explore. It's how we grow and adapt and built. There's just a fine line there somewhere that crosses over into the mysterious side of the unknown that needs to stay there, I'm thinking.
Now don't get me wrong - I'm not saying it's like we need to stay young and not grow up by finding out about Santa Clause, or anything like that. I don't really know what I'm trying to say. I'm not trying to convince a point, just getting this idea out of my head because it has been in there for a while now.
Are there mysteries that we're not meant to unravel? Are they going to keep evolving and changing away from us the closer we get to figuring them out, just so we won't ever really be able to?
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Explanation of Evil
I have to thank Derek for posting this on Myspace. This describes something in a way that I was having a problem getting a grasp on.
----------------
A science professor begins his school year with a lecture to the students, "Let me explain the problem science has with religion." The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand.
"You're a Christian, aren't you, son?"
"Yes sir," the student says.
"So you believe in God?"
"Absolutely."
"Is God good?"
"Sure! God's good."
"Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?"
"Yes."
"Are you good or evil?"
"The Bible says I'm evil."
The professor grins knowingly. "Aha! The Bible!" He considers for a moment. "Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?"
"Yes sir, I would."
"So you're good...!"
"I wouldn't say that."
"But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't."
The student does not answer, so the professor continues. "He doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?"
The student remains silent.
"No, you can't, can you?" the professor says. He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax.
"Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?"
"Er...yes," the student says.
"Is Satan good?"
The student doesn't hesitate on this one. "No."
"Then where does Satan come from?"
The student falters. "From God"
"That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?"
"Yes, sir."
"Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct?"
"Yes."
"So who created evil?" The professor continued, "If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil."
Again, the student has no answer. "Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?"
The student squirms on his feet. "Yes."
"So who created them?"
The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question. "Who created them?" There is still no answer. Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized. "Tell me," he continues onto another student. "Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?"
The student's voice betrays him and cracks. "Yes, professor, I do."
The old man stops pacing. "Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?"
"No sir. I've never seen Him."
"Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?"
"No, sir, I have not."
"Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelt your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?"
"No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't."
"Yet you still believe in him?"
"Yes."
"According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?"
"Nothing," the student replies. "I only have my faith."
"Yes, faith," the professor repeats. "And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith."
The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of His own. "Professor, is there such thing as heat?"
"Yes," the professor replies. "There's heat."
"And is there such a thing as cold?"
"Yes, son, there's cold too."
"No sir, there isn't."
The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The room suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain. "You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit up to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees."
"Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it."
Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer.
"What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?"
"Yes," the professor replies without hesitation. "What is night if it isn't darkness?"
"You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word."
"In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?"
The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester. "So what point are you making, young man?"
"Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed."
The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time. "Flawed? Can you explain how?"
"You are working on the premise of duality," the student explains. "You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought."
"It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it."
"Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?"
"If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do."
"Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?"
The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.
"Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?"
The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided.
"To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean."
The student looks around the room. "Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?" The class breaks out into laughter.
"Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the professor's brain, touched or smelt the professor's brain? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir."
"So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?"
Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable.
Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers. "I guess you'll have to take them on faith."
"Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life," the student continues. "Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?"
Now uncertain, the professor responds, "Of course, there is. We see it everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil."
To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light."
The professor sat down.
----------------
A science professor begins his school year with a lecture to the students, "Let me explain the problem science has with religion." The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand.
"You're a Christian, aren't you, son?"
"Yes sir," the student says.
"So you believe in God?"
"Absolutely."
"Is God good?"
"Sure! God's good."
"Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?"
"Yes."
"Are you good or evil?"
"The Bible says I'm evil."
The professor grins knowingly. "Aha! The Bible!" He considers for a moment. "Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?"
"Yes sir, I would."
"So you're good...!"
"I wouldn't say that."
"But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't."
The student does not answer, so the professor continues. "He doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?"
The student remains silent.
"No, you can't, can you?" the professor says. He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax.
"Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?"
"Er...yes," the student says.
"Is Satan good?"
The student doesn't hesitate on this one. "No."
"Then where does Satan come from?"
The student falters. "From God"
"That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?"
"Yes, sir."
"Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct?"
"Yes."
"So who created evil?" The professor continued, "If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil."
Again, the student has no answer. "Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?"
The student squirms on his feet. "Yes."
"So who created them?"
The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question. "Who created them?" There is still no answer. Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized. "Tell me," he continues onto another student. "Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?"
The student's voice betrays him and cracks. "Yes, professor, I do."
The old man stops pacing. "Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?"
"No sir. I've never seen Him."
"Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?"
"No, sir, I have not."
"Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelt your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?"
"No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't."
"Yet you still believe in him?"
"Yes."
"According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?"
"Nothing," the student replies. "I only have my faith."
"Yes, faith," the professor repeats. "And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith."
The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of His own. "Professor, is there such thing as heat?"
"Yes," the professor replies. "There's heat."
"And is there such a thing as cold?"
"Yes, son, there's cold too."
"No sir, there isn't."
The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The room suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain. "You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit up to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees."
"Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it."
Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer.
"What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?"
"Yes," the professor replies without hesitation. "What is night if it isn't darkness?"
"You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word."
"In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?"
The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester. "So what point are you making, young man?"
"Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed."
The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time. "Flawed? Can you explain how?"
"You are working on the premise of duality," the student explains. "You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought."
"It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it."
"Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?"
"If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do."
"Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?"
The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.
"Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?"
The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided.
"To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean."
The student looks around the room. "Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?" The class breaks out into laughter.
"Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the professor's brain, touched or smelt the professor's brain? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir."
"So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?"
Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable.
Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers. "I guess you'll have to take them on faith."
"Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life," the student continues. "Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?"
Now uncertain, the professor responds, "Of course, there is. We see it everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil."
To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light."
The professor sat down.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Recycling
So, now that I've been recycling for a while, I've had time to consider some adjustments. Apparently it is not as resourceful to recycle plastic due to the energy it takes to recycle it as opposed to making new. Aluminum is still a good resource to recycle. Paper... it's bio-degradable and a renewable resource. Therefore, I'm going to recycle a little bit less. I still don't use any disposable items at work when I can help it (I still take my own utensils and coffee cup to work with me every day), but now I guess I will just be recycling the cans I drink from, and my cat food cans, which are also aluminum.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Bee-Friendly Benches :D
I really didn't want to make a boast about this, but I *seriously* doubt anyone reads this anyway, and I just wanted to write it down as it is a personal accomplishment, so here is where it goes. I guess that's okay, as this is a place for my internal thoughts to come out anyway.
So at work, I have been doing my part to do what feels right to me. This includes NOT using styrofoam cups for my coffee every morning (I bring my own cup), or plastic utensils (I bring in my own fork), and I recycle my cans and the plastic cartons my frozen dinners come in, as well as my co-worker's too now. ;) I don't feel this has a huge impact on the environment but it just feels right for me to recycle as much of my own as is convenient (there's a plastic place very nearby, and my dad's church takes all the cans). Maybe I'll find the metal recyclers around here one day too for the other cans I've been saving...
Well, anyway. Every spring I have noticed that the bumblebees would come out and try to bore nests into the wooden benches along the walkway going into my building. And the maintenance team would be called out regularly to poison them because they would really swarm around a lot and it fel harassing to people trying to walk by, me included! I wrote to Associate Resources with a plea and it was heard. I asked if they could replace them with something non-wooden, to both save the bees, and the cost of maintenance (I knew that'd get 'em hehe). They just replaced them with metal benches. I am so thrilled!!! :)
So at work, I have been doing my part to do what feels right to me. This includes NOT using styrofoam cups for my coffee every morning (I bring my own cup), or plastic utensils (I bring in my own fork), and I recycle my cans and the plastic cartons my frozen dinners come in, as well as my co-worker's too now. ;) I don't feel this has a huge impact on the environment but it just feels right for me to recycle as much of my own as is convenient (there's a plastic place very nearby, and my dad's church takes all the cans). Maybe I'll find the metal recyclers around here one day too for the other cans I've been saving...
Well, anyway. Every spring I have noticed that the bumblebees would come out and try to bore nests into the wooden benches along the walkway going into my building. And the maintenance team would be called out regularly to poison them because they would really swarm around a lot and it fel harassing to people trying to walk by, me included! I wrote to Associate Resources with a plea and it was heard. I asked if they could replace them with something non-wooden, to both save the bees, and the cost of maintenance (I knew that'd get 'em hehe). They just replaced them with metal benches. I am so thrilled!!! :)
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Wind
Tonight I had the insatiable desire to go outside for a while, so I sat down. I sat and listened, and the wind spoke. I was thinking that when you hear the wind, except for when the wind is really strong or fast (like how it howls when it's blowing very hard, or how it sounds like a train when a tornado is coming), it's not really the wind you hear, but really the sound of things that the wind strikes, like the leaves which rustle softly, whispering as the wind caresses them. Or perhaps you hear the soft tinkling of wind chimes as they clatter in the breeze. There was a nice, soft gentle breeze whispering through the night as I sat, enjoying it, until the desire felt fulfilled. So now I'm journaling it, because I feel this event will corelate with something in the future, while at the moment I really can't think of any significant correlation.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Same-ole' same-ole? I think not.
For a while, I thought that maybe I was just boring... listening to the same music, over and over... enjoying the same game, for years at a time... etc, etc. ... Does that make me sound complacent? Perhaps a bit, but I am not unadventurous... I finally put it into words tonight, when the Wizard of Oz came on tv. Yes, I've seen it several times before. Sometimes just in parts - the beginning, or the end or whatever, but I know the story well. This time, I looked at it with a whole new perspective. I understood a new meaning that I had not thought of before, or at least not in the same way.
I realized that life is much the same way. There's little in this world that has not been done, said, seen, or felt before. But even if we are creatures of habit, things are ever changing. We are not as boring as we might think we are sometimes. If you look for it, you'll find new meaning in even the smallest of places in your life, every single day.
I realized that life is much the same way. There's little in this world that has not been done, said, seen, or felt before. But even if we are creatures of habit, things are ever changing. We are not as boring as we might think we are sometimes. If you look for it, you'll find new meaning in even the smallest of places in your life, every single day.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
4-letter word..... Love
Love, sexuality, companionship. Whatever you want to label it. This is a 3-fold process.
Mental, physical, and spiritual.
It is a combination of all 3. Without all 3, it is not whole, complete, or fulfilling.
Mental, physical, and spiritual.
It is a combination of all 3. Without all 3, it is not whole, complete, or fulfilling.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Actions & Reactions
Yes, everything happens for a reason. But it's not for some great, grand scheme pre-planned by a divine entity. Every action is a reaction to some other action. We hold the power to shape the outcome of our own domain by influencing it. We will always do this anyway, so why not do it in a positive and beneficial way? Even NO action causes a reaction. So mold your own path, shape your own future, and take control over your own life. After all, not only you hold this power. Make it what you want it to be, not what it becomes because of the results of others' actions.
A lesson for the day, on day 29
-------------------------------
Do not be afraid to exercise wisdom. Reach out; act on things. Don't wait for life to happen. Make life happen for you. You have more power than you may realize to shape your future, and change your path, if you desire. Set your goals and work your way towards them. Don't dress for the job you have: dress for job you want to have. Apply this to your life. Take the wheel . . . and drive.
Now. Remember not to become so self-sufficient as to live in isolation!
A lesson for the day, on day 29
-------------------------------
Do not be afraid to exercise wisdom. Reach out; act on things. Don't wait for life to happen. Make life happen for you. You have more power than you may realize to shape your future, and change your path, if you desire. Set your goals and work your way towards them. Don't dress for the job you have: dress for job you want to have. Apply this to your life. Take the wheel . . . and drive.
Now. Remember not to become so self-sufficient as to live in isolation!
Monday, August 14, 2006
Like the Yen and the Yang
Without Winter, there would be no Summer.
Without night, there would not be day.
Without darkness, there would not be light.
I pondered this thought deeply one day last week, as I was gazing at the moon. I remembered that the moon could not shine upon us if it weren't for the sun, shining upon it. Really, the moon is just shining the sun back on us. So, without the sun, the moon would not shine its face down upon us. They work in harmony. Each planet needs each other in some way: if not for warmth and light, then for balance and support.
In this way, they remind me of the Yen and the Yang: two integral parts that make up our night and our day.
Without death, there would be no life.
Is this statement true? If it is, it lends a most intriguing idea to my mind to ponder. Does this mean that, perhaps, there could be more spirit, life... soul.. within some people than in others? Or is it perhaps an endless, or overly abundant, resource?
If this was true, it would explain to me why I feel like so many people are so... well, mundane, if you will. One of the things I am working on is to try and feel more connected with such people, and perhaps to discover why I feel this way. Perhaps this is it. I'm not sure, but it's one theory.
Without night, there would not be day.
Without darkness, there would not be light.
I pondered this thought deeply one day last week, as I was gazing at the moon. I remembered that the moon could not shine upon us if it weren't for the sun, shining upon it. Really, the moon is just shining the sun back on us. So, without the sun, the moon would not shine its face down upon us. They work in harmony. Each planet needs each other in some way: if not for warmth and light, then for balance and support.
In this way, they remind me of the Yen and the Yang: two integral parts that make up our night and our day.
Without death, there would be no life.
Is this statement true? If it is, it lends a most intriguing idea to my mind to ponder. Does this mean that, perhaps, there could be more spirit, life... soul.. within some people than in others? Or is it perhaps an endless, or overly abundant, resource?
If this was true, it would explain to me why I feel like so many people are so... well, mundane, if you will. One of the things I am working on is to try and feel more connected with such people, and perhaps to discover why I feel this way. Perhaps this is it. I'm not sure, but it's one theory.
Monday, August 07, 2006
A Year And A Day: Day 1
It was very nice until I had to go running, yes running, inside due to ants stinging my foot. Grrr! At first I thought maybe my glasses were playing tricks on me, but I saw the aura of the moon and the trees. I wish I could have sat there longer. The moon is so full and beautiful tonight.
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