He who believes what he can’t see, often can’t see what he doesn’t believe.
Category Archives: Aphorism
… the sweetest thing of all … (4 minutes in)
If I were rich, I’d have the time that I lack
To sit in the synagogue and pray.
And maybe have a seat by the Eastern wall.
And I’d discuss the holy books with the learned men, several hours every day.
That would be the sweetest thing of all.
It sometimes takes communicating a thought in writing or speech, to realise how wrong it was. Unexpressed, there’s no reality-test.
Belief in a separate self is the hardest religion to leave. Its much easier just to become an atheist.
Should the ‘devil’ be given the protection of the law? Response by Sir Thomas Moore:
“I give the devil benefit of law for my own safety’s sake”
Slightly longer version:
“Genius is knowing what is important in any situation” – more or less what Douglas Hofstadter told me at lunch in 1997.
Wherever you go there you are.* Unfortunately.
* Origin of quote unknown. Title of book by Jon Kabat-Zinn.
Three ways we attempt to deal with objects of desire/addiction (two more traditional, one more modern):
1) Banish or ‘cover up’ the object of desire e.g. ban alcohol, force woman (and men) to hide most of their bodies from public view,
2) Remove or distance oneself from the object e.g. become a monk in a monastery, keep no alcohol or junk food in the house,
3) Permit oneself to be in the presence of the object of desire, and rely on self-discipline or mindfulness to engage with this object in a ‘responsible’ healthy way.
This last way seems to involve the most ‘freedom’ and yet so many of us are hooked on at least *something* e.g. overeating, smoking, alcohol or other drugs …
Insight Junkie 