Lessons and Thoughts about this and that; Principles

What do Kung Fu, Yoga, and Salsa dancing have in common? 1. One could say to start that they are all of foreign origins. 2. They are very popular in North America nowadays. I want to talk about the concept of context here and I refer tho these cases just to illustrate my point, 1. The point that things exist originally within a context. 2. For things to be taken out of the context where they exist is a dangerous (not impossible) feat. 3. Understanding the context is extremely important in understanding the whole, the context is a crucial part of the "thing." 4. Some things cannot be separated of their context, otherwise they cease to be what they are and turn into something else rather or die (like fish taken out of the water) Darwin thought that species lived within a context and that the context of their lives (habitat) determined even their outward looks. As an example, the dark and light fur coloured mice he found in the Galapagos Island which fascina...

Dear Missie: I write to you this letter and post it publicly with the intent that it will be a repository and that you will always have it handy and read it if you may :) I am sure you have seen and read many of these letters from loving fathers to their daughters posted all over the internet already, all of them have something in common, an undying love, the love of us Dads for our daughters and our intent to say something to you our special little girls that will impact your lives, so bare with me. As you turn into a young woman the idea of being attracted to boys grows stronger and stronger within you, this is something natural and yet something you must recognize and work with in a very smart way so it works on your favour; just like any of our attributes, and even flaws, they all serve a purpose on our growing, on our progress, they all exist and are to be used in the proper context; the key is finding that context in which they should be used I suppose. Since you were ...

Whether one calls it ego, inner self, naf, aham, etc. the idea, the concept behind seems to be the same: 1. There is something inside our minds/hearts/souls that pulls, craves, self satisfaction, that concentrates on the self rather than on others. It is the selfish self (redundancy and all) if you may. 2. There is something else also inside our minds/hearts/souls that is more altruistic and in opposition to the other, the side that is compassionate, caring, loving of others. The concept of good vs evil inside us, yin and yang, id, ego and alter-ego, etc. It is not just that this opposition exists outside of us but rather that the conflict is inside, the battle is within; the balance to be achieved is not on the outside world but rather inside ourselves; a battle between selfishness and altruism, between my needs or the needs of others. The Judeo-Christian approach to inner peace comes from altruism, from closeness to the supreme being. As one draws closer to Him, one is m...