Tag Archives: Reality

Daisy Oats & Lazy Boats….

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Ffolkes,
Good morning, and welcome to my little corner of the Big Blue Room, such as it is…..

“Much of what sophisticates loftily refer to as the “complexity” of the real world is in fact the inconsistency in their own minds.” — Thomas Sowell

There is still a lot of controversy among philosophers, who live for just that reason, i.e., to discuss at length whatever small differences of opinion they may find. The controversy to which I refer deals with the nature of Reality, and its degree of complexity. Mr. Sowell above chimes in with his two cents to argue in favor of simplicity, saying the universe, or ‘real world’ is less complex than some would have us believe, due to their own preconceived misconceptions, of which I am sure Mr. Sowell does not suffer. (NOT!) Other philosophers might tell us that Reality is very complex, far too complex for our puny minds to comprehend without their first giving us their interpretation of that complexity. And, as always, the true answer to such a question is somewhere in the middle of these two camps of alleged thought.


Truth, for some reason probably tied into the nature of that Reality we try to understand, almost always will fall right in the middle of two opposing theories that attempt to ascertain its exact parameters. It is absolutely pitiless in its unconcern with whatever set of rules we may try to develop that reflect what we believe to be its nature. Nor will it care if those rules are wrong; it will merely squash like a little bug whomever tries to use them. Most often, when people try to make rules about Reality, we get punched in the figurative nose, a surefire method for establishing a parameter.


What do I think? I think that it is best not to define Reality, but rather just to take it at face value. Sometimes it is horrendously complex, and I will feel overwhelmed with trying to sort out all the little pieces of whatever I’ve encountered. Other times, it is ridiculously simple, so simple we think it is too easy, and feel a sense of unease, as if waiting for the other shoe to drop. So, in my mind, it is best to not try to hard to understand, but rather learn to accept without understanding. It tends to cause less bloodshed that way……

I’m going to disconnect your brain.

Brain disconnection sounds pretty scary, but in actuality it is a very valuable ability to possess. That sounds somewhat dubious, I’m sure, but is accurate nonetheless, and I’m gonna tell you why. You see, the mind is housed in the brain, and we may thus say it is connected to it directly. The mind, however, is not simply connected to the brain; by virtue of our senses, it is also connected to Reality, the outside world, the Big Blue Room. (For the uninitiated, the Big Blue Room is everything outside the computer room.) This connection is monitored by whatever part of the mind (which has many layers, and can multi-task endlessly) we choose, using a set of rules we develop over our formative years. These rules, fashioned by that part of the mind that reasons, determine how successful we are in dealing with whatever Reality throws at us. For different activities and situations, there are different sets of rules, all figured out in the subconscious, which sees all, hears all, and thinks about it a lot, using a variety of thought patterns and intuitive guesswork to ascertain which rules are useful, and which are not in responding to the current challenge from Reality.


By disconnecting the brain, then, we mean that the connection to the outside world is suspended, as is the conscious mind, and the subconscious mind then is free to act without restraint, processing Reality in order to render it either acceptable, or manipulable through application of pertinent rules. Zen philosophy has promulgated this ability to ‘disconnect’, even having a word to describe the state of mind one assumes when our mind enters the disconnect modality. The word is zazen, and means the state of mind one enters when One with Reality. Western civilization calls this experience an epiphany, a moment when one experiences true Reality, and understands all. The difference between the two cultures, East and West, is best shown in this comparative analysis; to the Western mind, this mind state occurs randomly, whereas Zen philosophy teaches that zazen can be induced by meditation and deep thought.

    Regardless of whether one believes it can be induced, or merely accepted when encountered, is immaterial; the knowledge is there, available to those who would find it of use. Being able to induce this state of deep understanding within ourselves can be seen then, as an extremely valuable skill to develop……

Some people drive as if turn signals were an option.

Hey, if I can’t use this forum to complain about those things in life that just burn my ass, what is it good for, right? Right…..driving around on the roads today is very different than it was when I first began driving back in 1966. In that era, we were just beginning to get an inkling of how city driving would change in the next few years, turning from mildly congested traffic to continual and frequent gridlock. Unfortunately, as the number of cars on the road has grown, the use of driving techniques we were all taught to make the roads safe for all have slowly disappeared from use. The use of turn signals, or more accurately the disuse of turn signals, is probably the most ubiquitous of these sadly missing habits. The practice of not paying any attention to other drivers on the road extends even into the police, who are by far the worst offenders in this category of bad habits. These days, I feel a big surprise when I see a police vehicle, or anyone else for that matter, give a correct signal of a lane change, or to turn a corner. Not signaling has become de rigeur; nobody bothers with it anymore, except me, and I do it mainly out of irritation. So few people signal anymore, it is almost annoying when they do, because I can’t trust that they didn’t mean it, or trust that they will actually do what they are signaling they will do. Driving in today’s world is becoming one long irritation after another, as the ‘Entitled Ones’ scurry around in their Escalades, Beemers, and Mercedes, completely ignoring everyone else on the road.  Hmph! Now I feel grumpy. I’m gonna go flip some driver the bird……

And just so I don’t carry that grumpiness any further into the day, we will call a halt, even though I could carry on in this vein for another thousand words easily…..So….y’all take care out there……

—
Sometimes I sits and thinks,
and sometimes
I just sits.
gigoid
Dozer

Kowabunga!

Lime biscuits with tea and sympathy….

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Ffolkes,
Yesterday’s discussion of the nature of Reality was fun, as usual. This morning I’d like to comment on another aspect of the subject that is quite as important as understanding the inner nature of what is real. I’m speaking of the concept of perspective, a purely subjective stance that is partially responsible for determining our reaction to what we perceive. If, for example, one’s perspective in the morning is measured pre-coffee, the results would be rather on the negative side. Post-coffee, the world at large assumes a warmer, friendlier tone, and a more positive approach to deciding the day’s activities is enabled. Our perspective is a key feature of our attitude, and its degree of plus or minus can make a huge difference in how we react to our perceptions, and in how we decide on whether or not to act, and whether that act is one of defense, or one of attack. Or any other type of action that falls between the two extremes.


Since perspective is subjective, it follows that it is within our powers to make changes in that perspective. Our reasoning mind can persuade other facets of our nature to view data in varying ways. We can set up filters, to keep unwanted factors out of play, to block out unwanted perceptions. We can set up rule systems to categorize incoming perceptions into certain channels that are pre-set to process that type of data. We can put on rose-colored glasses, if we wish, and perceive everything as positive. Or we can put on black lenses, and sink into neurosis; this is unfortunately an easy method to start and maintain, as it rewards negativity, becoming an ever-stronger, repetitive cycle that ultimately leads to madness and despair. Negativity is an insidious trap; it seems so useful at first, keeping one sheltered from possibly harmful events. But over time, it becomes obsession, dragging one down into depression, a very deep hole from which to climb.


It becomes easy to see that self-examination is important; introspection on the subject of ourselves can determine the shape and color, and the emotional content and effect, of our life’s events, and can be a powerful ally in the daily battle with the forces of an uncaring, indifferent Universe. Holding our mind’s course to a straight and narrow path can be tricky, to say the least. The Universe has a lot of tricks up its sleeves, and isn’t afraid to use them on us. Staying positive in one’s outlook is a powerful weapon, as is negativity. The bad news is that it is all our choice. The good news is that it is all our choice……choose well…..

Reality can be beaten with enough imagination.

“An ancient buddha said, ‘Mountains are mountains; waters are waters.’ These words do not mean mountains are mountains; they mean mountains are mountains.” — Dogen

“Love doesn’t just sit there, like a stone, it has to be made, like bread; re-made all the time, made new.  — Ursula K. LeGuin, The Lathe of Heaven

But Memory blushes at the sneer,
And Honor turns with frown defiant,
And Freedom, leaning on her spear,
Laughs louder than the laughing giant.
— Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894)
— A Good Time going

“A man never discloses his own character so clearly as when he describes another’s.” — Jean Paul Richter

“Wow!  Look!!  A stray meatball!!  Let’s interview it!’ — Zippy the Pinhead

Zippy always makes a good point at which to call a halt to these pieces; his unbridled enthusiasm is hard to resist. Plus, his comments always seem to add just the right touch as counterpoint to the rest of the Pearls. Tres bien!….. y’all take care out there….

—
Sometimes I sits and thinks,
and sometimes
I just sits.

gigoid

Dozer

Kowabunga!

Half-dozen of the other….

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Ffolkes,
The nature of Reality is a fascinating subject, due in part, I believe, to that part of its nature that is amorphous, ever-changing and unpredictable. It is also hard, uncompromisingly immutable, and always the same. In these two facets, it is much like us, coexisting on the edge of light/dark, sharp/dull, sweet/sour, pleasure/pain. As we feel, so our view of what is real changes to suit those feelings. But though our view of it will alter to fit our whim, reality itself is immune to such manipulation. Its nature is to provide the truth that our illusions keep us from seeing, not to change at our direction. But it too will change, for entropy is the rule for which exceptions exist (see below), and entropy cannot be denied.


Thus even though our nature is but a mirror of Reality, it is not Reality itself, wish as hard as we might that it would be so. We are left with only our reasoning mind to cope with the dichotomy. And that is fine, for we are also dichotomous by nature; all of our senses obtain their information from the universe by registering presence/absence of substance (touch), molecules (smell), air waves (hearing), more molecules (taste), and photons (sight). So dichotomy is something with which our minds are comfortable.


But, though we can be comfortable with perceiving Reality, we still must be cautious, because danger, by its nature, is duplicitous, and can hide right out in the seemingly open. Our perceptions require us to review their veracity on a regular basis, lest surprises occur. Surprises, while nice coming from one’s boy- or girl-friend, can be rather unwelcome coming from Reality. Especially those little conundrums that Life always seems to hand us that have their roots in the past; old debts, old friends, old enemies, all have a tendency to show up in our lives just when they are least welcome. Goes to show, I guess, that the old saw about an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure makes a lot of sense when considered in that respect. Leading us back to another old saw…..be alert! The world needs more lerts. And so do we…..

“I went in search of my art, often in danger of my life. I have not been ashamed to learn those things which to me have seemed useful — even from vagabonds, barbers, and executioners. For we know how a lover will go a long way to meet the woman that he loves. How much the more, then, will the lover of wisdom be tempted to go in search of his divine mistress!” — Paracelsus

“The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears.” — John Vance Cheney

“I think computer viruses should count as life. I think it says something about human nature that the only form of life we have created so far is
purely destructive. We’ve created life in our own image.” — Stephen Hawking

A mighty pain to love it is,
And ‘t is a pain that pain to miss;
But of all pains, the greatest pain
It is to love, but love in vain.
— Abraham Cowley (1618-1667)
— From Anacreon, vii, Gold

“To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence;  supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without
fighting.” — Sun Tzu (fl. c. BC 500)

“If for every rule there is an exception, then we have established that there is an exception to every rule. If we accept “For every rule there is an exception” as a rule, then we must concede that there may not be an exception after all, since the rule states that there is always the possibility of exception, and if we follow it to its logical end we must agree that there can be an exception to the rule that for every rule there is an exception.” — Bill Boquist

Well! I don’t know about y’all, but I feel MUCH better!…… y’all take care out there…..

—
Sometimes I sits and thinks,
and sometimes
I just sits.gigoid

Dozer

Kowabunga!