Most people are afraid of the unknown. Many would rather stay in what they view as being known, safe, and comfortable. This blog often invites people to go beyond thought/thinking into the unknown. Of course, a lot of people would feel frightened or uncomfortable with what is presented here, and not care to delve into it. Additionally, this blog often suggests that a separate “thinker” is not truly something controlling thoughts from an internal distance; it is often suggested that the “thinker” is a projection of thinking… and actually another thought. Venturing into such notions, no doubt, frightens a lot of people. It makes them feel uneasy. It seems to radically go against the grain of what they were taught. What is written here may seem to go against the grain of their religious beliefs. These beliefs, largely being psychological hopes, then feel threatened and made less secure, which naturally (in many) results in fear and evasive behavior, fostering a disinclination to continue exploring in this blog.
Truth and legitimate spirituality are not games. You don’t get to pick what reality and truth really are. They are what they are. You can pick what you wish they were, but you can’t pick reality. (It’s childish to believe in the equivalent of fairy tales.) I’m almost 75 now. Many years ago, when i was in college, i read about how — in certain individuals, while they remained alive — their brains were surgically divided. The brains, walnut-like in appearance, were surgically separated. Following the surgery, each half did not realize what the other half was doing or thinking. When the bridge between the halves is cut—usually to stop severe, life-threatening epileptic seizures from spreading—each hemisphere continues to function, but it loses direct contact with what the other half is experiencing or deciding. Despite these experimental quirks, most patients live remarkably normal daily lives. Subcortical brain structures (deeper parts of the brain below the cortex) and alternative pathways still coordinate basic functions, and everyday environments allow both sides to receive similar sensory input. Well… reading this back then helped me to question my orthodox organized-religion background. Back then, i decided to endeavor to walk towards truth without relying on the authority of organizations. One would walk towards truth no matter what others promised or offered for belief. Truth was to be observed (however pleasant or unpleasant it appeared.) Fear was transcended. Later, one realized that you can’t walk towards truth… for there is no path (in time) that leads to the timeless.
A lot of what is written in my blog may seem radical and uncomfortable (at first). While reading it, a lot of fear can indeed manifest, often due to conditioning from our primitive culture. When fear occurs, one is not separate from that fear. However, one is not, thank goodness, exclusively what that actual fear is. Intelligence is that immense order and understanding that transcends fear, illusion, beliefs, and the fragmentation that — to itself, and in itself — is bereft of wholeness, love, and eternity. The unknown is where the infinte beauty and the magic are; the known is of fear, limitation, mediocrity, and sorrow. Though we may feel and seem insignificant, each moment of our lives is immensely important. Each moment offers infinite potential and profound understanding. We can remain darkly blind, limited, and fearful, or glowing and selfless with deep understanding.
For me Tom your posts are thought provoking, not fearful, although at times difficult to completely understand.
I think so much is about ‘control’ or the lack of it! People can feel safer following dogmas and organised religious rules. Often at the loss of the self.
I am so glad that you find the posts to be thought-provoking, and not what tend to cause some fear. Yes, people can feel safer following dogmas and organized religious rules, but such behavior is reaction (not real free action). Mere reaction, being mechanical-like in nature, is always time-bound (which never really leads to the timeless, while one is stuck in such patterns, unfortunately).
This essay begs the question – what is reality – we live on an ever evolving planet that is always changing – realities shift too with perception and experiences and each individual is part of that greater whole – The comment you make about fairy tales “forgets” that ancient patterns are hidden within these stories… patterns and possibilities – isn’t this more akin to experiencing reality as it is/isn’t?
It seems to be a presumption, Sara, on your part, to write that what i wrote forgets that ancient patterns are hidden within these stories. Of course, i realize that patterns are hidden within these stories. However, these patterns, these stories, have not helped man to deeply perceive beyond the time-bound. Apparently, even Jesus realized the limitation of stories. See Matthew 13:10.
I don’t appreciate it when people write comments in my blog based on false presumptions.
Tom I am not ‘presuming’ anything – I am expressing my opinion – that s all any top us can do. NONE of us have access to the Mystery that is Life. I’m sorry I upset you
Sara, i question both of your first two sentences. Thanks for the apology.
that’s ok yes? we can disagree and continue on… an apologies are bridges yes?
Look, Sara… your blog has often been full of writings reflecting depression and rather childish thinking, but I have never pointed out your flaws in your postings. Yet you are often critical in this blog, with comments that emanate from false presumptions. I wouldn’t mind it if you would go to other blogs with your comments. Most polite people keep their criticisms at bay regarding the blogs of others here on WordPress.
Gosh Tom you can’t let this go – -“my childish thinking” creates the space to allow others in. ‘ My false presumptions” by whose standards? – yours? Why not discuss these with me? I welcome opinions regardless of whether I agree or disagree. As for depression maybe you haven’t heard but it’s a cultural reality – denying it won’t make it go away – – I would welcome honest discussion about our differences because they create bridges to further understanding. I am truly sorry that you find my honesty offensive, but I will never apologize for having my own opinions or experiences because they belong to me. One of the problems we have on a cross cultural level is that people can’t discuss issues across the isles – instead we HAVE to agree. Where has this gotten us do you think? By the way I publish regularly in a number of different journals, books etc etc – and read/ and comment on only 3-4 blogs – I never pretend that what I write (no matter where it is published) is the ultimate truth just the product of my life experience.
Thank you for your decision to follow Learning from Dogs. It is much appreciated.
Yes, many dogs are more caring than many people. 🐶
I listened to an interview with Antonio Damasio on Consciousness. “Why Consciousness Needs a Body”. It was published by Skeptic but it is also available on YouTube. Antonio presented the evidence that humans and other animals also have consciousness. He mentioned dogs. All of these higher order animals, including us, require a nervous system. That’s the common factor.
Yes, Paul, the dogs that we’ve had have had immense presence of mind and understanding. Additionally, they often knew (according to my wife) that i was close to being home (minutes before i arrived). One dog, in particular, even knew — minutes before — when strangers were going to come to our home (even though they never visited our home before)… which seems to be very clairvoyant and ultra-perceptive.
Tom, when I met Jean in December 2007 she had twenty-three dogs, all ex-rescues. We met in Northern Mexico. In 2010 we came up to Payson in Arizona with sixteen dogs (and seven cats) to be married. Then in 2012 we came to southern Oregon.
Dogs are perfect companions. Even homeless dogs form packs and have leaders.
Now we have just two, Cloudy, a Chihuahua mix, and Oliver, a Labrador, unfortunately with liver failure.
My book, Learning from Dogs, was self-published in 2009 because I was inspired by Jean’s dogs. Perfect companions!
Very interesting! Curly, from The Three Stooges, used to take in a lot of rescue dogs. He had a deep love for dogs.