Ideologies are Irreconcilable

Almost every wise saying has an opposite one, no less wise, to balance it.

--George Santayana

image by Beautymist

I have to be careful not to assess actions as if there was some objective correlation between any deed and what I anticipate as its result. It is a bit of psychological shorthand, often inspired by the pace in which we try to process information/experience these days. However, the price of this convenience is that we might not look deeply enough into the act and its initiator to recognize their true character. After all, it is primarily the motivation/intention of any action that will determine its final nature or manifestation.


Look within the mind that conceived the goal if you seek the tools to judge the value or success.—Strike a Chord of Silence, CG Walters


Alan Watts is a philosopher that I have always enjoyed, mostly because of his combination of insight and unwillingness to take anything too seriously—at least that was the persona of his lectures. In an example of assessing the truest nature of one particular action that is easily categorized—political agenda—this eternally relevant quote from his book, “The Way of Zen” seemed particularly pertinent in the world today.


“It is a basic Confucian principle that it is [a person] that makes a truth great, not truth that makes [a person] great. For this reason, ‘humanness’ or ‘human-heartedness’ (jen) was always felt to be superior to ‘righteousness (i), since [people themselves are] greater than any idea which [they] may invent. There are times when [people’s] passions are much more trustworthy than their principles. Since opposed principles, or ideologies, are irreconcilable, wars (ideological or literal) fought over principle will be wars of mutual annihilation. But wars fought for simple greed (as opposed to ideological/corporate greed) will be far less destructive because the aggressor will be careful not to destroy what he is fighting to capture. Reasonable [humans] will always be capable of compromise, but [people] who have dehumanized themselves by becoming blind worshipers of any idea or an ideal are fanatics whose devotion to abstractions makes them enemies of life.”


In reading this, I was taken with several points:
1) There is at least some benefit to greed (and other ‘bad’ traits, etc.—if we see from a broad enough perspective)


2) Ideologies are irreconcilable, but not people


3) Blindly following an ideal is dehumanizing


Also, I would like to restate this great bit of Confucian wisdom:
It is [a person]--their true nature, and therefore their intention--that makes a truth great, not truth that makes [a person] great.
  ---working in the name of supposed noble cause will not alter the basic petty nature or intention of an self-serving absolutist


For those of you who would like a quick re/introduction to Alan Watts, try these videos http://deoxy.org/watts.htm

Blessings and wonder to you and all you hold dear, 

Celebrate What's Right in the World!

Strike a Chord of Silence, CG's  book of metaphysical maxims and essays.

Available in Kindle  ($.99 USD). International and US print sales, are available at  online bookstores and upon request from your local bookstore.

Autographed/signed copies of Sacred Vow are available from the author– or order from you favorite brick and mortar or online store. Also available  as Amazon Kindle version  or Google Editions.

Receive new editions of Into the Mist through a reader http://feeds.feedburner.com/IntoTheMist

CG Walters primarily writes fiction that focuses on the multidimensionality of our loves and our lives.

The True Nature Shines

People are like stained-glass windows.
They sparkle and shine when the sun is out,
but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed
only if there is a light from within. -- Elizabeth Kübler-Ross

Meditation Transcendence 

By h.koppdelaney


Given the misogynistic nature of much of the politics in the U.S. these days, I think it very appropriate to have been gifted with this video at this time. Women, ask yourself, 'how would you treat yourself (or allow others to treat you) if you knew you were sacred?

This is from a Youtube friend, InnerVoiceAngel
Sacred

If you are having trouble viewing the video, go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCwSZU6VeSM

Blessings and wonder to you and all you hold dear, 

Celebrate What's Right in the World!

CG Walters primarily writes fiction that focuses on the multidimensionality of our loves and our lives.

If you are enjoying the features of CG's blog, get future installments sent directly to your email or reader via RSS feed.

Laughing is Praying

When you have a heartfelt belly laugh, all parts of your being 

- the physiological, the pyschological, the spiritual - 

they all vibrate in one single tune. 

They all vibrate in harmony!--Osho

Child Laughing by cheriejoyful

I would like to introduce: Laughing is Praying

a video production from a chapter of Strike A Chord of Silence

If you are having trouble viewing the video, go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TVswmiZrts




Entire text from Video:

I don’t remember the specific focus of the conversation that my wife, Kathy, 
and I were having, but I know it included something about prayer/communication 
with the Absolute, and something about laughter. We were playing around with 
the words, twisting what had been said, coming up with new variations/perspectives 
that had serendipitously been introduced. And then Kathy exclaimed, “Laughing is praying!” It was one of those things that made perfect, undeniable sense the moment I heard it
—information that the spirit has always known, even if the conscious mind was unaware. Time spent laughing is time spent with the Gods. —Japanese proverb Neither of us had probably ever verbally expressed this insight nor even explicitly 
entertained it consciously—I know I had not. The moment she said it, I went silent, 
taking in the depth of this fortunate little gift of wisdom. A wave of realization ran 
through me and a couple of minutes passed before I was able to continue with the 
conversation. The one who laughs, Lasts! I have always loved that saying, and had not doubt of its truth. Science acknowledges 
that laughter exercises your heart, elevates your mood, suppresses the stress hormones, 
and boosts your immune system. Up to 80 muscles are exercised during a really good laugh. Now considering Kathy’s insight, I realized ever more reason why this little saying 
impressed me as being so true. Humor is the prelude to faith, and laughter is the beginning of prayer. 
—Reinhold Niebuhr Not only is laughter benefiting the body in ways that can be studied by science, but it is 
also bringing body and spirit into communion/alignment with the Absolute, the Tao. It is 
not surprising that time spent in closer communion with Source would rejuvenate us. The greatest prayer you could ever pray, would be to laugh every day… —Ramtha It makes perfect sense that laughter would be one of our surest invitations into audience with the Absolute. In the moment of a sincere laughter, the heart is open, the restrictive mind is lost, and we are completely genuine, naïve as a child. In such laughter, we give 
ourselves over, fully and unreservedly. Laughter is a true expression of earnest gratitude 
for life and the experience of our Self.


Laughter could easily be the greatest prayer. May you laugh heartily and frequently, my dear friends, and feel the union with your 
Source.

** from Strike a Chord of Silence, CG's  book of metaphysical maxims and essays.


Available in Kindle  ($.99 USD) and other eBook formats. International and US print sales, are available at  online bookstores and upon request from your local bookstore.

Blessings and wonder to you and all you hold dear, 

Celebrate What's Right in the World!

CG Walters primarily writes fiction that focuses on the multidimensionality of our loves and our lives.

If you are enjoying the features of CG's blog, get future installments sent directly to your email or reader via RSS feed.

What Would Your Religion Look Like?

It is an incomplete belief system that does not encompass the very concepts of its contradiction.--Strike a Chord of Silence**

Prayer for the Fallen By ~Brenda-Starr~ 

The definition of religion has picked up too much heavy baggage. I prefer the term “belief system.”


Otherwise it is only half a truth, constructed in fear of its own demise.

A belief system should be a nourisher of the believers, else it does not justify the intrusion on the silence. It should give to its adherents not its truth, but provide a sacred environment to realize their own truth.

A belief system is a tool to aid a person in producing a result. A belief system is person, relative to a time and need of the individual. A credible belief system is a living, progressing/changing, like the person it serves. 

Never can the tool be more important than the craftsperson.**

Too often religion is practiced in the absence of these things--a one size fits all attempt. In such improper practice, religion becomes the sarcophagus of a once living truth. In such hands, religion is the rigid remains of what was living and life imbuing, but has a monument to itself and its leaders.

Try not to take excessive offense when confronted with another’s beliefs that you cannot abide. We re are often introduced to our own beliefs by defining their conflicts with something we disagree.**

If you could design a religion, what would it look like?

Truth is but a resting place until the next revelation **

Words do not contain truth, but may reflect the truth that you hold within.
This is my truth. Only you can determine if there is any value in it for you.

C.G. Walters primarily writes fiction that focuses on the multidimensionality of our loves and our lives. His current novel, Sacred Vow is a metaphysical novel about a man who responds to the mysterious call of [his soulmate], opening the way to redefinition of both himself and his understanding of the world around him…Highly recommended. —Midwest Book Review.

Receive new editions of Into the Mist through a reader http://feeds.feedburner.com/IntoTheMist

**From Strike a Chord of Silence, in paperback or as Kindle for $.99 USD --free download of Kindle app allows reading on PC or mobile devices.

Sacred Vow  from your favorite brick and mortar, or online store (Amazon.com ) or purchase Sacred Vow as  the Amazon Kindle version


Celebrate What's Right in the World!
blessings and wonder, my friends...

Filled to the Brim

Meditation comes in infinite forms. The consistent element is an immersion (into the activity/inactivity) beyond thought, where we are in communion with self and Self--

CG Walters

Meditation at the Lake - B2 By h.koppdelaney

I can only be open by emptying out the clutter of distractions that I have periodically collected without noticing. When I am in this state, it seems my attention is scattered over my accumulation of mental/emotional trinkets that have magnetically attached themselves to me. I am unable to find my center. I am as a dancer out of balance, awkward, stumbling, likely to injure myself or others (in body, heart or spirit) if I continue that way.


Not surprisingly, in the times when I am unavailable to truly be open to others, I am also unavailable to be open to my authentic self.


An old story tells of an individual with a very busy mind going to talk with a teacher about Zen. The teacher listened intently and began to make tea as this fellow talked on about his thoughts, concerns, wishes, and imaginings. When the tea was ready, the master began to pour into her visitor's cup. Once the cup was full, she kept on pouring. Eventually, the fellow could watch no more and broke from his soliloquy to say: "Stop, stop! The cup is overfull. No more can go in!"


The teacher responded: "Like this cup, you are full of all manner of yourself. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"


Oddly enough, it seems that most often the things I have so filled my attention with are not even things that I find that interesting—in fact much to the contrary—bills coming due, aggravations of the workday, things that have not gone as I planned, and dreams for the future. Each of these were things I needed to consider, but forgot to “put them down” once I had given them due consideration. Now and again, I am forced to realize the buildup, and do a thorough housecleaning—heart and mind—thinking the job is done—no need to concern myself with that for a while. However, without regular tidying/emptying, the next think I know the cup if full again and I am not taking in what anyone else is saying, not perceptive of the feelings of those around me (or myself).


For me, the best way of emptying my cup is either mediation or a walk in nature. Anything that will allow me to be completely passive will do it, allowing the clouds to come and go, without comment, concern, or contemplation—just a submissive lake beneath them, neither added to nor subtracted from by their reflection.


What helps you stay open?
What practices help you keep an open mind or stay open to the thoughts and feelings of others?




Words do not contain truth, but may reflect the truth that you hold within.
This is my truth. Only you can determine if there is any value in it for you.


C.G. Walters primarily writes fiction that focuses on the multidimensionality of our loves and our lives. His current novel, Sacred Vow is a metaphysical novel about a man who responds to the mysterious call of [his soulmate], opening the way to redefinition of both himself and his understanding of the world around him…Highly recommended. —Midwest Book Review.


Receive new editions of Into the Mist through a reader http://feeds.feedburner.com/IntoTheMist




Purchase a signed paperback copy from http://sacredvow.dragonsbeard.com/ – or buy from your favorite brick and mortar, or online store (Amazon.com ). Purchase Sacred Vow as  Amazon Kindle version