legacy

I'm troubled, more than a bit, by both what I recently read in "The Long Road" by Philip Caputo, and by the thoughts that flooded my mind as a result of what I read; a portion of his book focused upon life as a Lakota in the Pine Creek Reservation in South Dakota. A major portion of that segment in the book had to do with the rate of alcoholism within the indigenous American population. Caputo made a comment about the intense efforts of indigenous Americans to restore their way...the Lakota way...the Apache way, etc. These folks will always desire to have their legacy be one of fierce bravery, communion with Nature, led by the Great Spirit, physical skills that support weathering the life within nature. And then there is alcoholism, with the percentage of alcoholics highest in no other race of man than in indigenous Americans. Seems to me that the legacy of connection with that which was strongest, but outside of their selves, leaves a short leap to relying upon ETOH to create a way of life. Once known as brave warriors, now known as formidable alcoholics. None of us is removed from the loss of who we really are when we connect with greater powers.

are you sure about that

Elkhart Tolle claims that life will give you whatever experience that is most helpful for the evolution of your consciousness. First of all, is that a statement from his own consciousness, is his consciousness that of bestowing sufficient for the consciousness of others, what experience in life helped him evolve that particular truth, and how does he know any of that. I like the line from a professor I once had: "50% of what will teach is the truth...I'm not sure I know which 50%". Is one's consciousness a set thing, is my present consciousness sufficient for my experience of remembering the past, knowing the present, and wondering about the future? Also, what about the fact I can only fully attend to bits of my experience, while the rest is experienced in bits and pieces? Is my experience of guilt essential to me evolved consciousness? What about what I remover from last night's dream. Will drugs impact my experience or is there a fuller aspect of my true consciousness? Are these questions essential to my consciousness?

made me laugh

I was recently invited to connect to someone via LinkedIn. To say there is tension with this person is only the shallow end of the proverbial pool. This person rarely shares a greeting. There is clearly professional angst and division present. And what is the intention behind a request to connect via LinkedIn?

nature, naturally

I came across a blog-type post that referenced an awe for Summer, when, and I paraphrase, life is peaking, at its fullest. Got me thinking...this belief of peak life experience. Nature is certainly in full bloom during Summer. I reckon a case could be made that this is life to the fullest. Then, I remember a comment I once read..."even dead people communicate; if nothing else, that they are dead". That got me thinking about when life is at the peak experience. Is it only during summer, when in full bloom? How about in early Spring, when the worn and grey of winter is shedding and new vegetation erupts? How about Fall, when in preparation for dormancy? What about Winter, what with all the promise of the coming spring? Life it at the peak experience at any moment. Life is not only about external flourishes. Life is about cycles, each feeding the next, the old bringing in the new, transitioning through any time.