Is there a correlation between a contented mental state and inner peace? Of course, there must be. Recently, I was reading Dr. William Durant’s book The History of Philosophy. It is a pleasant bed-time read for the layman. He was touching on FredrickNietzsche and his frustrations with life. Out of this tortured mind, however, came a corpus of work that continues to influence epistemology (1) and metaphysics (2) to this day. There are numerous examples in history of the angst-ridden artist dying at an early age of drug, alcohol or sexual abuse. It is, I believe, the standard and accepted metaphor for the gifted mind: brilliance, suffering and, ultimately, death. An article in the Guardian Newspaper entitled Young, Gifted and Likely to Suffer refutes this paradigm. The author, psychologist Dr. Joan Freeman, “explodes this myth.” She has found that talented people are, in fact, similar to ordinary people, but with extraordinary gifts and thus enhanced opportunity. They need not squander this cadeau nor, conversely, ensure that it achieves its ultimate expression.
Continue reading Achieving inner peacePodcast Episode 124: Look for the good in an allegedly negative world and you will find it. Positive events will, of course, happen along with pernicious occurrences. That said: you can frame reality in the way you want. Go for the most powerful and enduring attitude. You know what it is.
The freedom of self-control
It was a distressing epoch. Then, a curious sense of peace came over me. Normally, I would have been quite perplexed for the situation called for a more anxious time. Why did I feel so calm? Recently, it finally “dawned on me” that I could truly be in command of my reality, my world. I had taken control of my body and literally willed it to calm down. I am sure you have been here. This is easy to say, but trying to put into practice.
Continue reading The freedom of self-controlPodcast Episode 123: I must be a crusader of me. If I adopt the model of determination, courage, and resilience, I will overcome the many trials and tribulations in life — or at least fight those demons to a standstill.
Is a purposeful life really possible?
It is easy as an old man to sit back and pontificate about life, work, and freedom. You find yourself very promptly marginalized because the question is succinctly posed: “At almost seventy, what can you possibly know about my life at twenty or twenty-five?” The truth is straightforward: “Nothing!” One of the harshest realizations in life is that you are forced to follow Socrates’ dictum – to paraphrase: “I know that I know nothing!”
Continue reading Is a purposeful life really possible?Podcast Episode 122: Let us appreciate the unique individuals in society. They give our civilization color and meaning.
Failure and forgiveness: Can we truly forgive?
We live in a world that lauds action but seems unwilling to truly accept its consequences. “Action and inaction are both actions” is an unacceptable mantra in the post-Millennial age. (1) Are we prepared to be responsible, accept failure in ourselves and others, and then forgive or ask for forgiveness? “You are the people of God; He loved you and chose you for His own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you.” (2)
Continue reading Failure and forgiveness: Can we truly forgive?Podcast Episode 121: Of all the qualities we possess as human beings, time is the most valuable. It can never be replaced and thus must be spent well.
Miracles: Do you believe in them?
We are, for the most part, suffering beings aren’t we? At grade school and then at gymnasium, we imagine that we are caught in some hellish reality from which there is little perceptual escape: the pre-ordained plan must be pursued – study and tests. An education filled with endless pressure and psychological indignities is followed by even more stress at university. Nonetheless, all of my suffering will be mitigated by my disembarkation at “the port of life”– nirvana awaits.
Continue reading Miracles: Do you believe in them?