“A picture is worth a thousand words.” The usual understanding of that phrase is that it takes a lot of language to effectively communicate what a single image can convey. I don’t think that is quite the case, however. Words tend to be rather explicit–open to interpretation, yes, but such interpretations fall within a range…
In Zen Buddhism, a “Bodhisatva” is someone who could achieve nirvana and escape the vicissitudes or “real” life (“samsara“), but refuses to do so unless s/he can do the same for all humanity. On the other hand, in Hinayana Buddhism, the “Arhat” recognizes that every individual has a unique destiny and has the responsibility for…
In philosophical terms, the approach in this meme might be called “solipsism” or “monism.” It is also the essence of the branch of Hinduism called “Advaita Vedanta.” Interestingly enough, if you replace the terms “life” and “consciousness” with “field” you get a pretty close approximation of what quantum physics has to say about what we…
There are many things that seem wonderful, even miraculous, but only after the fact. “Genius” may be one of those things. After all, who doesn’t want to be super smart? Or super talented? Or super…well…anything? What people overlook, however, is that terms like “genius” and “extraordinary” and “miraculous” are simply other labels for “abnormal.” Lots…
Many people see the process of “enlightenment” as involving degrees of peace and contentment. That the process can be inherently violent–a ripping away of illusions and even relationships based on those illusions–is probably one of the features that turn people away from considering such spiritual questions. It is relatively easy to look back on, say,…
(Published in the Arizona Daily Star, November 6, 2022) Arthur Yavelberg While I am not a Catholic, I’ve never had a problem with the Trinity. The idea that there is one essence that manifests itself in different forms in different contexts was no challenge to me. The same is true of Krishna in Hinduism, by…
Whenever I see pictures like this, it always reminds me of the Jewish festival of Sukkot–which is presently being observed. It is a holiday that combines a harvest festival typical of many cultures with a commemoration of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt. The booths–“sukkot”–were the temporary huts in which the Israelites dwelled during both. Ritually…
There is a Zen story in which a student approaches his teacher and asks, “Master, what happens after we die?” The Master says, “I don’t know.” The student is taken aback. “What do you mean? Aren’t you a Zen Master.” “Yes, I am.” the master replies, “But I am not a dead one.” I also…
(published in the Arizona Daily Star, 9/25/22) Viktor Frankl posited that a sense of purpose in one’s life is essential not only for happiness, but even psychological survival. That may sound like typical New Age pablum, but given his experiences in the concentration camps of World War II, his “Man’s Search for Meaning” cannot be…
There is a Jewish midrash (legend) to the effect that the Biblical Solomon carried two notes with him everywhere. One said, “For me, the universe was created;” the other, “My end will be dust and ashes.” When he was overwhelmed by all the pressures and crises of the monarchy to the point where he felt…