In my experience and understanding, such questions as ‘Why are we here?’ ‘What my ultimate purpose in life?” can’t be answered definitively. I don’t need the consoling beliefs offered up by other religions like theism. Such views are always metaphysical (Place your faith in God). I looked into metaphysics and concluded it’s a waste of […]
Buddhism: Jiriki-Tariki – Do you find enlightenment or does it find you?
Big questions occupy our religious musings: ‘what extent does hard work help us find salvation or enlightenment? Is that impossible, out of our hands, or do our efforts make a difference?’ In Japanese Zen, this debate is between Jiriki and Tariki, or Self-power and Other-power. Jiriki Vs Tariki Jiriki (自力, one’s own strength) is the […]
Is Social Anxiety more a habit?
Am I anxious just because I’m made this way or is it because I learned to be this way? (at least in part) Whilst some of us are predisposed towards anxiety (Sensitive types are like Orchids) I can’t help feel that in some way I learned to be anxious. I feel that for many chronic […]
Handshaking Serendipity: One big strategy for life
‘No good sittin’ worryin’ abou’ it,” he said. “What’s comin’ will come, an’ we’ll meet it when it does.’ Hagred, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling So much of our suffering seems to be self-inflicted. When I was younger I learned to retreat from life. I found the world to […]
The Heroes Journey and My Art
I reread the Star Wars X-Wing trilogy recently. Pleased that I found it a compelling as when I first read it. Reading for hours at a time, even late into the night. But the stories are what I note most of all. The feelings of joy, the camaraderie, the connection I felt with the characters. […]
Travelling Light: The value of having just what you need: The Minimalist Outlook
‘You buy furniture. You tell yourself, this is the last sofa I will ever need in my life. Buy the sofa, then for a couple of years, you’re satisfied that no matter what goes wrong, at least you’ve got your sofa issue handled. Then the right set of dishes. Then the perfect bed. The drapes. […]