Finding the humor in the collapse of Western civilization.
PROMPT: Challenges
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Category Archives: Philosophy of Life
PROMPT: Perfect Space
Daily writing prompt
You get to build your perfect space for reading and writing. What’s it like?
Quiet, simple, and in other ways not distracting.
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PROMPT: Favorite Automobile
I may be getting older, but I’m not old enough to concede to an “all-time” anything.
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PROMPT: Most Happy
In moments of recognition of the world’s absurdity that suggest that any response other than amusement or bemusement is purely a waste of mental energy.
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PROMPT: Cities
As many of the ones that aren’t war-torn or underwater as I possibly can.
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PROMPT: Less of
Contemplating the unknowable.
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PROMPT: Positive Events
Daily writing prompt
What positive events have taken place in your life over the past year?
Positive? Negative? Who’s to say? Like the Taoist farmer, I’ll withhold judgement.
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PROMPT: Favorite Place
Every place that I visit, while I am visiting it, is my favorite place.
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PROMPT: Change
I think about this in yogic terms. In the niyama of yoga there are two guiding ideas that – at first – seem contradictory. Santosha is contentment. Tapas is discipline. So, on one hand, Patanjali was suggesting one needs to accept what one is (santosha,) but, on the other hand, he was suggesting that one needs to keep the fire of self-development burning (tapas.) [Note: I realize there are different readings of these two concepts, these are the versions that have resonated with me.]
These two ideas did seem at odds until I realized that they answer different questions. Contentment is the answer to “Am I enough?” Tapas is the answer to “Can I be better?”
Long story short, I see wishes such as the desire to be six inches taller or to be a celebrity as a waste of time and mental energy. However, I see the need to be a healthier and more equanimous version of myself as an ever-present driver.
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PROMPT: Eating Meat
I have no strong feelings. Everything that lives becomes food, so I don’t see a sound moral argument against meat. There is certainly a nutritional argument against eating excessive quantities of meat (which I would grant many meat-eaters do) but this is not an argument for dropping meat altogether. I accept that there is a reasonable environmental argument, but — counterpoint — it’s delicious.
I see no argument at all against choosing to eat vegetarian or vegan, so I certainly wouldn’t try to talk anyone out of their decision to do so. (i.e. The “you can’t get enough protein” argument is bullshit.)
Tiger Riding for Beginners 