Philosophy
Related: About this forumGood morning philosophy in blue
I get up very early, around 5:30 more or less, and step out on my porch to see how the sky had progressed since the previous morning. Sirius blazes just off the lower eastern corner of Orion before dawn right now. I got in my car and drove over to Village Inn like I usually do on Sunday. I like this ritual breakfast where there are very few people and no elevator music crunching noise into an otherwise simple atmosphere. What few people are there graciously allow me to evesdrop on their waking conversations. Sitting in a booth by an eastern window, dripping a little Tabasco on my eggs, I see the sky transform from night darkness through a spectrum of blues contrasted behind the bright orange of the restaurant sign until the sun breaks over the mountains.
If I were in Manhattan I would follow a similar routine walking to the neighborhood Greek diner feeling the movement and rumble of delivery trucks, the squeaking brakes, the rush of air from the downtown #4 rising through the sidewalk grating. The conversations are loud and fast offering a bonus of personal information to the inquisitive. Red Tabasco drips onto yellow egg yolks as I'd watch the sky transform from night darkness through a spectrum of blues contrasted behind 220 57th Ave until the sun breaks over the city skyline.
We live in a varried and beautiful world that is so much greater than the poisonous political actors we are surrounded with day in and day out. Those who shall remain nameless do not own us or the sky or the blue behind the backdrop of our morning interactions and sounds. I feel a sense of peace knowing that I have moments that are free of the ugly mirage and instead are filled with real life, beauty and the simplicity of just being.
Why am I posting this in philosophy group? Well, one reason may be that when I posted this in GD yesterday it slid to oblivion in about 10 minutes, so I thought I'd recycle a bit. I'm also wondering why people don't have any interest in it. Maybe I'm on the ignore lists of a multitude of DU; it wouldn't surprise me. But I also wonder if the idea of finding moments of grace in the unyielding cynicism that surrounds us just isn't in vogue. Whatever works I guess. I read that cynics live longer than idealists. With that in mind may I live a short life seeking beauty than a hundred years in a cynical purgatoire.
So where's philosophy? Hmm... how about...
To be is. It just is.
D7
Newest Reality
(12,712 posts)I think, therefore I am? I am not thinking. Now what?
As a useful adjunct to all this political information we digest and absorb, I have recommended time well spent studying logical fallacies and cognitive biases. For me, they are like Windex and a squeegee for one's thinking process and I have been brushing up on them again. Repetition is the way to reinforce that until it is second-nature.
It really isn't too complicated and any confusion one experiences is a natural part of the learning process so there is no need to feel bad about initial confusion. It means you are learning something new. So, everybody who has interest in knowledge, intelligence and wisdom can polish their understanding.
https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/
https://yourbias.is/
Also, Crash Course has a basic philosophy playlist that is superb. Each segment averages ten-minutes, give or take. Overall, it is seven-hours of material, but it is put in well-paced, entertaining way with illustrations, etc. Who could come out the other end of those lesson the same?
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8dPuuaLjXtNgK6MZucdYldNkMybYIHKR
c-rational
(2,866 posts)years later recognized that the thinker is not the awareness, the i am who we truly are.
Newest Reality
(12,712 posts)Righto. The Hindus and Buddhists were on it for a long time, as well, most especially in the apotheosis or apex approach of each.
The inquiry is about the knower as you alluded to. The presupposition is: How can I be anything I can know? That begins with Neti Neti, (not this, not that). That is Aydvaita Vedanta or Jnani. The Self as Brahman and the Absolute as Para Brahman. Tat Vam Asi: That Thou Art!
The Buddhist approach is towards the same actuality of realization, but takes a slightly different tack and, IMHO, Dzogchen is one of its apex approaches to that.
Just be!
c-rational
(2,866 posts)One passage in particular comes to mind, "The contemplation of nature can free you of that "me," the great troublemaker."
Also, "We have forgotten what rocks, plants, and animals still know. We have forgotten how to be-to be still, to be ourselves, to be where life is: Here and Now."
Have a great day.
Newest Reality
(12,712 posts)I am very familiar with Tolle.
He is a great introduction to the nature of being and presence by way of awareness.
Thanks!
Be Well!
c-rational
(2,866 posts)appreciation.
Be well also!
Newest Reality
(12,712 posts)Glad to know somebody has read them.
Thanks!
Huin
(92 posts)I have been away from this Website for some time. Latching on to your Post from last October, I am sending you a belated thank you. I am back on the Website because of my concern of what is happening politically in our nation. Why did I migrate back to the Philosophy Group? In the hope of finding answers or suggestions and get a meaningful discussion of what could be but never might be. I shall try the General Discussion Group first but may end up here. There is such a thing as Political Philosophy, or at least there should be.
Though we do live in that wonderful world, we are nevertheless surrounded by what you aptly labeled as "poisonous political actors". Unfortunately, my cause of concern exists because of their existence. I don't live in bustling Manhattan and there are no mountains for rays of sun to climb over each clear, crisp morning. My neighborhood is an average one in a mid-sized city. Since I like to cook, my breakfast includes home-baked bread, either white or rye bread, homemade jam or jelly, pancakes from scratch, or French toast. When our son has a day off from work he joins us. He is a retired Marine and also Republican, at least I think so. Because we don't discuss politics and our world remains beautiful.
My Post shall be on my concerns about impeachment of a president. I shall see how far it gets. Thank you for your story.
defacto7
(13,609 posts)Sorry. I appreciate your thoughts very much. So much has passed since October and December. The world is moving around us in strange ways but I still hold to my routine even though I can't go to the restaurant. But that's fine. I'm learning a lot about being at home with time.
Dworkin
(164 posts)Hi defacto,
I took a little time to read your post and enjoyed it. There is something of the same feeling for me in the empty streets just now, beyond the panicky news cycle. I do value those moments.
D.
PS, Also like the bit about the Tabasco sauce.
defacto7
(13,609 posts)and I still have my Tabasco on my morning eggs.
D7