Questioning Ethics, Choices, and Enlightenment

“It isn't by getting out of the world that we become enlightened, but by getting into the world…by getting so tuned in that we can ride the waves of our existence and never get tossed because we become the waves.”

-- Ken Kesey

When was the last time you really heard silence?

Years ago, before tinnitus set in. Now, the cicadas seranade me 24/7.

What happens if I’m unsure that I lied? What can I do?

Go back and qualify your statement by explaining you could be wrong. If you aren’t sure of what you’re saying, there’s no penalty for qualifying your opinion. More people should do it, instead of being found to be wrong most of the time.

How does one recover from failure?

Failure is nothing more than an opportunity to learn. Critique why you went wrong, try again until you get it right, learn from your mistake, and move forward with new knowledge. Failure isn’t really failure unless you learn nothing from it.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

-- Winston S. Churchill

What’s the saddest thing you’ve seen someone ask for Christmas?

Hot food (temperature, not spice). I was assisting in feeding the homeless in Olympia, Washington, at the time. I told them this was going to be no problem, as our food was always hot.

What happened to all of our heroes?

They volunteer to fight our wars and come home broken.

Why is "Freedom is doing what one desires regardless of its consequences" and "Freedom is the human capacity to choose his/her actions"?

"Freedom is doing what one desires regardless of its consequences" only if one has no regard for personal safety or the safety of those around them, or if they have no fear of incarceration for breaking laws. "Freedom is the human capacity to choose his/her actions" because putting oneself and others at risk, or doing time in jail, is all about their freedom to make choices and decisions that totally suck. Better they use their brain and consciously choose to do what’s right, for themselves and society.

“Lock up your libraries if you like; but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.”

-- Virginia Woolf

I lost motivation to study and prefer playing online games with my friends. What should I ever do?

Right now it sounds like you’ll never amount to anything but an online game-player with your friends, and continue to waste the oxygen others need to be constructive members of society. If you're so concerned about what you should ever do, you might start by imagining the lack of any meaningful life ahead of you, and develop the motivation you’ve lost. Your life is all about you making choices. You need to make better ones.

How do I make people aware of their own place and role?

One, when did this become your responsibility? And, two, how do you know what their “place and role” should be? You can mentor them to discover what neither of you is aware of, but, in the end, it is their path to discover because only they can walk it.

Author's comment:  Alright, I'm free now and I hope you'll reply. First, you have to understand that it has consequences for me, or I can just ignore it. Their arrogance and stupid ego are a problem. They act stupid, and their action will have consequences for me.  But, they don't know that they're ignorant. For this, I must tell them where their position is and have them stop thier ignorance.

My reply:  A bit more context than what you originally presented. In this case, you seem to have a personal stake in what they’re doing. So, I’d tell them just what you stated here: “Your arrogance and stupid ego is a problem. You act stupid, and that action will have consequences for me. But, you don't know that you are ignorant. For this, I must tell you where your position is, and hope you stop your ignorance.”

If it were going to affect my life, I’d certainly not mince words. Tell them like it is. Damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead, so to speak.

How will you determine a good prospect from a bad prospect?

Research and comparison, and hope the information you study is as “good” as the prospect.

“Every prospect you meet is a change to create magic.”

-- Yuri van der Sluis

 What is your advice for those who struggle during holiday festivities?

Don’t. It is a “holiday” for everyone, even you. If I faced a struggle to get through it, I’d find another way. Better to have fun than to deal with struggles. I’m making a simple, and early, Christmas dinner, then we’re taking my mom out to a local tavern for drinks and some fun, and some more drinks. Better to have a Merry Christmas and remember what it’s really all about than to have a “humbug” holiday that serves no one any good.

In what ways do you plan to focus on your dreams in 2022?

Voting! I’d really like to save the country I fought to preserve for 23 years.

What philosophers were happy people who espoused a joyful thought system?

Check out this link: https: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_happiness

If you find them lacking, I think I espouse a "joyful thought system": "Strive to be happy always and in all things, because the alternative simply sucks."

"The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less"

-- Socrates

Why do I want to be old and wise?

Because it will guarantee you the long life it takes to become so. Although, some would say that wisdom is wasted on the old. Unfortunately, living life is what produces wisdom, for those who are paying attention, that is.

Assuming you follow your childhood dream, what will you have become today? Be sincere?

An archeologist.

In what ways have you ‘spoken to something’ and as a result of that, have seen the positive changes you needed immediately or within a short time? Do you think ‘it’s just coincidence’?

I have spoken to poor supervision or management, I gave my take on how things should be done, and found myself enrolled in management classes… because I was right.

“When you have something to say, silence is a lie - and tyranny feeds on lies.”

-- Jordan B. Peterson

Why do I want to be a great person even though I don't want anyone's attention or praise? I don't want money either, I just want to be great.

Maybe because you’re one of the few “humble” people who strive for greatness. There is nothing wrong with living a humble life while you do good. I assume you want to be great by doing good, right? This means everything you do in your quest must be selfless.

Author's comment:  The greatness I want is not doing good. I want to achieve enlightenment and do what I consider great, become wise. I've had this feeling since I was a kid and honestly I just wanted to know the cause and how to make it go away. I want to be happy with a normal life.

My reply:  It sounds, to me, like you have a "calling" you don’t wish to embrace. I can identify with this. Strive to be happy always and in all things. Enjoy a “normal” life. I’m not so sure achieving “enlightenment” necessarily negates doing any of this. I’m, also, not so sure you can “achieve enlightenment” in one lifetime, which is a thought you might dwell on. Perhaps you should crawl before you walk, this way the door is left open for some fun.

Has anyone ever thought about the fact that we're formed of atoms that are intact together? I mean if it is windy, we'd never shatter like dust particles.

As I understand this, and I understand so very little, molecular bonds will hold unless they’re excited, aka, disrupted, by some means. I’ve read that a powerful electromagnetic wave might do the trick.

Does anyone else think they don’t have a talent or skill?

Definition of “skill” is, “the ability to do something well.” Most people I know are still alive, they survive, so their “life skills” seem to be well-honed. Therefore, if you breathe, think, type, write, ask cogent questions (by the way, it’s “Does” not “Do”), or fart, you have a skill, maybe several. How high you have set your bar, for each, however, is another question.

“I told her once I wasn’t good at anything. She told me survival is a talent.”

-- Susanna Kaysen

 

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with the United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as a chaplain at the regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony:  tolerantpastor@gmail.com