Pan, Zeus, Pallas Athena and Proteus are just some of the famous mythological beings that Francis Bacon interpreted for us in his book of essays called ‘The Wisdom of the Ancients.’ Why would the “father of modern science” be so interested in the myths of ancient times? What light might they be able to shed on his “new learning” that’s applicable even to this day? Manly Hall has an approach to this mystery that you can read right here.
Read MoreA beautiful poem by one of my favorite sufi mystic poets.
Read MoreTo put it simply, humankind is about to enter the floral stage of its evolutionary development, and this is one of the most important posts you’ll ever read on Helping Friendly Corner. Bookmark it, marinate on it, read it again and again. Happy 6/26!
Read MoreIf you find yourself having a mental orgasm when you read today’s post, you’re doing it right.
Read MoreThis anecdote about a Zuni Indian turns out to be a real lightbulb moment for comprehending the Metaphysics of Quality. Continued from previous post.
Read MoreIn any hierarchy of metaphysical classification the most important division is the first one, for this division dominates everything beneath it. If this first division is bad there is no way you can ever build a really good system of classification around it.
Read MoreTeach me the art of small steps. A poem by the author of ‘The Little Prince.’
Read More“And where do you look for this hope that yer seekin'
Where do you look for this lamp that's a-burnin'
Where do you look for this oil well gushin'
Where do you look for this candle that's glowin'
Where do you look for this hope that you know is there
And out there somewhere?”
Today’s post, in honor of everyone who missed their graduation ceremonies, is a stand in commencement speech from one of the wisest guys I know, Tom Robbins himself.
Read MoreThis quote is from the infamous ‘Atlas Shrugged’ by Ayn Rand. Regardless of one’s views on Ayn Rand or capitalism, which I hear this book had a big influence on, this metaphor for the institution of America as The Great Oak Tree always stuck with me. Big and mighty on the outside, revealed by a bolt of lightening to be an already dead hollow shell, rotten on the inside. Whoa. It resonated with me years ago when I first read it, it resonates even more today. Feels like it’s time to speak about it.
Read MorePirsig pointed out to us that the separation between subject and object is an illusion that obscures our perception of everything else. This next selection is from Helping Friendly Book #19 ‘The Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are’ by Alan Watts (#hfb19). If we’re going to try and use philosophy to revamp the mosaic of basic assumptions we make about reality, the place to start is with our “I-ness”, our sense of self. It’s the only place to start, really.
Read MoreThat’s a lot to digest in the past couple days, so here’s just a great quote from Joseph Campbell about why we wonder. Take a breather, inspire yourself.
Read MoreThese next few selections are from Robert Pirsig’s follow up to Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance called Lila that came about about 15 years later. It took me a while to read this second book but when I did, I wish I’d read it earlier. We’re still laying down the foundation for our pyramid of philosophy, and these are some crucial limestone blocks. Into the Mystics we go.
Read MoreThe Metaphysics of Quality is starting to take shape I hope.
Read MoreThis is Super Dank High-Grade Knowledge Extract. Read this more than once.
Read MoreWhere do hypotheses comes from? Think about it. Really think about it. What part of the scientific method tells you were to look for new hypotheses to test? This may seem like a minor oversight, but it isn’t. It’s actually a glaring blind spot, a vast chasm in the mountain of rationality itself. This is Part 1 of 3, and if you figure this out, you’ll never run out of new hypotheses again.
Read MoreTomorrow, we’re getting back on the motorcycle. Prepare yourself.
Read MoreJust realized I forgot to post this yesterday. Happy belated Mother’s Day! Grateful for you.
If we're ever going to get the world back on a natural footing, back in tune with natural rhythms, if we're going to nurture the Earth and protect it and have fun with it and learn from it - which is what mothers do with their children - then we've got to put technology (an aggressive masculine system) in its proper place, which is that of a tool to be used sparingly, joyfully, gently and only in the fullest cooperation with nature. Nature must govern technology, not the other way around.
- Tom Robbins, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues
