Andrew Furst's Blog, page 12
October 7, 2018
The Best Articles of September 2018 from Andrew Furst
Here’s a selected list of what people were reading here on andrewfurst.net in September 2018:
Thoughts on Happiness – Collections
Glendale Falls – A Two Minute Meditation
Will Buddhism Become Outdated? – Modern Koans
Senryu: From – Accepted for Publication
August by Mary Oliver – Compass Songs
Religious Tolerance? – Dialectic Two-Step
Can I Learn Buddhist Super Powers? – Dialectic Two-Step
Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes – Compass Songs
Helen Hunt Falls – A Two Minute Meditation
Did Religion Create Evil? – Modern Koans
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If Patreon doesn’t work for you, then drop me a one time contribution at PayPal.me
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October 4, 2018
What if God exists outside of scientific detection? – Modern Koans
Estimated reading time: 2 minute(s)
Question: What if God exists outside of scientific detection?
It’s not a matter of “what if”. That is a fact. the “radar” of scientific detection is our senses and any extensions that we create for them (for example a microscope or a telescope).
As science and philosophy have methodically debunked the various anthropomorphic characterizations of God, the only remaining possible “definitions” of God are those that assert that “God” is not observable.
This is the space in which the mystery lies.
If you enjoyed this post, please like and share.
I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Modern Koans is an ongoing series that recognizes that good questions are often more important than their answers.
The riddles of God are more satisfying than the solutions of man. ― G.K. Chesterton
Dialectic Two Step, Modern Koans, Verse Us, Say What?, and Minute Meditations all copyright Andrew Furst
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Join me for a little peace through reflection, art, video, sound, and poetry
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October 2, 2018
Black & White – Collections
Here is a collection of posts that include black & white photographs.
Baltimore VII – Tiny Drops (Photography)
Art, iPhoneography, Tiny Drops (Photography)
Baltimore IV – Tiny Drops (Photography)
Art, iPhoneography, Tiny Drops (Photography)
Baltimore III – Tiny Drops (Photography)
Art, iPhoneography, Tiny Drops (Photography)
Baltimore II – Tiny Drops (Photography)
Art, iPhoneography, Tiny Drops (Photography)
August Sights – Tiny Drops (Photography)
Art, iPhoneography, Tiny Drops (Photography)
Baltimore I – Tiny Drops (Photography)
Art, iPhoneography, Tiny Drops (Photography)
The Toad – Tiny Drops (Photography)
Art, iPhoneography, Tiny Drops (Photography)
Black & White IX – Tiny Drops (Photography)
Art, iPhoneography, Tiny Drops (Photography)
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September 25, 2018
Helen Hunt Falls – A Two Minute Meditation
Some flowers are withered and some joys have died;
The garden reeks with an East Indian scent
From beds where gillyflowers stand weak and spent;
The white heat pales the skies from side to side;
But in still lakes and rivers, cool, content,
Like starry blooms on a new firmament,
White lilies float and regally abide.
In vain the cruel skies their hot rays shed;
The lily does not feel their brazen glare.
In vain the pallid clouds refuse to share
Their dews, the lily feels no thirst, no dread.
Unharmed she lifts her queenly face and head;
She drinks of living waters and keeps fair.
Helen Hunt Falls, Colorado Springs, CO
The Waterfall Series – A significant part of the minute meditation series are these waterfall videos I’ve been taking for many years now. Most of the falls are in my native New England.
If you’re a waterfall chaser here, I highly recommend the New England Waterfalls Guidebook. It’s the best way to locate, select, and get to the falls.
Click here to see a map of the waterfalls I’ve visited as part of the minute meditation series.
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Minute Meditations is an ongoing series of short videos, poems, and commentary intended as a meditation. Offered as an opportunity to step back from your cyber routine and settle into a more natural rhythm, if only for a minute.
Dialectic Two Step, Modern Koans, Verse Us, Say What?, and Minute Meditations all copyright Andrew Furst
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These videos are produced for those of us who spend an inordinately large amount of time in the cyber-world. They are not a substitute for unplugging from your devices and taking a stroll near trees, water, or a patch of unkempt grass. Getting out into the world – touching, smelling, hearing, and seeing nature is the best way to reconnect with our prime purpose.
What is our prime purpose? We are feeling and sensing machines. We are the universe looking back on itself. We are witness to the wonders and dangers of living in this corner of the cosmos. We are the seekers looking for connection a little further beyond yesterday’s borders and boundaries.
But sitting and staring at the screen robs us of the sustenance that we rely upon for wonder and sanity. These videos are an opportunity to bring the sensations of nature to you, while you’re in the cyber-world. Its an opportunity to relax your gaze, resettle your posture, and regain some depth in your breath. Listen and watch the video and allow your self to open up and recharge.
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September 19, 2018
Where’s Does Hatred Come From? – Dialectic Two-Step
Is hatred purely emotional/psychological, or is it also ‘spiritual’?
Response:
If hatred came from Lithuania, would it make a difference?
How is spiritual different from the emotional or the psychological? You put the word spiritual in quotes. I think this accentuates the ambiguity of the term and muddles the question.
Hatred is something that comes and goes, in and out of our consciousness. It can arise from many different causes and conditions.
It would be ludicrous to try and inventory all the possible sources of hatred as if we would be able to prevent those conditions from arising.
I would suggest a more practical line of questioning. Ask this:
When anger arises how do I respond?Does my response compound the suffering?Does my response incorporate a strategy for decreasing my suffering?
This line of questioning leads to practical opportunities to decrease our suffering. It also acknowledges that we generally can’t control our external circumstances. It focuses on the areas where we may have some amount of control – our internal responses.
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Dialectic Two-Step is an ongoing series of my thoughts on questions that come my way.
Wisdom lies neither in fixity nor in change, but in the dialectic between the two. - Octavio
Dialectic Two Step, Modern Koans, Verse Us, Say What?, and Minute Meditations all copyright Andrew Furst
Subscribe to My NewsletterJoin me for a little peace through reflection, art, video, sound, and poetry
The post Where’s Does Hatred Come From? – Dialectic Two-Step written by Andrew Furst appeared on Andrew Furst.
September 13, 2018
Religious Tolerance? – Dialectic Two-Step
Is the idea of difference with mutual respect better than the idea of religious tolerance?
Response:
I think both ideas, in different contexts, offer something beneficial. Religious tolerance is a bare minimum societal norm that could inform public policy. It is feasible to legislate using this as a standard. For example, companies can be required to avoid hiring practices that discriminate against minority religions.
The idea of mutual respect in the face of differences feels morally superior. But as a platform for enforcing a social contract it is a non-starter. You can’t pass and enforce laws demanding respect. In the US that would be unconstitutional.
It’s the way of the world. This is why Utopian visions in which everyone normalizes on a particular concept are thoroughly impossible. Establishing and stabilizing a concept such as mutual respect is like molding water. Furthermore, blind respect invites disappointment and worse.
Respect is earned and learned; one person at a time. A religion is only as respectable as its least respectable adherent. Individuals are the same. They are as respectable as their least respectable behavior. Both deserve forgiveness, but both deserve a wary eye.
If you enjoyed this post, please like and share.
Dialectic Two-Step is an ongoing series of my thoughts on questions that come my way.
Wisdom lies neither in fixity nor in change, but in the dialectic between the two. - Octavio
Dialectic Two Step, Modern Koans, Verse Us, Say What?, and Minute Meditations all copyright Andrew Furst
Subscribe to My NewsletterJoin me for a little peace through reflection, art, video, sound, and poetry
The post Religious Tolerance? – Dialectic Two-Step written by Andrew Furst appeared on Andrew Furst.
September 9, 2018
Will Buddhism Become Outdated? – Modern Koans
Will Buddhism become outdated?
Response:
Of course, many will point out, the truth of impermanence tells us Buddhism will not last. But I think the question is asking for a different response that looks to the truth of suffering.
What is Buddhism? It’s an identity. What is a Buddhist? Someone who clings to that identity. When an identity is clung to, there is suffering. In this regard Buddhism (the institution) and adherence to it is in direct conflict with the notion of being awake (Bodhi). It is the raft. It is not the beyond, beyond, far beyond.
Emptiness is timeless. There are no dates, in or out.
Buddhism has dates, and they’re pretty old.
If you enjoyed this post, please like and share.
I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Modern Koans is an ongoing series that recognizes that good questions are often more important than their answers.
The riddles of God are more satisfying than the solutions of man. ― G.K. Chesterton
Dialectic Two Step, Modern Koans, Verse Us, Say What?, and Minute Meditations all copyright Andrew Furst
Subscribe to My NewsletterJoin me for a little peace through reflection, art, video, sound, and poetry
The post Will Buddhism Become Outdated? – Modern Koans written by Andrew Furst appeared on Andrew Furst.
September 6, 2018
Senryu: From – Accepted for Publication
My senryu “From” was just accepted by Dime Show Review It appeared on the website today and is a candidate for the print edition. I’ll be sure to announce the print edition when it is released.
To anyone else submitting poetry, persevere. Since Fall 2016, I’ve submissions over 100 poems to 225 publications (545 individual submissions). Of these, 7 poems have been accepted. That’s a 1% acceptance rate (and I feel lucky).
If you enjoyed this post, please like and share.
Verse Us – Poems I write: haiku, senryu, mesostics, free verse, random word constructions, I might even use rhyme or meter once and a while.
Dialectic Two Step, Modern Koans, Verse Us, Say What?, and Minute Meditations all copyright Andrew Furst
Subscribe to My NewsletterJoin me for a little peace through reflection, art, video, sound, and poetry
The post Senryu: From – Accepted for Publication written by Andrew Furst appeared on Andrew Furst.
September 4, 2018
Thoughts on Happiness – Collections
Here is a collection of posts with my thoughts on happiness.
Nathaniel Hawthorne On Happiness – Quotes
Favorites, Quotes
Do We Need a Reason To Be Happy? – Dialectic Two-Step
Dialectic Two-Step, Writings
It Never Lasts? – Say What?
Cartoons, Say What?
Why is Happiness Hard to Define? – Dialectic Two Step
Dialectic Two-Step, Writings
True Mystics
Favorites
Stephen Hawking on Predestination
Favorites
Happiness
Writings
Are Buddhist Happy All The Time? – Say What?
Cartoons
The post Thoughts on Happiness – Collections written by Andrew Furst appeared on Andrew Furst.
September 1, 2018
The Best Articles of August 2018 from Andrew Furst
Here’s a selected list of what people were reading here on andrewfurst.net in August 2018:
August by Mary Oliver – Compass Songs
Did Religion Create Evil? – Modern Koans
Summer 2018 Bits – Tiny Drops (Photography)
Four Winds Exercises – Meditation Techniques
A Collection of Waterfall Posts – Collections
Quote – Nietzsche on Punishment
The Sutra on Totality
Can I Learn Buddhist Super Powers? – Dialectic Two-Step
White Supremacy? – Thoughts on Humans
The Meaning of Namo Amitofo
At Patreon you can make small monthly micro-contributions that help support my work. If Patreon doesn’t work for you, then drop me a one time contribution at PayPal.me
The post The Best Articles of August 2018 from Andrew Furst written by Andrew Furst appeared on Andrew Furst.
