You're just confused. — Xtrix

He’s not confused, this is just how he plays his game.

Which religion? — Athena

Any one that dangles the “enlightenment” carrot, I suppose.

Enlightenment has everything to do with our liberty and a nation of human excellence capable of liberty and being self-governing. The Spirit of American brandishes the Sword of Justice in the mural of the gods in the US Capitol building. These are more eastern concepts than western Christianity. :zip: — Athena

I would say that the Western concept of enlightenment is quite different from that of the Eastern. The Eastern is based on emptiness, which may possess a liberating quality, however, it still exists within a religious framework and bound to a hierarchical authority system and dogmatism.

Do you still contend that “Denmark and Sweden (among others) are failed states”?

Last week on a shuttle ride to LAX we were talking to a couple of government health agents (CDC? I don’t recall exactly) deployed there and they confirmed this. They said a mask would have to have a perfect seal and of a more effective design than the cloth or paper ones.

Nevertheless, in Honolulu about 20% of all the Asian tourists you see have these masks on, and business in Chinatown is down by about 15-30%. I think that I read that’s the case for all Chinatowns.

... monastic, religious, or spiritual life may involve such a transcendent process. However this may only be one of a number of exalted states/tools practiced/used during a living process/journey. — Punshhh

Such as???

Bone spurs. That’s all you got, eh? — NOS4A2

No, I said just for starters. Here's Trump curtseying like a bitch...



Or how about his 'fire and fury' moment. Look at the body language, the folded arms are a form of 'self-comforting', literally hugging himself. To Trump culties it may look like a tough posture, but to those who can read body language, the anxiety is evident and not at all macho.

Your unrelenting defense of Trump proves this to be false.

Not a strand of chewing gum can connect that premise to your conclusion. — NOS4A2

You defend him as though he’s your cult leader.

Someone who whines about bone spurs, the fake news media, etc etc, doesn’t ring macho to me.

I don’t even want to know what you think is macho. — NOS4A2

For starters, someone who’s willing to fight for their country rather than whine about bone spurs. Someone who is actually self-made and didn’t inherit almost half a billion.

I don’t want a pope, I just want an elected official to do his job. — NOS4A2

Your unrelenting defense of Trump proves this to be false.

They played Macho Man by the Village People when Trump entered the stadium. That doesn’t ring “Billy Graham” to me. — NOS4A2

Someone who whines about bone spurs, being treated unfairly by the fake news media, etc etc, doesn’t ring macho to me.

... on the ground, things are more complex and embedded in the cultures in which they originated and practice in a religious life is key. — Punshhh

On the ground, or anywhere else for that matter, we may derive the benefit (primarily meaning) of religion and/or manipulate ourselves into a state of what is typically referred to as “transcendence.” The experience of transcendence does not require a religious framework. The major benefits of a transcendent experience are that it subdues our sense of self or DMN neurology with the effect of reducing existential anxiety and depatterning the mind.

I believe it’s true that if a person could successfully reduce the activity of an overactive DMN they would generally suffer less because, in addition to the afore mentioned benefits, they wouldn’t worry as much, fret about things, second guess themselves, etc. And again, this does not require a religion. Stoicism, for example, is a non-religious philosophy/practice that may help to subdue an overactive DMN.

They claim that ignorance (of our true nature: emptiness) is the cause. You can’t suffer if there’s no you.
try telling your body that when, for example, you feel the cane of a Zen master on your back.
But more seriously, we are half physical body, a body which should be cared for. So the emptiness would be of the mind, while living a simple modest life with the body. — Punshhh

They claim that everything is empty. The body or mind makes no difference.

I saw the 30 Americans exhibition yesterday. Very powerful, I thought.



In addition to the artist statement, all the works were accompanied by a quote (not specific to the piece) from the artists in enlarged letters. I think it gave a bit of insight into the artist's general drive.

Roger that.

a "sudden realization" that attempting to control is futile so you automatically let go of it. You can't "induce" enlightenment it just happens to you. What I don't get is how that leads to the "end of suffering" that Zen purports to achieve
— khaled

Because they say the origin of all suffering is (inevitably unfulfilled) desires, so giving up trying to control things, giving up desires and just accepting everything, makes you immune to suffering. So they say. — Pfhorrest

They claim that ignorance (of our true nature: emptiness) is the cause. You can’t suffer if there’s no you.

I think a major misconception is that people are somehow unable to feel or find meaning for themselves and that it must be administered by an authority of some kind.
— praxis

There are too many people whose lives clearly lack independent, internal meaning for that to be a major misconception. — Artemis

I’m not sure how to interpret this. You could be talking about religious or non-religious people. Also, meaning, of the sort we’re discussing, is necessarily interdependent or dependent on others and our culture.

The manufacturing industry is still in a recession, which hurts many of Trumps supporters. More broadly though, regulations and government assistance programs can stabilize an economy and lessen the effects of a downturn. That would be good for Trump supporters in the long term.

Those trade deals also cover manufacturing. — NOS4A2

No trade deal can compensate for ever-increasing manufacturing efficiency (automation). That's a Trumpian fantasy that his followers apparently indulge themselves with.

What would be good according to you doesn’t necessarily mesh with the interests of Trump supporters. Increasing regulations and government hand-outs aren’t normally on the menu. — NOS4A2

I read the book Xtrix refers to and besides the potential long term economic costs already mentioned, in the book it discusses other costs of deregulation and 'smaller government' for the kind of people that support Trump. Industrial pollution in red states is not healthy. Diverting tax money away from the public sector and into the hands of industrial giants may sound like a good plan for economic growth, however, the data shows that many industries are attracted to areas with a healthy public sector.

If you're referring to USMCA, Democrats worked for over a year to improve the deal.

I guess they knew a good deal when they saw it. — NOS4A2

I don't know what they thought when they saw it but obviously they felt it needed work and they improved it.

The point of any trade policy isn’t just immediate results, but also long term ones as well. — NOS4A2

The manufacturing industry is still in a recession, which hurts many of Trumps supporters. More broadly though, regulations and government assistance programs can stabilize an economy and lessen the effects of a downturn. That would be good for Trump supporters in the long term.

and also recent deals with Japan, Canada and Mexico which mostly Center around agriculture, things are looking up for farmers. I’d love to hear a Democrat’s policy towards agriculture but I’m not aware of any. — NOS4A2

If you're referring to USMCA, Democrats worked for over a year to improve the deal.

I think a major misconception is that people are somehow unable to feel or find meaning for themselves and that it must be administered by an authority of some kind.

They see the government as more of a problem than a solution, and prefer it stay out of they private affairs rather than meddle in it. — NOS4A2

Things like abortion are kinda private. :grimace:

So it appears someone who cuts regulations, lessens government assistance, and limits government power is exactly in their best interests. — NOS4A2

Speaking of meddling, Trumps trade war hasn't panned out well for American farmers.

A safe place to hear and discuss life and ethics and all that. Otherwise all the messages around us tend to be Coca Cola ads and pop culture. People's brains slowly disintegrate. — Artemis

A common refrain, that atheism leads to nihilism or whatever but how true is this? I don’t believe there’s any evidence that atheists are less moral or ignorant than the religious, in fact the opposite may be the case. Also, the religious are far from immune to rampant consumerism, greed, and manipulation by the rich and powerful.

I hate him because he’s anti-identity-politics and I LOVE identity politics. I can’t get enough identity politics! What would politics even be without identities.

What are your thoughts on this matter? — Wallows

Simply that his 12 Rules for Life must be crap and he’s laughing all the way to the bank (with a little help from the Clonazepam).

Maybe you believe that you’re conducting some sort of social science study? as misguided as that would be.

I’m glad there’s an opposing view from the majority but it would be better if it felt like it was coming from someone who was actually invested and not just going through the tedious motions.

Yeah you guys welcomed all the nevertrump neoconservatives and neoliberals with open arms. Odd bedfellows. — NOS4A2

I didn’t believe you were Russian troll before but given how long you’ve been doing this and your unwavering consistency I can only conclude that you’re either being paid or are batshit cray cray. You don’t seem crazy though. Your responses feel purposeful and strategic.

I can respect anyone who honors their sworn oaths. I could even respect you for honoring whatever contractual agreement you may have made to troll Americans online.

pious sanctimony — NOS4A2

Thanks, that made me laugh. The one conservative senator who appears to have upheld conservative values is a fake and a traitor.

That doesn't sound anything at all like what I'm arguing against. Or what I'm arguing for, for that matter, if you've just confused the direction. — Pfhorrest

The general direction seems to be towards reason and away from faith, yes?

Sapiens have the capacity of reason but I think it would be a stretch to say that we’re a rational species, and in fact our success to date may have hinged on our ability to form collective fictions and faithfully hold to them.

How about “Dogmatic Faith in Reason.”

What you’re witnessing is the self destruction of the Democratscy. — Brett

True. :shade:

It was hysterical — NOS4A2

I thought it was funny too.

Speaking of high emotions, Mitt chooses to honor his oath of impartial justice. It does my heart good.

:rofl:

Funny how when Trump does some like that it's just "Trump being Trump," tearing down the shackles of political correctness or whatever, but when anyone else does it it's a pearl-clutching disgrace!

Is that what they are spinning it as? — NOS4A2

The hivemind characterizes it as a "tantrum."

I also liked watching nervous Nancy get the snub. Quite a sight. — NOS4A2

Nervous? Is that what they call open displays of defiance in the Trump hivemind?

Because the mad axe wielding British bloke ate it?

He doesn’t mention happiness even once. Rather, he mentions heaven, comfort, inheritance, fulfillment, mercy, vision, title, persecution, and reward. I suggest that this all boils down to meaning. There can be pleasure, but there’s no happiness without meaning.

5" x 5" still-life

Interesting. Digital, right? What program?

I've done a bit of digital with photoshop and a pen display.