What does it mean to be spiritual? It’s hard to pin down, really. Is it abstract? That would include ideas and emotions. Is it religious? So many people have gone to a lot of trouble to distance themselves from that term, fearing legalism and hypocrisy. Is it the heavenly realm? That would leave out humans, or wouldn’t it? Is it supernatural? Same. Can animals participate in the spiritual? I would guess that would depend on what version of spirituality one subscribes to. Are some spiritual things more real or more true than others? Is there some overlap? There certainly is some overlap in subjects, and, therefore, content. The same terms are used in more than one creed. Are creeds spiritual, or religious? And what about music? Some believe that all music is spiritual. Does it depend on the lyrics? That seems superficial. Does it depend on the subject matter? Or whether it quotes from a holy book? Are all holy books equal? Aren’t religious institutions the keepers of the holy books? That sort of complicates things a bit. More questions than answers, unfortunately. But that is better than assuming one knows all the answers.
Tag: meaning
Why Are We Here?
We’re here to make,
And bake and create.
We’re here to move,
And soothe and groove.
We’re here to love
Everyone.
We’re here to have fun,
To play and run.
We’re here to make
Something out of nothing.
We’re here to create
Meaning.
We’re here to make
A mess.
We’re here to be a mess.
We’re here to be.
The Impossible
Happy go freaky,
Style for a mile.
Ambulance mind,
So fine.
Go fetch your dream,
Get to it!
Place your hands
On the balance beam
Of life expression,
And make your moves.
Chase that vision,
That holy mission,
For you alone.
Never turn back.
No regrets.
Sail on!
Cutie Pea
Distance grows
In the reflection of sunsets,
Deep in the pupils of your eyes.
Around your bright blue irises,
The once clear white
Is streaked with bloodshot,
And the skin on your cheek
Sags with the gravity of age,
And the weight of worries,
Long forgotten,
Though carried still.
What happened
To the happy-go-lucky girl
That I married,
Experimenting and experiencing
Life to the fullest,
Young and fresh and free?
Oh, those were the days:
Going on long walks together,
Holding hands.
Staying up late at night
And into the morning,
Just talking.
Intoxicated with each other.
Yes, that girl is gone,
But in her place is a woman,
Stronger, braver and wiser.
A more confident and courageous
Caretaker and leader,
Someone who takes risks.
Weathered by suffering and loss,
But soft and loving to the end.
A much improved confidante,
A loyal partner,
A treasured friend.
Get Him!
Democrat attorney, swing right.
Woman of color, swing left.
Suspicious, skeptic, descendant of the middle class,
Positive, certain, confident achiever,
Kamala knows what she wants,
And she knows how to get it.
She sees through the lies,
And won’t be distracted or surprised,
Just when you think he couldn’t
Go any lower! Get him!
Meaning and Points of View
There is both meaning and no meaning in things we hear, read, say and do. Sometimes we try to add meaning to things, and sometimes things are meaningful to us, but not to others. Sometimes, things that were once meaningful lose their meaning, and sometimes the meaning is renewed after we experience new things, have new conversations, or read new books.
Meaning is never objective, but is instead always subjective. There are always various points of view for the same opinion, and opinions change with each point of view. There are no facts, no proof, no absolute truths, only opinions and subjective experiences.
Every so-called fact can be called into question and rendered meaningless according to certain points of view. But certain things can seem true or untrue, depending upon one’s point of view. Any bit of so-called evidence used to prove a so-called fact can be called into question according to different points of view. That’s why witnesses are important. But any witness can be discredited by another witness, and any fact can contradict another fact.
In the end, every point of view of every witness is subjective. No matter how many witnesses you have, there is always the potential for contradiction from a new witness. Apparent facts are simply a carefully controlled and constructed point of view of one or more witnesses that agree on the same opinion. Their subjective experiences can always be doubted and questioned based on new evidence or witnesses.
Meaning in Relationships, not Objects
There is no meaning in the word unless it is an extension of a personal relationship and it is about the relationship, not about objects or things. Words about things are empty, and carry little meaning. There is little meaning in the management of objects around us. Moving them, cleaning them, buying them, selling them—it is all empty and meaningless. The meaning comes when we give them away to another person as an extension of caring or love, not as a transaction, or a evening up of favors, but with no expectation for reimbursement, payment or reciprocal kindness. Only as a gift does it gain meaning, and this only because it is an extension of a relationship. The same goes with management of objects. If the movement, cleaning, buying or selling or giving of objects is an extension of a relationship, with no expectation for reciprocity, it gains meaning for the relationship. None else.
Objects Have No Meaning
There is really no meaning in a word. The meaning is in the thing and the word is not the thing. And even things don’t really have meaning. It’s our relationship to the things. Actually meaning cannot be found in relationships to things either, but in personal relationships only. There is only emptiness in things and in relationships to things. It is a bottomless pit of regret and abandonment that never ceases to disappoint. Things disappoint every time.
Getting to Know Her
Do you know the way?
Never shown,
Nothing explained.
Everything is a culture shock.
How to treat a lady.
How to be a gentleman.
The first kiss.
Temptations.
Saving yourself for marriage.
Learning by example,
But only to a point.
Sexuality is normal.
Sex is okay.
Attraction, feelings,
Making conversation.
Treating her with respect.
Getting to know her mind
Before her body.
How to be a man.
Making meaning together.
Stumbling along the sidewalk 