Category: Philosophy & Musings

I’m a sucker for happy endings.  I’ll write the darkest stuff I think my audience will accept into the middle of my story, all so I can elicit a mile-wide grin out of them at the conclusion.

Writing for others is a lot like fishing.  You cast your lures—the opening line, the cover, the synopsis, and everything in between—before your reader’s attention, drawing them into the same wondrous vision you had all those months (years?) ago, the one that inspired you to set pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). When you…

Every [philosophy/aphorism/religion/teaching/etc] seems to function as a causal map—an attempt to chart a pattern of consequence that steers me towards fulfillment and cautions me against undesirable pitfalls. Ironically, all the worthwhile ones seem to be saying the exact same thing:  it’s fine to use them as guides (especially in the beginning) but in the end,…

As we have finite time, it behooves us to be careful about which endeavors we choose to pursue.  This requires a clear understanding of one’s proclivities and limitations, and how our personal inclinations manifest into desires. So one of the most useful practices we could ever engage in is to turn our awareness inward, and…

At a certain point, if someone doesn’t break away from their [the guru/holy book/tradition/etc.] and find their own way, then the best turn of events would be to become bitterly disappointed with what they’ve chosen to venerate, because that would be the only way to move beyond fawning adoration toward actual transcendence.

Despite the frustration, the start-and-stop hitches of any endeavor in its initial stages are incredibly valuable. Those fitful experiences are real-life lessons in how to execute faster, more efficiently, and with greater skill.

If there is an all-powerful, all-knowing force that comprises all of existence, I don’t believe we reach It through deep meditation or a powerful “trip.”  We don’t need to—It’s always there and we can’t help but be It, and we certainly can’t escape It.  If It exists, I believe It’s indulging in a fantasy where It’s…

In my opinion, the right amount of worry is determined by a cost-benefit offset (whether the worry is made worth it by a probable outcome) in regards to a desired result.  Because in the objective sense, worry is useless; we’ll all pass away, meaning the only relevant question is:  “How do I maximize fulfillment in…

Striving to do my best and adjusting my strategy to be as effective as possible is more than just practical; I’d go so far as to say it’s spiritual.  In striving to do my best, I—by necessity—reduce egoic considerations of self.  In seeking to adopt the most effective strategy, I sharpen my perception of myself…

I suspect that the deepest function of tribe and custom is to pull each member of the group forward into ever-increasing levels of capability, so that when their moment of truth arrives, they can either lead the collective through a time of darkness, or break completely away from a ritual-bound mob. If one can deal…