Category: Philosophy
Zen riddles that I like…
Kõ-an – a paradox anecdote or riddle, used in Zen Buddhism to demonstrate the inadequacy of logic and provoke a more direct perception of reality called enlightenment. Kõ-ans have always exercised an intellectual fascination over those who have come in contact with them. Some have found Kõ-ans profound and intellectually challenging while others have dismissed them as meaningless and absurd. But especially for those … Read More Zen riddles that I like…
Existential Coaching
Another coaching model of interest is Existential Coaching – which, like all coaching paradigms, seeks to facilitate positive change. If (1) the popular sports-based models (T-GROW) focus on increased performance and (2) narrative coaching focuses on crafting a new client story, then (3) Existential Coaching beats a unique path in between. According to Ernesto Spinelli, the purpose of Existential Coaching is to help people … Read More Existential Coaching
Positive or Negative – or too hard to tell?
Each of us is a unique blend of both positive and negative personality traits, both of which help to satisfy our basic wants and needs. Interestingly, we tend to focus not on our strengths but on our weaknesses because, let’s face it, it’s human nature to concentrate on what goes wrong. Although it is our strengths that support growth and prosperity and our … Read More Positive or Negative – or too hard to tell?
Hidden Dangers of The Hero’s (mythological) Journey
This weekend, I was privileged to participate in an academic conference, The Talking Sky, hosted by the University of Wales and The Sophia Centre. The purpose of the conference was to explore the cultural aspects of diverse myths inspired by the heavens. Whilst many important points were made, one surfaced time and time again – i.e. although we are fascinated with the sun (ever-popular … Read More Hidden Dangers of The Hero’s (mythological) Journey
Time for Ms K to consolidate Saturn
Transiting Pluto (19 Capricorn) continues to hammer Ms K’s natal Mars (18 Cancer). Worse, her natal Saturn (14 Capricorn) is involved. It’s through Saturn that Ms K will find the strength and wisdom to get through life and with her strong Saturn (in ruler-ship and plugged into the angles) that should be fairly easy. But even the strongest Saturn will struggle with a transit … Read More Time for Ms K to consolidate Saturn
Gateways of the Soul – The Seven Seals or Planets
Incarnation is a lifetime process during which my soul travels downwards through the chakras from the Sun to Saturn and back up again: Down: Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Up: Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Earth, Venus, Mercury, and Sun. I engage (or not) with this process with every thought, decision, and action that I take. Whilst it is a given that I … Read More Gateways of the Soul – The Seven Seals or Planets
Post Truth = Propaganda
Post truth = the OED word of the year = objective facts less important to forming public opinion than appeals to emotions and personal belief. According to OED, post-truth has come about as the result of ‘truth’ having become devalued – life as we have known it is finished, or is it? Let’s take a closer look at this newly devalued currency of ‘truth’ might … Read More Post Truth = Propaganda
Praying
These days, there seems to be a good deal of praying going on. I have no problem with that – we need people of faith to counterbalance those of too little (or no) faith. However, I’d just like to point out that there are a good many people who could use some help in the here and now – they are to be found in such … Read More Praying
The Decline of Democracy
Like Locke, our forefathers believed that government should respect the rights of its citizens. Unlike Locke, they were not interested in constraining an existing government (i.e. the king) to achieve this.
Death of Democracy spells rise of Fascism
Bottom line – in troubled times, fascism appear more capable of providing basic needs than does democracy.