The mind so restless, emotions upset
A mind in a dance, longing for rest
Peace and fulfillment its quest to reflect
We are dust of the earth, a new space to create
The truth for her is to be patient and kind
Wounds of a mind need compassion and time
A mind needs some rest, a refreshed spirit will find
We are dust of the earth, a new space to create
A mind is as different as is each conscious state
It emotions respond, a truth to relate
It's free to respond when we decide it's that time
We are dust of the earth, a new space to create
Sometimes it falters and it's not what we see
The spirit is present, the worlds our identity
A hurtful exchange, unintended tragedy
We are dust of the earth, a new space to create
Behold the thunder, lightning, re birth
The birth of a thought, imprisoned so far
The act of forgiveness, the heavens will sing
We are dust of past earth, new space now created.
Monday, June 13
Sunday, June 12
All in the Mind
Neuroscientist Professor V D Ramachandran is Director of the Centre for Brain and Cognition at the University of California, San Diego. And he was in Australia for the Alfred Deakin Innovation Lectures in Melbourne recently.
His adventurous book Phantoms in the Brain should be by your bed if you haven't read it. And out recently is also A Brief Tour of Human Consciousness. Ramachandran is celebrated as one of the most creative communicators about the brain and its discontents. And more recently he has turned his attention to the question: What is Art? Have artists been surreptitiously co opted by a brain that's evolved over millennia? For his explorations Richard Dawkins has described Ramachandran's or Rama as he's known, as a latter day Marco Polo, journeying the silk road of science to strange and exotic Cathays of the minds. So is what does it feel like doing brain research at the turn of the 21st Century ?
You can read this fascinating full radio interview by clicking on the icon or link at the end of this posting. Ramachandran suggests there may be some common biological or neurological bases to all aesthetic experience but that's half the fun he tells us. He calls art, by the way, a visual foreplay before the climax of recognition he thinks aesthetic experiences are about generating as many aha's moments as he calls them in the brain as possible. Just as intellectual problem solving is pleasurable long before you solve it, otherwise there wouldn't be scientists, as there's miles and miles of frustration before you hit the jackpot. So what keeps us going is there are many ah's all along the way and he thinks that's equally true in visual problem solving and visual art.
His adventurous book Phantoms in the Brain should be by your bed if you haven't read it. And out recently is also A Brief Tour of Human Consciousness. Ramachandran is celebrated as one of the most creative communicators about the brain and its discontents. And more recently he has turned his attention to the question: What is Art? Have artists been surreptitiously co opted by a brain that's evolved over millennia? For his explorations Richard Dawkins has described Ramachandran's or Rama as he's known, as a latter day Marco Polo, journeying the silk road of science to strange and exotic Cathays of the minds. So is what does it feel like doing brain research at the turn of the 21st Century ?
You can read this fascinating full radio interview by clicking on the icon or link at the end of this posting. Ramachandran suggests there may be some common biological or neurological bases to all aesthetic experience but that's half the fun he tells us. He calls art, by the way, a visual foreplay before the climax of recognition he thinks aesthetic experiences are about generating as many aha's moments as he calls them in the brain as possible. Just as intellectual problem solving is pleasurable long before you solve it, otherwise there wouldn't be scientists, as there's miles and miles of frustration before you hit the jackpot. So what keeps us going is there are many ah's all along the way and he thinks that's equally true in visual problem solving and visual art.
Sunday, June 5
Fundamentalism's Creationists literal interpretation of the Bible
I am indebted to John at Johns Justice for his contribution priot to this posting.
Imagine you are attending a lecture and you are asked to consider writing an essay on “What is Time ” Chances are you would hand in a blank piece of paper, as we can't say what time is, only that we can measure it.
Although it is understood that time is bent by gravity and matter, it’s convenient for the purpose of our current state, to assume time always moves forward. It doesn’t, but its okay for us to think that way as the differences are so infinitesimally small so we assume that if we wish to go from point A to B. And from a biological point of view its ok to assume decay begins at birth and continues on, moving forward in time until death. Hence biology tells us from birth, we will decay until death.
So we use all the tools at our disposal to understand from whence we came and the age of the universe. Why do we do this? Its part of our creation, to be curious, it gives a richer sense of the majestic nature of creation. To deny this, our curiosity, our ability to think, to discover, to change our minds, to find new truth is to deny our creation.
Why would we go to the Bible, with its poetic imagery of a transcendent god, to calculate the beginning of time? The purpose of the Bible, in speaking of time was to indicate the genealogy of Christ, back to the Jewish people which forms part of a Christian or more particularly Catholic view. The Jewish purpose of the 'Bible', as many commentators have explained after cold analysis, is one of land, property and heritage to maintain or get property.
The view whether as a transcendent image, or one to give authenticity to land is a poetic message from the ONE of whom time is present past and future. One that transcends time. As a prophet or as a disciple, the word was to illustrate in imagery a transcendent god, rather than to present a precise time for creation.
It’s sensible for us on our current state to make use of measurements that allow to us make sense of where we are, and where we wish to go. As we can measure the age of the universe and come up with the fact that it’s about 20 billion years old, give or take a few billion years. I don’t intend to go into the theory supporting this conclusion as creationists dismiss radioactive dating, atomic theory, and fusion.
They believe the light that we now see was created literally in just 7 days.
That’s what we see from many stars that have long since disappeared several billion years ago prior to the time it has taken for their light to finally reach us. And that's what we can see, not singularities (black holes) that represents the largest portion of all, perhaps 90% of all matter.
Time has no meaning to my philosophy, my belief in a transcendent God, the alpha and the Omega, the ONE who has no boundaries, to which time is now, the past, present and future. So it seems to me to insist on negating some of these Darwinian theories, is to teach something that was not intended by our faith.
I would like to quote from an article in the tablet on the 30 April 2005 by Richard Major and entitles ‘The Bibles battleground’
He talks about the implications for American Children if “creationism' prevails, as it may well. Views labeled creationist stretch on a spectrum from, the left,“evolutionary Creationists’ whom are really just ‘theistic evolutionist’ within the letter of humani Generis; to hard-line geocentrists, who deny Copernicus a well as Mendel: and beyond them literal believers in the Bible. But the great bulk of Creationists are either Old Earthier or New Earthier. Old Earthier admit that the universe is old enough for evolution to have occurred, but maintain on biblical grounds that in fact God created each species separately, long long ago. The traditional date, calculated from Old Testament genealogies by Ussher, the Jacobean archbishop, was 22 October 4004 BC, New earthier insist the date is about right.
It seems to me such arguments miss the point entirely, and their insistence is providing a lopsided view of creation, triumphed now in many states in America. An alarming development, against free thinking. It’s not as if a balanced view is allowed, to encourage debate, rather to outlaw scientific theories altogether.
I see a leaning towards fundamentalism sweeping the world within the Christian religions whose collective thoughts turn inward to an insistence there is only one truth. That is to literally interpret the Bible in a way that was never intended by its authors.
Imagine you are attending a lecture and you are asked to consider writing an essay on “What is Time ” Chances are you would hand in a blank piece of paper, as we can't say what time is, only that we can measure it.
Although it is understood that time is bent by gravity and matter, it’s convenient for the purpose of our current state, to assume time always moves forward. It doesn’t, but its okay for us to think that way as the differences are so infinitesimally small so we assume that if we wish to go from point A to B. And from a biological point of view its ok to assume decay begins at birth and continues on, moving forward in time until death. Hence biology tells us from birth, we will decay until death.
So we use all the tools at our disposal to understand from whence we came and the age of the universe. Why do we do this? Its part of our creation, to be curious, it gives a richer sense of the majestic nature of creation. To deny this, our curiosity, our ability to think, to discover, to change our minds, to find new truth is to deny our creation.
Why would we go to the Bible, with its poetic imagery of a transcendent god, to calculate the beginning of time? The purpose of the Bible, in speaking of time was to indicate the genealogy of Christ, back to the Jewish people which forms part of a Christian or more particularly Catholic view. The Jewish purpose of the 'Bible', as many commentators have explained after cold analysis, is one of land, property and heritage to maintain or get property.
The view whether as a transcendent image, or one to give authenticity to land is a poetic message from the ONE of whom time is present past and future. One that transcends time. As a prophet or as a disciple, the word was to illustrate in imagery a transcendent god, rather than to present a precise time for creation.
It’s sensible for us on our current state to make use of measurements that allow to us make sense of where we are, and where we wish to go. As we can measure the age of the universe and come up with the fact that it’s about 20 billion years old, give or take a few billion years. I don’t intend to go into the theory supporting this conclusion as creationists dismiss radioactive dating, atomic theory, and fusion.
They believe the light that we now see was created literally in just 7 days.
That’s what we see from many stars that have long since disappeared several billion years ago prior to the time it has taken for their light to finally reach us. And that's what we can see, not singularities (black holes) that represents the largest portion of all, perhaps 90% of all matter.
Time has no meaning to my philosophy, my belief in a transcendent God, the alpha and the Omega, the ONE who has no boundaries, to which time is now, the past, present and future. So it seems to me to insist on negating some of these Darwinian theories, is to teach something that was not intended by our faith.
I would like to quote from an article in the tablet on the 30 April 2005 by Richard Major and entitles ‘The Bibles battleground’
He talks about the implications for American Children if “creationism' prevails, as it may well. Views labeled creationist stretch on a spectrum from, the left,“evolutionary Creationists’ whom are really just ‘theistic evolutionist’ within the letter of humani Generis; to hard-line geocentrists, who deny Copernicus a well as Mendel: and beyond them literal believers in the Bible. But the great bulk of Creationists are either Old Earthier or New Earthier. Old Earthier admit that the universe is old enough for evolution to have occurred, but maintain on biblical grounds that in fact God created each species separately, long long ago. The traditional date, calculated from Old Testament genealogies by Ussher, the Jacobean archbishop, was 22 October 4004 BC, New earthier insist the date is about right.
It seems to me such arguments miss the point entirely, and their insistence is providing a lopsided view of creation, triumphed now in many states in America. An alarming development, against free thinking. It’s not as if a balanced view is allowed, to encourage debate, rather to outlaw scientific theories altogether.
I see a leaning towards fundamentalism sweeping the world within the Christian religions whose collective thoughts turn inward to an insistence there is only one truth. That is to literally interpret the Bible in a way that was never intended by its authors.
Friday, June 3
Malawi
Malawi News -click on the icon
You may be interested in the latest photos I have received from Malawi that are now included on the Malawi site. The Malawi Support Group have been asked to support the building of a community hall. In Malawi such a hall would be used very extensively by the local community for literacy classes, craft and tailoring workshops and as a general meeting place. The 13 Basic Christian Community Centres (BCCC's) have taken responsibility for themselves, and, after lengthy negotiation, purchased the block of land for the above project. But they will need our help to complete this project. Fr Patrick, the resident parish priest informed us in a recent e mails of the lengthy time taken to complete projects which has been frustrating in some respects. He is returning to Ireland in June for a break.
We were also pleased to re establish contact with Sr. Mary who has been back in the St Kizito parish since June 2003, returning from Ireland just after her Dad died in May 2003 after a long struggle with illness.
She works with the women in Mtsiriza and villages in Kasiyafumbi, all part of St Kizito's parish. But some weeks ago she also started assisting a group of widows from 3 other parishes in child care, bereavement counseling and some craft skills
Recently Fr Patrick and Sir Mary Doonhan sent many splendid photographs that are all now posted on the Malawi website.
Tuesday, May 10
Drive Home-Melbourne to Eltham
From a Burke Street window, I look far below
City of silent traffic, I watch it alone
Its journey before me, I must follow its flow
Time to drive off and head for my home
Rush to the lifts, just time for a chit chat
Alight on the ground floor, that’s only the start
I wait for second lift, special key for car park
The lifts to the car park, arrive there at last
A city pulsating, its lights and its clatter
A city so busy, its rush hour traffic
A city for me, it’s simply mind over matter
A city of energy, skyscrapers, and panic
Switch on the engine, drive down narrow lane
Give way to pedestrians, trams and red lights
Traffic inches forward, hard to stay sane
The bicycle passes, this time he is right
The traffic snarls angry, tempers to hide
I need some soft music, it has to be bright
Thank to the music, emotions subside
It calms and restores me, a simple delight
A city pulsating, its lights and its clatter
A city so busy, its rush hour traffic
A city for me, it’s simply mind over matter
A city of energy, skyscrapers, and panic
I tear through the city it lights all ablaze
The whine of the engine, the din and faint haze
I make a fast move, to clear from the pack
Away from congestion there’s no turning back
At last I am home, the home fires burning
I drive in the driveway; it’s so quiet and still
Hello to my wife, then off to my yearning
Off to my writing, my thoughts to relate
A city pulsating, its lights and its clatter
But now in my nest, my mind it at rest
Its light energy, a reflection for me
It’s simply the best, for my poetry
City of silent traffic, I watch it alone
Its journey before me, I must follow its flow
Time to drive off and head for my home
Rush to the lifts, just time for a chit chat
Alight on the ground floor, that’s only the start
I wait for second lift, special key for car park
The lifts to the car park, arrive there at last
A city pulsating, its lights and its clatter
A city so busy, its rush hour traffic
A city for me, it’s simply mind over matter
A city of energy, skyscrapers, and panic
Switch on the engine, drive down narrow lane
Give way to pedestrians, trams and red lights
Traffic inches forward, hard to stay sane
The bicycle passes, this time he is right
The traffic snarls angry, tempers to hide
I need some soft music, it has to be bright
Thank to the music, emotions subside
It calms and restores me, a simple delight
A city pulsating, its lights and its clatter
A city so busy, its rush hour traffic
A city for me, it’s simply mind over matter
A city of energy, skyscrapers, and panic
I tear through the city it lights all ablaze
The whine of the engine, the din and faint haze
I make a fast move, to clear from the pack
Away from congestion there’s no turning back
At last I am home, the home fires burning
I drive in the driveway; it’s so quiet and still
Hello to my wife, then off to my yearning
Off to my writing, my thoughts to relate
A city pulsating, its lights and its clatter
But now in my nest, my mind it at rest
Its light energy, a reflection for me
It’s simply the best, for my poetry
Sunday, May 8
Your the Best -'A Mother'
My youngest daughter wrote these lyrics for her musical composition, which she played on her guitar and sang to her Mother on Mothers Day as her gift to her. It's an example of her philosophy. One presented in a jovial way, that is, less is more. In this instance her gift cost her nothing, but her precious time, a priceless eternal gift to her mother, a Mother whose the best Mother, and oh yes and is simply the best, as she's also my wife.
You're the Best
Thank you for taking me everywhere
For always being there for everything
Thank you for all the warm hugs
For the endless love and encouragement
Thank you for all the small things
Like movies, coffee and cake
Even cans of braised steak
Thank you for always saying yes
To buying me a new dress
Or a new pair of shoes
You're the best
You're so selfless
So much more than many other mums
You're the best
You're ten out of ten
On the scale of selfless devotion
Thank you for singing to me
When I was in the womb
Thank you for my pretty yellow room
Thank you for the idiosyncrasies
Oh how they have taught me
The science of heredity
Thankyou for the words of wisdom when I was sad
For not telling dad, how much my shoes cost
Thankyou for teaching me right and wrong
Thankyou for being strong
When I was awful to you
You're the best
You're so selfless
So much more than many other mums
You're the best
You're ten out of ten
On the scale of selfless devotion
Well I would be singing all day to mention the rest
So in summary I repeat youre the best
I think you should pat yourself on the back
For all that your've achieved
For passing on your genes
Especially the musical one
Of course of those there are tunes
Clearly evident in this piece !! (ha ha)
You're the best
You're so selfless
So much more than many other mums
You're the best
You're ten out of ten
On the scale of selfless devotion
You're the Best
Thank you for taking me everywhere
For always being there for everything
Thank you for all the warm hugs
For the endless love and encouragement
Thank you for all the small things
Like movies, coffee and cake
Even cans of braised steak
Thank you for always saying yes
To buying me a new dress
Or a new pair of shoes
You're the best
You're so selfless
So much more than many other mums
You're the best
You're ten out of ten
On the scale of selfless devotion
Thank you for singing to me
When I was in the womb
Thank you for my pretty yellow room
Thank you for the idiosyncrasies
Oh how they have taught me
The science of heredity
Thankyou for the words of wisdom when I was sad
For not telling dad, how much my shoes cost
Thankyou for teaching me right and wrong
Thankyou for being strong
When I was awful to you
You're the best
You're so selfless
So much more than many other mums
You're the best
You're ten out of ten
On the scale of selfless devotion
Well I would be singing all day to mention the rest
So in summary I repeat youre the best
I think you should pat yourself on the back
For all that your've achieved
For passing on your genes
Especially the musical one
Of course of those there are tunes
Clearly evident in this piece !! (ha ha)
You're the best
You're so selfless
So much more than many other mums
You're the best
You're ten out of ten
On the scale of selfless devotion
Sunday, May 1
Symphony of Creation
My daughter asked me to write lyrics for her intended musical composition, based on my previous "Immortal Quantum Faith" posting.
Symphony of Creation.
Form, of mystery, light spread out from sing-ul-ar-ity
A form, continues, with each breath, symbol of my life as yet
So, let me know no more, that I may know the splendor
Of the light filled, ONE agenda
Form of ONE, itself to know
Form of two, a desire of ONE
Form of memory, the ONE it knows
The ONE true Light of Love
Form, is it but our own reflection, illusions of our expectation
Hidden in the time of present, lonely in its own pure presence
Continued on, deep within us, calling forth, our own surrender
Of the light filled, ONE agenda.
Form of ONE, itself to know
Form of two, a desire of ONE
Form of memory, the ONE it knows
The ONE true Light of Love
Form of worm hole travel backwards, space time changes state
The conscious mind now existing, listens always, emotions birth
Thoughts will now last forever, guided by a spirits a light
To the light filled ONE agenda.
Form of ONE, itself to know
Form of two, a desire of ONE
Form of memory, the ONE it knows
The ONE true Light of Love
Symphony of Creation.
Form, of mystery, light spread out from sing-ul-ar-ity
A form, continues, with each breath, symbol of my life as yet
So, let me know no more, that I may know the splendor
Of the light filled, ONE agenda
Form of ONE, itself to know
Form of two, a desire of ONE
Form of memory, the ONE it knows
The ONE true Light of Love
Form, is it but our own reflection, illusions of our expectation
Hidden in the time of present, lonely in its own pure presence
Continued on, deep within us, calling forth, our own surrender
Of the light filled, ONE agenda.
Form of ONE, itself to know
Form of two, a desire of ONE
Form of memory, the ONE it knows
The ONE true Light of Love
Form of worm hole travel backwards, space time changes state
The conscious mind now existing, listens always, emotions birth
Thoughts will now last forever, guided by a spirits a light
To the light filled ONE agenda.
Form of ONE, itself to know
Form of two, a desire of ONE
Form of memory, the ONE it knows
The ONE true Light of Love
Sunday, April 24
A Children's Story about Malawi
I am indebted to Trish Taylor, from the Malawi Support Group, whose editing helped to make it a suitable story for the schoolchildren of Eltham.
A Children's Story about Malawi
Rainbow Worm was once deep in the earth; a special Worm, longing for freedom, different to all of the other worms digging in the soil. Rainbow Worm was storing up great energy and courage to emerge from his darkness, into the light outside. When he emerged, the sun was bright, and burned colours into his delicate skin, but he was strong and courageous and endured his discomfort for it was not to last for long. Soon came the soothing rain. It increased his strength; giving forth such great energy it caused an almighty wind to sweep Rainbow Worm up into the sky.
We recognise this today as the rainbow!.
Rainbow Worm wanted to help. He viewed the Earth from his wondrous sky place and saw a very poor but hardworking community in the African country of Malawi. He decided that this is where he could help. He realised it was one of the poorest countries on the planet, but he also saw that the people had generous and warm hearts. This is why Malawi is known as the “Warm Heart of Africa”. "How can I help?”thought Rainbow Worm. From his wondrous place in the sky he noticed a group of school children in Eltham on the vast continent of Australia. He decided to take them on a journey to Malawi. All he needed to do was to tap on the classroom window and they found themselves crossing the wide oceans from Australia to Africa on the back of Rainbow Worm.
On landing they spotted a group of people cooking up a great feast. They learned that it was a feast where all are welcomed; a feast to remember and celebrate the lives of St Kizito, a thirteen-year-old- boy, and his friends, who died because they dared to believe in the Christian God. They were welcomed into the celebration. There in the midst of the people was an old woman, her face wrinkled, but compassionate, her body bent, her character straight and true, her person small but mighty in spirit. She stood surrounded in a golden aura.
"I am your dear "Sister of Compassion ". I have been here for 25 years now so it is my home. I came here to work with these people, especially those who are suffering so much with the AIDS virus. Before I came I worked in the capital city, Lilongwe, in the hospitals as a medical missionary. But I was asked to come here to help for the suffering is great. Many things need to be done. We need help for special classes to teach families to be healthy and to improve their diets. We need help to develop language skills and to encourage sporting activities. I am trying to organise concerts around the world to raise money to help these people.”Rainbow Worm and the children listened to their dear Sister of Compassion.
It was time to leave. Sadly there was no time to stay and enjoy the feast. “Never mind," said Rainbow Worm, “We have much to keep in our minds and hearts, much to pray about". It was late so their thoughts returned to home where morning was breaking. They told the amazing story to their parents. Many people in Eltham came to hear about the story. Some formed a group that came to be called the "Malawi Support Group." This group worked hard to raise funds for Malawi and the good people of Our Lady Help of Christians in Eltham continue to do this to this very day. An act of love for the people of Malawi from the people of Eltham on that great Australian continent.
A Children's Story about Malawi
Rainbow Worm was once deep in the earth; a special Worm, longing for freedom, different to all of the other worms digging in the soil. Rainbow Worm was storing up great energy and courage to emerge from his darkness, into the light outside. When he emerged, the sun was bright, and burned colours into his delicate skin, but he was strong and courageous and endured his discomfort for it was not to last for long. Soon came the soothing rain. It increased his strength; giving forth such great energy it caused an almighty wind to sweep Rainbow Worm up into the sky.
We recognise this today as the rainbow!.
Rainbow Worm wanted to help. He viewed the Earth from his wondrous sky place and saw a very poor but hardworking community in the African country of Malawi. He decided that this is where he could help. He realised it was one of the poorest countries on the planet, but he also saw that the people had generous and warm hearts. This is why Malawi is known as the “Warm Heart of Africa”. "How can I help?”thought Rainbow Worm. From his wondrous place in the sky he noticed a group of school children in Eltham on the vast continent of Australia. He decided to take them on a journey to Malawi. All he needed to do was to tap on the classroom window and they found themselves crossing the wide oceans from Australia to Africa on the back of Rainbow Worm.
On landing they spotted a group of people cooking up a great feast. They learned that it was a feast where all are welcomed; a feast to remember and celebrate the lives of St Kizito, a thirteen-year-old- boy, and his friends, who died because they dared to believe in the Christian God. They were welcomed into the celebration. There in the midst of the people was an old woman, her face wrinkled, but compassionate, her body bent, her character straight and true, her person small but mighty in spirit. She stood surrounded in a golden aura.
"I am your dear "Sister of Compassion ". I have been here for 25 years now so it is my home. I came here to work with these people, especially those who are suffering so much with the AIDS virus. Before I came I worked in the capital city, Lilongwe, in the hospitals as a medical missionary. But I was asked to come here to help for the suffering is great. Many things need to be done. We need help for special classes to teach families to be healthy and to improve their diets. We need help to develop language skills and to encourage sporting activities. I am trying to organise concerts around the world to raise money to help these people.”Rainbow Worm and the children listened to their dear Sister of Compassion.
It was time to leave. Sadly there was no time to stay and enjoy the feast. “Never mind," said Rainbow Worm, “We have much to keep in our minds and hearts, much to pray about". It was late so their thoughts returned to home where morning was breaking. They told the amazing story to their parents. Many people in Eltham came to hear about the story. Some formed a group that came to be called the "Malawi Support Group." This group worked hard to raise funds for Malawi and the good people of Our Lady Help of Christians in Eltham continue to do this to this very day. An act of love for the people of Malawi from the people of Eltham on that great Australian continent.
Saturday, March 26
Fragile Frontal Lobes
Today, many work at a frantic rate. Its well known that we need to keep fit, eat well, avoid excessive alcohol and have a reasonable amount of sleep to cope with the stress and strain of the daily grind. Such common sense approaches are essential for "good living" and help prolong our life.
But the hardworking executive mechanisms of our brains also require rest and nutrition. It seems the most recent development of the brain, the frontal lobes, are quite fragile, and in need of even more tender loving care than was previously understood. A price to pay, you might say for our development, because this richness of an advanced consciousness made available through the operation of the frontal lobes, easily breaks down under extreme pressures.
The development of the frontal lobes occurred late in our evolutionary cycle, causing confusion amongst early communities.
When people died, the memories that persisted in the minds of those who were left were thought to be "ghosts" or assumed as evidence of life after death. And so this "consciousness" was understood within the context of early religious and magical beliefs.
Elkhonon Goldberg's quotes "A rich sensory memory of a deceased tribesperson would be interpreted as the tribesman's "ghost" or as evidence of the tribesman "life" after death". According to the scenario, some of the more literal religions and magical beliefs, which persisted for millennia are vestiges of early humans inability to distinguish between one own memories of other people (internal representations, parts of "self") and those actual people themselves ("nonselves".Others). According to Jaynes, this self-oneself confusion was not confined to prehistoric times. It extended well into the early history populated by individuals we assume to be neurobiological "modern''
Click on http://www.thymos.com/mind/goldberg.html to visit his website.
To day it is understood that it is the frontal lobes that allow us to clearly identify our "consciousness" and make" executive decisions" when required, on any number of complex and abstract matters. Such development of the frontal lobes does however have a downside, the loss of control by the frontal lobes to the more primitive areas of the brain. As this occurs, initially the two are in "conflict" until such time as the lower brain takes control. When we lose this control of the frontal lobes it is similar to losing control of an "Executive Manager"of the brain.
That means you are operating at a much lower level, largely from an instinctive, survival mode, without the flexibility and higher level thinking provided by the frontal lobes.
I quote from Edward Hallowell -psychiatrist -an Article from Harvard Business Review -re published in the Work Space area of the Financial Review on Tuesday 15 March 2005.
You can visit his website by clicking on http://www.drhallowell.com or the icon at the beginning of the article.
"As a specialist in learning disabilities, I have found that most dangerous disability is not any formally diagnosable condition like dyslexia or ADD (attention deficit disorder). Its fear. When the frontal lobes approach capacity and we begin to fear that we can't keep up, 'the relationship between their higher and lower regions of the brain take an ominous turn. In survival mode, the deep areas of the brain assume control and began to direct the higher regions.
As a result the whole brain gets caught in a neurological Catch 22. The deep regions interpret the messages of overload they receive from the frontal lobes in the same way they interpret everything. They furiously fire signals of fear, anxiety, impatience, irritability anger or panic. In a futile attempt to do more than is possible, the brain paradoxically reduces its ability to think clearly."
This can happen a lot easier than we can imagine. Try depriving your self of sleep, become unfit and put yourself in a stressful, hardworking environment when you become "fearful" of not meeting those deadlines.
Under such circumstances there is a good chance your frontal lobes will become overworked to the extent they surrender to the more primitive areas of the brain. We see it all the time don't we? Highly charged emotional decisions, deprived of any creativity, and viewed in purely simplistic terms of who's to blame. Rage is a common reaction. It is also interesting to consider what happens when we are no longer "in control" caused by the temporary or permanent loss of functionality provided by frontal lobe control. We are greatly diminished and lose our perspective to the extent that our "consciousness"is diminished, as we become reliant on instinctive type responses.
Fortunately the solution is simple. Look after those fragile frontal lobes with adequate sleep, a sensible diet and a regular exercise programme. Plan ahead and don't become "fearful" of deadlines, for it is far better to negotiate a postponement, then to risk the "disaster"
of a frontal lobe overload. Make sure you take short breaks at work and wherever possible, discuss matters, rather than e-mail
When you are talking to someone, your brain begins to buzz, releasing pleasurable feelings similar to endorphins when you exercise. This will happen even when you are in a confrontation situation. Providing you don't allow your emotions to "take over" you will feel better afterwards? It is preferable to sending an e mail.
Have you ever noticed, when making presentations to smaller groups, in an interactive mode, how you always feel better than addressing large groups of people when you are in "remote" mode?
When giving presentations I had wondered why those to small groups seemed more successful. Was it the material? Was I more relaxed? Were those present more receptive when in a smaller group, or could it be that the interactive format meant that we were all receiving pleasurable stimuli, similar to endorphins, that made us feel appreciative afterwards.
So I am concerned for you all if you are caught up in a frenetic work pattern. I would like to hear how you plan to avoid a frontal lobe crash. In the meantime, can I send out a "Red Alert"? Be kind to those fragile frontal lobes.
They depend on your tender, loving care much more than you imagine.
But the hardworking executive mechanisms of our brains also require rest and nutrition. It seems the most recent development of the brain, the frontal lobes, are quite fragile, and in need of even more tender loving care than was previously understood. A price to pay, you might say for our development, because this richness of an advanced consciousness made available through the operation of the frontal lobes, easily breaks down under extreme pressures.
The development of the frontal lobes occurred late in our evolutionary cycle, causing confusion amongst early communities.
When people died, the memories that persisted in the minds of those who were left were thought to be "ghosts" or assumed as evidence of life after death. And so this "consciousness" was understood within the context of early religious and magical beliefs.
Elkhonon Goldberg's quotes "A rich sensory memory of a deceased tribesperson would be interpreted as the tribesman's "ghost" or as evidence of the tribesman "life" after death". According to the scenario, some of the more literal religions and magical beliefs, which persisted for millennia are vestiges of early humans inability to distinguish between one own memories of other people (internal representations, parts of "self") and those actual people themselves ("nonselves".Others). According to Jaynes, this self-oneself confusion was not confined to prehistoric times. It extended well into the early history populated by individuals we assume to be neurobiological "modern''
Click on http://www.thymos.com/mind/goldberg.html to visit his website.
To day it is understood that it is the frontal lobes that allow us to clearly identify our "consciousness" and make" executive decisions" when required, on any number of complex and abstract matters. Such development of the frontal lobes does however have a downside, the loss of control by the frontal lobes to the more primitive areas of the brain. As this occurs, initially the two are in "conflict" until such time as the lower brain takes control. When we lose this control of the frontal lobes it is similar to losing control of an "Executive Manager"of the brain.
That means you are operating at a much lower level, largely from an instinctive, survival mode, without the flexibility and higher level thinking provided by the frontal lobes.
I quote from Edward Hallowell -psychiatrist -an Article from Harvard Business Review -re published in the Work Space area of the Financial Review on Tuesday 15 March 2005.
You can visit his website by clicking on http://www.drhallowell.com or the icon at the beginning of the article.
"As a specialist in learning disabilities, I have found that most dangerous disability is not any formally diagnosable condition like dyslexia or ADD (attention deficit disorder). Its fear. When the frontal lobes approach capacity and we begin to fear that we can't keep up, 'the relationship between their higher and lower regions of the brain take an ominous turn. In survival mode, the deep areas of the brain assume control and began to direct the higher regions.
As a result the whole brain gets caught in a neurological Catch 22. The deep regions interpret the messages of overload they receive from the frontal lobes in the same way they interpret everything. They furiously fire signals of fear, anxiety, impatience, irritability anger or panic. In a futile attempt to do more than is possible, the brain paradoxically reduces its ability to think clearly."
This can happen a lot easier than we can imagine. Try depriving your self of sleep, become unfit and put yourself in a stressful, hardworking environment when you become "fearful" of not meeting those deadlines.
Under such circumstances there is a good chance your frontal lobes will become overworked to the extent they surrender to the more primitive areas of the brain. We see it all the time don't we? Highly charged emotional decisions, deprived of any creativity, and viewed in purely simplistic terms of who's to blame. Rage is a common reaction. It is also interesting to consider what happens when we are no longer "in control" caused by the temporary or permanent loss of functionality provided by frontal lobe control. We are greatly diminished and lose our perspective to the extent that our "consciousness"is diminished, as we become reliant on instinctive type responses.
Fortunately the solution is simple. Look after those fragile frontal lobes with adequate sleep, a sensible diet and a regular exercise programme. Plan ahead and don't become "fearful" of deadlines, for it is far better to negotiate a postponement, then to risk the "disaster"
of a frontal lobe overload. Make sure you take short breaks at work and wherever possible, discuss matters, rather than e-mail
When you are talking to someone, your brain begins to buzz, releasing pleasurable feelings similar to endorphins when you exercise. This will happen even when you are in a confrontation situation. Providing you don't allow your emotions to "take over" you will feel better afterwards? It is preferable to sending an e mail.
Have you ever noticed, when making presentations to smaller groups, in an interactive mode, how you always feel better than addressing large groups of people when you are in "remote" mode?
When giving presentations I had wondered why those to small groups seemed more successful. Was it the material? Was I more relaxed? Were those present more receptive when in a smaller group, or could it be that the interactive format meant that we were all receiving pleasurable stimuli, similar to endorphins, that made us feel appreciative afterwards.
So I am concerned for you all if you are caught up in a frenetic work pattern. I would like to hear how you plan to avoid a frontal lobe crash. In the meantime, can I send out a "Red Alert"? Be kind to those fragile frontal lobes.
They depend on your tender, loving care much more than you imagine.
Tuesday, March 8
Loyalty
Having an interest we're passionate about is a great attribute, as it generates vitality and enhances our lives. These days I sometimes ask people "What's your passion" to find out their real interest. Recently I have been fortunate to celebrate with my work colleagues 10 years service. The company pays for the celebration to gather with a generous gift. The benefits have recently been significantly increased. Staff turnover is at an all time low with some good profit results. Is there a connection? Does loyalty shown by the Employer make good business sense?
Prior to my present position I was even more fortunate to accumulate 18 years of service with the same company. But when it ended abruptly I was devastated. Despite putting the company first it became apparent my loyalty was misplaced. It all happened subsequent to a tumultuous year which included the deaths of one of my best friends and widowed mother. Since I was an only child I had taken off suddenly from work, to look after her at home in the country. The work position had become tangled up in the process and it wasn't long after her death that I found myself looking for another position.
Looking back now is like standing on a mountain and being able to see all the detailed landscape and intricate patterns of bush and valley behind you and its purpose. I have changed my career occupation in a 360 degree turn, and after the initial difficulty, standing on the mountain and looking back it never felt better. But its been an arduous climb to get there.
I would like to know if anyone out there is passionate about "Loyalty".
Charles Kovess LL.B.(Hons), LL.M., CSP* has a point to make so I have included in full his 2nd Passion Point for 2005 "DOES LOYALTY PAY?"A Passion Point to Ponder 1 March 2005 Welcome to the 2nd Passion Point for 2005.Our goal this year with these Passion Points is to provoke you so that your business, and the rest of your life, become filled with more passion, performance, and improved balance of mental, physical, and spiritual elements.
NEWS :Charles spent five days last week with one of Australia's best retailers,Bev Marks Beds. If you want to experience great customer service with accompany that's committed to delivering great Australian bedding, go unadvised one of the five retail outlets weekend, Charles will be contributing to the celebration of Rotary's Centenary by delivering a number of presentations to a District convention's Bendigo. If you have never explored what Rotary is all about, give it a go! Even though Charles is not a member, he has given many speeches to its various Clubs over the past 12 years. Joining Rotary will expand your soul!
DOES LOYALTY PAY?""20 years ago, everybody who started working to retire after 25 years with a gold watch.Now, that's unusual." Realistic words from a Senior Vice-President of a Scandinavian temporary staffing. For those who did start work around 20 yearsago, 2008 and 2009 might have been those gold watchyears. Looking back they might wonder what was best,the loyalty of then, or the prospects--perhaps thelack of them--of today. Certainly younger workers seethings differently, and regard a change of jobs asroutine and an opportunity to retrain. They'll probably never know, or see, that golden watch ofloyalty.It's not the watch, but the loyalty it represents, that counts. To go through a working life without knowing loyalty is to have missed something; but doesloyalty pay? Only those who have experienced it are qualified to comment. Current theory suggests that today's arrangements benefit the employer and the employee, but time--and those who shared it--will be the final arbiter.Despite its current rejection, loyalty remains a value. Its lack of modern following does not diminishit; in many ways it elevates it, like a scarce resource, a diamond waiting to be discovered, it remains beyond the reach of all. When eventually rediscovered, the challenge will be to see its economic benefits. That will take time of course and, in today's time stressed world, might be difficult.The clock is still ticking and, one day, when digital watches also measure loyalty, society might be betterfor it.
QUOTES TO CONSIDER"We must have loyalty and character." Ralph WaldoEmerson (1803-1882), American writer, philosopher andpoet.Is loyalty on your "must have" list, or do you resistits character?"I'll take 50% efficiency to get 100% loyalty."Samuel Goldwyn (1882-1974), American film producer.What percent do you measure, what percent do youtreasure?"Loyalty starts with the leader, not the follower: the employer is theleader, the employee is the follower. Inspire your followers by demonstrating your loyalty!"Charles B Kovess.To your ongoing development of your passionate performance..Charles Kovess Australia's Passion Provocateur ©Copyright- Charles B. Kovess & David J. Wood of Passionate Performance.Republication welcome provided authors are acknowledged & advised at above address. If you want to see Charles on video, or listen to audio, just go http://:www.kovess.com and follow the links.For a list of keynote speech topics that Charles would love to deliver in a passionate, entertaining, provocative, and educational way to your teams,clients, or prospects, at breakfast, lunch or dinner, see below.All 128 published Passion Points to Ponder are on our website. If you wish to review them, please visit the site. If you wish to receive a list of the128 titles of the Passion Points please let us know.
http://www.kovess.com
KEY NOTE SPEECH TOPICS1 PASSIONATE PERFORMANCE: YOUR KEYS TO MENTAL, PHYSICAL & SPIRITUALWELLBEING IN BUSINESS.2 THE POWER OF VISIONARY LEADERSHIP 3. THE 7 KEY STEPS TO CREATE OUTSTANDING TEAMS.4 HOW TO RETAIN THE BEST PEOPLE IN YOUR ORGANISATION.5 PASSION: THE KEY TO YOUR SUSTAINABLE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IN THE 21STCENTURY.6 HIGH PERFORMANCE BUSINESS LEADERSHIP IN THE KNOWLEDGE AGE. 7 CHANGE: MAKE IT AN INSPIRATIONAL GAME! 8 A PASSION FOR LIFE, AND LIVING IT! 9 KEY PRINCIPLES OF PERSONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY.10 7 STRATEGIES THAT GUARANTEE LOYALTY FROM EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS.
best regards from Australia's Passion Provocateur (copyright) Charles Kovess LL.B.(Hons), LL.M., CSP*National PresidentNational Speakers' Association of Australia(*CSP means Certified Speaking Professional, the highest possible international qualification and accreditation for professional speakers.There are only 464 CSP's in the world, of whom only 52 are in Australasia.)
Prior to my present position I was even more fortunate to accumulate 18 years of service with the same company. But when it ended abruptly I was devastated. Despite putting the company first it became apparent my loyalty was misplaced. It all happened subsequent to a tumultuous year which included the deaths of one of my best friends and widowed mother. Since I was an only child I had taken off suddenly from work, to look after her at home in the country. The work position had become tangled up in the process and it wasn't long after her death that I found myself looking for another position.
Looking back now is like standing on a mountain and being able to see all the detailed landscape and intricate patterns of bush and valley behind you and its purpose. I have changed my career occupation in a 360 degree turn, and after the initial difficulty, standing on the mountain and looking back it never felt better. But its been an arduous climb to get there.
I would like to know if anyone out there is passionate about "Loyalty".
Charles Kovess LL.B.(Hons), LL.M., CSP* has a point to make so I have included in full his 2nd Passion Point for 2005 "DOES LOYALTY PAY?"A Passion Point to Ponder 1 March 2005 Welcome to the 2nd Passion Point for 2005.Our goal this year with these Passion Points is to provoke you so that your business, and the rest of your life, become filled with more passion, performance, and improved balance of mental, physical, and spiritual elements.
NEWS :Charles spent five days last week with one of Australia's best retailers,Bev Marks Beds. If you want to experience great customer service with accompany that's committed to delivering great Australian bedding, go unadvised one of the five retail outlets weekend, Charles will be contributing to the celebration of Rotary's Centenary by delivering a number of presentations to a District convention's Bendigo. If you have never explored what Rotary is all about, give it a go! Even though Charles is not a member, he has given many speeches to its various Clubs over the past 12 years. Joining Rotary will expand your soul!
DOES LOYALTY PAY?""20 years ago, everybody who started working to retire after 25 years with a gold watch.Now, that's unusual." Realistic words from a Senior Vice-President of a Scandinavian temporary staffing. For those who did start work around 20 yearsago, 2008 and 2009 might have been those gold watchyears. Looking back they might wonder what was best,the loyalty of then, or the prospects--perhaps thelack of them--of today. Certainly younger workers seethings differently, and regard a change of jobs asroutine and an opportunity to retrain. They'll probably never know, or see, that golden watch ofloyalty.It's not the watch, but the loyalty it represents, that counts. To go through a working life without knowing loyalty is to have missed something; but doesloyalty pay? Only those who have experienced it are qualified to comment. Current theory suggests that today's arrangements benefit the employer and the employee, but time--and those who shared it--will be the final arbiter.Despite its current rejection, loyalty remains a value. Its lack of modern following does not diminishit; in many ways it elevates it, like a scarce resource, a diamond waiting to be discovered, it remains beyond the reach of all. When eventually rediscovered, the challenge will be to see its economic benefits. That will take time of course and, in today's time stressed world, might be difficult.The clock is still ticking and, one day, when digital watches also measure loyalty, society might be betterfor it.
QUOTES TO CONSIDER"We must have loyalty and character." Ralph WaldoEmerson (1803-1882), American writer, philosopher andpoet.Is loyalty on your "must have" list, or do you resistits character?"I'll take 50% efficiency to get 100% loyalty."Samuel Goldwyn (1882-1974), American film producer.What percent do you measure, what percent do youtreasure?"Loyalty starts with the leader, not the follower: the employer is theleader, the employee is the follower. Inspire your followers by demonstrating your loyalty!"Charles B Kovess.To your ongoing development of your passionate performance..Charles Kovess Australia's Passion Provocateur ©Copyright- Charles B. Kovess & David J. Wood of Passionate Performance.Republication welcome provided authors are acknowledged & advised at above address. If you want to see Charles on video, or listen to audio, just go http://:www.kovess.com and follow the links.For a list of keynote speech topics that Charles would love to deliver in a passionate, entertaining, provocative, and educational way to your teams,clients, or prospects, at breakfast, lunch or dinner, see below.All 128 published Passion Points to Ponder are on our website. If you wish to review them, please visit the site. If you wish to receive a list of the128 titles of the Passion Points please let us know.
http://www.kovess.com
KEY NOTE SPEECH TOPICS1 PASSIONATE PERFORMANCE: YOUR KEYS TO MENTAL, PHYSICAL & SPIRITUALWELLBEING IN BUSINESS.2 THE POWER OF VISIONARY LEADERSHIP 3. THE 7 KEY STEPS TO CREATE OUTSTANDING TEAMS.4 HOW TO RETAIN THE BEST PEOPLE IN YOUR ORGANISATION.5 PASSION: THE KEY TO YOUR SUSTAINABLE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IN THE 21STCENTURY.6 HIGH PERFORMANCE BUSINESS LEADERSHIP IN THE KNOWLEDGE AGE. 7 CHANGE: MAKE IT AN INSPIRATIONAL GAME! 8 A PASSION FOR LIFE, AND LIVING IT! 9 KEY PRINCIPLES OF PERSONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY.10 7 STRATEGIES THAT GUARANTEE LOYALTY FROM EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS.
best regards from Australia's Passion Provocateur (copyright) Charles Kovess LL.B.(Hons), LL.M., CSP*National PresidentNational Speakers' Association of Australia(*CSP means Certified Speaking Professional, the highest possible international qualification and accreditation for professional speakers.There are only 464 CSP's in the world, of whom only 52 are in Australasia.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)