#Human Understanding

[tears-that-heal]

To My Dear Brothers & Sisters in Jesus Christ....

"Mindfulness"

The term, mindfulness (or mindful), has become a loaded word in our modern day. According to Webster dictionary, mindfulness is defined as such. 1. the quality or state of being mindful. 2. the practice of maintaining a nonjudgmental state of heightened or complete awareness of one's thoughts, emotions, or experiences on a moment-to-moment basis; also  : such a state of awareness. So this formal definition seems to be a great word to describe one's mindset or outlook on life. Personally, I strive to be "mindful" on the daily, but what this word is strongly associated to eastern religions like Hinduism and Buddhism.

I touched on these two religions, and their practices on yoga and meditation in a previous post, but adapting their practice of "mindfulness" hasn't needed to happen because within the church. As a Christian, we gain knowledge, wisdom, and understanding through the Holy Spirit, a.k.a Yeshua/God. To achieve "mindfulness" without God is what I'm mainly addressing here. This post is a loving warning for you to be alert and sober whenever you come across this word in the world. Do not fear it, but definitely ask the Holy Spirit for Discernment and Wisdom if you come inbox contact with this subject; especially in Psychology and other Wellness-related services in the US. While still in California, I worked in high school education for a time and "mindfulness" was brought up alot in multiple mandatory meetings. *sigh* Basically, "mindfulness" is the practice to achieve awareness on your own human knowledge and understanding, and to also sustain it on your own will. Truly its more of an awareness of oneself, then awareness of others. Which ties into what I said in my previous post on yoga and meditation.

Mindfulness meditation is, of course, a thing too. It's the "how-to" to practice becoming and being "mindful". For Christians, we mediate/ponder on God's Word, the Holy Bible. Then through prayer, we receive knowledge and understanding from the Holy Spirit of what we've read. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT) We are instructed to not depend on our own human knowledge and wisdom because our understanding is limited and flawed. Compared tp our God/Yeshua, who's All Knowing and Perfect. I personally strive to live by this biblical passage as humanly possible. Of course, my efforts are imperfect and God know that too. He simply asks us to look to Him as we wholeheartedly, try daily. So please, be weary of the practice of "mindfulness" as you travel through this life on earth. God Bless <;3

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

"I am thrilled to be alive at time when humanity is pushing against the limits of understanding.

Even better, we may eventually discover that there are no limits."

-- Richard Dawkins

[blueheartbookclub]

"Embarking on Enlightenment: A Journey through 'Initiation into Philosophy' by Émile Faguet"

Émile Faguet's "Initiation into Philosophy" serves as a captivating portal into the world of profound ideas and intellectual exploration. This literary gem not only educates but also enthralls, making the initiation into philosophy a thrilling adventure.

Faguet, with eloquence and insight, navigates the intricate landscapes of philosophical thought, presenting complex concepts in a manner accessible to both novices and seasoned philosophers. The book invites readers to ponder the fundamental questions that have shaped human understanding for centuries, sparking a delightful intellectual curiosity.

One of the book's strengths lies in its ability to demystify philosophy, transforming it from an abstract discipline into a vibrant and relevant exploration of life's most profound inquiries. Faguet's narrative style is both engaging and thought-provoking, creating a harmonious balance between scholarly depth and reader-friendly accessibility.

As readers traverse the pages, they encounter a rich tapestry of philosophical traditions, from ancient wisdom to modern theories, each contributing to the mosaic of human thought. Faguet masterfully weaves together key philosophical tenets, offering readers a panoramic view of the discipline's evolution while highlighting its enduring relevance to contemporary life.

The book's thematic organization allows for a seamless journey through the realms of metaphysics, ethics, and epistemology, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of philosophy's multifaceted nature. Faguet's insights into the works of notable philosophers add a layer of richness, transforming the book into a guide through the intellectual lineage of great thinkers.

"Initiation into Philosophy" is not merely a book; it is an odyssey that beckons readers to embrace the joy of intellectual discovery. Faguet's prose invites reflection, prompting readers to question, contemplate, and savor the intricacies of the philosophical landscape.

In conclusion, Faguet's "Initiation into Philosophy" is an intellectual feast that transcends the boundaries of time. With a captivating blend of erudition and accessibility, the book stands as an enduring testament to the timeless allure of philosophical inquiry, making it a must-read for anyone curious about the profound mysteries of existence.

Émile Faguet's "Initiation into Philosophy" is available in Amazon in paperback 12.99$ and hardcover 20.99$ editions.

Number of pages: 191

Language: English

Rating: 8/10                                           

Link of the book!

Review By: King's Cat

[great-and-small]

My grandfather and my godfather (a beloved neighbor and dear family friend) had a long standing bet- for one dollar- about who would die first. Both of them being slightly pessimistic (in the funny way), they both insisted that they themselves would be the first to die. Any time my grandfather had a health scare, he’d gleefully call up my godfather to boast that he’d be passing “any day now” and he was sure to win the bet. It was a big family joke and they were always amiably sparring and comparing notes about who was in worse shape, medically speaking.

When my grandfather was in hospice care dying of liver cancer, my godfather was quite ill also. It took him great effort to make the journey to see his dying friend. As he came into the room, supported by a family member, he shuffled to my grandpa’s bedside and silently handed him a dollar bill. He was ceding his loss of the bet, as they both knew who was going first. My grandpa had been in quite bad shape for a while and was no longer able to speak but let me tell you he snatched that dollar with unexpected strength and literally laughed aloud. He knew exactly what the gesture meant and he couldn’t help but find the humor within the grief. It was the last time any of us heard my grandpa laugh, as he passed shortly after.

When I talk about my appreciation for “dark humor” I’m not so much thinking about edgy jokes, but rather the human instinct to somehow, impossibly, both find and appreciate the absurdity that is so often folded into the profound grief of life and death. When I tell this story I think it kind of perturbs people sometimes, but it’s honestly one of my favorite memories about two men I really deeply admired. I could never hope for anything more than for my loved ones to remember me laughing until the very end, and taking joy in a little joke as one of my final acts.

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

Expertise can't help you here.

[prolibytherium]

One of my all time biggest pet peeves with historical(ish) fantasy is when the writer constructs a religion with a clear bias that it's stupid and false and therefore only the Stupid People and/or commoners believe in it and all the smart/elite main characters are like, quasi-atheists or otherwise just routinely flout established religious conventions of orthodoxy and/or orthopraxy because they're Too Smart for it or etc.

It's usually an extension of assumptions that people in the past were just less intelligent than in the contemporary, just being like "I know that the sun is a star millions of miles away that the earth orbits, but this ancient religion describes it as a chariot flying through the sky" and not really bothering to learn the context and just (consciously or subconsciously) settling on 'that's a crazy thing to think and was probably believed in because they were Stupid'.

And that whole attitude pisses me off so much. People were as 'smart' 10,000 years ago as they are today. These beliefs aren't just desperate, random flailing to explain phenomena that could not directly be accounted for either, it's not like people just looked at the sun and went "Uhhh I don't know what the fuck that thing is, actually. I guess it might be a chariot or a boat or something?? Yeah let's go with that." and based entire religious practices on this. Every well-established belief system exists within broader contexts of cultural values/subjective perceptions of reality/knowledge systems/etc, and exist as part of a historical continuum of religious practices that came before. Even when not Materially Correct, they have context and internal logic, they're not always dead literal with zero levels of allegory, and they're never a result of stupidity.

[mod2amaryllis]

i love being married to a straight guy. this morning we were parallel chilling and i glance at his computer and he's watching a drill fight tournament. as in, guys attaching drills to the same rod and turning them on until one breaks. to find the strongest drill. jose noticed me staring and rolled out of the way so i could see the screen. he knew every drill brand and told me their quality and price. i watched the whole thing without comment. the violence was enchanting. i never would have found this. he's a vector to an entirely alien, often beautiful, world.

[vmkhoneyy]

“People are inherently terrible” no!!! Have you ever seen a child wait for their friend while they tie their shoelaces? Have you ever known someone who would bring hurt squirrels and rabbits and mice to the nearest vet just so it doesn’t suffer? Have you seen someone grieve? Have you ever read something that hit your heart like a freight train? Have you looked at the stars and felt an unexplainable joy? Have you ever baked bread? Have you shared a meal with a friend? Have you not seen it? All the love? All the good? I know it’s hard to see sometimes, I know there’s pain everywhere. But look, there’s a child helping another up after a hard fall. Look, there’s someone giving their umbrella to a stranger. Look, there’s someone admiring the spring flowers. Look, there’s good, there’s good, there’s good. Look!!!!

[blueheartbooks]

"Embarking on Enlightenment: A Journey through 'Initiation into Philosophy' by Émile Faguet"

Émile Faguet's "Initiation into Philosophy" serves as a captivating portal into the world of profound ideas and intellectual exploration. This literary gem not only educates but also enthralls, making the initiation into philosophy a thrilling adventure.

Faguet, with eloquence and insight, navigates the intricate landscapes of philosophical thought, presenting complex concepts in a manner accessible to both novices and seasoned philosophers. The book invites readers to ponder the fundamental questions that have shaped human understanding for centuries, sparking a delightful intellectual curiosity.

One of the book's strengths lies in its ability to demystify philosophy, transforming it from an abstract discipline into a vibrant and relevant exploration of life's most profound inquiries. Faguet's narrative style is both engaging and thought-provoking, creating a harmonious balance between scholarly depth and reader-friendly accessibility.

As readers traverse the pages, they encounter a rich tapestry of philosophical traditions, from ancient wisdom to modern theories, each contributing to the mosaic of human thought. Faguet masterfully weaves together key philosophical tenets, offering readers a panoramic view of the discipline's evolution while highlighting its enduring relevance to contemporary life.

The book's thematic organization allows for a seamless journey through the realms of metaphysics, ethics, and epistemology, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of philosophy's multifaceted nature. Faguet's insights into the works of notable philosophers add a layer of richness, transforming the book into a guide through the intellectual lineage of great thinkers.

"Initiation into Philosophy" is not merely a book; it is an odyssey that beckons readers to embrace the joy of intellectual discovery. Faguet's prose invites reflection, prompting readers to question, contemplate, and savor the intricacies of the philosophical landscape.

In conclusion, Faguet's "Initiation into Philosophy" is an intellectual feast that transcends the boundaries of time. With a captivating blend of erudition and accessibility, the book stands as an enduring testament to the timeless allure of philosophical inquiry, making it a must-read for anyone curious about the profound mysteries of existence.

Émile Faguet's "Initiation into Philosophy" is available in Amazon in paperback 12.99$ and hardcover 20.99$ editions.

Number of pages: 191

Language: English

Rating: 8/10                                           

Link of the book!

Review By: King's Cat

[pickled-flowers]

Sex positivity is also about not calling Ace people prude and using virgin as an insult 👍 hope that helps

[tears-that-heal]

”Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;“

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬ ‭NIV��‬

https://bible.com/bible/111/pro.3.5.NIV

[jesse-pinko]

As someone who works w animals “animals are not mindless automatons, they actually do have feelings and individuality and are capable of feeling acute physical and emotional pain and of forming deep attachments with other animals and people” and “animals are not human infants and have a limited capacity to communicate with humans so you have to familiarize yourself with their boundaries bc if they feel threatened or overstimulated they will fall back on their basic instincts and if you fuck around you are going to find out” are statements that can and should coexist

[dawndauce]

and nothing bad ever happened to them

[colorisbyshe]

i ended up googling how many billionaires there are because of this whole fiasco and there are almost three tHOUSAND billionaires. that is what... trillions of dollars being horded. trillions of dollars that could feed people, house people, educate people. trillions of dollars that could be used to make sanctuaries, protect land and animals, make entire swaths of the world just places where the planet can breathe.

two thousand, seven hundred people. that's just... a particularly dense neighborhood. owning enough wealth to save the world and instead spend on killing it and sometimes killing themselves.

that's what people who go "aw, they're still human beings, aren't they?" don't get. to me, this sounds like fucking space invaders who landed on the planet and just stole the entire food supply. that's not a fellow human being, that is a roadblock to fucking survival. that's my enemy and, yes, i cheer when my enemy dies sometimes.

[verysadlesbian]

Sky practically called Viktor a fruitcake and then faded away. That is queen behaviour.

[gorgynei]

λυκάνθρωπος / Μινώταυρος