EnviroLink Forum

I loved Elie Wiesel's book, "Man's Search for Meaning", written sometime after he had survived the concentration camps.

Wiesel did not write "Man's Search For Meaning". It was Viktor Frankl. I don't actually know Wiesel's work. But here's one from Frankl:

"When we are no longer able to change a situation we are challenged to change ourselves."

And ....

"Even the political and economic extremes of today's world can be seen as the reverberations of futility: We seem to be caught between the automaton conformity of western consumer culture and totalitarianism in its communist, fascist, and theocratic flavors. Hiding in mass society, or hiding in authoritarianism - either direction caters to the person who wishes to deny the emptiness of his or her life."

http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/frankl.html

This, I think, is a particularly excellent insight, especially considering how ripped apart and fragmented we have become, politically. (Generally, but especially in the US).

oui...the worst human action is the lack of it..."lethargy"

"In order to stay poised and balanced during the chaos of change, we need to be both STILL AND SKILLED. The new vision asks us to become practical mystics whose inspirations are from the heavens and whose feet are on the ground"
Gloria Karpinsky

I do also wanna add it here but I forgot the author of this but forgive me please..

"No one can ever give you true happiness but yourself"...

*********************
Buddhist philosopher Daisaku Ikeda said something similar......

"We each move forward secure on our own earth, not the earth of others. Happiness is something we must create for ourselves. No one else can give it to us. "

The Captain of his own Soul died of a brain hemorrhage according to initial news reports covering his death. Apparently a self-inflicted shotgun blast to the head causes such decapitation. When God Captains a man's Soul his fate is more important to God & the man.

_________________
I use red, not because of anger but to define my posts to catch rebuttals latter and it makes the quote feature redundent for me. The rest of you pick your own color.

Life is a time capsule we strive to fill with precious memories.

Wiesel's insight and understanding, as a direct result of his experience, is profound. And maybe a further insight into the illusory nature of conflict itself ... Rumi offers this ....

Out beyond ideas
of wrongdoing and rightdoing,
there is a field.

I'll meet you there

(two more verses .....)

http://www.seasons-of-peace.net/rumi/beyond.htm


I liked the words of karpinsky - especially STILL AND SKILLED.

Oh, this one as well I really like.

I am the lover's eyes, and the spirit's
Wine, and the heart's nourishment.
I am a rose. My heart opens at dawn and
The virgin kisses me and places me
Upon her breast.


I am the house of true fortune, and the
Origin of pleasure, and the beginning
Of peace and tranquility. I am the gentle
Smile upon his lips of beauty. When youth
Overtakes me he forgets his toil, and his
Whole life becomes reality of sweet dreams.


I am the poet's elation,
And the artist's revelation,
And the musician's inspiration.


I am a sacred shrine in the heart of a
Child, adored by a merciful mother.


I appear to a heart's cry; I shun a demand;
My fullness pursues the heart's desire;
It shuns the empty claim of the voice.


I appeared to Adam through Eve
And exile was his lot;
Yet I revealed myself to Solomon, and
He drew wisdom from my presence.


I smiled at Helena and she destroyed Tarwada;
Yet I crowned Cleopatra and peace dominated
The Valley of the Nile.


I am like the ages -- building today
And destroying tomorrow;
I am like a god, who creates and ruins;
I am sweeter than a violet's sigh;
I am more violent than a raging tempest.


Gifts alone do not entice me;
Parting does not discourage me;
Poverty does not chase me;
Jealousy does not prove my awareness;
Madness does not evidence my presence.


Oh seekers, I am Truth, beseeching Truth;
And your Truth in seeking and receiving
And protecting me shall determine my
Behavior.

Khalil Gibran

There's no pretense or hypocrisy in that simple food boundary anymore than in the Jewish cultures encouragement of eating only foods that are kosher. There is reason and logic in the history of kosher foods as there is in veganism. I think most people choose vegetarian and/or vegan diets because they feel it is a good thing to do - it makes sense to them, so they do it. Kind of like throwing a pop can in the garbage vs.





save environment