It’s always presumptuous and frequently dangerous to assume that your experience, perspective, and path in life constitute a norm against which that of others might be meaningfully compared. Not long ago, thinking in terms of types and standards of normalcy was widely used as a method for understanding ourselves and each other. Nowadays, however, theContinue reading “A Storyline of Faith”
Author Archives: tractsofrevolution
Under the Hat
According to the worldwide spiritual wisdom tradition known as the Perennial Philosophy or Sophia Perennis, the one thing each of us must realize is that we are not who we think we are. Who is a term attaching to a personal identity, which is all about playing a role on the social performance stage. TheContinue reading “Under the Hat”
Seeing the Truth
When you were just an infant, your experience was, in the words of William James, a “blooming, buzzing confusion.” You had no language and hence no discrete categories of thought to label, classify, and organize your perceptions. Everything just swirled around you, bombarding your senses from every side. It was fascinating – and frequently overwhelming.Continue reading “Seeing the Truth”
Working on Ourselves
When it comes to understanding ourselves, humans tend to be a fairly confused species. This is not to say that other species really understand themselves, either. It’s likely our evolved talent for self-conscious reflection and contemplation that makes understanding ourselves even possible, as well as what’s behind our confusion – and a lot of ourContinue reading “Working on Ourselves”
The Path Through College
It is common for college students to envision their career as something that’s ahead of them, as the anticipated next step after graduation. As they make progress on their degree plan, many are secretly hoping that their credential will open the door to a job that pays well and doesn’t suck. A significant number ofContinue reading “The Path Through College”
5 Floors
Ego is just your “I,” the center of self-conscious experience that locates and manages a personal identity in the middle of everything. It’s not what is wrong with you, or the “obstacle” on your path to liberation, enlightenment, and wellbeing. In fact, none of those long-sought goals of salvation would be possible without your ego.Continue reading “5 Floors”
Once More Into Religion
Many people think that religion is about believing in god, going to church, doing the right things, and getting to heaven when you die. Every one of those elements has been contested through the centuries. Whose god? What church? Which things? Where is heaven, if not just above the clouds or over the moon? NeedlessContinue reading “Once More Into Religion”
Crossroads
Part of me really wants to believe that human destiny holds something more in store for us than just more of the same. I mean, more than just strapping ourselves inside spaceships and taking our problems somewhere else. Human destiny will entail going beyond ourselves somehow, but populating some distant planet isn’t likely to bringContinue reading “Crossroads”
Jesus and “Don Colossus”
The invitation had called it The Patriotic Dedication Ceremony for the Golden Age of America. The banners called it A Historic Tribute. The souvenir hats called it TRUMP THE GREAT. But as Jesus stood at the edge of the enormous marble plaza, listening to the brass band blare a triumphant rendition of “God Bless theContinue reading “Jesus and “Don Colossus””
A Family History of the Passions
We like to think that we act the way we do, believe what we believe, and curate a philosophy of life based on rational choices. We thought it all out and made a decision. Where we stand on things and how we feel about it is the product of careful consideration and common sense. Right.Continue reading “A Family History of the Passions”
Tracts of Revolution 