Seananigans

On understanding... life.

You may have heard the saying, "Opinions are like ***holes. Everyone has one and they all stink." Everyone has opinions about everything. Likes and dislikes. Strong and adamant opinions. Opinions that people will argue over.


I'm going to make this quick, but it is important. There are many people who don't share our same beliefs. They live different lifestyles. Hold different opinions, and etc. The problem we have is one of understanding. Way too often, people get into arguements or debates over different ideals or principles. Rather than on seeking an understanding. Or often we judge others, based on appearance, acts, etc - rather than understanding that there is a REASON people act the way that they do.

Politics are a prime example of this. Turn the news on to shows like Crossfire, where people--republicans and democrats--are pitted against each other. ARGUING. While maybe only one person wins the argument, both are losers. We are seeking to be right, rather than discussing and seeking to understand each other and the underlying concerns of our nation.

So encourage anyone reading this, to take a step back from your "ideas" and "beliefs" about life, and seek to UNDERSTAND. Discussion is key to understanding, and unfortunately there isn't enough of this in college or anywhere in life it seems. Discussing ideas. Getting to the root or essence of problems, ideas, life.

So don't argue from position or stance or belief, but SEEK TO UNDERSTAND. Don't get defensive. Understand your neighbor, understand the Iraqis, understand the people who hate Americans (the american government).

One of the biggest problems that faces our lives is one of understanding.

Do you ever feel like despite what you do there just seems to be something missing. Something your always striving for, but never quite getting. Or getting, but never quite being satisfied so you search for something else. Something new. With all of the motion and emotion that surrounds us, do we know our purpose? What are we working towards? If you don't know your purpose, then what good is the little works that you do? WHAT ARE YOU WORKING TOWARDS?

So maybe you know what you want, and what your purpose is.. but do you know how to get there? Do you have what it takes to take charge and the intiative. A ancient quote says, "ALL know the way. But few actually follow it."

I'm writing this not exactly addressed to any one reading this, but to myself. These are all the thoughts that I feel.

Do I know what I want? Do i have the courage to chase after it?

What are we but our thoughts? Our thoughts seem to define reality. At any given moment of time, I could be thinking about ANYTHING. Lately I have had a very subjective mind.. I find meaning in my thoughts. It seems hard to search for objective truth when we are such subjective people. Is meaning found soley in our thoughts? As David Hume said, "Beauty exists in the mind contemplating it".

Even though the philosopher Descartes mind/body dualism is outdated, I've found myself in agreeance, at least in feeling, that there is a split between my mind and the world around me.

Because the mind is everything when it comes to our lives--our thinking, processing, and everything is filtered through our thoughts, it seems an important thing to keep it healthy and free from negativity. Thoughts are very powerful..

"The kingdom of God is within you" Luke 17:21

I always seem to try and write this when I am busy or tired. But I promised I would finish it.

The kingdom of God is a highly talked about idea in the gospels. All four of the gospels make reference to this kingdom of god. We read parables discussing that the "kingdom of god is like..." as Jesus uses analogies to describe what the kindgom of heaven/God is like.

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasyre hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and the in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."

Pretty powerful words Jesus spoke of. Again he says, "..the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." Jesus says that this something that is hidden and that we seek. But once we find it, we will want to invest everything that we have into it.

I wrote a post about the idea of the "inner life" before. I believe that this is what Jesus was talking about. This inner reality that comes through a relationship with with God. Through constant prayer and meditation towards God. Giving God all your thoughts. Think about it. The Christian life is about a relationship with God through his son Jesus Christ who died for our sins. Through this inner act of prayer to God we have the form of life. We commune with God, asking for his aid in tough situations. But God is everywhere, right? You can always talk to God. This is the inner life. Unceasing communion with God. I think this is what Jesus refers to when he speaks of the kingdom of god.

All this make sense when in Luke 17:21 after the Pharisees ask when the kingdom of God will come. Jesus replies, "the kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here it is' or 'There it is' because the kingdom of God is withing you.

Unfortunately my thoughts are a little scattered, but I think this is such a pertinent and important point, I think it is worth discussing more. If you disagree or have any comments please reply.