Hi Helcat,
I did live my childhood dream; but it wasn’t easy. Many people told me that, because there were so few opportunities in this field, and because my grades were so abysmal, I would never land a position as an analytical chemist; but never underestimate the power of perseverance, a trait which has allowed me to accomplish many things that those with much more talent and ability did not; usually because talent/ability results in a lack of perseverance; when things come easily there’s no incentive to accomplish. However, as you may have guessed from what you wrote, I WAS inspired by my high school chemistry teacher, whom I tracked down to thank, many years later, only to discover that he had died the year before . Not good!
Yes, a woman would realize this, that lack of imagination is an impediment to making good decisions. A couple of years ago, I heard a radio show, where the host was interviewing a scientist (geneticist I believe) who had done research re the genetic make up of women. He was spurred to do this, when he realized that his wife often came up with more imaginative ways of dealing with problems, than he. What he discovered was that women have a gene which, he claimed, accounted for this increased ability. My own experience, wrt to the women I know, is that they are very resourceful at finding ways to achieve their objectives.  After hearing this broadcast, I expected to see a frenzy of media activity, resulting from this program; and was puzzled when I never heard another thing about it. If anyone is interested, I’d be happy to provide the copy I made of the broadcast; but I don’t know if the forum can arrange such a service.
Oh yes there’s a huge variation in Buddhist practices. The two majour streams (Theravadin and Mahayana) vary in their basic approaches. Theravada believe that one’s objective is to correct oneself; whereas Mahayana believe in a more proactive approach with society; and within those two steams there is considerable variation in emphasis on what’s most important. I belong to a Mahayana sect, but lean toward the Theravadin approach. They both have their strengths.
…. john

Hi Helcat,
As usual your ideas are well thought out. I admire that. It’s rare.
Being a chemist, especially an analytical chemist was fascinating. I wanted to do it from the time I was a little boy, stinking the house up with my chemistry set. I loved it, and on top of that, was paid for doing it!!!
“Perfectly imperfect” I like it. Can I use it???
You’re right of course, about the more intelligent animals, they do grieve, even love, I would guess, plus other emotions that we share with them.
Freedom’s an interesting topic, because it gets right to the core of how able we are to affect change. My own sense (and I have no evidence to support it) is that most of us confuse the number of possible scenarios with our freedom to choose any one. I ‘think’ that there exists and enormous, hugely complex mixture of influences: our history, physical characteristics, mood, genetic make up, where we live, what culture, education, our financial situation, even what we had for breakfast, and on and on, that will determine, for the most part, what we will do at any particular moment. I know that this sounds fatalistic, and I suppose that in some sense it is, but to me it’s simply how it is. Of course, I still function daily on the basis of being completely free to choose, so there seems to be some conflict between what I believe and how I behave. There are two entirely different people inside me; a cold, detached, analytical observer, and a caring, sensitive, imaginative one. Somehow they manage to get on harmoniously, without killing each other … so far ; <)
I too learn much from others. If something happens, or someone does something, that makes no sense or that I don’t understand, I assume that there’s something I’m missing. You see, it is all about me; the world is as it is, it’s me that doesn’t get it; it’s me that needs correcting.
As you say, a pointer pointing in the right direction; this is how I view Buddhism. It doesn’t provide instructions on how to live, it simply suggests where one might look for answers.
Yes, after 300 years, if I’m not mistaken, is when the Buddha’s teaching were first recorded. I find it strange when people say, ‘the Buddha said’ when, as far as I know, no one really knows what he taught. If I told someone a story, and they told another, and they told another, and on and on, I suspect it wouldn’t be long before I wouldn’t recognize it as the story I told; so 300 years … hmmmm.
Anyway, thanks for listening to this catharsis.
….. john

Hi,

Yes, indeed, watching your son explore the world would be a real eye opener.

….. john

Hi Helcat,
Oh yes, the clip I posted is autobiographical, the rest of ‘the book’ is mostly random thoughts I’ve collected over the years; not particularly interesting, and rather dry reading. I don’t have many ‘intrusive thoughts’. I was an analytical chemist all of my life; and that, along with Theravadin training and other disciplines, have taught me to view my thoughts and opinions with a grain of salt.
I am a LONG way from complete, believe me. I’m afraid it’ll take many many more life times; and since I see reincarnation as one of those concepts I have no reason to believe, or disbelieve, I doubt that I’ll ever be ‘complete. Fortunately, what I believe doesn’t change anything; so, maybe, there’s still hope for me😉
I’m not sure that fear of pain, and fear of dying, are the same thing for most animals. For example: Humans interpret a serious injury as cause for alarm; but I’m not convinced that the other animals make that connection; that they react instinctively to pain/injury without thoughts as to where it might lead . However, this is COMPLETE conjecture on my part.
So, how much choice (freedom to choose) do you think we really have? Does 3 possibilities equal 3 possible choices. This is not a trick question?
You wrote, “Perhaps the only thing that is lost at death is self-awareness? Sleep is pretty similar.” In the sense that we’ve lost awareness, I assume so; but of course, no one awakens from death, or do they😉
I’m glad that you find my thoughts helpful. One of the codes I live by is what the Buddha (supposedly*) said to his disciples on his death bed, ‘Do not take as truth anything anyone, including me, tells you, find out for yourself.’ I think this is good advise; because one cannot truly embrace what they have not found out, for themselves, to be true/useful/???
Take care of yourself,
* I say supposedly, because I doubt anyone knows what the Buddha actually said, or taught, at all; since it was 300 years after his death before his followers descendants committed to text what was passed down to them.
….. john

Hi Anita,

I don’t know who originally said, “I am the ephemeral seeking the eternal.” It just occurred to me, out of the blue, many moons ago.

…. john

Hi Anita,

Yes, I think we can, make it a better place, or at the very least not make it worse.  I once said to one of my teachers, ‘I can not end the wars, I can not end starvation, the suffering will go on no matter what I do; so why try.’ And she said, ‘No, you can’t end the terrible things that men inflict on each other; but you can do a little, and that’s worth doing.’ Of course she was right. After that, I began to feel that I can be like the heavy water in a nuclear reactor; maybe not stopping the madness, but at least slowing it down.”

…… john

I often think that ….

I am the ephemeral seeking the eternal.

Wow! You’ve had a rough time of it. I can’t begin to imagine what you’ve gone through.

… john