  
 ****************** Laughter is the best medicine because ......? ****************** Dogma, the pillow that tries to suffocate the breath of those who prefer to have independent thought. ************* The Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein likened philosophy and its linguistically-bound propositions to a ladder which ones climbs rung by rung to ascend to a higher level of realization and understanding (not least of which is that philosophy per se doesn't really answer any of the major questions), and at this point the ladder is kicked away as no longer needed. ................. I like this ladder illustration of philosophy - there are limitless paths to travel from it - each, a new ladder with its own set of rungs and range before it is kicked away from under one. However, wouldn't a possible fractured coccyx result from being flung to the bottom again? A reality if, what Wittgenstein posits it true, that philosophical thinking has no true answers to major questions and usually one would only attempt climbing the ladder with important and significant quest in mind. One COULD propose that the moral of Wittgenstein's thinking here might be not to chase rainbows when the sun isn't shining, because only clouds would be seen with nothing to superimpose the richness of colour and the arc of promise against them. Looking for answers (sunlight/insight) in a potentially futile endeavour (ergo: non-arriving -at -answers philosophical thought) does not, in fact raise one to a higher level of revelation. To get to the bottom of things, (burp!) it will, instead, land one back at the starting point once more - ground floor so to speak -. sans the vision of rainbow beauty - that which can link heaven and earth, bring the divine in touch with the human, spanning all that distances the one from the other. Yet, again, his thinking could be actual attainment of what is sought that no longer needs the prop of intellectual debate on a matter and can thenceforth be dispensed with ( off with her rung ! ) - or there could be the need to fall to rise again and seek a different ladder, a whole new approach - let's try metal instead of wood - a diifferent material, another genre, untried paradigm, new set of rungs. The question could also be asked - do we set up our own ladder of inquiry or do we step upon another's ? Whatever the answers to these msuings - the one common denominator for all ladders is that there is room for only ONE on a rung - and one must be neither afraid of heights, of falling, nor looking up or down or round about. Complete undiverted focus in the climbing. However many ladders there may be, near or far around us, we remain alone in our climbing - encouragement may be given, derision perhaps tossed our way, but for anyone looking at me standing on a rung taking a breather, only I know if I am going up or going down. ******************************* Is it not a curious thing that words come to connote the opposite of their original meaning, e.g. "bad", to certain age groups means " GOOD", and "neat" does not apply to "tidy", but to cute, alright, approved of. Where, and how, does this shift of meaning slip in and why is it do you think, that people seem to blindly accept and use new interpretations without questioning? Is the sheep will follow sheep mentality more widepsread than believed that erudite people included, use the latest phrases with aplomb ? **************** Is it best to have an inquiring mind focussed on a single subject/topic/endeavor , for example, new technology, or is there more benefit in soaking up as much knowledge as possible on all and everything ? What is the moral of, "Jack of all trades but master of none "- this speaks to above question? ****************** Is greater accomplishment achieved by the motivated quadraplegic or the procrastinating, dreaming savant? In WHAT lies the nail that clinches success no matter who holds the hammer? ******************** Why does human nature tend to manipulation rather than straightforwardness? ********************* The vision I see and carry in my heart is far more meaningful than what I might look at captured in oils, water color or some other medium. *************** If it is true that we cannot love others without first loving ourselves, how would ones sexual orientation affect this ? If one is heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual - does the sexuality aspect of loving play a part in loving oneself, and if not, does it then also not have a part in loving another, and how does this affect the other person if they are the same or opposite gender? Implied here is the question of how much, if any, part, does sexuality play in love of self and other? **************** How can one be sure the geese won't one day fly north first instead of south? Does instinct ever err? ********************* What, could we say, is the best means of communication - verbal, written, non-verbal, drawn, or dramatized ? Which one reaches a person's heart and understanding the most, and is one more effective than the others for a particular objective - how do deaf and dumb amputees ( no arms), interact with those around them? Communication dictates the quality of our living amongst men. It behoves me to water this seedling if I am to do more than exist and if my interaction with my fellow men is to have greater meaning than the superficial. **************** It is amazing to me how many people spend HOURS gossiping about everything in such a way that leaves nothing unsaid in hurtful, harming manner and often with malicious intent. One could posit on the many reasons for gossip but this thought remains - what is the payoff that is greater than the knowledge that what we say about another reveals far more about our own character than that of the target of our gossip? ************************** I talked with a fellow Psychology graduate about his choice of modality in doing therapy, which was Music Therapy. He told me that for ALL his clients he would play classical music. I asked him what about those who came into the office whose tastes were more New Age. What of those who loved heavy metal, country and western, hard rock, jazz, rap etc., for people's choice in music is diverse to say the least. He inisisted that for all his clientele the classical selections enabled each to get in touch with what was needed to do the work and process well. I am, perhaps, not in the place to answer my own question because classical music is my first love and has always been my source of relaxation and soul inspiration, but I wonder what is the common denominator in men, women and children that classical music has the power to unlock the doors of denial, resistance, defenses, blocked memories and dissociative states in them regardless of their musical preferences? Perhaps if this common denominator were isolated and recognized it could open other doors ? It is something to consider. ***************************  | SEEDLINGS A | SEEDLINGS B | SEEDLINGS C | SEEDLINGS D | | THE HEALING PROCESS | DISSOCIATIVE IDENTITY DISORDER | POETRY | Biographical Entries | THE OTHER SIDE OF LIFE | STORIES FOR LITTLES (Pigmus and friends) | SEEDLING THOUGHTS TO WATER | |
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