Dreams = Introspection, but just beyond our grasp

September 25, 2006

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED HOW A WORD, IDIOM OR PHRASE ORIGINATED IN THE AMERICAN LANGUAGE?

Each week I hope to pique your interest to go well beyond my brief examination of a word or phrase. Last week we examined our attitudes by looking into the phrase “Is the glass half empty or half full? Now, we can step a little further through the looking glass by researching the word “dream.”

Here is another opportunity to talk about our inner conversations, the perpetual conscious and subconscious dialog going on in our heads. Dreams are part of that inner conversation, which appear to be just beyond our grasp.

The quizical nature of dreams is perfectly stated by the ancient (4th century BCE) Chinese philosopher Chuang Tzu: “I dreamed I was a butterfly, flitting around in the sky; then I awoke. Now I wonder: Am I a man who dreamt of being a butterfly, or am I a butterfly dreaming that I am a man?”

There is a great deal of debate about dreams:

Is dream analysis effective in resolving conflict?

Do dreams really provide a view into our subconscious?

Why do we have such trouble remembering dreams?

This debate will never be resolved, but it is educational to look into how dreams may provide an opportunity for enlightenment. Try keeping a log of your dreams and try to spot trends.

Please read the attached pdf posting. I would enjoy receiving feedback on the value of the information and any thoughts you may have related to the following items:

1) What are your thoughts on dreams?

2) How would you rephrase the Conventional Wisdom?

3) Do you have a better Moment of Zen?

Jim C Quiz – Dreams.pdf

Half Empty or Half Full = An Attitude Litmus Test

September 18, 2006

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED HOW A WORD, IDIOM OR PHRASE ORIGINATED IN THE AMERICAN LANGUAGE?

Last week we moved from enlightenment to IQ, which are two very difficult terms that need a wider range of interpretation than we first may have thought.  Hopefully, those brief discussions helped pique your interest to research the terms more fully on your own.

By looking at the phrase, “Is the glass half empty or half full?” this week, we move into another area of the mind – attitude.  This phrase is generally used a a quick litmus test to determine if we are pessimistic (half empty) or optimistic (half full).  

It is said that the biggest difference between people is their attitudes. We all have the constant inner conversations, the perpetual conscious and subconscious dialog going on in our heads. 

Some feel that this inner dialog can impact our health, and even more importantly, we can actively work to reprogram our attitudes. It is a known medical fact that being pessimistic is detrimental to our physical health.

Please read the attached pdf posting. I would enjoy receiving feedback on the value of the information and any thoughts you may have related to the following items:

1) Do you think this phrase has any true link to your personal outlook?

2) Can we reprogram our attitudes?

3) How would you rephrase the Conventional Wisdom?

4) Do you have a better Moment of Zen?

Jim C Quiz – Glass Half Empty or Half Full.pdf 

IQ = Aptitude (Ability to Acquire Knowlege)

September 11, 2006

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED HOW A WORD, IDIOM OR PHRASE ORIGINATED IN THE AMERICAN LANGUAGE?

Last month’s theme on puzzles was a good precursor to the current theme of how we view and try to comprehend the biggest puzzle of all – life. Last week we started with the word enlightenment from St Augustine of Hippo to Rene Desartes, who used “I think, therefore, I am,” to convey the individual’s perception of the truth.

We assume that it takes intelligence to be enlightened, so this time we will take a quick look at intelligence and the phrase intelligence quotient (IQ). Although we have used the English word “intelligence” since 1390, there remains a serious debate about whether it can be effectively measured.

IQ testing was first developed in the early 1900s to help us identify people with lower intelligence and who needed assistance.  However, there has been serious opposition for many decades about using these tests for potential employment, etc.

Please read the attached pdf posting. I would enjoy receiving feedback on the value of the information and any thoughts you may have related to the following items:

1) What would you have changed, included or excluded?

2) How would you rephrase the Conventional Wisdom?

3) How would you rephrase the Moment of Zen?

Jim C Quiz – IQ.pdf

Enlightenment = Expanding Our Consciousness

September 4, 2006

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED HOW A WORD, IDIOM OR PHRASE ORIGINATED IN THE AMERICAN LANGUAGE?

Last month we looked at puzzles and finished with the Rubik’s Cube where I noted that “Trial & Error is not the best path to enlightenment.” Therefore , I thought it fitting for this month’s theme to look at how we view and try to comprehend the biggest puzzle of all – life.

This is not an easy assignment; even to find the key concepts will be a major challenge. That’s why I’ll start with the word enlightenment, which can be interpreted in a variety of ways. As you will see in the attached pdf, the foundation for enlightenment started with St Augustine of Hippo, who established a variety of truths, including that because we doubt, we exist.

Then we jump to Rene Desartes, who used “I think, therefore, I am,” to show that cogito privileges the individual over tradition and the individual’s perception of the truth over some commonly shared truth. In other words, the individual subjective experience is the foundation of truth. This critical concept would transform thinking in Europe and the West, even right up through the present day.

Next, the concept of enlightment was enhanced by Immanuel Kant, who said “Enlightenment is man’s release from his self-incurred tutelage. Tutelage is the incapacity to use one’s own understanding without the guidance of another. Such tutelage is self-imposed if its cause is not lack of intelligence, but rather a lack of determination and courage to use one’s intelligence without being guided by another.”

Please read the attached pdf posting. I would enjoy receiving feedback on the value of the information and any thoughts you may have related to the following items:

1) What would you have changed, included or excluded?

2) How would you rephrase the Conventional Wisdom?

3) How would you rephrase the Moment of Zen?

Jim C Quiz – Enlightenment.pdf