Month: July 2015

17.7.15

– Cricket – batsmen are not expected to bowl, so why are bowlers expected to bat??

– Two sides of the coin (of Buddhism?):
Negative – life is suffering
Positive – suffering is life!

– The travails of the rich – are they more or less serious than the struggles of the poor?
Spiritual/psychological health are no less important (to being human) than physical/material survival!

– Maybe it is vain/futile to attempt to arrive at an ideal routine that will eliminate both stagnation & chaos…

– Highly civilized monsters!
E.g. The Nazis

– The Trinity – Christian polytheism

– GOD > theism/monotheism

– To the child, everything is simple. To the expert, everything is complex.
To the young, everything is wonderful. To the old, everything is boring.

– Short-term freedom & long-term slavery
Vs.
Short-term slavery & long-term freedom
Short-term freedom & long-term freedom
Vs.
Short-term slavery & long-term slavery
What I am trying to say is, not all things that make you feel free now are ultimately enslaving & not all things that make you feel bound now are ultimately liberating!

– Wisdom as anti-knowledge & super-knowledge!
Wisdom as first-hand knowledge

– Is an Internet connection essential for spiritual growth, or is it the greatest hindrance to it?

– The freedom to restrain
&
The discipline to perform
The tyranny of desire!

– Study less, learn more!

– Is there bliss that lies on the other side of ignorance?
Can knowledge & innocence go together?

– Achieving more, by doing less.

– There is a (small) part of me that is wholly in agreement with my worst critics!

– Please describe to me the world that you inhabit.
Can I try living in it for a while?
What is it like to be you?

– “Nothing can satisfy me” is a more godly statement than “I am easily satisfied”!
Distinguish:
Satisfaction & Contentment
Livelihood & lifestyle
A grand simplicity & a simple grandeur

– Sometimes, the only way to reach your goal is by moving in the opposite direction!

– If I go to sleep tonight, & don’t wake up tomorrow morning, I would be happy!
Does that mean I am not fully alive (yet)?

– If less (up to a certain extent) is more, then is more (beyond a certain extent) also less?

– Wretched are the poor in spirit, for they shall never know their real abjection!

– The Humanities
Vs.
The Spiritualities

– Shopping apps for women
Porn apps for men
Gaming apps for kids
Social apps for the elderly

– To the great(est?) Indian newspaper (The Hindu):
“SHAME :-
Stop printing & publishing full front-page advertisements, you fools!”

– What is the opposite of ‘shine’??

– Work – cultivate (the world), create (value) & serve (society)

– All genuine ministry is team-work!

– “The old saying ‘Don’t just think/talk, DO something!’ is one of the most stupid things one can say, even measured by the low standards of common sense.”
A defence of Philosophy must in turn be philosophical!
The necessity of contemplation, for development… What is the use of moving fast, when you are moving in the wrong direction? Conversely, what is the point of knowing the right direction, if you’re not gonna move in it?

– virtuosi

– Distinguish:
Stipulations
&
Speculations

– Personality-type & life-philosophy

– “Erroneous zones”  😉

– Maladaptive emotions
Orthopathy – the proper response to gross injustice &/or violence is ANGER!
Moral emotions

– It is better to be magnanimous than to be ‘non-judgmental’!

– I have become more mature now, but I still find it almost impossible to not blow up when someone (especially close family) needles me!

– Schmuck
Yiddish
yarmulke

– Is studying Spirituality helping you live (more) spiritually??

18.7.15

– How can something “feel right, or feel good”??
It can only feel nice!
And you can only believe something is good or think something is right.

– Dream:
I (along with Salome) am watching a home video of Kiruba, Vinolia, Manoharan mama, Prema atthai & fly. in the U.S…

– Even on random learning days, stick (close) to your core areas.

– Get good content-curation apps to get the best out of the Net, tailored to your interests!

19.7.15

– GOD – can the same person be both your king & your friend?

– The only way for us to recognize the sovereignty of GOD (or seek his Kingdom), is by fully establishing human freedom (& universal welfare) on this planet!

– Infantile religion & the glorification of childishness…
My GOD
Vs.
My problems

– Psalm 104:3-4 – divine inspiration for technological breakthroughs?!

– “Lord, please continue to speak to us even through this act of giving toward the ministry.”

– The vocation of being human (individual) as an eternal (divine) responsibility!

– Christ:
You know who I am ~ you believe in me

– The paradoxical demonization & idolatry of the flesh (safety, comfort & pleasure), by the contemporary church!

– Spiritual power as the ability to refuse to bend the knee before brute force/violent authorities!

– No learnING, no knowledge

– To be good is to value truth supremely, and (therefore) live beautifully.

– The Father ~ the Good

– “Howcome you are breaking this rule?”
“I am just doing, what the man who healed me, told me to do!”

– Law > rule(s)

– Can you wholeheartedly accept whatever has been given to you (the power, work, words, people, name), & do your very best (under GOD) with it?

– The Heaven under the earth!

– What does ministry (spiritual work) have to do with money (financial resources)?

– “The Devil is in the detail”
“GOD is in the detail”

– If Jesus of Nazareth was (IS) the greatest scandal, then how can “not being a stumbling block to anyone” be a central Christian ethic?!

– Movies:
“American Sniper” (super!)
Compare with “Hurt Locker”
The relational strain caused by divergence of basic values – I can identify with that!
Higher cause (Chris) vs. Family (wife) vs. Self-preservation (the younger brother)
Isn’t this the story of (almost) every couple, & even the battle within each individual – Anima vs. Animus?
A sheep-dog loves other sheep-dogs even more than all the sheep! What’s so great about loving one’s own clan/herd – nothing more than animal instinct??

“Avengers: Age of Ultron” (flop)
A post-human future!?
Is GOD more like Ultron or Vision?
Does Jesus’ resurrection show that Man is immortal?
Wit + will + team-work makes anything possible, because of Grace (the benevolent Sovereign)!
The Cross (crucifixion as glorification) – is there a fine line between salvation & extinction??

20.7.15

– Dream:
I am stranded on a highway, & struggling to catch a bus to Theni…

– Facebook – I friend those who send me request, but I follow no one!
Actually, I joined to just share my blog posts to a wider audience…  😉

– No spiritual warfare, without physical discipline & cultural criticism!

– Marital self-counseling:
1. You must look at each other primarily as individuals, before you see the other as ‘my spouse’.
2. Whenever anyone asks something sensitive, or comments critically about one, refer them directly to the other, & refuse to answer for them.
3. Promise that you will always love the other, & you value the relationship very highly. So the other doesn’t have to feel insecure & anxious about the status of the partnership.

– On Sundays, send to my inner circle:
“Have a super Sabbath, folks!”

– People are naturally sexy, they become prudish only when immersed in a moralistic culture!

– Which is more important:
Biblical or secular study?
Study or journaling?
Corporate worship or private prayer?
Physical exercise or socializing?
All (usually) equally important!?

21.7.15

– It is truly awesome that such great stuff is offered free, & also shocking that so few avail of them! Just like the Gospel……

– Do you have an alternate (private/secret) cyber-avatar?
I do!

– “New England oppression of dissenters embarrassed Congregationalists before their brethren in England, who were themselves oppressed by the established Church of England…”
Oooh!

– Religious identity and economic dynamics

– Check out the “50 Shades of Grey” collection @ 500px ISO!  😉

– Theory, from the Greek theoria, which means “a viewing” or “spectacle”

– Duet is also a brain-game, although it is not explicitly labeled so!
The (artificial and simplistic) dichotomy between all entertainment and education must be destroyed, but without completely losing the useful distinguishing features of either category…

– Primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary texts

– I must not separately blog/post (the link for) any article I have not read fully.
I can just put the link along with my other journal entries (within one blog post)…

– Reverse fantasy

– My anger is definitely disproportionately greater than what the provocation warrants…

– The home as a gymnasium!

– Can anyone guess how much pain lies behind this “cute-couple photo”??

22.7.15

– Don’t hate pain.
Don’t fear pain.
Pain is bad, there is nothing good in it as such, but there is great value in learning to mature, by enduring it!

– How good a Christian can you be, without any understanding of Judaism?

– Distinguish:
Chronological age
&
Psychological maturity
When an adult and a child are in an intimate relationship, the adult is responsible to help the child (slowly) become fully adult.
But meanwhile, the adult must learn to be a parent!
This transition will (always!) require the input of a third-party.

– Starvation –> cannibalism!
Maintaining humanity under brutal conditions requires supernatural/divine power…

– GOD vs. The temple!

– Annual feasts – the Sabbath as the weekly festival!

– “The virgin daughter of Zion, in the winepress of the LORD”!
“Her foes have become her masters”  😦

– Nakedness:
Impudence (private seduction) –> judgment (public stripping) –> shame (social & psychological distress)!

– Readings:
“Theory for Religious Studies” – Timothy Beal et al (Intro. & Chapter 1)
WOW!

– Sins of the leaders –> suffering of the masses –> downfall of the nation

– Lamentations 3:21,24; 5:21-22

– “GOD’s appeal for Judah’s forgiveness”
Huh??!

– My misery is ultimately due to my own sin, therefore the way out of despair always goes through repentance!

– Linking biblical interpretation & church history

– The palace, the cathedral & the university, all swallowed up by the MARKET!  ;-(

– glosses
reader

Distinguish:
Compilation
&
Digest

– brazen (v.)

– Compare & contrast:
“Sentences” (Peter Lombard)
&
“Pensees” (Blaise Pascal)

– Topical (biblical) commentaries –> systematic theology!

– Relating Philosophy & Philology in biblical theology!
Cultural history & literature

– Transitional figures, works & events

– From Reformation biblical criticism to Evangelical biblicism – how?!
Protestant rationalism & pragmatism, Catholic pietism & Evangelical fideism
Scientific (linguistic – original language study) literary criticism (not rabid fundamentalism) –> challenging church authority!

– The proper response to rationalism is romanticism, not fundamentalism!

– Critical editions of interlinear texts

– The custodians of purity – conservation of tradition

– Christian kabbalists!
Spiritual synthesis

– Why & how did immersion in classical literature produce a humanistic culture?

– There are continuities even in radical revolutions!

– Catholics – love
Protestant Evangelicals – faith
Protestant Liberals – hope
Orthodox – joy
Eastern religions – peace

– Christian communities and their respective scriptural canons

– Tensions:
Old Testament & New Testament
Scripture & Church
Israel & Kingdom
Faith & Reason

– John Calvin was a lawyer!

– Privacy, decency & reputation

– What do you gain, & what do you lose, by submitting completely to the authority of a great spiritual master?

– How strong is your will?
How large is your heart?
How sharp is your mind?
How fine is your body?

23.7.15

– What does death have to do with humour??

– Dream:
I am jogging, & the crocodile from the nearby marsh jumps out & starts to chase me…!

– Stop beating around the bush, &……?

– Blogging: When posting videos, use YouTube, & then add a link on WordPress.

– “At the ultimate point, beyond which you can go no further,
You get to where there are no rules, no standards,
To where thought can accept Impartiality,
To where effect of action ceases,
Doubt is washed away, belief has no obstacle.”
— Seng-tsan

– “With all thy soul fear the Lord, and reverence his priests.”
— Ecclesiasticus 7: 31

– “From Brahma to a blade of grass all things are my Gurus.”
— Kaula Tantric Precept

– Household chores for spiritual growth?!

– What does it mean to be “poor in spirit”?

Click to access I_Say_Unto_You_Volume1.pdf

– scatterbrain

– Windows 8 – search works (better) when indexing is disabled!

– I must overcome the compulsion to keep downloading unlimited resources, if I am to find the time to actually read anything substantial!

– What does Freud/psychoanalysis/illusion have to do with Marxism/ideology??

– Theory – critical, cultural and literary

– When feasting, don’t diet.
When relaxing, don’t be careful.

– “Head over to 500px Prime and get creative with your search terms”…
And add to your lightbox!

– “Daybreak: Thoughts on the Prejudices of Morality”

–  “… his unpublished notes are extraordinary in both volume and interest, and indispensable to a full understanding of his life & work.”

24.7.15

– “Charm offensive”
Soft power

– “Political economy originated in moral philosophy”!

– mock-serious

– Gag order

– Technological, political, economic, religious (versions of) utopia
Heavenly visions, or recipes for disaster??

– deadbeat
self-starter

– whizzbangery

– How much of your thoughts, or for that matter your motor movements, are under your conscious control??

– The human, falling to being sub-human, in the attempt to become super-human!

– “Incisive lucidity” & “astounding brevity”

– Over-interpretation –> under-appreciation

– Our capacity for vicarious experience is truly astounding!
How can we make the most of it in our desire to fully realize our humanity?

– Walking the emotional (& relational) tight-walk! Be nimble.

– “There is no such thing as information overload. There is only filter failure.’’ – Clay Shirkey (Internet scholar)

– Christian suicide-squad!

– Do you wear helmet to protect your brain or your wallet??

– Insurance ~ assurance
Your tendency to monetize absolutely everything, including physical health, is very very dangerous!

– “Tetelestai!”
Amen.

– Y:
Pope Francis is essential following for any Christian today (on Twitter)! 👍
We must beware of letting our emphasis on Grace, making us insensitive to (our drive to discern & resist) evil in all its diverse & subtle forms!
Moving from moralism to ethicality ☝
@X: How & why did we first end up working here?? (refer the posted image “Apolitical spirituality”)
I think we should first be Kingdom-seekers, only then can we even consider becoming soul-winners!
Is spending (more than) 80% of one’s time & energy, just to earn money, to meet the (not-so-basic) needs of oneself & one’s family, to have a respectable social position, to gain self-worth by fitting into an impersonal labour market, “effective witness”??
Evangelism today is NOT about rescuing immortal souls from the fires of an eternal Hell, it is about converting bond-slaves of the mechanical World into free children of the Kingdom of the human GOD!
HALLELUJAH 🙏
@Z: Yes, my Saviour LIVES & Christ is ENOUGH, therefore I am FREE – I don’t have to capitulate to the pressures of the MARKETPLACE, by selling my soul to save my skin!
X:
@Y: question ketkurathu romba easy bro 😉 Answer panrathu thaan romba kastam.
Also not an easy topic to discuss over texting.  Will talk in person.
Y:
Doing work that contributes to the eternal Kingdom, by integrating one’s faith & job is the only way to witness to THIS (crucified & resurrected) Messiah!
Everything else is just hypocritical sham
Aah… There is a time for discussion, & then there is also a time for DECISION!
X:
Mahane… nee over ah question ketkura… over ah question keeta … nee maatum than group la irrupa at last  😜🔫
Y:
I believe it is possible, & some people are called, to be “witnesses” (MARTYRS!), in the corridors of wealth & fame (corporate, government, business, etc.), but the crucial question is, “Is that for ME??”
Yes I am here now, but HOW & WHY did I end up doing this?? It is NOT enough to just to ask how I can make the most of what I already have – the enemy of the best is the good.
Q:
“Potu thaaku. Bathil SOLLRA KELVI ILLA IDHU. Valzkai la dhan Bathil solanumla. Vittittu varanumla nets boatu ellam. Kingdom kulla enga nuzhaiyradhu. Paaka kooda mudiyaadhu Illa….enaane theriyaama disciple nu solikraaanunga. Gnaayitru kilame naduvla oru naal God s time…. Rest of.time is self time slaving under Egypt s Pharoah working for his pyramid projects…. Ha ha ha ha earning 2 3 lakhs… Then saying we are born again also. Where is the Kingdom ferment which gets up each morning for a whole day every day to the seeking of THY KINGDOM COME? ?? ?????”
Y:
“Mahane… nee over ah question ketkura… over ah question keeta … nee maatum than group la irrupa at last  😜🔫”
– Idha engayo kaettamaadhiri irukkae!??
The ancient Christians were persecuted & martyred, NOT because they were “trying their level best” to be “effective witnesses & win souls” from within the given (taken for granted, unquestionable) context of the Roman Empire, but because they challenged the very legitimacy & authority of that Power!
What are the Principalities that we are Called to fearlessly challenge today?? ROME is long dead……
What would Jesus plunder – today? Here? Now? In me? Among us?????
All these great, seemingly immutable/eternal, structures & systems we see around (& within) us are ultimately doomed, damned, f***ed!
AMEN. ✋
PEACE to all who jump off the ship of fools!
SHALOM ✌
@Z: The Christian GOD is non-violent, but he is NOT a pacifist!
The LORD of hosts – the original Jihadist 👊
The Lamb is at war – let all the superpowers beware!
And let all the peoples of the earth rejoice!

– Idolatry, illusion & ideology

– Attended Chennai International Queer Film Festival today.
WOW! What an inspiring experience 🙂

– Movies:
Nachtelle (Bright Night – German)
Psychoanalysis + sexuality + love – a heady mix indeed!
Recollection, repetition & resolution
Knowing the self, by embracing the Other!
Last scene – the old is passing away, & the new is coming to pass – can you take it?

25.7.15

– Studied silence

– YouTube personality

– Shipwreck dives

– GOD, I thank you for my privilege to live in this great city of Chennai (in spite of its many shortcomings)!
So many cultural & spiritual festivals, & that too for free…

– I prefer “GOD” to Lord!
I am a devotee, not a slave.

– “Love the life you live. Live the life you love.” – Bob Marley

– Is your moral existence going with, or against, the (metaphysical) grain of the universe (the character of GOD)?
“…the long arc that bends toward justice” (Martin Luther King Jr.)!

– “I was raw.
I matured.
Now I burn.”
Lust + discipline = passion!
Whoever said ageing is cooling down??

– I love Nietzsche!