Month: December 2015

30.11.15
– What am I doing?

I am just trying to understand/interpret & practice/demonstrate a robust spirituality.
– Check out the course “Theology Quest” (Howe & Myslinski) on iTunesU!!!
– subsidence
– lumpen
– Movies:

“Faults” (hit)

The cult of the bourgeoisie, & the lumpen proletariat…

What are your fault-lines?

The client as analyst!

Can there be freedom & fairness, without violence & destruction? 

“Escape from Freedom” – Erich Fromm 

Political psychoanalysis as theological revelation!

1.12.15
– Boredom:

What are the ways in which my life lacks intensity (& why)?

&

What are the ways in which I attempt to self-medicate (& why)?

Let my fearless descent into the depths of emptiness & frustration make me a more disciplined & creative person. It is only through this rough (toughening & enlightening) journey that I can become mature, & then capable of guiding & nurturing others into (their) glory…

Calibration!
– Learn ~ input –> change ~ process –> growth ~ outcome!
– “Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows” – check out this YouTube channel!
– Boredom is the mother of creativity,

Frustration is the mother of endurance,

Chaos is the mother of discipline.
– unmake
– Outcomes of learning – change in beliefs/values, opinions/attitudes & decisions/actions
– inane

impertinent
– Curiosity + courage = creativity!
– Art criticism & social sciences – the links between art & science.
– The child – the paragon of both recklessness & cowardice!
– “There is no present, there is only past & future.” (the flow of time)

“There is no past & future, there is only the present.” (the eternal now)

Can both these statements be true?

Of course, they must!
– Appreciation > enjoyment
– Distinguish:

Reflexive (impulsive)

&

Reflective (thoughtful)

&

Contemplative (prayerful)
– Is heroism nothing but counter-cultural cupidity?!
– humbug

hocus-pocus
– vulpine

knaves

educe

cumbrous
– chattel
– The beauty of mathematics!

3.12.15
– When you investigate something, are you prepared to accept a finding that would be inimical to your self-interest or challenging to your cherished beliefs?
– Why can’t you love GOD without loving people too?

Because of the divine humanity (Bulgakov)!

The Second Adam (divine) is the first, & the First Adam (human) is the second.
– Spirit/principle/life/GOD –> flesh/action/love/man
– All Christian rituals are effective only because of the Christ-event, whose truth & power they are meant to symbolize & channelize.
– Obedience –> blessing –> prosperity

Wisdom –> growth –> success!
– Do not despise small beginnings, because if they are part of the Kingdom, then they will definitely become great!
– Parables: Cryptic explanation of great mysteries – What did you expect? The revelation of the Secret will be no less puzzling!
– Daily worship –> a life of joy!

The vow of praise & prayer
– I must strictly limit my total sleep per day to a maximum of 8 – 8.5 hours (including night & afternoon)
– What if you have to live with someone you don’t like:

1. Learn to accept the other as they are & work on your own negative emotions. Beware of hatred!

2. Love them, irrespective of whether you like them.

3. Pray for the family.

4. Help them to change & improve themselves.

5. Take breaks.
– Read –> study –> learn

Start practising digestion!
– When you feel depressed, resisting carnal temptation becomes almost impossible!
– Can/should I do any volunteer relief work during this flood crisis in Chennai? Will I just be a liability?

4.12.15
– Movies:

“Inherent Vice” (okay-hit) 

A gorgeous movie, with an unforgettable scene! OMG… it feels like you could almost touch her. 

How do you relate the hero’s PI business as a social service, the FBI’s anti-subversive agenda (against the entrepreneur turned communist), the turbulent, weird friendship between ‘Bigfoot’ & Doc, & the central romance, & integrate them with the title? 

Hey, you missed the (ubiquitous) Marijuana (& the larger Hippie culture) ! 

What happens to Shasta during her disappearance??

15.11.15
– Should I try to speed up my gadgets, get faster ones, or just learn to be more patient?
– My confusion & frustration comes out clearly in the way I play TT!  :-[
– “Let them grow together until the harvest time.”

What meanings can you draw from this passage if you read it with a psychoanalytic lens or a leadership lens or a cultural lens?

Can you identify the unconscious in this parable?

16.11.15
– Bentley Hart is better at dealing with the New Atheists than Peter Rollins.
– Movies:

“Aayudha Ezhuthu” (Tamil – hit)

I have elements of Inba, Michael & Arjun in me!

Someone like Inba could never make a living like other normal people, so his (& her!) end is realistic.

Was the ending of the film too optimistic??
– How is Rollins’ “Idolatry of God” similar to, or different from, the basic Buddhist premise of Nirvana?

18.11.15
– Each person’s death should be a cause for celebration to those who are left behind:

1. Organ donation

2. Give away at least half of your wealth to charity.

3. Cremation – no usage of real estate or money for burial.

Write your will today, & assure a glorious end with your loved ones.
– There are 2 kinds of future:

What will be (probability – passive – fate – extrapolation of the same old past – if we do nothing to bring change)

&

What can be (possibility – active – hope – the breaking in of something new – if GOD works in & through us)
– Dream:

A spider comes crawling out of the mat. But as it slowly comes out, I realize that it is actually a giant, monstrous spider with huge tentacles!

(Compare with movie “Enemy”!? How best can you label the expression on the hero’s face in the last scene?? In my dream, it was horror. But I don’t think it’s the same as the movie…

The unconscious, sexuality, ideology, etc.)

19.11.15
– Kingdom/Calling/mission > Work/career/ministry
– Love > acceptance

GOD unconditionally loves (not only accepts) us!

Affirmation from without –> evaluation from within…

NOT the other way around.
– Movies:

“A Clockwork Orange”

Why this title? What is the novel (by Anthony Burgess) all about?

If human nature can be changed only from within (spiritually), then is there nothing we can do about it??

How can we be repaired without being damaged by the very same attempt?!

What can the Christian Gospel do about this conundrum?

Getting to know the book on which a film is based is as important as having an elemental knowledge of the Bible in its original languages!

What is common to religion and the state, in their approach to reforming people? Fear & control!

20.11.15
– “You were young and your heart was an open book,

You could say live & let live…

But in this ever-changing world in which we live in,

Makes you give in & cry,

Live & let die!”

– Guns N Roses

Is it possible to stay human & still survive in this world?? Just look at the Cross!
– Don’t use USB hub for charging your mobile devices. Use only a power adapter or charger.
– We are willing to be patient with mechanical instruments, but why not with the digital?
– Aayudha Ezhuthu – Inba, Michael & Arjun – all 3 are in me, yes. But in what order, & how do they relate to each other?
– 3 elements of Christian life:

1. The sheer grace of GOD

2. Our faithfulness

3. Miraculous works

In your faith, how do these three line up?
– Study Bible:

1. General articles

2. Intro. to each section/book

3. Translation notes & passage commentary

How do you map these 3 onto your spirituality as a whole?
– What do you call small people who are living large, & great persons who are living small?

21.11.15
– In “Jimmy’s Hall” (movie), where are we (the contemporary church)?

Look at the last scene with the kids cycling & screaming behind the escort…!

22.11.15
– Choices:

1. Live & work in a tier 2 city, that is close to a metro, but not as overloaded. Visit the metro once in a few months for certain important cultural & educational events.

2. Avoid the daily commute by living very close to your workplace. You can visit your family home during weekends.

3. Allot a particular place in your house for a specific purpose – study, prayer, sleep, entertainment, socializing, etc.