Month: May 2016

GLEANINGS

13.5.16
– Governing charter
– Enforcement Directorate (ED)
– presumptive
– “So you think you can tell heaven from hell…”
– Pink Floyd
No,  I don’t!
– Moral luck
– Free will, determinism & compatibilism
– “Rebel Geeks” on Al Jazeera
– Psalter:
Liturgy as wisdom!
– How can one who has not witnessed any (outright) miracle, praise (this) GOD?
– “Do you love me?” ~ “Can you rest in my love?”
– tilde
17.5.16
– Every one needs to do 3 things:
1.Identify their passion. Living without self-understanding is bad.
2. Pursue it.
Resigning oneself to fate is wrong.
3. Evaluate it.
Truth & wisdom are crucial.
– Why did I vote for PMK?
1. Their CM candidate (Anbumani Ramadoss) was a proven & award-winning union health minister.
2. This party seems to be the best option out of the 4 major state-level parties.
3. Centre-Left ideology (social democracy)
4. Another alternative to the 2 dominant parties (DMK & AIADMK) which have been proven to be corrupt & inept in past terms of power.
– The contemplative life:
1. Being fully present in every moment.
2. Being always aware of the big picture.
3. Being attentive to the details in each task.
– Philosophy + religion = theology
Spirituality + theology = religion
– In this world, is it possible to make a living, without stealing from someone else?
18.5.16
– Anti-incumbency trend
– Multilateral engagement
– Materials research
– Mental illness as affluenza
– Fertility cults & harvest festivals
– “Stay inspired, you have turned into truly amazing person! Marriage has done wonders in both of your lives 💍”
“I do agree that marriage has helped me become more grounded, flexible & considerate”
– “I believe you have changed from strong introvert to more social person who can relate in a healthy and helpful way (knowledge and wisdom) to people who are even different and opposite.
Earlier you were able to connect and help only with your spiritual inner circle who are as intellectual as you.
There was some degree of discrimination shown between inner circle and other people. That has been wiped away. How has this transformation happened?”
The liberal turn!?
– Aerospace missions
– Celebrity activism
– Sappho
Lesbos
– Progressive ~ egalitarian ~ libertarian ~ democratic?
– Do the current leaders control the organization, or does the pre-existing structure mould the leadership?
– Someone beat Novak Djokovich!
Oh… who, when, where??
– Cases – civil, criminal & political
– Diplomatic cost-benefit analysis
– Chennai – Why is one of the most developed cities, in one of the fastest developing countries, in such a pathetic state (corrupt governance, poor infrastructure, malfunctioning social services, etc.)?!  😡
– Mid-summer rains…
Aaah!  😊
– Free speech & slander
Protecting rights & enforcing duties
– Dear Election Commission, make polling facility available online also!
– Shifting thermal equator!
Climate-resilient agriculture
– India has NOT signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty!
Why?
– Am I a true pioneer?
– Sushruta
– Short-sighted policies based on a flawed foundation
– Does Intellectual Property law encourage or hinder innovation & development?
– Bangladeshi bloggers not safe, even in Europe!
– Rude reminders of a new (bleak/morbid) normal!
– “My followers are better Tolstoyans than me!” – Leo Tolstoy
Marx
Vs.
Lenin
Jesus
&
Today’s church
– Be a global citizen, without sacrificing your local community.
– Introduction
What is your:
1. Story (past)
2. Passion (present)
3. Plan (future)
19.5.16
– Evernote fucking ROCKS!  😉
– Space-time curvature
– Theory of general & special relativity
21.5.16
– Because his organ goes into her body, does that now give her some right over it?
– brig
– townet
22.5.16
– ‘Religion’ is NOT a Christian concept!
– “I think that in spite of all the problems in the so-called ‘mission hospitals’, they are still more ethical when compared to the corporate hospitals, simply because their central purpose is to serve the poor, as opposed to the corporates which have financial gain as the main goal (with healthcare as the means)…
Am I right about this difference?
And I don’t think that working in a corporate hospital is automatically unethical or unchristian, but this choice is much more complicated/ambiguous than choosing to work in a service-oriented organization (as mentioned before). Is it not?
I see the organization as the bus within which we (choose to) sit, & do our respective jobs. And no matter what we do, we are always moving in the direction in which the bus is moving…! In fact, we are actively helping the bus to progress toward its predetermined destination…
This DOESN’T mean that any work done in a corporate context is worthless! But it is definitely NOT the same as doing the same work in a charitable institution…
Healthcare is still healthcare no matter where it is done!
My personal opinion is that Christians should be moving more toward organizations which are ethical & service-oriented, & all the others (in the dominant script) can go work for all the capitalistic enterprises (be it technology, education, healthcare, or any other sector) out there…
But I still think there is a place for Christians to enter the corporate sector, in order to be a counter-witness to the dominant culture (either as a dissident voice &/or a reforming force), but this decision  needs more serious reflection & spiritual discernment, & cannot be taken easily (as most Christians do nowadays)…”
– Theodrama, theopoetics & theopolitics
– Spirit ~ authority
Spirits ~ powers
Spirituality ~ politics!
– Hero ~ champion/saint/martyr
– Sent – I am an apostle of who/what?
Send – I am making apostles of who/what?
25.5.16
– Gibbous & crescent
26.5.16
– The Bible is not the Word (divine revelation) itself, but a standard set of words on the Word with which we must keep in touch, as we theologize……
Jesus/the Son, is the Word himself.
The Word is eternal, enfleshed & communal!
– Suffering by itself is not an adequate resource or qualification for good theologizing, but it equips the one who already has the aptitude for the task, to do it well.
– Suddenly I got a wild idea!
Maybe we both can have a child, & I can become a full-time father cum home-maker, & stop other ministry activities…
The death of the contemplative lifestyle, or a whole new form of it??
– Regular weeks – 2.5:1 rhythm
Vacation – 1:2.5 rhythm!
– Movies:
“Blitz” (Hit!)
“How can a film which gets so much wrong be so thoroughly enjoyable?”
I was bored to death, looking for something to make me feel alive… & I got it!
Just the right mix of sentiment and violence. It’s so thrilling and gratifying to see the good guys becoming bad in order to take down the evil one. Sometimes (not that rare), we must be ready to bend/break the rules, in order to uphold the law!
– How do I increase my basal metabolic rate?
– In order to master life, you must submit to its laws!
– In order to become great, you must know your own nature inside-out.
But how do I ……?
– Essential fatty acids
– Working day (spirit):
Ought – foreground
Want – background
Free day (flesh):
Want – foreground
Ought – background
– Freedom:
Nature > needs > desires > duties
– If parents don’t own their children, then how can GOD own us?
– How can I stay in touch with my self (spirit/heart/body)?
– Being-becoming > doing-having
– Learn to distinguish between your thoughts & feelings.
– What percentage of your knowledge is converted to wisdom?
– “If I risk it all,
Could you break my fall?”
“For you, I have to risk it all,
‘Cause the writing’s on the wall.”
– “So come on, let it go

Just let it be
Why don’t you be you
And I’ll be me?

Everything that’s broke
Leave it to the breeze

Why don’t you be you
And I’ll be me?
And I’ll be me…”

Sometimes, leaving the old behind is better than trying to heal it…

Makes way for the new!

– Common core thesis
– Perennialists
– Psychology
Vs.
Philosophy
– Intellect
Vs.
Intuition
– Idle reverie
&
Intense contemplation
– Causal indifference

GRIST

29.4.16

– “In the solitude of prayer we slowly unmask the illusion of our dependencies and possessiveness, and discover in the center of our own self that we are not what we can control or conquer but what is given to us from above to channel to others. In solitary prayer we become aware that our identity does not depend on what we have accomplished or possess, that our productivity does not define us, and that our worth is not the same as our usefulness.”

– Henri Nouwen

– No underwear during summer.

What are the pros and cons?

– Reading the newspaper, I realize that I am living in a part of the world which is in a much better state than many others!

– Bracing for the status quo

– Is it possible to be both balanced/healthy and radical/excellent?

Or is mediocrity/conformity the only option?

Is there a middle way?

– There is no smoke without fire

– slugfest

– Internal colonialism

– Institutionalized corruption

– columnist

– A bewildering balance sheet

– “No serious scholarship can know in advance what it seeks to achieve.” – Nikhil Govind

Truth is a pursuit. Knowledge is the way…

The destination is Life!

– Everyone is equal in (personal) worth, but not everyone is equal in (professional) expertise.

– Sophisticated systematizations of doubt

– grapevine

– Authority as the responsibility to keep (everyone involved, especially the leader) true & humble.

30.4.16

– Orthodoxy, orthopraxy & orthopathy ~ Faith, hope & love ~ Liturgy, mission & formation ~ Worship, service & disciplines ~ Theology, vocation & community ~ Belief, works & experience

Against dead formalism, lethal moralism & shallow enthusiasm

– Faith, hope & love –> love, joy & peace

– When the leader treats his/her people as friends, instead of servants, it naturally creates an environment which fosters cooperation, instead of competition, among the colleagues!

– The Witch:

If I was in the place of William (the father), I might have become a charismatic exorcist!

(I am a liberal theologian now)

– Disciples:

His words abide in you ~ you bear much/lasting fruit ~ ask whatever you will & the Father will grant it!

2.5.16

– “I am Yazidi” – BBC

– BBC HARDTalk with Rachel Dolezal

– decolonization

– Love:

I am good at giving the other more freedom,

And you are good at being more affectionate & caring.

I might become indifferent/distant, & you may become more demanding/dependent.

4.5.16

– Distinguish:

Nothingness (e.g. Silence)

&

Emptiness (e.g. Death)

Do you find boredom interesting??

– “Sine nomine”

– Is authoritative divine self-revelation still continuing or is it complete with the canon of Scripture?

– I think if I take 1 (or 2!) month vacation every year, fully & freely express the wild/raw/naked side, then I will no longer have the (periodic) temptation to throw away the entire ministry (permanently)……!

5.5.16

– When your income increases, increase the percentage of your giving.

6.5.16

– Peak summer (May & June) – no exercise…?

8.5.16

– Fateful

Vs.

Faithful

– “No other name”

Is there?

None!

– Humanism without anthropocentrism.

Individuality without egocentricity.

Relationality without conformity.

– If 2 people have to walk together, they both need not agree on everything (or even the most important things), but they must seek to meet somewhere in between their divergences…

Otherwise, understanding is not gonna result in acceptance.

A middle/common ground must somehow be found!

– “Hark, the glad celestial hymn,

Filling the heavens with sweet accord.”

Everyday of life on this earth, touchdown with Heaven.

Otherwise, ……

Connect with the Joy, or lose your hope!

– Distinguish:

Normal/natural

&

Average/mediocre

– Vacate-ion

Do it.

Stop!

– What does it mean to “own this mystery”?

– Sublimating biological parenthood into spiritual nurturing.

This year, our wedding anniversary is also Mother’s Day!

Julian of Norwich as mother…

The Virgin-Mother!

– “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,

For I cry to you, who fulfills your purpose for me.”

“My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast,

And I will sing of thy great faithfulness.”

“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!

Let thy glory be over all the earth!”

– GOD as mother & brother

– Should we add “Servant-Friend” as a distinctive spiritual type?

Simple, kind & dutiful. The most ‘ordinary’ of all the types!

– Parents, teachers, elders, pastors, etc.

– Comforting without being lenient.

And correcting without being discouraging.

– Being a complete person, without job, marriage, parenthood, wealth, reputation, etc.

Possible?

– All saints are monsters!

– Domestic nurture –> global impact!

– The educator/counselor/sponsor as parent

– Maturity includes the capacity to deal wisely with immaturity.

10.5.16

– Fantasies of escape

…does this Chennai climate make people more aggressive, distracted & depressed?

– “Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact called as one body to this peace), and be thankful.”

– Colossians 3:15 NET

http://bible.com/107/col.3.15.NET

Unity between people, rooted in the body of GOD!

11.5.16

– Movies:

“Captain America: Civil War” (cool)

Hmmm… Not quite up to expectations.

Not enough heart/intelligence, although the action is eye-catching! The plot felt too long & winding…

This comes nowhere near “Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice”.

I somehow don’t like comedy mixed with the action (Deadpool, etc.)

It is possible to fight the right battles, but for the wrong reasons.

Friendship and vengeance as prejudices/biases!

Can one be passionate without being impulsive?

Sometimes, the only way for the true/good to be discovered is through the conflict between 2 (or more) good persons!

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”

Is this possible without the side-effect of friction? Why does this process become (hot & blunt) sometimes?

It’s easy to be a lone warrior, but one superhero can achieve much more, by becoming a member of a team, which is far more challenging & difficult…! 

– “If I say, “My foot is slipping,” your loyal love, O Lord , supports me. When worries threaten to overwhelm me, your soothing touch makes me happy.”

Psalms 94:18‭-‬19 NET

http://bible.com/107/psa.94.18-19.NET

During times of crisis, is it possible for GOD to reach me, when I am not in touch with him?

Does GOD (usually) act in me without my conscious cooperation?

Do miracles happen without faith?

– Doing –> becoming –> being…… –> doing –> ……

Doing everything, in order to become who I am!

– “The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but people are tested by praise.”

WOW! So true. One can fail through success & succeed through failure…

– Think why you are, & feel how you are

– Never volunteer to be a guarantor for someone else. 

– “A loud and cheerful greeting early in the morning will be taken as a curse!”

A good thing done at the wrong time (or in the wrong way) becomes a bad thing.

– Tend/work/keep ~ protect/nourish/prune

– The distinction between thinking & feeling is crucial, & respecting both is even vital! 

– Nagging – What can you do when you cannot turn it off, or get away from it? 

This is a critical question for me! 

I must somehow learn to keep my cool, while in the midst of the fire. 

Maybe humor & indifference can help? 

– Do I have a master? 

No one that I know of! 

– Heart ~ life ~ face

– Holy Trinity:

Breath, word & body

– The questions that Bakhtin asks of language, are similar to what I am asking of my own life now…! 

– Guard ~ unite

How can persons without integrity, live in harmony with other people? What is the basis of true safety? 

– I have given them your name, your word & my own self! 

– Delight ~ nourish! 

– I entrust myself to what You have given me, & I prepare myself for their sake

– The son of destruction ~ agent of Satan ~ enemy of GOD 

– Enjoying is sharing, & 

Sharing is enjoying

– Abiding in the truth ~ carrying on the mission

– Chosen out of, & sent back into…… 

– Commission –> consecration 

Sanctify ~ sacrifice