1. The Quest for Joy Giving yourself an enlightened narrative, to realize a state of virtuous autonomy.
2. It is not necessary that whilst I live, I live happily; but it is necessary, that so long as I live, I should live honorably. - Kant
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5. Real generosity to the future, lies in giving all to the present. - Albert Camus
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11. The test of a first rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function. - F. Scott Fitzgerald
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13. Without contraries there is no progression. Attraction and repulsion, reason and energy, love and hate, are necessary to human existence. - William Blake
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15. A great man is always willing to be little. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
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20. The Truth Will Set You Free? All speech is vain and empty; unless it be accompanied by action. - Demosthenes
25. Persist & Persevere Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. - Confucius
Editor's Notes
Ingratitude is the essence of vileness. - Immanuel Kant It is not necessary that whilst I live, I live happily;but it is necessary, that so long as I live, I should live honorably.- Immanuel Kant So I watched this 12 hr. Harvard Course on 'the right thing to do!' and I enjoyed it very much, especially the parts on Immanuel Kant, and the stuff on Alasdair MacIntyre. And while both these philosophers seem to be in conflict...they are not. Both are true. But which one is RIGHT ? The Narrative Conception of the Self by MacIntyre is true... And the Autonomous-Self by Kant is true.And both are right for me. So let me explain: The Narrative Conception of the Self must be recognized...before the autonomous-self can be realized. It's a matter of evolving into the super-conscious...where Buddha's middle way , or Aristotle's golden mean , is embraced. However, the process and the path, to the super-conscious, is diverse. For to be Autonomous is to decide for yourself, what is right for you, AND to believe what is right for you, is in alignment with the Universal Good. Then there is the Communitarian approach, or the narrative conception of self, which is really about the various institutional indoctrinations, or the programmed obligations you have to community, nation, family, etc. And it is this creative tension that enables us to experience life! So be grateful for the experience, and transcend the narrative-self. To transcend the narrative-self is obviously an arduous process. For we are a cacophony of madness...hopefully seeking the harmony of joy. The thing is, we can be BOTH Autonomous AND Communitarian. In fact, being aligned with the Universal Good IS Communitarian... The trick, however, is to not blindly follow the programmed obligations. Let me ask you this... Is abortion wrong? Is homosexual marriage right? Is racism wrong? Morality is not the doctrine of how we may make ourselves happy, but how we may make ourselves worthy of happiness.- Immanuel Kant
Metaphysics is a dark ocean without shores or a lighthouse,†strewn with many a philosophic wreck. - Immanuel Kant So the question remains, how do we cultivate virtue in our community? Ultimately, cultivating virtue is all about leadership.Since we cannot rely on the community to overcome the pogrom †or dogma ,we must cultivate the communities virtue , via stellar leadership. For people's paradigms vary so greatly within the global village. And this concept of Enlightened Leadership goes back to Plato & Aristotle. So the leader, who embraces the golden mean,†has balanced him or herself in the masculine and feminine energies.†And understand that to cultivate community virtue...requires a more organic approach.An approach that manipulates people's perceptions via the roles they play.And these fundamental roles require reflective equilibrium and are:Nurturer, Explorer, Cultivator, Manipulator, Soldier, Guardian, King, Queen.And the difficulty in embracing these roles are best explained...via the 5 Flaming Hoops:1. Embrace the Dichotomous Duality of Life†† †- by knowing the answer to why is always both; perception is reality.2. Embrace the Paradoxical Nature of the Quest†† †- by knowing being both, is impossible; but necessarily so for joyfulness.3. Embrace the Relative Narcissism, Myopia, and Egocentricity of People†† †- by knowing diversity is the elixir of life, and life is a process.4. Embrace the Shepherd, the Captain, and the King/Queen of Leadership†† †- by knowing it takes audacious courage to cultivate change.5. Embrace the will of Life & Love†† †- by making a tremendous amount of joyful sacrifices.Finally, there can be no justice without mercy,†and I believe John Rawls's version of political liberalism ...describes this version of merciful justice best.You see, by having us reflect upon the concept of reasonable pluralism,we can create an overlapping consensus ...when it comes to governing justice. After all, how it worked out, is how it was meant to be!But only if we engage the process and embrace 'the way',can we say we made a valiant and honorable effort. Science is organized knowledge.Wisdom is organized life. - Immanuel Kant
Live your life as though your every act,were to become universal law. - Immanuel Kant Now, having been a loyalist for the majority of my life,†I have felt deep obligations to my friends and family.However, I realized long ago, I can only be as loyal to them, as they are to me.And since the pressure of the programmed institutional indoctrinations...are so overwhelming, everyone was unable to reciprocate, my loyalty to them.Even the power of proximity couldn't overcome 'institutional-mind-control'.But you see, in my effort to cultivate friendships, I was able to free my mind.And in the freeing of my mind, I was able to transcend my narrative-self...You see, I freed my mind by letting go of my loyalty to friendship.And I did this by†becoming loyal to:ïmy purpose,ïmy missionïmy goalsïmy rolesïand my principlesWhile at the same time...constantly evolving my principles,to more effectively serve my purpose, mission, goals, and roles.Which meant I had to give myself a different and more evolved narrative.A narrative that effectively served my quest for joy.But before I could give myself an enlightened narrative, I had to make the hard choices: ï I had to unlearn the institutional indoctrinations,††- causing great pain;ï I had to challenge the norm,††- requiring great courage;ï I had to complete the past,††- requiring intense critical thinking;ï And I had to embrace the paradigm†that I am 'a-lone', and 'all-one';†† - requiring a tremendous amount of joyful sacrifice.In other words, I had to realize...that my way, isn't necessarily the right way, for everyone.You must see...†Diversity is the Elixer of Life!†and Life is a Process.So if the purpose is to live a more joyful life?Then the mission must be to help others, live a more joyful life.For the paradigm of 'Holistic Humanism' is about interdependency...and the method of 'Effective Kindness' is about sharing joy...and the way of 'Impartial Nobility',†is about the diverse process of evolution.And each of these, represents the wholly trinity, in the quest for joy. But although all our knowledge begins with experience,it does not follow that it arises from experience. - Immanuel Kant
The evil that is in the world almost always comes of ignorance,and good intention may do as much harm as malevolence,if they lack understanding. - Albert CamusWhat is the definition of stupidity?It is in demonstrating a lack of foresight in the choices we make.Are kids stupid?YES! because they lack the wisdom to understand the consequences.Now please understand that we are all children.And we are all children because of our narcissistic-egocentricity.Meaning, we have the delusion of independence. When, in fact, we are all interdependent.So when looking at our predicament here on earth...we must see how we have all co-created this madness.And we have done so by thinking my way is the right way for everyone.Meaning, we are trying to enforce our version of right upon others.And this, as we should already know, doesn't work.But instead of knowing how ineffective we are,we choose to stay the course and participate in exacerbating our misery.The need to be right is the sign of a vulgar mind. - Albert Camus The only real progress lies in learning to be wrong,all alone. - Albert CamusWe must forgive ourselves for our past transgressions.And the only way to do that is to take responsibility and apologize.For in fact, our past transgressions were made on incomplete information.So let us open our minds to a wider reality...Let us embrace a more evolved and more effective course of action...Let us be courageous and dedicate our lives to a more joyful tomorrow!let us realize who we truly are... individuations of love, life, and god. Those who lack the courage,will always find a philosophy to justify it. - Albert Camus
I always found it interesting when someone told me...they had been 'born again'.For i didn't really notice much change in the individual.I mean, I have been on a 'soap box' and I know what that looks like.And I believe it to be a part of our evolving as individuals.However, what works for me, may not necessarily work for you.In other words, if it ain't effective, it ain't true.So the question isn't whether it is true or false...But rather, IS IT EFFECTIVE, for me and mine?Let's begin from this great one-liner...It's not so much WHAT you say;as it is... HOW you say it.And since the entire bible was HANDED down to our generation...via ORAL traditions...meaning STORY telling...then HOW do we know...WHICH interpretation/translation is true?I mean;do you not think that sarcasm, cynicism, sardonic humor, wit and so on...weren't around 2000 years ago and before?They were...And we are more often receptive to IRREVERENT behavior than reverent.And both are equally appreciated by god/life. For we are one.You see... It's not about subservience...IT IS ABOUT SYNERGY.And synergy is based upon DIVERSITY.For there is NO synergy in HOMOGENEITY.Yet, sameness is what is required of us for BELONGING in this world...BUT ONLY BECAUSE...WE ARE CONDEMNING one another for our differences.Bur more accurately; for our ASSUMED differences.Yes, we are both different and the same.And our differences are the GIFT of the relative.And our sameness is the truth of the absolute.This is known as the TRIADIC NATURE OF PERCEPTION.And this triad has THREE levels of consciousness here in the relative.With all 3 levels of consciousness being derived from...the absolute: which is the 4th lvl of consciousness; known as the supra-conscious.the relative being the HERE... the THERE... and the IN-BETWEEN.In short, I see it like this: sub-conscious : it would be easier to be dead. conscious : this really sucks... no choices at all! super-conscious : I AM a servant of life/god. supra-conscious : I AM god/life. We are ONE.For the prime creative force to KNOW ourself...We had to DIVIDE ourself...and co-create the illusion of WHO WE ARE NOT....gotta love it all. The pain, the agony, and the joy.For there is not one without the other.SO be thankful for the gift of the illusion.The present... of our presence.
Lucifer is a servant of god/life.An UNKNOWING servant of god/life...and yet, still a servant.Meaning, Lucifer's decision to rebel, was INSPIRED.FOR IT IS ALL A PART OF THE DIVINE PLAN.And without lucifer and his minions...we wouldn't be able to fully appreciate the light of love.For to EXPERIENCE the one, we must be AWARE of, or experience the other.AND THE EGO, is the root element, for experiencing life.For the ego is the manifestation of the veil.And without the veil; the illusion would NOT be.You see, the ego enables us to perceive ourselves as SEPARATE.And this illusion of separateness enables us to experience individuality.Yet, the strength of our illusion has been carried to the extreme...causing it to be our weakness.For everyone in our life,is there to MIRROR our weaknesses and our strengths.What I hate about others, is what I really hate about me.And what i LOVE about others, is what i love about me.And in HELPING others to overcome their weaknesses...I help ME become stronger.FOR WE ARE ONE... (the big ME/WE).and within the illusion, we APPEAR to be separate (god's gift).YET, The illusion of individuality is also easily exploited.Making the EGO lucifer's plaything.So HOW do we NOT carry our strength to such an extreme;that it becomes our weakness??WE SERVE life/god. That's HOW.Serve??? I don't like the sound of that.Slaves serve for free. And I am no slave.I have free will and I will exercise it. So, where is my REWARD for serving god/life? First, OUR concept of free will is not altogether true.Yes, we can choose to resist our reality...Or we can choose to embrace it...BUT we don't really have any other choices.In fact, many of us don't even have a clue as to WHY we do what we do...especially WHILE we are doing it...We mostly come up with a reason for WHY...AFTER we already did it.So, I BEG YOU, choose a beneficial reason as to why you did it...Ask yourself if YOU are resisting....And if you are resisting...then choose to embrace the reality set before you.BY TAKING RESPONSIBILITY for it.Denial to OUR responsibility is resistance .And in taking responsibility we EMBRACE our lives;BY exercising our free agency to its fullest potential.And in so doing, we serve ourself. god. life. the big me/we and so on...Meaning, FREE AGENCY, or free will, is NOT FREE.Life has it's price. The price of cause and effect.Yet god's grace is always, and in all ways, there for the taking.serve.
That is the essence of a dichotomy.The idea that two opposing ideas (dichotomy) can both be true.The question isn't either or...But more; in what degree of each?Remember that stupid question... Is the glass half full or half empty.Well, IT IS BOTH.Or take it a step further.Is it good or bad?Well, it is all ways both.As well as being dependent upon the perspective of the participants.If a participant chooses to view life in black and white...then LIFE is black and white.If a participant chooses to view life more pragmatically...then life is more gradient.And a gradient perspective is most definitely...the more accurate perspective.Meaning, it is more in line with the POINT of life.The point of life being THE EXPERIENCE OF LIVING.And we obviously CAN NOT experience anything...without being aware of, or experiencing,THE OPPOSITE OF WHO WE REALLY ARE.And that opposite is known as the illusion of fear.Which is often misinterpreted as evil.You see, the sponsoring thoughts of ALL evil acts,are thoughts of FEAR...the fear of NOT ENOUGH for me...is most prominent in these days...but there are many sponsoring thoughts/fears...that can JUSTIFY our evil acts.However, WE MUST NOT condemn one another for our fears.FOR the illusion of fear is a gift, and must be seen as such...IF we are to embrace the adventure of life.And especially if, we are to help OTHERS embrace a joyful life.Therefore giving ourself a more joyful life.What I do to you. I do to me.What I do for you. I do for me.There is no such thing as a TOTALLY UNSELFISH ACT.For all truth is sponsored by the universal truth of oneness...and inter-connectivity.And this is where the collective consciousness comes into play...MY ability to MAXIMIZE my joyful life is LIMITED by the collective.So while my perception co-creates my reality...by giving me the ability to choose a beneficial perception...as to WHY things happen.You see, I am still living among my brothers and sisters;who HAVE A GREAT INFLUENCE...ON MY HAPPINESS.And OUR DELUDED perception of OUR reality...(NOT being aware of HOW the collective conscious affects us)is really a defense mechanism against the PAIN of empathy.WHICH IS A PART OF LOVE & COMPASSION.And THAT my friends... is the challenge we ALL must face.WE MUST empathize with the fearful; so we can...BE MORE JOYFUL.
Unless you change and become as little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven! WOW! what an indictment.I know change is the only constant... but come on man.Kids are so fricken beautiful!!(especially when they aren't mine)And what ages are we talking about?I mean, most adolescents seem to almost wanna be caged.So, I am assuming; elementary school ages are what we define as children.And thinking back, I was my most happy then.(Ignorance is bliss!)So what is that radical/reformist jew (jesus) really saying?I believe he was speaking in reference to PRIDE and HUMILITY.Pride is a form of denial.And children don't pretend to be something they are not...And this is called authenticity.To be authentic is to be HONEST about what we feel.And sincere in our desire to UNDERSTAND it all.By not denying our feelings, emotions and thoughts...we E-VOLVE!!!through the process of trial and error...much like children.However, the institutions of indoctrination tell us the complete opposite.They tell us to BE a very certain image.And, yet, NO ONE knows HOW to BE that certain image.For there is no singular path to the way .AND, there are almost no AUTHENTIC examples of this image.So, we all pretend to be, what we think, we are supposed to be.OR worse yet, what we are TOLD to be.And this ultimately leads us into the very mess we are in right now.A mess of gargantuan proportions.Where we are all on this 'hamster-wheel' of foolishness.Causing a homogeneous desire of belonging...and disenabling our synergistic birth right.IT IS the concept of protection that exacerbates the problem.For to protect another, is really to protect ourself.And what are we trying to protect another from?Pain... I hope. Yet pain is the gift of the illusion.So, in essence, we don't want our loved ones to be hurt...because it hurts US to see them hurt.This is called empathy.And to resist our empathy via the concept of protection...is to BE PRIDEFUL and demonstrates our lack of humility.FOR WE ARE NOT IN CONTROL of anything.Nothing matters... it is all an illusion of cause and effect.(yet the dichotomous nature of life, gives us ALL the opportunity for grace.)And to live, is to choose what matters to me.To live is to 'MAKE BELIEVE' . and children are good at playing 'make believe'. so let us co-create a new world order... and be as children are.
Words; empty as the winds,are best left unsaid. - Homer WOW...the above quotes could not be more pertinent to our current situation.And our current situation is one of homogeneous desires;and deluded perceptions.For example... I got this old 'friend' who will not go away...And she is a BIBLE THUMPER!(and people like that are normally the ultimate in vain and empty speech)I keep telling her that she is a lying hypocritical bitch...but she won't listen to me? i can't understand it?I mean, after all, the truth will set us free...AND I SPEAK TRUTH! So, for the purpose of helping us evolve...it must be more like; when the TRUTH IS REALIZED...it will set US free!NOT...I WILL FORCE THE TRUTH DOWN YOUR THROAT...and I will set YOU FREE; with that truth! (though I often wish it were the latter) n essence, we are left with the EFFECTIVE strategy...of perception manipulation...WHICH the Republicans/Corporations began PERFECTING in 1968.(with the advent of the television)and has to do with a simple and consistent message being repeated...over and over again; while playing on people's fears.This Ultimately being a form of indoctrination and brain washing.And I SINCERELY BELIEVE... THE DEMOCRATS better start using it.before OUR fears become OUR reality.Or this essential health care bill will be so watered down...it ends up doing nothing but making the insurance companies even richer. t is an unfortunate human failing,that a full pocketbook often groans;more loudly than an empty stomach. - Franklin D. Roosevelt You see... this is the problem... OUR LACK OF EMPATHY!and our lack of compassion...people are suffering and starving to death ALL AROUND US!but the same is true for those who are not starving.For there are so many of us with empty lives...lives without meaning and purpose.There are so many of us SUFFERING on BOTH sides of the fence...That we become extremely susceptible to egocentric manipulations. So, instead of playing on people's fears...President Obama can use the fundamentals of Perception Manipulation;via the example of...BOLD and COMPASSIONATE Leadership! Passionate hatred can give meaning and purpose...to an empty life. - Eric Hoffer WE MUST STOP TRYING TO EXPLAIN EVERYTHING!People don't have the willingness to change.ONLY EXPERIENCE can lead people to the promise land.And god knows we don't have time for that.Ultimately...WE are our beliefs.For our beliefs support our reason.And our reasons are our CO-CREATIVE POWER...For they are the answer we create; when we ask the question WHY?Meaning... if your answer to WHY, condemns others...and you say, 'cause THE BIBLE SAYS SO!!'then you are an empty vessel being led by an egocentric delusion. the TRUTH is inclusive. The empty vessel makes the loudest sound.- William Shakespeare
I don't know about you... but I have no idea what integrity means. "a steadfast adherence to a strict moral and ethical code" sounds like crazy talk to me. Name one lawyer who does that?Name one successful businessman who does that?Name one politician who does that?HOW would we even know?without transparency... there can be NO INTEGRITY.and our capitalist/governmental system HAS NO TRANSPARENCY!and besides that... there is an exception to almost every rule.(I don't believe in killing people... but if someone is trying to kill me?)so steadfastness ONLY applies to PURPOSE.and sometimes we must be who we are not... to BE all of who we are.so i say again... what is integrity?INTEGRITY of the medium?INTEGRITY of the message?INTEGRITY of the messenger?INTEGRITY of the receiver?INTEGRITY of the system?these are the question we must ask ourselves in every moment.how is our perception and our PURPOSE...WARPING our integrity?Nearly all men can stand adversity,but if you want to test a man's character,give him power. - Abraham LincolnIf our purpose is not effectively contributing to the greater good...then our integrity is an illusion of self-denial.IT IS A DELUSION!and it is the results of our actions... that define our character.NOT the actions themselves.it is EFFECTIVENESS of an altruistic purpose - that counts.The difficulty lies in our ability to perceive that which is truly service to all...and that which is in service to the ego.For it is our egocentric transgressions... that allow evil to prevail.
This is a hard one to explain.To betray is to be disloyal.To be disloyal is to be dishonorable.But it all sounds so egocentric and personal to me?And I am working at living an impersonal life.WHILE... working toward helping others live an impersonal life.Be all that you are seeking to receive...and be THAT in the lives of others - Neale Donald WalschSo, why does it hurt me so much when my brothers and sisters betray me?Why does it hurt so much when they are disloyal?It is because they are being DISHONORABLE.You see, those who truly know me... KNOW they are not betraying me.Those who know me KNOW they are not being disloyal to me.BUT RATHER... they are being disloyal and betraying themselves.They are being INAUTHENTIC.And since words have multiple meanings...VERY FEW have a clue to the true meaning of authenticity.Being authentic is being HONORABLE..Being authentic is "stabbing you in the front".Being authentic is being honest, direct, forthright, confrontational and true.Being authentic is LEADING BY EXAMPLE.If you fail to honor people...They will fail to honor you;But of a good leader...who talks little...when his work is done...his aims fulfilled...they will all say,"We did this ourselves" - Lao TzuSo, what if those around you misunderstand your example?What if, in their misunderstanding,they justify their dishonorable behavior?The following quote is an excellent justification for dishonor:Only trust thyself, and another shall not betray thee.- William PennAs explored in previous postings... trust is an act of love.And to not trust anyone... it to not love anyone. NarcissismYou see, by being inauthentic...we are not giving those around us the opportunity to evolve.simply put... by not being authentic... WE ARE NOT GIVING!!!No person was ever honored for what he received.Honor has been the reward for what he gave. - Calvin CoolidgeBeing honorable is the gift you give to yourself when you give OF yourself.I think I will let my buddy Teddy Roosevelt take us home... Americanism means the virtues of:courage, honor, justice, truth, sincerity, and hardihood;the virtues that made America.The things that will destroy America are:prosperity at any price; safety-first instead of duty-first;the love of soft living; and the get rich quick theory of life.- Theodore Roosevelt
There is NO INTEGRITY without AUTHENTICITY.There is NO AUTHENTICITY without TRANSPARENCY.There is NO LEADERSHIP without TRANSPARENCY.There is NO EVOLVING without TRANSPARENCY.There is NO EFFECTIVENESS without A PURPOSE FOR GOOD.Follow me, for I am the way, the truth, and the life.- Jesus the JewMeaning... follow the example of my purpose!What was his purpose?Before going down that road...What is Transparency?passing light without distortionIs cynicism a form of transparency?Inside every cynical person,there is a disappointed idealist. - George CarlinYou see, we are not talking about transparency any longer...but perception.It is our perception that distorts our purpose.And our perception is OUR FOCUS.(please use a versatile zoom/wide angle lens)So, transparency deals with the OPEN alignment of:WHAT we want.WHY we want it.and HOW we get it.These are the questions that determine our focus.And if our focus is not in alignment with...a purpose that serves the greater good...then we have a problem. Why is sarcasm the lowest form of wit? Sarcasm is the lowest from of wit because its aim is to belittle or hurt someone, and to laugh at their expense; we associate the word 'cutting' with it.On the other hand, true wit associates with the word 'levity', and boost everyone's spirits, being aimed at an action, a happening, or an attitude.Levity is a purpose for the greater good...because it warps our perception toward the light.because it redefines the action, happening, or attitude.WE ALL HAVE THIS ABILITY!!!it is not so much WHAT you say...as it is.... HOW YOU SAY IT!in other words; words have multiple meanings:A word is not a crystal, transparent and unchanged,it is the skin of a living thought,and may vary greatly in color and content;according to the circumstances...and the time in which it is used. - Oliver Wendell Holmes Judge not lest ye be judged. - Jesus the JewYet we all evaluate one another... ALL OF THE TIME!so, it is really...Condemn not, lest ye be condemned.i say this:through the baptismal fire we all must come.that fire will be ignited by the flint...contained in the mirror of life.that mirror is our relationship with others...the big me/we... god.
The end comes when we no longer talk with ourselves.It is the end of genuine thinking...and the beginning of the final loneliness. - Edward Gibbons THINK! yes... think. And discuss. with yourself.A genuine relationship begins with loving yourself. LOVE THYSELF! however, due to the lack of genuine, heartfelt-passions...this has become an extremely difficult thing to do.so we therefore retreat into the final loneliness. Where we CRY IGNORANCE and plead for denial. meaning... the pain involved in pursuing our passions...seems to be TOO MUCH in the face of our conformity.so we delude ourself into a plethora of justifications.all of which are born from our institutions of indoctrination.the same institutions that profess their service to life.so please understand; that I am not asking for anyone to be a hero.I am asking us ALL to be SOLDIERS.For a soldier is a genuine hero ...because a soldier... does the work! The characteristic of genuine heroism is its persistency.All men have wandering impulses, fits & starts of generosity.But when you have resolved to be great, abide by yourself...and do not weakly try to reconcile yourself with the world.The heroic cannot be the common, nor the common the heroic. - Ralph Waldo Emerson What is persistency except the willingness to take the hit...over and over again?without guarantees of actual success?THIS IS PERSISTENCY!and this is the life of a solider of light.though others have called it the 'hero's journey'...or the Monomyth (Joseph Campbell).Where there is a consistent staging process...in the raising of our consciousness;in a world surrounded by people...experiencing the final loneliness.see 3 min. video... ( monomyth link ):
