whatever is rattling around my brain that makes it out my fingers. may contain bad poetry, decent photographs (all mine unless otherwise noted, and therefore copyrighted), yoga rants, and general silliness.
Friday, July 6, 2012
looking back is dangerous
as satchel paige is reputed to have said, don't look back,
something might be gaining on you.
of course, he also said,
just take the ball and throw it where you want to. throw strikes.
STAR TREK V: THE FINAL FRONTIER is far from the best of the Star Trek movies made during the 1980s and '90s, but it did have something in it that has stayed with me over the years, one that ties in with your post. A vulcan takes over the USS Enterprise by employing a peculiar means of mind control. He forces each crew member to relive a painful moment from their past, thus "freeing" them from the burden of memory. Captain Kirk resists this by proclaiming "Our pain is who we are!" I've often wondered about that. Are our experiences--good or bad--who we are as individuals, or is there an "original" version of ourselves that exists apart from our experiences? Until some vulcan comes along and tries to control my mind, I'm afraid I won't know the answer to that particular question.
this reminds me of a zen koan that goes "show me your original face you had before you were born, before your mother and father were born." i don't know the answer to that one, either. but then, koans weren't asked in the expectation of an answer.
An alternative look at that compelling question is found in the movie The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Again, it's entertaining to consider such things, but like koans, there's no expectation of an answer. It wouldn't matter, anyway. It is what it is.
What's so spiritual about a quote from a fictional character in a Hollywood movie where millions of dollars were spent on special effects?
As for the coincidence of me and Captain Kirk having the same name (even though it's my first and his last), you're right. It's more than a coincidence. It's a divine miracle. I am God! You may begin genuflecting.
There may indeed be original versions of ourselves floating around the multiverse. There may also be, or have been, original versions of ourselves in THIS universe. The personality, or the potential for a personality, that we're born with, which is then distorted through environment and experience. You know, the ol' nature vs nurture argument.
there is a serbian proverb that says "you are made of stars." being the buddhist-leaning person that i am, that makes sense to me. then we get here, and whammo!
These are beautiful photographs.
ReplyDeletebeginner's eye. i want it back, which is impossible.
DeleteTry living as if today is the first day of the rest of your life...How trite
Deletemike, if i could do that, i think i'd be enlightened.
DeleteSTAR TREK V: THE FINAL FRONTIER is far from the best of the Star Trek movies made during the 1980s and '90s, but it did have something in it that has stayed with me over the years, one that ties in with your post. A vulcan takes over the USS Enterprise by employing a peculiar means of mind control. He forces each crew member to relive a painful moment from their past, thus "freeing" them from the burden of memory. Captain Kirk resists this by proclaiming "Our pain is who we are!" I've often wondered about that. Are our experiences--good or bad--who we are as individuals, or is there an "original" version of ourselves that exists apart from our experiences? Until some vulcan comes along and tries to control my mind, I'm afraid I won't know the answer to that particular question.
ReplyDeletethis reminds me of a zen koan that goes "show me your original face you had before you were born, before your mother and father were born."
Deletei don't know the answer to that one, either. but then, koans weren't asked in the expectation of an answer.
you always ask the good questions, kirk. thanks.
An alternative look at that compelling question is found in the movie The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Again, it's entertaining to consider such things, but like koans, there's no expectation of an answer. It wouldn't matter, anyway. It is what it is.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. Great comments. I can begin my day now.
ReplyDeletei hope your day went where you wanted it to go!
Deleteso good to hear from you, kass. and thanks.
Ahh Kirk, you had to go and get all spiritual on us and with a quote from Kirk, is that coincidence or the universe at play?
ReplyDeleteWhat's so spiritual about a quote from a fictional character in a Hollywood movie where millions of dollars were spent on special effects?
ReplyDeleteAs for the coincidence of me and Captain Kirk having the same name (even though it's my first and his last), you're right. It's more than a coincidence. It's a divine miracle. I am God! You may begin genuflecting.
uh, god? i have a few requests...
DeleteGenuflecting...Engage
Delete...is there an "original" version of ourselves that exists apart from our experiences?
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant question Kirk. It suggests that there are many versions of ourselves floating around somewhere out in the multiverse.
There may indeed be original versions of ourselves floating around the multiverse. There may also be, or have been, original versions of ourselves in THIS universe. The personality, or the potential for a personality, that we're born with, which is then distorted through environment and experience. You know, the ol' nature vs nurture argument.
Deletethere is a serbian proverb that says "you are made of stars." being the buddhist-leaning person that i am, that makes sense to me. then we get here, and whammo!
Delete