All the big hairy questions about the mind, matter, the reality of reality, trees falling in the forest, consciousness, and so on will probably not be fully answered (not even by these podcasts)for a long time to come. Still, it's interesting to see that science often has to step outside its own borders to develop explanations for the newer discoveries, and how close this sometimes takes it to the territory of philosophy and spirituality. In this passage, the Dalai Lama points to a way of acting, even when we don't know the hows and whys of our effect on the world.

This reading comes from An Endless Trace by Christopher Bamford. This being autumn, maybe our thoughts turn naturally to images of releasing and transforming. I'm thinking now about sacrifice, both the outer, visible kind we may make and the inner, invisible kind Bamford suggests we are always experiencing.

I (Fred, that is) am starting a new thing with this installment. I plan to post some readings of written passages that appeal to me, or spark my interest in some way or another. The idea is not to preach but to sow ideas around in a way that gives people food for thought, or for play, or imagination.

There is enough intellectual debate already on the Internet. There are a lot of scholars and would-be theologians poised to flex their well-developed arguing skills and back their opponents into tight corners, and to look good doing it, and it's all very tiring. I'm not anti-intellectual--in fact, I think our general anti-intellectual bias is a sad thing--and I think most situations could be made much better if people had the ability to think clearly. But many people are much too attached to their own words and would rather use them to "win" arguments than to bring light. Opinions don't change or improve the world; words and deeds inspired by love do.

For me, the goal, and the challenge, is to let the words work in imagination and in feelings rather than just as intellectual weights to lift. I don't need to memorize or "master" the content; giving it my time and clear attention is enough.

Please let me know if these readings move you in any particular direction, or if you have suggestions for future passages to read. Thanks!