Skip to content

Tag: dichotomy

Absolute Nonsense

Published on June 4, 2025

Today’s Krishnamurti-inspired question: is evil the ultimate result or end-game of a gradual reduction in good, or is evil the ultimate result of a gradual reduction in evil, the end being a state in which good or evil is absolutely and only itself, being absolutely absent from the other?

Are they in fact (or perhaps only in perception) just two ends of the same stick, or two separate conditions from which neither can ever arise? If that’s the case, since most believe that something cannot come from nothing, i.e., unless there is a causeless cause somewhere, whether divine or otherwise pre-existing, where are the seeds of either found in the first place?

Is the answer that neither exists in the absolute? Or is the question, “Is there really an absolute at all?”

If that’s the case, since nothing that is not absolute can possibly ever recognize or understand the absolute, does any absolute – like perfect, ever, never, always, omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence, etc. – actually exist anywhere outside our limited, non-absolute minds? Just because we want to believe in something larger, grander, more permanent, or at least slightly more purposeful and directed than our own miserable, small, petty, useless, and mostly very mundane existence, doesn’t make it so.

If there IS an absolute, whether it exists only in our minds or not, isn’t choosing one end of the stick versus the other always the wrong choice?

And how would you know, unless you know? And if you know, how could it be absolute?

04 Jun 2025

Leave a Comment

Beyond the Sea

Published on April 19, 2025

If there is a distant shore strewn far across the vast and endless sea from the righteous land where the fascist and power mad make their camps and hawk their wares, that is where you’ll find I’ve pitched my tent. On the map, you may think it always on your left. And you may be right. But the world is a circle not well served by the illusion of two dimensional cartography.

If you look, I’m always just beside you. So close, and yet so far away.

19 Apr 2025

Leave a Comment

Spare Change

Published on April 1, 2014

There is no thing that doesn’t change:
some change, but no one sees;
some change a little, but no more;
some change to great degrees.

Some change and become something else;
some change but look the same;
some change because of point of view;
some change in all but name.

There is no thing that doesn’t change:
some change and never know;
some change without a reason why;
some change but never grow.

Some change to suit a place and time;
some change despite themselves;
some change outside but not within;
some change just for a spell.

There is no thing that doesn’t change;
some change without a clue;
some change for better or for worse;
some change but are not new.

Some change to find a better way;
some change, yet stay behind;
some change but never seem to grow;
some only change their minds.

1 APR 2014

Leave a Comment

The Ballad of St. Orwell

Published on April 25, 2013

It might seem uncommon, to some passing strange,
that your life some others would like to arrange,
to limit your options, your sights and your range;
a preposterous thought, you’ll agree.

It might seem presumptuous, to say the least,
to let someone else say who starves and who feasts,
and draw a hard line between layman and priest;
yes, it feels overzealous to me.

It might seem unusual, in point of fact,
that those who have plenty despise those who lack,
yet build their great empires on those same poor backs;
an unsettling picture to see.

They might seem in error, such customs as these,
that lift a few up but leave most on their knees,
though the difference between them is but small degrees;
yes, a puzzling dichotomy.

It might seem quite curious, given some thought,
that some will complain, while most others stay bought,
and give up those precious gifts so dearly bought;
a great mystery, oh yes, indeed.

It might be for nothing, this musing of mine,
some light entertainment served with bread and wine,
but into each darkness surely, some light must shine;
while I’ve breath in me, so it will be.

25 APR 2013

Leave a Comment