Shout Out

Two nights ago our government shut down, thanks to a small but powerful group of ideologues who would rather see mass fiscal destruction than give way to a law called the Affordable Health Care Act, better known as Obamacare.

Segwey to an animated conversation last night among friends, which covered all civilizations from the dawn of time until today. Granted, it could not qualify as an exhaustive survey, given the scope of the subject and the education of the participants. All of us specialize in something, but not the whole magilla. Besides, so many civilizations have disappeared into the dust, either by attrition from the inside or by attack from warring nation-tribes. Entire worlds could have been long gone before us monkeys even started walking upright, let along writing about our misdeeds and achievements.

One of the occupational hazards of being a realist lies in the fact that a realist knows life is impermanent, fraught with highs and lows, and that everything that is now will one day be naught. Yes, rebirth will happen in time but we ain't gonna be around to see it, at least not with the current ego identifications we cherish so dearly.

Insight into the nature of the material world and our physical bodies cuts both ways. Either it makes one feel hopeless, suicidal, depressed, lethargic, unmotivated and unproductive or deeply grateful for the magical display of appearances. Knowing that one day we will be no more, it is all the more reason to relish every moment. Oddly, even pain, both emotional and physical, can be interesting if one strips away 'the story' behind the sensations and experiences them purely, nakedly, without the garnish of imaginery thoughts that make them seem so real.

But does impermanence imply that we do nothing to counteract the insanity infecting various aspects of global society, just because it's all just a blip on the eternal time clock? 

Rather, while we are here, we can act boldly, fearlessly, and decisively, with the knowledge that our actions are like footprints in the rock. Great acts don't come easily, but when they occur the effects are long lasting - even if they aren't forever.

People of common sense must rally together now, so that the needless cruelty of ideologues does not strip the hungry of food, or the sick of care. Let your voice be heard! Nothing is lost in the grand chain of being as it fades in and out.