tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.comments2023-09-19T10:03:27.883-06:00New City of FriendsDayamatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125167790936883271noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post-33454732348554747892017-09-17T12:30:12.986-06:002017-09-17T12:30:12.986-06:00I was there visiting in late 1980-'81. I can o...I was there visiting in late 1980-'81. I can only imagine what the energy was like there in the late '60's and 70's. And I wonder if i had ever met any of the people posting here. <br />I expect many people who spent time there have had profound personal experiences that can't be and shouldn't be put into words. <br />Last spring I made it to Kaslo, staying at Ainsworth hot springs. Didn't have the time to go over to Argenta, because when i get there again, i want to spend some quality time there. <br />(Paul E. - Did you mean 'Polster's'?)pcnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02997375976270634102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post-4403111885502994322017-08-24T08:18:27.832-06:002017-08-24T08:18:27.832-06:00I went to school there in 1968-1969, was best expe...I went to school there in 1968-1969, was best experience ever, learn how to take care of myself in a,farm community,milking the cow in the morning and at night at the Posters. House for 4 months , then to new house house built that year run by the kinnards. Learning to make bread and yogart. Andy and Kristen. We're great house parents. Met exchange student Ishmel. Lebanon. Remembering the good time he like to walk around with no shoes , even in winter months. All the snow. Skiing up in the mountains with Dan Phelps , one of our teachers, there was only 3 of us in class. Me, Mary Winter from Ann arbor, and the Pollard son or grand son. The time the new sauna caught fire with me and Andy inside. Paul evansnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post-59354327167862143942016-11-20T06:00:30.119-07:002016-11-20T06:00:30.119-07:00Excellent commentary. However, with respect to thi...Excellent commentary. However, with respect to this statement: "One important difference between Trump and the Fascists, to give just one example, is that the Fascists had a clearly worked out ideology and an agenda for carrying it out, which they did with brutal efficiency, whereas Trump does not." Trump may not have an agenda, but Mike Pence, Paul Ryan and other Tea Party and/or super conservative Republicans certainly have: decimate every governmental and social program that provides a safety net for those in need. They will carry it out with brutal efficiency. This election has been the perfect storm: the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of government are now in the hands of Republicans who do not see beyond their narrow ideology and do not see the havoc they will wreak on future generations. As Maurice Chevalier sang in GiGi, "I'm glad that I'm not young anymore." I would not want to be first growing up in this new world. City MouseCity Mousenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post-91959313152288276722016-03-18T20:18:44.810-06:002016-03-18T20:18:44.810-06:00I find this writing informative and written from a...I find this writing informative and written from a perspective that I didn't think up myself!! I commend you for trying to fit our current election into historical terms so that everyone doesn't think the current wackiness of candidates is not part of a tradition. However, it might be said, concerning our parties, that no one up to now has run from the National Socialist German Worker's Party, the party of Hitler, and even if someone were in America influenced by this party, it wouldn't be touted as such. The elasticity of the Republican party perhaps includes this other party, and Donald Trump is said to have Hitler's speeches as a bedside table book. I am only saying that our traditional parties might not be recognizable in this election, or stretched beyond their historical meanings.Flame Snydernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post-12627550937663382042015-07-25T00:57:50.082-06:002015-07-25T00:57:50.082-06:00Hi...one of you publications has been posted on re...Hi...one of you publications <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Buddhism/comments/3ea3no/n%C4%81g%C4%81rjuna_master_of_paradox_mystic_or_perpetrator/" rel="nofollow">has been posted on reddit </a> ... quite a bit of discussion going on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post-74726737804314970902015-06-17T03:59:05.644-06:002015-06-17T03:59:05.644-06:00Sadly I think the predominant values in the societ...Sadly I think the predominant values in the societies we inhabit are moving ever further away from the values you express here. I do have some sympathy with you. Personally I find the ancient past fascinating, though I suspect that this is at least partly because I find the present unbearable. Long dead people are a much simpler prospect than the current lot. And then there is the joy of sifting the evidence for patterns and sense. The exhilaration of discovery. On the other hand the more I learn about contemporary human beings the less I like most of them. <br />Jayaravahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13783922534271559030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post-31701930380696240202014-02-16T20:48:11.930-07:002014-02-16T20:48:11.930-07:00The political compass helps me understand why I se...The political compass helps me understand why I send money to democrats grudgingly--I'm with you over in the southwest quadrant (90% far left economically; 68% libertarian), and democrats, while not quite so authoritarian or laissez-faire as republicans, are in the opposite quadrant. Thanks for expanding on what life in the "southwest" might look like.abqtubanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post-90311201457979943722013-11-03T21:47:57.643-07:002013-11-03T21:47:57.643-07:00I lived in Argenta in the early '80's and ...I lived in Argenta in the early '80's and attended the Friends School.<br /> I moved away from home at 17 to change a life ruled by drugs, anger, and teen confusion. <br />The school offered the prospect of renewal, a change to grow.I had never milked a goat, been a vegetarian , or baked bread. Let alone met others who lived this everyday. <br />I still can't get over the beauty and energy of Argenta. The many amazing people who were our teachers, mentors,and friends. Experiences, good and bad, that I would not trade for anything. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post-34988171441701485772013-08-26T07:29:09.896-06:002013-08-26T07:29:09.896-06:00Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. I'...Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. I've always wanted to visit Argenta (I grew up in Nelson) but it's not the easiest place to get to. Every Quaker I've met has impressed me with their welcoming nature and strong convictions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post-25696831576420092222013-05-25T08:52:37.590-06:002013-05-25T08:52:37.590-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Philliphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07829053219715458764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post-76366023361840751722012-11-06T03:52:52.312-07:002012-11-06T03:52:52.312-07:00Most philosophers, including William James, have c...Most philosophers, including William James, have come to the conclusion that humans have free will/ freedom of choice - because the converse is so naturally-distasteful to most of us.Click here for listinghttp://www.uktantric.co.uk/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post-46977726738612529282012-08-24T11:04:59.571-06:002012-08-24T11:04:59.571-06:00Thank you. I am finding myself in a pool of melanc...Thank you. I am finding myself in a pool of melancholy for the first time in a while. This articled has helped me see where my despair has manifested from and has encouraged me to embrace my disappointments and use this energy to doing what I can to remedy them. Chikakanenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post-58032175680904616272012-07-07T17:54:05.649-06:002012-07-07T17:54:05.649-06:00The whole blog reads like a series of George Carli...The whole blog reads like a series of George Carlin rants without any punchlines --and, perhaps, without the atheism.<br /><br />It seems like you're trying to mix George Carlin and George Fox.<br /><br />It is very strange to think that this is the same author whose work on Nagarjuna, etc., I read more than 10 years ago.<br /><br />This seems to prove the rule that nothing without footnotes is worth reading. Perhaps, more broadly, a life without footnotes isn't worth living.Eisel Mazardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06898869744926590471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post-22632086706178912062012-06-30T06:29:16.967-06:002012-06-30T06:29:16.967-06:00Great essay, Richard. It very much reminds me of S...Great essay, Richard. It very much reminds me of Sam Harris's newest book, "Free Will," who reaches the same conclusion via his study of neuroscience. You seem to reach the conclusion, that there is very little "freedom of choice," from what I might call a "natural philosophical logical framework." Interestingly, Einstein reached the same conclusion from his study of physics, positing that we live in a fixed universe, one in which all future outcomes could be (theoretically, at least) predicted with perfect accuracy, given enough data about past or present conditions. Einstein posited a fixed state of time, and imagined a future that is also fixed, but which we cannot see - like a winding road that we cannot see around, but which still exists, even without our ability to see it currently. Most philosophers, including William James, have come to the conclusion that humans have free will/ freedom of choice - because the converse is so naturally-distasteful to most of us. Perhaps you, and Einstein, and Sam Harris have all found a natural truth, each by different methods - that we really do not have the free will/ freedom of choice, that we think we have. Again, Richard, great essay! You are a true intellectual and a deep thinker!Gregoryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13257579145197381891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post-35387025595357029472012-06-30T05:53:21.244-06:002012-06-30T05:53:21.244-06:00Great essay, Richard. It very much reminds me of S...Great essay, Richard. It very much reminds me of Sam Harris's newest book, "Free Will," who reaches the same conclusion via his study of neuroscience. You seem to reach the conclusion, that there is very little "freedom of choice," from what I might call a "natural philosophical logical framework." Interestingly, Einstein reached the same conclusion from his study of physics, positing that we live in a fixed universe, one in which all future outcomes could be (theoretically, at least) predicted with perfect accuracy, given enough data about past or present conditions. Einstein posited a fixed state of time, and imagined a future that is also fixed, but which we cannot see - like a winding road that we cannot see around, but which still exists, even without our ability to see it currently. Most philosophers, including William James, have come to the conclusion that humans have free will/ freedom of choice - because the converse is so naturally-distasteful to most of us. Perhaps you, and Einstein, and Sam Harris have all found a natural truth, each by different methods - that we really do not have the free will/ freedom of choice, that we think we have. Again, Richard, great essay! You are a true intellectual and a deep thinker!Gregoryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13257579145197381891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post-54788931920417261932012-06-14T12:43:42.787-06:002012-06-14T12:43:42.787-06:00Baruch and Gautama would agree for sure :)Baruch and Gautama would agree for sure :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post-74150708316876094812012-06-12T08:08:23.702-06:002012-06-12T08:08:23.702-06:00Richard - Since you have posed some unanswered que...Richard - Since you have posed some unanswered questions intended to make one think, I'd like to toss in another. When a society chooses a structure that you implicitly advocate, presumably for a better life for all with fewer destructive behaviors, how often do such structures not descend into despotism with very many suffering in misery, unable to even get clean water, much less a morsel of processed meat, a roll of toilet paper, or a desperately needed ride in an SUV? My main point of this question is that human nature and history have shown us that there is always a would-be despot waiting in the wings to snare advantage from any such revolution or evolution to lead that society to an even darker place, with ever more harm to the citizenry. This in turn, in my opinion, ought to redirect the debate from restricting bad behaviors that harm others to a more "macro" analysis as to how we stay off the path that would provide opportunity for would-be despots. Best Regards, RickAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post-82868581400071840742012-04-27T14:19:11.736-06:002012-04-27T14:19:11.736-06:00The invitation that J.B. Morris extends has never ...The invitation that J.B. Morris extends has never made sense to me. If one likes socialism, why should one have to move to some country where it already exists? Why not bring it here? There is nothing at all in socialism that is incompatible with freedom, nor is there anything at all in socialism that is incompatible with the thinking of some of the people who wrote the constitution, which was written by men (alas, no women) who had deeply different views on all manner of things. It is misleading to say that the founding fathers wanted or didn't want any one thing. Then, as now, American society was deeply divided on almost everything of importance. Disagreeing with what some Americans say did not then, and does not now, make one un-American. Some do not want a socialist America. Some do. Why should anyone have to leave the country at the invitation of the other? <b>That</b>, it seems to me, would be truly un-American. Not to tolerate the views of other Americans is about as un-American as it's possible to get.Dayamatihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04125167790936883271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post-77213815328086087772012-04-27T12:54:52.391-06:002012-04-27T12:54:52.391-06:00Sir, I have to disagree, and not just disagree, bu...Sir, I have to disagree, and not just disagree, but ardently appose this position. The Constitution of 1787 was written with the intent to keep government small and localized. It was written to make legislation difficult. Our Founding Father's didn't want an obese, intrusive government managing even a little bit of it's citizen's lives. The problem lies with the citizens. They have let go their duty as guards of the Constitution and have blindly relied on the say so of the elected officials. This country is meant to be free. If socialism is your (generally speaking) desired form of government, please relocate to Canada or somewhere in Europe.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07035098847518090647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post-42032260210321528042012-03-05T12:45:42.501-07:002012-03-05T12:45:42.501-07:00I'm not sure what good comes of kissing any gr...I'm not sure what good comes of kissing any ground, aside from getting dirt on one's lips. Different people have different priorities. I guess my perspective is that freedom is vastly overrated and is rarely worth violence done to achieve it or preserve it.Dayamatihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04125167790936883271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post-53226624376490683272012-03-05T08:40:08.424-07:002012-03-05T08:40:08.424-07:00Who really likes war? The point is we need to kiss...Who really likes war? The point is we need to kiss the American ground that we are walking on. Where others in the world live in the cesspools of Communism we are surely lucky to breathe the air of liberty! Thank you John Adams for your ever faithful drive for the cause. The miniseries was eloquently done!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post-9682156927976065722011-12-19T22:47:59.095-07:002011-12-19T22:47:59.095-07:00Abolishing the states? I think the Federal govern...Abolishing the states? I think the Federal government will become inoperative on many levels and things will need to devolve to the state level. I say states rights, making the ecology more local, which is the only way we'll remake our economies. Everything will need to become more localized in order to create the new efficiencies.Dharma Sanctuaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18090181646147336683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post-70705425554867848972011-12-19T21:50:48.548-07:002011-12-19T21:50:48.548-07:00Richard, there you go thinking gain. This not allo...Richard, there you go thinking gain. This not allowed here. Please go back to sleep.waywuweihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18105132669481959663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post-80599900587244020122011-10-23T19:49:58.017-06:002011-10-23T19:49:58.017-06:00The gap in civilization is very troubling but some...The gap in civilization is very troubling but some scholars are saying that the gap between rich and poor is shrinking. Check out Hans Roselin's statistics:<br />http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_shows_the_best_stats_you_ve_ever_seen.html<br />I still watch TV but read news mostly on the Internet, but soon there will be no gap between the two. I would not deny that electronic images serve great educational intentions. Media barons who seek to control these and make us dunces are another matter. 19th century? Why not 18th century. I read Tale of Two Cities not too long ago.MichaelJWilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08444626468182264407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post-37234879786767429172011-10-23T13:21:47.845-06:002011-10-23T13:21:47.845-06:00In terms of Qaddafi's death, I did not watch a...In terms of Qaddafi's death, I did not watch any of The footage, but it seems to me little different than coming out for a lynching in the 1920s or a hanging in the 1800s. I believe we had a moment of period for about 50 years, when, so wearied were we of war, totalitarianism and atrocity that we rejected it and became more humane. Now we seem to be sliding backwards to the 19th century. It is quite troubling.Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12396312339372162866noreply@blogger.com