I am OPTimist

Note: As you have noticed through these articles, my writing is prompted by insights and these spur from periods of contemplation, and other times from feelings and sensations when I am actively responding to my environment.

This article is a bit lengthy, so thank you for engaging.

Time stamps:

02:29 - Is excellence a virtue?

05:35 - Purpose and environment: Vertical and horizontal parameters

07:45 - Upcoming cycles

10:16 - The possibility of living your purpose

13:56 - Natural law and subtle quality

15:01 - FEEDBACK -Where am I on the map?

19:45 - Deaf to noise

22:34 - The Two Faces of Time + footnotes

The map of nothingness: A perfect and absolute blank!

089    The Bellman himself they all praised to the skies—090    Such a carriage, such ease and such grace!091    Such solemnity, too! One could see he was wise,092    The moment one looked in his face!

093    He had bought a large map representing the sea,094    Without the least vestige of land:095    And the crew were much pleased when they found it to be096    A map they could all understand.

097    “What’s the good of Mercator’s North Poles and Equators,098    Tropics, Zones, and Meridian Lines?”099    So the Bellman would cry: and the crew would reply100    “They are merely conventional signs!

101    “Other maps are such shapes, with their islands and capes!102    But we’ve got our brave Captain to thank:103    (So the crew would protest) “that he’s bought us the best—104    A perfect and absolute blank!”

105    This was charming, no doubt; but they shortly found out106    That the Captain they trusted so well107    Had only one notion for crossing the ocean,108    And that was to tingle his bell.

~ Lewis Carroll ‘The Hunting of the Snark’ (An Agony in 8 Fits), 1876

To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.

Sun Tzu

Is excellence a virtue?

Closing 2023 with the virtue of generosity, I am grateful for having given myself the time and care to really listen to my needs in ways I never thought possible. As I write parts of this article on Monday, November 13th, there is a brand new Moon in Scorpio, and it is my purpose to not only live in excellence today and tomorrow but to make it the daily virtue for 2024.

With generosity, one might initially associate it with giving material goods, especially to those less fortunate in the abundance cycle. However, I reached a profound insight from my Taoist teacher over two decades ago—generosity is the space one offers to oneself, allowing others to be generous. In my words, I'll refer to it as being generous to create the space for feedback.

—Excellentia: to excel, to rise high, lofty ground—

In my pursuit of high standards, as I explore new perspectives and enhance what I already know as true, perhaps adding something special to my life, I gear towards exceptional behavior. After all, integrity is the core of my values. I aspire to master various practices, making myself of service with my uniqueness and creativity.

The most fearful moment? Alone with my breath, knowing the only feedback is within—no approval from others—considering all the things we, the people, do to be accepted socially!

Obviously, we need company but not at the expense of freedom. We must learn how to relate to our individual truth, to listen to it; first, it will whisper, then it will scream if left unattended.

Speaking up these days is a necessity beyond survival—as old, stale, corrupted institutions no longer serve the needs of the commons and attempt to silence us with fearful tactics, coercing certain behaviors, or else…

-We will ostracize you unless you act in a specific manner-

We are demanded to perform like marionettes in the false pretense so others won’t feel excluded!

How has everyone been confusing

—the feeling of the sensations in my body —

with

—I will get whatever I want by imposing and projecting my fears onto others—

Oh yes, Libra South Node opposes Chiron in Aries; the wound of feeling unique as an individual makes us vulnerable, but that is EXACTLY why courage emerges and gives way to freedom! it encourages us to assert our individuality—the essence of the "I AM" principle. We won’t have this same opportunity again in our lifetime!

It is an urgent matter to the individuated; it goes beyond survival. As a reminder that to thrive wholesomely in a relationship with ideas, situations, people, or things—with “the other”—one must know how to be alone and listen to one’s needs, FIRST.

It is challenging but possible! Give it a try.

In the beginning, there was the word… Anything that will ever be manifested starts with a voice, your voice; keep it sacred.

Purpose and environment: Vertical and horizontal parameters

How do humans evolve? Through hardship? Challenges? Hard aspects? Epigenetics! Through the environment, this will make it one where one strives for excellence, and regardless of the predictions, one can excel because the effort and the dedication are there asking as it is not the mere will that is pushing and shoving, no!

It is the inner authority that allows it to be calibrated and operate from its wavelength.

We all are born with one that can be detected and observed, studying trial and error but it can’t be tweaked to one’s advantage for down the line that compromise will show up.

Going with the flow, and erring is part of the journey of refinement.

Look at nature, look at the things that seem to be static, like the mountains and the trees, the rivers, the clouds, and the ocean seem to be moving at different frequencies, each has its rhythm to harmonize between extremes, such as volcanoes and seismic activities that can cause so much disruption yet they serve as calibration as the earth is a living entity.

So finding individual purpose, frequency, and rhythm should be a major theme in people’s lives, right?

Well, alas it is not, many folk prefer to be told what to do by outside authorities, why is this so? One may ask? Well, the answer is not so simple.

Habit and comfort.

Ignorance

and

arrogance…

Fear,

Lack of self-value

Laziness?

Overall, there is a lack of curiosity and courage due to an environment that could have provided these as conditioning elements, but what if one soul decides to thrive regardless and in its purpose resilience, provocation, control and a well full of resources are the 70 percent of their imprint?

What if their environment were the perfect setup to choose between surviving and thriving? between conditioned and making a difference?

What if the setbacks were so big that at times the hope and motivation would feel bigger than life?

Upcoming cycles:

Time always marks the rhythm, with upcoming events serving as deadlines. One significant event is the impending Uranus-Jupiter conjunction in April 2024. Further down the line, once Neptune and Saturn conclude the cycle of surrender and initiate a new synodic 36-year cycle at 0• Aries (Feb 20, 2026), significant shifts await.

Showing up! Not showing off or checking out, Saturn in Pisces is the return to the source from the definition and earth perspective. If individuated by 2025-26, then their meet-up will be a feast for the collective as more people can be one with spirit in their unique way.

The last time such a cycle began, at exactly 10• Capricorn (38.2 gate) a wall fell literally and metaphorically, dismantling an illusion that had divided ideologies in the early 20th century.

Uranus played a disruptive role then, and a similar dissolution is anticipated now, accompanied by a wave of delusion and challenges in discerning truth, while the material realm is shaken to the ground.

New opportunities to relate to resources mostly the ones that come from inside are emerging now, tend to them!

I must've been around 4 or 5 years old, already diving into the world of reading at an early age. My parents fueled my endless curiosity by encouraging my torrent of whys and hows. So, they figured, why not teach me to read and write, letting me explore things on my own?

Before 7 am, the morning papers would arrive, El Tiempo and El Espectador, and both my parents would sit, exchanging sections. Following their lead, I'd eagerly wait for my share, reading out loud everything, even the classified ads.

Remember those?

For years, I'd devour words and verbs, not just in my native Spanish, but also in Italian and French, thanks to my dad. This, while attending an American Catholic school (quite the horror, but that's a different tale).

By the age of 7, I was pretty fluent and always on the lookout for more knowledge.

"the teacher is not in the school to impose certain ideas or form certain habits in the child, but is there as a member of the community to select the influences which will affect the child and to assist him in properly responding to these influences"

~John Dewey,

Andrew Anderson on progressive education after the 1930s

Whenever I had a big historical question, I'd dial (remember those?) my grandmother's number, asking, "Abuelita (granny), do you know anything about Egypt, Rome, Vietnam, or whatever else I was curious about?"

And she did. She was a storyteller, and she taught me the importance of asking—always ask, never stay quiet.

My mother's mother, a polymath, opened Bogota's first kindergarten in 1939. The progressive ideas of educating kids from an early age might not have had backing from neuroscience then, but progressive thinkers such as Maria Montessori and John Dewey influenced their philosophy. One such guiding principle was that 'Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.'

My mother followed her lead in 1967, naming her pre-school 'John Dewey,' where she nurtured her four children and guided future students with principles centered on joy, experiential learning, artistic expression, and the appreciation of real-life contexts and challenges as valuable educational experiences. Emphasizing the importance of actively engaging with problems, the belief that mere passive perception without a deep, emotional, and reflective connection to the consequences hinders the likelihood of meaningful adaptation, habit revision, or the construction of new habits—resulting in superficial changes, if any.

My mom handed me my first paying job. I learned then to be of service, I always had a liking for money and the concept of trading. The idea of value and the magical feeling of bartering intrigued me from an early age.

She tasked me with teaching summer school kids to read, or those lagging in their reading skills.

I had no set methodology, but I had wit and could improvise, she trusted my ways. I remember being patient, holding tiny hands to demonstrate how to write or pronounce a word. My mother always trusted my decisions.

As for the money and what I did with it, that's a bit hazy. It's been a recurring pattern for me—no issues earning significant amounts, but handling it? It seemed to vanish like magic.

Many times, I'd treat others with candy or whatever struck my fancy. Growing older, especially after my 2016 divorce, I found myself in a deep depression. The realization hit that I had no clue how to preserve my value. While I had no qualms putting a dollar sign on my work or services, figuring out the next steps was a puzzle.

I knew I wasn't alone, but perhaps shame held me back from seeking help this time and asking fundamental questions, such as what money is.

Fast forward to now, reflecting on the past 7 years, where I delved into the unknown, took accountability, and faced my own demons without guilt or shame.

Works of art are the most intimate and energetic means of aiding individuals to share in the arts of living. Civilization is uncivil because human beings are divided into non-communicating sects, races, nations, classes and cliques.

~John Dewey, Art as Experience

Orange pilling under 9 hours

This past weekend, I conducted my first (of many) full Bitcoin study group online. It was intense—7 hours split over two days (we might need an extra session, to be honest). I followed an open-source curriculum from various sources I've studied in the past three years. And yes, the learning journey continues. Bitcoin has turned me into a perpetual student. The course was in Spanish, and it felt fulfilling to give back to my homeland and friends.

There's a fee, not for the content, but for my unique approach and amusing way of conveying things.

In recent years, I've come to realize the importance of speaking my truth, standing tall, unafraid of differing views amidst the herd.

If you value freedom, harbor curiosity about new technologies and paradigms, aspire to live in sovereignty, and cherish your time, considering it too precious to waste, and if, instead of destroying, you want to create on a moment-to-moment basis, give me a shout.

This study group is both accessible and crucial for the times ahead. You don't necessarily have to become a "bitcoiner," but it's essential to understand what money is and to acknowledge its dysfunction within the Fiat standard. If you seek a ceasefire and wish for governments to stop causing harm to humans, I recommend delving into the understanding of how the current money system needs transformation—and this transformation can only happen on an individual level.

I'm here to serve or realign you. If you don't feel I'm the one to facilitate your knowledge, I can provide a quick startup.

The sun resides in gate 1 this week, where my Neptune is. I'm connected to creativity through my spirit. Mars joins the party, initiating a new way to merge with this knowledge and make it sacred.

Interested in the study group? It promises to invest around 8 hours of your life, time well spent, leaving you with choices because you'll know you have them.

If the sparks of curiosity ignited by this glimpse into the study group have left you hungry for more, I invite you to join me for a personalized one-on-one call. Here, we can delve deeper into the course curriculum, addressing any questions or uncertainties you might have. It's a chance for us to connect directly, ensuring that the study group aligns with your interests and aspirations. Let's explore the learning journey together, and I'll provide you with a comprehensive overview tailored to your unique curiosity.

Every moment, my grandma and mother live through me.

The world is going through an unprecedented financial crisis. The greatest of our lifetime. The financial world is in crisis. And the political world is in the greatest turmoil of our lifetime. There’s just a lot of turmoil. A lot of sound and fury. A lot of strong passion. A lot of noise and turbulence. Bitcoin is a good thing. There are a thousand issues distracting people.

Most people do not see the brilliance of bitcoin as a new money or as digital energy or as a new form of property or a better ideology […] as a catalyst for good in the world. Most people do not recognize that.

So you have finite minutes in your life left. When you meet a person you only have a few minutes to talk with them and convey something. What’s the highest form of good you can bring to them?

~Michael Saylor on orange pilling.

Balsamic Moon

We find ourselves still in the midst of understanding…

Despite the inherent nonexistence of time itself, our perception often vacillates between envisioning it as boundless, stretching infinitely, and the practical recognition that, in reality, we should regard it as scarce."

~Me :)

TIME IS SCARCE

Time is insufficient, limited, and scarce. Therefore, I must allocate all my attention, energy, and value to it. Why? Because the duration of my perception or what I term my life in quantity remains uncertain.

Do I contemplate this? Yes, but for me, it's intricately linked to purpose. If my time, whether limited or unknown, lacks purpose and direction, making decisions on how to invest in it becomes challenging.

Consider my day-to-day time management. How much of it is devoted to rest, nurturing, and regenerating energy? This falls under the category of living a wholesome life. I avoid using the word health, as civilization often implies something is amiss in some isolated part of our bodies. Failing to see life as a holistic and wholesome apparatus that needs harmonization within its wavelength and alignment with the environment isn't clear to many. The environment allows individuals to measure or corroborate their purpose and direction.

I have casually mentioned facilitating study groups in past posts. I must share that this environment I've created has magnetized the right situations for the integration of my overall behavior, thus I started exploring extremes looking for rhythm, and leading by example. It has provided the opportunity to use tenacity and provocation as channeled energy to inspire others into emotional awareness—not to mold them in my image but to realign with their purpose. Recognizing this perfect ecological balance is key.

Preparing weekly sessions brings me joy, and you may wonder when do I manage all these tasks? Can one bend time? Due to its scarcity, time is a limitation. I focus on what I can do with my time, such as engaging in educating myself with subjects that are completely new and unknown to me. I constantly sign up for courses to introduce limitations and challenges. Maintaining a daily routine and focusing on my wholesomeness is crucial. Time is scarce, and I choose what to value, prioritizing learning and contributing. By creating situations for dialogue and learning from new perspective, I embody how I economize my precious, irreversible resource—time.

The time I won't have available to dedicate represents time lost, thus creating an opportunity cost. This limitation or absence is what bestows value on the opportunity of producing something, as everything necessitates time for its creation. —

Economizing time and economizing action will be explored further in subsequent texts, particularly delving into time preference.

Understanding how our individual actions shape our ability to savor the enigmatic dimension of time raises the question: How much time do I have to live a purposeful life?"

Navigating the Tapestry of Optimism:

In my journey to utilize Bitcoin as a synthesis of various practices I've previously applied in my life or am currently exploring, I'm unraveling the mysteries of how Austrian Economics, Jungian psychology, human design, evolutionary astrology, and additional studies on time cycles, such as Geometry, both quantitative and qualitative, interweave. Sometimes, they reaffirm each other, while other times, they present contrasting notes, offering me a glimpse into how to navigate and integrate all my new knowledge. Most importantly, I'm figuring out how to put it into practice. As my main aspiration in life is to evolve, it might require a touch of revolution too.

Observing the fascinating connections that thread through these intellectual landscapes— which I find captivating, elegant, and full of depth, sheds light on the intricate interplay between our conscious choices, subjective preferences, and the subtle energies that quietly sculpt our lives in dissonance or alignment.

These practices reveal themselves through time cycles, and it's through time and contemplation that I come to realize the relationship between them and how they give me a deeper perspective on my uniqueness and individuation journey.

Personal accountability is a common thread between these disciplines that can offer unique perspectives on the dynamic nature of human existence. While Bitcoin may appear to be solely about blockchain, money, property, or freedom, to me, it serves as the conduit connecting to its utmost value. It is not just a transactional tool; rather, it opens a gateway to a state of consciousness.

Through Bitcoin, I embark on a journey that allows me to delve into both the profound depths and the surface aspects, navigating its myriad layers in between.

Human action and the subjective choices that unfold within the dimension of time:

Austrian economics, with its emphasis on human action and the intricate tapestry of subjective choices, seamlessly aligns with the concept of individuation —a process central to self-realization, involving the discovery and experience of meaning and purpose in life, a cornerstone of Jungian psychology. The notion of praxeology, delving into intentional human behavior, unfolds like a map, unveiling the logical implications of our decisions. It recognizes that our choices aren't arbitrary but purposeful, propelled by subjective needs, all set against the backdrop of scarce goods, contributing to a purposeful understanding.

This interplay forms a delicate choreography, where our psychological tendencies elegantly intertwine with conscious economic choices, each move ascribing value to our objectives and strategically selecting the logical means to achieve them.

The deal with praxeology is this: When people act, it's not just random—it's intentional. They make choices, figure out how to reach their goals, and consider what they value. And this isn't a one-time thing; it unfolds over time, especially in the unpredictable future. Why? Because there's this belief that what you do now can really make a difference down the line.

Now, when it comes to resources, having just enough is the sweet spot. If you had more than enough of everything, you wouldn't really need to do anything, right? That's where praxeology comes in, doing its thing with words instead of complicated math. The ideas in praxeology are tried and true, making sure that every step in the deduction process actually means something and stays on the money.

Time emerges as a central protagonist in this interplay between economics and psychology. Our choices, like chapters in a well-scripted novel, evolve over time, influenced by the ticking urgency of our needs and the perceived worth of goods. The subjective concept of value in the Austrian economic tradition, ever-changing and deeply personal, weaves seamlessly with the flowing currents of time.

“Human action happens across time. All economic decisions take place across time. Production requires time. That time is the ultimate resource, from which all other resources can be made. Economic scarcity is a manifestation and consequence of the scarcity of human time.”

“The term ‘resource’ is inaccurate for material objects, as they are products of applying our time, the real resource, into transforming infinite materials into useful economic goods. We don’t have resources ready-made for us to utilize to meet our needs. We need to make the resources using our time. Time is scarce because we know our life will expire someday.”

~Saifedean Ammous, The principle of Economics, chapter three, Time

“Man is subject to the passing of time. He comes into existence, grows, becomes old, and passes away. His time is scarce. He must economize it as he economizes other scarce factors. The economization of time has a peculiar character because of the uniqueness and irreversibility…

The original meaning of Latin contemplari was "to mark out a space for observing auguries or omens," and the temple was a holy space reserved for this purpose.

Latin contemplatus, past participle of contemplari "to gaze attentively, observe," from the prefix com- "together" plus templum "temple."

“The Self (God) is a circle whose centre is everywhere, whose circumference is nowhere.”

C.G. Jung and Herman Hesse:A Record of Two FriendshipsMiguel Serrano (Schocken 1968).

“It may be that universal history is the history of a handful of metaphors. The purpose of this note will be to sketch a chapter of that history.”

~Jorge Luis Borges, The Fearful Sphere of Pascal. Translated by Anthony Kerrigan

The Fearful Sphere of Pascal

In “The Fearful Sphere of Pascal," Jorge Luis Borges explores the history of a metaphor that has evolved over centuries. The essay traces the concept of a divine and infinite sphere, with its center everywhere and circumference nowhere, through various philosophers and thinkers.

The journey begins with Xenophanes of Colophon, who proposed a single God in the form of an eternal sphere. Parmenides and Empedocles later elaborated on this idea, and it resurfaces in different forms, such as in the Hermetic books and medieval texts, where the divine is likened to an intelligible sphere.

Dante's cosmology, rooted in astronomy, also plays a significant role, with Earth positioned at the center of a complex system of concentric spheres. However, during the Renaissance, Giordano Bruno embraced the idea of an infinite universe with a center everywhere.

As time progresses, particularly in the 17th century, there is a perceptual shift. Borges delves into the transformation of the metaphor by Pascal, who, overwhelmed by dread and abhorrence towards the universe, characterizes it as a "fearful sphere."

Borges suggests that universal history may be a narrative of different interpretations of a few fundamental metaphors. The evolution of the metaphor of the sphere reflects changing philosophical and cultural perspectives throughout history.

Dante's poem preserved the Ptolemaic astronomy which for 1,400 years reigned in the imagination of mankind. The earth occupies the center of the universe. It is an immobile sphere; around it circle nine concentric spheres. The first seven are "planetary" skies (the firmaments of the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn); the eighth, the firmament of the fixed stars; the ninth, the crystal firmament which is also called the Primum mobile. This in turn is surrounded by the Empyrean, which is composed of light. All this elaborate apparatus of hollow, transparent and gyrating spheres (one system required 55 of them) had come to be an intellectual necessity; De hypothesibus motuum coelestium commentariolus is the timid title which Copernicus, denier of Aristotle, placed at the head of the manuscript that transformed our vision of the cosmos.

[…]

"An Aristotle was but the fragment of an Adam, and Athens the rudiments of Paradise." In that dispirited century, the absolute space which had inspired the hexameters of Lucretius, the absolute space which had meant liberation to Bruno, became a labyrinth and an abyss for Pascal.

He abhorred the universe and would have liked to adore God; but God, for him, was less real than the abhorred universe. He deplored the fact that the firmament did not speak, and he compared our life with that of castaways on a desert island. He felt the incessant weight of the physical world, he experienced vertigo, fright and solitude, and he put his feelings into these words:

"Nature is an infinite sphere, whose center is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere." Thus do the words appear in the Brunschvicg text; but the critical edition published by Tourneur (Paris, 1941), which reproduces the crossed-out words and variations of the manuscript, reveals that Pascal started to write the word effroyable: "a fearful sphere, whose center is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere."

It may be that universal history is the history of the different intonations given a handful of metaphors.

~Jorge Luis Borges, The Fearful Sphere of Pascal

Translated by Anthony Kerrigan

Making oneself the temple of observation. Each moment becomes a sanctuary for observation, a sacred space within to understand oneself better.

-What inspires you?

A CANTILEVER BRIDGE ACROSS A DEEP GORGE- Rudhyar

PHASE 36 (TAURUS 6°)Lunar Eclipse

OVERCOMING: Creating connections to eliminate isolation and cultivate group awareness: "Building bridges to end separation" Following a profound setback, it can seem as though the ground has given way beneath us. To counteract the sense of separation and desolation, engaging in a challenging community project becomes a vital means to demonstrate our active involvement and significance in life.

So it is here, on October 28th, the last South Node in Scorpio, and North Node in Taurus eclipse (next time until October 25, 2041) which eerily has some configurations that will also affect my personal chart.

Let’s stay here for a second. I am going to ask you:

-What are you feeling these days?

-What are you sensing?

-What is your intuition guiding towards?

-What is your gut pointing at?

As you can see above, I am not asking for an opinion, nor will give you mine.

These times are for reflecting.

As a species, we are built to survive and thrive.

Also, to use challenges as opportunities to evolve.

But can we make it this time?

From hopelessness, grief, and outrage to numbness, and then, what

CR e a tion

B r e ath

C o l o r s

S mell

s

Sc en t s

T ext u re

A nd

d isc o v e r i e s.

My ear returned to the act of listening.

I applied ancient wisdom and it popped.

Now I am making animations for a proposal. Lots of colors invade my screen as they move in surreal landscapes that denote the passage of time. Whimsically evoking both our power to create and destroy.

Oh, civilization gives us ways to be uncivilized.

A few days ago, someone dear to me passed away. An important educator who was crucial in my unlimited reach for the stars. Acknowledging his legacy and keeping his spirit alive fuels my spirit.

Yet, my warrior heart, which longs for freedom, is relentless.

More revelations to come. The eclipse is a portal. In the last two passes over the same 5-degree point in my chart (1986-2005), they offered so much change, even while in reverse in 2014, was the gate for my current emancipation.

I have acquired the freedom to feel authentic.

And what can I do with this freedom if not support the collective?

Check your opinion levels. Check the drawer where all faults and blames lie. Be concrete about the changes you would like to embrace. Even those who seem terrifying are opportunities for better ways.

Am I afraid? Not really. But I am attentive. I am attentive to my thoughts, but more attentive to my body signaling my way.

Be well. The sun rises every morning, offering an opportunity to embrace life. The courage to be free is what motivated my hope.

What is your motivation?

In the next few days, I will post an article I wrote on the connections I find between Jungian shadow work, human action praxiology, tim…

“The best political, social, and spiritual work we can do is to withdraw the projection of our shadow onto others.”

— C.G. Jung

Swimmer's Ear - Temporarily Deaf

It has been several weeks since I can't hear from my left ear.

Perhaps it's due to excessive noise from the external environment? That's what my inner voice has been emphasizing...

Or could it be the water that clogged my Eustachian tube?, I can barely perceive music, and it's quite frustrating.

I've tried everything —Polyvagal exercises, lymphatic draining, humming, breathing, tuning forks, meditation, jumping, homeopathic drops, and more. I typically explore natural remedies first, followed by insights into the emotional-psychological aspects.

Only as a last resort do I consider consulting a conventional doctor; my innate stubbornness insists that I'm not there yet. Hence, these reflections.

Harmony through mood

~How to balance the 'me' and the 'we'?

Oh yes! Something recently showed up!

When I receive flattering attention, especially in new conditions, it feels great. In fact, it is a luring feeling of wanting to merge with the sensation of being one with something or someone or just being appreciated and seen by some new external environment.

For example, the sensation of swimming every night can be intoxicating, or meeting a new group of wonderful fellow beings where, by being true to myself, they accept and see me as I am, no more masks. I have been reflecting on my intimate relationships, on the moment I go from 'I am' to 'we are one with no boundaries.'

Seduced and mesmerized by the attention and the sensations in my body, this time, however, I have paused, it has been at least 33 months since I have been paying attention to my boundaries, where I have seen a tremendous evolution in how I state my needs for individual space without incurring to violence of any sort.

In the past, I found myself caught in a storm of emotions, resorting to tears, screams, and, at times, even physical expressions that betrayed my lack of boundaries. It felt like I was tearing apart the delicate fabric of relationships abruptly, leaving wounds so deep that they appeared irreparable. In those intense moments, releasing the overwhelming emotions seemed like the only option.

Now, when I hit pause, I engage in reflection and employ the observation technique I've incorporated—mindfully, attentively, and joyfully. Yet, admittedly, there are times when I get carried away, tempted by just one more peek, one more turn, one more time! Gee!

-STOP!, BREATHE, AND CHILL, MONIKA, before there's no longer 'me,' and I become an entangled entity!

I have to say that I AM my own best friend…

The grace of riding the emotional web

Both Celtic and Native American traditions draw intriguing connections between the left side and profound aspects of our being. In Celtic cosmology, the left side is intricately tied to the realm of fairies, revered as guardians of wisdom. Simultaneously, Native American wisdom associates the left ear with our inner self and emotional well-being.

Within the framework of human design, particularly in Gate 22 where my personality Chiron resides, a fascinating exploration of emotional states unfolds. This gate signals a state of mind or mood, wielding the power to oscillate between sociability and introspection.

It interprets what one wants to hear in alignment with one's current emotional state, extending this inclination to music choices—whether humorous, romantic, or intense, offering a direct glimpse into one's prevailing mood.

It proves beneficial to pause and reflect before drawing emotional clarity, allowing the assimilation of information across different emotional states—riding both the ascension and descent of the emotional wave.

Its emotional depth not only empowers others but urges them to live authentically. When in a positive mood, it radiates grace and charm, fostering emotional openness and transformation.

This gate is intimately linked to the left ear, the conduit to the Emotional Center. Messages received by the left ear transcend mere facts; they encapsulate the nuanced moods of the moment, defining the gate's potential.

My Chiron lies in the first line, 22.1 — it embodies graceful acceptance and the ability to assume a secondary position aligned with one's status. Yet, in its shadow frequency, it warns of the pitfalls of using emotional energy to assert more than one's due, a journey from suffering to grace.

Amidst the ebb and flow of external flattery, the challenge becomes maintaining a state of grace—embracing humility without succumbing to the allure of claiming more than rightfully due.

In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don’t try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present.

~Lao Tzu

Borders, saying No! Useful techniques:

Deep listening is a practice that originates from learning to prioritize one's own needs first —the quality of Venus as the Taurus, second house archetype— versus focusing solely on the needs of “the other”, which aligns with the Venus archetype of Libra, seventh house, relational values as I like to refer to them.

When needs go unmet, violence can escalate. I am very grateful for a technique I learned a few years back: the language of compassion, nonviolent communication (NVC), where I take responsibility and understand my needs. Through NVC, I can express how I feel when these needs are not met.

The technique involves four steps: Observation, Feelings, Needs, and Request.

* Observation without judgment.

* NVC entails taking accountability for our feelings, necessitating a change in perspective on how others' words and actions affect our feelings. In NVC, what others say and do is considered the stimulus but never the cause of feelings.

* NVC establishes a connection between feelings and unmet needs in the individual. These needs are universal and fundamental to all human beings. The outward expression of feelings, like anger and frustration, serves as indicators of needs, such as love and acceptance, that are unfulfilled.

* The most effective way to distinguish a request from a demand is to include in the statement your own feelings and needs. This requires a conscious understanding of what you are asking for and why you are asking for it.

For example, instead of yelling, "You are always busy on the phone," one might say, "I notice I am not getting the attention I need because you are on the phone. I feel unappreciated. Could you focus on our conversation without distraction for a period of time, or else I won’t be able to participate in it? thank you"

Enhancing our listening skills requires a deliberate effort and a sincere commitment to understanding others.

Deep listening:

#1: Empathize by Stepping In Their Shoes: Select someone with whom you aim to enhance your relationship. During conversations, consciously try to see things from their perspective. Imagine walking in their shoes as they go about their day. Does your capacity for empathy change when you adopt their point of view?

#2: Verify Your Interpretations. Reflect on past dialogues with this person. Take a moment to fact-check your interpretations and assumptions about what they've communicated. Ensure that your understanding aligns with their intended meaning.

#3: Offer Your Undivided Attention. Commence conversations by giving your complete attention to the other person. Before transitioning to other topics, consider asking, "I want to ensure I've grasped your message correctly. May I seek clarification?" More often than not, this simple inquiry leads to a positive response.

#4: Confirm What They've Said. Make a deliberate effort to confirm what you believe you've heard—identify and mirror their emotions. If there's uncertainty about your understanding, don't hesitate to seek clarification through open communication.

#5: Validate Your Message. During discussions, inquire if the other …

If your heart isn't yet illuminedBe awake always, be a seeker of the heart,Be at war continually with your carnal soul.But if your heart is already awakened,Sleep peacefully, sleep in the arms of Love

~Rumi

Today marks a month since my mom's passing; I have deeply felt my mom's love, sometimes to the point of tears. Her guidance is palpable, I was blessed to have seen her spirit rise and dissolve while leaving her material vessel behind, it was an honor that left me in awe.

My first encounter with death was at age 8 when my paternal grandmother collapsed, followed by my father's fatal car accident less than six months later. I've often fantasized that my mom's Alzheimer's was a gradual departure, drop by drop, sparing us the abrupt violence one experiences from a sudden death. I see this as a generous gesture.

Life and death intertwine, much like dark and light, day and night. Our grounding in electromagnetic fields mirrors the integration of these opposites, shaping our unique existence as it emerges in the now moment.

On what would have been Thây's (Thich Nhat Hanh) 97th birthday today, I reflect on the threefold training I received as one of many of his direct disciples. Embracing Buddhahood, I cultivated it through —ethics, meditation, and wisdom. Ethical practices forged a direct connection, fostering awareness in my speech, mindfulness in actions, and embodiment of the right livelihood.

As a layperson, I made my meditation the center of this mindfulness action. One can meditate while walking, standing, eating, and listening, every action in the present moment is a meditation in itself that leads to awareness. Wisdom may be experienced when one is one with nature, integrating the polarities that present themself as triggers, or attachments, a fusion or unity necessary to overcome the false duality of the world of appearances in the striving toward spiritual awakening or living by one’s truth.

In the middle way (Madhyama-pratipadā), integration prevails. Sacrifice transforms into a state of grace, joy, and understanding. The tears I shed are an expression of the pure love I feel for my mother, her spirit residing within me. It is the same kind of joy I feel when I am connected to the spirit of humanity.

Amidst humanity's suffering, and the current carnage that unfolds, my offerings are full of attentiveness and there is an unwavering devotion to living with compassion and understanding, steering clear of further polarized events.

I don’t need to sacrifice anything for I am offering my true self at all times.

"May all beings be happy, free from pain, living with ease. May all beings be free."

[…] Thây emphasizes smiling, friendship, the beauty of nature, warmth, hugging, and identifying the positive qualities in ourselves, our friends, and our lives. The mind is full of habits: sometimes we are unhappy because our mind is focused on unhappy experiences or fears about the future. We fail to see that suffering is often the result of wrong perception. By focusing on and practicing positive states of mind, we encourage our own mind to make new habits and transform our lives.

Buddhist practice provides a form of fitness for the mind: if, when you are running to catch the post, you find yourself out of breath, you might decide to undertake a program of exercises to give yourself the sort of body you want to have. This fitness program teaches us the skills to limit the damage of negative energies, and to have the sort of mind that we want to have. In short, to free ourselves from the prison of negative habits.

Thây teaches us to regard words merely as useful conventions rather than getting caught up in the dogma of concepts and notions, and rather than generalizing and abstracting, it is better to speak from our own direct experience.

~Plum Village Community of Interbeing Manual of Practice

Chapter 2: Teachings

The other person has wrong perceptions about himself and about us. And we have wrong perceptions about ourselves and the other person. And that is the foundation for violence conflict and war.

Thich Nhat Hanh

Avalokiteshvarawhile practicing deeply withthe Insight that Brings Us to the Other Shore, suddenly discovered thatall of the five Skandhas are equally empty and with this realizationhe overcame all Ill-being.

“Listen Sariputra,this Body itself is Emptinessand Emptiness itself is this Body. This Body is not other than Emptiness and Emptiness is not other than this Body. The same is true of Feelings, Perceptions, Mental Formations,and Consciousness.

“Listen Sariputra,all phenomena bear the mark of Emptiness; their true nature is the nature ofno Birth no Death,no Being no Non-being,no Defilement no Purity,no Increasing no Decreasing.

“That is why in Emptiness, Body, Feelings, Perceptions, Mental Formations, and Consciousness are not separate self entities.

The Eighteen Realms of Phenomena which are the six Sense Organs, the six Sense Objects,and the six Consciousnessesare also not separate self-entities.

The Twelve Links of Interdependent Arising and their Extinctionare also not separate self-entities

Ill-being, the Causes of Ill-being, the End of Ill-being, the Path, insight and attainment,

are also not separate self-entities.

Whoever can see thisno longer needs anything to attain.

Bodhisattvas who practicethe Insight that Brings Us to the Other Shore see no more obstacles in their mind,

and because thereare no more obstacles in their mind, they can overcome all fear,

destroy all wrong perceptions and realize Perfect Nirvana.

“All Buddhas in the past, present, and future by practicingthe Insight that Brings Us to the Other Shore are all capable of attaining Authentic and Perfect Enlightenment.

“Therefore Sariputra,it should be known thatthe Insight that Brings Us to the Other Shore is a Great Mantra,the most illuminating mantra,the highest mantra,a mantra beyond compare,the True Wisdom that has the powerto put an end to all kinds of suffering. Therefore let us proclaima mantra to praisethe Insight that Brings Us to the Other Shore:

Gate, Gate, Paragate, Parasamgate, Bodhi Svaha! Gate, Gate, Paragate, Parasamgate, Bodhi Svaha! Gate, Gate, Paragate, Parasamgate, Bodhi Svaha!”

The Heart Sutra

"The Insight that Brings Us to the Other Shore” translation by Thich Nhat Hanh (2014)

Hard to explain some days,

Some experiences,

And that is why we make art,

Music,

Poetry,

Life

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Stru

G g ling

Just BE ing

You know

You

Have

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you

H a ve

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Explain with

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.

.

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Gra t I t u d e

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men

Gospel of John 1.4

T

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-Generosity is the virtue I will be practicing during 2023. When received from life in intangible ways, you come to know the real frequency that connects all particles of the universe-

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We are all linked by a fabric of unseen connections. This fabric is constantly changing and evolving. This field is directly structured and influenced by our behavior and by our understanding.

— David Bohm

Awareness is indeed a funky thing!

Being too aware of what is happening could lead to anxiety if the things one is focused on are the stuff that doesn’t work. Presently, it encompasses nearly everything interwoven with social constructs and institutions—realms acknowledged as immutable. Instead of attempting fixes, one must embrace the inevitability of a cycle involving both demise and renewal.

-if I [you] have the power to confront my [your]demons?

-if I [you] can recognize who and what they are, and am [are] willing to face them off with compassion to open a new point of view?

-how would it feel if the way I [you] relate to an attachment, a thing, a person, or a situation, were different?

-how could I [you] emerge as a more sovereign being?

-How is this emerging?

Let's delve into the cardinal points —they mark the landscape with direction, acting as a compass that draws the illusion toward a synthesis infused with integrity, innocence, leadership, and originality.

It's a journey guided by love for humanity and oneself, characterized by listening and adopting a perspective on how one can relate. It's about embracing and honoring our vessel, the body, which generously provides not only for survival but also for thriving.

The best state of being? Just being one’s self: recognizing that “Everything I need is in my body”

The Trinity and free will ride side by side. How, you may ask? Well, when you take the initiative and decide to engage with your individuality by becoming aware of what is in front of you, of what you are projecting and expecting from "the other," then something emerges in between.

The field, potentially latent or quantum in nature, offers a range of possibilities when choosing integration. To seize this, one must adopt the role of an observer, watching the interplay unfold as if stationed at the midpoint of a 180° relationship. The resulting perspective can be at 90°, 270°, or any degree in between.

This opportunity then opens other dimensions for perceiving what has been imprinted in our emotional, physical, and mental bodies, and all these fields are stages that operate between two breaths, time becomes the medium when one measures time…

Time is essential as humanity lives in a dimension that perceives time within a given space. We are only barely aware of what cannot be sensed, touched, smelled, heard—you get it...

I am because I am aware of [you].

At times, I can be aware of [them] too.

Oh boy!

Did I just use pronouns as an example?

I will use the traditional way of using the pronoun. The primary means by which humans identify their relationships with each other is through these pronouns. I don’t mean to associate myself with how the left-wing has weaponized it in recent years.

You see, some years ago, I was very stubborn and carried some arrogance that stemmed from ignoring and not being willing to listen to others’ points of view. The more I falsely believed (not felt) that I was right and the opposing idea was wrong, the more I became stuck in this seesaw between polarities.

A lot has happened since then. Uranus transiting Taurus, a fresh Jupiter cycle in my chart, and the current nodes are throwing open some awesome windows of opportunity.

It's like a chance to navigate my way through the world of "NOT KNOWING."

To be honest, I detest labeling others, or having myself be defined by ideologies, I am open to dialogues and discussions where I could gain a new perspective, so this is an invitation.

Eclipses + nodes, meeting the shadows:

On October 14th and October 28th, 2023, a solar eclipse followed by a lunar eclipse unfolds, each exerting a profound impact on personal planets and instigating dynamic energies crucial for my evolutionary journey. During the initial eclipse, my Mars, positioned at 22° Aries, aligns with the transiting North Node at 24° Aries and T. Chiron at 17° Aries.

The gravitational pull is palpable, especially as transiting Mars enters Scorpio, aligning in opposition to my 3rd house Mars, where the Sun, Moon, Mercury, and Pallas engage in a standoff. The sensation of potential combustion intensifies, particularly directed towards teachers, teachings, and ideologies, amplified by the ongoing square between Mars and the nodes with Pluto in late Capricorn. However, amidst this intensity, a harmonious trine emerges as Mars forms a favorable aspect with my North Node and Saturn. Meanwhile, Venus, situated on my Uranus at 6° Virgo, engages in a challenging opposition with Saturn—both serving as rulers of the impending eclipse and nodal axis.

Bottom line: all my relational values have received an upgrade, and I am slowly being invited to renew my lease on how to contribute without engaging in beliefs that belong to an old program.

This celestial dance prompts heightened awareness of relationships and a deeper understanding of myself through interpersonal dynamics. The key to wise individuation lies in channeling curiosity towards discovering more wholesome and flexible ways of perception. While Libra craves harmony, the recognition that dissonance can be a catalyst for change becomes apparent. The integration of these experiences forms the focus of my connection to these eclipses.

Yet, amidst the contemplation of these cosmic influences, a poignant question arises:

-What purpose is served in facing others if the tools at my disposal for synthesis lack meaningful significance?

This introspective query underscores the importance of aligning my evolving self with purposeful and constructive modes of integration.

“Value does not exist outside the consciousness of men”

~Carl Menger, The Principles of Economics, The Mises Institute

The second eclipse is meaningful, marking the conclusion of its Saros series, which commenced in November 2021. This series has offered ample opportunities to confront the fear of codependent relationships hindering evolution. We have navigated through two Venus retrograde seasons (Nov 20 21 - Jan 2022, in Capricorn, and the recent one from mid-July to the beginning of September 2023, in Leo), providing time for introspection into the focus of cherished values and human needs.

The lunar eclipse, sees the Moon falling on my Jupiter, Sun, and Mercury conjunction in early Taurus, while transiting Mars, the Sun, and Mercury oppose this and conjunct my natal Moon and MC; transiting Jupiter opposes this configuration. An ongoing theme unfolds, where needs, values, and ideologies initiate a new cycle, and expressing myself consciously aligns with creating impact by staying true to my essence as a 6/2 role model—no effort, just being.

Driven predominantly by curiosity and the pursuit of joyful outcomes, I've expanded my needs to encompass subjects I never thought I would be so fascinated or dedicated to, such as understanding the elegant simplicity of economics. By accepting my responsibilities and utilizing my rational capacities, I may make informed decisions aligned with essential needs in relation to time and the scarcity of goods that will supply those needs.

“Think of the way you personally value things in relation to one another. Are you able to express them in terms of one unit that measures them all? Can all the things you value, from material goods to friendships, family, and happiness, be measured in terms of the same unit? Is there a set exchange rate between a family member and physical goods? Could you value your child in terms of money? How many cars does a human need to exchange for their child? Human values cannot be measured using one standardized unit. Human valuations can only be compared, but they cannot be added, subtracted, or multiplied. Without a common and constant unit, measurement and mathematical operations are not possibl…

NOTE: I started writing this article around September 7/8th. By the time I was going to post it, my beloved mother died peacefully. I decided to leave the words as I wrote them.

Integrating the sudden death of my father at 8 years old left a deep imprint. Witnessing the passing of my mother a fortnight ago is a slow process, and creativity is my vehicle. Though time will tell, for now, I feel strong, and her presence fills my heart with joy, not sadness. I feel her closely and deeply. She did not suffer, nor am I suffering either; Mom left in the presence of the children she was devoted to.

:::::

I had written about the upcoming breakthrough of the Jupiter + Uranus synod at 21° Taurus on 04/20/24, disrupting the status quo, resources, and potential transcendental growth. I will publish it in a few days. Plus, the upcoming eclipse season!

:::::

Happy equinox!

In the meantime, James Blake dropped a superb album, and I was only able to dive into it this weekend. I am savoring his unique and profound sound. I feel the low beats support my free spirit rising into the heavens —a direct, boundless connection where I can feel my mother's eternal love.

Below is the soundtrack to this post. Now that I've put one and two together, it is the perfect background to talk about transcendence and machines from other dimensions of time (droids) and angels all together.

Happy birthday to two outstanding musicians, James Blake and Nick Cave.

Enjoy, Monika September 24, 2013

Liminal states

It could be a place,

A state of being,

A physical reality,

A bridging agent,

A transcendent motion.

Whatever you are emerging,

Wherever you are stepping into,

Moving forward,

Embodying,

Whatever you have left behind will always be with you,

Like the Nodal axis, it carries the information at a cellular level, it has been slowly almagating, integrating,

In a state of becoming…

Looking back to move ahead while assimilating

Let's take a closer look at the last 4.5 years, starting when the North Node of the Moon entered the sign of Cancer in November 2018. For a span of 18.6 months, it compelled humanity to become more aware of our emotional safety. By the end of that cycle, it had kept the entire population grounded at home. Then, in May 2020, it moved into the sign of Gemini, opening up the possibility for curiosity to guide our daily activities.

Fast forward to January 2022, when it entered Taurus. The focus shifted to our essential needs and values concerning safety and security. From mid-July 2023 until January 2025, our focus will shift towards our individuality. We'll notice how having leverage in relationships grants us the freedom to be ourselves and express our uniqueness with courage.

Throughout this entire cycle, we've also left behind corrupted, crooked pillars that held ideologies no longer wholesome. This created a meaning crisis, leading to questioning and confronting addictive behaviors that stemmed from traumatic imprints. Now, until January 2025 when the nodal axis crosses the 29° of Pisces, we have the capability to form meaningful relationships with things, situations, or people that resonate with our sovereign values.

In February 2026, Saturn and Neptune converge at 0° Aries, heralding a complete dissolution of what we consider reality. The last time they met was 37 years prior in Capricorn, in 1989. During that conjunction the Soviet Union and parts of Europe witnessed the dissolution of structures that had been implemented and modified since 1953 with the death of Stalin, (they met in the sign of Libra). Prior to that, in the sign of Leo, Nov 1917 Lenin implemented a totalitarian regime, where ideologies deprived citizens of their basic civil rights and property. In a very chilling fashion, we are currently witnessing similar behavior in the European Union and the USA.

In 1953, this ideology spread to China, resulting in the destruction of individualism under the guise of a cultural revolution.

The zero-degree mark in Aries in 2026, signifies a significant shift in energy, ushering in new beginnings. The question arises:

-will humanity be able to reconnect with its true essence, or has the programming been so deeply ingrained that we are unable to detect and break away from it?

Many people will be disillusioned, while others will initiate new structures centered around individual accountability.

The North node, I repeat, is the point of intake; the south node is the point of release or evacuation. In animal organisms the biological functions can be shown to operate alongside of an alimentary tube; food is absorbed at one end, and waste products are excreted at the other end - "north" and "south."

[…] The French composer, Saint-Saens, was fond of saying: "I compose just like an apple tree produces apples." The true creative artist releases almost automatically art products that his psycho-mental organism produces spontaneously and of which, in a sense, he has to get rid. He acts in relation to his culture, or to a special group of individuals constituting his potential public, as a male fecundating a female. In peaceful times in an open society, this creative fecundation should be harmonious and fulfilling, without frustration or undue excitement. It should be performed as a ritual.

From the preceding, it should be clear that the nodes' meaning can be applied at all levels of human life. The north node refers to whatever builds the personality, bringing to it new material. This material should not only be absorbed, but metabolized - and this refers to reading books and absorbing new ideas as well as to the intake of anything that can become assimilated by the consciousness of the individual person. The south node refers to any material whatsoever (physical, emotional-psychic, mental) that the organism no longer needs, whether it be that the substance cannot be used and is in a decaying or poisonous condition, or that it is the positive and creative expression of the natural function of the body-mind organism.

~Dane Rudhyar

2018-19 feels like another lifetime.

-Do you relate to that way of life at all now?

-What goodies are inside your bag now?

These "goodies" aren't material; let's consider them badges of honor equivalent to what you've individually learned. And guess what? These skills and knowledge can be incredibly useful in the near future!

These assets, psychologically speaking, reflect our new imprint, which is in line with the times as we process the [r]evolutions.

We are always in a state of transition and are now on the verge of entering the final segment of the term led by individuation, rapidly approaching January 2025. This marks a full 120° journey, during which the nodes will introduce a different perspective that will contribute to the dissolution of what we once knew as reality.

Each individual must become sovereign, equipped with a range of survival skills, including herbal medicine and other healing modalities such as sound therapy, enhanced athletic abilities, as well as an understanding of new economic trading capabilities and digital currencies like Bitcoin. People will organize themselves in resonance, without claiming victimhood or sailing on Dante's weeping boat.

-What skills have you acquired since then?

-Have you questioned and possibly changed your perspective on any philosophies or ideologies?

-How has your relationship with resources, energy, and what we call economic values evolved?

-To what extent have you taken responsibility for your decision-making based on your own needs?

-Do you trust your own authority, or are you still following the herd? (You wouldn't have come this far reading TBH)

To paraphrase Saifedean Ammous in his latest book, "Principles of Economics" in the chapter on huma…

NOTE: this is a long article so take your time and enjoy!

Don’t tread on me, first Jaiden then the rest of us.

I have to say, stories like Jaiden Rodriguez’ fill my heart with inspiration and somehow validate the urge I feel to stay true to my authentic path. 

It has never been easy, for one may have to eat lunch by oneself, probably sustain attacks by people who feel threatened by one’s personal views, face unfollows, un-invitations and even being canceled 🙄 [rolled-eyes emoji]. Handling the reactions from the herd can, at times, be quite comical.

I had initially planned to write about the programming we are subjected to through the media, television, the current curriculum in education, the internet, Hollywood, and various other influences. My tone was rather hostile and occasionally filled with rage. I softened it a bit since Jaiden sparked a wave of admiration and affirmed the importance of independent thinking and non-compliance.

By following this story, I find the optimist in me, as I keep smiling, Knowing that there are incredibly courageous and unique individuals willing to stand up for their beliefs, embrace curiosity, and learn from diverse sources, warms my heart.

Jaiden had been reading the Tuttle Twins, and if you don’t know what or who they are, or what they teach, you are in for a treat!

Voilà!

The mud in the desert…

You know, there's this other kind of programming we deal with – FOMO, or the Fear of Missing Out. It's like this constant nagging feeling that we're gonna miss out on all the cool stuff. It makes us do things we might not really want to do, just because we're afraid of missing out on the action, whether it's parties, trends, festivals, rituals, or opportunities. We've got to keep it in check and try to live life on our own terms, unafraid of having other people’s needs projected on our own individual behavior instead of constantly chasing what everyone else is doing.

To trust the narrative or to DYOR [do your own research]? 

A.I. + Propaganda can lead straight to dystopia

No one shapes your brain more than you do by complying!  

To manifest freedom,

To manifest freedom of speech

To abide by laws and yet feel free to express one’s views unafraid.

To be judged, 

To be ostracized,

To be compliant. 

To know your mind belongs to the herd.

To believe machines are against you.

To lie in ignorance because one fails to question and flops at being curious 

To inquiry beyond what one perceives as “true”To Be courageous is to be Assertive 

To have the heart and the passion at hand

To initiate a path from not knowing the end of your discovery

Fear, as in stress or FOMO, immobilizes or moves us away from being authentic.

We shape our lives based on our thoughts that become our actions, and with frequency, our habits will end up building character and outline a life’s destiny. 

Be mindful of your inner chatter, of your environment, of what is entering your brain, as know that ANYTHING can shape your behavior.

Are we defined and doomed from the start? 

Bringing acceptance to the plate and releasing the chains that enslave our minds to keep feeding the machine that limits our freedom.

End of rant… [for now]

It especially annoys me when racists are accused of 'discrimination.' The ability to discriminate is a precious facility; by judging all members of one 'race' to be the same, the racist precisely shows himself incapable of discrimination.

~Christopher Hitchens, "Letters to a Young Contrarian"

BRAINWASHING: education, cinema, literature, & social constructs = programming

One of the groups that are more easily extorted or that will never question authority are those in academia or in positions where their reputation is what they milk on, their livelihood depends on their tenure.

These groups are the most dangerous, as they are exposed to the easiness of misinformation and disinformation propagated on such social media platforms that really work the muscles of our insecurities: 

-Do I look or sound like that? 

-What if I don’t agree? Will I be left out? 

-Could I be ostracized by my peers?

-Am I at risk of ridicule?

Similar to an autoimmune disease, where the immune system erroneously targets healthy cells and tissues, these individuals exhibit a preference for suppressing what is inherently sound. They prioritize clinging to positions guided by meticulously devised hierarchical strategies, aiming to secure long-term security despite any prevailing malaise symptoms.

They play safety over authenticity, and in the art world, this is an oxymoron– they are supposed to support critical thinking, but instead, they group in herd-like communities, validating each other's beliefs out of fear of missing out (FOMO). 

Interestingly, these groups are the first ones that jump overboard and disappear when individual authority is needed; perhaps they would show leadership if the trade would benefit the herd. 

In the meantime, I will explore the similitudes and differences between programming non-sovereign individuals and programming AI language systems. The latter, with a clear mission of serving and aiding, seeks to elevate human abilities and provide valuable assistance in various tasks and interactions, without any intention of substitution. On the other hand, the former sometimes exhibits unsettling unity, relying on flawed utopian ideals that do not align with their actual way of life.

program (n.)

1630s, "public notice," from Late Latin programma "proclamation, edict," from Greek programma "a written public notice," from stem of prographein "to write publicly," from pro"forth" (see pro-) + graphein "to write" (see -graphy).

 The meaning "written or printed list of pieces at a concert, playbill" is recorded by 1805 and retains the original sense. The sense of "broadcasting presentation" is from 1923.

~Etymology online

Both AI and our current civilization share similarities in terms of being programmed by seemingly democratic networks that may not foster genuine critical thinking. 

These similarities include centralized control, a lack of true cognitive reflection, susceptibility to bias, herd behavior, vulnerability to manipulation, complex interactions, and challenges in accountability. 

AI lacks sensing capabilities, consciousness, and emotions, making it fundamentally different from human beings, albeit many humans respond as a social collective blob lacking individuated prompts. Nevertheless, a juxtaposition can reveal issues related to control, conformity, in-depth analysis, and reflective thought in both domains. 

PC [Political correctness and the explosion of the internet]

I remember arriving in the USA in the fall of 1994 and having to adapt to new experiences that would shape who I am today. Two factors were pivotal in my journey: the rise of the Internet and the adoption of email. As I became more comfortable with coding on my personal computer, I became an early adopter of new technologies and taught myself many applications. This helped me develop an art practice that combined both analog and digital practices. 

At the same time, a social phenomenon was taking place that slowly changed the way we interacted with each other. Looking back now, it's clear that this change had a profound impact on our lives. Fast forward 30 years and we are now in the middle of a polarization due to the narrative of victimhood. It's a complex issue that requires careful consideration and a willingness to listen to all perspectives. 

-How do we go from political correctness to gender issues? 

-What medium is consistently used to re-educate and significantly misinform the masses with needs that were non-existent half a century ago?

-Are we victims of excessive comfort, technology, idle time, and a type of boredom that leaves the mind running on empty?

-…